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Winners Announced for 17th Annual Student Research Symposium
Written By: Ian Silvester
On April 5, 2024, over 80 University of Arkansas – Fort Smith students, of whom 66% are first-generation, presented research projects from disciplines ranging from accounting to dental hygiene and Latino Studies to theatre at the 17th Annual Student Research Symposium. Individuals and teams presented more than 45 oral and poster research projects. Fourteen of them were declared winners.
Research projects at the Student Research Symposium covered presentations from accounting, biology, chemistry, computer science, dental hygiene, electronics, engineering, English, geology, geoscience, history, Latino Studies, literature, music, nursing, political science, psychology, public transportation, and theatre. Students presented their findings to fellow UAFS students, faculty, staff, and a panel of judges.
It was the first time sophomore biomedical professions students Armonii Dixon and Kiara Thomas, presented at the Student Research Symposium, and they shared that the experience not only formed a bond between them but had implications for the future.
“I learned that it’s not as hard as it looks,” Armonii said. “Starting this research now can potentially help with my research for med school,” Kiara said.
Armonii and Kiara explored evolutionary biology with their poster presentation entitled “Phylogenetic Analysis and Molecular Adaptation Events in Whales and Dolphins.”
A biology major, Peri Tygart, didn’t present this year but attended to support her sorority sister, Jenny Kindle, who presented “The Evolution of Dental Radiology Safety” with Samantha Baughman and Parker Lemley.
“It’s cool to see (Jenny’s) schooling go into this,” Peri said. “It’s awesome to see her progress in her career, and I’m proud of her.”
Monetary awards were given to 29 students composed of team and individual presentations selected by the judges.
The winners of the 17th Annual Student Research Symposium were:
“A Benchtop Model of Piezometers Used to Determine the Vertical Flow of Groundwater”
Presented by the team of Kendal Dixon of Siloam Springs and Juan Lopez of Fort Smith. The team’s faculty sponsor was Dr. David Mayo.
“A Comprehensive Evaluation of Fluoride”
Presented by the team of Skye Haagenson of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, Mackenzie McBride of Bentonville, and Alissa Owens of Pocola, Oklahoma. The team’s faculty sponsor was Roxy Reed.
“A Study of Crime Relations to Public Transit Commuting in Pre-COVID America”
Presented by Dalton Oxford of Mena, through the support of faculty sponsor Dr. Bun Song Lee.
“Cut, Curate, Costuming: A Costume Designer’s Process”
Presented by Gavin Garrett of Fort Smith, through the support of faculty sponsor Dr. Elizabeth Momand.
“Digitization of Earth Gradient Cable Fault Localization Methods”
Presented by Joshua Bean of Fort Smith, through the support of faculty sponsor Dr. Kiyun Han.
“La educación de hogar como fuerza sin fronteras (Homeschooling as a Force Without Borders)”
Presented by Marlene Toledo of Fort Smith, through the support of faculty sponsor Dr. Mary Sobhani.
“Land-use and Diffuse Pollination: A Look at the Greenwood City Lake”
Presented by the team of Analise Black of Van Buren, Anna Carden of Maumelle, and Christopher Edwards and Camelia Vela of Fort Smith. The team’s faculty sponsor was James Brandli.
“Look Out Fluoride, There’s a New Amino Acid in Town!”
Presented by the team of Dulce Gutierrez of Russellville, Leslie Guerra of Van Buren, and Amy Le and Abigail Mussett of Fort Smith. The team’s faculty sponsor was Roxy Reed.
“Molecular Dynamics Study of Organochlorine Ligand Interaction with Human Serum Albumin”
Presented by Sully Sanford of Prairie Grove, through the support of faculty sponsor Dr. Archana Mishra.
“NumaFARM: An Autonomous Robotic System for Sustainable Farming Using Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, and Deep Learning”
Presented by the team of Josue Martinez of Fort Smith, Marco Garcia Montes of Berryville, Michael Resendiz of Fort Smith, and Cameron Taylor of Alma. The team’s faculty sponsors were Andrew Mackey and Israel Cuevas.
“’Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’: The Unmentionable Parody Adaptation”
Presented by Gabbie Stokes of Ozark, through the support of faculty sponsor Dr. Cammie Sublette.
“Testing the Accuracy of Polycam® 3D Scanning Software on LiDAR and Optical Photogrammetry Devices in Field Research”
Presented by Abigale Kelly of Siloam Springs and Perla Romero and Matt Van Hook of Fort Smith. The team’s faculty sponsors were Dr. Maurice Testa and Lisa Cady
“The Interconversion of Cobalt Ammine Complexes that are Linkage Isomers”
Presented by Khuong (Peter) Ta of Cantho Ninh Kieu, Vietnam, through the support of faculty sponsor Dr. David J. Burkey.
“The Physiological Process of Emotions and Trauma”
Presented by the team of Taylor Hartsfield of Greenwood and Gabrielle Travis of Fort Smith. The team’s faculty sponsor was Dr. Nicha Otero.
- Tags:
- College of Health Education and Human Sciences
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Student Research Symposium
- College of Business and Industry
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