First time at RITMO
The first time I discovered RITMO was in a classroom during my cognitive science studies. Given my strong affinity for anything related to the brain, cognition, and interdisciplinary work, I was immediately drawn to the lab's research on music and rhythm. As someone who used to produce music, I also have a keen interest in rhythm and music. I reached out to my future supervisor, Bruno Laeng, via email and was pleasantly surprised by the welcoming and flexible atmosphere at RITMO upon my arrival.
During my first summer at RITMO, I gained valuable experience in working autonomously and learned the theory behind pupillometry. While building an experiment with a stationary eye-tracker, I honed my skills and was able to measure cognitive effort and emotion in response to both familiar and unfamiliar music. Throughout the process, Bruno and Nabil were always available to provide guidance and assistance, which helped me to gain a deeper understanding of the research process.
Returning to RITMO
The following summer, I wanted to expand my knowledge and learn about motion capture and different types of eye-tracking, such as mobile eye-trackers. Bruno recommended that I seek guidance from Laura Bishop, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with her.
My second experience was equally as positive as the first. I felt more comfortable and was able to learn a great deal. Laura taught me the various procedures for capturing and analyzing the data, which allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the research process. Additionally, I had the opportunity to assist at different seminars and a workshop, which broadened my perspective and gave me exposure to different research areas.
Continuing collaborations
At the time, I was also completing my bachelor's thesis, and Laura was very supportive in helping me prepare for my defense and providing valuable advice. Her guidance and mentorship were invaluable to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with her.
The members of the RITMO team are friendly and open to discussion. Despite my limited English proficiency, I never felt judged.
Moving forward, I am eager to continue collaborating with Bruno, Nabil, and Laura, and to learn from other parts of the lab. I am excited to continue developing my skills and knowledge in this field and to contribute to the ongoing research at RITMO.