May 11, 2018
By Melissa Barranger Mathys
Assistant Professor, Chemistry
Faculty, students, family and colleagues gathered for the 6th Annual Student Research Symposium April 25, where undergraduate and graduate student projects were showcased. With 19 oral and poster presentations, students were given an opportunity to summarize and answer questions about their work. Faculty members were deeply impressed by the passion, insight, and careful research demonstrated in all of the presentations and had a challenging time choosing the winners.
Several projects were completed as part of a class and many were conducted just to explore the rich experience of research. Over the two-hour symposium attendees learned about bipolar disorder, mental health, crystallography, decision making and cancer drug delivery, among other topics.
Three faculty members—Sr. Lisa Marie Belz, Dr. Abobo Kumbalonah, and Dr. Mimi Pipino—judged the Core Connection Award for the presentation that best demonstrates the seven learning outcomes of the Ursuline Studies Program. The Core Connection Award and the Achieving with Technology Award both went to Taylor Dackin and Andrea Widmer for their work titled “Novel Tumor Targeting: Liposomes Can’t Take the Heat.” This project explored delivery of a chemotherapeutic agent that is only released under the warm, tumor environment.
The Leadership and Innovation award was given to Amanda Henry for her work titled “In the Shadow of Trauma.” The Library Research Award was given to Lauren Farrell for her work titled “The Impact of Women’s Social Anxiety within Romantic Relationships.”
Achieving Technology: This award celebrates the student achievements in reflecting the powerful convergence of technology and their presentation.
Taylor Dackin, Andrea Widmer "Novel Tumor Targeting Liposomes Can’t Take the Heat"
Core Connection: This award was based on the research project that best represents the seven core learning outcomes of Ursuline College.
Taylor Dackin, Andrea Widmer "Novel Tumor Targeting Liposomes Can’t Take the Heat"
Leadership and Innovation: This award is given to the students who most clearly demonstrate characteristics of leadership and an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit in approaching the research project.
Amanda Henry "In The Shadow of Trauma"
Library Research: This award was based on the quality of resources consulted. Lauren Farrell "The Impacts of Women’s Social Anxiety Within Romantic Relationships"
In addition to the research posters and presentations, a recognition award for the Pathfinder Projects created by students in UC 101 First Year Seminar was also given. Awards for the Pathfinder Project went to Sugar Henry, Ashley Jones, and Ashley Wilson in Dr. Bari Stith’s “Freedom and Responsibility: American Voices” class for their poster, “Black Lives Matter,” and to Ashley Duncan, Dominique Essex, Jordan Hermann, and Emily Krosnick for their poster, “Masterpiece Cake Shop vs. Colorado Civil Rights Commission” in Dr. Gina Messina’s “Religious Freedom, Responsibility, and Fundamental Rights” class.
Pictures from the event can be found here. .
