Students Celebrate a Summer of Research

Two dozen students will exhibit their summer research projects Thursday, Sept. 9, at 4 p.m. in the Darling Foundation Lecture Hall inside Winter Hall. “A Celebration of Summer Research at Westmont” is free and open to the public.

Students will present their findings on poster boards and be available to answer questions. One of the hallmarks of Westmont’s academic program is the opportunity for undergraduate students to work with faculty on significant research projects.

The event includes student speakers Meg Anders ’11 (psychology), Chris Kyle ’12 (philosophy) and Katherine Shaum ’11 (biology). Alumna Kristi Lazar ’00, a visiting assistant professor of chemistry, will speak about “The Gifts of Discovery.” Acting Provost Rick Pointer will also speak.

The students’ research includes a wide variety of topics including: the brain dynamics involved in social interactions, the relationship between marital status and cognitive and emotional functioning among older adults, and bordetella, the bacteria that causes whooping cough.