Students engage in undergraduate research across disciplines
蘑菇短视频student Kyra Fowler conducted a study on salamander stress
By Savannah Stewart
蘑菇短视频 has many opportunities for students to conduct undergraduate research across various disciplines. Students are able to engage in projects that deepen their understanding of course material and build essential skills for future endeavors.
The university highlights four students whose research spans diverse topics, demonstrating the impact of inquiry and innovation.
Ben Howard adjusts lights for a School of Stage and Screen production
The Designer鈥檚 Dilemma
Ben Howard, a sophomore in the School of Stage and Screen, explores the challenges of theatre production in his research, "The Designer鈥檚 Dilemma." Howard investigates how to achieve more with less, emphasizing the transferability of theatre skills to other fields. He collaborates with professors to understand real-world applications, aiming to show that scenic designers can excel as architects and lighting designers as electricians.
Kyra Fowler conducts field research
Salamander Stress Study
Kyra Fowler, a senior biology major, studies the unusual coloration of Desmognathus monticola salamanders at the Buck Creek Serpentine Barrens. Working with faculty advisor Dr. Joseph Pechmann and graduate student Matthew Zimmerman, Fowler examines whether chronic stress causes the color change. Despite challenges, including a disease outbreak, Fowler's research contributes valuable data for conservation efforts.
Nico Markle presents at a conference
Environmental Injustice Analysis
Nico Markle, a senior majoring in emergency and disaster management, investigates environmental injustice by analyzing the proximity of African American populations to EPA Superfund sites in North and South Carolina. Markle's research reveals a higher ratio of African Americans living within a 10-mile radius of these hazardous sites, aiming to raise awareness and drive policy changes.
Megan Fleming
Women in Advertising
Megan Fleming, a senior history major, examines the treatment of women in the advertising industry from the 1950s to the 1970s. Fleming's research compiles sources to provide a comprehensive overview, highlighting changing attitudes toward women in the workforce. Despite limited sources, her work sheds light on the industry's evolution.
蘑菇短视频supports undergraduate research through the Office of Research Administration, offering funding, travel, and networking opportunities. For more information, contact Suzanne Melton, Research Programs Coordinator, at scmelton@wcu.edu.
