WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS Student honored for undergraduate research efforts June 22, 2004 KALAMAZOO--Nineteen students were awarded a College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Award at Western Michigan University. The awards were announced at a spring reception that was the culmination of the College of Arts and Sciences' month-long focus on all areas of academic research, including work done by faculty, graduate students and undergraduates. The event marked the seventh year the college has made the awards to help undergraduate students make strides in the realm of academic research. The award facilitates undergraduate research by pairing a student with a faculty mentor. The student then studies a topic of interest in his or her academic field. Students selected for the honor receive a $500 scholarship to be used for travel expenses, research supplies or as a stipend. Project topics range from literature to biology and sociology to nuclear physics. Research and Creative Activities Award Recipients Lindsay Berbiglia of Farmington Hills, Mich., a senior majoring in biomedical sciences, will use her award to complete an "Analysis of the Microbiota in the Cricket Gut." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Silvia Rossbach, assistant professor of biological sciences. Berbiglia is the daughter of John L. and Catherine M. Berbiglia. Andrea B. Bogos of Dearborn, Mich., a senior majoring in journalism, will use her award for a research project titled "Student Newspaper Diversity Project." Her faculty mentor is Sue Ellen Christian, assistant professor of journalism. Bogos is the daughter of Larry J. and Cindy A. Bogos. Kathleen Bousamra of Riverview, Mich., a senior majoring in organizational communication, will use her research award for a project titled "Training Sessions for Adult Learners." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Kathleen Propp, associate professor of communication. Bousamra is the daughter of David and Annette Bousamra. Tristan H. Brown of Franklin, Mich., a senior majoring in environmental studies, will use his award on two research projects--"An Environmental Video-Graphic Exploration of the Kuala Lumpur Region" and "Research of Water Quality on the Western Michigan University Campus." His faculty mentors are Dr. Lynne Heasley, assistant professor of environmental studies, and Dr. Johnson Haas, assistant professor of geochemistry. Brown is the son of Jack R. and Enid H. Brown. Stacey M. Cherup of Gaylord, Mich, a senior majoring in psychology, will use her award to do "An Evaluation of the Utility of Choice Assessments in Increasing Activity Engagement and Indices of Happiness in Elders with Dementia." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Linda LeBlanc, associate professor of psychology. Cherup is the daughter of William M. and Cathy L. Cherup. Tara J. Gauthier of Watervliet, Mich., a senior majoring in biology, will use her award to examine "The Effects of Different Carbon Sources on Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Silvia Rossbach, associate professor of biological sciences. Gauthier is the daughter of Gary and Karen R. Gauthier. Tracy K. Hand of Portage, Mich., a senior majoring in sociology, will use her award for a project titled "Statistics: Changing a 'Necessary Evil' into a Positive Experience at the University Level." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Susan Caulfield, professor of sociology. Hand is the daughter of Richard C. and Carol Hand. Korin T. Isotalo of South Lyon, Mich., a student majoring in media studies and women's studies, will use her research award to study, "Conflicting Messages, Part 2." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Mark Orbe, associate professor of communication. Isotalo is the daughter of Eric E. and Eileen T. Isotalo. Theresa Kerr of Midland, Mich., a senior majoring in biology, will use her award to examine "Testing for Inbreeding in the Wasp Monobia quadridens." Her faculty mentor is Dr. David Cowan, professor of biological sciences. Kerr is the daughter of William J. and Sandra K. Kerr. Lindsay J. Laubenstein of Clio, Mich., a senior majoring in anthropology and theatre, will use her award for a research project aimed at "Documenting the Rock Art of the Nilgiri Hills." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Allen Zagarell, professor of anthropology. Laubenstein is the daughter of Tommy P. and Dawn M. Laubenstein. Adam J. Martin of Delton, Mich., a senior majoring in comparative religion, English literature and women's studies, will use his award for a research project titled "Virgin/Whore: Amy Grant and Madonna as Icons in American Judeo-Christian Binary Thought." His faculty mentor is Dr. Rudolf J. Siebert, professor of comparative religion. Martin is the son of Ron and Tammy L. VanderMolen. Amber L. Mitchell of Kalamazoo, a senior majoring in organizational communication, will use her award for a project titled "Adult Learning Pentathlon and Delivery Skills Workshop." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Kathleen Propp, associate professor of communication. Mitchell is the daughter of Ronald L. Mitchell and Mary A. Klinedinst. Samantha A. Mudge of South Lyon, Mich., a senior majoring in music education and Spanish, will use the award for her research on "The Indigenous and Historical Influences of Music in the Yucatan Peninsula." Her faculty mentor is Dr. James Biles, assistant professor of geography. Mudge is the daughter of Raymond M. and Betty M. Mudge. Sarah L. Musham of Trenton, Mich., a senior majoring in sociology and women's studies, will use her award to study "Help-Seeking Mechanisms of Homeless Women." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Angela Moe, assistant professor of sociology. Musham is the daughter of William and Elizabeth Musham. Emily R. Nakfoor of Mason, Mich., a senior majoring in anthropology, will use her award for research on "Dietary and Locomotor Behavior Among Eocene Primates." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Robert Anemone, associate professor of anthropology. Nakfoor is the daughter of John W. and Mary M. Nakfoor. Ross P. Reiter of Grand Rapids, Mich., a junior majoring in biomedical sciences, will use his award for research on "Delivering Ozone to Aquatic Ecosystems." His faculty mentor is Dr. Steven B. Bertman, associate professor of chemistry. Reiter is the son of Randy H. and Suzy L. Reiter. Angela K. Simon of Wayland, Mich., a senior majoring in sociology, will use her award to examine "Sex Trafficking and Tourism: The United States' Role in New Age Global Slavery." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Angelo Moe, assistant professor of sociology. Simon is the daughter of Renee R. Simon and the granddaughter of Bill and Marsha Sellers. Ariel J. Swanson of Wyoming, Mich., a senior majoring in biochemistry, will use her award to conduct an "Evaluation of GSH in Regulation of GSH." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Susan Stapleton, associate professor of chemistry. Swanson is the daughter of Mike M. and Sandra Swanson. Elizabeth Weiss-DeBoer of Kalamazoo, a senior majoring in psychology, will use her award for research that examines "Emotion Recognition Among College Women with Bulimia." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Amy Naugle, assistant professor of psychology. Weiss-DeBoer is the daughter of Richard W. and Linda R. DeBoer. Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu WMU News Office of University Relations Western Michigan University 1903 W Michigan Ave Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA 269 387-8400 www.wmich.edu/wmu/news