WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., July 20, 2016 — West Liberty University’s student researchers have been exploring crayfish biodiversity, studying skull morphology, probing host microbe interactions, delving into environmental chemistry, caring for hellbender salamanders and examining pipeline corridors over the past few months as they sharpen their research skills and build their future.
The 14 science majors presented their findings in a symposium held in the College Union on Wednesday, July 20.
“We are excited to have the SURE program on campus. It allows our students to experience research on a daily basis in the field and in the laboratories. The benefit is tremendous,” said Dr. Robert Kreisberg, dean of the College of Sciences.
Faculty mentors and students gave brief explanations of their work in the Alumni Room, before students presented posters illustrating their research to family members, faculty, and the public in attendance.
“The students discovered so much this summer in the field and in the lab. It was very rewarding. Summer undergraduate research experiences are necessary for students who want to develop strong science skills that will help them to build their careers and get them into graduate school. The hands-on work of our SURE students is invaluable,” said Dr. Karen Kettler, who is co-chair of the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at WLU and director of the summer research program.
“A group of our SURE students also took time to volunteer in flood cleanup at the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery and provided valuable help to the hatchery just after this devastating recent emergency. We are very proud of our students for their work both in the lab and in the community,” she added.
Five students along with Dr. Zachary Loughman (known for his work with crayfish) did the emergency work that included debris removal and recovery work.
Another group of student researchers who studied skull morphology was just informed that their research is going to be published in an upcoming issue of “Journal of Craniofacial Surgery.”
Dr. Zdilla’s students wrote the health science research entitled, “The angular relationship between the foramen ovale and the trigeminal impression: percutaneous cannulation trajectories for trigeminal neuralgia,” that will make it to print. It will be useful to surgeons and anesthesiologists among others, according to Zdilla.
The student researchers involved in health science research will move on to the upcoming WV-INBRE Summer Research Symposium on July 25 which will be held in Morgantown, W.Va. and present their findings to a statewide audience.
SURE 2016 students include: Aaron Koons, Williamsport, Md.; Connor Clark, Parsippany, N.J.; Emily DeTemple, Bethlehem, W.Va.; Emmy Delekta, New Cumberland, W.Va.; Gregory Myers, Wheeling; Holly Chiles, Ravenswood, W.Va.; James “Ethan” Estes, Fleming, Ohio; Kaitlyn Bliss, Bridgeport, Ohio; Kelsey Mangus, Wheeling; Kristen Haggerty, Shinnston, W.Va.; Michelle Russell, Pulaski, Pa.; Rachel “Katie” Scott, Camden On Gauley, W.Va.; Sarah Harmon, Wheeling; Tanya Khan, Wheeling.
“It’s awesome to take part in this research. You don’t get a chance to do this kind of in-the-field research this early in your college career at most schools,” said Emmy Delekta, who will be a sophomore in August and is majoring in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology.
SURE, which stands for summer undergraduate research experience, is funded with support from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Division of Science and Research. Topper-SURE offers each student researcher a $3,000 stipend along with a valuable research experience for their resume.
Topper-Sure faculty mentors include: Assistant Professors of Biology Dr. Joseph Horzempa, Dr. Kettler, Dr. Zachary J. Loughman, Dr. Matthew Zdilla and Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Douglas Swartz (also a departmental co-chair).
WLU’s College of Sciences offers many opportunities for research in a variety of labs. For more information, please visit westliberty.edu or call 1.866.WESTLIB.