With a diverse range of interests, many Aquinas students are taking the opportunity to explore a subject of their choosing in the Undergraduate Student Research program. Mentored by Aquinas professors who challenge them to ask questions and find new possibilities, these seven students are studying a variety of topics to better understand their world during the summer of 2011.

Study takes place in scheduled meetings with professors, as well as independent work. The students then deliver their findings as presentations or papers. Their areas of summer study include mathematics, sociology and biology, among others.

Sophomore Jacob Streng has found that both the program and his mentor are enlightening. “[Dr. Li-Heng Chen] is a motivating, intelligent individual who I am lucky to have the opportunity to work with this summer,” said Streng. He and Dr. Li-Heng Chen of the chemistry department are studying the components of biodiesel fuel. “The study is intriguing because it is a time of interest in green energy,” said Streng.

Chen offers praise for his student and elaborates on the relevancy of the study. “Jake Streng is a dedicated and responsible individual, full of curiosity,” said Chen. “The study we are conducting is intriguing because, given the fluctuating price of oil, environmental concerns, and other factors, green energy is presently very relevant.”

Aquinas Senior Devin Lea is exploring ethnicity and demographics, specifically in relation to the Irish population of Grand Rapids and its involvement in the furniture industry, alongside Dutch, Polish and German immigrants. Lea is using immigration information dating as far back as 1870. With Dr. Richard McCluskey of the geography department as his mentor, Lea seeks to find “if the Irish of Grand Rapids behave in a similar or differing manner to other urban Irish populations across the United States.”

Aquinas student and math major Ian Hart is working with Dr. Joseph Spencer of the mathematics department, on the study of graph theory. “The study itself is a great opportunity to both work with a faculty mentor and get an idea and experience of how individual research is done,” said Hart. “The end result of presenting our findings should also be a great experience of the program.”

Dr. Robb Bajema of the biology department, is working with students Kayla Berigan and Bernadette Poirier at the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute to study ant colonies in a research program underwritten by the Institute’s URGE program (Undergraduate Research Grants for the Environment).

Biology major and Senior Tim Carew, who is being mentored by Dr. Tom Bahl of the biology department, explained his research as understanding “the role of visual input on motor unit recruitment (in muscles).” An element of his study that has been unique has been the need for human subjects willing to participate. Carew said the project “has been running smoothly thus far, and I can't wait to see what we find.”

Junior Megan Ternes and Dr. Mike McDaniel of the mathematics department, are studying hyperbolic geometry. “Since hyperbolic geometry hasn't been around that long, especially when compared to Euclidean geometry, which is what most people are used to, the subject is really wide open,” said Ternes. “I'm finding what we are studying interesting, and I am really enjoying working with Dr. McDaniel.” Ternes said that she and McDaniel began to learn the basics of the subject together prior to her research, so that she would be best equipped to ask questions and come to grips with the material once research began.

McDaniel has a lot of praise for Ternes, crediting her with uncovering mathematical properties on her own and bringing them to the research they do together, and further emphasizing that the mathematics studies he and Ternes are taking part in “add to the knowledge of hyperbolic space. We're doing genuine math research - finding truths which no one else has ever seen.”

Both McDaniel and Ternes are eager to share their findings. “When we get five or six more new properties, we will have enough for a paper,” said McDaniel.

The Mohler-Thompson Summer Research Grant and other similar programs fund these undergraduate students’ exploration of ideas, theories and experiments. The wide spectrum of subject matter reflects the diversity of Aquinas students and faculty, furthering the College’s dedication to timely, relevant academic studies programs. As indicated by McDaniel and Ternes’ enthusiasm, and that of other student-mentor partnerships, Aquinas Undergraduate Research is meant for the entire academic community.