Five Students Receive Grants to Work on Research Projects with Faculty Mentors

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—°®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ awarded Summer Scholar Fellowships to five students this year. Through the program, they conduct original research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Fellows are awarded room and board during a five-week summer term to complete their fellowship and receive a $500 stipend. They are required to present or publish the project by the end of next year.

In the first summer session, Caleb Hill, a biochemistry major, studied evolutionary changes in the Arcidae family of clams. Professor of paleontology Dr. David Campbell was his mentor. â€śBy closely examining and comparing the DNA sequences of these organisms, we aimed to identify clear genetic markers that distinguish one species from another,” Hill assessed. “I chose to pursue this research opportunity because conducting research is what I ultimately hope to do in my future career. My long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. and work in a research-focused role where I can contribute to meaningful scientific discoveries. I know that gaining hands-on research experience now is one of the most important steps I can take to prepare myself for the rigorous demands of a doctoral program.”

Jada Pittman worked with Associate Professor of biology Dr. Meredith Rowe to understand how redlight therapy supports the body’s natural healing processes. “Redlight therapy is becoming more popular, but many people still don’t fully understand how it works or how it compares to traditional treatments,” Pittman observed. “I’m curious about the science behind it and whether it can truly help people heal faster or feel better with fewer side effects.”

Pittman shared that working on the project helped her sharpen her research skills. She added, “I also learned that research often raises new questions as you go along, and it’s important to stay flexible and curious.”

McCoy Stowe was also on campus to explore alternatives to traditional chemotherapeutics. Rowe also served as his faculty mentor. He was inspired by personal experiences with loved ones and the financial barriers of cancer treatment. “I sought options that were affordable, non-synthetic, and translatable to clinical oncology,” Stowe offered. “What began as a broad review has now evolved into an investigation of a nanoparticle-based delivery system for dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a plant-derived pro-oxidant compound with strong cytotoxic behaviors.”

Stowe stated that the initial goal is to execute experiments that test the cytotoxicity of DHA in his chosen model. “The study will then begin assessing the stability of DHA in environments which mimic that of serum, under physiological conditions,” he related. “Moving forward, I aim to optimize conditions that enhance DHA’s therapeutic response while preserving compound stability. I hope to carry this project into medical school to do further research to prove DHAs efficacy as an independent alternative chemotherapeutic.”

Two students will be researching in the Summer II term, June 25-July 31. They are:

• Bethany Durham
  • Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Amato
  • Research project: Durham’s research will examine women as perpetrators of genocide and how the media portrays their involvement. She will use the Rwandan Genocide as her case study. Durham is especially interested in this topic because there is a lack of mainstream research in this area and not much news that includes women being perpetrators of mass violence, especially in developing countries like Rwanda.

• Andrea Stampone
  • Mentor: Amato
  • Research project: Stampone will examine the propaganda and methodology that was used to implement an Italian fascist agricultural policy prior to World War II. She will study how the policy was never meant to propel the economic interests of the state, but was instead a way to uphold a weak fascist regime. Her family grew up in Italy, and she grew up hearing about the lack of resources in the country. She is interested in learning how the lack of natural resources affected the historical development of the country.

°®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝.edu.

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Fellows Conduct Five Weeks of Focused Research with Faculty and Staff Mentors

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—For her Summer Scholar Fellowship, °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ senior Reese Jones learned how to use the new X-Ray Fluorescent (XRF) Spectrometer in the Department of Natural Sciences. The instrument was purchased recently with a grant from the Cannon Foundation. Working with her mentor, Professor of Chemistry Dr. Venita Totten, Jones gained valuable experience for the next steps in her educational journey to become a pediatrician.

“I have been working in the laboratory to understand the operations of the XRF and how to process the data it is producing,” shared Jones, who is from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. “It has been very exciting to be a part of working with this equipment for the first time at °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ and helping to develop safety protocols and methods of operation that work best for our studies. This experience has been amazing in terms of preparation for graduate school, not only in developing my research skills and best habits, but also in my ability to conduct research independently.”

Through Summer Scholar Fellowships (formerly Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars), °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ students receive grants for room and board on campus as they devote approximately 40 hours per week to their projects. After their research experience, they are required to present, perform or publish their project by the end of the following academic year.

Jones is biology/biomedical sciences major with a minor in Spanish. She has a certificate in Spanish for Healthcare Professionals. A member of the lacrosse team, Jones was recently named to the Division 1 Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Honor Roll. To be eligible for this honor, student-athletes must be a junior, senior, or graduate student and have earned a cumulative academic GPA of 3.50 or greater.

Jones and Totten are using the XRF to evaluate heavy metal contamination in old books and artifacts in the °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ library and nearby museums. Some of these books might have been made with materials that can be harmful, such as arsenic, lead, and mercury. The contaminated books will be labeled with instructions on how to handle safely.

Jones praised Totten’s mentorship and the experience she’s gained. “We have worked together to understand the X-Ray Fluorescent Spectrometer, its results, and its quirks,” Jones related. “In just the short amount of time we have spent working in the lab, my confidence around the equipment and the laboratory itself has skyrocketed, and I am very excited to have developed these skills.”

Library Dean and archivist Dr. Natalie Bishop has also offered guidance and help throughout the project. Bishop will report Jones’ findings to the Poison Book Project at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library and the University of Delaware. This interdisciplinary research initiative focuses on identifying potentially toxic pigments used in bookbinding components and how to handle and store potentially toxic collections more safely. Read more about the Winterthur project .

Jones will also join Bishop and Earl Scruggs Center Assistant Director Zach Dressel at the Earl Scruggs Center to talk about the Winterthur Poison Book Project. The program will be on Sept. 11 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Center, 103 S. Lafayette St., Shelby. As part of the discussion, books from the Cleveland County Historical Collection will be shown to demonstrate the principals of the study.

°®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝.edu.

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Psychology Major Examines the Connection Between Nonverbal Behavior and Emotional IntelligenceĚý

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—In a digital society where most people communicate via text and social media, °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ student Caleb Roten wants to improve face-to-face communication. With a Summer Scholar Fellowship, the senior psychology major spent the second summer session on campus interviewing individuals and studying their body language and nonverbal behavior.

Summer Fellows (formerly Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars) have an opportunity to work with a faculty mentor and conduct focused research. Fellows are awarded grants for room and board on campus as they devote approximately 40 hours per week to their projects. After their research experience, they are required to present, perform or publish their project by the end of the following academic year.

Mentored by the Department of Psychological Science Chair, Dr. Iva Naydenova, Roten needed volunteers for his study, so some of his friends agreed to help. He appreciated the chance to find out more about them and develop stronger connections.

No matter who he interviewed, Roten frequently encountered a similar reaction to his first question: “What was your favorite toy growing up?” Opening this way, he helped the person feel at ease. “The best part of this experience is hearing their answers and seeing their faces light up when I asked the question,” he acknowledged. “The purpose of the question is to make it seem like a normal social interaction. I like hearing their answers and seeing how happy they are when they give the answer.”

While engaging them in conversation, Roten counted their body movements and gestures. His goal was to determine how their body language and nonverbal behavior related to emotional intelligence, which is the internal ability to understand, manage and use emotions to strengthen interactions with others.

An example Roten gave for how the research might be used is when he shares with someone about his passion for hiking, nature, and the importance of conservation. He proposed, “Can I put conservation into action at a grassroots level by talking to people and knowing how they feel based on their body language?”

Roten will use the findings from his summer research to complete his thesis on social marketing. After graduating from °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝, he wants to pursue a Ph.D. in social psychology. “Examining the relationship between nonverbal behavior and emotional intelligence can give more understanding to what types of emotional management certain people have based on their body language usage,” he described. “This could be crucial in strengthening social interactions in everyday life and even prestigious interview processes.”

°®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝.edu.

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Her Project Adds to Ongoing Set of Experiments Conducted by Students in the Department of Natural Sciences

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Through a Summer Scholar Fellowship, °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ senior Kyndal Jackson extracted essential oil from ground caraway seeds. A meticulous process, her research could someday play a role in helping scientists discover purified compounds that inhibit bacterial growth (antimicrobials). The project is part of an ongoing set of experiments conducted by students in the Department of Natural Sciences.

Jackson, who is °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝â€™s second Tucker Scholar, graduates in December and plans to continue her education in a physician assistant (PA) program. A biology/biomedical major with chemistry and Spanish minors, Jackson has always been fascinated by science. “I love being in the lab and I feel like this relates to medicine,” she offered. “I love research and coming here and learning new things. I feel like this fuels my passion for PA school.”

Summer Fellows (formerly Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars) apply for the opportunity to conduct focused research outside the boundaries of the classroom. They are awarded grants for room and board on campus as they devote approximately 40 hours per week to their projects. After their research experience, they are required to present, perform or publish their project by the end of the following academic year.

Jackson’s mentor for the summer was Dr. Ben Brooks, professor of chemistry. Their goal was to extract the oil from caraway seeds and prove its purity with spectroscopy and chromatography.

In the 2024 Fall Semester, Jackson will continue her research as the recipient of a competitive grant from North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. Brooks and Dr. Meredith Rowe, associate professor of biology, will be her advisors then. “This research will potentially strengthen preliminary results and extensively test the antimicrobial resistance of caraway seed oil with common skin microbiota,” Jackson shared. “With expanded research, healthcare professionals can access a broader range of evidence-based information about essential oils and develop guidelines and recommendations for their safe and effective use in various medical conditions.”

°®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝.edu.

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Fellows Conduct Five Weeks of Focused Research with Faculty and Staff Mentors

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.— Through Summer Scholar Fellowships (formerly Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars), °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ students have an opportunity to conduct focused research outside the boundaries of the classroom. During the second summer session, three Fellows will be working with their faculty mentors on projects that involve extracting essential oils, examining books, and explaining nonverbal behavior.

Fellows are awarded grants for room and board on campus as they devote approximately 40 hours per week to their projects. After their research experience, they are required to present, perform or publish their project by the end of the following academic year.

The 2024 Fellows

Kyndal Jackson

Mentor: Dr. Ben Brooks, professor of chemistry

Jackson graduates in December. A Tucker Scholar, she is a biology/biomedical major with chemistry and Spanish minors. Her goal is to be a compassionate, devoted physician assistant. Jackson will continue her research in the 2024 Fall Semester, with Brooks and Dr. Meredith Rowe, associate professor of biology, as her advisors. Jackson received a competitive grant from North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) to conduct the fall research project.

Research project: Jackson will extract essential oil from grinded caraway seeds. To achieve a pure product, steam distillation will be practiced along with other additional steps for purification. Once the purification process is complete, she will prove that it is pure and that she was able to isolate a compound known as (S)-carvone. Comparison with standard extraction methods may also be attempted if time allows. Jackson’s project will contribute to an ongoing set of experiments. Cinnamon oil, thyme oil, clove oil, and orange peel oil have been experimented with two bacterial strains to see if their purified compounds inhibit bacterial growth. Her research will potentially strengthen preliminary results and extensively test the antimicrobial resistance of caraway seed oil with common skin microbiota.

Reese Jones

Mentor: Dr. Venita Totten, professor of chemistry

Jones is from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and plays on the lacrosse team at °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝. She is a senior biology/biomedical sciences major with a minor in Spanish. She has completed a certificate program in Spanish for Healthcare Professionals. Her future plans include applying for medical school and practicing as a pediatrician.

Research project: Jones will evaluate heavy metal contamination in old books and artifacts in the °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ library and nearby museums. These treasures are so old that some of them might have been made with materials that can be harmful like heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, and mercury.

To make sure these treasures are safe, Jones will use an X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer to determine if they have any dangerous metals inside them. This project is very important to help protect everyone who loves reading old books and looking at historical artifacts. By finding out if there are harmful metals, we can make sure everyone stays safe while enjoying these treasures.

Jones will also be working with Library Dean Natalie Bishop, who received a grant to purchase a portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. This project will focus on the initial phases of integrating the new instrument into the project, which will include software analysis, standardization, and initial assessment of both the technology and application to GWU’s library collections, as well as surrounding museums.

Caleb Roten

Mentor: Dr. Iva Naydenova, professor of psychology and counseling

Roten is a senior psychology major, who hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in social psychology. His other interests include nature conservation, hiking, and talking with and getting to know other people. 

Research project: He will examine an overview of body language and nonverbal behavior and how it relates to emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the internal ability to understand, manage, and use our emotions to strengthen our interactions with others. Examining the relationship between nonverbal behavior (i.e. body language) and emotional intelligence can give more understanding to what types of emotional management certain people have based on their body language usage. This could be crucial in strengthening social interactions in everyday life and even during a prestigious interview process.

°®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝.edu.

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