Four students have been selected to present their research during podium presentations at this year’s Undergraduate Research and Arts Celebration (URAC) on Wednesday, April 22, at Westminster College. 

Each year, URAC highlights the collaborative research and creative work conducted by Westminster students and faculty across a wide range of disciplines.

Students chosen for podium presentations are among the College’s top researchers and are selected based on the quality of their abstract submissions. These presentations represent some of the most distinguished undergraduate work featured at the event.

This year’s podium presentations—which will all be held in Mueller Theater in McKelvey Campus Center—are:

Shannon Witkouski will present “AI-Assisted Composition for Bands and Orchestra: Enhancing or Replacing Creativity?” from noon to 12:30 p.m. Witkouski is a senior music education and performance double major from Beaver, Pa. Her faculty adviser is Dr. Daniel Perttu, professor of music.

Catherine Clark will present “Nicotine and GLP-1s Effects on Learned Anxiety in a Rodent Model” from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Clark is a senior neuroscience major and honors student from Allison Park, Pa. Her faculty adviser is Dr. Deanne Buffalari, associate professor of psychology.

Chloe Smith will present “The Laws of Romance: Analyzing Contemporary Romance Quality” from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Smith is a senior English major and honors student from Brookville, Pa. Her faculty adviser is Dr. Robert Craven, assistant professor of English.

Rosh Talla Defo will present “Star Trail: The Modern App That Turns Moments into Momentum” from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Talla Defo is a junior individual interdisciplinary major from Parkville, Md. His faculty adviser is Dr. Robert Badowski, associate professor of business.

In addition to the podium presentations, students from nearly every academic discipline—from first-year students to seniors—will participate in a variety of URAC events, including oral presentations, research roundtables, poster sessions, performances, videos and art exhibitions.

For a complete schedule of URAC events, visit www.westminster.edu/urac.

Pictured above from left are Shannon Witkouski, Catherine Clark, Chloe Smith and Rosh Talla Defo.

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