EAU CLAIRE — It was a cross-university event when students from around the state of Wisconsin gathered in the Dakota Ballroom.
For some, like UW-Oshkosh student Haylie Ferguson, this was the first time presenting their findings to the public. Her research centered around examining 144 blog posts, determining whether posting online about dementia experiences would lead to engaging in advocacy for it.
“I do have personal experiences with a family member with dementia, so I have interest in that aspect, but also a large part of my interest is, I like to focus more on really looking at the unintentional,” Ferguson said. “I like looking at the unconscious, unintentional things that people have or perspectives that people have that could improve their quality of life, and this is just a more specific way to do that.”
Ferguson was one member of the more than 220 students, faculty and staff from the Universities of Wisconsin who were in attendance for the WiSys SPARK Symposium Thursday. The three-day event was a chance for students to showcase their research, with varying levels of college experience.
In addition to welcoming keynote speakers like Tim Nelson, co-founder and C.E.O. of HeartWorks, Thursday also saw the Poster and Innovation Showcase, where students from Universities of Wisconsin schools gathered to elaborate on their work.
UW-Platteville student Ethan Knepper is in his second year of studying civil engineering, and has been working with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) in on-site research since May. He’s working to help determine if the newer Phoenix furnace is more efficient for testing the quality and durability of concrete on Wisconsin roads, compared to the NCAT model.
“We’re just trying to figure out if it’s better for them to use the furnace they already have than to buy a whole new furnace,” Knepper said. “The other thing is too, the Phoenix is portable, whereas the NCAT has to stay in the line, so we’re also trying to figure out if the Phoenix is good to use in the field, [and] to get on-site.”
Kaaviyashri Saraboji from UW-La Crosse also worked with the Wisconsin DOT for her research, where data on car accidents related to deer collisions are analyzed to prevent further accidents within a geographical space.
“Personally, when I traveled from La Crosse to Eau Claire, I saw so many deer on both sides of the road, and I have not seen one road sign indicating that there is a possibility that we are going to encounter it,” Saraboji said.
Saraboji says she will also get a chance to present her research in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (IEEE GHTC) in Colorado in October.
Students like UW-Stout Polytechnic’s Caldrida Pearl D. Souza had just finished her master’s degree, using their background in microbiology for research. Presenting on the ideal stretchability of cheese alternatives, D. Souza is an international student working on research in the dairy state.
“I just want to see what the labs and the industries here have to offer, so I can make the most of my stay here,” D. Souza said.
Closer to Eau Claire, Blugold Paxton Nygaard was in preparation for presenting their poster in front of a panel of judges Friday as part of the WiSys Quick Pitch State Final. Nygaard worked with UW-Eau Claire professor Jennifer Ervin for his research on First Amendment rights and avoiding self-censorship on college campuses, having already presented at the university during Celebration of Excellence in Research and Creative Activity (CERCA).
“Going back to spring, when I first learned about WiSys doing this, I was actually very intrigued because I liked being able to stand on a stage to present to people, but also share a message that I have — a message that I think is shared with everybody,” Nygaard said. “I think that being able to teach people what the First Amendment is and what self-censorship is can create a network.”
A student from UW-Platteville, Faith Rothkopf, would take first place with her poster presentation during the WiSys Quick Pitch State Final, for her research, “Antibacterial Efficacy of Alcohol Functionalities and Copper Metal-Organic Frameworks on Modified Cotton Fabrics.”
For fellow Platteville student Knepper, who drove three hours to present, the enjoyment of the experience wasn’t just in presenting with other students, but the opportunity to work with the Wisconsin DOT around the state.
“It’s pretty fun too,” Knepper said. “It’s a good experience, especially to get to travel around Wisconsin.”