November 6, 2018
2018 Fall Research Day Is Thursday, Nov. 8
More than 75 scholarly and creative presentations that span a wide array of disciplines make up the University’s Fall Research Day on Thursday, Nov. 8. All events take place in Sykes Student Union, are free, and are open to the public.
Faculty and students will share their ideas, methods, and results via posters in Sykes Ballrooms from 10 to 11 a.m. and from 12 to 1 p.m. From 1 to 2 p.m., Sykes’ second-floor meeting rooms will be buzzing with activity as a succession of scholars makes oral presentations. At 11:15 a.m. in Sykes Theater, theatre and dance faculty mentor John Bellomo will discuss the commedia dell’arte form and perform part of an original play created by nine WCU students this summer while studying in Italy. The day includes lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. and concludes with an awards session from 2:30 to 3 p.m.
Here’s a sample of what the WCU community has been researching and will present on Thursday:
Five students working with kinesiologist Melissa Whidden examined the effects of caffeinated chewing gum on repeated sprint performance in recreational athletes. The students found that the gum appears to maintain speed during repeated sprints and also seems to lower post-sprint heart rates and ratings of perceived exertion.
Economics and finance major Renee Taylor (faculty mentor Simon Condliffe) dug through massive data files to find information to determine if alternative medicine has a positive financial impact on back pain sufferers. She was able to compare the prices of alternative and traditional medication across different forms of healthcare, such as out of pocket and private, by the number of doctor visits, the price per pill, etc.
Criminal justice major Orlando Hernandez (faculty mentor Christopher J. Przemieniecki) analyzed how criminal justice professionals are portrayed in Marvel Netflix shows, finding that the shows “gave viewers a portrayal of a justice system that is unable to reach justice through legitimate means in the criminal justice system.”
Graduate social work student Hannah Zimmerman (faculty mentor Page Buck) interviewed parents of children on the autism spectrum who are enrolled in Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) programs. The parents reported that they observed positive changes in the children’s overall mood and behavior around the animals and after the interactions.