Forum puts spotlight on research

Ohio State continued its trend of becoming one of the leading universities in undergraduate research yesterday.

The ninth-annual Richard J. and Martha D. Denman Undergraduate Research Forum was held at St. John Arena to give undergraduate students a chance to display and present their research. Nearly 300 students were invited to explain their results in front of a panel of judges.

"The whole (event) is just part of a commitment on Ohio State's part that as a major national and internationally renowned research university, we want the research initiatives to be beneficial to the undergrad students, as well as everybody else," said Martha Garland, vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies.

"It's all about encouraging that, and it's working very well because every year we have more students participating, and I think it's going to continue to grow as we go forward."

Students presented research from a wide variety of areas, such as how the war in Iraq was a response to the Sept. 11 attacks and the effects of blackberries on reducing cancer risk.

Each student was judged by three of the 155 faculty members who served as judges. The students' scores were tabulated, and they received a form with feedback about their presentation and tips on how to improve their research as they move forward.

"I think (the process) is a really good idea because it helps you organize your research and kind of gets you on track," said Sarah Schellinger, a junior in anthropology. "Plus, the presentation portion is really helpful because you don't know what people could ask you, so you realize what your weaknesses are and where you need to do some more research."

Faculty members from different types of fields and backgrounds volunteered to become judges.

"It was a way for me to get involved with the rest of campus," said Stephanie Carter, a professor in physical therapy. "I'm kind of stuck down on medical campus and never meet any undergraduate students. I teach only grad students, so it was a way for me to meet other faculty."

Scholarship awards ranging from $200 to $750 were awarded to students who scored the most points in their respective categories.

President Karen A. Holbrook emphasized the importance of research in today's society.

"I'm committed to saying I think (research) is very important," Holbrook said. "I think it adds to students' education immeasurably. It's much more exciting to participate in creating knowledge than to sit there and gain information from somebody barking at you."

Holbrook also said completing research improves personal qualities such as confidence and commitment.

"I think once (students) get engaged in doing a research topic, they get very excited about it," Holbrook said. "Every time I hear students speak - if they've done research - they will say, 'This is one of the most important things that I ever did in my college experience.'"