Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Awards (URCAA)

Michael J. Shaara Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award

Named in memory for former FSU Professor and author, Michael J. Shaara Jr., whose book on the Civil War, ''The Killer Angels,'' won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1975.

A native of Jersey City, N.J. and a graduate of Rutgers University, Mr. Shaara was an associate professor of English at Florida State University when he wrote his award-winning second novel. The book sought to re-create the battle of Gettysburg from the viewpoint of historical personages.

THE POWER OF MEMORY AND MANIPULATION IN ANGLO-NORMAN DURHAM: SYMEON, ST. CUTHBERT, AND DURHAM CATHEDRAL

MICHELLE L. SAUER,

SUPERVISING PROFESSOR: DR. PETER GARRETSON

Michelle Sauer is a senior at Florida State University majoring in History and English Literature with minors in Art History and Classics. Currently working on her honors thesis, she has been conducting research in medieval history under the supervision of Dr. Peter Garretson. Upon graduation, Michelle plans to continue her research and study of the Middle Ages by pursuing a Master’s degree at Durham University in the United Kingdom. Her career goal is to earn her Ph.D. in Medieval Studies and become a prominent researcher and professor of history.

David B. Ford Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award

Named for David B. Ford of New York, New York who is currently the President of DBF Associates, a private investment firm, and Senior Advisor to Gatemore Capital Management, LLC, a private wealth and institutional investment management firm.

MAPPING NEURAL NETWORKS IN APLYSIA CALIFORNICA USING HIGH FIELD MAGNETIC IMAGING

GRACE CHRZANOWSKI,

SUPERVISING PROFESSOR: DR. SAMUEL GRANT

Grace Chrzanowski is a senior in Chemical Engineering with a major in Biomedical Engineering and is very excited to be selected as an URCAA award winner. Grace has been involved in Dr. Samuel Grant’s lab since her sophomore year at both the College of Engineering and the National High Magnet Fields Laboratory conducting research focused on conduction and connectivity in neuronal systems analyzed by ultra-high magnetic fields. Upon graduation, Grace wants to attend higher-level education that incorporates medical research directly into the clinical setting.

Mentored Research and Creative Endeavors Awards (MRCE)

Scott and Ina McNichols Undergraduate Research Award

Named for Scott (B.S., 1996) and Ina (B.S., 1996).  McNichols.  Mr. McNichols is the President of the McNICHOLS Company which is North America’s leading supplier and fabricator of perforated metal, expanded metal, wire mesh, architectural metals and a variety of gratings products.

PULLING MY LEGS ALONG WITH MY EYES: PERFORMANCE RESEARCH BASED ON INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

LUKE EVANS,

SUPERVISING PROFESSOR: DR. DANIEL SACK

Luke Evans is a junior in the B.F.A. Acting program at FSU. In Tallahassee, he has worked in many different types of artistic pursuits including theatre, film, and performance art. Over the last year, Luke has been studying a particular discipline of performance art known as walking art, along with site-specific theatre in general. Luke intends to continue this research and expand it into an honors thesis over the next two years. After graduation, he hopes to continue to broaden his horizons and work in as many facets of the theatre and art worlds as possible.

Helen Louise Lee Undergraduate Research Award

The Helen Louise Lee Undergraduate Research Award was endowed in her memory by her son, Dr. James Lee (B.S., 1971). Helen Lee was a triple major graduate of Western Kentucky,  a teacher in Escambia and Okaloosa counties, and a strong advocate for education. She spent much time on the FSU campus as four of her sons graduated from Florida State.  She would be pleased to know that achieving research students were being recognized in her name.

DIFFUSION TENSOR IMAGING FOR MAPPING NEURAL NETWORKS

LAUREN GRIFFITH,

SUPERVISING PROFESSOR: DR. SAMUEL C. GRANT

Lauren Griffith, a Tallahassee resident, is in her senior year of the Biomedical-Chemical Engineering program. Since the beginning of the year, she has been conducting research under Dr. Samuel Grant at the College of Engineering. Upon graduation, Lauren would like to continue research in the biomedical-chemical engineering field while obtaining a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. Her career goal is to work in research and development in an industrial setting.

Phi Eta Sigma Undergraduate Research Award

Phi Eta Sigma is the nation's oldest and largest honor society for first-year college and university students in all disciplines.  In 2010 the Executive Council of Phi Eta Sigma dedicated funds to establish this award to honor a Phi Eta Sigma member to support undergraduate research.

TELEVISION'S EFFECT ON MATH AND READING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHILDREN

DANIELLE LUZ,

SUPERVISING PROFESSOR: DR. SARA HART

Danielle Luz is a junior at FSU getting her degree in Psychology and the Biological Sciences.  She has been working with Dr. Hart since the beginning of her sophomore year as part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, where she decided to continue her research throughout the rest of her college career.  She has enjoyed researching the effects of different factors on the development of children and hopes to use what she has learned while working in the medical field with children.  Danielle hopes to keep such research a part of her life by hopefully being successful enough to fund it herself.

John W. Day III Undergraduate Research Award

Named in honor of John W. Day III (B.S., 1965; M.S., 1966) by his wife Sally Day. Both are retired educators in Pinellas County, FL who have a long standing relationship with Florida State.  Mr. Day is also an avid history buff.

"THIS RELATIONSHIP IS A ROMANTIC ONE”: THE INFLUENCE OF OUTSIDE CULTURES ON NAVAJO WEAVING

VICTORIA SUNNERGREN,

SUPERVISING PROFESSOR: DR. KAREN BEAROR

Victoria Sunnergren is in her third year at Florida State University as an Art History and Religion double major, with a minor in Museum Studies. She completed research this summer In Arizona, working with native artists and traders to better understand influence in Navajo artwork. She will develop this research into an honors thesis in the coming semesters. Her career goals are to work with Native American art in a museum education field.__

Public Service Research Fellowship (PSRF) (3)

These awards are funded by the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the Garnet and Gold Scholars Society. The Public Service Research Fellowship (PSRF) offers undergraduates fellowships to engage in research that directly benefits community-based organizations, programs, and/or specific community groups in a domestic or international setting.

WATER FOR STUDENTS BY STUDENTS

COLE FRIEDES,

SUPERVISING PROFESSOR: DR. STEPHANIE ZUILKOWSKI

Cole Friedes is a junior at Florida State University majoring in Biochemistry. He is extremely interested in international aid, epigenetics, and public health. He is the President of the Tallahassee Chapter of Advocates for World Health, a non-profit based on redistributing medical supplies to impoverished areas and also the Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Team. He is also currently a Leader for FSU’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. His work in Ghana is his first international aid project. After graduation, he aims to pursue an M.D. /M.P.H. and work internationally, helping those who need pertinent medical care.

NUTRITION ASSESSMENT IN JODHPUR, INDIA

TAYLOR NEWMAN,

SUPERVISING PROFESSOR: PROF. WILLIAM CLAY

Taylor Newman, a Tallahassee native, is a senior majoring in Dietetics with an emphasis on International Nutrition. She has interned with NGOs such as the Big Bend Homeless Coalition, Feeding Children Everywhere, and FSU's Global Peace Exchange, with whom she spent two months volunteering in Nepal. Taylor hopes to get her Master’s degree in Dietetics at UC Davis before returning to Nepal with the Peace Corps on a food security and public health project. Her goal is to work for a non-profit where she can use her knowledge of nutrition to alleviate easily preventable diseases and malnutrition among impoverished populations.

THE HOUSING CRISIS

MARI KYLE

SUPERVISING PROFESSOR: PROF. JOELLE DIETRICK

Mari Kyle, a Japanese-American student double majoring in Studio Art and Advertising, is currently working on her honors thesis exploring the technicalities of virtual reality. Since the fall of 2013, she has been conducting research under Professor Joelle Dietrick on various projects ranging from the topics of home-insecurity in America to technology-based contemporary art. She hopes to expand her project entitled The Housing Crisis to other cities while she pursues her studies at FSU. Upon graduation, Mari would like to bring her research and art abroad to work for international video game designers such as Bethesda Softworks and LionHead Studios.

Social Work Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Awards (SWURCAA)

These awards are funded by the College of Social Work and foster directed research and creative opportunities for undergraduate students in the field of social work at FSU.

EXPAND PERU CASA DE BEBES: A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF A CHILDCARE PROGRAM IN RURAL PERU

LINDSAY GREENE,

 SUPERVISING PROFESSOR: DR. NEIL ABELL

Lindsay Greene, a resident of Jupiter, Florida, will be graduating spring 2015 with degrees in Social Work and International Affairs. Under the guidance of Dr. Neil Abell of the College of Social Work, she has been developing her interests in Social Work through various research and volunteer opportunities. Upon graduation, Lindsay plans to continue her Social Work education by earning a Master's degree in the field. Her future aspirations are to work in a capacity that will allow her to engage with culturally diverse populations and help to develop solutions to current and projected problems that they may face.

ACC Collaborative Summer Research Award

The ACC Collaborative Summer Research Award offers one undergraduate student the opportunity to travel and conduct research under the mentorship of a faculty member at another ACC university. The award's aim is to improve collaboration between ACC institutions.

MECHANOCHEMICAL STRENGTHENING OF BENZOCYCLOBUTENE POLYMER

ILYA PISKUN,

SUPERVISING PROFESSOR: DR. STEPHEN CRAIG, DUKE UNIVERSITY, & DR. IGOR ALABUGIN,

Ilya Piskun is a senior majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Physics and Mathematics. His current research interests are centered around organic and physical chemistry. After working with Dr. Igor Alabugin at FSU and Dr. Stephen Craig at Duke University, Ilya has gained a lot of experience in organic chemistry procedures, polymer synthesis, and chemical analysis. He will be applying to Graduate School this fall, where he plans to work on physical explanations of chemical reactivity, light-induced chemistry, and advancement of scientific education.