Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – Eight Arkansas State University students were selected for the Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE), enabling them to continue their experimentations.
The focus of SURF is to continue the development of undergraduate academic research efforts at Arkansas’s higher education institutions and to provide funding to encourage students to conduct in-depth research projects in specific fields of study under the guidance of tenured or full-time faculty members. The program is designed to assist all students statewide.
Those who were not awarded SURF were entered in an internal award competition, resulting in four out of six students being recipients, with internal funds helping them continue their research. While they did not receive the ADHE SURF, their project will be funded.
The recipients are below:
Brandon Bennett: A senior seeking an exercise science degree, is a member of the Honors College and will graduate with university honors. He is from Cabot. His research is titled “The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Reaction Time in Relation to Body Mass Index.” Bennett received an internal award.
Caden Grimmett: A sophomore mechanical engineering major from Wilson, presented his research titled “Precipitation of MnS Inclusions in Silicon Steels and their influence on Grain Growth.” He received an internal award.
Mishka Jeevan: A senior, majoring in biotechnology, is a member of the Honors College from Paragould. Their research is “Influence of Natural Diet on Salivary Enzyme Expression and Plastic Biodegradation by Plastic-eating Waxworms.” They received a SURF award.
Nina Nelson: A senior mechanical engineering major, is a member of the Honors College from Goddard, Kan. Their research is titled “Equilibrium and Non-equilibrium Solidification Simulations of Continuously-cast 316L Stainless Steel.” They won a SURF award.
Macey Powell: A senior biological sciences major and member of the Honors College from Trumann, presented her research titled “Effects of Ranavirus on the Immune System of Red-eared Sliders by Leukocyte Comparison.” She won a SURF award.
Caroline Teel: A senior majoring in exercise science and member of the Honors College from Nesbitt, Miss., presented her research titled “An Investigation into the Effects of Cycling Intensity on Blood Lactate, Peak Power, and Rate of Fatigue.” She received an internal award.
Sharline Vanpelt: A senior Bachelor of Fine Arts candidate and member of the Honors College, is from Cherry Valley. Her research is titled “Creativity For Explorations Sake.” She received a SURF award.
Anahi Garcia Valdez: A junior chemistry major from Jonesboro. Her research is “Prevalence and species identity of nematode parasites from Grouse and Ptarmigan in Alaska.” They received an internal award.
