Grenadiers gain scholarships and experience at IU Undergraduate Research Conference

24th November 2015

By Steven Krolak

Seven IU Southeast students have won $250 scholarships at the 21st annual IU Undergraduate Research Conference (IUURC) held on Fri., Nov. 20 on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.

Cara Bareis, Evangeline Flowers, Christian French, Aubrey Garman, Tyler Risinger, Janet Saborsky and Cara Nichole Young received the honors for projects ranging from branding to zombies.

Janet Saborsky and Aubrey Garman

Janet Saborsky and Aubrey Garman present their research on the “impostor” phenomenon at the Indiana Undergraduate Research Conference.

In all, 53 IU Southeast undergraduates from three schools (Arts and Letters, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences) presented 32 projects at this year’s conference, which drew 114 students and 87 presentations from seven IU campuses. Eight faculty advisers accompanied the IU Southeast participants. Awards were based on content, format, professionalism and the ability to pose and answer questions.

“IU Southeast students accounted for almost 30 percent of the presentations at the conference,” said Dr. Diane Wille, dean for research and the IU Southeast campus liaison to the conference.  “The IU Southeast students were competing against students from IU Bloomington, IUPUI and the other regional campuses for the outstanding research awards.  The number of presentations and awards received show the high level and excellence of the research and creative activity which occurs here at IU Southeast.”

Flowers, a junior from Henryville, Ind. majoring in English (literature and writing), presented research on the role and significance of zombies, cyborgs and other post-humans in popular culture.

”The Undergraduate Research Conference gives students a chance to meet with people who can question them and provide feedback that encourages academic growth,” she said. “It is an especially great opportunity for grad school applicants, as presenting at the conference shows that your work is of a higher level, and will be appropriate for grad school level challenges.”

Garman is a senior sociology and psychology major from Huntertown, Ind. She has attended five conferences as an undergraduate. She and partner Janet Saborsky presented on personal traits and the “impostor” phenomenon.

“By participating in research, students can continue to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills on a level that can’t always be learned in a classroom,” she said. “Also, many of the conferences I’ve been able to attend have helped in building my professional networking and communication skills, which will be a huge benefit as I apply for graduate school and in future careers.”

Christian French

Christian French presents his research on orthorexia nervosa at the Indiana Undergraduate Research Conference.

French, a senior psychology major and biology minor from Sellersburg, Ind., presented a new, multi-factoral approach to the clinical diagnosis of orthorexia nervosa, an emerging eating disorder.

“Undergraduates can benefit from conferences like the IUURC in numerous ways,” French said. “For me, the most striking are the personal and professional skills one develops by presenting one’s work, as well as learning from the work and feedback of others.”

“We may be a small campus but we have many incredible students and professors, and we collaborate and work hard to create new ideas and concepts,” said Flowers.

The annual Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference was established in 1994, and is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity in all fields of study, performed in partnership with faculty or other mentors as a vital component of an IU undergraduate education.

Homepage photo: IU Southeast student Tyler Risinger receives a scholarship pledge from Jane Rogan, IU director of engaged learning and 2015 IUURC organizer. Photos courtesy of Dr. Diane Wille, IU Southeast dean for research.

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