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That research was on display recently at the annual Research Colloquium, showcasing the work of almost 120 students who presented poster displays and oral presentations that summarized their work.
Among them:
Chemistry
Anjeli Gupta, who as a freshman has been conducting research alongside scientists – including her father, Professor Ram Gupta -- in the National Institute for Materials Advancement at Pitt State, presented their findings related to green energy.
“Hydrogen is considered one of the most effective and clean energies we can use,” she said. “My research focused on water splitting: splitting up oxygen and hydrogen, which creates energy that can be used to replace fossil fuels.”
“It would be another renewable resource, like solar energy, with no byproducts like carbon dioxide, no greenhouse gases,” she said. “The byproduct would be water.”
Nursing
Nursing student Zackary Goswick focused his research, conducted with Professor Barb McClaskey, on the overuse of antibiotics.
“Over time, overuse causes them to be ineffective, and my research looks at what has been done to curb that, as well as what should be done,” he said. “There are clearly gaps in health education, and intervention is needed.”
“I’m really interested in pharmakinetics -- there are so many different classes of antibiotics and so many ways they work,” he said. “I plan to pursue my doctorate in nursing and I’m considering making that subject my focus.”
Field Biology
A team of Field Biology students researched with Associate Professors Christine Brodsky and Andrew George the impact of fire on natural resource management.
Their work was done at nearby Prairie State Park for three weeks over winter break, and while it cut into their time off, it gave them valuable real-world experience.
“We learned a lot, and we knew when we applied for positions, this would give us an advantage over the competition,” said Khloe Stringer, who graduates this weekend.
Stringer will be heading to Idaho this summer to work for a state agency researching Chinook and Steelhead trout as a field technician.
Gabe Jones will be starting a job as a game warden in Atchinson.
“This broadened the tools I have,” he said.
Health, Human Performance, and Recreation
Allie Johnson worked with Assistant Professor Shelby Hutchens to research the impact of an outdoor adventure camp on emotional regulation in low-income youth.
Her quantitative and qualitative research was conducted at Wildwood Outdoor Education Center near LaCygne, where she has worked as an assistant camp director and camp director.
“Many of the youth we serve come from inner Kansas City and are from foster homes. We found that when they came in on Monday, they were scared and uncomfortable,” she said. “By the time they left on Friday, they were much more comfortable and personable.”
“Within five days, the results were significant. An outdoor camp provides them a safe space for them to be themselves, and to connect with nature and others,” she said. “What we need is for this type of activity to be done throughout the schools.”
View descriptions of all the entries and the winners, including 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place and honorable mentions in each category, here.
