April 16, 2004

Undergraduates honored for research

by K.C. Jaehnig

(Editors, note hometown names)

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Six undergraduates who studied everything from fish communities to nicotine split $525 in prizes awarded March 29 during Southern Illinois University Carbondale's annual Undergraduate Research Forum.

Diane K. Zeman, a senior in zoology from Arrowsmith (R.R. 1), took first place and $150 for her project, "Changes in Channel Border Fish Communities of the Middle Mississippi River at Grand Tower Over the Past Two Decades." Professor Brooks M. Burr served as her mentor; her parents are Robert I. and Marilyn L. Butler.

Thomas N. Heatherly II, a senor in zoology from Sauk Village (2046 215th Place), won second place and $125 for his project, "Diversity and Community Structure of Littoral Zone Macroinvertebrates in Southern Illinois Reclaimed Surface Mine Lakes." Associate Professor Matt R. Whiles served as his mentor; his parents are Thomas N. and Judith R. Heatherly.

Luke K. Sherrill, a senior in psychology from Jacksonville (1153 W. Lafayette), came in third for $100 with his project, "Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Spatial Navigation Following Fluid Percussion Brain Injury." Professor Douglas C. Smith served as his mentor; his parents are Steve W. and Sue A. Sherrill.

A $50 honorable mention went to Sean W. Clark, a senior in psychology from Oswego (627 Douglas St.), for his project, "Token Reinforcement and Progressive-Ratio Schedule Performance in Rats: The Effects of Food Schedule Manipulation on Breakpoint." Assistant Professor Eric A. Jacobs served as his mentor; his parents are John W. Clark and Marsha Hennig.

Dean M. Sherman, a zoology graduate from Wauconda (661 Crescent Terrace), also received a $50 honorable mention for his project, "The Spatial Distribution of Hybrid Striped Bass and its Potential Interactions With Other Species in a Power Plant Lake." Assistant Professor James E. Garvey served as his mentor; his parents are Daniel D. and Gail G. Sherman.

Michael J. Gawrysiak, a junior in psychology and philosophy from Geneseo (456 E. Chestnut), received the $50 People's Choice Award for his project, "Effects of Nicotine on Behavior and Affect in a Lab and Natural Environment." Professor David G. Gilbert served as his mentor; his mother is Lourdine F. Gawrysiak.

Now in its third year, the forum honors original scholarly and creative work done by undergraduates under the guidance of University researchers. This year's event, sponsored by the Office of Research Development and Administration and the provost's office, drew 43 students who submitted 31 entries.

Promoting excellence in undergraduate education is among the goals of Southern@150, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.

In addition to the winners, others participating included (by hometown):

Benton: Joel T. Nadler, a senior in psychology, mentored by Assistant Professor Josephine D. Korchmaros. His parents are Arnold R. and Rosalie Nadler (R.R. 4).

Bolingbrook: Lavon N. Pettis, a senior in psychology and sociology, mentored by Assistant Professor Josephine D. Korchmaros. His parents are Lawrence C. Pettis and Doris Y. Kemp.

Carbondale: Phillip B. Szymcek, a December graduate in zoology, mentored by Associate Professor Scott E. Ishman. His mother is Thelma M. Herschbach (1309 W. Sycamore); his father is Victor Szymcek of Sedalia, Mo.

Du Quoin: Jarus K. Jones, a senior in architecture, mentored by Assistant Professor James K. Wright. His parents are Larry R. and Mala M. Jones (1264 Beech Road).

Elizabeth: Peter J. Dittmar, a senior in plant and soil science, mentored by Associate Professor Bradley H. Taylor and Assistant Professor S. Alan Walters. His parents are James W. and Karen M. Dittmar (5020 E. Bethel Road).

Golden Gate: Rebecca J. Morse, a senior in psychology, mentored by Assistant Professor Josephine D. Korchmaros. Her mother is Karla Morse (R.R. 1).

Indianola: Sarah M. Knight, a senior in administration of justice, mentored by Assistant Professor Daniel P. Hillyard. Her parents are Gregory M. Knight (7259 N. 800 East Road) and Yvonne M. Knight of Fithian.

Jacksonville: Lora K. Moulton, a senior in architecture, mentored by Assistant Professor James K. Wright. Her parents are Steven G. Moulton and Maureen E. Agner.

-- Conor B. Robinson, a senior in architecture, mentored by assistant professors James K. Wright and Robert H. Swenson. His father is Larry M. Robinson (2316 Barrows Road); his mother is Lois E. Britton of Denver, Colo.

Marine: Elizabeth J. Lorentzen, a senior in architecture, mentored by assistant professors James K. Wright and Robert H. Swenson. Her parents are John P. and Nancy D. Lorentzen (11159 Pocahontas Road).

Marion: Renee A. Lopez-Smith, a senior in plant biology, mentored by Research Professor Karen S. Renzaglia. Her mother is Ruth I. Menard.

Morris: Elizabeth E. Johnson, a sophomore majoring psychology, mentored by Assistant Professor Josephine D. Korchmaros. Her parents are Timothy C. and Janet S. Johnson (22335 Lynwood St.).

Murphysboro: Edward P. De Sá Sauerbrunn, a senior majoring in anthropology, mentored by Associate Professor Susan M. Ford. His parents are Henry E. and Maria Lúcia De Sá Sauerbrunn.

-- Katherine L. Millar, a December graduate in plant biology, mentored by Professor Barbara Crandall-Stotler. Her parents are James W. and Barbara L. Millar (729 Dunivan Road).

Pana: Joseph R. Stringer, a junior majoring in chemistry, mentored by Assistant Scientist Yuqing Hou. His parents are Thomas L. and Joan E. Stringer (R.R. 2).

Palos Heights: Jeremy D. Helfert, a senior majoring in architecture, mentored by Assistant Professor James K. Wright. His parents are James and Carole Helfert (9464 Shadow Creek Drive).

Paris: Roxanne M. Dobens, a senior majoring in architecture, mentored by Assistant Professor James K. Wright. Her parents are Dwight R. and Cynthia J. Robinson (13 Woodmere Drive).

Park Ridge: Kevin N. Bochenek, a senior majoring in architecture, mentored by Assistant Professor James K. Wright. His parents are Norman J. and Mary K. Bochenek (228 N. Prospect).

Pomona: Amoneeta S. Beckstein, a senior majoring in psychology, mentored by Assistant Professor Josephine D. Korchmaros. Parents are John and Yael Beckstein (186 Gates Road).

Roscoe: Marcy A. Mabry-Rugland, a senior in electrical engineering and aviation maintenance technologies, mentored by Associate Professor Frances J. Harackiewicz. Her mother is Jean L. Kaufmann (6897 Kinnikinnick).

Taylor Ridge: Tricia A. Trimble, a senior in zoology, mentored by Assistant Professor Michael J. Lydy. Her parents are Marce E. and Diane E. McAnally (10121 98 St. W).

Toulon: Victoria A. Winslow, a senior in dental hygiene, mentored by interim chairperson Charla J. Lautar. Her parents are Stephen R. and Diane J. Winslow.

Waverly: Travis L. Bostic, a senior in architecture, mentored by Assistant Professor James K. Wright. His parents are Robert J. and Cathy J. Bostic (362 W. Prairie).

Windsor: Melissa J. Croy, a sophomore in administration of justice, mentored by Assistant Professor Josephine D. Korchmaros. Her parents are Don G. and Marci J. Croy (R.R. 1).

 

COLORADO

Denver: Conor B. Robinson, a senior in architecture, mentored by assistant professors James K. Wright and Robert H. Swenson. His mother is Lois E. Britton (8501 E. Alameda); his father is Larry M. Robinson of Jacksonville, Ill.

 

MISSOURI

Jackson: Johnny D. Guffey, a senior in architecture, mentored by assistant professors James K. Wright and Robert H. Swenson. His parents are Ted T. and Gail G. Guffey (3058 State Highway Y).

Sedalia: Phillip B. Szymcek, a December graduate in zoology, mentored by Associate Professor Scott E. Ishman. His father is Victor Szymcek (174 W. Fifth St.); his mother is Thelma M. Herschbach of Carbondale, Ill.

 

NEW YORK

Jamestown: Nathaniel A. Sandberg, a senior in art and design, mentored by Assistant Professor Che R. Rhodes. His parents are Steven A. and Patricia R. Sandberg (35 Ellis Ave.).

 

OHIO

Cincinnati: Eric E. Johnson, a junior in plant biology, mentored by Research Professor Karen S. Renzaglia. His mother is Lora S. Johnson (3196 Lookout Circle); his father is James S. Petera.

 

CYPRUS

Nicosia: Constantinos N. Tsouloupas, a senior majoring in psychology and in health education and recreation, mentored by Assistant Professor Josephine D. Korchmaros. His parents are Nicos and Nedi Tsouloupas (14 Pygmallonos St., Platy, Aglantsia).

SIUC faculty members who served as judges for this year's poster session were: James S. Allen, director, University Core Curriculum; Sara G. Baer, assistant scientist, forestry; Laura A. Bell, assistant director, University Honors Program; John J. Bozzola, director, IMAGE; Brian M. Butler, senior scientist, Center for Archaeological Investigations; Joan M. Davis, assistant professor, health care professions; Richard H. Fifarek, associate professor, geology; Brenda O. Gilbert, interim director, Clinical Center; Thad P. Heckman, assistant instructor, architecture and design; Jodi I. Huggenvik, associate professor, physiology; Anita M. Kelly, assistant professor, zoology; James L. Le Beau, professor, Crime, Delinquency and Corrections Center; Patsy A. Manfredi, associate professor, philosophy; Kathleen Chwalisz Rigney, associate professor, psychology; Robert H. Swenson, assistant professor, Architecture and Interior Design; S. Jeffrey Underwood, assistant professor, geography.