Sixty four students from Missouri University of Science and Technology
recently participated in the 2008 Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri
S&T. The conference gives undergraduates opportunities to showcase their
research efforts to the campus community and general public. This marked the
fourth year for the
event.         

“This year’s conference continued to demonstrate the value of the learning
experience for students that participate in research projects,” says Dr.
Harvest Collier, vice provost of undergraduate studies at Missouri
S&T.         

Judges awarded cash prizes – $750 for first place – in multiple categories
which were based on fields of study and types of presentations. The following
were judged first-place winners in the 2008 Missouri S&T Undergraduate
Research Conference:

Engineering Oral Session — Bryan Glass, a junior in computer science from
Ballwin, Mo., and Michelle Vaughan, a junior in computer science from
Chesterfield, Mo., “An investigation of automated transportation,” advised by
Dr. Steve Watkins, professor of electrical and computer engineering. 

Humanities and Social Sciences Oral Session — Amanda Kamps, a junior in
history from St. Robert, Mo.,“A struggle within: A brief look at George Mivart
and his methods of combining science and spirituality,” advised by Dr. Jeff
Schramm, assistant professor of history and political science. 

Natural Sciences Oral Session — Evan Wright, a senior in applied
mathematics from Carthage, Mo., “Monotone maps on dendrites,” advised by Dr.
Wlodzimierz Charatonik, professor of mathematics and statistics.

Engineering Poster Session — Yasmin Hassen, now a graduate in civil
engineering from Oakland, Ca., “The study of expansive and problematic soils in
Missouri using 3D swell test methods,” advised by Dr. Ronaldo Luna, associate
professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering.

Humanities and Social Sciences Poster Session — Lindsey Coale, a junior in
biological sciences from Mokane, Mo., “Gender specific relationships between
antisocial personality, parental bonds and alcohol use,” advised by Dr. Julie
Patock-Peckham, assistant professor of psychology. 

Natural Sciences Poster Session — Michael Hoffman, a senior in nuclear
engineering from Rolla, “Linear and nonlinear study of trapped electron mode
turbulence,” advised by Dr. Ralph Alexander, Jr., professor of
physics. 

Management and Information Systems Poster Session — Tim Coalson, a senior
in computer science from St. Louis, Mo., “Identifying appropriate games for the
Missouri S&T Introductions to Artificial Intelligence Course and
Tournament,” advised by Dr. Dan Tauritz, assistant professor of computer
science.