Undergraduate Researcher of the Year 2009
Regional Campuses and Distance Education

Dustin Jones is a senior majoring in the field of psychology. He has a strong interest in medicine and health, and upon graduation in the summer or fall of 2009 he hopes to attend medical school. His two main areas of interest are neurology and pediatrics.

Dustin’s first experience with undergraduate research was in the spring of 2008 while working in the neural coding laboratory on the Logan campus looking at the processing and perception of complex sounds. After this exposure to research, he decided to focus on the relationship between health and personality.  

When Dustin met Dr. Christopher Johnson in the fall of 2008, his research interest was piqued by Dr. Johnson’s dynamic approach to teaching. Dustin’s research project, entitled Examining mindfulness, acceptance, health locus of control, and well-being, has been submitted to the Science and Behavioral Medicine national conference. He also plans to participate in the student showcase event this year. “I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to share my research,” Dustin said. “It is rewarding to know that I can make a contribution to this field of study, my school and my community.”

The concepts taught in the classroom came alive for Dustin as he applied them in research. The skills he gained have enabled him to think critically and contribute to the production of knowledge which, according to Dustin, is really the point of conducting research.

As a distance education student, Dustin is especially grateful for the opportunity to work with a doctoral-level professor. While distance education is not without its challenges, he feels the smaller class sizes allowed him to have more one-on-one time with his instructors.

Dustin, from Sandy Utah, participates in courses online and at the Salt Lake Education Center. He is an EMT for Intermountain Healthcare and also volunteers with the Red Cross and other organizations. Dustin also works with adolescents as a counselor in a program that promotes leadership and teamwork.