Ryne Bustamante received funding to continue mathematical research and use of a 3D printing lab.
Ryne began researching methods of visualizing concepts from multivariate calculus for an honors designation in Calculus III in the spring 2017. By incorporating an art background and working with Dr. Lynn Gieger, Ryne focused on creating three dimensional models to promote the understanding of complicated and often counter-intuitive concepts.
Using a 3D printer will facilitate research and creation of open-source multivariate models that can aide instruction in the classroom. The printer allows for a more efficient design and invention phase, as well as being able to create accurate models for very specific cases of three-dimensional surfaces and shapes. The research will culminate with a presentation during the 2018 Liberal Arts and Science Symposium. Ryne is a sophomore studio art major.
Michaella Fitzpatrick received funding to present sociology research at the Southern Sociological Society’s annual meeting in New Orleans.
Michaella’s research, “Policing Masculinity,” and was completed in its entirety during a Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) at Purdue University in 2017. Using a mixed method approach that incorporated quantitative analysis of incarcerated population statistics and a broadening of the existing literature regarding race, gender, and incarceration, Michaella elucidated the complex relationship between the perception of masculinity and incarcerated female populations. Specifically, how the perception of masculinity affects incarceration through analysis of existing literature and crime profile/mugshot analysis.
Michaella will present at the conference in April 2018 and hopes gain feedback from experienced sociologists to prepare the research for publication. Michaella is senior sociology major.
Robert Dougherty-Bliss received funding to present mathematical research at the Joint Mathematics Meeting in San Diego.
Robert completed an Honors designation in Dr. Lynn Gieger’s “Great Ideas of Modern Mathematics” course in spring 2017 by modifying “Great Ideas” to create more opportunities for inquiry-based learning in the liberal arts setting. The highlight of Robert’s Honors work was exploring an exercise in number theory – What happens if the number two does not exist?
The research was first presented during the 2017 Liberal Arts and Science Symposium and is being prepared for submission to an undergraduate research journal. Robert will present with Dr. Gieger at JMM in January 2018. Robert is a junior mathematics major.
Lauren Hall received funding for linguistics research and travel to Ghana as part of her Individually Planned Major in Linguistics, while studying abroad at Oxford University.
Lauren will be traveling to Ghana to work with a local children’s home, research English language education and practice language documentation in spring 2018. Transcribing and documenting the language as a field linguist will be supported by Documenting Languages and Psycholinguistics tutorials taken at Oxford.
Lauren’s fieldwork will strengthen graduate school applications and enrich the scope of their linguistic and humanitarian knowledge. They will also present the research during the 2018 Liberal Arts and Science Symposium. Lauren is a junior IPM in linguistics.
Alyssa Paduano received funding to present psychology research at the Southeastern Psychological Association Conference in Charleston, SC.
Alyssa conducted research in spring 2017 as a student in Psychological Statistics and Research Methods II under the supervision of Dr. Justin Wise, Dr. Lisa Hayes and Dr. Leah Zinner. The project was an extension of research by McGinty et al. (2013) that examined the stigmatizing attitudes toward a news event about a person with severe mental illness committing a mass shooting. Alyssa and three fellow students who work on the project will present at SEPA over Spring Break. Alyssa is a senior psychology major.
Rachel Klika received funding to present psychology research at the Southeastern Psychological Association Conference in Charleston, SC.
Rachel conducted research in spring 2017 as a student in Psychological Statistics and Research Methods II under the supervision of Dr. Justin Wise, Dr. Lisa Hayes and Dr. Leah Zinner. The project was an extension of research by McGinty et al. (2013) that examined the stigmatizing attitudes toward a news event about a person with severe mental illness committing a mass shooting. Rachel and three fellow students who work on the project will present at SEPA over Spring Break. Rachel is a senior psychology major.
