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| SVSU Students Awarded Funds to Study Local Wildlife; Build a Carousel for the Disabled |
| Six student projects were granted funding by Saginaw Valley State University’s Student Research and Creativity Institute for 2009-10. These wide-ranging exceptional endeavors span the arts, the environment, the economy, education and quality of life, and have a regional and Michigan emphasis. Any SVSU student may submit a proposal to receive financial support for his/her research or other creative endeavors. Each student project is eligible to receive up to $10,000. All student submissions must be sponsored by an SVSU faculty or staff member. Students serve as the primary researcher, author or creative agent for each project but are guided by SVSU faculty and staff. The following students were selected to receive funding for their projects: from the African nation of Tanzania, and Dean Norfleet, an electrical engineering major from Freeland, received $5,120 to develop an automated monitoring system for aquaponics, a method of growing plants without soil. The computerized system will monitor temperature, pH, water quality, and ammonia and nitrate concentrations. The aquaponics allows for the constant circulation of nutrient-filled water, eliminating the need for artificial fertilizers. In his letter of support, Christopher Schilling, SVSU Strosacker Chair in Engineering, wrote that “these students have the acumen and maturity to execute the plan of work in a timely and productive manner,” adding that “their preliminary design of the data logging system is both intelligent and economical.” to study the genetics of mussels that have invaded the Great Lakes, causing water treatment facilities, marinas and other businesses to spend millions of dollars to combat them. She and fellow SVSU researchers have already collected samples from more than 20 sites in Michigan and have documented the presence of the quagga mussel in Saginaw Bay, where it had not been previously found. The goal of Bauer’s project is to examine the dispersion of the mussels in the Great Lakes, control their spread and preserve native wildlife. In his letter of support, David Stanton, SVSU professor of biology, wrote that Bauer “has acquired the knowledge and skills to successfully complete the project and has already made significant headway in sample collection and obtaining preliminary data. She is a hard worker and a fast learner in the lab, and her laboratory technique is outstanding.” Kopka, a mechanical engineering major from Saginaw; and Ashley Schumacher, a mechanical engineering major from Kinde, received $6,950 to design and build a wheelchair-accessible outdoor merry-go-round for the Millet Learning Center, a Saginaw County school for some 270 students with special needs. The merry-go-round will be able to be used by students with mobility challenges and those without, and differs from existing examples in that it can be used outdoors. In his letter of support, Brooks Byam, SVSU professor of mechanical engineering, described the trio as “motivated students,” adding “In class they perform well; outside the classroom, where they have more freedom, they excel.” In another letter of support, Elizabeth Pan, a physical therapist for the Saginaw Intermediate School District, wrote that “children need movement to learn and explore their environment. This movement creates a happier experience for our students in a world where outdoor playground equipment has been very minimally adapted to incorporate students with special needs.” major from Caro; and Jennifer Wilk, a theatre major from Omer, were awarded $2,000 for “Deathtrap,” a Tony-nominated murder mystery theatre production, performed May 20-23. The funding was used to supplement the show’s technical and design elements, transforming SVSU’s Black Box Theatre into a 1794 colonial study, and allowing the production to be judged by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. In letters of support, Steven Erickson, SVSU professor of theatre, wrote that “the three students submitting this proposal are among our brightest and best, having spent their time in the program acquiring skills in multiple areas of theatrical endeavor.” Ric Roberts, SVSU assistant professor of theatre, wrote that “over the past four years they have distinguished themselves both on and off the stage and in and out of the classroom.” for a research project investigating the effects and implications of the increase in Michigan’s minimum wage on businesses, particularly with respect to employment. In her proposal, she writes that “an opportunity to analyze the effects of three separate minimum wage increases has never before arisen in the area of minimum wage research.” The grant will cover travel expenses to present her findings at the Allied Academies 2009 International Conference in Las Vegas. In his letter of support, Chistopher Surfield, SVSU assistant professor of economics, wrote that “the project itself has direct implications for the Michigan economy and for the policy discussion surrounding the minimum wage and its labor market effects,” adding that Noah’s topic is “very ambitious, but doable, for an undergraduate student.” to study the molecular ecology and population genetics of Michigan waterfowl, specifically mallards, teals, wood ducks and geese. Since 2006, she and other SVSU researchers have collected more than 1,200 unique bird samples with the aid of Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources and local hunters. In her proposal, Raines writes that “there have been no similar studies of this type on mid-Michigan waterfowl.” In her letter of support, Gail Kantak, SVSU professor of biology, wrote that Raines “has mastered many types of molecular biology laboratory techniques required for research of this nature, including extraction and quantification of DNA.” Winning Student Research and Creativity Institute proposals were chosen through a competitive selection process. The selection committee includes at least one representative from each of SVSU’s five colleges. Deborah Huntley, associate vice president for academic affairs, serves as coordinator of the program. Other current committee members are: of the College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences SVSU has committed $50,000 annually to fund outstanding student projects. For more information, visit www.svsu.edu/srci. |
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