• ABOUT WLU
  • CALENDAR
  • CAMPUS POLICE
  • CONTACT WLU
  • DIRECTORY
  • GO WLU
  • NEWS
  • WLU A – Z
  • WLU CONNECT

West Liberty University

News & Media Relations

OFFICIAL NEWS SOURCE OF
WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

  • News Home
  • News Archives
  • Media Relations Inquiries
Home News Topper-SURE Offers Undergraduate Student Research Experience

Topper-SURE Offers Undergraduate Student Research Experience

August 7, 2014 By Maureen Zambito

FacebookTweet

West Liberty University was home to the Topper-SURE program for 15 undergraduate student researchers this summer from June 2 – July 31. Students conducted research with faculty mentors from the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and practiced skills designed to increase their success in graduate school and the professional world post-commencement.

“This was a very successful summer experience for our students and we are grateful for the support of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Division of Science and Research and the grant that funded the Topper-SURE program,” said Dean Robert Kreisberg of the College of Sciences. “Research is the number one component to building a successful career in science. Our SURE program included hands-on research plus career mentoring that is vital for student success.”

Science majors are shown working on research in the field during the SURE program.
Science majors are shown working on research in the field with Dr. Zach Loughman during the SURE program.

The program ended with a July 31, 2014 SURE Symposium, during which students presented their individual research projects during a poster presentation in the newly opened Campbell Hall of Health Sciences. Faculty mentors also described the summer research projects and answered questions from the audience.

Student researchers were all biology or chemistry majors and included:

Rebecca Barnes and Spencer Bell, Wheeling, WV; Joshua Benfield, Bethany, WV; Leah Cyrus, Columbiana, Ohio; Zachary Dillard, Craigsville, W.Va.; Matthew Ford, Chester, W.Va.; Ashley Haught, Moundsville, W.Va.; Jillian Laslo, Shadyside, Ohio; Taylor Rogerson, Moundsville, W.Va.; Luke Sadecky and Nicole Sadecky, Ravenswood, W.Va.; Eric Tennant, Wellsburg, W.Va.; Eric Tidmore, Tiltonsville, Ohio; Nicole Turner, St. Clairsville, Ohio and Katelyn Yauch, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Project areas include bacterial pathogenesis/microbiology, crayfish biodiversity, skull morphometrics and environmental chemistry. Faculty mentors included: Assistant Professors of Biology Dr. Joseph Horzempa, Dr. Karen Kettler, Dr. Zachary J. Loughman, Dr. Matthew Zdilla and Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Douglas Swartz. Kettler also was the overall director of the summer research program.

All SURE participants presented their findings at the WLU SURE symposium and will have a chance to continue their presentations at other venues throughout the state, country and internationally. Students also received a $3,000 stipend for their efforts.

Funding for the Topper-SURE program was provided by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Division of Science and Research through the Research Challenge Fund, under the direction of Dr. Jan R. Taylor.

For more information on the program, please visit the College of Sciences webpage.

Media Inquiries

Need an expert for your news story? Please call Media Relations today!

In-House Inquiries

Faculty, staff and students are invited to share news tips, request a press release or make other news inquiries by contacting Media Relations.

Contact Information

MAUREEN ZAMBITO
Director of Media Relations

Email
[email protected]
Desk: 304.336.8203
Cell: 304.280.6074

Address:
West Liberty University
219 Shaw Hall
208 University Drive
West Liberty, WV 26074

WLU MISSION

To provide our students the opportunity for a high quality undergraduate, graduate, and professional education through appropriate formats and venues.

WLU Information

  • CONTACT WLU
  • Address
  • APPLY NOW
  • Campus Map
  • Directions
  • Directory
  • University Offices
  • Visit WLU

SEARCH THE NEWS

WLU STUDENT ON MAIN HALL STEPS
SEARCH THE NEWS

CONTACT & PRESS

Need an expert for your news story? Please call WLU Media Relations today!

MAUREEN ZAMBITO
Director of Media Relations

Address:
West Liberty University
219 Shaw Hall
208 University Drive
West Liberty, WV 26074

Email: [email protected]
Work: 304.336.8203
Cell: 304.280.6074

WLU

CARING . QUALITY . AFFORDABLE . TOTAL COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

208 University Drive
West Liberty, WV 26074

 

304.336.5000
Toll Free: 866-WESTLIB

 

Contact WLU via Email

  • WLU A – Z
  • About WLU
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Alumni
  • APPLY NOW
  • Board of Governors
  • Bookstore
  • Business Office
  • Campus Map
  • Campus Police
  • Careers @ WLU
  • Catalog
  • Colleges
  • Counseling Services
  • Current Students
  • Dining Services
  • Directory
  • External Affairs
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Fast Facts
  • Financial Aid
  • Foundation
  • Future Students
  • Give Now
  • Grades
  • Graduate Students
  • Honors College
  • Information Technology
  • International Students
  • Intramurals
  • Library
  • Maintenance
  • Majors
  • Media Relations
  • Net Price Calculator
  • News
  • Provost Office
  • RAVE / TopperNET
  • Registrar’s Office
  • Request Info
  • Residence Life
  • Scholarships
  • Student Health Services
  • Student Life
  • Title IX
  • Transcripts
  • The Trumpet
  • Tuition
  • WGLZ Radio
  • © WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • EMERGENCIES
  • WLU Connect