Pitt-Bradford Students Present at
Undergrad Research Conference
Ten students from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford presented original research about topics ranging from Otavalan textile culture to the impact of technology at the 10th Annual Penn-York Undergraduate Research Association Conference held at Hilbert College in Hamburg, N.Y.
Aimee Appleby, a sociology major from Bradford, presented “Beyond the Stigma of Disabilities.” Her research looked at how non-disabled people alter their behavior when interacting with those who are visibly physically or mentally disabled.
Jennifer Callahan, a sociology major from Bradford, presented “What You See and What You Can Get: Finding Romance on MySpace.” Her research examined the influence of MySpace and other social networking sites on relationships and dating.
Jessica Northeimer, a sociology major from Coudersport, presented “Behavioral Changes Among Correctional Officers.” Northeimer interviewed correctional officers in a local prison to see how working with criminals has affected them.
Jason Nussbaum, a human relations major from Saint Marys, presented “Economic Activities of Children: Children and Labor in Latin America.” Nussbaum gathered data and conducted research for the paper about children’s economic contributions to their families during a trip in summer 2009 to Otavalo, Ecuador, with Dr. Michael Stuckart, professor of anthropology.
Stacy A. Postlewait, a sociology major from Kane, presented “The Effects of Cell Phones on Teenagers, Parents and Education.” Postlewait concluded that “society has not kept up with the pace of technology. We, as a society need to determine what the social values and norms are to be regarding cell phone etiquette, and we need to model these behaviors to our children and students.”
Rachel Thayer, a social sciences major from Warren, presented “Common Challenges Faced by First-generation College Students.” Thayer, a first-generation student herself, interviewed 20 first-generation students and found that they face challenges such as lack of family support, financial difficulties and family obligations.
Mary Tucker, a sociology major from Emporium, presented “Online Social Networking Among Adolescents.” Her research examined the possible positive and negative effects of online socializing among adolescents.
William C. Updegrove, a criminal justice major from Bradford, presented “A New Approach to Drug Prevention.” He discussed the Drug Abuse Research Education program, how it is not working according to scientific standards and how it might be improved.
Jennifer Yohe, a sociology major from Bradford, presented a paper on “Men and Jewelry.” Yohe examined the phenomenon of high-school and college-aged males wearing jewelry such as earrings, bracelets, necklaces and tongue and eyebrow rings.
Kaitlin Zapel, a human relations major from Bradford, presented a paper on “Women and Weaving in Rural Ecuador.” Zapel also gathered her data and conducted research for her paper during a trip to Ecuador with Stuckart.
“One of the goals of the Penn-York Undergraduate Research Association is to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for student researchers, and the conference is a way to showcase their efforts. The event also gives participants an opportunity to interact with faculty and students from other institutions,” said Dr. Edward Pristach, Hilbert associate professor of psychology who is on the conference planning committee.
Other colleges participating were Alfred University, Canisius College, Houghton College, Nazareth College and the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville.
Aimee Appleby, a sociology major from Bradford, presented “Beyond the Stigma of Disabilities.” Her research looked at how non-disabled people alter their behavior when interacting with those who are visibly physically or mentally disabled.
Jennifer Callahan, a sociology major from Bradford, presented “What You See and What You Can Get: Finding Romance on MySpace.” Her research examined the influence of MySpace and other social networking sites on relationships and dating.
Jessica Northeimer, a sociology major from Coudersport, presented “Behavioral Changes Among Correctional Officers.” Northeimer interviewed correctional officers in a local prison to see how working with criminals has affected them.
Jason Nussbaum, a human relations major from Saint Marys, presented “Economic Activities of Children: Children and Labor in Latin America.” Nussbaum gathered data and conducted research for the paper about children’s economic contributions to their families during a trip in summer 2009 to Otavalo, Ecuador, with Dr. Michael Stuckart, professor of anthropology.
Stacy A. Postlewait, a sociology major from Kane, presented “The Effects of Cell Phones on Teenagers, Parents and Education.” Postlewait concluded that “society has not kept up with the pace of technology. We, as a society need to determine what the social values and norms are to be regarding cell phone etiquette, and we need to model these behaviors to our children and students.”
Rachel Thayer, a social sciences major from Warren, presented “Common Challenges Faced by First-generation College Students.” Thayer, a first-generation student herself, interviewed 20 first-generation students and found that they face challenges such as lack of family support, financial difficulties and family obligations.
Mary Tucker, a sociology major from Emporium, presented “Online Social Networking Among Adolescents.” Her research examined the possible positive and negative effects of online socializing among adolescents.
William C. Updegrove, a criminal justice major from Bradford, presented “A New Approach to Drug Prevention.” He discussed the Drug Abuse Research Education program, how it is not working according to scientific standards and how it might be improved.
Jennifer Yohe, a sociology major from Bradford, presented a paper on “Men and Jewelry.” Yohe examined the phenomenon of high-school and college-aged males wearing jewelry such as earrings, bracelets, necklaces and tongue and eyebrow rings.
Kaitlin Zapel, a human relations major from Bradford, presented a paper on “Women and Weaving in Rural Ecuador.” Zapel also gathered her data and conducted research for her paper during a trip to Ecuador with Stuckart.
“One of the goals of the Penn-York Undergraduate Research Association is to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for student researchers, and the conference is a way to showcase their efforts. The event also gives participants an opportunity to interact with faculty and students from other institutions,” said Dr. Edward Pristach, Hilbert associate professor of psychology who is on the conference planning committee.
Other colleges participating were Alfred University, Canisius College, Houghton College, Nazareth College and the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville.
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