News Article

15 undergraduate student researchers participated in the 2017 iFellows program

The iFellows program is an 11-week research experience program for undergraduates. For the past five years,  a large number of students apply in early spring from universities across Utah for the opportunity to spend the summer doing water research with faculty members from Utah State University, the University of Utah, and Brigham Young University.

This year, 15 undergraduates from across the state were selected, and have spent the last 10 weeks doing water research in connection with the iUTAH project. Their experiences included fieldwork, research, and analysis. Working with faculty and student mentors, these students learned about the challenges and solutions needed to sustain the state’s water supply over the next few decades.

The iFellow students have chronicled their work online in weekly recaps. Below is a list of this year’s iFellow undergraduate researchers along with hometown, current institution, and iUTAH faculty mentor:

• Chase Beyer - Morton, WA, Westminster College, with Ryan Dupont, USU & Joan McLean, USU
• Lindsay Capito - Kamas, UT, Utah State University, with Sarah Null, USU
• Maggie England - Blackfoot, ID, Weber State University, with Michelle Baker, USU
• Christian Ford - Sandy, UT, Salt Lake Community College, with David Rosenberg, USU
• Michael Fowles - Ogden, UT, Weber State University, with Sarah Null, USU
• Emily Jorgensen - Alpine, UT, Brigham Young University, with Mark Brunson, USU
• Andrew Luymes - Pasadena, CA, Brigham Young University, with Greg Carling, BYU
• Rosanise Odell - Salt Lake City, UT, Westminster College, with William Anderegg, UU
• Gabrielle Regenhardt - Honolulu, HI, University of Utah, with Brenda Bowen, UU
• Agatha Roese - Kailua, HI, Utah State University - Eastern-Price, with Zach Aanderud, BYU
• Eric Shipp - San Francisco, CA, Brigham Young University, with Zach Aanderud, BYU
• Jared Stewart - Millcreek, UT, University of Utah, with Peter Howe, USU
• Arin Towns - Virginia Beach, VA, Utah State University, with Janice Brahney & Bethany Neilson, USU
• Conor Tyson - Milpitas, CA, Utah State University, with Ryan Dupont, USU & Joan McLean, USU
• Desiree Wickwar - Fort Collins, CO, Westminster College, with Michelle Baker, USU

“We have a great group of engaged and eager iFellows this summer,” says Ellen Eiriksson, iUTAH Education, Outreach and Diversity Coordinator. “ In addition to building and expanding skills in research and data analysis throughout their time in the program, our hope is that iFellows become stronger science communicators.”

In addition to posting weekly updates on their research experience, each student develops multiple research products to present. Students will present their findings individually during a conference on the University of Utah campus, on Wed. July 26.