Undergraduate Research Fellows
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Anna Brennan
VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS: TUESDAYS, 9-11 A.M.
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MAJOR: Biology & Interdisciplinary Studies
MINOR: Chemistry
SPECIALTIES AND ACTIVITIES: Honors College, Laboratory for Human Performance, TEDxSalisburyUniversity, Laridae Managing Editor, United Nations Millennium FellowMy experience with research has helped me develop my academic interests and goals. I have been involved in research since my first year at SU. Being able to gain experience in a hands-on research environment promoted a more exploratory approach to academics that I uphold today. Having been able to gain hands-on experience in my prospective field of exercise science early on, I learned that it may not be the career for me. However, I enjoyed the process of doing research so much that despite having changed my program of study, I am gaining applicable skills in scientific research that translate into my new field. I encourage students who are considering research but don’t know where to start to try it, because doing research at SU can help you discover your curiosities and passions.
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Evan Polkinghorn
VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS: MONDAYS, 2:30-4:30 P.M.
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MAJOR: Biology
MINOR: Chemistry
SPECIALTIES AND ACTIVITIES: Member of Housing and Residence Life, Resident Assistant at Sea Gull Square, United Nations Millennium Fellow, Honors Ambassador, UNESCO Research Fellowship on Rural Health and Well-Being in IndiaI was raised in Salisbury, and live near our local hospital, Peninsula Regional Medical Center. This, along with my internship with a local cardiologist, likely explains my passion for health care and medicine. In January 2020, I traveled to India with Dr. Arun Gandhi and nine other undergraduate students for three weeks. After witnessing first-hand many of India’s medical challenges, I began reading online journals, books and pamphlets that focused on Jugaad (indigenous creativity), Gandhian philosophy and how both have come to impact rural health care. By the end of the semester, I finished my 18-page research report that recognized the interconnectedness between Gandhian philosophy, Jugaad and rural health care in India. Writing that research report has only fueled my passion for health care and medicine and my wanting to participate in research at Salisbury University. Because I am only a sophomore, I have yet to begin a full-fledged research journey. However, I am excited to begin as I have been given advice from friends of mine who are or were Undergraduate Research Fellows about the benefits of partaking in research at the undergraduate level. Through their advice and stories, I have concluded that partaking in research, regardless of one’s field, has the potential to provide valuable learning experiences, make you a more engaged learner and strengthen your passions during your undergraduate career.
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Nate Sansom
VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS: THURSDAYS, 11 A.M.-1 P.M.
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MAJOR: Political Science & Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution
MINOR: International Studies & European Studies
SPECIALTIES AND ACTIVITIES: USM Student Regent, UN Millennium Fellow Campus Director, Honors College student, Bosserman-UNESCO Fellow, Boren Awards ScholarI am a senior and am proud to call Salisbury my home. Traveling to Paris is 2019 to intern at UNESCO, I became intrigued by international conflict resolution as I worked on the prevention of violent extremism in youth. Following my work in Paris, I studied in Poland as a Boren Awards Scholar. While in Kraków, I began an independent study research project to better understand the Polish perspective of the Holocaust. This study took me from various corners of Poland all the way to Jerusalem as I began a project that will culminate through my honors thesis later this year. Working within the UN upon my return home in 2020, I was inspired to become more involved within the United Nations Association of the United States of America. As campus fellow for the UNA’s southern region, I am responsible for the oversight of over 35 campus chapters. To better understand best practices utilized throughout the region, I am currently working on a research project to identify how chapters are conducting outreach and community engagement in furtherance of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I also serve as one of the campus directors for SU’s inaugural Millennium Fellow cohort. In this capacity, I am proud to assist our fellows as they learn more about the UN’s SDGs while designing a project aligned with one of the goals. I’d be happy to work with you as you begin you research journey. Whether taking the form of a creative independent study or that of a more traditional thesis project, your research journey can start within whatever context you decide, and I’d be honored to help you along the way.
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Ines Tchienga
VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS: WEDNESDAYS, NOON-2 P.M.
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MAJOR: Psychology
MINOR: Cognitive Science
SPECIALTIES AND ACTIVITIES: Echo Leaver Lab, French and Presidential Citizen ScholarI was born in Douala, Cameroon, and moved to the U.S eight years ago. My first two years in the U.S. were hard due to the extreme differences in culture and societal expectation. However, with ample time, I was able to merge two distinct worlds while holding strong ties to my native language, morals and values. I became a URF because I hope to encourage intelligent and hardworking underrepresented students to work in research labs because they deserve to fill those spaces. I have been a research student in Dr. Leaver’s lab since spring 2019 and I completed a fellowship in summer 2019 under her guidance. Throughout that summer, I and my lab partner along with several other co-authors (all SU alumni) worked on the manuscript of our research (“The Effects of Music and Movies on Dental Anxiety”), which was accepted for publication by Laridae and NCUR. Having gained some research experiences, I hope to obtain a research fellowship abroad after graduation. My goal this semester is to help and guide students seeking research mentors.