by Tim Crosby
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Students from two related Southern Illinois University Carbondale programs that teach students how to conduct research will present their findings during a research poster symposium this week.
Students, researchers and members of the university and local community view exbits during a recent Summer Research Symposium. (Photo provided)
The 21st annual Summer Research Symposium is set for 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, July 26, at Morris Library’s first-floor rotunda. The symposium will include the work of eight students participating in the McNair Scholars program and nine students in the SI Bridges to Baccalaureate program.
Both programs host an 8- to 10-week Summer Research Institute, which introduces students to research, problem-solving, and professional development. Students pair with SIU faculty members on their respective research projects. The programs directly address the achievement gap for first-generation students in research participation by providing mentorship and support, said Rhetta Seymour, director.
“We are empowering students to become future leaders in research and innovation,” she said. “This high-impact experience generates a connection to SIU while also providing valuable practical experiences.”
Students strengthen their applications for graduate school or competitive careers, Seymour said.
“We also foster a sense of belonging and community for first-generation students, who may not have had prior exposure to research opportunities,” she said.
Named for the late Ronald E. McNair, a physicist and astronaut who died in the 1986 space shuttle Challenger explosion, the SIU Carbondale McNair Scholars Program helps students realize their full potential by providing enriching educational experiences for low-income, first-generation college students and members of underserved groups in higher education.
Beginning with a strong mentoring network, the students receive full support and engagement in educational and professional development activities, laying the foundation for stellar research and academic skills.
Students from two Southern Illinois community colleges participated in the SI Bridges to the Baccalaureate program, which is aimed at helping them earn a bachelor’s degree.
Each scholar designed their summer research study, completed an original research project, conducted a literature review, and analyzed data.
This year’s SI Bridges to the Baccalaureate program students, faculty mentors and project titles include:
Aiyana Houston, Laxmi Sagwan-Barkdoll, research education specialist in the School of Biological Sciences, “Effect of mesophication on bryophytes diversity.”
Madilyn Kerrigan, Michael Hylin, associate professor of psychology, “The effect of early life stress in different stages of adolescence on perineuronal nets in the hippocampus and amygdala.”
Cole Dumas, Iraklis Anagnostopoulos, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, “Quantifying the Carbon Footprint of AI: Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Machine Learning.”
Dale Sunny, Buffy Ellsworth, associate professor of physiology, “Deletion of Nr3c1 causes an increased number of lactotropes.”
Ian Crunk, Justin McDaniel, associate professor in the School of Human Sciences, “Moral injury purchases task in virtual reality (MIPT-VR): Response differences by combat deployment experience among veterans.”
Ashlishya Ghosh, Matthew J. Young, assistant professor in the SIU School of Medicine, “Using advanced tools to analyze breast cancer mitochondrial DNA mutations.”
Parmis Bizhanzedah, Phil Jensik, assistant professor of physiology, “Effect of de novo variants on DEAF1 Activity.”
Thierra Christopher, Vjollca Konjufca, professor of microbiology, “Changes in cell recruitment in the female reproductive tract during chlamydial infections.”
David Altom, Renee Lopez-Swalls, research education specialist in the School of Biological Sciences, “Silver nano particles reduce spore germination, hermaphrodite gametophyte size and number, and inhibits sporophyte root growth in the fern, Ceratopteris richardii.”
This year’s McNair Scholars program students, faculty mentors and projects include:
Janiyah Gaston, Sandy Pensoneau-Conway, associate professor of communication studies, “Generative AI and Its Impact on Public Relations Education.”
Sydney J. Carter, Joseph L. Cheatwood, associate professor of anatomy in the SIU School of Medicine, “Effects of CBD on mRNA markers of hippocampal neurogenesis in the rodent model of chemo-brain.”
Carlos Gomez, Theodore Cohen, associate professor of history, “The Revolution Unrealized: A study on the conflict between revolution and military-industrial-agricultural effectiveness.”
Austin Ingram, Frank Anderson, professor of zoology, “Mapping terrestrial snail diversity across habitats in eastern North America.”
Elisa Lopez, Terry Clark, professor of marketing, “Using Sustainability as a Business Attribute from a Marketing Perspective.”
Hannah Phillips, Scott D. Hamilton-Brehm, associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences, “Assay development to monitor the effects from antisense suppression of the toxin microcystin produced by the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa.”
Melissa Valladares, Maria Claudia Franca, professor of communication disorders and sciences, “The Impact of Socio-Economic Status on Language Skills and Development in Young Children.”
Daniyah Tate, Michael Hylin, associate professor of psychology, “Early Life Stress Effects on Perineural Nets within Hippocampus-Amygdala Circuit.”