The Student Research Fellows program, now in its third year, offers financial and research support for student-driven projects that emphasize collaboration between undergraduate students and faculty mentors. The program provides value beyond student research projects by bookending the research experience with unique learning and presentation opportunities.
This year, six undergraduate students will participate in the Student Research Fellows program. The students and faculty mentors who will make up our 2020 Student Research Fellows cohort are:
- Jeanette Haynes, a communication studies major, will research 50 years after Loving: An examination of prosocial media portrayals in biracial characters. Brian Bowman will serve as Jeanette’s mentor.
- Chloe Baumgardner, a pharmaceutical science major, will work on Optimizing Conjugation of Geobacillus thermoleovorans in Minimal Media. Tim Marks will serve as Chloe’s mentor.
- Danielle Holquist, a communication studies major, will evaluate The role of pets in the lives of college students. Dr. Dean Farmer will serve as Danielle’s mentor.
- Nicholas Loscalzo, a Christian Studies and Mathematics major, will research Particle accelerator beamline development at the Legnaro National Laboratories. Dr. Anthony Mendez will serve as Nicholas’ Mentor.
- Caitlyn Vester, a biology major, will investigate Microbial Diversity of Campbell University Ants. Dr. Stephanie Mathews will serve as Caitlyn’s mentor.
- Wyatt Welton, a biology major, will research Enzymatic synthesis of unnatural amino acids for the generation of metal binding enzymes. Dr. Evan Reynolds will serve as Wyatt’s mentor.
“Student Research Fellows helps accomplish two significant goals of the university: fulfilling our strategic plan and maintaining excellence in student learning,” Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Mark Hammond said. “In many cases, student research serves as a springboard into productive and prestigious graduate and professional research.”