Opportunity Description
Patient outcomes research in clinical medicine utilizing large nationwide databases to investigate clinical questions related to liver disease and liver transplant. This is an opportunity for prospective students interested in being involved in biomedical research with the goal of learning and manipulating large medical databases. With the guidance of the mentor and statistical assistance, the prospective candidate will have the opportunity to participate in a research project in medicine. With the mentor, the student will develop a clinical question which can answered with the appropriate database, and gain experience proposing a hypothesis, working with statistical team, interpreting the results, and formulating conclusions from the results. There will be weekly meeting with the mentor and opportunity to have exposure to a clinical environment for those students interested to pursue careers in medicine. Work is primarily done independently with guidance, thus no specific number of hours per week commitment. One of the objectives of the project would be to allow the student to present his or her findings in a poster or oral presentation format at national meetings and eventual publication. This is currently a nonfunded volunteer position. The time commitment is variable depending on student’s proficency handling large databases.
Student Qualifications
Comfortable using excel database, be able to work independently, ability to perform online pubmed research to gather background literature on the topic, understand basic statistics
How to Apply
Please contact mentor directly;
Provide resume and letter of interest
Mentor: Raffi Karagozian, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Department: Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Email: rkaragozian@sfhcp.org
Timing: Ongoing
Campus: UConn Health
Chemical engineering student Derek Chhiv ’14, right, discusses with Professor Anson Ma his group’s prototype for an artificial kidney.
In recognition of the critically important role that mentors play in supporting undergraduate research and creative activity, the Office of Undergraduate Research is pleased to introduce a new annual award program for outstanding mentorship. This program was developed in collaboration with the OUR Peer Research Ambassadors, undergraduates engaged in research and creative scholarship across the disciplines who help promote undergraduate inquiry at the university.
The Mentorship Excellence Awards will be presented each year to one faculty recipient and one graduate student recipient. A committee of undergraduate students will select the award recipients, who will be formally presented with their awards in April during the Frontiers in Undergraduate Research Poster Exhibition.
Students are encouraged to nominate their outstanding mentors before the close of the nomination period on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Learn more and access the nomination forms on the Mentorship Excellence Awards webpage.
Interested in spending the summer engaged in an exciting research project? There is still time to apply for summer research opportunities in a variety of areas. The programs and opportunities listed below are still accepting applications.
State University of New York Upstate Medical University – Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program Deadline: February 16, 2015 http://www.upstate.edu/grad/programs/summer.php
This 10-week summer research program is for students majoring in chemistry, biology, or a related field. Applicants should be between their junior and senior years (in Summer 2015) and have a strong interest in pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical research. $3,000 stipend and housing provided.
American Heart Assocation, Founders Affiliate Undergraduate Student Summer Fellowship Program Deadline: February 19, 2015 http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Affiliate/Founders-Affiliate-Local-Research-Opportunities_UCM_315885_Article.jsp
This program encourages students to pursue careers in cardiovascular research. Projects related to cardiovascular biology and stroke will be considered. $5,000 fellowship. Student is expected to identify a sponsor with a research laboratory within the Founders Affiliate.
Maryland Sea Grant REU Program Deadline: February 20, 2015
http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/topics/research-experiences-undergraduates/research-experiences-undergraduates
Fifteen students are selected to conduct marine research on the Chesapeake Bay at one of two University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences laboratories. The program is designed for students majoring in marine science, ecology, environmental science, biology, and chemistry. $6,000 stipend and housing provided.
Research Fellowships in Oceanography at University of Rhode Island Deadline: February 21, 2015 http://surfo.gso.uri.edu/~surfo/index.html
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships in Oceanography program is a 10-week research experience designed for science, math, and engineering students who will be seniors in Fall 2015. Stipend of approximately $5,500.
Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MCOP) Undergraduate Summer Research Internship, Virginia Tech
Deadline: February 27, 2015 http://www.maop.vt.edu/Undergraduate_programs/summer_research.html
Wide variety of academic disciplines; $3,000 stipend, free on-campus room and board.
Summer Premedical Academic Enrichment Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Deadline: February 27, 2015
http://www.medschool.pitt.edu/spaep/application/
Summer research program that pairs rising juniors and seniors with biomedical researchers in a variety of areas. $1,000 stipend, room and board included, and travel assistance provided.
Marine Physical Laboratory Internships at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Deadline: February 27, 2015
http://www.mpl.ucsd.edu/news/mpl.internships.html
10-week summer research internship in marine science and technology; $14/hour compensation.
Center for Security Printing & Anti-Counterfeiting Technology (SPACT) NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Deadline: February 27, 2015
http://spact-center.org/reu/
This 10-week, NSF sponsored, REU program provides students with the opportunity to conduct research on security printing and anti-counterfeiting technology. Research opportunities in Materials Science and Engineering, Materials Chemistry, Electrical/Computer Engineering, and Computer Science. $5,000 stipend and housing provided.
National Institutes of Health – Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research Deadline: March 1, 2015
https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) internship program provides students with an opportunity to work side-by-side with scientists in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research. This is a highly competitive program.
Bigelow Laboratory of Ocean Sciences REU Program: Gulf of Maine and the World Ocean Deadline: March 1, 2015 http://www.bigelow.org/education/reu/
This highly competitive, 10-week REU program pairs students with scientist mentors for a hands-on, independent research experience. Housing and $5,000 stipend provided.
Center for Visual Science – Summer Research Fellowship Program, University of Rochester Deadline: March 1, 2015
http://www.cvs.rochester.edu/training/undergraduate/fellowships/index.html
Students who are juniors (during 2014-15) with an interest in neuroscience, cognitive science, and biomedical science are encouraged to apply for this summer of supervised laboratory training. $3,600 stipend and on-campus housing provided.
Ecology and Evolution in Changing Environments: Mechanisms to Responses – Kansas State University Biology REU Program Deadline: March 1, 2015
http://www.k-state.edu/reu/REU/index.html
This 10-week program provides undergraduates interested in biological sciences with research experience and professional development under the mentorship of a faculty mentor. $5,000 stipend and housing provided.
Summer Undergraduate Research Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Deadline: March 1, 2015 http://www.gradbiomed.pitt.edu/node/268
10-week research experience, with research mentors from Cell Biology, Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Immunology, Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology, Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology, Molecular Pharmacology, and Molecular Virology and Microbiology. Stipend of $3,500; additional funding for housing and travel may also be available.
Nanotechnology for Health, Energy and the Environment – University of Stony Brook Deadline: March 13, 2015
http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/reu/index.html
The summer research experience is for talented undergraduates who are interested in the nanotechnology field. $4,000 stipend, free housing and a meal plan.
Unite for Sight’s Global Impact Corps
Deadline: Rolling, for short term and long term trips throughout the year http://www.uniteforsight.org/volunteer-abroad
This volunteer abroad opportunity offers a global health experience for students interested in public health, international development, medicine, or social entrepreneurship. Global Impact Fellows may elect to participate in the Global Impact Lab research program. Current projects include research studies about medication management, the use of visual resources for patient education, traditional medicine practices, and patient barriers to eye care.
Due to the campus closure on February 2, the SURF application deadline has been extended to 4:00pm on Tuesday, February 3, 2015. More information on SURF can be found at http://ugradresearch.uconn.edu/surf/.
Congratulations to the twenty-six UConn undergraduates who have been awarded UConn IDEA Grants in the fall 2014 funding cycle!
Eighteen of the award recipients will be completing individual projects and eight will be working on collaborative group projects. The award recipients represent a variety of disciplines, from puppetry to mechanical engineering, nursing to horticulture, and campus affiliations, including three recipients from the Stamford campus and one from the Avery Point campus.
Special thanks to the faculty and staff who supported student applications to the UConn IDEA Grant and to those who will be mentoring the award recipients as they complete their projects. We would also like to thank the faculty and staff from around the University who served as reviewers.
The UConn IDEA Grant program awards funding to support self-designed projects including artistic endeavors, community service initiatives, traditional research projects, entrepreneurial ventures, and other creative and innovative projects. Undergraduates in all majors at all UConn campuses can apply. Applications are accepted twice per year from individuals and from small groups who plan to work collaboratively on a project. The next application deadline is Monday, March 16, 2015.
Still thinking about your summer plans? Check out these exciting Summer Research opportunities with February application deadlines. Apply now and remember to keep your options open in order to find the best experience for you!
REU Program in Solar and Space Physics – University of Colorado Boulder Deadline: February 4, 2015 http://lasp.colorado.edu/home/education/reu/ Students work under the direction of scientists from one of a number of participating institutions including Colorado’s Laboratory of Atmospheric and Space Physics and the National Center for Atmospheric Research’s High Altitude Observatory. 8-week program; $500/week stipend and housing provided.
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies – Summer REU Program Deadline: February 5, 2015 http://www.caryinstitute.org/students/reu-program
Cary Institute’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program provides the opportunity for 8-12 students each summer to conduct ecology research at a world-class institute. Selected students receive a $6,000 stipend, a $600 food allowance and housing in an Institute dormitory.
University of Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences – Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Deadline: February 6, 2015 http://medicine.buffalo.edu/education/undergraduate/sure.html
The School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences offers a summer undergraduate research program for undergraduate students in their junior year (at the time of application). Offers extended to only 10 students; $3,500 stipend and housing provided.
American Psychological Association – Summer Science Fellowship Program at George Mason University Deadline: February 9, 2015 http://www.apa.org/science/resources/ssf/index.aspx
This program gives rising seniors an opportunity to explore the intellectual process of scientific inquiry and to experience cutting-edge psychological research through hands-on laboratory activities. Applicants should be psychology majors; students with related majors may apply if they intend to enter a psychological science graduate program. Summer salary and living expenses provided.
Summer Internships in Science and Technology (SIST) – Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) Deadline: February 9, 2015 http://sist.fnal.gov/index.php
Fermilab’s SIST program offers 12-week summer internships in science and technology. Internships available in physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science offer a chance for students to work with Fermilab scientists or engineers on a project within the context of laboratory research. The internship includes a weekly stipend and local housing subsidy.
American Bar Association – Summer Research Diversity Fellowships in Law and Social Science Deadline: February 15, 2015 http://www.americanbarfoundation.org/fellowships/Call_for_Summer_Research_Diversity_Fellows.html
The summer program is designed to introduce students from diverse backgrounds to the benefits of a research-oriented career in the field of law and social science. Open to students who will have completed at least two years of undergraduate study by the time the fellowship begins. Selected students will receive a stipend of $3,600.
Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences – Summer Research Program at Tufts University School of Medicine Deadline: February 15, 2015 https://sackler.tufts.edu/academics/BDBS
The Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences (BDBS) Program offers a ten week, mentored research experience for students interested in pursuing a PhD or MD/PhD. Participants in the program receive training in written and oral communication of scientific data and learn about careers in biomedical science. Stipend of $4,000 and on-campus housing provided.
Northwestern University – Materials Research Science & Engineering REU Deadline: February 15, 2015 http://www.mrsec.northwestern.edu/content/educational_programs/reu.htm
REU students will have the opportunity to contribute to a research project led by a center faculty member. Students with an interest in nanomaterials and majoring in a science or engineering field are encouraged to apply. $4,500 stipend.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get valuable research experience this summer. Undergraduate students who are interested in participating in a summer research program should be preparing applications and requesting letters of recommendation now! Check out the following summer research programs with fast approaching early February deadlines.
Gerstner Sloan Kettering – Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Deadline: February 1, 2015 http://www.sloankettering.edu/summer-undergraduate-research-program
The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Memorial Sloan Kettering sponsors a 10-week summer research program for undergraduate students who are interested in the biomedical sciences. This is a competitive program that accepts 20 students. Applicants must have research experience. $4,000 stipend and housing provided.
Pediatric Oncology Education (POE) Program – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Deadline: February 1, 2015 http://www.stjude.org/poe
This program provides a short-term training experience in either laboratory research or clinical research. Students will be matched with a faculty mentor and will participate in the mentor’s ongoing research projects. Qualified students with an interest in cancer research are encouraged to apply. $4,000 stipend provided to selected students.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Summer Scholars Program (CRISSP)
Deadline: February 1, 2015 http://www.research.chop.edu/programs/crissp/index.php
The CHOP Research Institute Summer Scholars Program (CRISSP) is committed to educating and training future leaders in the biomedical sciences, with a special emphasis on advancing laboratory, clinical, behavioral and translational pediatric research. Summer stipend of $4,000.
Environmental Health Research Experience Program, University of Washington
Deadline: February 1, 2015 http://deohs.washington.edu/ehrep
This funded, nine-week, summer research program is for undergraduates with a strong interest in environmental health science research. Undergraduate applicants must be graduating in 2016 or later. $5,200 summer stipend.
NSF-REU Internships in Astronomy – Maria Mitchell Observatory
Deadline: February 1, 2015 http://www.mmo.org/get-involved/internships/reu
Six summer internship positions are available for qualified undergraduate astronomy and physics students. $1,800 per month stipend and housing provided.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities – Washington, DC
Deadline: February 1, 2015 http://www.cbpp.org/jobs/index.cfm?fa=internships
Offers internships working on a variety of public policy issues. Areas include Media, Federal Legislation, Health Policy, Housing Policy, International Budget Partnership, Food Assistance, National Budget and Tax Policy, Outreach Campaigns, State Fiscal Project and Welfare Reform and Income Support Division.
Summer Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SNURF) at University of Vermont
Deadline: February 1, 2015 http://www.uvm.edu/~nbhspire/?Page=snurf.html
Two summer research programs will be hosted by the University of Vermont. One is funded by the NSF and the other by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Both offer generous stipends and housing. Interested students may apply to only one of the two programs.
Stanford Summer Research Program (SSRP)-Amgen Scholars Program
Deadline: February 2, 2015 http://ssrp.stanford.edu/
The SSRP-Amgen Scholars program is a research-intensive program where students are matched with a member of the Stanford faculty to conduct a research project from a comprehensive list of biological and biomedical science programs. The program encourages applications from students whose backgrounds and experiences would bring diversity to the field. $3,600 stipend, housing and meals provided.
Amgen Scholars Program at NIH
Deadline: February 2, 2015 https://www.training.nih.gov/amgenscholars
Undergraduate students will be matched with a research mentor and participate in a curriculum that will teach leadership skills as well as prepare them for research-oriented careers. Preference will be given to students who lack opportunities to perform independent research during the school year. Students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Amgen-UROP Scholars Program at MIT
Deadline: February 2, 2015 http://web.mit.edu/urop/amgenscholars/
The Amgen-UROP Scholars Program is a competitive program providing the opportunity for undergraduates to participate in faculty-mentored summer research at MIT in the science and biotechnology areas. Students work 40 hours per week for nine weeks ($4,320 salary). Housing in an MIT residence hall and a food allowance of $800 are also provided.
Amgen Scholars Summer Research Program at Columbia University/Barnard College
Deadline: February 2, 2015 http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/ug/amgen/
Columbia University and Barnard College offer a summer research program to undergraduate students who are interested in hands-on biology-related laboratory research. The program is competitive with awards based on grades, recommendations, and career plans. Selected students receive a stipend of $4,000, a meal stipend ($500) and housing on the Morningside campus of Columbia University.
SENS Research Foundation (SRF) Summer Scholars Program
Deadline: February 2, 2015 http://www.sens.org/education/research-opportunities/srf-summer-scholars-program
Undergraduate students are provided the opportunity to conduct biomedical research under the guidance of a scientific mentor. Paid positions are available at a number of research institutions including Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, Stanford University and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Full descriptions of each research project can be found at the website link above.
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) Summer Intern Program
Deadline: February 2, 2015
http://hea-www.harvard.edu/REU/REU.html
The SAO Summer Intern Program is an REU program where selected students work on astrophysics research projects with an SAO/Harvard scientist. Stipend and housing provided.
Additional information on off-campus research opportunities is available here.
Please join us in congratulating the UConn undergraduates named below for their significant research and creative accomplishments this fall. Students: if you have an accomplishment to share, please do so using this online form.
AWARDS
The first panel image from Julianne Norton’s graphic novel.
Julianne Norton ’15 (CLAS) is a winner of the prestigious Mitchell Scholarship, which will support her pursuit of a graduate degree in creative writing in Ireland. There, she will continue work on a graphic novel begun with the support of the UConn IDEA Grant. The novel builds on topics and themes Julianne has explored in prior projects and will include a cross-cultural comparison of post-memory of the Holocaust and the Irish Famine. Learn more about Julianne and the Mitchell Scholarship by reading the story about her achievement in UConn Today; see more of her work on her portfolio website or Instagram feed.
PUBLICATIONS
Robert Stickels ’15 (CLAS) is the first author on the following article:
Stickels, R., Clark, K., Heider, T.N., Mattiske, D.M., Renfree, M.B. & Pask, A.J. (2014). DAX1/NR0B1 Was Expressed During Mammalian Gonadal Development and Gametogenesis Before It was Recruited to the Eutherian X-Chromosome. Biology of Reproduction; published ahead of print November 13, 2014.
Haley Garbus ’15 (CLAS) is a co-author on two journal articles:
Alexander, M.L., Smith, A., Rosenkrantz, T., Garbus, H., & Fitch, R.H. (2014). Behavioral and histological outcomes following neonatal HI injury in a preterm (P3) and term (P7) rodent model. Behavioral Brain Research, 259, 85‐96.
Alexander, M.L., Smith, A., Rosenkrantz, T., Garbus, H., & Fitch, R.H. (2014). Cell size anomalies in the auditory thalamus of rats with hypoxic‐ischemic injury on postnatal day 3 or 7. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 33, 1‐7.
PRESENTATIONS
Controls for Dillon Jones’ CNC machine.
New York Maker Faire – September 20-21, 2014 – New York, NY
Dillon Jones ’15 (ENGR) – UConn IDEA Grant recipient The Botler/The Gentleman’s Gantry Machine
Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) Symposium – October 7, 2014 – Storrs, CT
Aaron Rosman ’16 (CAHNR) – UConn IDEA Grant recipient Small Plants, Big Questions: Asian Waterwort and Threestamen Waterwort
COMSOL Conference – October 10-14, 2014 – Boston, MA
Casey Settle ’15 (ENGR) – OUR Travel Award recipient Analysis of Heat Transfer in a Complex Three Dimensional Structure Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing
Frontiers in Optics – October 19-23, 2014 – Tucson, AZ
Michael Cantara ’16 (ENGR) – OUR Travel Award recipient Ultracold Trimer Formation Energetics of Rb and K
Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting – October 22-25, 2014 – San Antonio, TX
Catherine Oliver ’15 (ENGR) – OUR Travel Award recipient Analyzing ROS Generation from Magnetic Nanoparticles in an Alternating Magnetic Field and Its Role in Intracellular Hyperthermia
Kevin Smith ’16 (ENGR) Investigating the Effects of Stromal Cell-Neuronal Cell Co-Culture on Neuronal Maturity and Neuronal Viability Under Oxidative Stress
Northeastern Educational Research Association Conference – October 22-24, 2014 – Trumbull, CT
Caroline Thompson ’15 (ED) Career Paths of Elementary Educators: An Assessment of Attrition and Mobility in Connecticut by Type of Community
Society for Neuroscience (SFN) Annual Meeting – November 15-19, 2014 – Washington, DC
Ashlesha Dhuri ’16 (CLAS) & Xiao Li ’15 (CLAS) – OUR Travel Award recipients Comparing Dorsal and Ventral Hippocampus Oscillations During Learning
Franchesca Kuhney ’17 (CLAS) – OUR Travel Award recipient Human Conditioned Place Preferences Using Secondary Reinforcers
Kaitlin O’Connell ’15 (CAHNR) – OUR Travel Award recipient Behavioral Effects of rmTBI Injuries in Mice Models
Sarthak Patel ’16 (CLAS) – OUR Travel Award recipient Temporal Sequence Learning by Rats in a Radial Arm Water Maze
Margaret Rowland ’15 (CLAS) – OUR Travel Award recipient Animal Models of Effort-Related Decision Making: The Antidepressant Fluoxetine Potentiates Effort-Related Effects of the Dopamine Depleting Agent Tetrabenazine
American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting – November 16-21, 2014 – Atlanta, GA
Notations are included below for students who won poster presentation awards in their divisions.
Gianna Credaroli ’15 (ENGR) – 2nd Place in Separations A New Thin Film Composite Membrane
Ari Fischer ’15 (ENGR) – 3rd Place in Catalysis and Reaction Engineering
Poster presentation: Thermochemical CO2 and H2O Splitting Via Chemical-Looping with Cerium and Cobalt Mixed Oxides for Oxygen Generation
Oral presentation: Conversion of Caffeine and Lipids in Catalytic Fast-Pyrolysis of Spent Coffee Grounds (Based on UConn IDEA Grant project)
Gabriella Frey ’15 (ENGR) – 1st Place in Separations Formulating Draw Solution Mixtures for Forward Osmosis
Oscar Nordness ’15 (ENGR) – 2nd place in energy fuels and petrochemicals – OUR Travel Award recipient Incorporation of High Pressure CLC into IGCC systems
Clarke Palmer ’16 (ENGR) – 3rd Place in Fuels, Petrochemicals, and Energy – OUR Travel Award recipient Reactor Design and Analysis of a Simulated Moving Bed Reactor for Chemical-Looping Combustion
George Shaw ’15 (ENGR) – OUR Travel Award recipient Fluorescence Nitro-Explosive Detection through Electrospun Pyrene-PES Nanofibers
Abbey Wangstrom ’15 (ENGR) – 2nd place in Reaction and Catalysis Engineering High Activity, High Stability Pt/ITO Fuel Cell Catalysts
Christina Cotte ’17 (CLAS) worked with Dr. Craig Nelson’s Genetics lab over the summer diagramming the trajectory of reprogramming cells and developing a Lineage Map of the early stage mouse embryos. She and her colleagues have found new information about the process of turning a fibroblast cell into a stem cell that will be helpful for its future use. A publication with their findings on the reprogramming stem cell project is in preparation. The Lineage Map project is Christina’s focus for the 2014-15 academic year.
Joseph Rosen and Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah
UConn IDEA Grant recipients Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah ’15 (CLAS) and Joseph Rosen ’17 (CLAS) are currently soliciting submissions for the premiere issue of Exsistentia, a new multimedia literary journal that addresses existential questions through the art of curation. Submissions in all genres (poetry, prose, illustration, audio, film, etc.) that respond to the issue’s thematic question, “do you see me?,” will be accepted through January 1, 2015, via exsistentia.net.
Ornella Tempo
Ornella Tempo ’16 (ENGR) is conducting her McNair Scholars and Honors Thesis research in Dr. Yusuf Khan’s laboratory at UConn Health. She is studying the in vitro evaluation of calcium peroxide (CaO2) release from composite polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLAGA) microsphere scaffolds. The objective of this project is to investigate the potential of a materials-only approach for guided bone regeneration.
The Roper Award for Research Experience (RARE) supports undergraduate research apprenticeships that make use of the archives of the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research. We are pleased to announce the two student/faculty RARE teams who have received awards for Spring 2015 and thank the Roper Center for its generous support of these student awards. Congratulations, RARE awardees!
Erin Puglia ’17 (CLAS), Professor Vin Moscardelli, Roper Center Director Paul Herrnson, OUR Director Caroline McGuire, Chris Bruno ’16 (CAHNR), and Professor Ben Campbell.
Project Title:The Role of Demographics and Socioeconomics on Views of the Food System and Food Access Student Apprentice and Major: Christopher Bruno, Resource Economics Faculty Mentor and Department: Benjamin Campbell, Agricultural and Resource Economics
Mr. Bruno and Professor Campbell will be using Roper Center data to consider how different groups view the food system and access information about food-related issues. They will examine how different groups view organic, local, and genetically modified food products, considering the role of race, gender, income, and other characteristics to better understand differences in perceptions. This research will culminate with the development of policy recommendations that address potential racial and/or income inequalities within the food system.
Project Title:Throwing the Bums Out: Public Attitudes Toward Scandal-Plagued Incumbents Student Apprentice and Major: Erin Puglia, Political Science Faculty Mentor and Department: Vincent Moscardelli, Political Science
Ms. Puglia and Professor Moscardelli will use exit poll data to consider the mechanism(s) by which Congressional incumbents involved in scandals lose vote share. While existing research has documented the phenomenon of reduced vote share for candidates in the election cycle in which a scandal is first reported in the media, the causal mechanisms have not yet been established, so this project aims to model this process.
SHARE Awards support undergraduate research apprenticeships in the social sciences, humanities, and arts. We are delighted to announce the 24 student-faculty teams selected to receive awards for Spring 2015 and thank the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute for its generous support of two of these student awards. Congratulations to all award recipients!
Project Title:Health Care Reform, Fertility, and Infant Health: Evidence from Massachusetts Student Apprentice and Major: Andrew Carroll, Economics & Psychology Faculty Mentor and Department: David Simon, Economics
Project Title:Too Much of a Good Thing? Excess Legitimacy and Democratic Principles in Argentina Student Apprentice and Major: Katie Cavanaugh, Political Science & Management Information Systems Faculty Mentor and Department: Matthew Singer, Political Science
Project Title:The Crane Wife at the National Festival of the Puppeteers of America Student Apprentice and Major: Edward Cody, Puppet Arts Faculty Mentor and Department: Margarita Blush, Dramatic Arts
Project Title:Racial Identity, Ethnic-Racial Socialization, and Adjustment among Youth of Color Student Apprentice and Major: Kalea Coles, Human Development and Family Studies Faculty Mentor and Department: Annamaria Csizmadia, Human Development and Family Studies
Project Title:Prior Art Search and Settlement Negotiations in Patent Dispute Student Apprentice and Major: Brendan Costello, Political Science & Economics Faculty Mentor and Department: Talia Bar, Economics
Project Title:Dramaturgies of Memory, Materiality, and Violence in African American Theatre Student Apprentice and Major: Brighid DeAngelis, Theatre Design/Tech Faculty Mentor and Department: Adrienne Macki Braconi, Dramatic Arts
Award Co-Sponsored by the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute
Project Title:Provision of Emotional Support to Increase Pumping Duration in High Risk Mothers Student Apprentice and Major: Katherine Dinisi, Nursing Faculty Mentor and Department: Jacqueline McGrath, Nursing
Project Title:Economic Rights in Islam and the Middle East Student Apprentice and Major: Abdullah Hasan, Political Science & Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Faculty Mentor and Department: Zehra Arat, Political Science
Project Title:The Linguistic Analysis of Graphic Novels Student Apprentice and Major: Matthew Henderson, Linguistics/Psychology & Anthropology Faculty Mentor and Department: Harry van der Hulst, Linguistics
Award Co-Sponsored by the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute
Project Title:Teaching the Vocabulary of Comprehension: A Technology-Enhanced System to Enhance At-Risk 3rd Graders’ Acquisition and Application of Essential Vocabulary (IVCS) Student Apprentice and Major: Timothy Henning, Digital Media and Design Faculty Mentor and Department: Michael Coyne, Educational Psychology
Project Title:Topics in Time Series Modeling of Inter-Event Durations Student Apprentice and Major: Rajeshwari Majumdar, Economics & Statistics Faculty Mentor and Department: Nalini Ravishanker, Statistics
Project Title:The Comparison of Maternal Descriptions of Late Preterm and Full Term Infant Breastfeeding Behaviors Student Apprentice and Major: Lindsay Moore, Nursing Faculty Mentor and Department: Ruth Lucas, Nursing
Project Title:The Politics of Environmental Action: Cities, Water Pollution, and Environmental Inequality in Latin America Student Apprentice and Major: Renato Muguerza, Latin American Studies & Economics Faculty Mentor and Department: Veronica Herrera, Political Science
Project Title:The Effects of Perceptual Fine-Tuning on Facial Recognition in Infancy Student Apprentice and Major: Leighanne Ormston, Psychology & Biological Sciences Faculty Mentor and Department: Heather Bortfeld, Psychology
Project Title:Visual History of Parks and Green Spaces in Waterbury, Connecticut Student Apprentice and Major: Donato Pesce, Urban and Community Studies Faculty Mentor and Department: Phil Birge-Liberman, Urban and Community Studies
Project Title:Ensuring Economic Growth Promotes Economic and Social Rights: The Role of Gender Equality in Education Student Apprentice and Major: Gwendolyn Peyton, Economics Faculty Mentor and Department: Susan Randolph, Economics
Project Title:Importance of Social Network Ties in Ad-Hoc Team Composition: Implications for Individual Team Member Performance Student Apprentice and Major: Emily Roller, Psychology Faculty Mentor and Department: Dev Dalal, Psychology
Project Title:Galatea Triumphant: Explorations in Figurative Ceramic Sculpture for Upcoming Solo and Group Exhibitions Student Apprentice and Major: Catherine Solari, Sculpture/Ceramics Faculty Mentor and Department: Monica Bock, Art and Art History
Project Title:Content Analysis of Colorado District Gifted and Talented Program Plans as Compared to the National Association for Gifted Children PK-12 Programming Student Apprentice and Major: Jessica Stargardter, Elementary Education & History Faculty Mentor and Department: E. Jean Gubbins, Educational Psychology
Project Title:Use and Acceptance of Technical Signs in Deaf Higher Education Student Apprentice and Major: Emily Stassen, Individualized: American Sign Language and Deaf Culture & Molecular and Cell Biology Faculty Mentor and Department: Diane Lillo-Martin, Linguistics
Project Title:Coverage of Haiti in the Dominican Republic’s Daily Newspapers: A Pilot Content Analysis Study Student Apprentice and Major: Isamar Tavarez, Political Science Faculty Mentors and Departments: Thomas Craemer, Public Policy & Samuel Martinez, Anthropology & Latin American Studies
Project Title:Development of Polysyllabic Word Reading Skill in Elementary-Age Children: A Descriptive Study Student Apprentice and Major: LaShawna Thompson, Elementary Education Faculty Mentor and Department: Devin Kearns, Educational Psychology
Project Title:Public Opinion on Renewable Energy Student Apprentice and Major: Jessica Topper, Individualized: International Relations Faculty Mentor and Department: Oksan Bayulgen, Political Science
Project Title:A New Methodology for Understanding Development through Joint Action Student Apprentice and Major: Cassandra Zwarycz, Psychology & Human Development and Family Studies Faculty Mentor and Department: Adam Sheya, Psychology
Congratulations to the twenty-six UConn undergraduates who have been awarded UConn IDEA Grants in the fall 2014 funding cycle! 
