Spring 2020 Symposium of Student Scholars Live Blog

Harshada Dani is majoring in integrative studies, focusing on both the natural sciences and social sciences, especially as they pertain to health.

“I got involved in research because I was able to apply myself outside of the classroom,” said Dani.  “The knowledge that I had learned in school and all the tough classes was being applied to real-life experiences.  Dr. Evelina Sterling gave me this great opportunity to participate in the community.”

While conducting research with Sterling, an assistant professor of sociology, Dani desired increased understanding of how health promotion involving exercise and physical activity can be influenced by race and ethnicity, culture, gender, socio-economic status, and geography among vulnerable populations.

In this study, focus groups were conducted with low-income African American men, their family members, and healthcare providers to describe lived experiences and identify opportunities and challenges regarding exercise and physical activity as well as key elements influencing participation and engagement.

“It was a real pleasure working with Harshada,” said Sterling, also director of research development and strategic initiatives in the Office of Research.  “Harshada is very interested in pursuing a career in healthcare so it was great to work with her on important research regarding the barriers vulnerable populations face when trying to stay healthy.”

Samantha Thompson, who is pursuing a master’s degree in integrative biology, first became involved in research during her last year as an undergraduate. While Thompson has presented her research at a few conferences before, it is her first time presenting at a virtual conference. Just like many of the other researchers, she is learning how to navigate in this new medium.

“My experience conducting research at KSU has solidified my career decision to go into research,” said Thompson. “I was able to see what I can expect from a future in research and it has sharpened my critical thinking and problem-solving skills.”

Thompson, alongside Dr. Jean Lu, an associate professor of biology, has been examining the isolation, characterization, and effectiveness of bacteriophages (natural bacteria killers) against Enterobacter cloacae, a bacterium that causes fermentation defects such as bloater defect (hollow cavities) during cucumber fermentation.

“Samantha is a hard-working and dedicated student with a clear career goal,” said Lu. “Her research project is involved in using a novel approach to prevent bloater damage during cucumber fermentation, thereby minimizing the economic loss to the pickle industry.”

Jeremy Wolfe’s project focuses on the use of kill zones at the Battle of Pickett’s Mill during the American Civil War.

The anthropology major worked with faculty mentor Dr. Terry Powis, an associate professor of anthropology, on this project. 

Wolfe took part in an archaeological review of the areas of concentrated gunfire by Confederate troops during the battle.

Through the use of archaeological data and historical texts and accounts, he is studying whether these areas of concentrated gunfire occurred out of circumstance, or if they were preplanned occurrences.

Hala Alfalih, whose research aims to design a small habitat on the surface of Mars, said that in the field of design, research has high importance.  Alfalih, an architecture major, said design cannot always be applied in different environments and result in the same outcomes.

“Being educated in design does not make you informed with things like climate change, politics, and economics, but that should not stop us from using what we do know to collaborate with other disciplines and apply innovative and creative solutions together,” she said.  “This requires an immense amount of research.”

In her field, Alfalih has received numerous honors, including the CRIT Scholar Award from the American Institute of Architecture Students – one of only eight recipients nationwide.

“Not only highly intelligent, Hala is also uniquely self-motivated, and a devoted student of architecture, design, and – frankly – all things that are of interest to her,” said faculty mentor Dr. Jeffrey Collins, an assistant professor of architecture.  “Furthermore, I have also observed Hala to be an effective advocate for fellow students, supporting colleagues and encouraging younger students’ work in inspiring and meaningful ways.”

The officers for the Undergraduate Research Club - Robbie Cronin (President), Kaelyn Ireland (Vice President), Matthew Fenner (Treasurer), Brooke Bentley (Secretary), and Patrick Kielly (Marketing Director) - hosted a Lunch and Learn session, discussing the benefits of joining the club. 

The Undergraduate Research Club is a registered student organization, which promotes undergraduate research and creative activity at KSU through team-based research projects. Each club officer led a team through a research project this year and are participating today in the symposium. 

"I found this club and it gave me the opportunity to connect with other researchers," said Ireland, who is a double major in psychology and modern language and culture. "I started out with no experience and now I feel like I have a lot under my belt because of the research club."

Music performance major, Jessica Bell, became involved in research because she wanted to explore broader topics in music.

Bell’s research explores the effects that clarinet production has on Tanzanian locals from a socio-economic standpoint. The trees used to create clarinets, mpingo, is native to Tanzania and is endangered. Therefore, the goal of her research is to connect Western classical music to East African culture while bringing awareness to the sustainable ways of making clarinets.

“My KSU research experience has helped me find new careers and areas untouched in the discipline of music,” said Bell, who traveled to Tanzania for her project. “My future career plans include playing the clarinet professionally and continuing research with the hopes of becoming a sustainable clarinet manufacturer.”

Joshua Hooper, a senior mechanical engineering major, presented his research on bio-inspired monolithically designed compliant swimming robots. Compliant mechanisms or flexible components are used to achieve the same motion and movement of traditionally designed mechanical systems.  

His research focuses on showing the ability, as technology advances, to design and realize complex systems using new materials and manufacturing methods, such as a 3D printer. Hooper works under the mentorship of Dr. Ayse Tekes, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering. 

“Once I heard about Dr. Tekes’ research in compliant mechanisms and how her lab used 3D printers to make unique projects I wanted to be a part of what she was doing,” Hooper said. “This research has challenged me outside my classes and allowed me to work with others in a very different way than a classroom setting.” 

He also had the opportunity to present this research at the Posters at the Georgia State Capitol (pictured below) in February.   

It's the day before the Symposium of Student Scholars, the most important day of the year for Dr. Amy Buddie, director of undergraduate research and organizer of this event. Each year, she spends time carefully thinking about what she'll wear. This year she's torn between the pajama bottoms that have little sleeping foxes on them and the pajama bottoms that say "Guitar Hero" (reader, she is not in fact a Guitar Hero). We'll find out tomorrow. 

Hooty hoo, Symposium presenters and mentors! See you in Teams tomorrow!