Students Present at National Conference on Undergraduate Research

Three Houghton University students joined 4,500 students and faculty members from across the country to present their research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in Pittsburgh, PA in April.

• Risa Palmer ’27 presented her poster titled “Effects of Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) on Differentiated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell (dVSMC) Wound Recovery.”
• Keiryn Sandahl ’27 shared her paper, “Preserving a Faith in Humanity.”
• Riley Van Heukelum ’27 discussed his research on “Reception of Video Games over the Past Forty Years.”

“These three students were nominated from across campus and worked diligently to present their research to a wide audience clearly, concisely, and compelling,” said Laurie Dashnau, Ph.D., professor of English and director of the Writing Center, who accompanied the students to the conference. “Our students attended all kinds of oral and poster presentations, too, including research-informed ones in dance and music and about social advocacy. It was a wonderful time of sharing, learning, and developing professional skills.”

Each student conducted their research under the guidance of esteemed Houghton faculty members, including associate professor of Biology Ransom Poythress, Ph.D., professor of History Chris Esh, Ph.D., professor of Philosophy Benjamin Lipscomb, Ph.D., professor of English Susan Bruxvoort-Lipscomb, Ph.D. and assistant professor of Physics Katrina Koehler, Ph.D..