Research Symposium Offers Live Lab Demos
More than 30 student researchers who worked on 13 projects during the summer with professors in the fields of biology, chemistry, kinesiology, mathematics and psychology will explain their findings on Friday, Sept. 30, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Winter Hall Rotunda. The Celebration of Summer Research, sponsored by the Office of the Provost, is free and open to the public.
“At a professional conference, the students would give a technical pitch to other specialists in their area,” says Eileen McQuade, professor of biology and associate dean of faculty. “But this event focuses on science literacy and outreach, and the students will use language to make their work accessible to create a more welcoming environment.”
New this year, the symposium will include five demonstration labs coordinated by faculty members. Michael Everest, professor of chemistry, explores “Making and Measuring Molecules with Marvelous Machines,” Steve Julio, associate professor of biology, probes “How Pathogenic Bacteria Kill Immune Cells,” Ron See, professor of psychology, examines “Biofeedback with Biopac: Self-regulation of physiological processes,” Amanda Sparkman, assistant professor of biology, will explain “Seeing inside: Lessons learned from a field ultrasound,” and Tim Van Haitsma, assistant professor of kinesiology, demonstrates “How Exercise Affects Muscle Strength.”
“The professors will be in their own laboratories, showing us something they’ve been discovering,” McQuade says.
A map of the labs’ locations will be available in Winter Hall. The demonstrations will occur at 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Students will be able to play Science Bingo, collecting stamps on a bingo card to enter a drawing for a free iPad Mini. The students will earn stamps by talking to student researchers at the poster display, attending lab demonstrations and completing science-related challenges, which involve Ken Kihlstrom, professor of physics, and a bed of nails, Don Patterson, associate professor of computer science, flying drones on Winter Lawn, and a chemistry lesson about elements and weight.
Student researchers include David Kyle, William Connor Gibbs, Nicole Kabey, Kenneth Chism, Nicole Marsh, Brady Quon, Megan Korff, Veronica Laos, Michael T. Bowers, Ryan Korlewitz, Anna M. VandeBunte, Holly Bowler, Sarah Pierson, Joshua Waschak, Clay Garris, Mike Gonella, Karli Holman, Patrick Burree, Coleman Schaefer, Rachel Maragliano, Nicholas Choi, Anneka Reinstra, Christopher Riba, Han Chung, Danielle Costa, Sarah McGough, Tyler Salinas, Emma Donelson, Bethany Le, Matthew Lariviere, Abigail DeYoung and Kalie Drown.
Westmont has a long tradition of providing opportunities for students to work with their professors on cutting-edge research. Earlier this year, Westmont raised $500,000 of matching funds to complete a challenge grant from the John Stauffer Charitable Trust, endowing the chemistry department’s summer research program. Income from the $1 million endowment will provide a fellowship stipend each year for eight to 10 students to work with chemistry faculty members doing full-time research during the summer.