Abigail Derkson/ Winonan
After months of research, students finally had a chance to show the results of their hard work at the eighth annual Judith Ramaley Celebration of Research and Creative Scholarship on April 16.
At this year’s event, there were more than one hundred students who showcased their work. Split up into two sections, members from the Winona State University community could walk around East Hall in Kryzsko, view students’ posters and speak with the student researchers about their hard work.
Ashley Richardson, a psychology student, felt a sense of accomplishment at the event. Since October, Richardson had been researching Type 1 diabetes, looking into how people with Type 1 diabetes could feel less stigmatized.
Being a Type 1 diabetic, Richardson felt a personal connection with her research.
“There are so many struggles when you grow up,” she said, stressing the importance of being aware.
“So many people were willing to help and were interested in the results,” Richardson said.
Her results found individuals should see themselves with a “self as doer identity.” The more individuals keep up on their self care behaviors, the more they will see it as part of their identity and the less stigmatized they may feel, Richardson said.
Other posters and research included a wide range of topics.
Chemistry student Kayla Kuhlman researched waste water treatment with the purpose being to develop a method that would help remove pharmaceuticals like ibuprofen from the water.
“I thought it would be easy,” Kuhlman said, “but there are so many problems that can come up. I thought I would be further in my research, but I’m happy with the results.”
Kuhlman’s study was successful for what she wanted to accomplish, but more work is needed.
Kuhlman’s research is only in the very preliminary stages, and while she is graduating this spring, she hopes the research will continue.
While many of the posters showcased research, other posters tried to raise awareness. Jenny Heger, Kate Harsevoort, Kelsey Thoeny and Brooke Piotrowski told a photographic story about human trafficking as their poster.
Minnesota is the 13th state in the country with the most problems regarding human trafficking, the group said they had learned.
“This is not just in movies or in far-away places but in our own backyard,” Piotrowski said.
Through the use of five pictures, they told a story about what people experience from these types of situations, wanting to raise awareness about the issue. The group partnered with various organizations and looked into policies regarding human trafficking.
“It’s a big issue that impacts our state,” Harsevoort said. “It’s made me more aware.”
The event also included three oral presentations, including a talk on Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, a discussion on coping for siblings of individuals diagnosed with Smith-Magenis, Williams and Down Syndrome and a talk on female education in the late eighteenth century.
Hannah Nickelson, who presented her paper on female education in the Romantic Era, found the event rewarding.
“This was the most professional venue I’ve submitted my research and opinions,” she said.
Ultimately Nickelson had to condense a fifteen-page paper to fit into twenty minutes.
At the end of the oral presentations, the students and audience members connected all of the presentations together.
“It was cool to see how there are some universal ideas that cut across all fields,” Nickelson said.
