Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase Proceedings
Vol. 5 (2023)

The Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase is an annual event where students from across the University present original research and scholarly projects in the form of poster, podium, and virtual presentations. It is also a celebratory event, where many students are recognized for Excellence in Research Communication and many project advisors are recognized for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship.


This year, 465 students from 25 majors presented 309 projects in the form of:



  • 72 pre-recorded video presentations

  • 24 in-person podium presentations

  • 206 in-person poster presentations

  • 7  virtual Capstone Competition presentations


Artifacts from 130 of these presentations can be found in the Proceedings, 33 of which were awarded for Excellence in Research Communication.


Items Published in this Proceedings


In addition to project titles and abstracts, submissions include posters, essays, links to video presentations and more. Presentations are organized into the categories listed below.


Because several projects address topics that fit into more than one category, the search bar is provided to help locate specific projects.   



  • Community & Cultural Connections

  • Digital Futures

  • Ecosystems & Biodiversity

  • Educational Interventions

  • Electrical, Chemical, & Cellular Worlds

  • Exploring the Beyond

  • Grief & Mental Health

  • Health & Body

  • Homelessness & Housing Insecurity

  • Innovation & Access

  • Medical Frontiers

  • Medical Innovations

  • Mental Health & Human Behavior

  • Mitigating & Curing Cancer

  • Mobility & Organization

  • Race, Reproduction, Global Culture, & Diversity

  • Sensing, Perception, & Sensory Technology

  • Society and (In)Justice

  • Social Services, Healthcare, & Education

  • The Impact of the Foster Care System

  • The Natural World

  • Trauma, Abuse, Substance Use, & Carceral Systems

  • Who We Are, What We Create, What We Leave Behind

  • You, Me, & Our Experiences


  


 

2020: Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase Proceedings (Fall 2020)
Vol. 2 No. 1 (2020)

The 2020 Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase was cancelled due to the stay-at-home order issued by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of the cancellation, 445 students from 37 majors had registered to present projects; 100 UC personnel and 65 employer partners had registered to evaluate presentations. Although the students were unable to present their work in-person, they were encouraged to submit artifacts of their work (e.g., abstracts, posters, slide decks, essays) for publication in the Proceedings.


Within this issue readers will find a digital record of 178 projects produced by 300+ students representing arts, humanities, sciences, and technical disciplines. In addition to submitting projects, 119 students submitted nominations for their project advisors to be awarded for Excellence in Research Mentoring. It is my pleasure to recognize the following awardees:



  • Michael Sharp, Experience-based Learning and Career Education
Keshar Ghimire, Business and Economics, UCBA

  • 
Julio Landero, Chemistry, A&S
Joshua Benoit, Biology, A&S

  • 
Guy-Lucian Whembolua, Psychology & Africana Studies, A&S


  • Carolyn Smith, Nursing
Armaghan Ziaee, Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies, A&S


  • Andy Villemez, Keyboard Studies, CCM


Thank you all for your contributions to research and scholarship. I hope you enjoy the Proceedings.

2022: Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase Proceedings
Vol. 4 No. 1 (2022)

The Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase is an annual event where students from across the University share their scholarly work in the form of poster, podium, and virtual presentations. At this multidisciplinary event, students are instructed and coached to develop presentations for audiences of all backgrounds and expertise. The 2022 Showcase was a hybrid event, consisting of both virtual and in-person presentations, including pre-recorded Video Presentations, in-person Podium Presentations, in-person Poster Presentations, and a virtual Capstone Competition.  Seven University of Cincinnati faculty members were awarded Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship. 


Artifacts from 129 projects are published in this Showcase Proceedings. In addition to project titles and abstracts, submissions include posters, essays, links to video presentations and more. Because of the large number of submissions, the projects are separated into 12 categories: 



  • Cellular & Chemical Worlds

  • Community & Cultural Connections

  • Digital Futures

  • Ecosystems & Biodiversity

  • Health & Body

  • Medical interventions

  • Natural World

  • New Frontiers

  • Sensing & Sensory Sytems

  • Stress, Trauma, & Addiction

  • Systemic Challenges

  • Youth in Society


Notes regarding the Capstone Competition, Pre-recorded Presentations, and Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring are located at the bottom of the page.


Because several projects address topics that fit into more than one category, the search bar is provided to help locate specific projects.    


 

2019: Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase Proceedings (Spring 2019)
Vol. 1 No. 2 (2019)

The Proceedings captures projects presented at UC’s Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase. The Showcase is a one-day event where hundreds of students from across the university present new knowledge and innovation produced through scholarly process. Students with permission from their project advisor may submit abstracts, posters, slide decks, and other materials for publication.

2021: Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase Proceedings
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2021)

The 2021 Showcase was held virtually due to on-going social distancing restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The event featured Pre-Recorded Presentations with opportunity for certificate award; a Capstone Competition with opportunity for monetary award; Faculty/Staff Awards for Excellence in Research Mentoring; and the opportunity to publish items in this Proceedings.


Items Published in this Proceedings


Artifacts from one-hundred-sixty-four (164) projects are published in the 2021 Showcase Proceedings. In addition to Project titles and abstracts, many students submitted posters, essays, links to video presentations and more. Because of the large number of submissions, the projects are separated into 8 categories:



  • Social (In)Justice

  • New Frontiers

  • Health and Well-Being

  • COVID-19 Impacts and Innovations

  • Design Matters

  • Teaching and Learning

  • The Natural World

  • Preparing and Sustaining Nursing Professionals


Because several projects address topics that fit into more than one category, the search bar is provided to help locate specific projects.


Notes Regarding the 2021 Capstone Competition


Thirteen (13) students representing 8 majors participated in this live, online event on Friday, April 16, 2021 from 11 am – 12 pm (AM Session ) and 1 pm – 2 pm (PM Session). Presenters were instructed to communicate their capstone purpose, process, and outcome in just 3 minutes, using just one static slide. A panel of judges evaluated presentations in both sessions and selected 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.


Judges



  • Prof. Lauren Tate, Assistant Prof., Art History, DAAP (Captain, AM & PM)

  • Dr. Littisha A. Bates, Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Community Partnerships and Associate Prof., Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences (AM)

  • Dr. Mohamed Elwakil, Assistant Prof., Computer Science, UC Blue Ash (AM)

  • Dr. Steve Matter, Associate Prof., Biology, College of Arts and Sciences (AM)

  • Mr. Rickey Terrell, Program Manager of Innovations and Community Partnerships, College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (AM & PM)

  • Dr. Rita Kumar, Executive Director, Faculty Enrichment Center (AM & PM)

  • Dr. Jane Strasser, Senior Associate Vice President for Research, U. Cincinnati (PM)

  • Dr. Julio Landero, Assistant Prof., Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences (PM)

  • Dr. Jack Kues, Associate Dean for Research Evaluation, College of Medicine (PM)


First Place Winners



  • Joyce Ghali, Biochemistry: Advances in Analytical Techniques: Measuring Glucose Uptake in Mammalian Cells Using Atomic Mass Spectrometry

  • Easton Phillips, History: The Troubled Memory of the Underground Railroad: Mythmaking and Propaganda within the History We Teach


Second Place Winners



  • Chloe Boehmer, Biological Sciences: Validating Biomarkers for Use in Predicting Abiraterone Resistance in Prostate Cancer

  • Anna Sensel, History: The Antislavery Crusade: The Question of Slavery within a Presbyterian Church in the 1830s-1840s.


Third Place Winners



  • Oluwadamilola “Dami” Omojola, Medical Sciences: Experimental Drug Reduces Pediatric Brain Cancer Growth in Tissue Culture

  • Lily Stewart, History: The Legacy of Christian R. Holmes: A New Hospital, Medical Education, and Ethical Implications in Cincinnati


Notes Regarding Pre-Recorded Presentations


Three-hundred-twenty-six (326) students representing 26 majors presented 188 videos. Ninety-five (95) students presented as individuals; 93 students presented in groups of 2 or 3. Two-hundred (205) faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students participated as reviewers. Reviewer scores and feedback from faculty, staff, and graduate students resulted in 47 presentations qualifying for an Excellence in Research Communication award.


Notes Regarding Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring


Each year, students have the opportunity to nominate their project advisor for an award when they register to present at the Showcase. Awardees are selected based on the quality and quantity of nominations, with no more than one person from the same department awarded in a single year. This year, 57 nominations were submitted, and the following 8 project advisors were awarded:



  • Dr. Valerie Anderson, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services

  • Dr. Lisa Beckelhimer, Professor of English and Comparative Literature, College of Arts and Sciences

  • Mr. Ronald Canterbury, Associate Academic Director and Professional Ornithologist in Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences

  • Dr. Helen Jones, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Surgery, College of Medicine

  • Dr. Heidi Kloos, Associate Professor of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences

  • Dr. Andrew Lewis, Associate Professor of Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences

  • Dr. Matthew Robson, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy

  • Dr. Anjanette Wells, Assistant Professor of Social Work, College of Allied Health Sciences


Congratulations to all of the presenters, advisors, and award winners for their scholarly accomplishments!