AMES, Iowa -- From analyzing a new genetic model for the study of an early childhood cancer to using organic products to improve golf course turfgrass, there will be plenty to discuss when 25 Iowa State University undergraduates present their research to legislators and others during the sixth annual "Research in the Capitol." The event will be from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, in the rotunda of the State Capitol building in Des Moines. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad will offer opening remarks.
More than 60 undergraduate students from Iowa's three Regent universities (Iowa State, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa) will display their research posters and describe their projects. The event highlights the importance of research to the undergraduate learning experience.
At Iowa State, participation is open to all undergraduate students. The event is coordinated by the University Honors Program.
The Iowa State students who will present their work at the capitol, their hometowns, majors, research projects and research mentors are:
Madeline Tomka, Des Moines, agronomy: "Soil Microorganisms Effect on Giant Foxtail Seed Decay," Matt Liebman, professor of agronomy, and Robin Gómez, graduate research assistant, agronomy
Kimberly Brown, Oregon, Ill., agronomy and kinesiology: "Tillage and Composting Strategies to Maximize Nitrogen Retention in Maize-based Cropping Systems," Michael Castellano, assistant professor of agronomy
Nathan Kirkman, Wilton, graphic design; Brandon Alvarado, Cedar Falls, graphic design; Heidi Ylvisaker, Minneapolis, graphic design; Katie Ehlert, Minnetonka, Minn., architecture and environmental studies: "Designing Decision Aids for Reproductive Health Communication," Debra Satterfield, associate professor and director of graphic design
Rebecca Warren, Belvidere, Ill., interior design; Bethany Luhrs, Knoxville, interior design: "Design/Build: Applied Design as an Ecological Research Methodology," Fred Malven, associate professor of art and design
Raeann Shimak, Mason City, biochemistry and genetics: "Analysis of available diagnostic tests for optimized detection of Visceral Leishmania infantum infection in canines," Christine Petersen, assistant professor of veterinary pathology
Ellen Franzenburg, Van Horne, agricultural engineering and global resource systems: "Integrating Rainfall Measurement into the School Garden Program at Namasagali Primary School, Uganda," Gail Nonnecke, University Professor of horticulture
Hana Yoon, Ames, biology: "Variations in Druse Macropatterns of Two Variegated Peperomia Species," Harry "Jack" Horner, University Professor, genetics, development and cell biology
William Lohry, Sioux City, chemical engineering: "Realtime Surface Capture using Multiple Wavelength Fringe Projection," Song Zhang, assistant professor of mechanical engineering
Pavel Brodskiy, Clive, chemical engineering and biology: "Characterization of a Novel Model to Study Human Retinoblastoma," Donald Sakaguchi, professor of genetics, development and cell biology
Ryan Hall, Elko, Minn., chemical engineering: "The Absorption Rates of Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats in Glucose Monitoring," Derrick Rollins, professor of chemical engineering and statistics
Andrew Paxson, Algonquin, Ill., environmental science: "A Process to Assess E. coli Concentrations in Streams of an Agricultural Dominant Watershed," Michelle Soupir, assistant professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering
Jordon Pace, Dayton, biology; Alan Moss, Ames, biology: "Increasing Carbon Sequestration in Maize," Patrick Schnable, professor of agronomy, and Wei Wu, assistant scientist, agronomy
Jay Hoch, Dallas, (Iowa), genetics: "Triple Auxotroph," Paul Scott, USDA collaborator, agronomy
Quincy Law, Clear Lake, horticulture: "Improving Golf Course Turfgrass Health With Organic Products," Nick Christians, University Professor of horticulture
Ross Hanson, Decorah, kinesiology: "Psychological Effects of Cross Training Among Competitive Adolescent Athletes," Amy Welch, assistant professor of kinesiology
Seth Berbano, Ames, materials engineering: "New Sodium-ion Conducting Solid Electrolytes for Sodium Batteries," Steve Martin, Distinguished Professor of materials science and engineering
Wesley Klejch, Mount Ayr, microbiology: "Characterization of the Plasmid-borne cmy-2 Gene from Clinical Isolates of Salmonella enterica," Samina Akbar, Samina Akbar, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology, Des Moines University.
JoBeth Minniear, Huntington, Ind., meteorology: "In Search of the Ideal Lead Time: An Empirical Analysis and Social Perspective of the Correlation Between Tornado Warning Lead Times and Casualties," William Gallus, professor of geological and atmospheric sciences
Kristy Carter, Olathe, Kan., meteorology: "Simulation of Nocturnal Low Level Jets with a WRF PBL Scheme Ensemble and Comparison to Observations from the ARM Project," William Gallus, professor of geological and atmospheric sciences, and Adam Deppe, graduate research assistant, geological and atmospheric sciences
Mechelle Salley, San Bernardino, Calif., psychology: "The Effects of Afrocentrism, Racial Socialization and Discrimination on Psychological Distress among African American College Students," Meifen Wei, associate professor of psychology
2010 event