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Miriam Camargo

Miriam Camargo

McNair Scholar 2025

  • Major(s): Biology (Pre-vet)
  • Classification: Senior
  • Anticipated Graduation Date: Spring 2026
  • Career Aspirations: I plan to continue my education with the goal of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. 

“My favorite part of being a McNair Scholar was being able to dive into an interesting topic, dissecting and analyzing literature, and gaining experience for future research opportunities.”

Miriam Camargo

“How does the human-animal bond affect college students’ observed stress and mental health?”

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sara-Louise Newcomer

Although the domestication of animals began primarily for human benefit, such as either for religious purposes, food, or protection, this relationship has quickly developed into what is now recognized as a mutual beneficial human-animal bond (Tancredi, 2023; as cited by Prado, 2014). While much research has been prevalent in the present day, there remains a gap in understanding how it can support the mental health of undergraduate students, a population that is increasingly affected by stress, anxiety, and depression (Barker et al., 2018). By examining Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs) that include Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) and Emotional Support Animals (ESA), these can provide a beneficial impact on student well-being on a university campus (O'Hagan et al., 2024). Ongoing research in this field highlights the importance of precise terminology in AAI studies, emphasizing clearer definitions that then contribute to a better understanding around the world.