Grants for Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Work



Summary of Grants for Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Work

The Undergraduate Research Committee has supported the following grants since 2008. These approved projects illustrate the range of support provided by the committee:

• Independent student work, including independent study, under the direction of a faculty mentor.

• Student-faculty collaborative research, scholarship, or creative work.

• Attendance at a professional conference by a student to present research findings from independent work or student-faculty collaborative projects.

• Attendance at a professional conference alongside a faculty member in order to advance student intellectual work and expand student knowledge of a specific discipline or topic.

• Student internship proposals. Student stipends for summer internships will be funded at levels in accord with Wabash policy (currently between $2500 and $3600 for an eight-week internship).

Projects Funded for Summer 2008

Khondoker Haider, sponsored by Professor Frank Howland, was funded to participate in the 2008 ICPSR Summer Program in Quantitative Methods of Social Research at the University of Michigan, a four week intensive program that offers an "integrated and comprehensive curriculum of study in the field of social science curriculum." Khondoker took four courses: Regression Analysis II, Mathematics for Social Scientists II, Introduction to Computing, and Introduction to R/S Programming. He describes his experience positively:

"The course work was a bit advanced for me since most of the things that were taught in this program were actually for graduate students. ... I was one of the few undergraduates to attend this program. ... One of the best things that I learned from this program was that Wabash College tries its best to prepare the students for the future. Everyone in my program complimented Wabash College for giving me this opportunity to learn such methodological skills while being an undergraduate. It was truly an honor for me to represent Wabash College in such an esteemed program. The summer program has opened up lots of opportunities for me, especially in the field of social research. I received training in both basic and advanced techniques of quantitative social analysis that would now allow me to carry out independent research in the field of economics."

Bobby Ritz conducted an eight-week summer research internship under the supervision of Psychology Professor Karen Gunther. Their joint research on color vision focused on constructing an anomaloscope, an instrument that measures the severity of someone’s color vision deficit. The anomaloscope will also aid Professor Gunther's future work with students on research in color vision. This project had both academic and personal interests for Bobby. As Professor Gunther describes,

"Bobby himself is colorblind, so building the anomaloscope helped him to understand biologically what it means to be colorblind, and it will further characterize his own color vision. ... Bobby now knows how to respond when people ask him what it means to be colorblind."

Bobby has continued his work into the fall semester through a research course with Professor Gunther and successfully presented his work in the 9th Annual Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Work at Wabash College.

Dezhi (Stanley) Xu, sponsored by Mathematics Professor Chad Westphal, was a participant in the 2008 Wabash Summer Institute in Mathematics (WSIM). WSIM is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, and funds only US residents. This grant allowed Stanley, an international student from China, to participate as an additional member of the student group. Stanley worked with two other students on a mathematical model of blood flow, an interdisciplinary project that he describes:

"This project has reflected and improved my liberal arts experience. Before starting modeling, I was reading papers and books not only on mathematics, but also on biology. The background of this project is very diverse that it requires knowledge in both mathematics and blood rheology. Besides, we need to have computer science knowledge to build up the program. The diverse background of the project attracted me to work on it."

His contribution to the project involved developing a computational approach to solving a set of nonlinear partial differential equations that describe the shear-thinning nature of blood, the ability of certain fluids to become less viscous in regions of high shear forces. In January 2009, Stanley's group won an award at the American Mathematical Society for an outstanding poster presentation. Stanley also presented his work at the 2008 Illiana Undergraduate Mathematics Research Conference and the 9th Annual Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Work at Wabash College.

Sam Krutz conducted a summer research internship with Physics Professor Martin Madsen. The internship itself was supported by Division I funds, while the student grants program has purchased the supplies necessary for a Fabry-Perot optical cavity and the necessary feedback electronics to control the lock. In addition to constructing the configurations for the laser and optical cavity, Sam also created a laboratory manual for use by future students. Sam describes his accomplishments through the project:

"I successfully locked to a HeNe laser with an accuracy of a 10th of a nanometer. I learned a great deal about op amps and how to use them in negative feedback circuits. I also learned proper techniques for mounting optics and the physics involved. The last week of the internship was spent creating a lab manual for advanced laboratory that is enclosed."

Professor Madsen reflected on the experience of leading Sam in research and the benefits he sees:

"I feel that my ability to manage student work over the course of the summer has improved. I believe that I was more successful this year in setting time goals and helping Sam keep those goals. I was able to pace his work well and he accomplished the main goals for the internship. In addition, the work he has done on documenting the lab report will be integrated in the Advanced Lab (Physics 381) this year."

Grant Gussman and Daniel King conducted a four-week summer collaborative project with Rhetorics Professor David Timmerman, exploring the rhetoric of race, comedy, and media representations in the animated series The Boondocks. Grant explains the motivation behind the project,

"Insofar as comedy can be a medium for bringing up such taboo topics, humor is certainly worth serious study for its potential to open up otherwise-impossible conversations. This is why we are studying The Boondocks."

Daniel describes a bit of the research process,

"Grant and I did a major literature review of any articles published in the last twenty years concerning itself with race or humor. This exercise was particularly instructive for me because I saw that any current research must fall in line with its previous research articles. Although I have heard my professors say such things in class, it was truly enlightening doing it myself."

Their work culminated in an essay, which they have plans to submit to the rhetoric journal Critical Studies in Mediated Communication. Grant and Daniel also presented their work at the 9th Annual Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Work at Wabash College.

Kyle Prifogle traveled to Uganda with Music Professor James Makubuya for three weeks in the summer of 2008. Kyle advanced his knowledge of the madinda, a folk instrument he describes as

"a log xylophone that is pivotal in Uganda folk music and tradition. In terms of playing style and method the madinda is very distinct amongst African instruments and quintessential to Uganda folk music. Its melodies and rhythms are extremely complex being divided between three or more players and interlocking in an almost impossible (to western musicians) mesh of kinetic and virtuous melodies."

As part of the Wabash music group Wamidan, Kyle had developed an interest in the madinda and had learned a great deal about its history and connection to culture before the trip. But the trip to Uganda gave Kyle the opportunity to work with local experts in the instrument through an experience he could not get on campus. In addition to learning techniques to play and construct the madinda from local masters, Kyle also immersed himself in Ugandan culture and language. He describes the international experience:

"This project has already benefited, and will continue to benefit myself a great deal not just in practical musical knowledge but in the life experience of traveling abroad."

Michael Opieczonek, sponsored by History Professor Rick Warner, volunteered for seven weeks in the summer of 2008 at Germanilia, an NGO located in San Cristobal, Chiapas, Mexico. This opportunity was made possible in part by Wabash Trustee David Orr. Michael taught English to university students and also worked in the La Chozita, a program for indigineous children. He describes his work with the kids of La Chozita:

"My task was to prepare activities that would help them learn something new and interesting and also make them think on their own and use creativity. I was given a free hand and the preparation of activities was up to me. ... My bosses told me later that the kids had fun and enjoyed my activities."

In addition to serving as a mentor, Michael also conducted an evaluation of the program there and wrote a well-received report with recommendations to help better organize the program.

Projects Funded for Fall 2008 – Spring 2009

Asher Weaver, sponsored by Psychology Professor Eric Olofson, was funded to conduct a developmental psychology project to examine father presence and its effects on childhood aggression. His research included an extensive survey of 5th grade children that examines levels of paternal absence, self-esteem, and monitoring for different socioeconomic status groups. This project was Asher's senior capstone experience for his major in psychology, and he describes it as pivotal in his career path as he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in developmental psychology after working for a year after graduation. Asher describes his experience:

“I was able to complete a research project that is typically reserved for graduate level work. … It was also through the completion of this project that I truly understand what will be expected of me when entering graduate level work.”

According to Professor Olofson, the project was a great success. He writes,

“Not only did he [Asher] see his vision come to life, but he was able to ask meaningful questions about the role fathers play in the lives of their children and how these processes vary as socioeconomic status varies, two questions that are close to Asher’s heart. It was a joy to see Asher turn his boundless energy into productivity, and his feeling of accomplishment is difficult to put into words.”

David Braitman, sponsored by Psychology Professor Neil Schmitzer-Torbert, was funded to travel to the Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in Washington D.C. in the fall of 2008. The conference provided a venue for him to present research he conducted during the 2007-2008 academic year with Professor Schmitzer-Torbert. He describes his work in the following:

"During the project I worked in Wabash’s rat laboratory. I had the opportunity to experience virtually every aspect of doing this form of research. I performed surgery on the rats at the onset of the experiment, helped train the rats to use the maze, helped interpret and organize the data from the experiment and finally assisted with removal, slicing, and staining of the rat’s brain for identification of the extent of damage."

David is currently considering a career in neuroscience or the mental health field. By presenting his research at the major conference in neuroscience, he has been able to get a better view of his options for the future. He summarizes his experience in presenting at the conference:

“Learning how to properly convey information, to actively gauge a listeners level of understanding, and to quickly and efficiently present information are skills that I developed through this experience.”

David also presented his research at the 9th Annual Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Work at Wabash College.

Adam Fritsch, sponsored by Physics Professor Dennis Krause, was funded to participate in the Conference Experience for Undergraduates (CEU) at the 2008 Division of Nuclear Physics of the American Physical Society Conference in Oakland, CA. His research was conducted as part of a summer internship at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University, where he will be attending graduate school in the fall of 2009. His work was centered on building a computer simulation software program to aid in the design of experiments at the NSCL. Adam also presented his research in a physics colloquium at Wabash as well as at the 9th Annual Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Work at Wabash College. Professor Krause expressed the importance of student involvement professional meetings in the following:

“ Such experiences are very important if we want our students to see the entire process of how science is done. … Until one presents work in front of an audience of experts who are very critical of mistakes, one does not appreciate the true nature of scientific enterprise.”

John Holmes, sponsored by Mathematics Professor J.D. Phillips, was partially funded to attend and present a poster presentation at the 2009 Joint Meetings of the American Mathematical Society and the MAA in Washington, DC. He conducted his research in the 2008 Wabash Summer Institute in Mathematics, working with Professor Mike Axtell’s group. John's research in abstract algebra has helped him solidify his goals of pursuing mathematics in graduate school and he also took advantage of several sessions of the conference aimed at undergraduates with such plans.

Ted Zimmer and Anthony Benitez, sponsored by History Professor Stephen Morillo, traveled to the 2009 presidential inauguration to conduct interviews, document attitudes, and compile documentation of history as it was made. Ted and Anthony continued their work on constructing oral history through an independent study in History with Professors Morillo and Salisbury during the spring semester 2009. Their analysis and results were presented in a Social Science Colloquium in April and their research paper and historical materials have been deposited in the College archives. Professor Morillo reports that this unique project was a success and adds that,

“They [Ted and Anthony] came back from the trip full of stories, and more importantly full of new appreciation for the meaning of the United States as a country. Both were inspired by the interviews they conducted … In short, in personal terms it was a transformative experience for both of them.”

Sean Clerget, sponsored by Political Science Professor Melissa Butler, was funded to participate in the Butler Undergraduate Research Conference, where he presented his paper, “More Than Minimal: Judicial Minimalism on the 2006 Supreme Court.” He also presented his work at the 9th Annual Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Work at Wabash College. Sean noted that,

“Explaining a technical analysis in a way that people unfamiliar with your work can understand proved to be rather difficult. Overcoming that challenge provided a valuable experience that I think will prove useful down the road.”

Nick Roudebush, sponsored by Art Professor Doug Calisch, was funded to travel to the 2009 National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference. This was the second year Nick was able to attend the conference and his involvement in the wider ceramics community has fueled a senior research project in environmentally friendly ceramic kiln design. Professor Calisch describes the project as one that,

“required historical research, physical labor, and creative problem solving. In the end, Nick built two kilns in which he fired his complete body of artwork for his Senior Art Major exhibition.”

Nick also presented his work at the 9th Annual Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Work at Wabash College.

Projects Funded for Summer – Fall 2009

Marquise Triplett, sponsored by English Professor Warren Rosenberg, was funded to attend the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference. He and Professor Rosenberg presented results from a study of Warren’s Men and Masculinity Freshman Tutorial. Marquise describes his experience at the conference:

“It was amazing to see teachers, professors, educators, and others from around the world presenting their CBRs (Classroom Based Research). I come from an urban community where the teachers do not seem interested in improving their classrooms to effectively teach the students; therefore, it was great to see so many people who do want to teach effectively within their areas to their students.”

Kristijonas Paltanavicius, sponsored by Theater Professor James Cherry, was funded to travel to the Tenth National Symposium of Theatre in Academe. There Kris, as the only undergraduate presenter, gave a presentation on Lithuanian director Oskaras Korsunovas. His time at the conference was also successful in opening doors in future opportunities in theater. Kris writes,

“As a result [of my participation in the conference], I have gotten an internship at the National Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theatre, and externships at seven other theatres this summer.”

Steven Apostolidis, sponsored by Psychology Professor Neil Schmitzer-Torbert, was funded to present summer research at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in Chicago. His collaborative work with Professor Schmitzer-Torbert involves the relationship between the infralimbic cortex and cocaine facilitated learning in rats. This was Steven’s first experience at a large research conference, which he describes as valuable:

“Not only is partaking in an event of this magnitude impressive, but I was also able to do something even more astounding due to the generosity of Wabash College and its supporters; immerse myself in my field of study. This trip granted me the opportunity to present my research in front of not only my peers and graduate students, but also prestigious experts within the field.”

Steven’s experience in research seems to have been transformative, and he sums it up with the following:

“[An] Undergraduate research experience sets Wabash College students apart from the herd because it lets employers and grad schools know that you are prepared, experienced, and dedicated.”

Nathan Kring, sponsored by Classics Professor Jeremy Hartnett, took on a project studying Pompeian political programmata, both through an independent study on campus and through a site visit to Pompeii. Nate, a Classics major who is also interested in Political Science, investigated the political signage and graffiti in Pompeii, drawing connections to modern political discourse. Professor Hartnett summarizes Nate’s accomplishments:

“Nate made himself into a mini-expert in this subfield of Pompeian studies, and the successful results of this work were on display when Nate presented a double-wide poster of his results at the Celebration of Student Research on 29 January 2010. I was proud of him as he spoke with authority and expertise to college trustees, faculty, and students.”

Their collaborative work continues through Nate’s final semester (Spring 2010) and in conjunction with other researchers in the field.

Adam Andrews, sponsored by Modern Languages Professor Dan Rogers, was funded to work at Germinalia, a not-for-profit organization in San Cristobal, Chiapas, Mexico. His Summer 2009 project included serving as an instructor and mentor for underprivileged children and conducting research into the most effective methods of education for these children. According to Adam,

“My time with the people of San Cristobal was undoubtedly the single most academically, socially, and personally enriching experience of my life. … I can say, without a doubt, that the leadership and mentoring abilities that they enabled me to develop will benefit me for the rest of my life.”

His project not only developed his leadership and teaching skills, but he also got the chance to push his Spanish fluency to a level that would not be possible without the immersion experience.

Adam Braisch, sponsored by Religion Professor Robert Royalty, was funded to conduct a study comparing the ways that the Community of Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints interpret locations in and around Nauvoo, IL relating to their shared history. His project included work on-site in Nauvoo for two short trips in summer and fall 2009. He summarizes the benefits of his project:

“While people may study Mormonism or historiography in the classroom, rarely will the average student have the opportunity to see it in action. This project truly combines the liberal arts. Analytical skills that I’ve developed through political science are being used in the interviews. Rhetorical analysis that I have picked up in my discussion classes will be used in the interviews and in simple observations. My study of the theory of religion will be helpful in the analysis of Mormonism and its history in general.”

Darryl Dedelow, sponsored by Modern Languages Professor Isabel Jaen-Portillo, was funded to conduct research relating to the representation of women in the context of the Spanish Civil War. His summer 2009 project included research at Yale University, The Cervantes Institute, and the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives. He describes one aspect of his ambitious project:

“my research project allowed me to explore the field of gender studies through the exploration of two subjects that I greatly enjoy submerging myself in, the Spanish language and the Spanish Civil War. It was through this exploration that I found myself appreciative of not only my own gender, but also aware of the imbalance that once existed—and arguably still exists—with respect to gender equality.”

Darryl’s project also had an impact on Professor Jaen, which she summarizes:

“[The project] has also had a very significant impact on my own development, as it has reconnected me with an area of research (Spanish Civil War) which I had cultivated in the past and had put on hold to pursue my current investigation on Golden Age Literature and Cognition.”

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