[286] MTSU, Other State Universities Present Posters at the Capitol Feb. 3

Release date: Feb. 2, 2010

News & Public Affairs contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or jweiler@mtsu.edu
Posters at the Capitol contact: Dr. Tom Cheatham, 615-898-2613 or cheatham@mtsu.edu


MTSU, Other State Universities Present Posters at the Capitol Feb. 3


(MURFREESBORO) — Seven MTSU student researchers will be among 48 from six Tennessee Board of Regents and two of the three University of Tennessee system universities participating in the fifth annual Posters at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 3, in Nashville.
The MTSU students, their presentations and faculty mentors include:
• Shannon Murphy of Murfreesboro, “A Label-Free Method for Detection and Differentiation of Bacillus spp. Endospores,” with mentor Dr. Stephen Wright (biology);
• Kevin W. Bonds of Nashville, “Liquid Bismuth-fed Ion Propulsion Engines: Construction Methodology for a New Type of Mass Flow Sensor,” with mentor Dr. Tom Cheatham, dean for the College of Basic and Applied Sciences;
• Luke Bolin of Shelbyville, “Effects of Oxygenate Additives in Reducing Air Toxics from the Exhaust Emissions of Generators Fueled by Diesel and Gasoline,” with Dr. Sing Chong (chemistry);
• Sade Dunn of Lebanon, “Transformation of Tobacco Plants Using Synthetically Replicated Antigenic Regions of Shigella Flexneri 2a2457T,” with Dr. Bruce Cahoon (biology);
• Bart Morris of Hermitage, “Organosilicate Films Coupled to Puoremic Band Gap Multilayer Materials for Gas Sensing,” with Dr. Andrienne Friedli (chemistry);
• Keaten Holley of Jackson, “Effects of Refrigeration on Elasticity of Human Erythrocytes Under Shear Stress in Human Blood Serum,” with Dr. Daniel Erenso (physics and astronomy); and
• Hannah Norris of Murfreesboro, “Quantum Teleportation of Information with Two Photon Pairs,” with Erenso.
“It’s open to all disciplines across each campus,” said Cheatham, who serves as statewide coordinator for Posters at the Capitol, which started in 2006. “When the whole state is taken into account, we have many disciplines — it could be music, history, art, the sciences or others — and that’s great. Certainly, science is important.”
At least 48 students are expected to transport their research projects and posters to the capitol. The students will represent TBR schools East Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, Austin Peay, Tennessee State, MTSU and the University of Memphis, along with students from UT-Knoxville and UT-Chattanooga.
“This is probably the biggest change,” Cheatham said. “This had been a Board of Regents event in the past. We’re happy that UT-Knoxville and UT-Chattanooga will participate with us.”
Cheatham said students’ posters will be placed in the Legislative Plaza hallway, and “they will share their research with anyone who stops by.” He added that those who want to meet their state representatives or senators are welcome to do so. Later, a group photo will be taken with Gov. Phil Bredesen.
“I think the students really enjoy it, being at the Capitol, around where the (political) activities are — the important business that’s taking place. The students are invigorated by the experience.”
David Gregory, TBR vice chancellor for administration and facility development, and Paula Short, TBR vice chancellor for academic affairs, usually attend the event, Cheatham said.
The public is welcome to view the posters and talk to the researchers.

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Media welcomed.


With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.


For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.