Lehigh University Athletics
Behaviors Are Everywhere
7/9/2019 3:01:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse, Student Athlete, Features, Intellectual Development
By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
At the root of all human interactions, and life in general, are behaviors. Just ask Behavioral Neuroscience major Kate Derrenbacker of the Lehigh women's lacrosse's team.
"In everything we do, we see something then respond to it," she said. "I am super passionate about behaviors."
Derrenbacker is channeling that passion this summer as a member of the undergraduate SURF program at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Her internship features two parts, observing clinical sessions and conducting research focused on studying Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
"Each student at Upstate Medical University is paired with a doctor one-on-one, basically like our advisor," said Derrenbacker.
Luckily for Derrenbacker, she was paired with the doctor she requested after proactively inquiring about working with him.
"I had a shared interest in his lab and what he does," she said.
So, what does the lab entail?
"Upstate Pediatrics Hospital has what's called a behavior analysis clinic, with several types of doctors," said Derrenbacker. "Some are psychiatrists, some are behavior analysts and some are just regular doctors with their MD. The clinic is focused on working with children who have special needs and special disabilities, particularly working with kids who have neurocognitive disorders like autism, ADHD or Down syndrome."
The goal of the clinic is to come up with different treatment methods to help these individuals communicate and behave in appropriate ways.
"Kids with autism can sometimes be really aggressive or kids with Down syndrome don't know how to ask for things appropriately," said Derrenacker.
Derrenbacker observes doctors working with the youngsters, focusing on data collection.
"Before starting every session, I take data on whether or not the children are cooperating – if they're in their seat, if they're focused on their task or if they're engaging in a problem behavior or appropriate behavior," she said. "As the session is going and the therapists and doctors are working with the kids, I'm keying into a computer all the different things that are going on. The doctors can see as they go from session to session if the child is improving and see what things they still need to work on."
The clinic is the second half of Derrenbacker's work each day. Every morning from approximately 9 a.m. to noon, she works on a research assignment in the lab.
"We're doing experiments, studying different behaviors with rats and mice," said Derrenbacker. "I had to design my own research proposal, which I have already presented on. My research is focused on neurodevelopment disorders, but more on a basic level in mice. We're training them to do different behaviors, we're manipulating how those behaviors are reinforced and then observing how the mice respond to the different changes in reinforcement."
The end hope is to see results that could be translated into better therapy methods with children who have neurodevelopment disorders.
"We're working with mice at a basic research level, then if we have success with this experiment, we'll be able to work with mice who have neurodevelopmental disorders," said Derrenbacker. "Hopefully, with repeated success in the research, it will improve therapy methods for the millions of people who struggle with neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders.
"That's how it comes full circle."
All this is interesting work for Derrenbacker, who is experiencing a little bit of everything during her internship. She wouldn't want it any other way.
"Not a lot of times do internships combine both research and clinical aspects," said Derrenbacker.
Derrenbacker is willing to do whatever it takes to grow as a person, and professional.
"One day, I'll be taking care of and running experiments with the mice. Then the next day, I'll be doing something with the rats," she said. "Every day, we have to weigh them, feed them and clean their cages. At the end of the day, I'll go to the clinic and see the kids, which is awesome. I get to see how all the work translates."
Work - on the lacrosse field, in the classroom and in professional settings - is something Derrenbacker definitely knows how to do.
"Kate fully embraces the concept of sacrificing for your goals," said Lehigh head coach Jill Redfern. "She has tremendous drive and passion about her academics and career path. She's well respected by her peers and our staff as a student-athlete who is taking full advantage of her undergraduate opportunities. We encourage our athletes to take on whatever they want to do at Lehigh and through internships, with the understanding that their lacrosse commitment will remain a top priority too. Kate has exemplified this for four years."
With her summer internship, combined with a cumulative GPA well over 3.5, Derrenbacker has already sacrificed so much for her goals. Her hard work should pay off when looking ahead to one of her next big goals… getting into graduate school.
"After I graduate, my main goal is to go back to school, get my master's and eventually PhD in behavior analytics, which is what I'm doing this summer," she said. "This summer is definitely a good indicator of what I want to do and it pairs with my major perfectly."
Throughout her Lehigh experience, Derrenbacker has been learning and growing off the field, due in large part to the growth mindset within Lehigh Athletics. This summer alone, Derrenbacker has put in countless hours at her internship, written a paper and stayed on top of her lacrosse so she comes back to campus ready to go.
"Doubt whether or not I could handle everything never crossed my mind," she said. "Coach Jill's motto is, if you can handle it, then go for it."
"Go for it" is exactly what Derrenbacker is doing, combining so many passions into one.
"I've always had a passion for working with kids who have disabilities, so it worked out that I had this opportunity," she said. "I'm so passionate about COACH (Community Outreach by Athletes who Care about Helping). Even though this summer is an internship, just being able to see these kids come so far and be able to communicate, go out in the world and have success, it's so rewarding. I definitely see it as a form of giving back because I'm learning so much through them and I'm also able to help them."
While Derrenbacker has helped others this summer, her internship is also helping her.
"I didn't know how to put together a formal research proposal, but we had to write one in our first week," she said. "I've read and written more in the past three weeks than I ever thought I was capable. Sitting down every day after work, going through scientific papers and taking notes is teaching me really good skills, which I'll definitely need for writing my dissertation to get my PhD."
Her PhD is still several years down the road, but for now, Derrenbacker is writing the final chapters of her Lehigh days, entering her senior year this coming fall semester.
"The more I look around, the more I realize how well prepared I was for this summer," she said. "Prepared from an academic standpoint where I understand what's going on and I'm not in over my head, but athletics has also taught me time management."
And what is at the root of managing time effectively?
Behaviors.
It's safe to say that through her Lehigh experiences, Derrenbacker has not only learned life-long skills, but also behaviors that will last a lifetime.
"We have deadlines this summer and others may be panicking about it, but lacrosse has prepared me," she said.
"I am definitely thankful for Lehigh."
"We have no doubts Kate is going to make Lehigh and our program very proud," said Redfern.
At the root of all human interactions, and life in general, are behaviors. Just ask Behavioral Neuroscience major Kate Derrenbacker of the Lehigh women's lacrosse's team.
"In everything we do, we see something then respond to it," she said. "I am super passionate about behaviors."
Derrenbacker is channeling that passion this summer as a member of the undergraduate SURF program at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Her internship features two parts, observing clinical sessions and conducting research focused on studying Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
"Each student at Upstate Medical University is paired with a doctor one-on-one, basically like our advisor," said Derrenbacker.
Luckily for Derrenbacker, she was paired with the doctor she requested after proactively inquiring about working with him.
"I had a shared interest in his lab and what he does," she said.
So, what does the lab entail?
"Upstate Pediatrics Hospital has what's called a behavior analysis clinic, with several types of doctors," said Derrenbacker. "Some are psychiatrists, some are behavior analysts and some are just regular doctors with their MD. The clinic is focused on working with children who have special needs and special disabilities, particularly working with kids who have neurocognitive disorders like autism, ADHD or Down syndrome."
The goal of the clinic is to come up with different treatment methods to help these individuals communicate and behave in appropriate ways.
"Kids with autism can sometimes be really aggressive or kids with Down syndrome don't know how to ask for things appropriately," said Derrenacker.
Derrenbacker observes doctors working with the youngsters, focusing on data collection.
"Before starting every session, I take data on whether or not the children are cooperating – if they're in their seat, if they're focused on their task or if they're engaging in a problem behavior or appropriate behavior," she said. "As the session is going and the therapists and doctors are working with the kids, I'm keying into a computer all the different things that are going on. The doctors can see as they go from session to session if the child is improving and see what things they still need to work on."
The clinic is the second half of Derrenbacker's work each day. Every morning from approximately 9 a.m. to noon, she works on a research assignment in the lab.
"We're doing experiments, studying different behaviors with rats and mice," said Derrenbacker. "I had to design my own research proposal, which I have already presented on. My research is focused on neurodevelopment disorders, but more on a basic level in mice. We're training them to do different behaviors, we're manipulating how those behaviors are reinforced and then observing how the mice respond to the different changes in reinforcement."
The end hope is to see results that could be translated into better therapy methods with children who have neurodevelopment disorders.
"We're working with mice at a basic research level, then if we have success with this experiment, we'll be able to work with mice who have neurodevelopmental disorders," said Derrenbacker. "Hopefully, with repeated success in the research, it will improve therapy methods for the millions of people who struggle with neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders.
"That's how it comes full circle."
All this is interesting work for Derrenbacker, who is experiencing a little bit of everything during her internship. She wouldn't want it any other way.
"Not a lot of times do internships combine both research and clinical aspects," said Derrenbacker.
Derrenbacker is willing to do whatever it takes to grow as a person, and professional.
"One day, I'll be taking care of and running experiments with the mice. Then the next day, I'll be doing something with the rats," she said. "Every day, we have to weigh them, feed them and clean their cages. At the end of the day, I'll go to the clinic and see the kids, which is awesome. I get to see how all the work translates."
Work - on the lacrosse field, in the classroom and in professional settings - is something Derrenbacker definitely knows how to do.
"Kate fully embraces the concept of sacrificing for your goals," said Lehigh head coach Jill Redfern. "She has tremendous drive and passion about her academics and career path. She's well respected by her peers and our staff as a student-athlete who is taking full advantage of her undergraduate opportunities. We encourage our athletes to take on whatever they want to do at Lehigh and through internships, with the understanding that their lacrosse commitment will remain a top priority too. Kate has exemplified this for four years."
With her summer internship, combined with a cumulative GPA well over 3.5, Derrenbacker has already sacrificed so much for her goals. Her hard work should pay off when looking ahead to one of her next big goals… getting into graduate school.
"After I graduate, my main goal is to go back to school, get my master's and eventually PhD in behavior analytics, which is what I'm doing this summer," she said. "This summer is definitely a good indicator of what I want to do and it pairs with my major perfectly."
Throughout her Lehigh experience, Derrenbacker has been learning and growing off the field, due in large part to the growth mindset within Lehigh Athletics. This summer alone, Derrenbacker has put in countless hours at her internship, written a paper and stayed on top of her lacrosse so she comes back to campus ready to go.
"Doubt whether or not I could handle everything never crossed my mind," she said. "Coach Jill's motto is, if you can handle it, then go for it."
"Go for it" is exactly what Derrenbacker is doing, combining so many passions into one.
"I've always had a passion for working with kids who have disabilities, so it worked out that I had this opportunity," she said. "I'm so passionate about COACH (Community Outreach by Athletes who Care about Helping). Even though this summer is an internship, just being able to see these kids come so far and be able to communicate, go out in the world and have success, it's so rewarding. I definitely see it as a form of giving back because I'm learning so much through them and I'm also able to help them."
While Derrenbacker has helped others this summer, her internship is also helping her.
"I didn't know how to put together a formal research proposal, but we had to write one in our first week," she said. "I've read and written more in the past three weeks than I ever thought I was capable. Sitting down every day after work, going through scientific papers and taking notes is teaching me really good skills, which I'll definitely need for writing my dissertation to get my PhD."
Her PhD is still several years down the road, but for now, Derrenbacker is writing the final chapters of her Lehigh days, entering her senior year this coming fall semester.
"The more I look around, the more I realize how well prepared I was for this summer," she said. "Prepared from an academic standpoint where I understand what's going on and I'm not in over my head, but athletics has also taught me time management."
And what is at the root of managing time effectively?
Behaviors.
It's safe to say that through her Lehigh experiences, Derrenbacker has not only learned life-long skills, but also behaviors that will last a lifetime.
"We have deadlines this summer and others may be panicking about it, but lacrosse has prepared me," she said.
"I am definitely thankful for Lehigh."
"We have no doubts Kate is going to make Lehigh and our program very proud," said Redfern.
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