Ten University of Oregon students have been announced winners in the 2020 Undergraduate Research Awards competition for their excellent research papers and theses.
The Undergraduate Research Awards is an annual program sponsored by the University of Oregon Libraries that recognizes and honors undergraduate students for extensive research and authorship while using the UO Libraries’ resources.
“UO Libraries is very proud to honor the outstanding scholarship of UO students,” said interim Dean of Libraries Mark Watson. “Winning an Undergraduate Research Award represents a high level of academic achievement demonstrated by the completion of a research project that involves the substantive use of library materials.”
Read More at Scholars' Bank
Collins, Cheyenne Dakota. Preliminary Decomposition Study in the Willamette Valley of Oregon
Davis, Cameron R. Post-stroke Dysphagia's Impact on Survivors and Spousal Caregivers
Dodds, Gracia. She's Straight But She's a Dyke: Sexuality Discourse on the Lesbian Lands
Griggs, Taylor. Mickey Mouse and Multiculturalism: Disney’s Global Capitalism
Harden, Jordan Kalani. Understanding Native Hawaiian Land Relations Through Kanaka Maoli Literature
Perez-Catalan, Nelson A. Jack-of-all-trades, The Role of Astrocytes in Circuit Formation and Plasticity
Polk, Siena. Fossil Foodscapes: Examining the United States' Carbon Diet
Rochester, Eleanor. Impacts of a Peer-delivered Naloxone Program on a Community of Intravenous Drug Users
Thielman, Miriam. The Conception of Immigrants in the Hebrew Bible
Williams, Eleanor Hart. Examining Environmental Reproductive Injustices Within Native American Communities
Winners in the multiterm thesis category are Cameron R. Davis, studying communication disorders and sciences; Eleanor Hart Williams, studying environmental studies; Nelson A. Perez-Catalan, studying biology; Miriam Thielman, studying Spanish and religious studies; Cheyenne Dakota Collins, studying anthropology; Jordan Kalani Harden, studying English; Siena Polk, studying international studies; and Eleanor Rochester, studying general science.
Winners in the single-term paper category are Gracia Dodds, studying sociology and women’s, gender and sexuality studies; and Taylor Griggs, studying media studies.
In order to qualify for the competition, students had to submit single-term papers and projects from a 300-level or above course, theses or multiterm papers and projects. The paper or project must have been produced in spring 2019 through spring 2020, and applicants were required to secure a recommendation from their course instructor, thesis adviser or project adviser. Also required is a personal essay detailing the student's use of library resources and growth as a scholar.
"The library staff was absolutely exceptional throughout the entire process," said Collins, who was recognized for her Clark Honors College thesis. "Whenever I had an issue accessing a document or finding a source, they were always ready and willing to help. Without the resources provided by the UO library, this project would likely never have occurred."
Another award winner, Perez-Catalan noted that his project studying neural development led to a research interest he'll carry on to the next level of education.
"I am certain that these academic skills learned through my scholarly training at the UO will again prove beneficial when pursuing new questions during graduate school," he said.
Applications are reviewed annually by the library's awards committee, comprised of librarians and other UO faculty members. Winners receive awards of $1,000 to $1,500 in the form of a scholarship for currently enrolled students or a cash reward for recent graduates.
Access to the winners’ scholarly work will be available electronically in Scholars’ Bank, the library’s digital archive for UO research and publications.
The award is funded by the Milton C. and Barbara B. Sparks and Jon and Lisa Stine endowments, as well as gifts from Walter and Gretchen Barger.
—By Kenzie Hudler, UO Libraries