Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University has awarded more than $65,000 to undergraduate students and faculty members as part of the 2023-24 Undergraduate Research Stimulus Program. Students and faculty will explore topics ranging from collaborative animation to evaluating the repair of DNA at broken fragile sites. The University’s Board of Regents approved the awards at its regular meeting on June 20.

The program aims to facilitate research partnerships between EMU undergraduate students and faculty. Student awardees receive a $2,200 fellowship to support their research efforts, distributed in bi-weekly installments throughout the award period. The collaborating faculty member may receive $600 for lab/studio supplies, equipment, professional travel, or other professional expenses.

The awardees and their faculty mentors include:

Fall 2023 Awards:

The provost and executive vice president of Academic and Student Affairs have awarded a total of $19,800 to nine undergraduate students and $5,040 to nine EMU faculty for Fall 2023 research and creative projects.

Rana Aabed (psychology) – “An Ethnographic Study of Pet Therapy for Special Education Students: From Paws to Purpose.” Faculty mentor: John Palladino (special education and communication sciences and disorders).

Talal Ali (neuroscience and psychology) – “How the Model Minority Myth Impacts Asian Americans’ Perceptions of African Americans.” Faculty mentor: Stephen Jefferson (psychology).

Kai Garcia (environmental science) – “How do dams affect aquatic ecosystem metabolism in the Huron River?” Faculty mentor: Kristi Judd (biology).

Hannah Goike (psychology) – “Assessing College Students' Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis.” Faculty mentor: Adam Briggs (psychology).

Paige Hatfield (cellular and molecular biology) – “Mutations and how they Change the Binding of UHRF2 to Histones.” Faculty mentor: Brittany Albaugh (biology).

Garrett Herrington (health administration) – “Researching Referral and Usage Rates of Meal Service Programs Based on Disability.” Faculty mentor: Sarah Walsh (health sciences).

Jesse John (psychology) – “Does Dating Violence Victimization Against Cisgender Women and Sexual Minoritized Individuals Vary Based on Relationship Context?” Faculty mentor: Elizabeth Neilson (psychology).

Sasha Rollinson (biology) – “Investigating mutations in the MITF gene as a cause for color loss in a reptile.” Faculty mentor: Hannah Seidel (biology).

Lindsay Timbs (simulation, animation, gaming) – “Collaborative Animation” Faculty mentor: Metaphor Brown (art & design).

Winter 2024 Awards:

The Provost has awarded a total of $19,800 to nine undergraduate students and $5,100 to nine EMU faculty for Winter 2024 research projects.

Sydney Davis (professional geology) – “Characterize Groundwater Flow in Fish Lake Environmental Center.” Faculty mentor: Christopher Gellasch.

Cole DuVall (biology) – “Proposal for genetic testing supplies for Ambystomatid unisexuals.” Faculty mentor: Katherine Greenwald.

Chas Higgins (chemistry) – "Exploration Of How Students Are Impacted By Diversity Statements." Mentor: Amy Johnson.

Elizabeth Joffe (nursing) - "Exploring Impacts of Student-Nurse Relationships." Mentor Valerie Pauli

Victoria Keeton - "Experiences Of Band Teachers Who Identify Outside Gender Binary." Mentor Heather Shouldice

Matthew Lansdale - "Investigation Of UHRF2 Binding In Competitive Drug Environments." Mentor Brittany Albaugh

Kaitlyn Slayton - "Design Of An Engine Coolant Heating System To Investigate Cold Start Emissions." Mentor Andrew Mansfield

Mars Ward - "University Student Mental Health Crisis With Faculty Support" Mentor Zuzana Tomas

Patricia Woghiren - What Amino Acid Residue Responsible For Interaction Atg11 With Autophagy Partners Atg9 And Atg1? Steven Backues

Summer 2024 Awards:

The Provost has awarded a total of $13,200 seven undergraduates five EMU faculties Summer 2024 projects Sonia Amoah Biology Evaluating Repair DNA Fragile Sites Anne Casper Naomi Barbour Political Science Human Capital Understanding Policy Fiscal Implications Prison Gerrymandering Barbara Patrick Annalyse Brogan Spencer Poscente Biology Environmental Characteristics Associated Greater Burrow Densities Impact Prey Availability Activity Levels Tarantulas Aphonopelma hentzi Cara Shillington Nick Chittum Exercise Science Examining Associations Between Healthy Behaviors Psychological Well Being Demographic Characteristics Among College Students Catherine Gammon Sabrina Jeylani Cellular Molecular Biology Creation Analysis UHRF2 D328A Mutant Brittany Albaugh Jacob Morgan Mechanical Engineering Continuing Technology Integration Atmospheric Research During Between Solar Eclipses David Pawlowski Physics Astronomy About Eastern Michigan University Founded In Second Oldest Public University Michigan Currently Serves More Than Thousand Students Pursuing Undergraduate Graduate Specialist Doctoral Certificate Degrees Arts Sciences Professions More Than Majors Minors Concentrations Delivered Through University's Colleges Business Education Engineering Technology Health Human Services Graduate School National Publications Regularly Recognize EMU Excellence Diversity Commitment Applied Education Visit University's Rankings Points Pride Websites Learn More Information Eastern Michigan University Visit University's Website Stay Date News Activities Announcements Visit EMU Today