TCU College of Science & Engineering

7/26/13 7:28 PM

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SRS
By Jenna Simard, CSE communications intern At the College of Science and Engineerings 11th annual Michael and Sally McCracken Student Research Symposium (SRS), approximately 285 students presented more than 130 postersthe largest symposium yet. Designed to showcase undergraduate and graduate research in an interdisciplinary setting, SRS unites the Colleges departments by supporting student work and engaging the academic community. SRS offers students the opportunity to gain experience presenting their research to peers and faculty. Becky Bittle, professor of Professional Practice and longstanding member of the SRS Committee, said some students get involved as early as freshman year, and continue participating as they progress in their research. Students benefit from learning how to explain their findings to a diverse audience from both within and outside the science community. To be able to show the research youve done is a huge selling point for graduate school, Bittle said. Faculty and students of all disciplines, as well as members of the Colleges External Advisory Board and industry professionals, attended SRS. Bittle said the industry response is always very positive, especially among sponsors of students research. Sponsors are impressed, she said. SRS allows them to see where their research dollars have gone. SRS provides a way for students to build relationships with sponsors and professionals who have a genuine interest in the college and in making it better, Bittle said. SRS also allows students to develop valuable lifelong skills. Senior Lisa Ronning, who majors in nutritional sciences, said facilitating research and participating in SRS prepared her for life after graduation. Ronning began conducting research the fall of her junior year when she became involved with dietetics at Meals on Wheels. There she observed the Healthy Aging and Independent Living (HAIL) program designed to reduce hospitalization of the agingand researched whether depression impacted diabetic clients ability to reach their health goals. Ronning engaged in weekly visits with Meals on Wheels dieticians and clients and analyzed the progress of more than 350 clients attempting to achieve their health goals. After spending months devoted to her research, everything came full circle at SRS, she said. It was refreshing to see people interested in what I had done, Ronning said. I love that I got the chance to do this. SRS is truly the product of a college-wide effort. In turn, it is an event in which faculty, students and staff alike take pride each year. This year, attendees enjoyed hors doeuvres catered by nutritional sciences students and music from the TCU Harp Ensemble.

http://www.cse.tcu.edu/newsletter/2013-summer-SRS.asp

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TCU College of Science & Engineering

7/26/13 7:28 PM

I love seeing what everyone is doing, said Bittle. You get to learn from observing what different researchers are looking for; its a way to expand your own ideas as well. Ronning said her favorite part about SRS was presenting among students from academic areas throughout the College. It united every department, she said. I enjoyed interacting with people in their own disciplines. In that environment, I felt such a sense of pride not only for myself, but also for my peers. This years SRS included a presentation by keynote speaker W. Neal Burnette 66, one of the original scientists of Amgen and the inventor of the widely-used Western blotting technique. The event concluded with an awards ceremony honoring the best posters from each department. The Annual Student Research Symposium serves to celebrate students and the meaningful research they produce. Since its establishment, SRS has fulfilled the goal of showcasing student work in an enjoyable, academically stimulating environment. In the future, SRS will continue engaging TCUs growing science community and extending the College of Science & Engineerings dedication to undergraduate learning. Learn more about SRS at www.srs.tcu.edu.

Departments & Programs

Biology Chemistry Computer Science Engineering Mathematics Nutritional Sciences Physics and Astronomy Pre-Health Professions Psychology School of Geology, Energy & The Environment

Institutes & Centers

Institute of Child Development Institute for Environmental Studies Center for GIS and Remote Sensing Center for Applied Psychology
Science and Engineering Research Center

Student Research Symposium TCU IdeaFactory Monnig Meteorite Gallery Institute of Behavioral Research Energy Institute

2011 Texas Christian University | College of Science & Engineering Suite 102 Tucker Technology Center | TCU Box 298960 | Fort Worth, TX 76129 | Phone: 817.257.7727 | Fax: 817.257.7736

http://www.cse.tcu.edu/newsletter/2013-summer-SRS.asp

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