University of Nebraska–Lincoln undergraduates recently discussed their research and creative activity projects face-to-face with state senators. Presentations highlighted undergraduate successes in research programs campuswide, including the Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences, First Year Research Experience, Ronald E. McNair Scholars and University Honors programs.
The breakfast event, held April 4 at the Nebraska Governor's Mansion, featured 19 students presenting posters on research projects with direct ties to Nebraska, as well as remarks by Amy Goodburn, senior associate vice chancellor, dean of undergraduate education and professor of English at Nebraska.
College of Arts and Sciences students with their year in school, major(s), poster title, and faculty advisor:
- Meklit Aga, senior, psychology, "Sense of Belonging and its Relationship with Student Success," Chelsea Witt
- Quin Barton, junior, biological sciences, "Constitutive Excretion of Melanin Induced by Nonsense Mutation in Exophiala Species," Wayne Reikhof
- Lauren Behnk, senior, psychology and Spanish, "Sense of Belonging and its Relationship with Student Success," Chelsea Witt
- Sarah Ellison, junior, English, "Language Application and the Nebraska Stories of Humanity," Beth Dotan
- Himanshu Gandhi, senior, microbiology and English, "Gut Microbe Family Aspergillus May Induce Carcinogen Formation via AhR-CYP1A2 Expression," Jennifer Auchtung
- Clare Kramper, senior, history (Raikes School), "Hidden Histories: Nebraska Women in Law from 1868 to 1950," Katrina Jagodinsky
- Sarah Omar, senior, psychology, "The Role of Parental Trauma-Related Distress in Emotion Socialization and Child Internalizing Symptoms," Rebecca Brock
“These students and their project work represent the excellence and disciplinary variety of student research at Nebraska, showcasing their invaluable contributions to the culture of innovation in our state,” said Courtney Santos, director of undergraduate research and fellowships at Nebraska. “We deeply appreciate the support of Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and the Governor’s Mansion staff, our Legislature and our congressional delegation for making this recognition of student achievements possible.”
The event followed undergraduate and graduate poster sessions and celebrations of student research successes during Student Research Days, March 26-27.
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships coordinates the Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences and First Year Research Experience programs and recognizes student success in research through campuswide events.
