UD students present at Colonial Academic Alliance conference

9:58 a.m., April 19, 2012--Seven University of Delaware students presented research on topics ranging from brain cancer to music therapy at the Colonial Academic Alliance (CAA) Undergraduate Research Conference, held April 13-15 at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. 

The conference, a signature event of the CAA, provides participating students with the opportunity to share their findings in poster or oral presentations with an audience of fellow researchers, including students, faculty and administrators. Several special events were held during the conference to mark the alliance’s 10th anniversary and to celebrate its mission to promote academic excellence.

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“Our students gave outstanding presentations and interacted with scholars from the other CAA schools,” said Lynnette Overby, faculty director of UD’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Experiential Learning, who accompanied the UD students, along with Tiffany Scott, coordinator of the McNair Scholars Program. 

“The directors of the CAA undergraduate research programs were able to discuss current programs and plan future collaborations,” Overby noted.

UD’s participants included these McNair Scholars: 

• James Campbell, III, a senior majoring in sociology and criminal justice from New Castle, Del., who presented “Race and Politics: The 2008 Obama Campaign and Presidency.” His adviser is Gerald Turkel.
• Deangie Davis, a junior majoring in Black American studies from Newark, Del., who, under the guidance of adviser Yasser A. Payne, is studying the role of education in street life-oriented black youth and young adults; 
• Maria Marquez, a junior education major from New Castle, Del., who is exploring second language acquisition barriers with adviser Roberta Golinkoff in the School of Education; and
• Michele Wallace, a senior in health sciences, from Mount Vernon, N.Y., who is studying individuals with anterior cruciate ligament injuries working with advisers Lynn Snyder Mackler and Andrew Lynch, staff therapist, in the Department of Physical Therapy.

Participants from UD’s Undergraduate Research Program included the following:

• Hamza Bhatti, a junior majoring in biological sciences from Bear, Del., who is studying human brain cancer under the guidance of adviser Deni Galileo; 
• Elizabeth Knight, a junior majoring in art conservation from Villa Park, Ill., who is examining authenticity issues in textile conservation under adviser Vicki Cassman; and
• Andrew J. Reitter, a senior music major from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., who presented “Concertos to Concept Albums: A Music Therapy Perspective.” His adviser is Philip Gentry.

Founded in 2002 by the provosts of the institutions that compose the Colonial Athletic Association, the Colonial Academic Alliance promotes and facilitates collaborative programs and resource sharing to enhance academic quality and institutional effectiveness throughout its member institutions: the University of Delaware, Drexel University, George Mason University, Georgia State University, Hofstra University, James Madison University, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Northeastern University, Old Dominion University, Towson University, Virginia Commonwealth University and the College of William and Mary.