Nine University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) undergraduate students will showcase five research projects at the State Capitol while urging legislators to remain steadfast in reinvesting in UW System campuses.

The fifth annual "Posters in the Rotunda: A Celebration of Undergraduate Research" will take place on Wednesday, March 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Capitol Rotunda in Madison. Students and faculty from 15 UW System campuses will share their research and findings from research projects with state elected officials, regents, government representatives and the public. Later in the afternoon the students will stop by legislator offices to promote support for public higher education and undergraduate research. There will be a legislative reception beginning at 3 p.m.

"Undergraduate student research is a cornerstone of a learning experience here at UWSP," said Provost Mark Nook. "From the arts and sciences to professional development and natural resources, these select few represent the best and brightest students making the grade here at Stevens Point."

Daniel Dissing, Stevens Point, will present his findings creating the world’s first tungsten nanowires, the first step in making tiny tools for cellular research and much more. His faculty adviser is Michael Zach, assistant professor of chemistry in the College of Letters and Science. He is a 2006 graduate of Ripon High School.

Last winter Luke Fara, Wisconsin Rapids, and Joe Schultz, North St. Paul, Minn., collected Wood Duck and Hooded Merganser data as student chapter members of UWSP’s Izaak Walton League and the Wildlife Society. Together they collected data from 287 artificial nest boxes from throughout Wisconsin. Their adviser is Kevin Russell, assistant professor of wildlife in the College of Natural Resources. Fara is a 2004 graduate of Lincoln High School and Schultz is a 2005 graduate of North St. Paul High School.

Joseph Welch, Superior, is working under one of Wisconsin’s foremost cougar experts, Eric Anderson, professor of wildlife ecology in the College of Natural Resources. Welch is studying the effectiveness of scent lures to attract cougars for possible DNA identification. He is a 2004 graduate of Superior Senior High School.

Paula Buntin, Wausau, is working on a multi-facility interior design for the museum for Frank Lloyd Wright in Milwaukee. Her project includes interior design options for exhibit spaces, offices, restaurant, gift store, a presentation room, reading area and the lobby area. Her adviser is Nisha Fernando, associate professor of interior architecture in the College of Professional Studies. She is a 2004 graduate of Newman High School.

Four UWSP psychology students have pooled their collective talents researching outcomes for college students participating in mandatory team-testing exercises. Their research found that when college students are allowed to choose to test in two-person teams, learning is facilitated, course exam scores go up and test anxiety decreases. Students working collaboratively on this poster project are Christina Burek, Wausau, a 2004 graduate of Wausau West High School; Autumn McKeel, Boyd, a 2004 graduate of Stanley-Boyd High School; Katie Becker, Green Bay, a 2005 graduate of Bayport High School; and Amber McDougal, Bryant, a 2004 graduate of Antigo Senior High School. Their adviser is Jeana L. Magyar-Moe, assistant professor of psychology.

More details are available at www.wisconsin.edu/posters.

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