NHS Student Research Celebration

The College of Natural and Health Sciences’ (NHS’) Student Research Celebration is intended to honor noteworthy research by NHS undergraduate and graduate students as well as exemplary research mentoring by NHS Faculty. Fundraising associated with the event benefits the NHS Student Research Celebration Fund.

The second annual event took place on April 12, 2007 in conjunction with the University’s Student Research Day and Academic Excellence Week. The banquet was attended by roughly 90 individuals from the University and community, and a larger number of individuals participated in the student poster session. The evening began with student poster presentations by 23 NHS undergraduate and graduate students. These top scholars were selected by their programs and Schools for this special recognition. The poster presentations were followed by a banquet to honor the value of student research. Dr. Denise Battles, Dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences, opened the banquet. She then introduced Kay Norton, President of the University, who extended a welcome and spoke about the benefits of research and the opportunities that UNC offers in advancing student research.

The evening included speeches from two student speaker honorees: Mariana Felix, an undergraduate student in Earth Sciences, and Allen Hanberg, a graduate student in Nursing. Both students spoke about their research projects and the personal and societal benefits of their research.

The event was concluded by honoring the two Faculty Research Mentors of the Year. Dr. Kathryn Bright, Professor of Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences, was recognized as the Faculty Mentor of the Year for Graduate Research, while Dr. Chhandak Basu, Professor of Biological Sciences, was honored as the Faculty Mentor of the Year for Undergraduate Research. Dr. Bright spoke regarding the importance of faculty mentoring.

NHS would like to extend congratulations to all of the poster presenters, student speakers, and faculty mentor nominees and honorees. Please view the program from the 2007 Student Research Celebration for a complete list of nominees and honorees.

Student Poster Presenters

President Kay Norton, Dean Denise Battles, Chhandak Basu,
Mariana Felix, Allen Hanberg, and Katie Bright

Christine Nibbelink explains her research to Dr. Diana Gray.

Mathematical Sciences gradute student, Rhoda Deon, discusses her findings with a guest.

Dr. Bill Hoyt chats with Josh Gunter about Organic Chemistry. 

Jackie Hilsenbeck-Fajardo and UNC Foundation CEO Virgil Scott discuss Biochemical Molecular Animation. 

Dr. Dianna Gray and SES graduate students Chrysostomos Giannoulakis and Jason Wang

Dr. Sue Kent chats with Clark Dollard about his Math Education research.

Mariana Felix, the undergraduate student speaker, talks about earth science

CEP Faculty, Courtney Willis, Matt Semak and Jerry Suits enjoy the banquet

Dr. Kitty Gardiner, Rob Reinsvold, and Dr. Mark Thomas learn
about Michael Schiebout’s results from his research survey.

NHS Student Ambassadors, Allison White, Shay Drake, Chris Erwin, and Adam Wilson help out at the event.

University President Kay Norton shares her views on the benefits of student research at UNC.