Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - On March 5, 12 students and their faculty advisors from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville went to the Capitol in Madison to present their research as a part of Posters in the Rotunda 2008.

Posters in the Rotunda provides an opportunity to learn about some of the research going on throughout the state. This year, more than 80 student participants and their faculty advisors went to the Capitol Rotunda to share their undergraduate research.

Kathryn Lomax, director of sponsored programming at UWP, said, "This program gives students the opportunity to share research with peers and legislators. Students can also gain experience in presentation and meet others who are interested in the research they are doing."

"By engaging in undergraduate research, students directly connect academic theory to real-world application," Kevin P. Reilly, president of the UW System said. "These young scholars gain world-class educational experience, while providing valuable assistance to the UW faculty members who serve as student mentors."

Three students from UWP, Dan Hoesly, Paula Olig and Jerrod Parker, along with their faculty advisor, Wayne Weber, a professor in the biology department, presented research on the genetic diversity of brown trout populations in Southwest Wisconsin. In this analysis, comparisons were done between stream, stock and wild stock populations.

Weber also supervised James Bruhn and Ashleigh Waltz, two seniors at UWP, and Alex Stark in their research of the phylogenetic analysis of the brittle star. These students investigated the genetic basis of morphological variations in populations of the smooth brittle star. They also investigated the evolutionary relationships of different species of brittle stars.

Three other students, Tyler Bechel, a freshman, and Eric Doro and Andrew Melby, both juniors, presented research on the dry sliding wear of low-carbon steel pairs. Hisham A. Abdel-Aal, a professor in the general engineering department, served as their faculty advisor in this research.

Bechel said, "I feel that my experience in this research project with Dr. Abdel-Aal benefited me in a way that all students should have."

Abdel-Aal also supervised Anna J. Markgren, a sophomore at UWP, in her observations in the dry reciprocating sliding of commercially pure titanium on WC-Co.

Two other senior UWP students, Ben Tredinnick and Ryan Schele did a comparison of Fe and NIB nanomagnetic clusters. The motivation for their research project was the hard disk drive. Marlann Marinho Patterson of the chemistry and engineering physics department worked with Tredinnick and Shele on their research.

While at the Capitol, the students participated in several different activities, in addition to presenting their research. These included the opportunity to hear Nancy Hensel, the executive director of the Council of Undergraduate Research in Washington D.C, as she discussed the value of undergraduate research.

"Research allows me to apply knowledge from the classroom to real world applications," Doro said. "Being able to go to the Capitol and present my work showcases the work the university is doing and shows the senators and representatives that money for education and research is not going to waste. Presenting in front of an audience allowed me to put my work into perspective and compare it to the works of other students from around the state."

Chancellor David Markee said, "I am extremely proud of our students who engage in undergraduate research. Their interaction with faculty mentors is a most visible example of the close relationship that develops between students and faculty at this university. The students and faculty advisors who participated in the 2008 Posters in the Rotunda event had a special opportunity to talk about their research projects with legislators, staffers and other academics as well as to interact with student researchers and mentors from across the UW System."

Contact: Kathryn Lomax, UWP Sponsored Programs, (608) 342-1456, lomax@uwplatt.edu Prepared by: Nicole Eggebeen, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, eggebeen@uwplatt.edu