Eight Austin Peay students present their undergraduate research at Posters at the Capitol
On Wednesday, Feb. 15, undergraduate STEM researchers from around the state gathered at the State Capitol for the annual Posters at the Capitol event.
Among them were several exceptional students from the APSU College of STEM who had the opportunity to showcase their research to state officials, including Gov. Bill Lee, Sen. Bill Powers and Rep. Jeff Burkhart. Notably, APSU President Mike Licari and Provost Maria Cronley also attended the event in support of the university's talented scholars.
Posters at the Capitol is an annual event where undergraduate students studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) from universities across Tennessee share their research projects with state lawmakers at the State Capitol building in Nashville. The event is an opportunity for students to display their research and engage with policymakers, giving them a chance to showcase the significant impact of their work on the state鈥檚 economy and future.
This year, eight Austin Peay students attended the event. They are:
Samantha Deems
The title of Deems鈥 poster is 鈥淢ath Manipulatives for Special Education Students,鈥 and her research was made possible through a $1,000 grant from the Tennessee Mathematics Teachers Association.
She worked with Dr. Marylu Dalton, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Deems is a junior majoring in elementary education with a minor in professional education.
She plans to become an elementary school teacher in Dickson, Tennessee. She plans to earn her master鈥檚 degree and other higher-level degrees.
鈥淭his experience was the best experience I have had,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 got to share my love for teaching and show people the importance of math manipulatives and any other manipulatives in other subjects for special education students.鈥
Yuriy Holovchak
Holovchak, a sophomore double majoring in engineering physics and computer science, presented his research on 鈥淪pecial Glasses for Integrated Photonic and Electronic Platforms.鈥
Posters at the Capitol allowed Holovchak to showcase his work to a wider audience, including state legislators and members of the public.
鈥淚nstead of explaining my research in the usual scientific way, I had to delve deeper into the specifics about why my research was important and how it could bring a lasting impact into today鈥檚 society,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his was my first-ever attempt at looking at the broader scope of my work and explaining how my research would benefit the general public, instead of just the scientific community.鈥
Through this experience, Holovchak gained valuable skills in communicating research to people of different educational backgrounds.
鈥淏ecause of this experience, I believe that I can more clearly see the vision that researchers have in mind when they attempt to discover technology that would make modern machines more efficient and effective,鈥 he said.
Holovchak plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Physics and work with quantum technology firms before establishing his own quantum technology company. He worked on the research with Drs. Roman Golovchak and Andriy Kovalskiy, professors in Austin Peay's Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy.
Destiny Mathews
Mathews presented a poster, titled 鈥淧hoto-Induced Structural Changes of Germanium-Based Thin Films,鈥 showcased the research she conducted with her fellow APSU student, Peyton Simpson, and APSU chemistry professor Dr. Carrie Brennan.
The poster also highlighted the research they conducted in the Czech Republic last summer as part of an International Research Experience for Students-supported trip, where they collaborated with European universities to advance their research.
Mathews is a junior majoring in chemistry and aspires to obtain a Ph.D. in environmental chemistry while working in environmental materials research.
鈥淎s someone passionate about environmental causes, it's encouraging to know that we, as students, can engage with legislators and make a difference,鈥 Mathews said.
This summer, Mathews will travel to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a 10-week Research Experiences for Undergraduates in the Chemistry of Materials for Renewable Energy Program.
Chloe Hemmelgarn
Hemmelgarn, a junior majoring in biology, presented her poster, titled 鈥淯nderstanding Forensic Science Through a Statistical Lens,鈥 showcases her collaboration with Dr. Ramanjit K. Sahi, a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
鈥淎fter I graduate, I hope to get into med school and become a forensic pathologist,鈥 she said. 鈥淭his experience has impacted me by providing an opportunity to further my knowledge of how to present at these types of events.鈥
Michael Truax
Truax, a senior majoring in biology, presented his poster, titled 鈥淔iber Evanescence Wave Spectroscopy Application in Fabry鈥檚 Disease Diagnosis,鈥 showcases his collaboration with the University of Rzeszow in Poland during last summer鈥檚 International Research Experience for Students in Europe.
He hopes to attend medical school.
鈥淭his experience let me show the bigwigs running the state just what cool research we get to do and the advances that the leaders of tomorrow are making in scientific fields,鈥 he said.
April Torres
Torres presented a poster titled 鈥淒escriptive Analysis of Puerto Rico鈥檚 Excess Mortality after Hurricane Maria鈥 at Posters at the Capitol.
Torres is a first-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science and Quantitative Methods with a concentration in mathematical finance. Torres worked with Sahi.
鈥淢y goal is to get out of my comfort zone by exploring the financial world and engage in my passion to help others,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he experience provided me a chance to engage with fellow students about their research while providing a chance to engage with legislators.鈥
Amber King
King presented a poster titled 鈥淧erformance Measurement of Real Estate Mutual Funds鈥
at Posters at the Capitol. King worked with Sahi.
King is a first-year mathematics major with a concentration in actuarial science and
plans to work as an actuary as she finishes her Society of Actuaries Associate certification.
鈥淚 love finance math because it鈥檚 seen everywhere and so is its impact,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he capitol is a hub for this activity at the government level, which is amazing to see.鈥
Dairian Boddy
Boddy presented a poster titled 鈥淎 Newly Documented Zinc Vein Near Russellville, Kentucky: Implications for Critical Metals Across Central TN and KY.鈥
Boddy is a senior who graduates in the spring of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology. He intends to go to graduate school with a focus on volcanology.
鈥淚 was able to use what I have learned over the last 3-4 years to explain my research to an audience that knows next to nothing about geology,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he fact that I was able to describe my work accurately and confidently in a way that someone who knows nothing about my field, as well as maintain their interest, was both a rewarding and uplifting experience.
鈥淭his experience is something that I will look back at for the rest of my life with a feeling of accomplishment, if I could do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.鈥
News Feed
View All News
Austin Peay State University has installed "Cracked Earth," a new outdoor public sculpture by artist Araan Schmidt, on the campus's Arts Quad as part of an initiative to transform the university into a public sculpture park.
Read More
Austin Peay's GIS Center and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics have signed a historic 10-year Intergovernmental Support Agreement with Fort Campbell to study the military installation's economic impact on the region.
Read More
Dr. Madeline Giefer, a professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Dr. Catherine Haase, a professor in the Department of Biology, will present "Sharing the Shore: Gal谩pagos Sea Lions Amid Human Encroachment," highlighting the work the duo have embarked upon in the Gal谩pagos Islands studying sea lion habitats.
Read More