Mathematics Major Grace McCourt Defeats Graph Pebbling

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At her 3:15 p.m. URCA presentation in the Faculty Room, Mathematics & Integrated Mathematics Education major Grace McCourt (sponsored by Dr. Christopher Swanson, Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science) will explain the game of graph pebbling. As explained in her abstract, she "will derive the pebbling numbers and cover pebbling numbers for “special graphs” such as path graphs, cyclic graphs, and complete graphs on n vertices."

Ivan Larson Compares Justice Scalia to the Founders

Political Science/History major Ivan Larson (sponsored by Dr. Christopher Burkett, Associate Professor of Political Science) will compare Justice Scalia’s judicial theory to that of James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution” at the 2 p.m. URCA session in the Faculty Room of the Convocation Center. In his abstract, Ivan states, "While the Founders did not all agree on how to interpret the Constitution, Scalia at least shares similar views on the matter with Madison."

Computer Science Majors Develop Software for Campus

Nine computer science majors (Rupesh Maharjan, Raymond Acevedo, Abdullah Aldhfyan, Abdulmohsen Alsalman, Zachary Brown, Omar Busheel, Joseph Hemperly, Ashley Herman, & Dylan Moats) will report at URCA at the 2 p.m. session in the Trustees Room on the challenges that they have faced and the lessons that they have learned in their real-world project for the University's IT department. From programming sensors to developing software components and using different technologies, this team-project (sponsored by Dr. Iyad A. Ajwa, Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science) is titled Monitoring Environmental Data Using Software Applications (MEDUSA).

Toxicology Major Megan Kracker Tests Protein Drinks

Toxicology major Megan Kracker (sponsored by Dr. Jeffrey Weidenhamer, Professor of Chemistry) will present her research on cadmium in protein drinks at the 2 p.m. URCA session on April 12 in the Trustees Room. As stated in her abstract: "The objective of our research was to determine the cadmium concentrations in select protein drinks and nutritional protein powders...According to Consumer Reports, an average athlete consumes roughly three servings of protein powder a day. If so, potential cadmium exposure from this product would be more than four times greater than the PDE, suggesting a serious health hazard.

Biology Major Finds and Studies Wetland Fowl

Biology major Olivia Widenmeyer (sponsored by Merrill Tawse, Professional Instructor of Biology) presents her investigative findings on the Virginia and Sora Rails within the Ashland University Black Fork Wetlands at the 12:45 p.m. poster/exhibition session in the Alumni Room. In her research, she located 2-3 territorial males at one pond and 2 at the other pond. The fact that these birds are listed as a species of concern by ODNR, makes this a significant find by Olivia.

Communication Students Compare 'Play 60' to 'Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act'

Public Relations/Strategic Communication & Health and Risk Communication major Kylie Shober, and Public Relations/Strategic Communication & Sport Communication major Allison Vredenburgh (sponsored by Dr. Dariela Rodriguez, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies) compare the NFL's 'Play60' campaign with Michelle Obama's 'Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act' at the 12:45 p.m. poster/exhibition URCA session in the Alumni Room on April 12.

As stated in their abstract: "Obesity in the United States is an increasing problem. According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 127 million people in the country are overweight, while 60 million are obese (O'Connell, Price, Roberts, Jurs, & McKinley, 1985)."

Commercial Art Major Makes Her Designs Personal

At her 11:45 a.m. poster/exhibition session on April 12 in the Convocation Center's Alumni Room, Kaylin Henry (sponsored by Michael Bird, Assistant Professor of Art) displays and explains her commercial art designs. As she described in her URCA abstract, "In my designs I use a polished, modern and mechanical aesthetic to communicate an idea or brand creatively in a professional setting that will resonate with my clients and viewers...I then integrate an essence of eccentricity from my own personality and hand drawn elements to add a sense of uniqueness."

Psychology's Bryce McClish Reveals Study Results

Photo credit: blog.cappex.com

Psychology major Bryce McClish (sponsored by Dr. Curt Ickes, Associate Professor of Psychology and Dr. Christopher R. Chartier, Assistant Professor of Psychology) conducted a study titled Factors Influencing the College Choice of First-Year College Students. At the 11:45 a.m. URCA poster/exhibition session in the Alumni Room of the Convocation Center on April 12, he will reveal his results which: "indicate that the three factors most influencing choice were as follows: availability of major (M = 4.61, SD = .72), scholarship opportunities (M = 4.19, SD = 1.06) and cost of tuition (M = 4.12, SD = .95). Least influential characteristics were: number of faculty publications (M = 2.22, SD = .95), skill of athletic teams (M = 2.41, SD = 1.48) and the institution’s core curriculum (M = 3.12, SD = 1.05)."