Over 125 exhibits of research and creativity by Worcester State College students and faculty will be on display at the third annual Celebration of Scholarship and Creativity, Wednesday, April 28, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., in the gym. The annual student art show will also be open for viewing in the gallery on the first floor of the Ghosh Science and Technology Center. “Our faculty work very hard to engage our undergraduate and graduate students in rigorous research and a wide array of creative projects,’ said Worcester State College President Janelle Ashley. “It is a real hallmark of the Worcester State College experience,” she said.
Some of the presentations will include:
- Three projects feature the work of students in Professor Brad Bryan’s classes. These projects build upon cancer research the students began last year. The projects include working to block blood vessel formation to starve tumors and the use of Rho kinaise proteins.
- Students working with Professors Peter Bradley and Adrienne Smyth are studying a 5m core of peat from Poutwater Pond in Holden. They examined pollen grains and fluctuations in pH and climate at the site over the last 8,500 years.
- Students working with Professor Bonnie Orcutt studied ways to draw the “unbanked” into the banking system. The project provided insight into why some populations under-utilize financial services available to them.
- Professor Stephanie Chalukpa studied the positive impact Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid has on preventing cardiovascular disease and also the use of aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease.
- Students working with Stephen Healy studied the sustainable future of food by examining modern food production and small scale local organic farming.
- Students working with Professor Allison Dunn studied carbon dynamics and the impact of the recent ice storm on the Harvard Forest.
- Students working with Professor Stephen Healy examined the benefits of converting the Worcester Airport into a wind farm.
- Students working with Professor Jolinda Smith studied cell phone use while driving among Worcester State College students.
- Ever wonder how “green” your household cleaners are? Tests were conducted on several readily available household cleaners to validate their “green” claims.
Students and faculty members will be available to discuss these and many other projects.
The event is free and open to the public.