Dr. John Falconer
director of Sponsored Programs, 308.865.8496
University of Nebraska at Kearney senior Charles Sepers Jr. of McCook has been selected to present his research at the prestigious Posters on the Hill event in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 24.
Students are selected for the Posters on the Hill event by the Council on Undergraduate Research. The event is organized to demonstrate the high quality research conducted by undergraduates from across the country. In all, more than 850 students applied for the event, and less than nine percent of applicants were selected.
Sepers’ research will be on display at UNK Student Research Day on Friday (April 20). The event, at which more than 150 projects will be on display, will be open to the public from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Nebraskan Student Union.
Sepers’ research compared various walking programs to see if Internet reporting and feedback would get individuals to adhere better to their walking programs. Through his research, Sepers found that the use of pedometers increased effectiveness of walking programs. His research was mentored by Dr. Todd Bartee, UNK associate professor of health, physical education and exercise science.
“Growing rates of adult obesity make projects like this very important as scientists work to find ways to improve community wellness,” Dr. Bartee said.
This is the second year in a row that a UNK student has been selected for Posters on the Hill. Last year, Sada Hotovy of Lincoln presented her work on poet Carl Sandburg.
The Council on Undergraduate Research is the national organization that promotes student involvement in research to increase the quality of education.
“When students are able to apply what they are learning in the classroom to solve new problems, they learn more, improve their critical thinking and communication, and are better prepared for careers,” said Dr. John Falconer, director of UNK Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity. “UNK ranks very high in the number of students who engage in research.”
