Harper (they/she) is a psychology major and French minor from Kansas City, Missouri. Her thesis addresses the lack of a standardized definition for what qualifies as solitary drinking behavior. One group of researchers might classify solitary drinking as drinking alone at a bar, whereas another group might exclude that definition completely, creating variability across the body of research. Harper is developing a drinking simulation using a motivational framework, with the goal of making solitary drinking easier to categorize based on what factors motivate the drinker. Harper is also honing in on virtual drinking behavior. Their research is especially timely, since the pandemic caused an increase in online social gatherings. Harper is working with Professor of Psychology Kris Anderson, a prolific researcher in the area of adolescent health research. When not in class or doing thesis research, Harper works as a barista at The Paradox, Reed’s student-run coffee shop. She is also curre...