The Westminster College Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research has awarded six student-faculty research teams for the ninth consecutive Summer Research Fellowship program.

Six teams were awarded the highly competitive fellowship this year. The award gives the student and faculty member the opportunity to work as a team and participate in projects together during the summer months. Each year, student and faculty pairs from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply for the highly sought-after fellowship.

This year’s fellowship winners and research projects are:

Shannon Witkouski, a rising senior music education and music performance major from Beaver, Pa., and Dr. Daniel Perttu, professor of music, on the project “AI-Assisted Composition for Bands and Orchestra: Enhancing or Replacing Creativity?”

Madyson Treharne, a creative media production and English major from Burton, Ohio, and Brad Weaver, a broadcasting and sports communications faculty member, on the film production “Bad Habits.”

Alex Rowland, a rising junior chemistry major from Avon, Ohio, and Dr. Pete Smith, professor of chemistry, on the project “Lithium Extraction.”

Emma Maloberti, a rising senior criminal justice studies and psychology major from Cranberry Township, Pa., and Dr. Shannon Smithey, professor of political science, and Dr. Jamie Chapman, associate professor of criminal justice, on the project “Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adolescent Behavior.”

Ethan Moore, a rising junior biochemistry major from Hookstown, Pa., and Dr. Erin Wilson, associate professor of chemistry, on the project “Influence of Lignin Nanoparticles on Biofilm Structure and Development in Bacteria Cultures.”

Jenna Zendron, a rising junior biology major from West Sunbury, Pa., and Dr. Joe Balczon, associate professor of biology, on the project “The Genotoxic Effects of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol on Methicillin-resistant Strains of Staphylococcus Aureus.”

Students are supported by the Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research. The fellowship includes stipends for undergraduate researchers and their faculty mentor to work on a research project lasting four to six weeks.  Housing is provided for students who wish to remain on campus during their research.

For more information on the program, please contact Dr. Patrick Lackey, director of the Drinko Center and associate professor of chemistry, at lackeyp@westminster.edu.

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