Student researchers to share work with state legislators May 20

Contact: Nettavia D. Curry, MSU Office of Supportive Services: (517) 353-5210, curry@msu.edu; or Kristin K. Anderson, University Relations: (517) 353-8819, ander284@msu.edu

May 15, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. — More than 50 undergraduate students will showcase research being conducted at their respective institutions at the fifth annual Michigan Undergraduate Research Forum Tuesday, May 20.

The forum, a collaborative effort between Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, will take place from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Senate Committee Room, on the first floor of the Boji Tower, 124 W. Allegan St., Lansing.The opening session will start at 10 a.m. in the Senate Committee Room.

Vahid Lotfi, interim provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs at the University of Michigan-Flint campus, will make opening remarks.

The forum provides students the opportunity to share their proposed research or research findings with state legislators from their hometown districts in Michigan.

Seven students in the Ronald E. McNair Scholars/Summer Research Opportunity programs and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program will represent MSU at the 2008 forum. Their names, hometowns, research titles and faculty mentors are listed below.

Ashlee Barnes, Detroit
“Origins of the Association between the Marital Relationship and Adolescent Delinquency,” S. Alexandra Burt, assistant professor of psychology, College of Social Science.

Clarence Greene, Lansing
“Grammar Evolved: Expanding the Concept of Grammar Student Researcher,” Marilyn Wilson, professor of English, and of writing, rhetoric and American cultures, College of Arts and Letters.

Shantel Hamilton, Okemos
“The Effect of Glucocorticoid on Fas Ligand Expression in Bovine Neutrophils,” Patricia Almeida, visiting research associate, College of Natural Science.

Kyle Mays, Lansing
“Structural Racism: A Perpetuation of Black Degradation,” Louise Jezierski, associate professor in the James Madison College.

Albert J. Rice, West Bloomfield
“The ‘Fair’ Trade Question: A Case Study on West Africa Cotton Farmers,” Rita Edozie, assistant professor in the James Madison College.

Sandrine Shanghai, Lowell
“The Role of Personality, Cognitive Ability, and Extracurricular Involvement in Academic Achievement,” Zach Hambrick, associate professor of psychology, College of Social Science.

Kimberly Turner, Detroit
“Exploring the Relationship between Family Structure and Recidivism in a Group of Juvenile Offenders,” William Davidson II, University Distinguished Professor of psychology, College of Social Science.

The forum allows undergraduate students to demonstrate the high quality of research being conducted through various programs (i.e. Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, Summer Research Opportunity Program and the National Science Foundation) at research universities in Michigan.

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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.