KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 29, 2022

Five students will represent Kennesaw State University at the Posters at the Georgia State Capitol event, a showcase of the state’s best undergraduate research, on March 30. 

The event gives students from Georgia’s colleges and universities an opportunity to present their research to state leaders. This fourth annual event is an initiative of the Georgia Undergraduate Research Collective (GURC). 

“We are so pleased to have five KSU students accepted to this event by Georgia legislators,” said Amy Buddie, director of undergraduate research at KSU. “With the introduction of the ‘Advancing Community and Culture’ pillar to the Roadmap to R2 success, this event helps show our state’s decision-makers that students at KSU and elsewhere are conducting meaningful, relevant research that makes a difference in our community.”

The selected KSU students are Destini Chambers, Jessie Chen, Gabrielle Jones, Nathaniel Jones and Luci Wilgus. Their research presentations will cover a range of disciplines.

Brains and motion

Chambers, a junior studying engineering, is looking at the prediction of intent to start and stop movement by using Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals from the brain. She is using that data to create a Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P) system that can be used in vehicles to protect pedestrians. 

“I was initially fascinated by the analysis of the human brain and how to examine its fluctuations during the decision-making process,” she explained when asked why she was influenced to conduct this research.

Analysis of redistricting

As a senior studying computational and applied mathematics, Chen attended a Faculty Research Spotlight, a series of research talks intended for undergraduate students in the mathematics department, featuring Dr. Andrew Wilson. The research topic focused on applying mathematics to redistricting of congressional districts. 

Through Chen’s research, she was able to gain valuable experiences in seeing how math can be applied outside of the classroom. “I was able to get a glimpse into how mathematical research is done and see the significance of coding in computational mathematics,” she said. “During the process of this research project, I felt that what we did was directly related to the real world, which was a nice addition to this experience.”

Diversity on television

Gabrielle Jones’ will present her work with a focus on screenwriter, Chris Nee, and her work to diversify children's television. As a sophomore studying media and entertainment, Jones explains, “Growing up, I never saw people who looked like me on screen; through this research project, I get to uplift women who have done amazing work but are not getting credit for it."

Her presentation highlights a woman whose work to increase diversity in children's television led to educating youth in better ways to create new conversations and tell new stories.

“Does the Pell Grant come with a Price?”

Pursuing a master’s in applied statistics and analytics, Nathaniel Jones’ research explores the differences in academic outcomes, debt accumulation and school-type of post-secondary schools with either a majority or minority proportion of students receiving a Pell Grant.

Through the experience of this research project, Jones gained experiences in presenting, public speaking, networking with other student researchers at conferences, and collaborating with his mentor Susan Mathews Hardy, senior lecturer of statistics.

Curating history

Wilgus, a freshman anthropology major, is conducting research on best practices for information storage, cataloging, and accessibility. The secondary research required includes arranging individual printmaking equipment in terms of origin, model, and estimated age of each piece.

“The opportunity to be a curator appealed to me as I am interested in using my degree in anthropology to work in a museum setting,” explained Wilgus. “I have always been fascinated by antiques and the arts.”

– Meagan Lowney 

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.