Six Students Receive Grants for Undergraduate Research

The Westminster College Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning has awarded grants to six students to continue their undergraduate research.

"Enhancing opportunities for undergraduate research is an important component of the work of the Drinko Center in enriching undergraduate education," said Dr. Virginia Tomlinson, Westminster College associate professor of sociology and director of the Drinko Center. "The Undergraduate Research Initiative provides funding for students to conduct research and to present their research at regional and national conferences. So far this year 14 students have been awarded grants to conduct research."

The students who have received awards are:

Ashley Beaver, a senior public relations major, is a daughter of Michael and Diana Beaver of Sidman and a graduate of Forest Hills High School.

Kelly Corbin, a senior public relations major, is a daughter of Luann Field of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Richard Corbin of Davenport, Iowa. She is a graduate of Bettendorf High School.

These two students used the grants for travel to Philadelphia to participate in the Public Relations Student Society of America national conference in October.

Kristin Nelson, a senior sociology-criminal justice and English major, is a daughter of Karen Nelson of White Oak and a graduate of McKeesport Area High School. She used the grant to present her capstone research, "The Decline of Social Connectivity to Stress, Depression, Isolation, and Suicide in College Students," at the annual meetings of the Pennsylvania Sociological Society at California University of Pennsylvania, Oct. 27. Her advisers are Dr. Kristin Park, Westminster associate professor of sociology, and Tomlinson.

Mallory Bugel, a senior biochemistry major, is a daughter of Gary and Kathleen Bugel of Valencia and a graduate of Mars Area High School. She will use the grant to further her research on "The Characterization of Gangliosides in Alzheimer's Disease." Her adviser is Dr. Helen Boylan, Westminster associate professor of chemistry.

Jessica Kennedy, a sophomore Christian education major, is a daughter of Roger and Lori Kennedy of Butler and a graduate of Butler Wesleyan Academy. She will apply the grant to continue research for her Christian education administration project. Her adviser is Dr. Beverly Cushman, Westminster assistant professor of religion and Christian education.

Molly Kudelko, a senior biology major, is a daughter of Michael and Angela Kudelko of Greenville and a graduate of Sharpsville High School. She will apply the grant to continue her research on "The Impact of Herbivory on Amino Acid Concentrations in Extrafloral Nectar of Impatiens sultani." Dr. Shahroukh Mistry, Westminster assistant professor of biology, is her adviser.

All grant recipients are invited to participate in the Undergraduate Research Symposium held on campus in the spring.

Contact Tomlinson at (724) 946-6033 or e-mail tomlinvm@westminster.edu or visit www.westminster.edu/drinko for additional information.