12th annual UW System “Posters in the Rotunda”
By Tom Hansen, UWS Dept. of Communications
- Educational Attainment and Income Among Wisconsin Native Americans.
- Are We Breathing Plastics?
- Douglas County Mental Health – Medicaid Reimbursement Policies.
Those are just three of the undergraduate research and scholarly topics that UW-Superior students presented among the dozens of others that University of Wisconsin System students and faculty research mentors showcased at the 12th Annual “Posters in the Rotunda” event on Wednesday, April 22 in Madison.
In the front row, seated from left to right: Chancellor Renee Wachter, State Representative Nick Milroy, State Senator Janet Bewley and URSCA Program Administrator at UW-Superior, Julie O’Leary. In the 2nd row, standing from left to right: Professor Jim Lane, Augustin Tegaboue Tchouassi, Kristen Johnson, Elliot Charette, Lindsay Hansen, Jessica Bergstedt, Ariel Johnson, and Tom Hansen.
State legislators joined UW System and institutional leaders in welcoming 130 students and nearly 90 faculty mentors to the State Capitol rotunda. There, undergraduates from the System’s 26 campuses set up poster displays and shared the findings of their diverse research subjects which, in many cases, were the culmination of multiple academic years of study and collaboration with faculty mentors and community partners throughout Wisconsin.
“It is quite the honor to represent UW-Superior actually, considering we are way up there,” said Ariel Johnson of Solon Springs, Wis. at the Posters in Rotunda event in Madison. “It was a pleasure to showcase the research that is going on at UW-Superior.”
Elliot Charette of Washburn, Wis. agreed with Johnson. “This was a great opportunity to show the lawmakers that research matters and our research can inform them of important policy issues.”
Superior native Kristen Johnson was mentored by Professor Lorena Rios Mendoza. “I think it was a great experience coming down here and talking with lawmakers. It was great to see so many people that supported undergraduate research and supported education it was great to share what I have been doing because I have been working so hard on my project.”
Lindsey Hansen of Duluth worked with a group on her project. Their research focused on mental health issues within Douglas County. “It was a really good experience it was nice to talk to lawmakers. Our project (with Nicolle Gross and Jessica Bergstedt) was very policy based, so to see them appreciate our work and give them information that they can directly use was fun. Getting that support was important, it was a good day.” They worked with Professor Lynn Goerdt.
UW System President Ray Cross welcomed students, faculty members and other guests at the 12th annual Posters event. The event kicked off with welcome remarks and special recognition of co-sponsors Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and the Wisconsin Technology Council. Posters remained on display until 3 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda on April 22.
The UW System has earned a national reputation as a leader in undergraduate research, which contributes to the state’s priorities, including retention, graduate rates, and workforce and economic development.
“With every year, and at every University of Wisconsin System institution, research becomes a more essential part of our students’ experience and success, and Wisconsin grows and benefits, too,” Cross said.
“Research—particularly undergraduate research featured at this event—enhances learning and quality of life for tens of thousands of students,” Cross said. “With faculty mentors, students take to laboratories on our campuses. They partner with schools, nonprofits and enterprises, be they on factory floors or in farm fields. They achieve breakthroughs and develop solutions for Wisconsin’s diverse communities.”
Just a few of the other UW-Superior research projects that were showcased on April 22 included:
Posters in the Rotunda Participants – April 22, 2015
- Educational Attainment and Income Among Wisconsin Native Americans. Elliot Charette, Washburn, Wis., mentor: Dr. Zamira Simkins.
- Analyzing Locations & Majors of on Campus Undergraduate Students at UW – Superior. Ariel Johnson, Solon Springs, Wis., mentors: Dr. Mary Balcer and Dr. William Baijjali
- Are We Breathing Plastics? Kristen Johnson, Superior, Wis., mentor: Dr. Lorena Rios Mendoza
- Isolation of Components with Antiviral Activity from Highbush Cranberry Fruit. Augustin Tegaboue Tchouassi, Cameroon, mentor: Dr. James Lane
- Where Have All the Crayfish Gone? (Change in Occurrence of Invasive Native Crayfish in the St. Louis River Estuary over 14 Years). Kara Tudor, Superior, Wis., mentor: Dr. Shon Schooler
- Douglas County Mental Health – Medicaid Reimbursement Policies. Jessica Bergstedt, Duluth, Minn., Nicolle Gross, Superior, Wis., Hailey McNeil, Hill City, Minn. and Lindsay Hansen, Duluth, Minn., mentor: Dr. Lynn Goerdt
More information on the Posters in the Rotunda is available at http://www.wisconsin.edu/posters
Contact: Tom Hansen, University Marketing and Communications, (715) 394-8260)
