WMU News

Students win undergraduate research awards

Nov. 6, 1997

KALAMAZOO -- Six Western Michigan University students will receive $500 Research and Creative Activities Awards presented by the College of Arts and Sciences for the fall semester.

The award program is intended to increase opportunities for undergraduates to participate with faculty mentors in professional activity outside the classroom. These students are in addition to 10 other students who were selected for the fall awards this past summer.

"This program reflects our desire to better integrate the teaching and research missions of the college and provide the hands-on experience for our undergraduates," said Dr. Elise B. Jorgens, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The program permits students to apply for a specific role with an ongoing faculty-directed research project or to initiate new projects in cooperation with faculty. Preference is given to projects that actively involve students in significant experiences that go beyond those typically available in the classroom.

To be eligible for the award, students generally must have declared a major or minor in a program or department within the college, have completed at least 30 credit hours and have at least a 3.0 grade point average within their major. Applications were judged by a five-member committee representing the college.

The fall semester projects represent the diversity of scholarly activity in the college, ranging from a study of wetland plants to an analysis of organizational functioning in a girls' home in Mexico.

Recipients listed by home town

Clarkston, Mich. -- Jill A. Attaman of 8133 Rustic Trail Drive is a junior majoring in biomedical sciences. She and Dr. John Jellies, associate professor of biological sciences, will study "In Vitro Investigation of Heart-Derived Signals in Hirudo Medicinalis."

Eastpointe, Mich. -- Corey A. Watt of 24827 Lexington is a senior majoring in music and sociology. He and Dr. Thomas L. Van Valey, professor of sociology, will study "Order Effects: A 'Mini-Experiment' Based on the MAOD Survey."

Howell, Mich. -- Cheryl A. Muylaert of 4077 Pingree Road is a junior majoring in biomedical sciences. She and Dr. Bruce E. Bejcek, assistant professor of biological sciences, will study "The Influence of FAK on PDGF Transformation."

Lansing, Mich. -- Patrick J. Dougherty of 5318 W. Michigan Ave. is a junior majoring in biomedical sciences. He and Dr. John M. Spitsbergen, assistant professor of biological sciences, will study "Expression of Glial-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Cultured Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells."

Rochester Hills, Mich -- Heather L. Rogers of 317 Sussex Fair, is a senior majoring in psychology. She and Dr. Robert Wait, associate professor of sociology, will study "Impact of the Social Environment on the Organizational Functioning of a Home for Girls in Reynosa, Mexico."

Waterford, Mich. -- Briana Jackson of 1161 Otter Ave. is a junior majoring in biological sciences. She and Dr. Silvia Rossbach, assistant professor of biological sciences, will study "Characterization of Microorganisms Associated with Wetland Plants and Evaluation of their Potential in Bioremediation."


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