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Two Westminster College Seniors Invited to Present Undergraduate Research at the State Capitol

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Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Seniors Ashlyn Brown and Gabriella Fabish were selected by the Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research to represent Westminster College at Undergraduate Research at the Capitol-Pennsylvania poster conference (URC-PA) on Tuesday, April 25, 2017. The students were accompanied by Dr. Deanne Buffalari, assistant professor of psychology and program coordinator/chair for neuroscience.

URC-PA is an educational event for undergraduate students enrolled in Pennsylvania colleges and universities. Students from all academic backgrounds are invited to spend the day at the Pennsylvania Capitol Building sharing their research, experiences and ideas with their peers and to state legislators.

Brown says presenting her research at the Capitol was a good test of her liberal arts education as she presented to an audience outside of her discipline.

“Presenting my research at the Capitol was a unique experience because it is not often that scientific research such as mine is presented to that type of audience,” says Brown. “It was rewarding to have a unique set of listeners and to gain a new perspective on my topic outside of the realm of my own discipline.”

Gabriella Fabish was awarded 3rd place in the arts division of the competition. Her presentation was entitled “Confronting the Overlook: Speaking Out and Uncovering the Relationships Between Sexual Violence and Substance Abuse.”

"It was an honor to advocate for and raise awareness on behalf of those who have experienced sexual violence and addiction on such an important platform as the Pennsylvania Capitol," said Fabish. 

For more information, contact Tom Fields at fieldste@westminster.edu or 724-946-7190.