Story by Sofia More x’26, UW–Madison student studying Community Organization and Development.
As one of more than 10 research labs at the UW–Madison School of Human Ecology, the Riser Equitable Early Lifespan Lab (REEL Lab) has a unique goal: Introduce undergraduate students to professional research opportunities, while helping build confidence and skills that can shape their futures.
Headed by and named after Quentin Riser, assistant professor of Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) and the Dean’s Equitable Early Lifespan Faculty Fellow, the REEL Lab has five undergraduate student research assistants. Among them are HDFS students Genna Garrigan x’25 and Emma Powers x’25, who recently presented the REEL Lab’s findings at the 2025 Society for Social Work & Research Conference in Seattle, WA.
“Seeing Emma and Genna confidently present our work on Black fatherhood at our panel in Seattle — where every other panelist was a professor — was a truly proud moment,” Riser says.
This opportunity was possible thanks to the school’s Career & Leadership Development Scholarship. The year-round fund is used to support travel to conferences and other training, programs and events that help build career-readiness skills. Both Garrigan and Powers emphasized how valuable the financial support was in their research journey.
“This scholarship alleviated financial stress, allowing me to participate in an incredible experience that I otherwise would not have been able to comfortably cover,” Powers says.
Preparing for the future, today
In the REEL Lab, Riser and student research assistants study how to improve the lives of children and families from all backgrounds. The team explores what helps kids grow up healthy and successful, especially in communities that face challenges. They aim to inform equitable policies and practices that support children and families across diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Garrigan and Powers spend around 6-10 hours each week helping Riser plan research tasks for the lab, review literature, present research findings and contribute to discussions on equitable policies.
It’s no accident that the REEL Lab specifically hires undergraduate students.
“I chose to work with undergraduate students because of my own transformative experience as an undergraduate researcher.” Riser says. “Opportunities were primarily student-driven, and my mentor, Dr. Michael Cook [professor of economics at William Jewell College], provided me with the tools and guidance to develop strong research skills, shaping my academic path.”
A decade after his undergraduate days, Riser finds it rewarding to pay it forward and mentor undergraduate researchers. He hopes the students’ work in the REEL Lab is a place where they build confidence and strengthen research skills that can aid in their future studies and careers.
Involving undergraduate students at the beginning stages of research projects is a signature example of experiential learning at the school.
“The connections I’ve made with my labmates, other students and faculty within Human Ecology have been incredibly meaningful,” Powers says. “Dr. Riser has provided invaluable mentorship, guiding me both academically and professionally.”
The REEL Lab and other collaborative entities of the school ensure students graduate career-ready. As seniors, Garrigan and Powers stressed just how crucial these skills are when gearing up to enter the workforce: “Working in the REEL Lab has been vital in preparing me for graduate school and my future,” Garrigan says.
Next semester, Garrigan plans to pursue a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, with a focus on leadership development, diversity initiatives and workplace equity. She’ll contribute to research and develop practical interventions that create inclusive and effective work environments.
Similarly, Powers will begin studies in a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy program. She hopes to specialize in play-based therapy for young children.
The generosity of alumni and donors opens doors for students to pursue unique hands-on learning opportunities, like presenting at professional conferences. Genna Garrigan and Emma Powers both received Career & Leadership Development Scholarships, which are made possible by gifts to the School of Human Ecology Annual Fund.