Students Selected for Summer Research Program at UNK

Dianne M. Holcomb
assistant director, Office of Sponsored Programs, 308.865.8481
 

UNK– Twenty students have been selected to participate in the Summer Student Research Program (SSRP) this summer at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.  

The Summer Student Research Program supports independent and original student research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, according to Dianne Holcomb, assistant director for the Office of Sponsored Programs. The program is open to students from all disciplines and is structured to enrich the educational experience. SSRP begins in May and ends Aug. 1. On Oct. 25, the students will present their work on posters and in oral presentations in a fall symposium on the campus.

To participate, students must first find a faculty mentor in their department of study. The student then submits a research project outline, a statement from the mentor and an application to be reviewed by a committee for approval.

“Students must be able to commit 20 hours per week in June, July and August to conduct their research and complete their research paper to suffice a 10-week research project,” Holcomb said.

In addition, students must be full-time and not intend to graduate before December 2009. Further, students must be available for field trips, weekly meetings and the fall symposium.

Once approved for the summer program, students work with faculty mentors who guide them in developing, conducting and disseminating the research. The process begins in the fall when the two work together to develop a project proposal. Through the summer, the mentor meets regularly with the student to provide guidance and support, ensuring that work is progressing at an acceptable pace. In August and September, the mentor helps the student prepare an oral presentation, a paper and a poster to disseminate the results of the project. Students receive a monthly stipend from May through September.  

Students in the 2009 Summer Student Research Program are listed alphabetically by hometown with college, department, mentor and research topic.

Arapahoe– Shane Riley, College of Natural and Social Sciences, Department of History; Dr. Mark Ellis, “The Battle of Massacre Canyon.”
  
Doniphan– Jeremy Stromer, College of Natural and Social Sciences, Department of Physics and Physical Science; Dr. Mike Larsen, “Polarizing Efficiency of Lyotropic Liquid Crystals Under Differing Temperature and Concentration Conditions.”
 
Gretna– Jessica Bowden, College of Education, Department of Teacher Education; Dr. Jeff Kritzer, “The Use of American Sign Language to Enhance Vocabulary Development in Individuals with Down Syndrome.”
 
Hastings– Cheri Theesen, College of Natural and Social Sciences, Department of Social Work; Dr. Sandy Cook-Fong, “Aromatherapy and Anxiety Reduction in Dementia Patients.”
 
Kearney– Deidre Issac, College of Natural and Social Sciences, Department of Social Work, Dr. Sandy Cook-Fong,  “Factors Associated with the Successful Completion of a Housing Program.”
 
 -Owen Johnson, College of Natural and Social Sciences, Department of Biology; Dr. Keith Geluso, “Mortality of Small Mammals and Insects in Littered Bottles Along Roadways in Nebraska.”
 
O’Neill– Taylor Carlson, College of Natural and Social Sciences, Department of   Chemistry; Dr. Annette Moser, “Synthesis and Characterization of an Affinity Chromatography Support with Immobilized AntiVirginiamycin Antibodies.”
 
Omaha– Jacob McGlade, College of Natural and Social Sciences, Department of Sociology, Geography and Earth Science; Dr. Jason Combs, “Buying and Selling on eBay:  A Demographic Perspective.”
  
-Jeff Shank, College of Natural and Social Sciences, Department of Political Science; Dr. Claude Louishomme, “Affect of Term Limits on State Legislature Campaign Expenditures.”
 
St. Libory– Laura Jensen, College of Fine Arts and Humanities, Department of English; Allison Hedge Coke, “Voyages:  Creative Process in Poetic and Studio Art.”
 
St. Paul– Chelsey Cook, College of Natural and Social Sciences, Department of Chemistry; Dr. Chris Exstrom, “Indium and Boron Species Prior to CIBS Formation.”
 
– Kyle Smydra, College of Natural and Social Sciences, Department of Physics and Physical Science; Dr. Mike Larsen, “Ethanol: Myth or Fact.”
 
Wakefield– Annie Bierbower, College of Fine Arts and Humanities, Department of Art and Art History;  Rick Schuessler, “Diversity Through Design.”
 
Wayne– Nate Summerfield, College of Natural and Social Sciences, Department of Political Science; Dr. Peter Longo, “Social Capital on College Campus:  In Search of Good Public Policy.”
 
York– Janae Nienhueser, College of Education, Department of Physical Education and Recreation and Leisure Studies; Dr. Greg Brown, “Effects of Energy Drinks on Resting Metabolic Rate.”
 
OUT OF STATE 
FLORIDA 
West Palm Beach– Lacey Thornsburry, College of Natural and Social Sciences, Department of Political Science; Dr. Joan Blauwkamp, “Success Rates of Third – Party Candidates Throughout the Electoral.”
 
KANSAS 
St. Francis– Derek Ross, College of Fine Arts and Humanities, Department of Philosophy, Dr. David Rozema, “Wendell Berry’s Vision for America.”
 
INDIA 
Maharashtra– Deepti Khedekar, College of Business and Technology, Department of Accounting/Finance; Dr. Larry Carstenson, “The Differences Between Indian and U.S. Legal Systems Concerning Women, Children and Minority Rights.”
 
NEPAL 
Kathmandu– Sapana Upadhyay, College of Natural and Social Sciences, Department of Social Work; Dr. Jodi VanLaningham, “A Comparative Study of the Maternal and Child Health System and Status of the United States and Nepal.”
  
UZBEKISTAN 
Andijan– Rahmin Rahmonova, College of Business and Technology, Department of Accounting/Finance; Dr. Steve Hall, “International Financial Reporting Standards Analysis.”