Winners of GSC Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium Represent Multiple Local Counties
By Karolina Philmon, GSC Marketing Manager
On Friday, April 14, Gordon State College hosted its annual Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS) in-person at the GSC Collaborative Learning Center in the Nursing, Health, and Natural Sciences (NAHS) building.
The annual symposium event invited the submission of scholarly papers in all disciplines. GSC student works of critical analysis, synthesis, evidence-based practice, original interpretation and primary research were eligible submission options. Chosen applicants presented their work in either a poster or podium presentation at a gathering of fellow students, faculty and family.
This year’s podium presentation winners included William Godat of Spalding County on his podium presentation titled, “Natural Parks in the Literature and Subconscious of the American Gilded and Progressive Ages,” and Riki Joiner-Rider on her podium presentation titled, “Finding the Light.”
"I am incredibly honored to be one of the two winners of the 2023 Gordon State College Undergraduate Research Symposium. Everybody who presented research was amazing and I learned a lot from this experience,” Godat said. “My project was heavily influenced by my love of classic American literature and the American National Park System.”
Runners-up included Sarah Jones of Pike County on her podium presentation titled, “A Comparison of COVID-19 to the Spanish Flu Epidemic,” and Elizabeth R. Hill of Pike County on her podium presentation titled, “Return to Paradise: An Exploration of Eve as a Protagonist in British Literature.”
Hill, originally from Henry County, said that she did not choose her topic of presentation, but rather answered the call to speak about it.
“I believe that Eve chose me. Every woman I have talked to shares this same sort of ancient, inherited wrath from the ages of injustice and sexism. Eve, of all women, is the first to know this anger. I am her spokesperson, and thus the spokesperson for all women. My research is based on the purest feministic belief in equality of the sexes,” Hill said.
Poster presentation winners included Shelby Peters of Pike County and Viondra Payton with their poster presentation titled, “Adverse Childhood Experiences at Gordon State College.”
Runners-up included Trace Scott with his poster presentation titled, “Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Gordon State College Students,” and Katelyn Fowler of Henry County partnered with Kiara Mitchell of Henry County on their poster presentation titled, “Development of Myoglobin Concentration in Manatee Calves.”
“The experience was absolutely amazing! I was very nervous and frightened, but would definitely present at another symposium,” Mitchell said.
Fowler encouraged every undergraduate student to experience and/or be a part of a research symposium.
"Whether one presents or attends a presentation, it is an experience that will open your mind to different avenues of analytical thinking. It is truly an experience like no other," Fowler said.
Faculty provided research assistance to students by serving as advisors or mentors.
Godat’s advisor was GSC Professor of English Dr. Doug Davis. His presentation focused on the history of environmentalism and how, according to Godat’s research, the literary movements of romanticism, naturalism, and realism directly contributed to the growing movement of environmentalism in the United States. Dr. A. Burstein, GSC professor of business was Joiner-Rider’s faculty mentor in which her presentation discussed a genre called dystopian literature that explored the darker sides of humanity and depicted a state of the world in which society is in decline.
Joiner-Rider said she was honored of the opportunity in being a part of the symposium and hopes to continue her research when she starts graduate education this upcoming fall.
“I still can't believe my research in dystopian literature won best podium presentation. All of my colleagues’ research was brilliant; I was humbled to have presented my work alongside them. I couldn't have done my research without the counsel of the professors who supported my research, so I would like to thank Dr. Burstein for his continuous encouragement and mentorship, Dr. Davis for the advice and fantastic resources he provided, and of course, the amazing faculty behind this program,” Joiner-Rider said.
GSC Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Jessica Traylor was the faculty mentor in Peters’ and Payton’s research on the effects of GSC students from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their coping strategies.
“Again this year, the undergraduate researchers at our URS were superb! They have shown a dedication to their studies that is admirable and contributed unique insights to a great body of academic knowledge. We had presentations representing a variety of disciplines. The judges had an epic task of deciding the winners!” said GSC Professor of Biology and Coordinator of Undergraduate Research, Dr. Amanda L. J. Duffus.
Other podium presenters included: Aastha Jaiswal, “pH Meter Testing: Evaluating Label Claims of Common Alkaline Water Brands,” with Dr. Cristina Fermin-Ennis, GSC professor of chemistry as a faculty advisor, and Duffus as mentor; Jerica Jenkins, “An Exploration of the Modern Day Gardening Boom,” with Burstein as a faculty advisor; and Michael Sanders, “Shrek and Subversive Storytelling,” with Dr. Jane-Marie McKinney, GSC associate professor of psychology as faculty mentor.
Additional poster presenters included: Zakiya Davenport, “Studying Local Adaptations in Ranaviruses Using the Afflicted Ambystoma tigrinum as a Model,” with Duffus as a faculty mentor; Fowler, “Adaptations of Ambystoma tigrinum virus in Western North American Amphibian Populations,” with Duffus as a faculty mentor; Ashley Hyde, “Using the Ambystoma tigrinum virus as a Model to Search for Signals of Local Adaptation in Ranaviruses,” with Duffus as a faculty mentor; and Jaiswal along with Mary Macias and Andru Scray with Dr. Cori Newton, GSC associate professor of biology, as a faculty mentor for their presentation titled, “Characterization of the Locomotor Muscle Myoglobin Concentration of the Florida Manatee.”
The URS is one way GSC instills The Highlander EDGE- Engaged Leaders, Dedicated Scholars, Gifted Communicators, and Ethical Leaders. It’s an opportunity for students to share their intellectual efforts with the Highlander Nation and present their accomplishments to a receptive audience.
Dr. Duffus thanked GSC Dean of Business Dr. Barry Kicklighter, GSC Dean of the School of Nursing, Health and Natural Sciences, as well as Professor of Chemistry Dr. Victor H. Vilchiz, GSC President Dr. Kirk A. Nooks, GSC Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. J. Ardovini, the judges, the faculty mentors and the URS committee for their support.
The URS committee consists of: Dr. Burstein; Dr. David Janssen, GSC professor of English; Dr. John George, GSC professor of mathematics; Dr. Stephen Powers, GSC professor of English; Dr. J. Jones, GSC professor of education; and Melanie Mertz, GSC assistant professor of nursing.