The presence of dozens of students displaying their research via posters and other presentation media on Saturday (May 3) transformed the normally athletics-oriented Fred Raizk Arena in Hermann Court into a strictly academic setting at Wilmington College's 14th Annual Student Research Forum.
Research projects spanned across academic disciplines as faculty, staff and students took time out during the weekend prior to the start of final exams to peruse the presentations and learn first-hand from student researchers.
The hands-on learning experience of students conducting research projects and disseminating their findings helps them complete the loop on their entire academic journey at the College. Presenting enables students to develop critical soft skills that are often lacking in young professionals: critical thinking, polished oral and written communication skills, collaboration and professionalism.
Dr. Angela Mitchell, professor of business administration and associate vice president for academic affairs, is one of the Research Forum coordinators. “This event allows our students to put into practice the expertise they have developed in their academic program,” she said. “They get to apply the classroom work to real-world research questions. And through the Research Forum, they have the platform to showcase the relevance of their work to their field.”
PICTURED ABOVE: Ruth Beery, who won a President's Council Award, is pictured beside her poster presentation, “Effects of Electrolyte and Feed Combinations on Performance and Stress Indicators in Gallus gallus domesticus Broiler Chickens."
Seniors Sterling Goodwin and Ruth Beery’s exemplary research stood out as they each received the President’s Council Award. Goodwin’s project was titled “Rhinos: Adapting Absurdity to Our Time,” based on Eugene Ionesco's work. Goodwin’s poster presentation was complemented by an original 30-minute film he produced. Beery, who worked with Biology Professor Dr. Kendra Cipollini, presented the “Effects of Electrolyte and Feed Combinations on Performance and Stress Indicators in Gallus gallus domesticus Broiler Chickens.” Beery raised chickens at the College’s Academic Farm, experimented with Kalmbach feeds, became certified with her team in poultry processing at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and then donated the meat to be served at WC’s recent presidential Inauguration.
Research projects selected for Best-in-Class awards were:
Agriculture — Anya Demshar with Biology Associate Professor Dr. Olagado Fagbohun, “Modulatory effects of blueberry and blackberry extracts in the upregulation of insulin signaling and enhanced adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and STZ-induced BALB/c mice; Fine Arts/Communication Arts — Faith Duncan, “Instagram as a Tool for Podcast Growth: A Case Study Following the D3 Yappers Podcast.”
Natural Sciences — Olive Iragena with Biology Associate Professor Olagado Fagbohun, “Peonidin-3-glucoside (P3G) protects cellular ultrastructure by reducing ROS formation and modulating the expression of p38/ERK1/ERK2”; Humanities — Lucy Gabbert, “The Grind: The Anatomy of the Progressive Movement and Small Town Voter Reform”; Social Sciences — Meredith Davis with Social Sciences/Communication Professor Dr. Audrey Wagstaff, “The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Elementary School Children’s Social Skill Development
Graduate Program — Hannah Harig, Bailey Hypes, Makenzie Meyer, Drew Pitzer, Kegan Skinner and Occupational Therapy Assistant Professor/Program Director Erin Bales and Social Sciences/Communication Professor Audrey Wagstaff, “Dementia Diagnoses and Treatment Disparities Between Urban and Rural Communities: A Scoping Review.”
TOP PHOTO: Rachel Berry explains her research project to Dr. Chris Silette, assistant professor of exercise science. Rachel's work, which was conducted with biology faculty members Dr. Amanda Rollins and Dr. Olagado Fagbohun, was titled "Multi-Faceted Protective Effects of Berry Extracts in STZ-Induced Diabetic Mice and Their Effects in Upregulating the Levels of AMKP, CAMKII, and Insulin Signaling."