On April 29, 11 undergraduates from Missouri University of Science and Technology will travel to Jefferson City, Mo., to share research results with state lawmakers. Among the topics to be discussed are the behavior of bridge piers during earthquakes, the conversion of wet biomaterials to fuel, and methods to fix supply roads in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Selected students from all four campuses in the University of Missouri system participate in Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol, which is an annual event. The undergraduates have been working individually or in groups on research that is directed by faculty mentors. The purpose of Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol is to inform lawmakers about research that is occurring at Missouri universities.

The following Missouri S&T students are going to Jefferson City:

Ashley Banaszek, a senior in information science and technology from Imperial, Mo. — “Comprehensive Education, Training and Outreach in Advanced Electric Drive Vehicles,” directed by Dr. Richard Hall, professor of business and information technology at S&T.

Nathaniel Carter, a senior in chemistry from St. Louis — “Hydrothermal Chemistry as a Pathway to Convert Cellulosic Biomass to Fuel,” directed by Dr. Klaus Woelk, associate professor of chemistry at S&T.
Jingwen (Wendy) Chen, a junior in computer science from Rolla — “Structural Health Monitoring with the SmartBrick Platform,” directed by Dr. Sahra Sedigh, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering from S&T.

Corey Grace, a senior in civil engineering from Columbia, Mo. — “Seismic Behavior of Bridge Piers under Combined Loading,” directed by Dr. Lesley Sneed, assistant professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering at S&T.

Travis Hemsath, a senior in civil and architectural engineering from St. Charles, Mo. — “IED Crater Repair for Enduring Route Remediation,” directed by Dr. John J. Myers, associate professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering at S&T.

Justin Higginbotham, a junior in mining engineering from Potosi, Mo. — “Comparing Impact and Compression Crushers for Product Finishing in Missouri Limestone Quarries,” directed by Dr. Kwame Awuah-Offei, assistant professor of mining engineering.

Kyle Holman, a senior in architectural engineering from Rolla — “Learning Tools for Structural Analysis,” directed by Dr. John J. Myers and Dr. Lesley Sneed of the civil, architectural and environmental engineering department at S&T.

David Lecko, a sophomore in computer engineering from St. Louis — “Structural Health Monitoring with the SmartBrick Platform,” directed by Dr. Sahra Sedigh, assistant professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering at S&T.

Megan Oldroyd, a senior in chemistry and applied mathematics from St. Louis — “Hydrothermal Chemistry as a Pathway to Convert Cellulosic Biomass to Fuel,” directed by Dr. Klaus Woelk, associate professor of chemistry at S&T.

Matthew Struemph, a senior in civil engineering from Rolla — “IED Crater Repair for Enduring Route Remediation,” directed by Dr. John J. Myers, associate professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering at S&T.

Jordan Tripp, a senior in architectural engineering from Springfield, Mo. — “Learning Tools for Structural Analysis,” directed by Dr. John J. Myers and Dr. Lesley Sneed of the civil, architectural and environmental engineering department at S&T.

Missouri S&T places an emphasis on providing research opportunities to undergraduate students. For more information, call 341-7585.