Month: February 2016

URAP spotlight: David Miller

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The Undergraduate Research Assistants Program (URAP) is a program where students work one on one with a faculty member on a research project together. Students apply their senior year of high school and can work on their research program for four years. David Miller, a sophomore at Roanoke College, is a URAP student that works in the Chemistry department with Dr. Keithley. David decided to get involved in URAP to get a feel for the lab environment and to prepare for any graduate or professional programs. His project is titled “Carbon-Fiber Microelectrodes for use in Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry”. He has been working on the optimization of the process for making disk shaped carbon-fiber microelectrodes.

David has enjoyed working with Dr. Keithley.

“Dr. Keithley is a mentor to me and is always helping me to see things differently and support me as well as pushing me to try things on my own and letting me run with some of my ideas for the project”

One of the most challenging aspects of David’s research has been optimizing the process for the electrodes.

“It requires thought and observation by comparison to ones we have already done and requires a drive to match a certain standard of quality.”

To anyone considering research, David says:

“Even if you are unsure but the door is open take the opportunity as long as you can still get all your course work done. Research is very valuable in its experiences and the bonds it builds with faculty and other students.”

Work Study Research Assistant Spotlight: Kevin Oakey

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Kevin Oakey is a senior at Roanoke College participating in the work study research assistant program. In the program, students are hired and paid to work alongside a professor on a research project. A variety of research projects are spread across all the academic departments on campus.

Kevin first became interested in the work study program while searching for an on campus job. After looking into the program he decided it would be an excellent activity for a resume and applied for a position. He now works in the Economics department with Dr. Kassens. The two are conducting research for an economic textbook that relates criminal activity to economics.

Kevin has enjoyed working with Dr. Kassens so far.

“Professor Kassens is a fantastic mentor and really helps steer me in the right direction with research methods and materials. I really enjoy learning about two topics that intrigue me.”

Kevin’s advice to anyone considering research is to understand the importance of time management.

“You don’t want research to completely overtake your schoolwork but you do want to be able to set a time to get usable and thorough research.”

Roanoke College student presents research in Portland, OR

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Angela Montalvo, a senior majoring in Biology at Roanoke College, presented her research at the Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology in Portland, Oregon this January. She worked with Dr. Jorgensen in the Biology department for her project. Angela first decided to do research during her freshmen year. She became interested working with crabs and lobsters by watching fellow lab partners work with them on underwater treadmills. She then became inspired to do her own research after seeing a recent alumni’s research on the project.
Angela studies the immune response of the American lobsters to an acute bacterial challenge.

“I inject lobsters with a bioengineered bacteria (it is resistant to two antibiotics and expresses green fluorescent protein) and trace where the bacteria lands in their body. I work to better understand how lobsters respond to a bacterial infection and try to determine which organs are best for clearing the bacteria from their hemolymph (blood).”

Angela really enjoyed working with Dr. Jorgensen.

“He pushed me to better myself in class, in the research lab, and as a person. I appreciated having someone I could bounce ideas off of and problem solve.”

One of Angela’s favorite parts about presenting was the questions she’s been asked about her project.

“My favorite one by far is “So, do you still eat lobster?”… the answer is a simple “yes!”. The questions that some ask generate discussion about things that could be done in the lab that would help us better understand what exactly is going on in the lobster. There is not much written about the immune response, which makes this data difficult to interpret at times. New projects have been started because of conversations held at my poster!”

Angela highly recommends students to get involved in research.

“Find an area that you are interested in and talk to a professor about it; there could be an opening in a lab that does similar research or start your own project as an independent study. Doing research taught me how to think through a difficult problem and learn from my mistakes.”

WSRA spotlight: Jennifer Barthol

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Jennifer Barthol, a sophomore at Roanoke College, is one of the students under the work study research assistant program. In the program, students are hired and paid to work alongside a professor on a research project. A variety of research projects are spread across all the academic departments on campus. Jennifer works under the Health and Human Performance department with Dr. Elizabeth Holbrook. Jennifer first became interested in the project after being contacted by Dr. Holbrook. After discussing some of her interests and goals, Jennifer decided to work on the project.

Jennifer’s research focuses on surveys given to local elementary school students and their parents about healthy eating and physical activity habits as a part of Dr. Holbrook’s Roanoke Valley Community Healthy Living Index annual assessment. Last semester, Jennifer compiled all the data and entered it into a worksheet. Afterwards, she met with Dr. Holbrook to discuss creating a PowerPoint presentation about the data. The PowerPoint was created and presented to community stakeholders across the Roanoke Valley to inform private and non-profit organizations about the health-related needs of the children in our community. After presenting to the community, they discussed writing an abstract for conference presentation. The abstract was submitted to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research and has been accepted.
While conducting her research, Jennifer was thankful to work with Dr. Holbrook.

“She not only pushes me to do my best, but she is an incredible mentor and role model of someone I hope to be like one day. She has taught me many things, and I do not know what I would do if I didn’t have her by my side throughout the research process and my time here at Roanoke College. If it weren’t for her, I would not have had this opportunity to research something so intriguing to me.”

One of Jennifer’s favorite things about conducting research was learning about other research projects.

“I enjoyed learning from other students who are conducting research in my major. I am able to learn what they are doing and then see if I can apply it to my research findings in any way.”

To anyone considering research, Jennifer says:

“Make sure you enjoy what you are researching, find new ways of doing things (whatever it may be), ask questions, and read up on other research projects/articles.”