[261] Student Researchers Represent MTSU Feb. 8 at State Capitol

For release: Feb. 7, 2012

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu
Second contact: Dr. Tom Cheatham, 615-898-2613 or Tom.Cheatham@mtsu.edu


Student researchers represent MTSU Feb. 8 at state Capitol

MURFREESBORO — Though they've yet to complete their college degrees, some of MTSU's brightest scholars have earned the opportunity to present their scientific research to Tennessee legislators in the state Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 8.

In 2006, Tennessee became the 13th state to participate in Posters at the Capitol, an annual event that gives undergraduate students the opportunity to display and discuss their research with the public.

MTSU students will be among 61 undergrads from Tennessee Board of Regents universities — including Austin Peay, East Tennessee, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and the University of Memphis — and the three University of Tennessee campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga and Martin to present posters on their research.

The Council on Undergraduate Research, an organization that promotes faculty research with undergraduates, created posters at the Capitol. CUR encourages individual states to participate in the program, which is based on the national event held annually in Washington, D.C.

In 2005, Dr. Tom Cheatham, dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences at MTSU, became interested in starting a Posters event for Tennessee universities. After attending a CUR informational session, Cheatham contacted Dr. Paula Short, vice chancellor of the TBR, and proposed that Tennessee participate in the program.

Next, Cheatham contacted then-State Rep. John Hood, an MTSU alumnus and representative for the 48th District, to ask him to serve as a legislative liaison to help the program get started.

With Short's approval and Hood's help, Cheatham's committee organized the first Posters at the Capitol event in Tennessee in 2006.

“It's a real pleasure for me, a labor of love,” Cheatham explains. “I believe in undergraduate research, and this is a way to showcase that to our state Legislature.”

The TBR recognized MTSU with its annual Academic Excellence Award in 2007 based on the success of the Posters at the Capitol program.

Cheatham adds, “It gets students from nine universities together and lets them talk about the great things they're doing. It's a really exciting day.”

This year's event will be held on the first floor of Legislative Plaza in Nashville beginning at 10 a.m.

MTSU student presenters, their faculty mentors and abstract titles include:

• Daniel Bonior with faculty mentor Dr. Daniel Erenso, “Spectral and Polarization Entanglement Swapping in Two Pairs of Twin Photons”;

• Niguel Hurtado with Dr. Beng Guat Ooi, “Conversion of Kenaf Pulp to Glucose for the Production of Bioethanol”;

• Ethan Khazali with Dr. Paul Kline, “Isolation of Adenosine Deaminase from Alaska Pea Seeds”;

• Eric Limbird with Dr. Nathan C. Phillips, “Variation in Rhododendron Calendulaceum Germination Behavior Influenced by Seed Morphology and Site Specific Characteristics”;

• Aline Pellizzaro with Erenso, “Response to Optical Trapping by Red Blood Cells from a Transfused Sickle Cell Patient”;

• Courtney Shaw with Dr. Andrew Owusu, “The Relationship Between Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health Status Among Tennessee High School Students”; and

• Emily Shields with Dr. William Langston, “Individual Differences in Embodiment.”

Also highlighted is the work of MTSU students William Hamilton, Rae’Shundra Brown, Brittany Oliver, Amanda Cole, Poliala Mahoney-Dickson, Samuel Sowah, Gabriel Welker, Omar Mohammed, Benjamin Bunnel, John Bentley, Hanna Norris, Andrew Jones, Tyler Hubbard and Dallas Swindell. All are collaborating with the presenters’ research.


While at the Capitol, the MTSU student presenters will have an opportunity to meet and talk to their local legislators.

To learn more about MTSU’s Posters at the Capitol program, visit www.mtsu.edu/urc/posters_urc.shtml.

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Media welcomed. (Posters at the Capitol is Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on first floor of Legislative Plaza at state Capitol in Nashville.)

Note: Lauren Price, a graduate assistant in the MTSU Office of News and Media Relations, wrote this news release. The Knoxville native earned her bachelor's degree in mass communication from MTSU in 2009 and is working toward a master's in English.


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The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU celebrates its 100th anniversary, Pride, Tradition and Excellence are the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"!
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