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Twenty-six Lafayette College students have earned the distinction of being invited to make presentations on their scholarly research at the 13th annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) April 8-10.
The students’ research ranges widely over the academic landscape, from the humanist to the technical. The majority of topics are in the sciences (including chemistry, computer science, math, and psychology) and engineering (including civil and environmental engineering and electrical and computer engineering).
But the focus will also include the humanities (with topics such as the Christian fantasy literature of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and the poetry and theater of Marguerite, 16th century queen of Navarre) and the social sciences (where subjects range from search-and-seizure protections in U.S. states to the changing relationship between U.S. Jews and the State of Israel).
Eighteen faculty mentors who worked closely with the students as research advisers will accompany the presenters to the conference.
This year’s presenters will bring to more than 300 the number of Lafayette students who have participated in NCUR, the only national conference dedicated to showcasing research by college undergraduates. More than 300 colleges and universities will send students to this year’s conference hosted by the University of Rochester.
Here is a listing of the participating Lafayette students, including their class year, major, hometown, research topic, and faculty adviser.
Humanities
April Rauscher ’01 (international economics and commerce), Pittsford, N.Y. “Marguerite de Navarre: Supporter of the Catholic Reform” Olga Anna Dull, assistant professor of foreign languages and literatures
Jeffrey Wren ’99 (English), Severna Park, Md. “C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien: Two Approaches to Christian Fantasy” Deborah L. Byrd, associate professor of English and coordinator of the Women’s Studies program
Social Sciences
Wendy Erdly ’99 (government and law), Turbotville, Pa. “Smoke and Mirrors: An Examination of America’s Power Structure” Daniel M. Shea, assistant professor of government and law
William Lewittes ’99 (American Studies), Weston, Conn. “The Changing Relationship Between American Jews and the State of Israel” Ilan Peleg, Charles A. Dana Professor of Government and Law
Kei Ouchi ’01 (biology), West Covina, Calif. “A Study in ‘Crimes of Obedience’: Japan” Yoshihiko Ariizumi, assistant professor of foreign languages and literatures
Bradley Plotner ’99 (government and law), East Petersburg, Pa. “Search and Seizure Protections Under the ‘New Judicial Federalism’: Is a Diversification of Rights Protections Desirable?” John Kincaid, Robert B. and Helen S. Meyner Professor of Government and Public Service and Director of the Meyner Center for the Study of State and Local Government
Natural Sciences
Jennifer Basilo ’99 (psychology), Tenafly, N.J. “Effects of Familial Relationships on Children’s Distributive Justice Reasoning” Ann V. McGillicuddy-DeLisi, professor of psychology
Ali Berlin ’99 (psychology), Potomac, Md. Stacey Donofrio ’99 (psychology), Sea Girt, N.J. “Perceptual Learning of Single Image Random Dot Stereograms” John Neuhoff, assistant professor of psychology
Megan Blackburn ’99 (psychology), Beaver Falls, Pa. “Children’s Decisions Concerning Fair Distribution of Money and Parent Time Among Siblings” Ann V. McGillicuddy-DeLisi, professor of psychology
Jesse Burneko ’99 (computer science), North Hollywood, Calif. “Building Character: The Role of Emotional Agents in Interactive Fiction” Chun Wai Liew, assistant professor of computer science
Jeffrey P. Dumont ’01 (mathematics), Dracut, Mass. “Chaotic Attractors Near Forbidden Symmetry” Clifford A. Reiter, associate professor of mathematics
Patrick Eidam ’01 (chemistry), New Castle, Pa. “Hydrolysis of Multisubstituted Silanes by Nickel (II) Compounds” Daniel E. Barber, assistant professor of chemistry
Evan Gordon ’99 (computer science), Monmouth Junction, N.J. “Evaluation of Initial TSP Tours for the K-OPT Tour Improvement Alogorithm” Chun Wai Liew, assistant professor of computer science
Melissa Mangel ’00 (chemistry), Margate, N.J. “Lewis Structures: Evaluation of Methods for Understanding Bonding Principles” Daniel E. Barber, assistant professor of chemistry
Erica Mellin ’99 (psychology), West Redding, Conn. “Voice Manipulation and the Effects of Perceived Personality Characteristics” John Neuhoff, assistant professor of psychology
Engineering
Michael Haynes ’99 (civil and environmental engineering), Long Valley, N.J. “Integration of an Intermodal Transportation Planning Model with a Geographic Information System” Maria P. Boilé, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering
Yoek Nam Khor ’99 (electrical engineering), Penang, Malaysia “Effects of Multipath Propagation on Cellular Mobile Communications” William E. Jemison, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering
Jennifer Mackey ’99 (civil and environmental engineering), Clifton Park, N.Y. “Case Study of Multi-Electrode Earth Resistivity Testing in Karst” Mary S.J. Roth, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering
John MacLachlan ’99 (electrical engineering), West Chester, Pa. “Highly Accurate Measurements of the Index Refraction of Liquids” Kim D. Bennett, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering
Rajesh Nadakuditi ’99 (electrical engineering), Bombay, India “Modal Power Distribution in Optical Fibers” Kim D. Bennett, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering
Allen Parker ’99 (civil and environmental engineering), Newton, N.J. Kelly Strickler ’99 (civil and environmental engineering), Dallastown Pa. “Torsional Behavior of Wide-Flange Steel Beams” Robert G. Driver, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering
Kristie Readinger ’00 (electrical engineering), Schnecksville, Pa. “Low Temperature Silicon-to-Silicon Wafer Bonding” Janet K. Robertson, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering
Ian Rippke ’00 (electrical engineering), East Petersburg, Pa. “An Analysis of Two Methods for Modeling Nonlinearaties in Microwave Power Amplifiers” William E. Jemison, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering
Hilary Snyder ’99 (bachelor of arts in engineering), Danville Calif. “The Use of a GIS Model to Evaluate the Economic Potential for Biomass in Northhampton County, Pa.” Dwayne S. Breger, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering