Janice Sefah Email & Phone Number

Urbana-Champaign Area

Urbana, Illinois, United States

Laboratory Research Assistant at Family Resiliency CenterSTRONG Kids 2: A Cells to Society Approach to NutritionSTRONG=Synergistic Theory and Research on Nutrition and Obesity GroupContributed to the publication of Reconciling Opposing Effects of Emotion on Relational Memory: Behavioral, Eye-Tracking, & Brain Imaging Investigations.Orchestrated the recruitment of 50+ families and directed the execution of a pivotal brain imaging study aimed at understanding the intricate relationship between food perception and emotional responses in children and how it related to the human gut microbiome.Utilized video-based tracking methods to characterize and code behavioral and eating synchrony in parent-child dyads during family mealtimes, all while exploring the multifaceted interplay between nutrition, obesity, and child development.Collaborated closely with fellow research assistants, graduate students, and faculty members to exchange ideas regarding coding, troubleshoot challenges, and contribute to the collective success of the research group.

Urbana, Illinois, United States

Taught Introductory Chemistry to over 90 students.Drove student engagement and comprehension of fundamental chemistry principles by effectively communicating and breaking down complex topics into comprehensible components to enhance students' understanding and retention.Designed and orchestrated impactful review sessions, mock exams, practice exams, and group discussions that enhanced student performance on exams and in the course overall and equipped students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in exams and assessments.Fostered active participation, critical thinking, and collaborative learning among students.Assisted in grading assignments, quizzes, and exams, providing constructive feedback to students and aiding them in identifying areas for improvement.

Urbana, Illinois, United States

Played a pivotal role in fostering a nurturing and enriching learning environment for children aged 2 to 5 within the Early/Child Development Laboratory through supporting the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of young learners.Assisted in designing and delivering interactive lesson plans that integrated play, art, and hands-on activities to stimulate curiosity and facilitate early learning.Administered meals and provided diaper changing assistance and care for infants and toddlers.

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Observed and actively participated in various clinical settings, gaining first hand insights into patient care, medical procedures, and honed critical skills essential for success in the interdisciplinary nature of medical education and practice. Attended seminars, workshops, panels, and group discussions that covered topics such as medical ethics, patient communication, and healthcare administration.Engaged with healthcare professionals and faculty mentors who shared their expertise, offered guidance on the medical field, and provided advice on navigating the path and application process to medical school.The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary academic enrichment experience that emphasizes a global approach to learning. Our cross-cutting interprofessional curriculum is comprised of faculty and staff from the UNMC Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy. We strive to graduate confident and proud SHPEP Scholars ready to pursue their educational goals and dreams.Our program is focused on essential competencies required of our future successful health professionals, who will be tasked with assuring health equity, access, and delivering culturally and linguistically competent health services. Critical elements of the UNMC SHPEP curriculum include a broad spectrum of resilience and personal health and wellness promotion, fostering self-care practices, problem-solving, time-, and financial management, and study skills. UNMC SHPEP Scholars are involved in a wide range of academic enrichment activities in the basic and social sciences and interactive workshops aimed at strengthening students’ research and inquiry skills. Multiple career development sessions are intentionally distributed across all professional disciplines represented and are used to support scholars and to demystify the admissions process to health profession schools.

Urbana, Illinois, United States

Provided valuable guidance to university students seeking mastery of the Spanish language. Tailored teaching methods to suit diverse learning styles, facilitating effective communication and cultural understanding while fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment.Adapted tutoring strategies to align with each student's proficiency level, learning pace, and individual goals, resulting in optimized comprehension and language acquisition.Leveraged my fluency in Spanish to facilitate comprehensive language instruction, including vocabulary expansion, grammar refinement, and conversational fluency.Designed engaging lessons that incorporated interactive exercises, dialogues, and real-world scenarios, promoting active participation and practical application of language skills.Developed personalized learning plans and tracked students' progress, providing continuous feedback and identifying areas for improvement to ensure steady growth.Curated and shared language resources, including literature, podcasts, and multimedia content, to enhance students' exposure and immersion in Spanish.

Urbana, Illinois, United States

Conveyed foundational chemistry concepts in a clear and concise manner, breaking down complex topics into manageable segments to enhance students' grasp of essential principles.Adapted tutoring methods to accommodate diverse learning styles, modifying teaching strategies and materials to suit individual students' needs and preferences.Enhanced students' problem-solving skills by navigating through practice exercises, sample problems, and interactive discussions, ensuring proficiency in handling basic chemical calculations.Tracked students' academic progress, identified areas for improvement, and provided constructive feedback to ensure steady growth and academic success.Fostered an environment of encouragement and support, where students felt comfortable asking questions, addressing challenges, and building their confidence in chemistry.

Urbana, Illinois, United States

Contributed to over 25 students' professional growth by providing expert guidance, serving as a mentor for the students pursuing medicine, and collaborating closely with the instructor to create an empowering educational environment.Shared in-depth insights into the diverse opportunities and pathways within the field of Human Development and Family Studies, guiding students toward informed career decisions. Designed and facilitated engaging workshops, discussions, and career exploration sessions, enabling students to actively explore their interests and align them with potential career trajectories.Provided personalized mentoring to students, offering advice, resources, and strategies to help them map out their educational and career goals.

Human Development And Family Studies, B.S., Honors Diploma, Child And Adolescent Development Concentration, Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies

Minor, Spanish

Minor, Child Health And Well-Being