Undergraduate Research Creative Works
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September
2016 Newsletter
Our Mission The mission of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Works at High Point University is to engage undergraduates in student-faculty collaborations that reflect individual and unique scholarly and imaginative experiences which promote the development of new competencies and foster critical thinking, and provide students with privileged opportunities to add to the sum of human knowledge.
Email - urcw@highpoint.edu
2 - Get involved, opportunities 3 - Summer Research Recap 4 - Travel grants 5 - Family Weekend Presentations 6 - HPU in the News
Welcome Back!
The Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Works is excited to welcome back faculty and students to another extraordinary year at High Point University! As a department, our goal is to inform you of students’ past accomplishments and future opportunities available within the realms of collaborative research and creative works. We hope to share the success stories of students who have completed scholarly and creative work and to inspire students to enrich their own undergraduate experience.
c HPU.URCW
www.highpoint.edu/urcw
Undergraduate Research Creative Works
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Want to get involved? This is Why You Should...
The High Point University Research Rookies Program works to incorporate students into the university’s culture of research and creative work, early in their undergraduate careers. The program is designed to create a community of undergraduate scholars and help build research-related skills to prepare students for faculty collaborative scholarship that makes an original contribution to one’s field. Freshmen and first semester sophomores who wish to participate in the Research Rookies Program have two consecutive semesters (not including summer) to complete a series of 15 activities and one mini-research project. The activities include completing online assignments, participating in workshops, and attending movies and discussions. Completing this program shows the student to be committed to research, which will give them an edge later in job interviews or application for graduate or professional schools. Students from all majors are welcome to apply! Anyone interested should contact Dr. Joanne Altman, Director of Undergraduate Research and Creative Works at jaltman0@highpoint.edu.
An estimated 1.9+ million students are anticipated to graduate in the US in May 2020 (US Dept. of Education, National Center for Education Statistics). This means that 1.9+ million students will be competing for jobs and acceptance into graduate school in 2020 alone. Getting involved in the undergraduate research and creative works experience gives you the ability to stand out in that 1.9+ million students! According to Hart Research Associates, the most successful employees have the abilities to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems. HPU’s research programs are a perfect way to gain and practice these skills that will be so crucial for life after college.
Scholar Bridge
Want to search for participating faculty members and research opportunities?
ScholarBridge helps connect students and faculty who share research interests. At www.scholarbridge.com professors and students create profiles, and students can search for research opportunities. From lemurs to NASA, find out what research and creative works flourish at High Point University.
Congratulations to the new Research Rookies who have already signed up this semester! Celia Adams, Monasia Baker, Nora Bauso, Gianna Beckmann, Rose Bliesner, Patrick Boaz, Taylor Bourn, Ty Carlson, Jenny Carpenter, Tiffany Diaz, Nicole Digiallorenzo, Hannah Lee Dixon, Vincent Dzotefe, Hannah Eckert, Erica Eisenhauer, Haley Fair, Kara Gibson, Monet Gilmore, Emily Gorman, Jena Greene, Eva Greengrove, Bella Grifasi, Emily Hahn, Destinee Harrison, Chloe Hasden, Victor Ize-Iyamu, Chris Johnson, Tara Jue, Matt Knipfer, Sara Kohorst, Olivia Krodel, Jacob Lancaster, Claire Lauterbach, Mikayla Legrande, Gabrielle Locurto, Kennedy Marshall, Maggie McCarthy, Colin Mesa, Emily Moran, Sarah Nowell, Juliana O’Brien, Taylor Parks, Tate Powell, Caitlyn Ridings, Madison Rivera, Makenzie Ryan, Bailey Sabin, Samantha Savrides, Katie Schmidtmann, Erin Sirois, Emma Smith, Kalen Smith, Chian Solomon, Shannon Sonia, Kelsey Spruill, Katharine Storo, Dalton Sulver, Erika Tan, Taylor Tidman, Suleyma Torres-Garcia, Julia Trautman, Isabella Van Wittenberghe, Leann Werner, and Madison White.
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Over the Summer... Though many have already been busy with research and creative projects during this new academic school year, we want to congratulate and acknowledge the students and faculty who have worked so hard to complete their extensive summer research projects. These students lived on campus for free as they participated in either SuRI, SuRPS, or SuRF.
THe Programs
(Names of students who have participated in summer research can be found on page 6)
SuRI - The Summer Research Institute (SuRI) – Since 2013. SuRI is open to undergraduates in all disciplines. Students sign up with a faculty mentor with whom they wish to work with on a project of their choosing. SuRPS - The Summer Research Program in the Sciences (SuRPS) – Since 2015. SuRPS is a competitive program for 26 research assistant positions with faculty in biology, chemistry, or physics. SuRF - The New Congdon School of Health Sciences – Summer Research Fellowship (SuRF) is a competitive program for 10 research assistant positions with faculty in the Health Sciences. SuRF provides motivated students with opportunities to work closely with faculty to perform intensive mentored research. Students involved in this program publish manuscripts with faculty in esteemed peer-reviewed journals and consistently present their findings at national and international scientific symposium.
Summer Research students enjoyed the opportunity to play paintball at the HPU Estate and to have lunch with the provost! SuRI & SuRF even had the opportunity to practice their elevator pitches on faculty in a speed-dating styled event.
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Undergraduate Research Creative Works
Travel Grants
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Congratulations to the following students who were allocated grants to attend and present their research at conferences around the US this summer!
NACSM Regional Meeting:
Jamie Schnuck
Kaitlyn Wright and mentor Dr. Yum Nguyen were allocated a grant to attend the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in Boston, May 31-June 4, 2016 Melissa Savas and mentor Dr. Sara Arena were allocated a grant to attend the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in Boston, May 31-June 4, 2016 Colleen Mulrey, Matt Siegmund, Allison Townsend, Sami Tripp, Olivia Dineen, and mentor Dr. Jeff Taylor were allocated a grant to attend the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in Boston, May 31-June 4, 2016
Jamie Schnuck presented her work entitled “Leucine stimulates peroxisome proliferator activator receptors in skeletal muscle” at the National American College of Sports Medicine regional meeting. She successfully presented and defended her work to peers and esteemed professionals within the field with exceptional presentation style and professionalism. Jamie also networked with world-renowned experts in the fields of exercise, nutrition, and preventative medicine. Lastly, Jamie attended presentations and poster sessions presented by peers and experts within areas such as mitochondrial metabolism, molecular biology, and several other exercise-related fields within the scope of Jamie’s research and professional interests.
Alexis Wright, Connor Whicker, Emma Zuk, and mentor Dr. Yum Nguyen were allocated a grant to attend the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in Baltimore, MD, June 22-26, 2016 Lacey Gould, Alyssa Walker, Jordan Hutcheson, and mentor Dr. Sara Arena were allocated a grant to attend the American Society of Biomechanics in Raleigh, NC, Aug 2-5, 2016 Callum Boothman and mentor Mr. Brian Heagney were allocated a grant to attend and show their game at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) at the LA Convention Center in California, June 14-16, 2016 Lucas Fogaca, Katie Farina, Allie Zambito, Lindsey Siska and mentor Dr. James Smoliga were allocated a grant to attend the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in Boston, May 31-June 4, 2016 Micah Branscomb, Lindsay Tiberi, Scott Morin, Lacey Gould, Rolanda Kelly, Hailey Parry, Amanda Gregory, Emma Zuk, and mentor Dr. Kevin Ford were allocated a grant to attend the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in Boston, May 31-June 4, 2016
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Family Weekend Presentations This year on September 23, students gathered to present their research projects to families and peers on campus during HPU’s Fall Family Weekend. Research projects ranged from *developing an app for testing animal behavior, to an *analysis of the death penalty, to *the impact of a summer reading program on motivation, and *the effects of surface on triple hop distance. Thank you to all our presenters for sharing their fascinating research!
The Presenters *Rico Bozzo, Kira Foglesong, Connor Gordon, Ben Rolison, Steven Michael Smith, mentored by Brian Heagney – “Aina: Developing an App for Testing the Cognitive Function of Non-Human Animals” *Melanie Savage, mentored by Dr. Thomas Dearden – “The Death Penalty: The Analysis of Cost Versus Continued Support Among Americans” *Kayla Barbour, mentored by Dr. Leslie Cavendish – “The Impact of a Summer Reading Program on Reader Motivation” *Amanda Gregory, mentored by Dr. Kevin Ford, Dr. Yum Nguyen, & Dr. Jeffrey Taylor - “Effects of Surface on Triple Hop Distance and Kinematics” Others presenters include Mandy Szymanski, Meghan Patton, Lacey Gould, Christina Honeycutt, Caila White, Colleen Mulrey, Hailey Parry, Helen Barker, Sammy Wilson, Sierra Thorson, Sarah Jessica Forte
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Congratulations to the following students who completed one of our summer research programs!
HPU in the News
SuRI
Kayla Barbour, Helen Barker, Olivia Baynes, Alfred Bozzo, Lucas Chirino, Melanie Fichialos, Kira Fogelsong, Sarah Jessica Forte, Connor Gordon, Christina Honeycutt, Mollie McKinley, Scott Morin, Meghan Patton, Elizabeth Pellegrini, Benjamin Rolison, Nathaniel Sakers, Melanie Savage, Steven Smith, Sierra Thorson, Caila White, Samantha Wilson Michelle Aube, Lacey Gould, Amanda Gregory, Colleen Mulrey, Hailey Parry, Nicholas Pritchard, Steven Safille, Mandy Szymanski, Lindsay Tiberi, Connor Whicker Jena Dryden, Mallory McKee, Josh Williams, Sarah Mastropietro, Harrison Seitz, Tommy Kyllo, Alex Sprouse, Dan Magurno, Deanna Lee, Sarah Edmark, Kyra Gillard, Lisa Nguyen, Kaitlyn Griffith, Simeon Simeonides, Jonah Winkler, Matthew Warrick, Amanda Goodwin, Kristen Brokaw, Lindsey Palmquist, Olivia Tornow, Jason Barbaretta, Ryan Hegedus, Alan Vasquez Soto, Spencer Ader, Max Maurer, Ty Carlson
SuRPS
Dr. Veronica Segarra, assistant professor of biology at HPU, worked with undergraduate students to construct mutant strains of baker’s yeast to observe and better understand autophagy, a process cells use to recycle nutrients and destroy damaged components that compromise their health. Cell biology research. Their research was featured at the Keystone Symposium where their presentation helped to inform the development of new drugs and treatments.
SuRF
Biology
Biomechanics & Physiology HPU professor Dr. Kevin Ford designed an exercise training program that is hoped to reduce non-contact knee injuries among female athletes, making sports safer for girls. A grant from the National Institutes of Health will pay for research that will last the next three years.
SNCURCS
Submit an abstract!
State of North Carolina Undergraduate and Creativity Symposium (November 5, 2016)
Undergraduate students from all public and private institutions in North Carolina are encouraged to submit abstracts based on original research or creative projects.
Abstract Deadline: October 3, 2016 Registration Deadline: October 19, 2016 Visit www.SNCURCS.org for more information!
Contact & Follow Us! Dr. Joanne Altman email - jaltman0@highpoint.edu website - www.highpoint.edu/urcw Facebook - hpu.urcw Newsletter brought to you by Mara Wedekind 6