IDR Conference and Awards
Initiated in 2004, the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Research (IDR) Conference is a biennial event through which students enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences (IHS) Doctoral Program orally present their research practicum studies and make poster presentations of their dissertation progress in a professional setting.
On Friday, July 30, the Ph.D. IHS Program hosted the 2010 IDR Conference at the WMU College of Health and Human Services. At the conference, IHS graduate students presented their research practicum studies orally and made poster presentations of their dissertation progress.
The IDR Conference provides a venue for students in different phases of their programs to orally present their research practicum studies and current or former doctoral students to make poster presentations in a professional setting.
CHHS Associate Dean Dr. Richard Long (l) with Michelle Suarez
The IDR Janet I. Pisaneschi Prize is awarded to the student whose presentation best represents the highest level of research presented in the oral format. The award is named for Janet I Pisaneshi, PhD, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services from 1989–2006.
The R.C. Wardley Award for the Best Scientific Poster is awarded to the doctoral candidate or new Ph.D. with the best scientific poster presentation of a dissertation in progress or recently completed. This award was named in honor of the late Dr. Richard Wardley, the husband of our colleague Sonia Wardley. His scientific spirit is most appropriate to this award for interdisciplinary research, as is indicated in the tribute in the British Veterinary Association Gazette.
A panel of judges selected, Stephanie Combs, PT, MS, N CS, Assistant Professor with the
Sonia Wardley (l), with Stephanie Combs
University of Indianapolis’ Krannert School of Physical Therapy, to receive the R.C. Wardley Award for the Best Scientific Poster and Michelle Suarez, MOT,OTR, to receive the Pisaneschi Prize for the highest level of research presented in the oral format.
Other presenters included Angelique G. Day, MSW, LLMSW, Michelle A. Suarez, MOT, OTR/L, Karen Alkema, MA, Michael J. Shoemaker, PT, DPT, GCS, Carol Beard, BS, BSN, MA, BS, BSN, MA, Heather Koole, MA, CCC-SLP, Shannon McMorrow, MPH, Kathleen Kroll, MA, David Wingard, MSW, Heidi L. Alexander, MSM PA-C, BS, MT(ASCP).
Find out how to donate in support of the IHS Ph.D. and either or both of these awards here.