I Am a Researcher

Why and how did you decide to get involved in undergraduate research?

I am passionate about art-making as a valuable tool in presenting research and sharing forms of material knowledge that are often overlooked in academic fields.

What has been the most exciting/interesting thing you've discovered through your research?

Through my research, I gained a deeper understanding of how textiles can serve as carriers of knowledge, pain, and growth. It was exciting to explore material processes in terms of culture, memory, and repair.

What did you gain from this program/experience?

The URS program gave me an opportunity to explore how research can take many forms and showed me that art can be a legitimate and powerful way of preserving and interpreting cultural memory. This program also taught me research skills that I intend to carry forward into my creative practice. Research grounds my projects historically and culturally while enabling me to present concepts that are meaningful, critically engaged, and visually compelling.

What advice would you give to students starting research?

Don’t be afraid to pivot and revise your research plans, even after putting a lot of effort into your original idea. Give your full effort to every stage of the process, and when presenting visual work, be intentional with what you include and how you present it. Remember, your research doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Draw from multiple sources and find inspiration even in the mistakes you make along the way. Stay committed and trust the process!

What advice do you have for others interested in applying for this scholarship (or others)?

Be truly passionatee about your goals and the impact you want to make. Apply! Build connections with professors who have given you meaningful feedback in the past and who you believe could be valuable mentors. Research spans across many disciplines, so if you have preconceived ideas about what research looks like and think it doesn’t apply to your work, try to make a plan for how research could benefit your projects.

What are your future plans?

After I graduate from UCSD, I plan to pursue a filmmaking career, focusing on stop-motion and animation. Alongside this, I will continue beat-making and producing music under my artist name, CHRY POP, while growing my creative brand Agvillia.

Anything else you want to share?

Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to try your best! Apply for scholarships, put your heart into what you do, and remember that it is okay to change.

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