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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 22, 2007
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications (304) 696-7153

Twenty-five MU students taking part in Undergraduate Research Day

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Twenty-five Marshall University students will take part in the fourth annual Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol in Charleston on Thursday, Feb. 8.

Twelve colleges and universities will be represented at Undergraduate Research Day, which runs from 8:45 a.m. to noon in the Capitol Rotunda. In all, 106 students will participate.

Undergraduate Research Day allows students to present their discoveries in poster format and talk to legislators about their findings. The projects are original research and the posters have been designed for a general audience. 

Students will present their posters in the areas of biology, psychology, computer science and information technology, forensic science, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, sociology/social work, engineering, history, African studies, political science, English, environmental studies and geology.

In addition to Marshall, other schools represented are Bethany College, Fairmont State University, Glenville State College, Ohio Valley University, Shepherd University, the University of Charleston, West Liberty State College, West Virginia University, WVU Institute of Technology, West Virginia Wesleyan College and Wheeling Jesuit University.

“This event offers a great opportunity for members of the state Legislature to interact with students attending the state’s colleges and universities and have the opportunity to see the kinds of one-on-one activities that take place between students and faculty,” said Michael Castellani, professor and chair of Marshall’s chemistry department.

Castellani, co-chair of the event’s organizing committee, said legislators have shown a lot of interest in the students and their projects in the three previous years.

“We’ve been thrilled with the interest shown by members of the state Legislature,” Castellani said. “Visits with the students have increased each year, showing the level of interest legislators have in higher education in West Virginia.”

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

• Angella Anderson, Cabell County, and Stephanie Wemm, Gilmer County (Psychology) – “When Does Life Begin? New Birth of an Old Issue.”  Joseph Wyatt, advisor.
• Caitlin Burgess, Cabell County, and John Frazier, Cabell County (Psychology) – “Attachments and Their Effects on Juvenile Delinquency.” Marc Lindberg, advisor.
• Heather Butts, Taylor County, and Zachary Grambos, Cabell County (Chemistry) – “Molecular Lithography on DNA Substrates.” Michael Norton, advisor.
• Aimee Casto, Mason County (Psychology) – “Weight Gain in College Freshmen: An Analysis of Potential Problems and Attachment Patterns.” Marc Lindberg, advisor.
• Sarah Chadwick, Randolph County, and Adam Sweeney, Cabell County (Biology) – “Investigation of the Distribution of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in the Ohio River.” Charles Somerville, advisor.
• Danielle Clark, Cabell County (Chemistry) – “The Nonenzymatic Effects of Glucose Binding on the Structural Properties of Human Hemoglobin.” Jaroslava Miksovska and Menashi Cohenford, advisors.
• Jacqueline Decker, Putnam County, Sarah Kelly, Wayne County, and Jeremy Cumberledge, Kanawha County (Biology) – “Bioreactor Production of Plant Pharmaceuticals.” Jagan Valluri, advisor.
• Andrea Gilman, Mingo County (Psychology) – “Risky Business: An Analysis of Risky Behaviors and their Interrelationships.” Marc Lindberg, advisor.
• Jacob Kilgore, Wayne County (Chemistry) – “Gas-Phase Chemistry of Hyperbranched Polymers.” William Price, advisor.
• Stephanie Knight, Kanawha County (Psychology) – “Characteristics that Result from Physical Abuse.” Marc Lindberg, advisor.
• Jessica Moore, Cabell County, and Tiniza Koone, Fayette County (Psychology) – “Memory for Location: Is it Automatic or Effortful?” Steven Mewaldt, advisor.
• David Sovic, Jackson County, and Leanna Lester, Kanawha County (Biochemistry) – “A Novel Colorimetric Assay for the Detection of Dehydrogenases.” Menashi Cohenford, advisor.
• Erin Lilly, Putnam County (Psychology) – “A Study of Resiliency: Why Do Some Sexual Abuse Victims Bounce Back from the Abuse and Why Do Others Develop Psychopathology?” Marc Lindberg, advisor.
• Marisa Rubio, Berkeley County (Chemistry) – “Characterization of the Reaction Mechanism of Urea Release from Caged Urea Compound.” Jaroslava Miksovska, advisor.
• Taylor Saunders, Cabell County (Psychology) – “Violence in the Home: The Effects of Witnessing Domestic Violence.” Marc Lindberg, advisor.
• Benjamin Wilson, Putnam County, and Nicholas Smith, Mason County (Chemistry) – “Synthesis of a Tethered Metallocene.” Michael Castellani, advisor.

For more information on Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol, contact Castellani at (304) 696-6486.

For further information, contact:  Office of University Communications
Marshall University | 213 Old Main | Huntington, WV 25755-1090
Fax: (304) 696-3197