Dear STEM Graduate Student,
You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by Dr. Arash Esmaili Zaghi, from
the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The study is designed to investigate the
potential of a Virtual Mentor tool to provide personalized support that contributes to the
wellbeing and sense of belonging of neurodiverse students in graduate STEM programs. The
study is being funded by the Directorate for STEM Education of the National Science
Foundation (NSF).
If you decide to participate, you will be asked to complete a personality test, two brief online
surveys and attend one in-person 60-minute session in which you will interact with a Virtual
Mentor tool and complete an interview. Participation in the study will require approximately 1 ½
hours. Participants will be compensated with a $75 Amazon gift card (pro-rated at $25 per ½
hour of participation).
If you wish to participate, you may access the information sheet and complete the online consent
form at this link: https://uconn.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cCIJ8w1GYaLZw4C
Once we have received your response, you will be contacted by our office. If you have any other
questions or concerns, please email connie.syharat@uconn.edu or
arash.esmaili_zaghi@uconn.edu.
Brany IRB Protocol #24-394-910
For more information, contact: Connie Syharat at connie.syharat@uconn.edu