May 12, 2005
Undergraduate research efforts in spotlight
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Forty-six Southern Illinois University Carbondale undergraduates took part in the University's fourth annual Undergraduate Research Forum April 4.
The event showcases original research and creative activity completed during the academic year under the guidance of faculty mentors and exemplifies SIUC's commitment to promoting excellence in undergraduate academics as part of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, an ambitious plan to reshape the University by its 150th anniversary in 2019.
Those participating (by hometown) included:
Aurora: Natalie M. Bonner, senior in economics, mentored by Professor Daniel A. Primont. She is
the daughter of Charles E. and Lillian M. Bonner (339 Colorado Ave.).
Bloomington: Maurice M. Betts, senior in chemistry, mentored by chemistry chair Lori A.
Vermeulen. He is the son of Altheria Betts (909 W. Mulberry St.) and Gary Williams.
Carbondale: Donna M. Greaves, senior in social work, mentored by Student Health Programs
Director Cheryl A. Presley. She is the daughter of Jeffrey Whitfield and Teresa Nasir.
— Danisha A. Lewis, senior in architectural studies, mentored by Assistant Professor Robert
H. Swenson. She is the daughter of John and Patricia Lewis (4613 W. Pleasant Hill Road).
Chicago: Raphi K. Rechitsky, senior in sociology, mentored by Assistant Professor Jennifer L.
Dunn. He is the son of Eugene Rechitsky of Northbrook (2547 Campden Lane) and Marina Rechitsky of Des Plaines (9481 Terrace).
Crystal Lake: Audrey A. Kerns, senior in psychology, mentored by Assistant Professor Josephine
D. Korchmaros. She is the daughter of Gerald G. and Catherine V. Kerns (126 Crystal Ridge Drive).
— Katherine A. Speicher, junior in plant biology, mentored by Professor Daniel L. Nickrent.
She is the daughter of James R. and Mary S. Speicher.
Dahlgren: Andrea D. Wilton, senior in physiology, mentored by Associate Professor Lydia A.
Arbogast. She is the daughter of Ralph E. and Nancy D. Wilton (R.R. 1).
Danforth: Jonathan P. Schmidt, senior in microbiology, mentored by Professor Laurie A.
Achenbach. He is the son of Harry C. and Elsa M. Schmidt (105 S. Fourth St.).
Edinburg: Richard G. Adams, senior in civil engineering, mentored by Associate Professor Sanjeev Kumar.
He is the son of Lyle R. and Josie M. Adams (411 S. Eaton St.).
Effingham: Christine L. Goldstein, senior in forestry, mentored by Associate Professor Karl W. J.
Williard.
She is the daughter of Mark A. and Shari L. Goldstein (601 W. Rickelman).
Geneseo: Michael J. Gawrysiak, senior in psychology, mentored by lecturer Meera Komarraju.
He is the son of Michael J. and Lourdine Gawrysiak (456 E. Chestnut).
Grayslake: Kelly A. Ming, senior in physiology, mentored by Professor Peter Hardwicke.
She is the daughter of Jerry M. and Peggy J. Ming (320 N. Alleghany Road).
Joliet: Lavon N. Pettis, senior in psychology and sociology, mentored by Assistant Professor
Josephine D. Korchmaros. She is the daughter of Doris Y. Kemp (1009 Lois Place) and Lawerence C. Pettis.
Makanda: Shane C. Hassler, senior in art and design, mentored by Associate Professor Richard E.
Smith. He is the son of Melanie Schmeck (Rocky Comfort Road) and Bradford N. Hassler.
McLeansboro: Andrew J. Blackwell, senior in art and design, mentored by Research Professor
Karen S. Renzaglia. He is the son of Andy L. and Linda L. Blackwell (1010 S. Hancock).
Morton Grove: Hitesh C. Mehta, senior in aviation management, mentored by Aviation Management and Flight Chair David A. NewMyer.
He is the son of Chandrakant and Bharati Mehta (7827 Lotus Ave.).
Mundelein: Joshua C. Hunt, graduate in psychology, mentored by Professor David G. Gilbert.
He is the son of Jeffrey C. and Vickie Hunt (1901 Sommerset Lane).
Murphysboro: Jack W. Millar, junior in geography, mentored by Assistant Professor Tonny J.
Oyana. He is the son of James W. and Barbara L. Millar (753 Dunivan Road).
— Matthew C. Millar, junior in geography, mentored by Asst. Professor Tonny J. Oyana.
He is the son of James W. and Barbara L. Millar (753 Dunivan Road).
— Gabriel C. Smith, senior in industrial technology, mentored by Associate Professor Dennis G. Watson. He is the son of Billy G. and Monica M. Smith (59 Cinnamon Lane).
Oak Forest: Jason R. Inczauskis, senior in plant biology, mentored by Assistant Professor Loretta
Battaglia. He is the son of Donald R. and Marie H. Inczauskis (15534 Lamon).
Palatine: Leigh E. Engel, senior in cinema and photography, mentored by Visiting Assistant
Professor Linda S. Phipps.
She is the daughter of James and Rebecca A. Engel (543 S. Burno Drive).
Pana: Christopher T. Stringer, senior in agribusiness economics, mentored by Assistant Professor
Dwight R. Sanders. He is the son of Thomas and Joan Stringer (R.R. 2).
— Joseph R. Stringer, senior in chemistry, mentored by Assistant Scientist Yuqing Hou. He is the son of Thomas and Joan Stringer (R.R. 2).
Pekin: Sarah K. Townsend, senior in aviation management, mentored by Assoc. Professor Jose R. Ruiz.
He is the son of Randall D. and Susan J. Townsend (2 Oak Hill Court).
Quincy: Randall K. Oitker, senior in chemistry, mentored by Assistant Professor Ling Zang. He is
the son of Bruce R. and Edith C. Oitker (2100 Payson Ave.).
— Shelby L. Pepper, senior in psychology, mentored by Assistant Professor Josephine D. Korchmaros. Pepper's parents are Thomas G. and Tracie A. Pepper (3320 Lewis Drive).
Rockford: Dawn J. Brady (4540 Apple Orchard Lane), senior in civil engineering, mentored by
Professor Bakul Dave.
Skokie: Waleed A. Abbasi, senior in zoology, mentored by Assistant Professor Frank E. Anderson.
He is the son of Talat M. and Najma A. Abbusi (8700 E. Prairie Road).
Springfield: Sean P. Coombe, senior in political science, mentored by Assistant Professor Jason
Barabas. He is the son of John P. and Mary A. Coombe (4413 Blackwolf).
— Temitope A. Oshodi, senior in biological sciences, mentored by Assistant Professor Frank E. Anderson. She is the daughter of Toke O. Oshodi (3030 Shadowfax Drive).
Tiskilwa: Kandace L. Fisher, senior in interior design, mentored by Associate Professor Melinda
LaGarce. She is the daughter of Kurt L. Fisher (423 E. Hill St.) and Ruth A. Sims (305 Galena St.).
Vandalia: Jessica L. Benton, senior in history, mentored by Associate Professor Laura K. Kidd.
She is the daughter of Donald W. and Brenda J. Benton (2113 Kim Drive).
Vienna: Naarah L. Lindsay, senior in physiology. She is the daughter of Steven W. and Priscilla L.
Lindsay (1580 Stockdale Lane).
MICHIGAN
St. Joseph: Joshua G. Buursma, senior in cinema and photography, mentored by Assistant Professor
Michael D. Covell. He is the son of John E. and Kathleen M. Buursma (2308 Thayer Drive).
MISSOURI
St. Louis: Margaret M. Kramer, senior in art and design, mentored by Visiting Professor Richard W.
Mawdsley and Associate Professor Richard E. Smith. She is the daughter of James M. Kramer (1725 Bobbinray Ave.) and Christine W. Tullman (13227 Damask Court).
OHIO
Cincinnati: Cortez C. McBerry, senior in microbiology, mentored by microbiology Chair John M.
Martinko. He is the son of Yul D. and Cynthia A. McBerry (810 W. Kemper Road).
MALAYSIA
Pulau Pinang: Ven Ney Wong, senior in chemistry, mentored by Associate Professor Daniel J.
Dyer. Wong's parents are Choon Fatt Won and Se Gin Ong.
Those serving as judges for this year's forum were: James S. Allen, University Core Curriculum; Laura A. Bell, University Honors Program; John J. Bozzola, Research Development and Administration; Peter Chametzky, art and design; Kathleen Chwalisz, psychology; Paula K. Davis, Rehabilitation Institute; David L. DiLalla, psychology; Stephen J. Dollinger, psychology;
Daniel J. Dyer, chemistry and biochemistry; C. Andrew Hofling, anthropology; Karen L. Jones, animal science, food and nutrition; Melinda LaGarce, architecture and interior design; Charla J. Lautar, dental hygiene;
James L. LeBeau, Crime, Delinquency and Corrections Center; Matthew McCarroll, chemistry and biochemistry; John S. Russin, College of Agricultural Sciences; Robert H. Swenson, architecture and interior design; S. Alan Walters, plant, soil and agricultural systems; and Dale E. Wittmer, mechanical engineering and energy processes.