KU students win Sigma Xi competition

Thu, 05/09/2013

Holly Storkel

LAWRENCE —The KU Chapter of Sigma Xi, international, multidisciplinary research society, has awarded their undergraduate research awards to six KU undergraduates. Students competed for the awards at the Undergraduate Research Symposium on April 27. The students will receive their awards at the Sigma Xi Awards and Induction Ceremony, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, May 10, at Nunemaker Center. All new members will be inducted at that time, and award plaques will be presented.

First place

Rachel Brown, of Lenexa, "Assessing Preschool Children’s Knowledge of Complex Nouns from a Logico-Semantic Perspective." Adviser: Utako Minai, linguistics.
William Wright, Augusta, "The Effects of Stress-related Noradrenergic Changes on Attentional Selection and Flexible Thought." Adviser: Evangelia Chrysikou, psychology.

Second place

Joshua Dean, Overland Park, "Identifying Factors Affecting Student Transition from Primary to Secondary Education in Selected Developing Countries." Adviser: Elizabeth Asiedu, economics.
Joseph Kellum, Baxter Springs, "Cooperation of L-Type and Cyclic Nucleotide Gated Ca2+ Chancels in Prolonging U-46619-Induced Vascular Contraction." Adviser: James Orr, molecular biosciences.

Third place

Cynthia Brown, Garnett, "College Living Arrangements and Body Dissatisfaction: The Case for Males." Adviser: Ric Steele, psychology.
Henry Clever, St. Charles, Mo., "Imaging Thin Films of Non-Newtonian Fluids." Adviser: Sarah Kieweg, mechanical engineering.

Sigma Xi's mission is to enhance the health of the research enterprise, foster integrity in science and engineering, and promote the public's understanding of science for the purpose of improving the human condition. There are nearly 60,000 Sigma Xi members in more than 100 countries around the world. The KU Chapter is the fourth oldest chapter in the world, founded in 1889. Among other activities, the KU Chapter sponsors an annual Research Paper Competition during the spring semester. More information can be found online.