Annual Student Research Conference takes place across campus

Truman State University hosted its 38th Annual Student Research Conference April 17, where enrolled students present their research, projects, performances and any other important study they conducted during this school year. 

     Many of the students and student groups who took part in the SRC considered the day to be eventful, exciting and positively received by peers and staff. One of those groups was Sydney Carl, a senior psychology major, and Andrew Fruend, a senior philosophy and religion and psychology double-major. During the day, they presented their project ‘Tasteful Persuasion: The Effect of Personality on the Persuasiveness of Media,’ backed by psychology professor Robert Tigner. 

     “If I could give ideas for other psych students’ capstones, that would be cool,” said Carl, regarding their project’s future impact. “There’s definitely a way you could further the research that we did, but if they are also interested in persuasiveness this could be a good jumping off point for them too.”

The SRC took place across multiple locations across the University’s campus, with various events hosted at the Student Union Building, Magruder Hall, Pickler Memorial Library and Ophelia Parrish. Since classes were cancelled that day, all students were allowed and encouraged to attend the conference to visit the various presentations and demonstrations on campus. 

The SUB Activities Room hosted its Poster Session, where students who had posters of their conducted research could pin them up, stand by their work and discuss with students and staff during their scheduled poster session, as well as answer any questions they may have. These projects contained research from all sorts of areas of study, from sociology to theatre to agricultural science. 

Gregory Seipel, a sophomore physics major, was one of the presenters during the poster session. His study, ‘Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Natural Dyes: A Pathway to Sustainable Energy’ was supervised by Dr. Rasanjali Jayathissa. Seipel said he enjoyed the processes involved in his experiment, and he hoped his experiment with natural sources would contribute to making a healthier environment. 

“The whole point of this research is to replace toxic synthesizers that are used in processed dye sources currently and replace it with natural ones that are derived from plants, fruits, leaves, flowers…all to make the world more green,” Seipel said. 

The University hosted two exhibitions as part of the overall conference. The first occurred in the Pickler Memorial Library Atrium and hosted the Museum Studies Exhibition. It showcased the work of the IDSM 361: Museum Practice and Planning course as they presented “The Classroom on Trial: Tennessee v. Scopes,” covering the iconic 1925 case where teacher John Scopes was prosecuted for violating the Butler Act, which prohibited teaching evolution in schools. The second exhibition took place in OP’s Art Gallery. It hosted the closing reception of the Juried Student Exhibition. This annual juried gallery is open to works of art from all students, regardless of year or major, as long as the works were created as part of the University experience. 

Concurrent oral presentation sessions were held in various rooms across the SUB and Magruder. These mostly revolved around business, psychology, social sciences and humanities and more. After a Plenary Address from Danielle T. Cooper on the Keys to Courageous Research, more concurrent oral presentations were held for studies such as French, music, biology and exercise science.