Five Central College students will undertake summer research projects as the inaugural class of Bosch Undergraduate Summer Research Fellows. Their research is supported by the Arthur J. Bosch Endowment for Student Research, which provides financial support for undergraduate students to engage in professional research opportunities with faculty during the summer in preparation for graduate school or a chosen career.
Bosch Fellows receive a stipend and housing support during the summer to support their research.
“The Arthur J. Bosch Endowment for Student Research reinforces Central’s strategic commitment to intellectual and social engagement among students and faculty,” said Mary Strey, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. “The Bosch Fellows have achieved significant academic success and represent diverse disciplines including biology, psychology, chemistry and music, echoing our commitment to research across the curriculum.”
Central College junior Alexandria Savolt, of Rhinelander, Wis., will work with Ashley Scolaro, assistant professor of psychology. Savolt is a psychology major with an interest in cognitive psychology. The summer research will build on her previous study, which was presented at a regional conference, from the spring 2014 semester involving cognitive control and handedness to sample and analyze data from a pool consisting of a larger age range.
Junior Emily Saville, of Cedar Rapids, received a student research fellowship for her work with Scolaro. Saville is a psychology major who has been researching the effects reminiscence has on mood and loneliness in older adults. Her spring 2014 research was accepted into a regional conference, and this summer she will widen her pool of people in the study to expand the project.
Junior Andrew Johnson, of Rockton, Ill., will work with assistant professor of chemistry Jay Wackerly. Johnson is a chemistry and physics major who has been researching synthesis and characterization of oxaquinonacylophanes for the last three years. The fellowship will allow him and another researcher to begin synthesizing additional oxaquinonacylophanes and focus on submitting their work for publication.
Junior Brandon Mennenoh, of Audubon, will work with associate professor of music Cynthia Doggett to explore issues of gender, race and colonialism as portrayed in the operas “Carmen,” “Lakme” and “Les Hugenots.” The fellowship will aid Mennenoh, a vocal music education major, in his application to graduate school where he would like to study musicology and have this research become the foundation for his master’s thesis.
Sophomore Ashley Oblander, of Spillville, will work with Russ Benedict, professor of biology. Oblander is a biology major with an interest in prairie restoration, and she will use the fellowship to learn more about sustainability through a hands-on approach with the prairie restoration project.
The students will present the outcomes of their research during the fall Undergraduate Research Symposium on campus.
