Research Symposium Continues Historic Growth

Make your way to the Great Hall 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 8, for the third annual Research Symposium, to support student research taking place across Missouri Baptist University’s campus.

The Research Symposium gives students an opportunity to exhibit their work to MBU faculty, staff and fellow students through presentations featuring original works with poster and oral presentation formats.

According to an email from Elizabeth Busekrus, Writing Lab coordinator, who organizes the annual event, the Symposium is open to everyone.

“Anyone can come to watch the Symposium: the more, the merrier. We want all students and faculty to support student research on this campus,” Busekrus said. “This event is a celebration of what students have completed during their time at MBU.”

This year’s Research Symposium has nearly twice as many participants compared to previous years, showing significant growth of the event.

“I believe this Symposium will be the most diverse, engaging one yet,” Busekrus said.

With a total of 45 presenters — up from 28 last year — delivering 19 presentations the event breaks down into one keynote panel, nine poster presentations and nine oral presentations.

“Our student presentations are very promising, ranging from cognitive online training to the effects of music on running to poetic reflections,” Busekrus said. “I am very excited to see how the Symposium turns out this year.”

The keynote panel is made up of three faculty members: Dr. Matthew Easter, assistant professor of Bible, Humanities Division; Dr. Holly Brand, associate professor of psychology, Social and Behavioral Sciences Division, and Dr. Andrew Elvington, assistant professor of health and sports sciences, Health and Sport Sciences Division.

Here is the line-up for the event’s presentations:

Keynote Panel Presentation (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

Dr. Matthew Easter, assistant professor of Bible, Humanities Division
Dr. Holly Brand, associate professor of psychology, Social and Behavioral Sciences Division
Dr. Andrew Elvington, assistant professor of health and sports sciences, Health and Sport Sciences Division

Poster Display (12-1 p.m.)

“Extraction of Essential Oils from Common Plants”
Thais Castiglioni, Katie Lahue, Nicoy Rolle, Hollis Wright, Dylan Walker

“Modern Implications of Schenkerian Analysis”
Guy Shaw, Stuart Harrier

“How Do Varying Levels of Medical Education, Specifically Identifying and Attending to the Medical Needs of Sex-Trafficking Survivors, Affect the Way Emergency Room Physicians at Mercy Hospital St. Louis Respond Medically to Such Survivors?”
Rachel Bailey

“The Effects of Music on Endurance Performance”
Hannah Hughes, Logan Jaggie, Rebekah Lowen, Samantha Smith

“Effects of Different Recovery Environments and Personality Types after Exhaustive Exercise on Cognitive Performance”
David Gabrovsek, Elmer Francisco, William Upson