More than 30 CLU undergraduate students stayed on campus this summer to conduct research and perform experiments on subjects of their choosing.

On the morning of Saturday, Oct. 20, the 38 students presented their research at the Ninth Annual Student Research Symposium, in the Ahmanson Science Center.

Presentations were on subjects such as biology, chemistry, bioengineering, religion, English, psychology and political science.

Out of the students, six were chosen to give oral presentations in addition to their poster presentations.

The oral presentations were given in Richter Hall.

The Student Research Symposium is sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship.

According to Marylie Gerson, coordinator of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship, students must find a mentor to sponsor and collaborate with them and have a clear concept of what they would like their research project to be in order to apply for a summer research fellowship.

There are many different types of fellowships that students can apply for.  A few are the Swenson Summer Research Fellowships, the Pearson Scholars Summers Fellowships, Darling Summer Research Fellowships and the Overton Summer Research Program in economics.

Gerson said that the application process for these fellowships are highly competitive.

According to Gerson, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarships looks for students who have a very clear idea of what they would like to conduct research on, and it must be an idea that seems accomplishable within the span of the eight-week program.

Gerson said that the office debated over which six students would give the oral presentations on their projects.  The decision relied heavily on the opinions of the mentors.

One of the oral presenters, Carla De Lira, a sophomore studying English and computer science, created a website called Kaleidoscope L.A.

Kaleidoscope L.A. is an “interactive online archive that intersects spatial experiences of Los Angeles.”

Participants in the creative research project were asked to illustrate an “experience map” using colored pencils.   In the map, individuals were able to give their interpretation of the Los Angeles areas that they pass on their regular route.

The participants’ experience maps were uploaded into Kaleidoscope L.A.’s online archive, and together created an interactive online map that “meshes both street directions and emotional experiences.”

The map shows people’s opinions on various shops or restaurants, as well as L.A. landmarks and events.

The maps are being constantly updated as there is a place to illustrate and upload your own route on the website.

Aaron Waters, a junior studying psychology, also gave an oral presentation.

His research examined the relationship between resilience and adults recovering from addiction.

“I got the inspiration to do this project from talking to my mentor, Dr. Gerson,” said Waters. “Her work has been in resilience in individuals and I had an interest in addiction.”

Waters said that doing research over the summer has helped him figure out what he would like to do in his life professionally.

Another student who conducted research over the summer was Marilyn Arceo.

Arceo is a junior who is interested in chemistry and computer science.

According to Arceo, her research had to do with swarm intelligence.  In her project she analyzed the biological process of swarming, which is the pattern of movement that you see when you throw a piece of bread into a crowd of ducks in the park.

Arceo used this pattern and applied it to solve complicated analytical chemistry problems.

Arceo, like Waters, now feels like she is closer to deciding what she wants to do after graduation, thanks to performing research over the summer.

“I knew I wanted to get a higher degree,” said Arceo. “But I didn’t know what I wanted the degree in, and now I know it’s this.”

Kaitlyn Guilbeaux
Staff Writer
Published Oct. 24, 2012