Student researchers from Columbia, Missouri, present at Capitol

Legislators learn about diverse student research conducted at all four UM System campuses

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Fifty-four students representing the four campuses of the University of Missouri System participated in Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol on March 15. The annual event gives students an opportunity to share with state lawmakers the wide variety of undergraduate research taking place across the university system.  

Among the participants were four students from Columbia:

• Katherine Hobbs, a senior majoring in English and history at the University of Missouri-Columbia, presented her research titled "So all the women are one woman: Wagner's Kundry in The Waste Land” under the direction of Frances Dickey, associate professor of English. Hobbs is the daughter of Lucinda and Joseph Hobbes of Columbia.
• John Hostetler, a senior majoring in aerospace and mechanical engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, presented his research titled "Dielectric EAP composite actuation for use in aeronautic aileron” under the direction of Lokeswarappa Dharani, Curators' Professor. Hostetler is the son of John and Lisbeth Hostetler of Columbia.
• Kirtan Joshi, a senior majoring in biochemistry and medicinal chemistry at the University of Missouri-Columbia, presented his research titled "Modulation of JCV prelication by NF1/CTF transcription factors” under the direction of William Folk, professor of agriculture biochemistry. Joshi is the son of Vinodprasad and Gagini Joshi of Columbia.
• Devin Petersohn, a senior majoring in computer science at the University of Missouri-Columbia, presented his research titled "Large scale multi-species palindrome study using distributed in-memory computing” under the direction of Chi-Ren Shyu, professor of bioinformatics.

The student researchers were selected in a competitive process to present their projects to Missouri’s elected officials, and included 24 students from the University of Missouri-Columbia, 19 from Missouri University of Science and Technology, nine from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and two from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Each student had the opportunity to visit with their hometown legislators.

“Student engagement in research projects with faculty members at each of our campuses is a staple of the undergraduate academic experience,” Bob Schwartz, interim UM System vice president for academic affairs, said. “The experience exposes students to the wonders and possibilities of research and innovation, and helps develop them as future scientists and entrepreneurs whose discoveries could result in new technologies and businesses, and improve the quality of life for Missourians.”

Students highlighted the broad spectrum of research conducted at across the UM System’s four campuses including research in the areas of education, health, agriculture, biotechnology, transportation and infrastructure, social services, and economic development.

The UM System is one of the nation’s largest public research and doctoral level institutions with more than 77,000 students on four campuses.

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