FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Jan. 13, 2006
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications (304) 696-7153
 

Third annual Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol features
103 students, including 22 from Marshall University

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Twenty-two Marshall University students are among 103 students representing nine West Virginia colleges and universities who will participate in the third annual Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol in Charleston on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

The special day occurs from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda during the legislative session and allows students to present their research in poster format and talk with legislators about their findings. The projects are original research and the posters have been designed for a general audience.

The students are presenting posters in the areas of biology, psychology, computer science and information technology, communications, international studies, forensic science, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, sociology/social work, engineering, history and industrial engineering.

“In research, a student and faculty mentor spend a great deal of time considering a question and then developing a solution to it,” Michael Castellani, professor and chair of Marshall’s chemistry department, said. “The results are then shared with other members of their field in journals or professional meetings.  I think an event like this is special for everyone, including the audience, because it requires all of the participants to think about a research project in the context of its importance to society at large.”

Castellani is co-chair of the event’s organizing committee, along with Keith Garbutt of West Virginia University. Charles Somerville, associate professor and chair of Marshall’s department of biological sciences, is a member of the organizing committee. Sarah Brinegar, an assistant geography professor at MU, also is on the eight-member committee.

“The combination of being in the state capitol building and speaking with state officials lends a sense of importance to this event that you don’t feel in other scientific gatherings,” Somerville said. “The students respond to that.  They talk about their projects enthusiastically and take pride in their work.  The students become ambassadors for their institutions and departments.  It’s very gratifying for the advisors and event organizers.”

The following is a list of the 22 Marshall participants, along with their home counties, disciplines, research posters and advisors:  

  • John Allinder, Mason County (Psychology) – “Religion as a Buffer to Juvenile Delinquency in West Virginia.” Marc Lindberg, advisor.
     
  • Jessica Deem, Monongalia County and Davina Bell, Cabell County (Psychology) – “Healthy Lifestyles as Mediated by Religious and Family Values in West Virginia.” Marc Lindberg, advisor.
     
  • Marian Brooks, Cabell County, and Caitlin Cunningham, Kanawha County (Psychology) – “Attachment Issues and Partner Abuse.” Marc Lindberg, advisor.
     
  • Mia Brown, Jefferson County (Biology) – “Regulation of the Plant Response to Gravity.” Marcia Harrison, advisor.
     
  • Maria Ramey, Lincoln County and Danielle Clark, Cabell County (Biochemistry) – “A Novel Colormetric Method to Measure Galactose.” Menashi Cohenford, advisor.
     
  • Malorie Estep, McDowell County and Samantha Stout, Putnam County (Psychology) – “Casual Models of Delinquent Behavior in West Virginia.” Marc Lindberg, advisor.
     
  • Rachel Ferris, southern Ohio (Graphic Design) – Designed front cover of Third Annual Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol program.
     
  • Elizabeth Fet, Cabell County (Biology) – “New Species of Microsyopoidae (Primates, Mammalia) from the Dawn of the Eocene.” Suzanne Strait, advisor.
     
  • Danielle Davidov, Marion County and Clifton Strange, Fayette County (Psychology) – “The Influence of Parents and Peers on Sexual Promiscuity in West Virginia.” Marc Lindberg, advisor.
     
  • Kristen Grinstead, Mason County (Chemistry) – “Characterization of Proteins Entrapped in Reverse Micelles.” Jaroslava Miksovska, advisor.
     
  • Sheena Lincolnogger, Cabell County (International Studies) – “How Could Government Respond to an Environmental Terrorist Attack?” Daniel Masters, advisor.
     
  • Christina Majic, Putnam County (Graphic Design) – Designed back cover of Third Annual Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol program.
     
  • Ashley Moats, Barbour County (Psychology) – “The Effect of Math Word Problems on Group Work vs. Individual Work.” David Trumpower, advisor.
     
  • Cassie York, Cabell County and Wesley Neal, Cabell County (Biology) – “Biomass and Protein Production for Advanced Life Support in a Microgravity-Based Hydrodynamic Focusing Bioreactor (HFB).” Jagan Valluri, advisor.
     
  • Deborah Preston, Lawrence County, Ky. (Biology) – “Effects of Acute Contractile Exercise on MAPK Signaling in the Soleus and Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscles of Syndrome-X Obese and Normal Lean Zucker Rats.” Eric Blough, advisor.
     
  • Heather Rohrig, Clermont County, Ohio (Psychology) – “Religiosity and Religious Tolerance in West Virginia.” Marc Lindberg, advisor.

Other colleges and universities represented during Undergraduate Research Day are Bethany College, Fairmont State University, the University of Charleston, West Liberty State College, West Virginia University, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Wheeling Jesuit University and West Virginia University Institute of Technology.

More information is available by contacting Castellani at (304) 696-6486.

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