Seven UWRF students to present at Posters in the Rotunda

From a potential drug to treat melanoma, the testing of targeted antibiotics against classified endophytic contamination, and a small grains winnower to lower extremity kinematics and the impact of a living green wall on mood and academic performance, seven UW-River Falls undergraduates bring an impressive grab bag of research topics to this year’s Posters in the Rotunda event in Madison April 13.

These are just a handful among the dozens of research topics that University of Wisconsin System students and faculty research mentors will showcase at the event. Students participating from UW-River Falls are: Noah Stueven of Sheboygan, Rebbekah Hite of River Falls, Mitch Breuer of Goodhue, Minn., Kaitlynn Graven of River Falls, Alison Miotke of South St. Paul, Minn., Siri Doyle of Hayward, and Matthew Pechacek of Prescott.

State legislators will join UW System and institutional leaders in welcoming 140 students and nearly 90 faculty mentors to the State Capitol rotunda Wednesday. Undergraduates from the System’s 26 campuses will set up poster displays and share the findings of their diverse research subjects. Many topics involved multiple academic years of study and collaboration with faculty mentors and community partners throughout the state.

UW System President Ray Cross will welcome students, faculty members and other guests at the 13th annual Posters event. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. with welcome remarks in the Grand Army of the Republic Room. Posters will remain on display until 3 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda.

The UW System has earned a national reputation as a leader in undergraduate research, which contributes to the state’s priorities, including retention, graduate rates, and workforce and economic development.

“The issues being addressed or investigated by UW students are real-life issues affecting Wisconsin citizens and communities,” Cross said. “The research being done here has the potential to inform public policy and decisions made by the private sector. It is a powerful illustration of the UW System’s ongoing commitment to the Wisconsin Idea.”

Wisconsin Eye will provide live coverage of the event’s opening remarks by President Cross. Wisconsin Eye also expects to highlight at least one presenter from each UW institution as part of a program on the Posters in the Rotunda event to be aired at a future date.

More information on the Posters in the Rotunda schedule is available at http://www.wisconsin.edu/posters. For further information about UW-River Falls undergraduate research, email beth.schommer@uwrf.edu.