Discoveries Unveiled at 14th Annual Student Research Conference

Rachel Bortnick '25 holds an ant collection for students and faculty to view while she shares information 关于她的研究 into the Biological Inventory at the Powell Mountain Karst Preserve.

The 14th Annual 埃尔迈拉大学 Student Research Conference, held May 11 in the Gannett-Tripp 图书馆, showcased 29 research projects involving 40 students. The students presented projects from the natural and social sciences, delving into ant populations, 学生福利, 管理的概念, sports and data analytics, 和更多的.

This annual event is sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs, and organized by faculty volunteers Dr. 萍郑, Dr. 凯莉·凯恩和 Dr. 艾比保尔森.

A panel of judges awarded special prizes for students based on the clarity and depth of their information:

最佳研究演讲: Christian Zwierlein ' 24

Best Social Sciences and Liberal 艺术s Poster Presentation: Melanie Riendeau, 24岁

Best Natural Sciences Poster Presentation: Abigail Belcher ’26, Leonie Kuehberger ’25, Alleney Klunk ’24, and Reese Bowen ’27

Best Natural Sciences Poster Research Project: 艾玛·格思里，26岁, 乔伊安娜·林恩，27岁, and Talia Boyles ’27

最佳海报设计: 欧文·马斯卡罗，26岁 and Lily Rabine ’25

欧文·马斯卡罗，26岁 and Lily Rabine ’25, who won the Best Poster Design, present their research to Dr. Sarah Hazelton, Assistant Professor of Biology.

The event began with the student talks. This year five students presented, sharing information about their research methodologies, 重要发现, and important conclusions.

“The most challenging aspect of this presentation was delivering several years of biological and biochemical information into a 10-15 minute presentation, without grossly oversimplifying or undersimplifying any of the pertinent material, as this would take away from the message being delivered,兹维尔莱因分享道, a Biochemisty 主要. “Being recognized as the 'best research talk' was a great honor and was emotionally fulfilling because this meant I was successful at delivering my research, which I am deeply passionate about."

教师 members in attendance were impressed with the student talks. Several remarked how they felt selecting a “best” must have been difficult.

“The students were all very professional and gave impressive presentations,” shared Dr. Veronica Moorman, Associate Professor of Biochemistry.

“We really learned things,” commented Jan Kather, Instructor of 艺术. “The presentation Jessa Barton gave about the Sullivan-Clinton campaign of 1779 underscored how attitudes at the time about Native Americans have had a ripple effect to today. It put into perspective how we are standing on native land as we speak.”

“I liked the wide variety of topics from discussing things on campus to history to natural sciences,亚伦·凯瑟补充道, Assistant Professor of Fine 艺术. “The presentations connected with each other in interesting ways, which made it engaging as a group.”

Following the research talks were a series of two poster sessions on the first floor of the GTL, during which 36 students presented research posters as attendees listened and posed questions.

Devon Parente ’24, a Biochemistry 主要, was among the students with a research poster. She shared conclusions about the research she completed during her internship with Moorman, investigating ways to measure pH (stands for “potential for Hydrogen” and measures acidity levels in a solution) that aren’t water-based.

Devon Parente '24 talks with Dr. 艾比保尔森, Associate Professor of Biology, 关于她的研究, pointing to information on her poster.

“Presenting was a good experience for me,” said Parente. “Some of the professors asked questions that made me think out of the box.”

Parente, 谁是她的最后一年, shared how she and Moorman initially looked at eight indicators but n箭头ed their research to four. The research is not yet complete and other students will continue to explore the potential for non-water-based pH measurements. While leaving research undone is frustrating, Parente said “I’m proud of what we accomplished so far. 我们有一个故事要讲. In science, the work is never fully complete.”

There were five student research talks:

• Liam Wedge '25: Computational Analysis of the Transport Protein Transthyretin’s Interactions with Flavonoids and its Production using Transformed E. 大肠杆菌细胞

• Reilly Stedge ’27: WWII Photography

• Marc 艺术uz ’24: Perceived State of Well-Being at 埃尔迈拉大学

• Jessa Barton '24: To 给 Peace and Security to Our Frontiers: The Sullivan Campaign and its Role in Public Memory

• Christian Zwierlein ' 24: Investigating the Role of Folate Metabolism During Development of the Soil Nematode, C. 线虫

The full line-up of student research topics included:

• Devon Parente '24: Measurement of Apparent Ph in Nonaqueous Media Using Colorimetric and Instrumental Methods

• 艾玛·格思里，26岁, 乔伊安娜·林恩，27岁, and Talia Boyles ’27: Field Investigation of Boraginaceae Family and Its Neighboring Species on St. 约翰,美

• Michael Connor '26: The Morphological Differences of Sargassum in Saint John, U.S. 属维尔京群岛

• 欧文·马斯卡罗，26岁 and Lily Rabine ’25: Application of the Arduino Micro-Environment Within Environmental Monitoring and Analysis

• 麦肯齐·布朗26岁: Integrating Student Developed Community Based 学习ing 活动 into General Chemistry

• 麦肯齐·布朗26岁, 维多利亚·贝亨，26岁, 欧文·马斯卡罗，26岁, and Madison Fleming ’27: Novel Carbohydrate Formulations for Short-Term Stability “Zero-Waste” Single Use Plastics

• Rachel Bortnick '25: Ants Identified from the Biological Inventory at the Powell Mountain Karst Preserve

• Jasmine-Marie Johnson '26: Genetic Influence of Sire on Response to Parasite Load in Dairy Heifers

• Justin Hyde '25: Evaluating Relationships Between Minor League Performance and 主要 League Success

• Jessica Yesensky '26 and Madison Fleming ’27: Assessing Undeveloped Volume in St. 约翰,美

• Alayna Breivogel, 25岁, Alayna Toole, 26岁, 派珀·安德鲁斯26岁, and Caitlyn Ward '27: Observation of Depth and Feeding of Sea Turtles in St. 约翰,紫外线指数

• Aaron Lane’25, 杰克森·特罗斯特，27岁, and Merrick Kehoe '26: Mangroves Ability to Prevent Coral Reef Bleaching

• Grace Whiffen '24 and 阿伦尼·克伦克，24岁: Sustainability Snapshot: Mapping Recycling & 垃圾桶

• 阿比盖尔·贝尔彻26岁, Leonie Kuehberger, 25岁, 阿伦尼·克伦克，24岁, and Reese Bowen '27: Seagrass Resiliency in St. 约翰，美属维尔京群岛

• Kristen Aasheim ’24: Undergoing Natural Language Acquisition: Communication by Gestalt

• Melanie Riendeau '24: Amoskeag: Developing Industrialism and French-Canadian Culture

• Angela Tufillaro: Project Team Conflict Impact on Business

• Elisabeth May MS ’24: Kanban For All

• Laura Kane ’92, ’22 MS ’24: Pros and Cons of 艺术ificial Intelligence on Project Management

• Lindsay Baker: The Implications of Nonfinancial Matrix Systems in Project Planning

• Kristofer Zero ’23: 艺术ificial Intelligence

• Sahil Jivani MS ’24: An Introduction to Agile Project Management

• Alice Keita ’19: Hospital Call Lights Response Time

• Kelly Millins ‘23: Project and Planning Management