Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol

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Ten Fort Hays State University students attended Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol in the rotunda of the Kansas State Capitol Building in Topeka on Wednesday, April 3, 2013.

 

More than 80 Kansas students representing each of the state’s 4-year public universities displayed scientific posters illustrating their undergraduate research projects. Participants were selected through a competitive application process held at each university.

 

Sponsored by the Council of Chief Research Officers of the Kansas Board of Regents, the event provided a forum for students to share their research experiences and demonstrate the importance of faculty-mentored research at state institutions.

 

“Institutions in several states incorporate a Capitol event day on their annual calendars,” said Dr. Tim Crowley, Dean of the Graduate School and Professor of Music Theory and Composition at FHSU. “The value for public, tax-assisted institutions is tremendous.” 

 

Fort Hays State University students from the departments of biological sciences, geosciences, health and human performance, communication disorders, and psychology were selected to participate.

 

Students spent the day discussing research on a wide array of topics with legislators, legislative staff members, government office workers, members of the Kansas Department of Education, alumni and other visitors.

 

“Legislators and staff members who see what these young students are working on quickly learn the value undergraduate research lends to the state in the development of intellectual capital,” said Crowley. “In particular, students who are working on research projects that align with the concerns of the state are of interest to these policymakers.”

 

Representative Sue Boldra, Hays, spent time visiting with students in the rotunda, according to Keri Caudle, a junior in Fort Hays State University’s department of biological sciences.

 

Caudle presented her research project “Effects of flooding on photosynthesis and root oxygen stress in plants of different flooding tolerance” at the event. Under the direction of Brian Maricle, Ph.D., professor of biological sciences, Caudle is investigating how plants respond to the environment.

 

“Learning how plants function under stress is of great importance when trying to understand how our environment will benefit future generations,” said Caudle. “I was able to discuss my research with Kansas legislators and explain the available benefits these data had to offer the state in agricultural development.”

 

Caudle, who plans to pursue a doctorate degree in the field of plant biology, enjoyed meeting and discussing research with students from the other public universities.

 

“It was a positive experience to have a collection of Kansas undergraduates showing the importance of research to their legislators,” Caudle said. “The event was an amazing opportunity to help legislators understand how research benefits our future career paths.”

 

Joining Caudle at the capitol were the following FHSU students:

 

Jeff Carter, Biological Sciences—Carter presented his research project “Changes in the migration timing of twelve passerine species over a 45-year interval in the High Plains.”

Faculty mentor—Dr. Greg Farley

 

Brad Leupold, Biological Sciences/KAMS—Leupold presented his research project “Effects of high-energy Beta radiation in the upper atmosphere on antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli.” Faculty mentor—Dr. Sam R. Zwenger

 

Katharine Goebel, Geosciences/KAMS—Goebel presented her research project “The correlation between climatic factors and malaria rates in Ghana.”

Faculty mentor—Dr. John Heinrichs

 

Laura Rook, Geosciences/KAMS—Rook presented her research project “The annual increase of carbon dioxide in relation to the frequency of major hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean (1992 – 2009).”

Faculty mentor—Dr. Paul Adams

 

Ryan White , Geosciences—White presented a group research project “Sea ice dynamics in Northern Baffin analyzed using ICESat and MODIS.”

Faculty mentor—Dr. John Heinrichs

 

Laura Rokey, Health and Human Performance and Communication Disorders/KAMS—Rokey presented her research project “Warning: Exercise may be hazardous to your health.”

Faculty mentors—Dr. Jeff Burnett and Dr. Fred Britten

 

Melanie Mabrey,  Psychology—Mabrey presented a group research project “Examining the connection between Facebook wall posts and romantic relationships.”

Faculty mentor—Dr. Jennifer Bonds-Raacke

 

Hayley Disney and Quentin Aker, Biological Sciences/KAMS—Disney and Aker presented their research project “Effects of drought on Kansas turf grass.”

Faculty mentor—Dr. Brian R. Maricle

 

ABOUT THE KANSAS UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH DAY:

 

The Council of Chief Research Officers (COCRO) of the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR)   organized the inaugural Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol event to share students' research experiences with state lawmakers in Topeka. Originally scheduled for February 20, 2013, the event was rescheduled twice due to winter weather.

This event showcased the work of up to 80 Kansas undergraduate students representing each of the state's eight public 4-year institutions.  The purpose of this event is to demonstrate the unique opportunities undergraduate students have to participate with faculty members in research at all state institutions. This event will also emphasize higher education's role in developing educated citizens and preparing a workforce with the necessary skills to further the economic growth of the state.

Undergraduate students who have been significantly involved in the research enterprise of the university either with their own project or through meaningful involvement with a faculty project  participated. 

  To qualify for this event, participants must:

·       be undergraduates during the 2012-2013 academic year,

·       have completed research under the guidance of a Kansas 4-year public institution faculty mentor,

·       follow the methodology of the appropriate academic discipline,

·       be of sufficient quality to be presented at a professional academic meeting,

·       have the skills, resources, and capacity to produce a professional academic poster,

·       agree to undergo presentation training and rehearse their presentations prior to the Capitol event.

Participants must be able to convey their experience and enthusiasm to state representatives, senators, and other state officials in a poster session.  Projects from a broad range of disciplines are encouraged - especially posters that relate to the state of Kansas and issues important to the state legislature (e.g. education, health, agriculture, aviation, biotechnology, energy, transportation, manufacturing, environment, and social services).  Up to ten participants will be selected from each institution.  Institutions are encouraged to select participants based in part upon geographical distribution across the state.  

Each institution screened and selected participants. Submissions were accepted from student teams; however only one student will be able to go to the Capitol. The designated student should be listed as the Principal Investigator. The entire research team will be recognized in the program booklet and related materials.

Please contact Leslie Paige lpaige@fhsu.edu for more information.  This event will not be an adjudicated poster competition with prizes.  All participants will be recognized equally for the honor of participating in this event.       

Application deadline was January 11, 2013.

 Applications include:

Application Form  

         Click here for a pdf form         Click here for a WORD form

250 word abstract

Letter of recommendation from Faculty