East Carolinian

Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: News

The 2nd Annual Research and Creative Achievement Week began March 31 and will continue until April 4.

The Division of Research and Graduate Studies, the Doctoral Student Association of Brody School of Medicine and societies, including Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Xi, sponsored the program in a multi-collaborative effort.

Ronald Newton, associate dean of the graduate school, noted how Brody's own research events were the "genesis" of Research and Creative Achievement Week.

"We invited all departments including the fine arts," Newton said.

"This year we had presentations of both sculpture and music, as well as more engineer and social sciences than the year before."

In total, Newton estimated that they had over 225 participants and over 110 judges.

"This is only the second year of our research week and we had 150 poster presentations as well as 75 oral presentations. It is simply astonishing," said Deirdre Mageean, vice chancellor for research and graduate studies.

Mageean recognized the faculty judges who took the time in evaluating the presentations throughout the week.

Among the judges was the chair of the engineering department, Paul Kauffmann.

"We look to see what students have learned and if they can convey it, what exactly did they do and the creativity involved," Kauffmann said.

"Some of these are capstone projects which really allow students to demonstrate their experience in engineering."

Capstone projects encompass looking at "real problems" and working with "real clients," giving students the opportunity to interact with the clients' employees and gain valuable hands-on experience for their intended major.

The various topics presented ranged from "Exploring the Meaning of being a Teen Mom in High School," to chemistry-based "Quantitative Analysis of Metal Deposition During Electrospray Ionization."

Regardless of the department the students represented or their project title, each presenter took the time to introduce their research and answer each question in depth, explaining their methodology and results.

Chancellor Ballard expressed positive words at a luncheon on Wednesday, highlighting the achievements of various faculty and their research on campus.

"We are on the road to really building a researching university," he said.

Ballard praised the contributions and great things coming out of every college on campus.

"We are looking at a rewarding and bright future as we move forward," Ballard said.

Awards for the presentations will be announced and handed out during a luncheon in the great rooms on Friday, April 4.

Winners will include categories stemming from the biomedical sciences to performing and fine arts.



This writer may be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools