ISU INDEX A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

University Honors Program

Research

A student presents her poster at the State Capitol

Research Opportunities

Freshman Honors Mentor Program
The Freshman Honors Mentor Program pairs a student in the Freshman Honors Program with an experienced researcher in the Spring semester. Read more about the Freshman Mentor Program.

Honors Projects
A requirement to graduate with the Honors designation, the Honors Project gives students a chance to showcase not only what they've learned, but also how they've applied what they've learned. Read more about Honors Projects.

Research in the Capitol
Twenty Iowa State University undergraduate students are selected annually to present their research posters to lawmakers in a program called "Research in the Capitol" in the rotunda of the State Capitol building in Des Moines. The date for the Spring 2008 event will be Monday March 10. ISU undergraduates must submit the information requested in an abstract submission form.

Students present their posters in the State Capitol

ISU students, along with undergraduates from the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa, display posters and describe their research. At the event, several dignitaries including David Miles, President of the Iowa Board of Regents, and John Brighton, ISU's Vice President for Research and Economic Development, present comments on the importance of research to the undergraduate experience. A press release from ISU's College of Engineering quoted Brighton as stating: "These students are doing up-to-date, fundamental research, and it's exciting to watch. It's like being a pioneer--you're discovering new things no one has ever seen before."

The program is designed to highlight the importance of undergraduate research to legislators and other state officials. Interim ISU President Richard Seagrave said in a speech in 2000: “When properly balanced, research by a faculty member can enhance, expand and enrich the undergraduate education experience for students. Exposure to and involvement in the discovery of new knowledge makes learning more relevant, it makes it more fun". Research presented at this event has ranged from psychology, chemistry and agriculture to aerospace engineering and political science, and is presented by the undergraduates who conducted the research (see the list of presenters from 2006-2008 below). Students serve as ambassadors to convey to the legislators the depth and variety of research at Iowa State.

Students present their posters in the State Capitol

If you would like to present your research in the Research in the Capitol event on March 10, please provide the research and contact information requested on the online abstract submission form. If we obtain more than 20 submissions, we will select posters on the basis of representation across the state as well as topic and general interest to the legislature.

Participation is open to both Honors and non-Honors students, but students who are Iowa natives are especially encouraged to participate. Interested ISU students or their mentors should contact Dr. Laura Merrick at the University Honors Program for more information.

2008 Research in the Capitol Event - ISU presenters
Takiyah Abdulmalik,
Oxon Hill, MD
Parameters affecting levels of gallocatechins in oolong teas Food Science Mentors: Sean O'Keefe (Virginia Tech), Aubrey Mendonca
Kristy Bellinger, Omaha, NE Genetic relationships of bobcats in Iowa and surrounding Midwestern states Biology Mentors: William Clark, Dawn Reding, Anne Bronikowski
Lori Neuman-Lee Biggs, Adel, IA Feeding behavior altered by short-term atrazine exposure during incubation in map turtles (Graptemys) English, Biology Mentor: Frederic Janzen
Rachel Butterworth, Apple Valley, MN A survey of the public understanding of Doppler radar Metereology Mentors: Cinzia Cervato, William Gallus Jr., Kevin Kloesel (Univ. Oklahoma)
Lucas Carlstrom, Eldridge, IA Identification of a novel genetic analysis for Factor VII deficiency in canines Animal Science, Microbiolgy Mentor: Matthew Ellinwood
Peter Choi, Ames IA Unable to focus: negative affect in proactive and reactive control Psychology Mentor: Robert West, Stephanie Travers (Luther College)
Courtney Cornick, Bolingbrook, IL Diversity and group counseling Psychology Mentors: Nathaniel Wade
Priscilla Delgado, Des Moines, IA Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome: Temperature effects on the fungal pathogen Microbiology Mentor: Leonor Leandro, Gladys Mbofung
Andrew Dust, Waterloo, IA Immigration in rural counties from 1950-2000: Waves or ripples?  Economics and Mathematics Mentor: Peter Orazem
Isaac Hinton, Coralville, IA Forces experienced on the hamstring  Biology Mentors: Tim Derrick
Brian Kaplinger, Omaha, NE Asteroid Deflection Research Initiative (ADRI): A comparison of low, medium, and high energy methods  Aerospace Engineering Mentors: Bong Wie, John Basart
Kok Keong Lim, Selayang Baru, Selangor, Malaysia Understanding root health to improve soybean productivity in Iowa  Microbiology Mentor: Leonor Leandro, Carlos Gongora-Canul
Rebecca Luchtel, Spirit Lake, IA Dietary egg white protein diets reduce cardiovascular disease biomarkers in rats  Nutritional Sciences Mentor: Kevin Schalinske
Katie Lutz, Ames, IA RecA targeted homologous recombination in zebrafish  Genetics Mentors: Jeff Essner, Hsin-Kai Liao
Matt Martin, Rochester, MN Imaging airflow over an airfoil near stall  Aerospace Engineering Mentor: Hui Hu, Hirofumi Igarashi
Mark Rosmann, Harlan, IA Improving soil quality in Iowa organic farming  Agronomy and History Mentor: Kathleen Delate, Cynthia Cambardella
Mileka Scurlock, Omaha, NE Perceptions and attitudes toward physical activity of postmenopausal African American women  Kinesiology and Health Mentor: Panteleimon Ekkekakis
Lindsay Thompson, Huxley, IA The effect of task complexity on walking in young adults Kinesiology and Health Mentors: Kristin Lowry, Ann Smiley-Oyen
Bethany Wilcoxon, Atlantic, IA The Corn Belt's ethanol plants: Do locational factors matter? Community & Regional Planning Mentors: Monica Haddad, Francis Owusu, Gary Taylor
Nathan Willis, Omaha, NE & Sam Wagner, Webster City, IA Student design of a satellite for lunar surface analysis and solar sailcraft demonstration Aerospace Engineering; Aerospace Engineering and Mathematics Mentors: Bong Wie, Matthew Nelson

2007 Research in the Capitol Event - ISU presenters
Aaron Andrews,
Center Point, IA
Does swine manure impact soil health? Agricultural Systems Technology Mentor: Matthew Helmers
Andrew Ansorge,
Storm Lake, IA
Coherence of rainfall propagation as simulated by Weather Research and Forecasting Model using two different convective schemes Meteorology Mentors: Adam Clark, James Correia Jr.
Karin Brandt,
Ute, IA
Sustainability through community participation in development projects: Education, health, and agriculture in northern Ghana Political Science, International Studies Mentor: Robert Mazur
Andrea Butson,
Hampton, IA
Illuminated manuscript Graphic Design Mentors: Cheri Ure, Paula Curran
Kelly Delmonico,
Lakeville, MN
Social programs and the needy: Is allocation equitable in Iowa? Community & Regional Planning Mentor: Monica Haddad
Bancha Doungratanaex-chai, Chumphon, Thailand Endoscopy Multimedia Information System Computer Science Mentors: Johnny Wong, Wallapak Tavanapong
Katherine Edwards,
Fountain Hills, AZ
Nutrient recycling in biorefinery systems Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Mentors: Robert Anex, Albert Bennett
Eric Fritz,
Ackley, IA
Animal QTLdb, a computer database that helps researchers catalog genetic regions important to livestock production Animal Science Mentor: James Reecy
Jessica Maves,
Iowa City, IA
Radicalization of Muslims in the United Kingdom Political Science, International Studies Mentor: Jeffrey Schroeder
Matthew Morrill,
Des Moines, IA
Snake habitat use in an Iowan wetland community Zoology Mentors: Anne Bronikowski, Eugenia Farrar
Chad Niederhuth,
Stockport, IA
Subcellular targeting of Agrobacterium tumefaciens T-DNA in the plant cell Agronomy Mentors: Kan Wang, Francois Tourney
Joshua Parcel,
Washta, IA
Effectiveness of conservation practices on water quality: a state-level analysis at the watershed scale Accounting, Economics Mentor: Hongli Hennessy
Jessica Reese,
Des Moines, IA
Nitrate concentrations in ground water beneath riparian buffers in central Iowa Meteorology Mentor: William Simpkins
Stephen Robinson,
Story City, IA
Genetic relationships between Nicaraguan and North American freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) Biochemistry Mentors: Kevin Roe, Jeanne Serb
Mark Rosmann, Harlan, IA & Andrea McKern,
Ames, IA
Evaluation of organic pest management treatments for Bean Leaf Beetle Agronomy / Liberal Studies Mentor: Kathleen Delate
Grant Thompson,
Des Moines, IA
Digital Art on Campus project Horticulture, Landscape Architecture Mentor: Allison Sheridan
Lisa Wasko,
Urbandale, IA
Vineyard management practices influence grape berry properties among cultivars Biology, Horticulture Mentor: Gail Nonnecke
Lisa Willman,
Bluegrass, IA
Urban overflow: The gentrification of a prominent Denver neighborhood Architecture, Psychology, Spanish Mentor: Mikesch Muecke
Alyson Young,
Libertyville, IL
Identifying mismatches between software engineering artifacts using concern models Computer Engineering Mentor: Hridesh Rajan

2006 Research in the Capitol Event - ISU presenters
Drew Cookman,
Mason City, IA
Recovering proteins from plant hosts (high value products for corn) Chemical Engineering Mentor: Charles Glatz
Jason Haegele,
Davenport, IA
Pollen flow in an Iowa cornfield Agricultural Engineering Mentor: Peter Peterson
Mark Jacobson,
Ames, IA
Characterization of integrin receptors on adult neural stem cells Zoology Mentor: Donald Sakaguchi
Gayle Johnson,
Eddyville, IA
Effects of exogenous glucagons on blood metabolites in Holstein dairy cattle affected by fatty liver disease Chemistry Mentor: Donald Beitz
Stephanie Law,
Marion, IA
Investigation of deGennes scaling in (RR’)Ni2Ge2 compounds Physics Mentor: Paul Canfield
Andrea LeClere,
Cedar Rapids, IA
Genetic structure of increasingly isolated populations of the imperiled Blanding’s Turtle in the Midwest Genetics Mentor: Fredric Janzen
Jessica Russell,
Des Moines, IA
Stability of gait in persons with Parkinson’s Disease under normal conditions and with visual or verbal clues Exercise & Sports Science Mentor: Ann Smiley-Oyen
Jennifer Scaccianoce,
Hoffman Estates, IL
Relationship between the Escherichia Coli infecting poultry and the E. Coli causing human urinary tract infection Animal Science (Pre Vet) Mentor: Lisa Nolan
Sara Snyder,
Sibley, IA
Anti-inflammatory activity in hypericum (St. John’s Wort) Biochemistry Mentor: Diane Birt
Nathan Willis,
Omaha, NE
Using digital video analysis to monitor driver behavior at intersections Aerospace Engineering Mentor: Derrick Parkhurst
 

ISU Undergraduate Research Symposium
The second annual ISU Undergraduate Research Symposium will take place on April 15, 2008, providing undergraduate students (not just Honors students!) across the university and all disciplines an opportunity to showcase their mentored research through oral presentations in front of a campus-wide audience. More information about this celebration of undergraduate research can be found at
http://www.undergradresearch.iastate.edu.