January 30, 2004 Feature
Utah
State Students Send Message to Legislators: Undergraduate Research
is Important
 With
the Utah Legislative session in full-swing and the capitol building
full of lawmakers, undergraduate students from Utah State University
and the University of Utah joined forces in a program called
Undergraduate Research Day and visited the bustling building
to highlight research at the state's two flagship institutions.
The students were there to present research posters and discuss
the importance of research in their educations to Utah legislators
and Utah Gov. Olene Walker.
Students from all of Utah State's seven colleges presented
a wide array of research posters that included such topics as
Web accessibility, anti-viral agents and, of course, space research.
 Dietetics
major Caralee Wilcock shared her studies on iron deficiency
in young adult women attending Utah State; Kori Moore, an environmental
engineering major, told legislators he is trying to predict
when inversions occur so communities can take preventative measures;
Ryan Bair, a biology major, is examining genetic hearing loss
and wanted his legislators to "hear" all about it;
and physics major Andrew Auman explained to Gov. Olene Walker
that he is working on a program that will provide public school
children, as well as undergraduate students, opportunities to
place experiments on the International Space Station.
"I think it's important that we come down here and share
our research with the legislators," said Mark Greenwood,
an environmental engineering major. "Sometimes we get so
wrapped up in our research that we forget it can be important
and that it can make a positive contribution to society. Sharing
our research with others reminds us of its importance."
Business information systems students Matthew Jenson and Joshua
Wheeler explained that their research is actually making a difference
right here in Utah. The two are working on a one-stop application
process that allows Utah families with special needs children
to fill out health and financial services forms in one location.
The program, available on the Internet, is currently offered
in several counties in Utah and has been so well received that
other states are looking into what it has to offer.
 Freshmen
were also invited to participate in the event this year. Tyler
Hatch, a freshman majoring in family, consumer and human development,
presented as a vice president for research fellow. Upon entering
the university this year, Hatch was one of 30 freshmen selected
by the Utah State Vice President for Research office to receive
a $1,000 scholarship. He put that scholarship to good use and
worked with faculty mentor Lori Roggman on a research project
that studied toddler play foods.
 "Utah
State believes that research is invaluable for a student's intellectual
growth and development," said Joyce Kinkead, vice provost
for undergraduate studies and research at Utah State. "Undergraduate
research provides a unique, hands-on experience that enhances
learning and improves the value of students' degrees. Involving
students in research in the freshman year really enhances their
educations.”
All students participating in the day agreed that research
has made a valuable impact on their educations.
"I could have never learned this in a classroom,"
said Amy Anderton, a biology major studying grasses that are
resistant to the active ingredient in Round-Up. "I always
thought my research had to be exact, like following a recipe.
It wasn't until I began doing the research hands-on that I realized
I had to try different combinations to get the results I wanted.
This has definitely been a learning experience."
Garry Miller, a biology student, has been working to develop
a test that will screen potential antiviral drugs. He concurred
that undergraduate research has been a vital part of his education
at Utah State and said it definitely helped his chances of being
accepted into medical school.
 "What
better way is there to enhance a student's learning than through
participating in undergraduate research," said Miller's
faculty mentor, Joseph Li. "Garry is receiving great undergraduate
training and participating in hands-on research, which re-emphasizes
that fact."
Biology major Scott Larsen said he was excited to participate
in Undergraduate Research Day because legislators need to be
reminded how important research in higher education is and also
need to know the professional quality of work that is produced
at an undergraduate level.
 "After
all, there are a lot of impressive students here," said
anthropology major Jennifer Hulse.
For more information on Undergraduate Research Day or undergraduate
research in general contact Kinkead at (435) 797-1706.
Writer: Maren Cartwright, (435) 797-1355, maren.cartwright@usu.edu
Contact: Joyce Kinkead, (435) 797-1706, joyce.kinkead@usu.edu
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