Thank you for joining the 18th Annual Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol. This was our first virtual symposium with students uploading their pre-recorded presentations to YouTube and engaging in “synchronous commenting” with attendees, judges, and other participants. We are proud to announce this year’s winners below.
Biological & Biochemical Sciences Category
(20 oral presentations)
Winner: Abreanne Andlinger
Examining Relationships Between Neurodevelopment Genes and Transcription Factor Proteins in Zebrafish
Mentor: Dr. Sadie Bergeron
As a WVU Beckman Scholar, Abreanne and her research are supported by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. She attends West Virginia University and is from Moundsville, W.Va.
Runner Up: Dakota Parnell & Jesse Orell
Constructing Schematics for a Novel Microfluidic Slide for in vivo Imaging of Larval Zebrafish
Mentor: Dr. James Walters
Dakota and Jesse attend Bluefield State College and are from Bluefield, W.Va.
(Photo, left to right: Parnell and Orell)
Engineering & Technology Category
(11 oral presentations)
Winner: Christopher Anderson
Microbial Composition and Diversity of Biofilms and Bulk Water in Drinking Water Distribution Systems
Mentor: Dr. Emily Garner
Christopher attends West Virginia University and is from Terra Alta, W.Va.
Runner Up: Andrew Wall
Mutual Authentication Protocol for Internet of Drones
Mentor: Dr. Cong Pu
Andrew attends Marshall University and is from Scott Depot, W.Va.
Health Sciences Category
(17 oral presentations)
Winner: Claire Kelly
Characterization of Interleukin-6 Regulation in Neuroinflammation
Mentor: Dr. Gordon Meares
Claire attends West Virginia University and is from Bruceton Mills, W.Va.
Runner Up: Jaelynn Parks
Antagonism of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Using Novel Bacteria to Develop Probiotics
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Williams
Jaelynn attends West Virginia University Institute of Technology and is from Lewisburg, W.Va.
Human Engagement Category
(5 oral presentations)
Winner: Jessica Hogbin
Love and Politics: Ippolita Maria Sforza and Early Modern Maternal Relationships
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Vester
Jessica attends West Virginia University and is from Hedgesville, W.Va.
Physical Sciences & Mathematics Category
(16 oral presentations)
Winner: Sara Kuberski
Rapid Electrochemical Sensing of Acetaminophen Utilizing Screen-Printed Carbon Electrodes in Forensic and Environmental Applications
Mentor: Dr. Luis Arroyo
Sara attends West Virginia University and is from Pickerington, OH
Runner Up: Tate Hawkins
Searching for Fast Radio Bursts with the 20 meter telescope at Green Bank Observatory
Mentor: Dr. Duncan Lorimer
Tate attends West Virginia University and is from Point Pleasant, W.Va.
Social & Behavioral Sciences Category
(12 oral presentations)
Winners: Sophia Shank and Lauren Browning
Improving Child Emotion Regulation and Development Through Emotion Labeling and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy-Toddler
Mentor: Dr. Cheryl McNeil and Christopher Owen
Sophia and Lauren attend West Virginia University and are from Parkersburg, W.Va. and Ashburn, Va., respectively.
(Photo, left to right: Shank and Browning)
Runner Up: Alysia Inosencio
Impact of Social Media on Mental Health Outcomes
Mentor: Dr. Rodney Klein
Alysia attends Concord University and is from Deltona, FL.