Zachary King conducts research with Dr. Steinweg which involves collecting ticks from various locations across southwest Virginia, calculating the density of the different tick species at the locations, and eventually extracting DNA to find diseases from the collected ticks. So far, they have documented the density of the various tick species from our 2021 collection. As a result of his work with Dr. Steinweg, Zach has presented his research at the Research Showcase at Roanoke College in addition to being selected as a runner up for the Virginia Mosquito Control Association (VMCA) student poster competition. Great work!
Bryn Haden is currently conducting research with Dr. Ackley in which they are investigating temporal change in children’s perception of their environment from 2017-2021 to determine if there is a correlation to their BMI status throughout the years. Since the Fall semester, Bryn has been accepted to present her research findings at the SEACSM Conference this February! Throughout her experience with research at Roanoke College, Bryn loves that, “there are a variety of topics that you can research in many different departments all while still in your undergraduate studies. This is a rare and very special opportunity for all of us. Also given Roanoke’s smaller size, we students are able to take charge in our research and gain meaningful skills that will aid us in our future endeavors.” Keep up the great work!
Caylyn’s research involves the testing of pharmaceuticals from middle to lower income countries using high performance liquid chromatography. So far, she has performed system suitability for two active pharmaceutical agents (acetaminophen and amoxicillin) and is in the process of working on a third, amoxicillin clavulanic acid. Caylyn is planning to present at the American Chemical Society Conference in March. She also is working to build another HPLC for the Chemistry Department and helping with a pioneer project for sample tracking. Throughout her research experience, Caylyn has had the opportunity to present her research during Family Weekend at the Student Research Showcase in which she was able to gain confidence in her presenting skills! Fantastic work Caylyn!
Dr. Todd Peppers, Henry H. & Trudye H. Fowler Professor in Public Affairs, spent his extra time during the COVID-19 lockdown researching topics that were later created into an article for the October 13, 2021 issue of the Journal of Supreme Court History, titled “‘Destructive to Judicial Dignity’: The Poetry of Melville Weston Fuller.” This article features a collaboration with Mary Crockett Hill ’91, assistant professor of English and communication studies and director of the “Roanoke Review.” Hill and Peppers’ article explores the career and life of Supreme Court Justice Melville Weston Fuller, who was appointed by President Grover Cleveland. Setting this article apart, Hill and Peppers wrote about Fuller’s penchant for writing poetry, an important aspect of his legacy that is often overlooked. From this collaboration, Hill notes, “At a place like Roanoke, there is this sense of community and a focus on liberal arts that derives faculty and students to know things far beyond their field or ways of thinking.” Peppers adds, “A benefit of teaching at a small, liberal arts college is that it fosters and encourages opportunities for interdisciplinary partnerships.”
On December 14, seven Roanoke College student researchers presented their findings on various topics as a part of the ECON Lab @ RC Fall Mini-Conference. ECON Lab, a stellar program at Roanoke College, allows students to conduct real-world research under the guidance of Dr. Alice Kassens, John S. Shannon Professor of Economics at Roanoke. Wonderful work!
