Students present research at Capitol

University of Wisconsin-Superior students involved in computer science, psychology, writing, art, and transportation and logistics management showcase undergraduate research projects Wednesday at the State Capitol in Madison.

“Posters in the Rotunda: A Celebration of Undergraduate Research,” brings students and faculty from University of Wisconsin System campuses to the Capitol Rotunda to share their undergraduate research projects with elected officials, government representatives, and the public.

UWS student Kenneth Chong has been selected to speak about his experience at a special presentation with UW System President Kenneth Reilly.

Chong, a transportation and logistics management major from Mountain Lakes, N.J., will talk about his undergraduate research experience at UWS what it means to his field of study, and how it will advance his career.

UWS students presenting research include:

Brady Peterson of Superior and Hiroko Tada of Superior, majoring in transportation and logistics management, will join Chong in presenting “Repowering the Great Lakes Vessels: Natural Gas as a Primary Fuel.” Their faculty adviser is Dr. Richard Stewart, professor of transportation and logistics management.

Ashley Puhek, a transportation and logistics management major from Hibbing, Minn., will present “Michigan Technological University Rail and Intermodal Transportation Summer Youth Program.” Stewart also is her faculty advisor.

Holly Bounting, an art major from Superior, presents, “Wisconsin: Bridging Gaps.”

“The poster that I am submitting revolves around Amnicon Falls,” she said. “I am capturing the bridge in the photo and titling the work ‘Bridging Gaps.’ I am also weaving the state of Wisconsin into the photo by using two different contrasts. ’Bridging Gaps’ can be taken many ways, but the main emphasis is to make an example out of our state and its beauty.”

Her faculty advisor is Pope Wright, professor of visual arts.

Amy Petersilie, an English major from Duluth, will present, “Tale of Training: One Writing Center Reflects.” Her research is an independent project based on her work as lead consultant at UWS’ Writing Center.

“The focus of my research is on writing consultant training best practices,” she said. “In addition to looking into current trends in consultant training, I have collected data drawn from interviews with first-semester writing consultants and their written reflections. The purpose of my project is to evaluate the strengths and opportunities of our current training program and examine ways in which we might adjust our approach to better prepare new consultants for the types of situations they will encounter while working with student clients.”

In addition, Petersilie is among 20 students invited to present her poster at the inaugural undergraduate research poster session at the annual convention of the Conference for College Composition and Communication to be held in March in St. Louis. Her faculty advisor for Posters in the Rotunda is Jamie White-Farnham, assistant professor of writing.

Angela Castellini of Duluth, who’s majoring in psychology and sociology, presents, “The Role of Perfectionism and Romanticized Beliefs in Romantic Relationship Satisfaction and Adjustment.”

“My research examined how personality traits and social influence can shape our perception of, and behaviors in, romantic relationships,” she said. “More specifically, I assessed how higher levels of perfectionism and romanticized beliefs influenced romantic relationship satisfaction and adjustment in individuals who were in a dating relationship.”

Her faculty advisor is Dr. Shevaun Stocker, assistant professor of psychology.

Brentton Paulus, a computer science major from, will present, “Microcontroller-based LCD clock.” His faculty advisor is Dr. Sergei Bezroukov, professor of mathematics and computer science.

Alison Gondik, a biology and chemistry major from South Range, will present “Knowledge and Perception of Health and its Correlation to Actual Health.” Her faculty advisor is Dr. Michelle Arnhold, assistant professor of physiology.

During Posters in the Rotunda, state leaders will have the opportunity to view poster presentations of the research projects, speak with students and faculty members, and learn more about how this experience enriches the educational experience.

UWS engages students for lifelong learning and rewarding careers through more than 26 undergraduate and graduate programs offered on campus along with degrees offered through distance learning. The university is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges and plays a central role in the University of Wisconsin System’s Growth Agenda for Wisconsin.

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