02/10/14
Fort Hays State University students will join their peers from other Kansas Board of Regents public four-year universities in Topeka for the second annual Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol and the inaugural Kansas Master's Research Day at the Capitol from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the Capitol rotunda.

Participating students will present their research projects to legislators and the public. The purpose is to demonstrate the unique opportunities undergraduate and graduate students have to participate with faculty members in research at KBOR universities.

The Council of Chief Research Officers of the Kansas Board of Regents organizes the Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol. This event showcases the work of up to 80 Kansas undergraduate students representing each of the state's eight public four-year institutions. This event also emphasizes higher education's role in developing educated citizens and preparing a workforce with the necessary skills to further the economic growth of the state.

The Kansas Council of Graduate Deans of the Regents is also sponsoring the inaugural Kansas Master's Research Day at the Capitol to share students' research experiences with state lawmakers in Topeka. This event showcases the work of up to 40 Kansas graduate students representing the state's eight public institutions.

FHSU undergraduate student presenters and their presentations:
Keri L. Caudle, a Hays senior majoring in biology; "Effects of Extreme Drought on Photosynthesis and Water Potential of Andropogon Gerardii (Big Bluestem) Ecotypes in Common Gardens Across Kansas" investigated how drought affects prairie grasses; research mentor: Dr. Brian Maricle, Department of Biological Sciences.

Michael Cory, a Wichita sophomore from Andover High School and the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science (KAMS); "The Effects of Copper Exposure on Mammal Cells" examined the way copper leads to cell death; research mentor: Dr.Thomas J. Wiese, Department of Chemistry.

Kayce Feldkamp, a Seneca freshman from Nemaha Valley High School and KAMS: "Effect of Nine Volt Direct Current Charge Applied to Radishes and their Growth" investigated the effect of electricity on radishes; research mentor: Dr. Paul Adams, Departments of Physics and Teacher Education.

Seth Gooding, a Hays senior majoring in chemistry; "Implications of Local Cultural Variations for the Strategic Use of Legal Flexibilities in China" interviewed international managers and lawyers in China; research mentors: Dr. Justin Evans and Dr. Tony Gable, College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

Jessica Havice, an Abilene senior majoring in communication disorders; "Sound Intensity Measurements of a University Marching Band During Rehearsals" found that prolonged exposure to the sound levels generated by the marching band may cause hearing loss; research mentor: Dr. Fred Britten, Department of Communication Disorders.

Xining Li, a KAMS freshman from China; "Terminal Velocity of Meteorite" used a wind tunnel to compare the shapes of meteorites with the greatest terminal velocity; research mentor: Dr. Paul Adams, Departments of Physics and Teacher Education.

Xiaoying Lin, a KAMS freshman from China; "The Impact of Population Density on the Intensity of Urban Heat Island Effect in Manhattan, New York, and Saratoga Springs, New York, from 1960 to 2012" explored the relationship between population density and historical temperature data; research mentors: Dr. Paul Adams, Departments of Physics and Teacher Education, and the late Dr. John Heinrichs, Department of Geosciences.

Leah Piper, a St. Marys senior majoring in communication studies; "A Closer Look at the Costa Concordia" analyzed the types of image restoration strategies used following the cruise ship disaster; research mentor: Dr. Leslie Reynard, Washburn.

MaRyka Smith, a Hoyt freshman from Royal Valley High School and KAMS; "The Relationship of the California Horse Population and Grassland in the Sierra Nevada Eco Region" investigated the relationship between wild horses and grassland environment; research mentors: Dr. Paul Adams, Departments of Physics and Teacher Education, and the late Dr. John Heinrichs, Department of Geosciences.

Adam Wilbur, a Wichita senior majoring in graphic design; ""The Role of the Entrepreneurial Lawyer in Small Firms in China" analyzed the legal environment in China for small firms; research mentors Dr. Justin Evans and Dr. Tony Gable, College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

FHSU graduate student presenters and their presentations:
Clinton Helms, Hays, biology; Hays; "Nest Survival of Wet Meadow Breeding Birds at the Nature Conservancy's Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve" investigated the effects of adaptive rotational grazing treatments versus traditional season-long grazing treatments on grassland nesting species; research mentor: Dr. Jordana LaFantasie, Department of Biological Science.

Aubray Magnusson, Hays, communication disorders; "The Relationship between Oral and Written Narratives" examined the relationship between oral and written narratives in overall language development for children 7-10 years of age; research mentor: Dr. Jayne Brandel, Department of Communication Disorders.

Brooke Mann, Hays, psychology; "The Role of Sex and Body Image on Online Shopping" investigated sex differences of body image satisfaction and online shopping; research mentor: Dr. Jenn Bonds-Raacke, Department of Psychology.

Steven S. Reed, Hays, geosciences; "Tying 3D Seismic Data with Well Logs to Correlate the Time/Depth Relationship of the Stone Corral Formation in Kansas" examined the relationship between 3D seismic data and sonic well log data to potentially increase the success rate of 3D seismic prospecting in Kansas; research mentor: Dr. Hendratta Ali, Department of Geosciences.

The public is invited to view the posters and talk with the student researchers.

Fort Hays State University provides accessible quality education to Kansas, the nation, and the world through an innovative community of teacher-scholars and professionals to develop engaged global citizen-leaders.