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Westminster students and faculty present at National Conference for Undergraduate Research

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Posted on Friday, May 5, 2023

Six Westminster College students presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire the weekend of April 13-14. 

The presenting students, who were accompanied to the conference by Dr. Joseph Balczon, associate professor of biology, included: 

Aidan Guzma, a senior neuroscience major from Clinton, Pa., presented “Effect of Short-term Hormone Treatment on the Behavioral Anxiety Response in Adult Zebrafish When Exposed to Acute Stress.” Guzma’s faculty sponsor was Dr. Deanne Buffalari, associate professor of neuroscience.

Maranda Kline, a senior psychology major from Hermitage, Pa., presented “Autobiographical Episodic Memory and Personality.” Kline’s faculty sponsor was Dr. Eric Fields, assistant professor of psychology.

Katherine Mozelewski, a senior neuroscience major from Pittsburgh, presented two projects: “Sex Differences in the Interactions of Nicotine and Food Deprivation on Anxiety-like Behavior” and “You Can’t Sit with Us”: An Update to Rejection Sensitivity Assessment.” Mozelewski’s faculty sponsor was Dr. Deanne Buffalari, associate professor of neuroscience.

Morgan Tenney, a senior biology major from Warren, Ohio, presented “The Effects of Aspartame Exposure on Survival and Behavioral Profiles of Fathead Minnows.” Tenney’s faculty sponsor was Dr. Joseph Balczon, associate professor of biology.

Jacob Trzcinski, a senior engineering physics major from Beaver Falls, Pa., presented “Generating Novel Chiplet Designs Utilizing the Wave-Function Collapse Algorithm in Python.” Trzcinski’s faculty sponsor was Dr. Matteo Luisi, assistant professor of physics.

Lane Voytik, a junior biology major from Sharon, Pa., presented “Identifying Beta-lactam Antibiotic Resistant E. coli Using Immunofluorescence with Antibodies Specific to Beta-lactamase.” Voytik’s faculty sponsor was Dr. Joseph Balczon, associate professor of biology.

“I really gained experience in learning how to efficiently communicate my ideas and research to my fellow researchers,” said Guzma. “It gave me a lot of confidence when it comes to public speaking and being able to conduct independent research. I think this will be a great experience for me to work off of going into medical school.”

NCUR is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity in all fields of study.  

Westminster students from all academic disciplines were encouraged to apply for this event celebrating student research.

Westminster’s Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research granted travel funds for each student to participate in the conference. 

For more information on undergraduate research at Westminster, please contact Dr. Karen Resendes, director of the Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research and professor of biology, at ugresearch@westminster.edu.