Graduate Research Achievement Day a Success

Many of the brightest graduate student researchers at Old Dominion shared their work at the fourth annual Graduate Research Achievement Day (GRAD) on March 27. A record 124 students participated in this year's GRAD event, which was created to honor and celebrate the excellent research of the university's graduate students (see photos below).

During the morning session, from 9-11:45 a.m., 27 students gave oral presentations in the River Rooms of Webb Center. From noon to 2 p.m., students shared their research via 97 posters on display in Webb's North Mall.

"We brought together many of our best and brightest graduate students to share the research they are conducting in their master's and doctoral programs. This was an opportunity for them to share their research with the entire campus community, and to show the quality of graduate education here at ODU," said Brenda Neumon Lewis, associate vice president for graduate studies.

The students' oral presentations and posters, representing all six of ODU's academic colleges, addressed a variety of issues. Topics included: "Explaining Nuclear Policy Between the U.S., Germany and Japan"; "Optical Excision of Nobel Gases"; "A Study of Play and Communication Across the Lifespan"; "A Framework of College Students majoring in STEM and Non-STEM"; "Parenting Care of Children with Asthma"; and "The Human Eye and Glaucoma."

"The topics included in both segments of the day were varied and addressed many of the nation's significant social, economic and technological challenges," Neumon Lewis said. "They also offered an excellent view of the important multi- and inter-disciplinary scholarship conducted by graduate students at Old Dominion University and demonstrate the excellent quality of our graduate programs."

Photos by David Hollingsworth and Chuck Thomas

Zachary Sievert, Ph.D. program, Human Movement Sciences: “The Effects of Squat Depth on Kinematic and Kinetic Variables”

Hongmei Chen (left), Ph.D. program, Chemistry: “Photochemical Flocculation of Organic Matter in Iron Rich Natural Waters Studied by Ultrahigh Resolution Mass Spectrometry” Luni Sun (right), Ph.D. program, Chemistry: “Estimating Hydroxyl Radical Photochemical Formation Rates in Natural Waters During Long-Term Laboratory Irradiation Experiments”

Erica Lester (with President Broderick), M.S. program, Counseling: “Important Implications for School Counselors; Understanding and Helping Students with Mood Disorders”

Joyce Alexander-Hines (with President Broderick), Doctor of Nursing Practice program: “Impact of Staff CHF Education Program, CHF Discharge Education, and 48 Hour-Call Backs on Self-Management and Utilization Outcomes for Veterans with Congested Heart Failure”

Carmelo Padrino (with Professor Gayle McCombs), M.S. program, Dental Hygiene: “Use of Immersive Visualization for the Control of Dental Anxiety During Dental Hygiene Treatment”

Eric Pitman, M.S.Ed. program, Physical Education, Exercise Science and Wellness: “Comparison of Unilateral Drop Landings and Land-and-Cut Maneuvers”

Wiebke Lamar (left), Ph.D. program, International Studies: “Neglecting the ‘Right on Which All Other Rights Depend’: Press Freedom in the International Human Rights Discourse” Lauren McKee (right), Ph.D. program, International Studies: “Explaining Nuclear Energy Policy: A Comparison of the United States, Germany and Japan”

Sarah Pringle (co-presenter with Geoff Watkinson and Michael Alessi), M.F.A. program, Creative Writing: “Writing as Adaptation: Bridging Literary Practice and Engagement to More Diverse Communities Through the MFA Creative Writing Program”

Mary Casteem Klemm (center), M.A. program, Applied Linguistics: “A Survey on Tutor Techniques and Perception of Preparedness with ESL Tutorials in the Old Dominion University and the College of William & Mary Writing Centers”

Ashley Poole, M.A. program, Lifespan and Digital Communication: “Creating Resilient Adults: The Impact of Positive Social Support During Role Transitions in Emerging Adulthood”