Siyu is a junior on the computation track of cognitive science at the University of Michigan. Her research journey began unexpectedly during the winter semester of her freshman year when she attended an undergraduate research fair with a friend. Although she hadn't initially planned to join a lab, a booth displaying photos of monkeys and apes caught her attention. After talking to the graduate researchers at the booth, Siyu learned about the Cognitive Evolution Group, directed by Dr. Alexandra Rosati.

The lab's mission to examine the evolutionary origins of the human mind through comparative studies of primate cognition immediately resonated with her. “The idea of understanding how our primate relatives think about the world and comparing their psychological abilities to ours was fascinating,” she reflected. Without hesitation, she decided to apply and join the lab.She was on the chimpanzee behavior team and her responsibilities centered around data collection and compilation. Though really simple, the work involved a lot of careful observation and documentation, and required her to develop skills in behavioral coding, data management, and research protocols. 

Being a freshman working in a lab was initially really intimidating. The lab environment, filled with experienced graduate students and complex research procedures, felt overwhelming at first. “I was scared to ask stupid questions and worried about appearing unprepared among all the graduate students,” she recalled, “I found myself being extremely careful with every detail because I didn’t want to overlook anything that could mess up the data.”

This initial anxiety about making mistakes led Siyu to adopt a very meticulous approach to her work. While this attention to detail served her well in maintaining data quality, she gradually learned that asking questions was not only acceptable but encouraged. Her lab mentors “showed me that thoughtful questions are signs of intellectual growth rather than incompetence,” she recalled. 

As her confidence grew, Siyu began to engage more deeply with the research process itself. She found herself thinking critically about methodological choices and occasionally questioned the researchers' decisions when she noticed potential improvements or alternative approaches. Her transformation from a cautious observer to an active contributor who could offer valuable perspectives equipped her with critical thinking abilities and the confidence to question established approaches. These skills will serve her well not only in future research endeavors but in any professional setting where innovation and analytical thinking are valued.