Workforce Development News
April 18, 2016
Week-long Celebration of USU's Research Excellence
Utah State University Research Week 2016 featured iUTAH researchers and graduate students Kshitij Parajuli, Elizabeth Ogata, and Enjie Li. Talks and poster presentations by USU undergraduates and former iUTAH iFellows include Viviane Baji, Matthew Barnett, Jesse Fleri, and Josh Gathro. The Office of Research and Graduate Studies hosts a series of events annually in April, showcasing exceptional research and researchers at USU.
The final event on the Research Week calendar, Ignite USU, is an atypical lecture series where nine graduate and undergraduate students, “enlighten us, but make it quick.” Students share the stories behind their research and what drives their success in five minute talks with presentation slides advancing every 15 seconds. Enjie Li, doctoral student in the Department of Environment & Society, opened the Ignite USU series with her talk “Happy Baby, Frustrated Collaborator.”
Press: Utah State Today | USU Statesman | The Herald Journal
April 4, 2016
Former iFellow Sean Bedingfield receives prestigious NSF fellowship
Sean Bedingfield was one of twelve Utah State University scholars selected for a 2016 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. In 2013, Sean participated in iUTAH’s iFellows program, which places undergraduate students in the labs of iUTAH project scientists to gain first-hand research experience. He worked directly with iUTAH mentors David Rosenberg and Ryan Dupont, both of USU, during his 11-week program
“The discussions in our iFellows meetings gave me confidence in pursuing a graduate degree,” said Bedingfield, adding “iUTAH was my first experience with collaboration ...I have made collaboration a huge part of my graduate studies.”
Bedingfield, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biological engineering from USU in 2014, conducted research on producing biofuel from algae. Nowadays, he is designing biomaterials using antibodies, peptides and environment-responsive polymers to enable targeted, intracellular drug delivery. These delivery systems are intended to improve use of existing drugs and enable them to reach targets currently considered “undruggable.” Bedingfield is currently pursuing graduate work in Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University.
March 17, 2016
iUTAH Institute takes teachers, students back to Salt Lake City
The iUTAH Summer Research Institute will return to the Red Butte Creek watershed for five days, starting July 11, 2016. Beginning in 2013, the Institute has encouraged an interest in water science by including high school students, teachers, and undergraduates in iUTAH-related research projects. Each year, the program has traveled to different research sites, institutions, and watersheds, including Red Butte Creek, the Logan River, and the Provo River.
Led by faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers, participants become involved with iUTAH-related research in each watershed. Past lessons include learning about vegetation, stream health, stormwater management, computer modeling, views on water issues, and the effects of insects on forest hydrology.
In addition to this multidisciplinary focus, participants learn how to analyze and interpret data, and present their findings through a poster shared at the annual iUTAH Symposium. Coordinators Louisa Stark, University of Utah professor, and Molly Malone, both of the University of Utah’s Genetic Science Learning Center, use the information gathered at the Institute to create curriculum for teachers. This resource for Utah educators is available online, and updated after each program ends.
Throughout the program’s three-year history, the Institute has engaged 23 high school students, 22 undergraduate students, and 24 secondary education teachers. Surveys of student participants confirm an increased interest in pursuing scientific careers. Teachers say that the themes, research, and experiences will impact their future classroom lessons.
Thanks to the leadership of Louisa Stark and Molly Malone, and the dedication of iUTAH researchers, the Institute is moving into another promising year of water science exploration. With the program’s return to Red Butte Creek, participants will dive into new research at the watershed, engage in near-peer mentorship, and gain new tools and inspiration to continue pursuing science education in their own. Applications for the upcoming iUTAH Summer Research Institution are now being accepted online through May 1, 2016.
March 15, 2016
Humans of USU: Student dives into water-shortage research
iUTAH 2015 iFellow Viviane Baji was featured in an conversational article in The Utah Statesman. Here’s an excerpt:
“I guess water is kind of my thing,” said Viviane Baji, a senior student researcher at Utah State University. This summer, Baji collected research as an iFellow for the innovative Urban Transitions and Aridregion Hydro-sustainability (iUTAH) program. iUTAH is a five-year interdisciplinary research program studying Utah’s water’s future sustainability.
Baji presented her iFellow data analysis at the State Capitol in January and will be presenting again at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Asheville, North Carolina. A Logan native, Baji is majoring in Environmental and Natural Resources Economics. She also serves as the Environment and Natural Resource club president this year. The Statesman chatted with Baji about her research conclusions and her experiences as a student researcher.
March 1, 2016
2015 iFellow Matt Barnett featured on the USU RGS website
Last year’s iUTAH iFellows have been busy presenting their water-related research findings these past few weeks at various state venues. USU’s Matthew Barnett of Blanding, Utah was featured on the Utah State University Office of Research and Graduate Studies website for his presentation of research at Utah’s Capitol. Here’s an excerpt from that article:
USU’s Matthew Barnett of Blanding, Utah presented his research on links between outdoor recreation and environmental concerns among Utahns. The Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology student found that those engaged in water recreation — fishing, boating, etc… — viewed actions to conserve Utah water more positively than those who do not.
With the state’s population expected to double in the next fifty years, Barnett said his research will be instrumental in the planning and preparation for Utah’s present and future water challenges, giving the state “a better shot at meeting our goals for sustainability.”
“By understanding the social processes that drive people’s perceptions about water, it contributes to a body of knowledge and a well-informed public, leading to well-directed education initiatives,” he said.
