Part of “Celebrating WCU Week” this year, the University’s annual Research and Creative Activity Day takes place on Thursday, Apr. 16, in Sykes Student Union ballrooms (110 West Rosedale Avenue) from 9:00 AM-2:30 PM.
This showcase of excellence in academic inquiry encompasses work from students, faculty, and staff from across the University in a celebration of knowledge and discovery. The day’s activities include poster presentations, oral presentations in short-form “lightning talks,” and a faculty/student research connection event. All are free and open to the public.
“Research and Creative Activity Day highlights the innovative and impactful research being conducted by our outstanding faculty, students, and staff,” stated Dr. Cheryl Neale-McFall, Associate Provost for Research and Creative Activity. The event is hosted by the University’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
Posters will be on display throughout the day; student poster awards will be announced between 10:30 and 11 a.m. The faculty/student connection event (11:15 AM-12:00 PM, Ballroom C) offers students the opportunity to speak with faculty working on ongoing, active research and creative activity projects. Students are encouraged to learn more about various research taking place on campus and possibly participate in these high-impact opportunities that include labs, volunteer opportunities, grant-funded opportunities, work study opportunities, and more.
Student lightning talks take place from 12:15-1:45 PM in Ballrooms A & B. Faculty lightning talks take place from 1-1:45 PM in Ballroom C. Student awards for their oral presentations will be presented at 2:00 PM.
Examples of student poster presentations include:
Student Gianna Parrish
Parrish is studying biofilms, which are algae and other microorganisms growing on substrates in the water. She looked at how those biofilms react when they grow on organic or inorganic trash, including food waste, glass, cardboard, and plastic. Her faculty mentor is Megan Fork, Assistant Professor of Biology, who regularly has students conducting research on local water quality.
Student Kelsey Biehn
Biehn Conducted stream water analysis at three sites, including West Chester’s Goose Creek, looking at how land use impacts water quality. Faculty mentor is Melanie Vile, Associate Professor of Environmental Health Science.
Graduate Student Subarna Basu
Basu is in the Educational Leadership & Higher Education Administration program. Her research project is funded by a grant from the Library of Congress, and she has researched professional development immersion in the arts and history at local museums for K-12 teachers. Educators who attended the professional development sessions appreciated building community and connecting with other educators across grades, and left with tangible classroom strategies. Activities were held at the Brandywine River Museum, Winterthur, Hagley Museum, Michener Museum, and Mercer Museum. She teamed with Dr. Anne Gill, Assistant Professor of Secondary Education, and Dr. Pauline Schmidt, Professor of Secondary Education.
Student Aliah Chinofsky
Chinofsky researched music therapy for individuals with dementia and their family caregivers and concluded that telehealth music therapy shows promise for improving those individuals’ emotional well-being, social connection, and caregiver-client relationships, particularly in isolated settings. Faculty mentor is Eun Sil Suh, Associate Professor of Music Education and Therapy.
For more information, visit the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs website or email [email protected].
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