Apoorva is a PhD student in the School of Social Work, with a master’s in psychological science from right here at Illinois. Currently, Apoorva works with Dr. Rachel Garthe as a lead graduate research assistant in the Violence Prevention Research Lab, and is a Career Exploration Fellow with CSBS. The Graduate College’s Career Exploration Fellowship Program connects doctoral students with administrative units within the university for substantive, mentored work experiences.
Please tell us a bit about yourself and what drew you to the fellowship.
My research focuses on strengthening coordinated responses to domestic violence and supporting survivors in healing through approaches that honor their individual needs. Over time, I’ve grown increasingly interested in research careers outside of the traditional tenure track path– especially roles that emphasize my skills in interdisciplinary, community-engaged, and socially impactful work. Prior to the Career Exploration Fellowship (CEF), I struggled to find hands on opportunities that supported this direction.
When I learned CSBS was a CEF host site, it felt like an ideal fit. I had previously interacted with CSBS staff through various research projects and have always wanted to be involved with them professionally. The fellowship offered an exciting opportunity to explore alternative career pathways, gain practical experience, and deepen my understanding of CSBS and the types of professional roles it offers.
What have you worked on so far during your fellow?
In just five weeks, I have already had the opportunity to engage in a wide range of tasks across different areas of CSBS, which has been both exciting and enriching. I am supporting Kaylee Lukacena with the research development support arm by identifying potential funding opportunities and creating checklists to help faculty with external grant proposals. This work has given me insight into the grant process and the behind-the-scenes infrastructure of research support.
Additionally, I am participating in the public engagement workshops run by Paige Duncan through the Illinois Science Explorers program. These workshops have introduced me to strategies for effectively communicating research to diverse community audiences. These workshops are helping me better understand how research can be translated into practice and shared beyond academic settings, while also allowing me to contribute meaningfully to the CSBS’s mission of supporting research and community engagement.
What are you most looking forward to exploring while working with CSBS?
I am excited to deepen my understanding of the full grant life cycle while working with Kaylee in research development. As a policy- and macro-level social worker, I am eager to support Elsa Augustine, Assistance Director of Public Policy and Research, with the PTI Innovation Day event and public engagement activities. I am thrilled by the chance to learn, contribute, and collaborate across multiple areas of CSBS, gaining experience that will inform future career choices and goals. CSBS is also helping me connect with a broader network of research professionals on campus, giving me the opportunity to explore a variety of spaces and better understand where my interests align in the research ecosystem.
How do you see this experience connecting to your future career goals?
CSBS has provided the perfect space to explore my interest in non-traditional academic research positions and further fostered my passion in such work. My future goal is to conduct and support research through implementation and evaluation of programs, events, and policy-related work. Through exposure to the various priorities of CSBS, I have been able to expand my understanding of what it means to be a researcher and explore different areas, such as the Illinois Science Explorers, which have been particularly inspiring and have clarified the directions I want to pursue through my career.