[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(31,31,31,0)” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0|0px|0px|false|false” transparent_background=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header text_orientation=”center” background_overlay_color=”rgba(31,31,31,0)” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_font=”||||||||” title_text_color=”#592c88″ title_line_height=”1.2em” content_text_color=”#ffffff” content_line_height=”1.6em” subhead_text_color=”#592c88″ subhead_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)” background_image=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/rasc24\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/404\/2020\/02\/Research-or-Fight_441567.jpg” parallax=”on” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_style=”zoom” animation_duration=”1500ms” animation_intensity_zoom=”4%” title_line_height_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_css_title=”margin-top: 220px” global_colors_info=”{}” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”66px|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Initiated by then-Chancellor John Bardo in 1996, the Undergraduate Academic Projects Grant Program funds a variety of student projects. <\/span>Administered by the Office of Research Administration, the Academic Project Grants Program awards students and faculty <\/span>with materials, supplies, and travel support to conduct research and creative work during the academic year. Students and faculty construct proposals, which are reviewed by a formal faculty committee\u00a0<\/span>made up of representatives from across the colleges.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Student and faculty proposals were submitted for competitive review.<\/span> We wish to acknowledge by project title and student name the awardees for the 2023 – 2024 academic year. Congratulations to these students and their faculty sponsors.\u00a0 <\/span>Many thanks to the Academic Project Grant committee for their work, and to Suzanne Melton, the research programs coordinator for this program in the Office of Research Administration.\u00a0 Members of the committee include:\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Meghan Gangel Chuck Thomas <\/p>\n Frankie West <\/span><\/p>\n Bora Karayaka<\/strong> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Kim Hall, chair Steve Ha [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Leo Lei Suzanne Melton <\/strong> <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Anthropology and Sociology” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Testing Decomposition Scoring Methods at FOREST in Cullowhee, North Carolina<\/strong> Examining the Dental Morphology of Donors within the JAW Collection<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Biology” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Optimizing protoplast transformation and imaging for BiFC protocol<\/strong> Investigation of Gelatin\u2019s Impact on Autophagy in Human Embryonic Kidney Cells<\/strong> Investigation of solubility of F508del and N103K CTFR mutations.<\/strong> Investigation of Stabilizing Mutations in N1303K-CTFR Protein<\/strong> Surveying for Perkinsea, an infectious protist parasite in Western North Carolina Wood Frogs (Rana [Lithobates] sylvatica)<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Chemistry and Physics ” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Characterization of a Repressor\/Anti-Repressor Protein Interaction Using a Forward Genetics Mutagenesis Screen.<\/strong> Diffusion of Limonene into Paraffin Wax Using Infrared Spectroscopy<\/strong> Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of Biodegradable Zwitterionic Poly(carboxybetaine) Polymer Hydrogels for Protein Delivery.<\/strong> Study of Novel Proteins Containing an Immunity Repressor Domain<\/strong> Investigation of Strand-Displacement Activity of the Larva64 Prim-Pol Enzyme<\/strong> Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Molecules Bound to Nanocrystal Surfaces<\/strong> Scale-up synthesis & characterization of protein-polymer nanoparticles for drug delivery applications.<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Criminology & Criminal Justice” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n An Analysis of the Executive Branch in State Supreme Court Elections<\/strong> North Carolina Criminal Justice Association Student Funding<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Geosciences and Natural Resources” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Tree growth response to Rhododendron removal and prescribed fire in the southern Appalachians<\/strong> Comparative Study of Two Mica Mine Adjacent Wetland Ecosystems — Cullowhee, NC\/Leicester, NC<\/strong> Iron Speciation in the Carolina Terrane<\/strong> Bulk Geochemistry Analysis of Troctolites from Corundum Knob (Buck Creek Formation, Chunky Gal Mountain, NC)<\/strong> Paleontology Trip to Texas<\/strong> Poster Presentation at Southeastern Geological Society of America: Geochemical and Petrologic Examination of Corundum Knob Lithologies<\/strong> A Survey of Aerial and Aquatic Arthropod Diversity Between Reference and Degraded Fluvial Wetlands in the Little Tennessee River Floodplain<\/strong> A Preliminary Assessment of Wildlife Use of mid- to high-elevation Rhododendron Thickets in western North Carolina<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”History” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n \u201cUndergraduate Research in Black Studies at Western Carolina University\u201d<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Psychology” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Effect of Pubertal Timing and Sexual Education on Late Adolescent Well-Being<\/strong> The Impact of Weight Stigma on Pelvic Floor Health in Emerging Adult Females<\/strong> Problematic Internet Usage and Disconnected College Students<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”School of Engineering & Technology” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n DNA construction for Improved Biological Drug Production<\/strong> Performance Comparison of Small-Scale Wind Turbines Composed of Recycled and Low-Cost Materials<\/strong> Evaluation of an inexpensive cloud sensor<\/strong> Design and Develop Neurological Recovery Device for Stroke Survivors<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Kimmel School of Construction Management” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Effects of Heat Capacity of Paving Concrete on Longevity and Performance of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”School of Art and Design” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Rush Hour<\/strong> Mimic Gown<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”School of Music” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Emma O’Halloran Percussion Ensemble Commission<\/strong> WCU Horn Choir to perform at the Southeast Horn Workshop (UGA, Athens, GA, February 23-25, 2024)<\/strong> Student Saxophone Quartet Performance at the International Saxophone Symposium<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”School of Stage and Screen” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n The A1 Conference<\/strong> Natural Shocks<\/strong> Selcouth: A BFA Senior Thesis Capstone Performance<\/strong> We Animals<\/strong> Whee, The Cats: A Season with the Catamounts<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”School of Health Sciences” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Evaluating Wildfire-Induced Air Quality Risks for Migrant Agricultural Workers in Western North Carolina<\/strong> [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Undergraduate Academic Project Grants Initiated by then-Chancellor John Bardo in 1996, the Undergraduate Academic Projects Grant Program funds a variety of student projects. Administered by the Office of Research Administration, the Academic Project Grants Program awards students and faculty with materials, supplies, and travel support to conduct research and creative work during the academic year. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":537,"featured_media":0,"parent":9901,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10018","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/rasc24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10018","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/rasc24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/rasc24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/rasc24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/537"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/rasc24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10018"}],"version-history":[{"count":34,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/rasc24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10018\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13788,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/rasc24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10018\/revisions\/13788"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/rasc24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9901"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/rasc24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10018"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n<\/strong>College of Education and Allied Professions<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Hunter Library<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/strong>College of Arts and Sciences<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
College of Engineering and Technology<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/strong> College of Health and Human Sciences<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/strong>College of Business<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/strong>College of Fine and Performing Arts<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
The Office of Research Administration<\/span><\/p>\nCollege of Arts & Sciences<\/h3>\n
Student Awardee: Leilah Melerine
Faculty Sponsors: Rebecca George and Nicholas Passalacqua<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Caroline Burks
Faculty Sponsor: Rebecca George<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Jadyn Hutsell
Faculty Sponsor: Amanda Storm<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Leah Ondersma
Faculty Sponsor: Heather Coan<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Andrea Sibu
Faculty Sponsor: Robert Youker<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Andrea Holguin
Faculty Sponsor: Robert Youker<\/p>\n
Student Awardees: Robert Carlin, Celelan Garriott, and Deven Hall
Faculty Sponsor: Joseph Pechmann<\/p>\n
Student Awardees: Hailey Roach and James Morris
Faculty Sponsor: Maria Gainey<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Taylor Gregory
Additional Author: Morgan Higgins
Faculty Sponsors: Scott Huffman<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Mage Naef
Faculty Sponsor: Rangika Hikkaduwa Koralege<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Brianna Reyes Soto
Faculty Sponsor: Jamie Wallen<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Paiton Motley
Faculty Sponsor: Jamie Wallen<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Kirsten Hahn
Faculty Sponsor: Curtis Beimborn<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Kira Yost
Faculty Sponsor: Rangika Hikkaduwa Koralege<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Simon Gugerli
Faculty Sponsor: Andrew Hansen<\/p>\n
Student Awardees: McKinzie Gaylor, Taylor Godwin, Marissa Czap, Joseph Smart, and Daniel Farquharson
Faculty Sponsor: Jamie Vaske<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Devon Barbour
Faculty Sponsor: Yang Yang<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Lacie Larsen
Faculty Sponsor: Mark Lord<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Shawn Bast
Faculty Sponsor: Shane Schoepfer<\/p>\n
Student Awardees: Gillian Barker, Dulaney Boonsue, Leah Bowers, Joseph Brundrett, Mei Cornell, Kayleigh Dugger, Lane Hobson, Agnes Koury, Lacie Larson, Damian Murphy, Sophie Platt, Aiden Posadas, Alex Rehrig, Kaley Shoffner, Brooke Starnes, and Blake Whitney
Faculty Sponsor: Amy Fagan<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Corielle Jennings
Faculty Sponsor: Frank Forcino<\/p>\n
Student Awardees: Leah Bowers, Mei Cornell, Kayleigh Dugger, Agnes Koury, Lacie Larsen, Sophia Platt, Aiden Posadas, and Alex Rehrig
Faculty Sponsor: Amy Fagan<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Heather Pratt
Faculty Sponsor: Keith Gibbs<\/p>\n
Student Awardees: Lyndsey Connor, Ben Smith, Elli Jones, Alex Farmer, Dawn Hall, and Turner Stolarz
Faculty Sponsor: Aimee Rockhill<\/p>\n
Student Awardees: Asha Asha, Jacob Lockhart, Khadija Davis, and Kaley Buckman
Faculty Sponsor: David Walton<\/p>\nCollege of Education & Allied Professions<\/h3>\n
Student Awardee: Lyndsey Conway
Faculty Sponsor: Meghan Gangel<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Krysta Perez
Faculty Sponsor: Meghan Gangel<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Memphis Griggs
Faculty Sponsor: Annie Wilson<\/p>\nCollege of Engineering & Technology<\/h3>\n
Student Awardees: Alex Judson, Alissa Kloppenborg, and Jesse Nichols
Faculty Sponsors: Scott Rowe and Amanda Storm<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Sydney Kilgus-Vesely
Faculty Sponsor: Timm Muth<\/p>\n
Student Awardees: Valerie Castro and Ryan D’Amore
Faculty Sponsor: Scott Rowe<\/p>\n
Student Awardees: Catherine Johnson, Joaquin Rodriquez, and Josh Khamphengphet
Faculty Sponsor: Yang Zhang<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Tasfia Tafannum
Faculty Sponsor: Gauhar Sabih<\/p>\nCollege of Fine and Performing Arts<\/h3>\n
Student Awardee: Matthew Cain
Faculty Sponsor: Morgan Kennedy<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Kiara Leary
Faculty Sponsor: Morgan Kennedy<\/p>\n
Student Awardees: Connor Butler, Zack Heller, Trinity Leger, Daniel Noonan, JammyLee Saintons, and Russell Wallace
Faculty Sponsor: Adam Groh<\/p>\n
Student Awardees: Ellie Barber, Hannah Russell, Gavin Franklyn, Max Foltz, Cecilia Wright, Alexis Whitley, Megan Kinstler, Ashton Giles, Aidan Sevigny, Isabella Vejarano, Shayla Sills, Bruno Dippolito, and Katie Sammons
Faculty Sponsor: Travis Bennett<\/p>\n
Student Awardees: Sterling Clauter, Sean Ohmann, Danny Strother, and Gabriel Szcinski
Faculty Sponsor: Ian Jeffress<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Kasen Walker
Faculty Sponsor: Peter Savage<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Fiona Marty
Faculty Sponsor: Matte O’Brien<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Brian Bush
Additional Author(s): Katherine Mullis, Jillian Hall, Grace Hayes, Colby Johnson
Faculty Sponsor: Matte O’Brien<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Keegan Dustin
Faculty Sponsor: Steve Kniss<\/p>\n
Student Awardee: Aidan McGinnis
Faculty Sponsor: Steve Kniss<\/p>\nCollege of Health Sciences<\/h3>\n
Student Awardees: Elizabeth Nesbitt\u00a0
Additional Author: Katie Beam
Faculty Sponsor: Sara Duncan<\/p>\n