WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., July 18, 2022 — Each summer, while many are relaxing and enjoying the warm weather, students and faculty of West Liberty University are hard at work.
TOPPER-SURE is an opportunity for students that aims to be both academically challenging and socially fulfilling. Students have an opportunity to both learn from and interact with other researchers, a faculty mentor, and other participants. This is invaluable as they prepare for professional careers in science.
The research the students are involved in results in a symposium that showcases posters and data collected, giving valuable feedback for students.
The 2022 student research was displayed on Monday, July 18 in the Academic, Sports, and Recreation (ASRC) facility for visitors and the campus community to explore.
Fourteen students presented the research and answered questions posed by the attendees wanting to know more about the wide variety of biology projects that showcased everything from crayfish to antibiotics.
“Our annual summer research program is a popular nine-week program that offers undergraduates needed time to research, share and learn how to problem-solve in science and how to sharpen the research skills that we will help them in their future, both in graduate school and professional fields,” said Dr. Deanna Schmitt, assistant professor of Biology in WLU’s College of Sciences who is in charge of the symposium again this year.
Besides Schmitt, five other faculty members acted as advisors and mentors guiding the student researchers. These include Dr. Diana Barber (Bat Biodiversity and Behavior), Jeremiah Dann
(Earthworms and Soil Quality), Kinsey Guthrie, Dr. Zachary Loughman (Crayfish Biodiversity), and Dr. Holly Racine (Thyroid Related Mechanisms in Craniosynostosis).
The list of the student research projects titles presented includes:
- Spatial Dynamics of an Invasive Earthworm Amynthas sp. in West Liberty University’s Campus Woods, Authors: Jason Ake, Loyd Butcher, and Jeremiah Dann
- Role of FTL_0421 in Francisella tularensis Susceptibility to Resazurin, Authors: Emma J. Beatty, Claire Kelly, Emily Young, Rori Schrieber, Jordan Gibson, Siena McGovern, Kendall Souder, Justin Rice, Ryan J. Percifield, Donald A. Primerano, Nicole Garrison, and Deanna M. Schmitt
- Correlation Between Habitat Preferences and Mass (g) of Nerodia sipedon sipedon and Regina septemvittata, Authors: Kianna Beckwith and Nicoleena Storer
- Life History of an Invasive Earthworm Within West Liberty University’s Campus Woods, Authors: Loyd Butcher, Jason Ake, and Jeremiah Dann
- Improving welfare through operant conditioning: a case study with Box Turtles Terrapene carolina, Author: Austin Brown
- Impact of Induced Thyrotoxicosis on Avian Limb Development, Authors: Haley Carter and Holly L. Racine
- The Genetics of Cambarus jezerinaci in between the Pine and Cumberland Mountains of Southeastern Kentucky, Authors: Cassidy Gebhardt and Zachary Loughman
- Examining the Effects of Induced Thyrotoxicosis on Embryonic Heart Mass and Heart Rate in an Avian Model, Authors: Michaela Greene and Holly L. Racine
- Role of FTL_0895 in Francisella tularensis Susceptibility to Resazurin, Authors: Claire Kelly, Emily Young, Jordan Gibson, Siena McGovern, Emma Beatty, Kendall Souder, Justin Rice, Ryan J. Percifield, Donald A. Primerano, Nicole Garrison, and Deanna M. Schmitt
- Evaluating Bat Diversity and Activity in Disturbed and Undisturbed, Authors: Alexis Martin, Madison Anderson
- A 2022 Crayfish Survey of the Eastern Kentucky and New Cumberland River Watersheds, Author: Kaleb Norris
- Burrow Densities of Distocambarus crockeri, Authors: Liz Ranson, Timothy Moore, Hogan Wells, and Zachary Loughman
- The Conservation Status of Cambarus jezernaci, Author: Jaden Rusnak
“The TOPPER-SURE acronym stands for Training Opportunity for Pre-Professionals, Educators, and Researchers Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and though it’s a mouthful, the summer program does just that. It prepares our undergraduate students for a successful future,” Schmitt said.
The students also benefitted from a number of in-person presentations on a variety of topics including:
- Putting together a curriculum vita given by Dr. Joseph Horzempa,
- Interview workshop hosted by Jennifer Dann of the Washington County Conservation District,
- Visits with recent WLU graduates to discuss post-baccalaureate options,
- Poster design workshop was given by Dr. Diana Barber.
“I congratulate them on their effort and work this summer. The TOPPER-SURE program continues to prepare our students well for their future in the professional field of biology,” added Dean of the College of Sciences Dr. Karen Kettler.
Funded by a grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Division of Science and Research, under the direction of Dr. Juliana Serafin, the summer research program also rewards students with stipends of $3,000 each.