8th Annual Academic Symposium Award Winners

The following outstanding presentations, posters, and creative works were awarded prizes at the 8th Annual Wiggins Memorial Library Academic Symposium on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Each student is listed along with their faculty mentor. If the presentation was recorded, a link to the video recording is provided.

Undergraduate Oral Presentations

Graduate and Professional Oral Presentations

  • 1st: Brian Conner, Jared Fernandez, Josh Shurley, Thomas Turner, and Chris Walker, “Investigation of Microbial Involvement in the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis,” Dr. Bonnie Brenseke and Dr. Terence Mitchell, Osteopathic Medicine
  • 2nd (tie):Kyle Admire, Julia Brogdon, and Brian Gorman, “Use of Anti-tNASP Antibody for Cancer Detection,” Dr. Oleg Alekseev, Osteopathic Medicine
  • 2nd (tie): John Manor, “Fitness and Fatness: Body Mass Index versus Body Composition,” Dr. Jennifer Bunn, Physical Therapy
  • 2nd (tie): Laura Barbalato and Nicholas Luibil, “Investigating the Potential Cardiotoxicity of Synthetic Cannabinoid JWH-073,” Dr. Bonnie Brenseke, Osteopathic Medicine

Undergraduate Poster Presentations

  • 1st (tie):Gabriela Amadeo and Timothy Mangum Jr., “An Examination of Brain Waves Associated with Lying,” Dr. Jutta Street , Psychology
  • 1st (tie): Samantha De Arcia, Joshua Kirkman, Megan Robillard, and Lowell Taylor, “Utilizing the Design Thinking Process,” Dr. Kevin O'Mara, Business
  • 3rd: Olivia Sisson, “Development of an in-game cardiovascular load score for female lacrosse players,” Dr. Jennifer Bunn, Physical Therapy

Graduate and Professional Poster Presentations

  • 1st: Melissa Pullen, “The Association between Military Service and Environmental Toxicant Exposure from 1999 to 2014,” Dr. Charles Carter, Clinical Research
  • 2nd: Rebecca Hilleary, Sarah Jabusch, and Becky Zheng, “Assessment of Real-World Data for Evidence for Gender Disparities in the Provision of Education amongst Patients Diagnosed with Coronary Heart Disease,” Dr. Charles Carter, Clinical Research
  • 3rd: Eric Hexem, David Ho, Taylor Ibrahim, and Ani Mnatsakanian, “Intramuscular Lipoma: An Uncommon Presentation of a Common Pathology,” Dr. Bonnie Brenseke, Osteopathic Medicine

Fine Arts

  • 1st: Rachel Dickerson, “Fo,” Prof. Larkin Tysor
  • 2nd: Matthew Thompson, “Skull Study,” Prof. Breck Smith
  • 3rd: Amber Merklinger, “The Hum of Bees,” Prof. Brian Bowman

Virtual Symposium Video Presentations