On Tuesday, Feb. 26, the 16th Annual Capitol Graduate Research Summit will take place. This event highlights Kansas-related research conducted by graduate students at Regents institutions across the state.
The Capitol Graduate Research Summit originally began to display the quality and depth of statewide graduate-level research to state government and education officials. The research topics presented vary greatly, depending on the student’s program of study.
Dr. Jerald Spotswood, dean of the Graduate School and Distance Education at Emporia State University, first pursued and obtained access to the event for Emporia State students in 2017.
This year, five ESU students will attend the event with the following topics:
- “Filling a patient safety knowledge gap: a multiple-case study of radiation therapy programs and their response to the field’s crisis,” by Becky Dodge.
- “Does cattle grazing affect birds nesting in CRP grasslands?” by Heather M. Kraus.
- “The effect of ultraviolet light exposure on subaerial weathering of Sus Domesticuslong bones: a preliminary report,” by Aubrey McBride.
- “Detecting the invasive legume Sericea Lespedeza (Lespedeza Cuneata)using small unmanned aerial vehicles,” by Kelsey L. Porter.
- “Adjusted poverty rates in Kansas counties: emphasis on counties with universities,” by Tami Schaefer.
“I am particularly impressed with the quality and range of this year's research to be presented at Topeka. ESU's presenters will be focusing on topics as divergent as using information management to improve radiation therapy, grasslands conservation, and improved economic models to examine county poverty rates. This work will truly demonstrate to Kansas legislators the impact graduate research has on the state and its citizens,” said Spotswood.
The Capitol Graduate Research Summit, which is open to the public with free admission, will begin at 10 a.m. with poster presentations to legislators, the Kansas Board of Regents, industry representatives, and the general public. Following presentations, select students will be awarded with scholarships provided by BioKansas and the graduate schools at each institution.