The Georgia House of Representatives and Senate are getting ready to welcome 54 students from 15 colleges and universities for the 2nd Annual “Posters at the Capitol”—an event started by Georgia College last year to spotlight undergraduate research.
 
Students will present projects to state legislators and the public from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, in the south wing of the Gerogia State Capitol building. The program is modeled on the popular “Posters on the Hill” event held each year by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) in Washington D.C. This year, the state event was adopted by the Georgia Undergraduate Research Collective (GURC) and includes a wide range of projects from accounting, biomedical technology and environmental engineering to health communications, political science and education.
 
It's selective. Due to limited space, only 42 of 78 projects were accepted from private and public institutions throughout Georgia.
 
“We came up with the idea. We noticed a lot of other states have a legislative day for undergraduate research, but Gerogia didn’t have one,” said Dr. Doreen Sams, professor of marketing and coordinator of Georgia College MURACE (Mentored Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors).
 
“The applications go through a blind-review process with faculty reviewers from all over the state,” she said. “It’s not an easy hurdle, and that’s what makes these research presentations truly preeminent. Just making it through the review process is something to celebrate.”
 
Georgia College is sending six students with five research projects involving physics, psychology, music therapy and chemistry.
 
The other institutions are: Augusta University, Berry College, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia Southern University, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, LaGrange College, Mercer University, Middle Georgia State University, University of North Georgia, University of West Georgia and Valdosta State University.
 
Using saliva, senior chemistry major Megan Andrews of Covington is studying prostate cancer in men of African descent, who are disproportionately affected by the disease. She’s working with three Georgia College Chemistry and Public Health professors, along with the state Department of Public Health, to determine how socioeconomic status affects onset of this particular cancer.
 
“The most impactful experience I’ve had at Georgia College has been undergraduate research,” Andrews said. “This presentation will help me practice public speaking skills, which are vital to have in graduate school. It will also allow me to network, as there are a variety of different people that work at the state Capitol.”
 
Senior psychology major Amelia DuBose of Thomasville is working with a partner to study aggression levels in children, as perceived by parents and teachers, and how this connects to socioeconomic status.
 
“I think the ‘Posters at the Capitol’ event is such an important and incredible opportunity for students to come together and present their research to important Georgia leaders,” she said.