Gaining Opportunity Through Research

Kristina Todorovic’s graduate school experience was all about research opportunities. After speaking with students in her program during the admission process, Kristina made the easy choice to enroll at RWU. She saw it as a school that not only closely aligned with her own research interests, but also provided an environment that ensures that she would have a number of opportunities to gain research experience.

“As a thesis student, it’s very valuable to have multiple research experiences. Professors here include you in their research and are very resourceful in helping you find other opportunities.”

Kristina worked on a number research projects. In one of them, she worked with a professor on studying the CSI effect – where people believe the forensic science they see on crime television shows – and how it affects jurors in opening and closing arguments.

Another research opportunity involved Kristina working as one of a select group of students conducting research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where she helped to study plea bargaining in the juvenile legal system and how lawyers perceive it. One of her RWU professors connected her with the School’s lead forensic researcher, Gina Vincent, a nationally-renowned forensic psychology expert.

Previously, Kristina also helped research how jurors process improper statements by prosecutors in closing arguments in order to determine the number of strong counter arguments they may need in order to be persuaded.