Charlotte (Charlie) McCormick is an honors student from San Antonio, Texas, studying public health and human development and family sciences. In March, she presented her research on FDA regulations on menthol at the Society for Nicotine and Tobacco Research in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Charlie hiking in Scotland during the recent trip
Hi Friends! My name is Charlotte McCormick, but you can call me Charlie! I currently research nicotine and tobacco, specifically, the policy that surrounds them! My current research focuses on menthol, a cooling agent in tobacco and nicotine, that the FDA is making moves to ban in the U.S., and how these policy loopholes could be exploited to create ways to circumvent this upcoming ban.
Charlie with advisor professor Page Dobbs at the conference
For my poster presentation, I had the honor of traveling to the Society for Research in Nicotine and Tobacco’s annual conference in Edinburgh, Scotland. This was my first academic conference as a researcher in the Health Equity and Addictions lab, I was so humbled to present my research on such a large scale. This trip was invaluable to my academic experience, as I was able to network with experts in my field and discuss their research with them in person. I attended a talk on day 1 of the conference from an esteemed speaker that I was so excited for and then by the end of the conference, I was discussing my research with that speaker. My research paragons weren’t any longer hidden behind academic journals or lecterns, they were right there next to me at lunch or coat check.
All the feedback my research partner and Susana received was extremely positive. Most researchers were impressed that we had made it to SRNT as undergrads, it was extremely validating to me personally and showed that I do have a place and contributions to bring to the field of nicotine and tobacco research and I do belong in public health research. Being able to have an opportunity like this so young showed me that I have a long future in academia and that my voice can be heard and useful in this space.
Charlie and the other Health Equity and Addictions lab researchers with advisor professor Page Dobbs
I had many opportunities to network; it was so exciting to have professionals feel so accessible. I was able to network with many researchers whose work I have admired and cited throughout my undergraduate career. In addition to meeting many experts in my field, I also had the pleasure of traveling there with my fellow undergraduate researchers in the lab. Being able to bond with them as friends and see their personal expertise and academic prowess as researchers in action was inspiring. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by strong, yet compassionate academic minds
I presented a research poster presentation on the last day of the conference. This specific project I presented was very personally consequential for me as it was the first research project I took on as an honors student in the Health Equity and Addictions Lab. From conception to finalization, I was involved. Having that opportunity is invaluable to me.
Attending a research conference as an undergraduate is an invaluable personal opportunity. First and foremost, wear comfortable shoes, I promise you you’ll thank yourself for them later. Secondly, don’t hesitate to ask questions during sessions or at poster presentations, your questions have value and contribute to academic discussions, regardless of if you are an undergraduate. You do belong in academic spaces!
Next for me is presenting my honor’s thesis research at the Undergraduate Research Symposium this spring! I will continue working in the Health Equity and Addictions Lab throughout my undergraduate career and will begin to investigate grad school programs and post-grad opportunities before I graduate in Spring 2025.