Graduate Scholars

The CHC is happy to introduce our 2024-2025 Graduate Scholars – Curtis Smith, Raj Dutta and Wyatt Wiggins. They will hold office hours in the CHC Office and will advise students who are embarking on undergraduate research about the research process, finding a faculty advisor, and how doing research can help you reach your goals. Contact the CHC Graduate Scholars at chcresearch@uci.edu with questions about the CHC research/thesis requirement.

Curtis Smith (he/him)

Hi y’all, I’m Curtis! I was born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina and got my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I’m a fourth year student, currently getting my PhD in Psychological Science with a concentration in Developmental Psychology at the School of Social Ecology. My research focuses on the motivational and emotional needs of justice-involved individuals, with the goal of identifying pathways that promote their success and achievement. In my free time, I enjoy going to concerts, chilling on the beach, and rollerskating.

*Majors in Soc Sci, Soc Ecol, Business, Engineering should meet with Curtis.

Raj Dutta (he/him)

Hello! I’m a third-year M.D.-Ph.D. dual degree student, currently pursuing the Ph.D. part of my training in the department of philosophy. I double majored in Neuroscience and Philosophy (minor in Chemistry) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I’m interested in topics related to neuroscience, behavior, epistemology, philosophy of mind, though I have experience in research ranging from microbiology to music. In my spare time, I attempt jazz piano and lose at chess.

*Pre-med students as well as majors in Bio Sci, Phys Sci, Public Health, Humanities, Arts, Computer Science, Engineering should meet with Raj

Wyatt Wiggins (he/him)

Hi everyone! My name is Wyatt and I am a third year PhD student in the history department. For
my undergraduate degree I went to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona and then
got my masters degree at UCI in medieval history. My current research focuses on the history of
tattoos and other cutaneous marks in eighteenth century France and the French empire. In my
free time I like to go thrift shopping, go to concerts and record stores, and buy old and rare
books.

*Majors who are in Humanities, Education, Business, Computer Science, Engineering should meet with Wyatt.