Athena Thai won first place at the Illinois Summer Research Symposium for her Undergraduate Research Talk, "Challenges to Implementing Trauma-Informed Practices: Serving Students of Color in School-Based Settings."

The Illinois Summer Research Symposium is the culminating program that features cutting-edge research, achievement, and creativity by summer scholars. Nearly 140 scholars presented research developed through the mentorship and training of faculty members from various disciplines.

Athena participated in the Summer Research Opportunities Program, working under faculty mentor Dr. Lynda Gibson to examine the efficacy and barriers of implementing trauma-informed practices in a school serving under-resourced youth of color.

She is currently working on her bachelor's degree in psychology at Rutgers University.