Roanoke College student presents research at Society for Applied Anthropology

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In March of 2015, Hayley Field, now a graduate from Roanoke College, presented her research at the Society for Applied Anthropology (SfAA) conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hayley was involved with the sociology department and travelled with fellow Roanoke College student Mariana Araujo, graduate student Stephanie Floyd, and Dr. Chad Morris.

Hayley decided to pursue research in her topic after her research methods class with Dr. Anderson.

“I chose the topic of refugees out of my interest in other cultures and thinking about how difficult and incomprehensible their lives are to individuals like myself, who have never had to worry about being persecuted for reasons such as race or religion. I wanted to create a study that looked more into their lives in order to learn more about the challenges they face. I wanted to ameliorate the many hardships they go through in any way possible by finding ways to help them feel better adapted and welcomed in their new host country. I then decided to apply for Summer Scholars so that I could actually carry out my proposal and the project expanded from there, after discussing it and making it more feasible with Dr. Mehrotra.”

Hayley enjoyed working with a professor one on one:

“It is a great way to form relationships with professors and allows you to learn on a much deeper and more personal level. These experiences really pushed me to work harder and gave me very valuable lessons that I would have never had without having such dedicated professors that were willing to guide me through the process of conducting my own research study.”

Hayley’s favorite part about the conference was learning about all the different research that anthropologists are doing around the world:

“I especially enjoyed going to the sessions that had to do with refugee and immigrant populations because it was a really neat feeling to be able to apply my research to other researchers’ work and find similarities between mine and their findings.”

For anyone interested in research, Hayley says:

“It isn’t that common that so many students are able to do their own research and work one on one with their professors, so it is definitely worth it to find something that you would enjoy doing, such as internships, independent studies, or summer scholars. It helps you get connected with professors and individuals in the community, and it also gives you a great advantage when applying to graduate school or jobs by having had such great experience in your undergraduate years.”

Summer Scholars Introduction: Theodore Bauer and Abigail Mendez

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The Summer Scholars program enrolled thirteen students in 2015. Two of those students are Theodore Bauer and Abigail Mendez.

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Teddy Bauer

Teddy Bauer is a rising senior at Roanoke College majoring in Environmental Science and Biology while also studying eco-centric religions. Teddy grew up in rural Virginia where he became interested in the local wildlife and environment. After learning so much about the animals around him, Teddy developed an interest in environmental science and it has led him to his majors. Teddy hopes to use his knowledge to aid wildlife conservation efforts.

Teddy’s project is titled “Post-Burn Ant Diversity and Abundance in a Sandplain Forest of Northern Vermont: Ants as Bio-indicators of Forest Restoration”. In his research, Teddy will examine the use of ants as bio-indicators in Vermont’s endangered Sandplain Forest. The Sandplain Forest has several trees such as the Pitch Pine tree that can’t grow properly without forest fires due to competition from other trees like the Red Maple. Teddy’s research will determine the time course of changes in the ant community, post-burn, in relation to changes in other communities of organisms.

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Abigail Mendez

Abigail Mendez is a rising senior from Grand Lake, Colorado who is a Spanish Major with a Latin American and Caribbean Studies Concentration and a Minor in Sociology at Roanoke College. She is involved in many different organizations on campus including Xi Theta Chi, Sigma Delta Pi, and Chi Omega in which she holds a leadership position. She also holds three jobs on campus, two in the Modern Language Department and one as a Spanish tutor. After graduation, Abigail seeks to attend graduate school for her Master’s in Latin American Studies.

Abigail’s project is titled: “Honduras: The Realities of Immigration and the Perilous Road to the USA”. Abigail will analyze the historical, political, social, and economic data of Honduras from the 1960’s to today to understand how the conditions in the country have influenced Honduran immigration.

Summer Scholars Introduction: Alexandra Grant and Dannielle Allen

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For the Summer Scholars program, a number of students are chosen to pursue a research topic of their choice that could be used to benefit people. In 2015, thirteen students were accepted into the program. Two of those thirteen are Alexandra Grant and Dannielle Allen.

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Alexandra Grant

Alex is a rising senior at Roanoke College majoring in psychology with a concentration in neuroscience. Alex has been interested in the aging of the brain since high school and has worked in the dementia center of a nursing home. She has been conducting research at Roanoke College since her sophomore year with Dr. Whitson. Alex has been volunteering at the Salem Veterans Affairs Center for Neurocognitive services during her junior year and plans to do so in her senior year and into graduate school.

Alex’s project is titled: “Aging and Brain Area Measurements with MRI”. Alex’s research focuses on the fact that as people age they become susceptible to certain diseases such as neurological diseases. In pervious neurological research, it has been shown that certain areas of the brain can be affected as people age. Alex’s project will analyze three parts of the brain, the ventricle, corpus callosum, and cerebellum, and analyze the differences between people who have some form of dementia and those who don’t.

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Dannielle Allen

Dannielle is a rising senior at Roanoke College majoring in Biochemistry. Dannielle has been doing research at Roanoke College since her freshmen year with Dr. Sarisky. Outside of school work, Dannielle is a part of the Honors Program, a member of HEAT (Health Education Awareness Team), and plays Field Hockey for Roanoke College.

Dannielle’s project is titled: “Cloning and Expression of PurF from Sulfolobus solfataricus”. Dannielle’s research focuses on purines, nitrogenous bases that are used as building blocks for DNA, and the Archaeal species Sulfolobus solfataricus. This species is thought to contain genes that code for PurF, a protein that is vital in purine biosynthesis. Dannielle’s project will be creating a plasmid that will be able to produce the PurF protein and analyzing it.

Roanoke College students present at Virginia Tech conference

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Virginia Tech Peace Conference

Pictured above from left to right: Jessica Compton, Wesley Knowles, Daniel Osborne, and Kelsey Reedy.

Daniel Osborne, now a junior at Roanoke College, presented his research on individualism in America and its effects on human well-being. Daniel traveled to Virginia Tech with his fellow presenters Jessica Compton, Wesley Knowles, and Kelsey Reedy and Doctors Mike Heller and Srikanth Mallavarapu in early February, 2015.

When asked about his experience on conducting and presenting research, Daniel says:

“Working with Dr. Mike Heller and Dr. Srikanth Mallavarapu was a wonderful experience. Both offered gentle, thoughtful guidance throughout the process of our presentation’s formation. Presenting my research at a conference made me feel important. To be able to share your work and ideas with an eager audience feels wonderful. It reminded me that my academic work has relevance beyond course grades and GPA records. The conference reminded me that my thoughts and writings can prompt reflection in my peers. Presenting research is certainly a challenge that stands outside the comfort zones of many students. However, Roanoke College’s many research opportunities are a special chance for undergraduate students to discover.”

Summer Scholars Introduction: Ben Cowgill and Andrew Feeney

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Thirteen students were enrolled in the 2015 Summer Scholars program. Introducing two more of the summer scholars, we welcome Ben Cowgill and Andrew Feeney.

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Ben Cowgill

Ben Cowgill is a rising junior at Roanoke College who is majoring in religious studies. Born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Ben has been highly involved in religion since high school and it has influenced his choices in research and academics. When he isn’t busy with school, Ben is involved with many different clubs and organizations including Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity, Alternate Break Program, Lutheran campus ministries, and the Honors Program. He is also currently the Vice President of the Student Government Association at Roanoke College.

Ben’s project is titled: “Effects Of Participation In Denominational Governance On Religiosity Among Youth and Young Adults”. Ben’s research aims to understand the long-term effects of church-wide denominational programs on participants. In order to do so, Ben will investigate a group of youth and young adults going to the Episcopal Church who were involved in a program called the Official Youth Presence, a program which represents youth at General Convention.

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Andrew Feeney

Andrew Feeney is a rising senior at Roanoke College majoring in Economics with a minor in Mathematics. Andrew is from Old Greenwich, Connecticut and is a member of the Roanoke Men’s Lacrosse Team. In his free time, Andrew participates in many different clubs including Best Buddies, Relay for Life, and Habitat for Humanity. Andrew is also the founder of the campus chapter for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Andrew’s project is titled: “Roanoke Economic Index”. Andrew details the project as a creation between two economic indices, a coincident index that reveals information on the underlying economic conditions for the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area, and a leading index which forecasts changes in the coincident index. With the combination of the two, Andrew hopes to allow local businesses to have better information before making major decisions.

Roanoke College student presents research on mod subculture

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Rachel

In late February of 2015, Rachel Barton, now a senior at Roanoke College, was able to present her research on mod subculture. Rachel worked under the Sociology department for her completion of her concentration in Gender and Women Studies. She decided to do research because of her interest in the concentration and interdisciplinary work. Rachel worked with Dr. Sarabia to expand on research Rachel had previously done and to examine gender expressions and subversive identities within the subculture.

Rachel enjoyed her time working one on one with a professor. She commented:

“It was great! I was given the opportunity to structure most of the product independently, do my own research, and basically go wherever I wanted with my argument. I loved being able to create my own project. And, of course, Dr. Sarabia was very helpful every step of the way. He offered me continual one on one feedback and encouraged me to go as far as I could with my research. He was as dedicated to me completing a successful project as I was.”

When asked about how it was to present her research, Rachel said:

“At first, I was really nervous, but it went very well! It was definitely an invaluable experience. I was in charge of creating my own presentation and presenting my research in an effective way. I was on a panel with two other researchers”

For any students interested in doing research, Rachel says:

“Do it! Even if you don’t think you can, even if you’re scared of starting your own projects, do it! There’s nothing like starting from scratch and ending up with a really cool, successful final product that’s completely the result of your own initiative. And the possibilities for research are endless! You can basically do whatever you’re interested in, and you can pick up some new interests along the way! I would recommend going to conferences too. Just imagine, you can get PAID to travel to really cool cities and talk about the crazy cool things that you’re interested in. And other accomplished scholars will encourage you! They can even help you get into graduate school! Why wouldn’t you jump on that opportunity?”

Summer Scholars Introduction: Emma von der Lieth and Tessa Sydnor

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The Summer Scholars program is one of the many research opportunities available at Roanoke College. Students can apply to the program to spend their summer doing paid, intensive research with a professor. Summer Scholars receive free housing and work full time to further their research.
Summer Scholars of 2015 has 13 students enrolled doing research in a variety of different topics and fields. Two of them are Emma von der Lieth and Tessa Sydnor

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Emma von der Lieth

Emma von der Lieth is a junior at Roanoke College who is majoring in International Relations and minoring in French. Emma has always been fascinated with travel and wishes to travel aboard to several different countries. An advocate of Women’s rights, Emma wants to work for a non-profit organization to promote women’s rights in developing countries.
Emma’s project title is “War on Women: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Sexual Violence During Armed Conflict”. In her research, Emma wishes to explore the relationship between violence against women and armed conflict. Using mixed methods of quantitative and qualitative research, Emma will analyze the data around armed conflict and the reported amount of rape in 27 different countries in Middle East, Africa, and Asia between 1990-2012.

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Tessa Sydnor

Tessa Syndor is a senior at Roanoke College who is majoring in Literary studies. Tessa’s upbringing in Europe has giving her a unique view on different cultures around the globe. Being involved in with her father’s work with refugees since she was little, Tessa wishes to use her studies to help voice the problems refugees have and to better their lives.
Tessa’s project is titled “Representing Refugee Experience: Reading and Researching the Literature of Displacement” In her research, Tessa will examine four books detailing the experiences refugees face in their lives and critically analyze their similarities and differences. By doing so, Tessa hopes this will help in the understanding of trauma refugees endure.

Roanoke College Research Assistant Spotlight: Elizabeth Bullock

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The Work Study Research Assistant program (WSRA) is one of the various research opportunities at Roanoke College where students can participate in doing research with a professor. In the Work Study program, students are paid for their help in the research project they are affiliated with. Any student can work with a faculty member throughout all the departments on campus. One example of a student in WSRA is Elizabeth Bullock, a freshman at Roanoke College. Elizabeth works in the English department with Dr. Almeder. She began doing research in September 2014.

When Elizabeth was asked about how doing research with professor was, she said:

“It’s great! You really get to experience a lot more working with a professor. I have learned a lot more than I would have not working with Dr. Almeder.”

Elizabeth says the greatest benefit to being in WSRA program is:

“Being closer to the professors and jumping into experiences. By the end, I’ll have all this weird knowledge about stuff I didn’t even know existed. It’s a crazy experience and a lot of fun.”

RC URAP Student Spotlight: Ann Shreckhise

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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. Ann Shreckhise is a senior who entered the program her freshmen year. She applied to work with Dr. Rearick on a project named Understanding the Choices We Make: A Psychological, Physiological and Kinematic Examination of Human Motion.

Ann says she has been able to incorporate her studies across disciplines to ask questions from different perspectives and analyze data in new ways. Using her backgrounds from biology and psychology she has been able to further her research.

Ann’s favorite part of URAP is:

“The student-faculty interactions that result from working one on one with a professor over the course of four years has made my research experience an incredible endeavor. As an undergraduate, I did not expect to have the opportunity to develop my own questions while working alongside a faculty member. Particularly, attending conferences where I am able to present my research and learn about others’ has been a highlight during my time as a URAP student.”

When asked if incoming/current students should do research, Ann says:

“Absolutely get involved in research! Even if you are not sure what you want to study, get involved with a professor’s lab. It’s the best way to figure out what you are interested in.”

RC Student Conference Presentation: Costume design

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The first week of March, Roanoke College senior Emily Edmonds was able to present her research at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga, TN.  Emily did her work under the Fine Arts department. Emily’s research topic focused on costume design in The Importance of Being Earnest, a play by Oscar Wilde. She decided to pursue research with Dr. Ruhland because of her interest in costuming and her desire to pursue it as a career after graduation.

Emily really enjoyed being able to work with a professor while doing her own research.

“Jennie Ruhland is an amazing teacher and I absolutely loved working with her. Her advice throughout the whole process was so meaningful and helpful. I had to revise and edit my project a bit, but even her criticism was constructive and I learned a lot from it. I learned so much more than I ever could have in a class-room so I am really thankful for the experience.”

When asked about the conference Emily says:

“It was different than I expected. My project wasn’t what is traditional of research presentations so it was nerve-racking because I didn’t know what to expect. Plus, I presented my work in a design competition so that added another unique layer to the experience. Honestly though, once I got set-up and everything was prepared, then things went super smoothly. I sadly didn’t place in the competition, but it was great experience and I’m glad that I entered my work and was able to receive feedback from the judges on how I can improve.”

For anyone considering doing research at Roanoke, Emily says:

“Do it!! I think people get intimidated by the thought of presenting research, but it’s such a valuable experience and a great way to learn how to make your research stronger or clearer. If you put a lot of hard work and planning into something, don’t be afraid to put your work out there. Also, don’t let yourself be limited by thinking research can only be done in certain fields. I am a Theatre major who presented a research project about costuming that I worked on and analyzed for a long time so just because your interests aren’t in the sciences, doesn’t mean that should stop you from pursuing research. Definitely get as much one on one time with the faculty here as possible because you will learn so much. Even if it’s just an independent study, it’s still definitely worth doing.”