Undergraduate research award recipients announced
Feb. 18, 2004
KALAMAZOO--The HIV/AIDS epidemic, paleozoic algal reef complexes and the effects of PCBs on frogs are among the topics being studied this semester by budding researchers at Western Michigan University.
Twenty-one undergraduate students (see list below) are working on research projects with faculty mentors. Each student is a recipient of a 2004 spring Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Award, which includes a stipend of up to $1,200 to undertake a research or creative project. The spring 2004 awardees, selected by a faculty review committee, represent academic departments from across the University.
Established in 1988 and administered by the Lee Honors College, the awards program is designed to "encourage and nurture research and creative activities by outstanding students." WMU undergraduates who have completed at least 60 credit hours and have a grade point average of 3.25 or above are eligible for the grants. Interested students must submit a joint proposal with a faculty mentor. Research projects can reflect any academic area of study, and the award may be renewed for one additional semester with approval from the review committee. During the research semester, students must carry at least 12 credit hours of course work in addition to the estimated 10 hours per week necessary to complete the project.
Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Award recipients
Mobolaji A. Adeisa, a senior from Laurel, Md., majoring in aeronautical engineering, received a grant to "Design, Build and Test a Wind Tunnel Model Aircraft with Three Lifting Services." His faculty mentor is Arthur Hoadley, professor of mechanical and aeronautical engineering.
Matthew Alberts, a senior from Flint, Mich., majoring in computer engineering, received a grant to study "Civilian Real-Time GPS Corrections Using Beowulf Clustering." His faculty mentor is Dr. Bradley Bazuin, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering. He is the son of Phillip and Kathleen Alberts.
Jacob L. Bach, a junior from Sand Creek, Mich., majoring in anthropology, received a grant to study "Kavilorai: An Archaeological Perspective." His faculty mentor is Dr. Allen Zagarell, professor of anthropology. He is the son of Robert and Susan Bach.
Keith W. Batten, a senior from Kalamazoo majoring in computer engineering, received a grant to study "Civilian Real-Time GPS Corrections Using Beowulf Clustering. " His faculty mentor is Dr. Bradley Bazuin, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering. He is the son of William and Carol Batten.
Gloria K. Benson, a junior from Mason, Mich., majoring in biology, received a grant to study "Green Plans in Michigan." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Harold Glasser, associate professor of environmental studies. A member of the Lee Honors College, she is the daughter of Douglass and Deborah Benson.
Kimberly M. Cleary, a senior from Beverly Hills, Mich., majoring in sociology, received a grant to study "Women's Role in the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Examining Their Knowledge, Perceived Risk of Transmission and Willingness to Engage in Risky Sexual Behavior." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Susan Caulfield, professor of sociology. A member of the Lee Honors College, she is the daughter of John and Donna Cleary.
Cari DeLong, a senior from Muskegon, Mich., majoring in biology and environmental studies, received a grant to study "The Effects of PCBs (polychlorinated bipheryls) on Nerve Growth Factor in the Developing Frog, Xeropus Laevis." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Charles Ide, the Gwen Frostic Professor of Environmental Biology and director of WMU's Environmental Institute. She is a member of the Lee Honors College.
Melissa A. Foley, a junior from Canton, Mich., majoring in psychology and sociology, received a grant aimed at "Developing a Behavioral Coding System." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Amy Naugle, assistant professor of psychology. She is a member of the Lee Honors College.
Rebecca C. Fox, a senior from Jackson, Mich., majoring in psychology, received a grant for work aimed at "Exploring the Relationships Between Sexual Satisfaction and Gender Roles, Sexual Fantasies, Body Satisfactions and Introvert and Extravert Personalities." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Lester Wright Jr., associate professor of psychology.
Scott A. Herlein, a senior from Twin Lake, Mich., majoring in mathematics, Spanish and French, received a grant to study "V-Labelings of Oriented Graphs." His faculty mentor is Dr. Ping Zhang, associate professor of mathematics. A member of the Lee Honors College, he is the son of Randy and Karen Herlein.
Chee Quen Hui, a senior from Singapore majoring in computer engineering, received a grant for development of a "Maze Mapping Mobile Robot." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Frank L. Severance, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.
Jessica A. Jackson, a senior from Freeland, Mich., majoring in earth sciences, received a grant to study "The Effects of Urban Leaf Pile Composting on Shallow Ground Water." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Dave Barnes, associate professor of geosciences. She is the daughter of William Jackson and Judy Gorske.
Joshua R. Johnson, a junior from Cadillac, Mich., majoring in art and philosophy, received a grant to support "The NorMan Project." His faculty mentor is Curtis Rhodes, professor of art. He is the son of Craig and Margie Johnson.
Kevin D. Kinsella, a junior from Kalamazoo majoring in creative writing, received a grant for a project titled "Taciturn Songs: Poems of Dailiness and Grit." His faculty mentor is Herbert Scott, professor of English. He is the son of James and Arlene Kinsella.
Ryan D. Lucio, a senior from Kalamazoo majoring in computer engineering, received a grant to study "Civilian Real-Time GPS Corrections Using Beowulf Clustering. " His faculty mentor is Dr. Bradley Bazuin, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering. He is the son of David and Judy Lucio.
Marie E. Maddix, a senior from Nuncia, Mich., majoring in computer engineering and computer science, received a grant to study the "Design and Construction of a Radio Telescope (data acquisition)." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Frank L. Severance, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. She is a member of the Lee Honors College and the daughter of William and Vicki Maddix.
Audrey L. Ritter, a junior from St. Clair, Mich., majoring in geology, received a grant to study the "Formation and Evolution of Paleozoic Algal Reef Complexes, Paradox Bain, Southwestern U.S.A." Her faculty mentor is Dr. G. Michael Grammer, associate professor of geosciences. She is the daughter of Alan Ritter and Norma Lowery.
Rishi Sethia, a senior from Bangalore, India, majoring in computer information systems, received a grant for a "Wireless Network Security Assessment," a project undertaken with faculty mentor Dr. J. Michael Tarn, associate professor of business information systems.
Benjamin P. Stegink, a senior from Kalamazoo majoring in computer engineering, received a grant for a project focused on an "Antenna for a Radio Telescope." His faculty mentor is Dr. Frank L. Severance, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. He is the son of Larry and Nancy Stegink.
Rose Swartz, a junior from Kalamazoo majoring in photography, English and creative writing, received a grant to undertake a project titled "Photographing and Filming US 131 Small Businesses and Patrons: Motels, Diners and Travelers." Her faculty mentor is Ginger Owen, instructor of art. She is the daughter of Thomas Swartz and Elizabeth Kerlikowske.
Nathaniel R. VandenBrook, a junior from Portage, Mich., majoring in public law and comparative religion, received a grant for a project titled "Does the Indigent Counsel Program in Michigan Fail Benton Harbor Defendants? An Exploration of Inadequate Counsel for the Poor of Michigan." His faculty mentor is Dr. Ashlyn Kuersten, associate professor of political science.
Justin Vince, a senior from Howell, Mich., majoring in electrical engineering, received a grant to study a "Radio Telescope Position Control System." His faculty mentor is Dr. Frank L. Severance, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. He is the son of Jeff and Karen Vince.
Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu