USU student research goes to the State Capitol
On Jan. 22, Utah State University students left at 6:30 a.m. to display their hard work and dedication at the State Capitol.
Joyce Kinkead, vice provost for undergraduate studies and research, organized the project with the help of Aaron Brown and Brandt Esplin, two undergraduate assistants to the vice provost.
“There’s a real value added to their education by hands-on learning,” Kinkead said.”
Kinkead said the program helps students learn to put a research poster together and do the research project.
“We started [the State Capitol event] so that we could demonstrate the value of attending a research university,” Kinkead said.
Danica Daly, a junior majoring in biology, did her research project on the historical biography of Argentine aphids.
“We had the chance to meet with legislators from all over the state and discuss with them what our research projects were all about and the importance of undergraduate research at our university,” Daly said.
The research day on the hill was a great opportunity for everyone who attended, Daly said.
Michael DeGasser, a senior studying management and economics, did his project on business outlook for U.S. firms in Vietnam.
“It was an exceptional opportunity and honor to represent Utah State University and the College of Business,” DeGasser said.
It was also a great chance to demonstrate what USU and undergraduate students have to offer, DeGasser said.
Elaine Watkins, an undeclared freshman, did her project on increasing Web accessibility for people with disabilities on campus.
Watkins said she worked with the Center for Persons with Disabilities and its director, Cyndi Rowland. Watkins conducted an awareness survey of Web accessibility.
She said she found many people aware of the problem, but few who actually made their Web sites more accessible.
Kinkead said Governor Olene Walker visited with students, as well as Rep. Loraine Pace and many others. Kinkead said Pace visited every student and listened about every project there.
“Going to Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol was a fabulous experience, especially as a freshman,” Watkins said.
Having the opportunity to show everyone her hard work and to speak with some of Utah’s senators and legislators, Watkins said, made it a valuable experience.
While at the Capitol, DeGasser said he was able to meet with and discuss his research with Rep. Ben C. Ferry. DeGasser said Ferry was interested and supportive of the research activities of undergraduate students at USU.
DeGasser said for the past two years he has been working on personal research regarding the business potential for U.S. firms in Vietnam. DeGasser said the majority of his research started with a Fulbright-Hayes scholarship to study in Hanoi, Vietnam at the Hanoi Foreign Studies University.
The Vietnamese Advanced Summer Institute conducted the program in the summer of 2002, DeGasser said.
“During this time, I spent endless hours researching the business climate in Vietnam, particularly the effects of the recent Bilateral Trade Agreement with the U.S.,” DeGasser said.
Meeting with Raymond Burghart, the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, and many other influential leaders in Vietnam and the United States, gave him a chance to discuss some of the issues with them, DeGasser said.
DeGasser’s study will take an in-depth look into three main powerful factors that influence trade and business in Vietnam.
DeGasser said the first factor is political change during the past decade, exhibiting support toward foreign trade and business. The second factor is business climate, with more opportunities in Vietnam along with new policies, which has increased foreign investment. The third factor is resources, including human capital, mineral, and agricultural resources. DeGasser said these could represent exceptional potential gains for U.S. firms.
“The results of this study will show how the three factors influence the potential for U.S. firms in Vietnam,” DeGasser said.
Kinkead said a student with any type of major can apply to do a research project. Kinkead said the applicants must be Utah residents, but the class standing is completely irrelevant. There were three freshman this year who participated and Kinkead said it’s been a great experience for them.
There are only two research universities in the state, USU and the University of Utah. USU invited the U to be partners for this project and participate in events with USU, and the U accepted.
To apply, students must submit an abstract done online, and they are accepted in the fall, when everyone is lined up and confirmed at least by Dec. 1, Kinkead said.
Kinkead said the event gives students the opportunity to enhance their résumés and has helped students to be more competitive.
-amysueh@cc.usu.edu