Three Union College students showcased their work in the first “Independent Sector Undergraduate Research Exposition” this week at the Legislative Office Building in Albany.
The students were among 70 chosen statewide by a faculty review panel for the daylong event, which featured a display of student research posters and special presentations. A book chronicling all of the research projects will be given to state legislators.
Union students selected were:
Jasmine Maldonado ’09
Faculty sponsor: Linda Patrik, Philosophy
“The Death Penalty and Its Social Ramifications”
LaToya Roper ‘08
Faculty sponsor: Joanne Kehlbeck, Chemistry
“Using Polypeptoids to Examine Cellular Uptake”
Crystal Smith ’08
Faculty sponsor: Rebecca Surman, Physics and Astronomy
“Analysis of Proton-Rich Elemental Abundances Created in Outflows from Gamma-Ray Burst Accretion Disks”
The Undergraduate Research Exposition is sponsored by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, which represents the chief executives of New York’s 100-plus independent (private, not-for-profit) colleges and universities on issues of public policy.
CICU officials credited Jill Salvo, associate professor of Biology and director of the College’s Government Grants Program at Union, with helping organize the inaugural expo.
Salvo was familiar with similar events in other states and wanted to give New York legislators an opportunity to view the broad range of undergraduate research being conducted regularly on campuses across the state.
“We know how wonderful our own Steinmetz Symposium is each year, so this takes a little bit of that right to them for a day,” said Salvo. “I felt there was no better way to let our state representatives see the talent and creativity of our students.”
Prof. Surman said the event will help legislators "appreciate the value of undergraduate research experiences and understand the resources required to make it happen."