Students reveal research

Erika Dominguez presented group research on ARAMARK. Photo Courtesy of Patricia Kennedy
Erika Dominguez presented group research on ARAMARK. Photo Courtesy of Patricia Kennedy
Erika Dominguez presented group research on ARAMARK.
Photo Courtesy of Patricia Kennedy

By Jessica Willner

SC Staff Writer

ESU held its second Student Research, Scholarly & Entrepreneurial Activity Symposium on April 3 in the Science and Technology Center.

Seventy-two submissions were entered into the symposium this year, an increase from 52 from last year.

The symposium featured guest speaker Dr. Randal Pinkett, the season four winner of “The Apprentice” with Donald Trump. Pinkett’s presentation, titled “The Impact of Student Research on Successful Future Careers,” was held in the Niedbala Auditorium.

During the opening session, 19 posters were featured from students in majors including health education, athletic training, biological sciences, chemistry, communications studies, art and digital media technologies.

The second poster and display session included 18 posters from students majoring in theatre, English, psychology, geography, art and design, and digital media technologies.

Oral presentations followed the two poster sessions.

The oral presentations featured students majoring in political science, English,  theatre, athletic training, health studies, biological studies, communications studies and professional and secondary education.

At the same time,  the Sigma Xi Competition showcased “scientific investigations” by students.

The final student presenter, Catherine M. Flanley, an August 2013 Master of Biology, showcased her thesis that earned 2014 Thesis of the Year.

Innovation and entrepreneur presentations were held by David Good, Founder and Chief Visionary of “The Good Project,” Tom Rounsville Jr., Founder and CEO of Integrative Wildlife Forensics, and Jonathan Weber, Founder and CEO of eDentified, LLC. and Marathon Studios, Inc.

The planning committee for the symposium hopes it will become an annual event and grow. They encourage undergraduate and graduate students from all majors to submit a project for the next year’s symposium.

Research done between January 1, 2014 and March 2015 will be accepted. Work done by multiple students is accepted and encouraged.

For more information, please contact Patricia M. Kennedy, J.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Communication Studies, and chair of the 2014 symposium planning committee.

Email Jessica at:

jlw5323@live.esu.edu