By: Jess Larkin ~Copy Editor~
More than 120 students and around 25 faculty members participated in various independent research projects that were presented in the Celebration of Student Research. The event played host to more than 80 posters and 15 oral presentations showcasing student research over the course of the summer and academic year.
The presentations were given on April 10 as a way for students to display their year of research and hard work to the Xavier community and celebrate their academic successes. Junior and senior students were eligible to present their research at the event.
The presentations and research were drawn from a number of disciplines including art, athletic training, biology, chemistry, classics, mathematics and computer science, modern languages, music, philosophy, Philosophy, Politics & the Public (PPP), physics, political science, psychology and social work.
The celebration began with a keynote address from Vanderbilt chemistry professor and 1992 Xavier graduate, Jeff Johnston. The Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year Award was presented to psychology professor Dr. Christian End. This is the first year the Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year Award was presented. The award recognizes a faculty member that assists students with research and actively promotes and endorses the undergraduate research initiative. Senior chemistry major Lindsey Totten presented her research on green analytical chemistry.
“Working on this project has been a great experience,” Totten said in an email. “Undergraduate research allows students to not only use skills learned in lectures and labs, but also gives students the opportunity to learn how to plan and follow through on project, to handle the challenges, celebrate the successes and present the results.” The celebration recognized the work of Xavier students and faculty who strive for academic excellence.
“Undergraduate research is something to be proud of,” Totten said. “It requires a lot of time and effort, so it is great to not only share that with other students, but to be able to celebrate this experience and the results of research with them as well. Undergraduate research would definitely not be possible without the support of the entire Xavier community.” Information about research that was presented at the celebration can be found at http://www. xavier.edu/cas/documents/AbstractBooklet2015.pdf.