“The Research Scholar Fellowships at Murray State provide an excellent opportunity for our undergraduates to gain academic experience through a meaningful research project with support from a faculty mentor. These are the types of experiences that we look forward to offering our students in order to enhance the quality of education available at Murray State University. Opportunities provided through this program are exceptional and help distinguish this university in competition among higher education institutions” said Tim Miller, MSU Interim-President.
The 2006-2007 Fellowship recipients are:
Todd Broker, Economics major in the College of Business and Public Affairs, for his proposal entitled “Risky Business.” This project looks to determine if people, in general, make decisions under risk in a consistent and predictable way. The findings may be applicable for the workings of the insurance field. David Eaton, Associate Professor of Economics and Finance, is serving as mentor to Broker. View Todd Broker’s finished project!
Erin Cathcart, Horticulture major in the School of Agriculture, for her proposal entitled “Reduction of Inorganic Chemical Application in Murray State University Greenhouses by Using Alternative Worm Casting Amendments and Compost Tea.” The project will examine alternative organic methods of controlling pest problems and reducing dependency on inorganic chemicals. Pat Williams, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Sciences, is serving as mentor to Cathcart.
Colin Corbett, Chemistry major in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, for his proposal entitled “Biochemical Assays for Methyltransferase Enzymes on a Microfluidic Platform.” Integrating principles from chemistry, physics and biology, the ultimate purpose of this project is the development of a method that can quickly, efficiently, and easily be used to test the enzyme inhibiting or activating capabilities of prospective drugs important in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, depression and Parkinson’s. Daniel Johnson, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, is serving as mentor to Corbett. This fellowship will be supported by the Brian Andreen Research Scholar Program, as part of the Council on Undergraduate Research’s CUR Fellows program.
Ebone` Hatcher, Psychology major in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, for her proposal entitled “Applying the Material Appropriate Processing (MAP) Framework to Learning Through Video and Text.” Hatcher’s project will examine the effects on learning factual material produced in various presentation styles. Paula Waddill, Professor of Psychology, is serving as mentor to Hatcher. This fellowship will be supported by the Brian Andreen Research Scholar Program, as part of the Council on Undergraduate Research’s CUR Fellows program. View Ebone' Hatcher's finished project!
Nathanial Blaine Luffman, History major in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, for his proposal entitled “Lost in the Periphery: the Jamaican Struggle with Independence 1938-1986.” Jamaica has struggled to reach its modern state through the fall of imperialism. The project explores how a third world country achieved independence. Bill Schell, Professor of History, is serving as mentor to Luffman. View Nathanial Luffman's Finished Project!
Holly Mowery, a double major in biology and chemistry in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, for her project entitled “Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in the Environment: Monitoring, Assessment, and Effects on Wildlife and Humans in Western Kentucky.” Very limited information is available on the sources, distribution, environmental behavior and fate of PPCPs. This project will develop analytical methods to measure the most common PPCPs and then evaluate their presence in the environment. Bommanna Loganathan, Associate Professor of Chemistry, is serving as Mowery’s mentor. View Holly Mowery's Finished Project!
Shane Newborn, Biology major in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, for his project entitled “Do Biophysical Traits of Non-native Invasive Honeysuckle Grant It an Advantage Over Native Honeysuckle?” Evolving plant species can change the role and structure of ecosystems and can further cause economic losses. This project will explore how biological invasion has emerged as growing area of study in ecological research. Newborn will be assisted by co-investigators Zachary Brian and Komal Patel. Kate He, Assistant Professor of Biology, is serving as mentor to Newborn, Brian, and Patel. View Shane Newborn's Finished Project!