March 28, 2003 Feature Story
Utah
State Research Goes to Washington D.C.
While many students may be intimidated at the thought of conducting
a research project, Utah State professors realize the value
research brings to an education and are increasingly including
research projects as a component of their undergraduate classes.
And students are reaping the benefits.
"I enjoy the challenge research gives me," said Utah
State University undergraduate Craig Huber, a mathematics and
statistics major. "In real-world situations, there are
always factors which are difficult to explain or deal with.
Research helps us explain them."
And research is getting recognized.
Craig is part of a select group of 69 students from across the
nation who will present their undergraduate research projects
at the Council on Undergraduate Research's "Posters on
the Hill" event April 1 in Washington, D.C. Utah State
University is well represented, sending 10 students to the event.
"This is so exciting for us," said Joyce Kinkead,
Utah State vice provost for undergraduate studies and research.
"The students selected to participate at the event are
chosen from all over the nation. To have 11 students selected
from Utah State says something about the high caliber of our
students."
Utah State psychology students Kelly Douglas and Margee Flake,
a duo presenting at the "Posters on the Hill" event,
say that research has enhanced their education.
"Research has made my education come to life," said
Kelly. "I am not only learning principles in a classroom,
but am applying them too."
The pair are presenting their research on the Utah Frontiers
Project, a project that works with families in rural counties
in Utah who have children experiencing serious emotional disturbances.
The project works in several ways to improve the quality of
life for the children and their families and Kelly and Margee
have been analyzing the data from the study taken over the past
three years.
"I am a more versatile student and I am better qualified
for additional education," concluded Margee.
Participating in the "Posters on the Hill" event is
important for many reasons, but every Utah State student involved
agrees that talking with the legislators and getting national
visibility are the most pressing reasons for attending the event.
"It's important to visit Washington, D.C. to garner support
for scientific and engineering research," said Utah State
engineering student Amber Spackman. "I think our congresspeople
should be aware that funding for research has real world applications
and that it can benefit their constituents."
"I feel privileged to go and represent Utah State University,"
concurred physics student Jodie Corbridge. "I look forward
to promoting the importance of student research by displaying
my work and talking to my congressional leaders."
Research gives students many opportunities, and Utah State University
is proud to support the effort as part of its land-grant heritage.
"Utah State is strongly committed to promoting opportunities
for our students to work with scholars engaged in research,"
said Kinkead.
Utah State currently has 131 undergraduate research-related
courses, and during the last year 1,400 students conducted their
own research projects to earn course credit.
 Student
presenter and mathematics and statistics major Jeffrey Leek
took this opportunity to earn course credit and used mathematical
models and computer simulations to predict when mountain pine
beetles would emerge from trees.
"The research I conducted helped me make connections to
my field," said Leek.
The "Posters on the Hill Event" is sponsored by the
Council on Undergraduate Research, a national professional association
representing more than 850 academic institutions. CUR's mission
is to support and promote high-quality undergraduate student-faculty
collaborative research and scholarship.
"Utah State University had excellent proposals," said
JoAnne Reiche, CUR administrative director. "The faculty
are doing a great job mentoring their students on their undergraduate
research projects."
Utah State students presenting at "Posters on the Hill"
include:
Aaron Brown, Liberal Arts and Sciences; Jodie Corbridge, Physics;
Suzy Dooley, Chemistry; Kelly Douglass, Psychology; Margaret
Flake, Psychology; Craig Huber, Mathematics and Statistics;
Natalie Jorgensen, Geology; Kevin Labrum, Biology; Jeffrey Leek,
Mathematics and Statistics; and Amber Spackman, Engineering.
Writer: Maren Cartwright (435) 797-1355
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