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Sixth annual forum March 27 showcases Thomas More student research and collaboration


Thomas More College will highlight its most significant and outstanding student research contributions during the sixth annual Student Research Forum to be held Friday, March 27 on the college campus.

The research forum—which has grown significantly in size and prominence this year—features more than 50 students presenting 38 research projects in various disciplines at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

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A student poster and paper exhibit of undergraduate research will be held from 9 a.m. to noon outside of the library in the Administration Building. Both undergraduate and graduate student research will be presented from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Connor Convocation Center, followed immediately by a presentation of the Dean’s Award for Research Excellence.

This year’s accepted abstracts range from such topics as parasitic nematodes in biting midges to a media coverage analysis of shootings of unarmed citizens.

“The depth of our students’ research is quite remarkable,” said Maria McLean, professor of psychology. “The forum is a way for us to promote the strong research activity that exists here at Thomas More College, as well as celebrate the valuable collaborations that exist among our students, faculty and the wider scientific community.”

Catherine Luck, a freshman physics major and member of the women’s softball team (Maineville, OH/Little Miami High School), will present her work on plasma medicine—a new and rapidly developing area of medical technology. Working under the supervision of scientist Sylwia Ptaskinska of the University of Notre Dame, Luck studied DNA damage induced by atmospheric pressure plasma exposure.

The results of Luck’s work may lead to alternative tools for cancer therapies and applications in hospital hygiene, dental care, skin diseases, antifungal care, chronic wounds and cosmetic treatments.

“I think that the research forum is a great way for students to show the research that they’ve been working on,” said Luck. “A lot of work goes into projects like these and it’s interesting to learn about the research that all the students at Thomas More are doing in their respective majors.”

The TMC Student Research Forum is free and open to the public. A College Preview Day for prospective students will be held prior to the evening forum session, beginning at 4 p.m. in Steigerwald Hall in the Saints Center. Faculty and staff will be on hand to answer questions about the college experience, guide attendees on a campus tour and showcase their disciplines at a browsing fair. Guests will then be escorted to the Student Research Forum where they can experience the academic work of current TMC students.

Registrations are encouraged, but not necessary. To register for the event, click here.

From TMC


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