Muskingum News

Students and faculty gathered as Muskingum University kicked of their annual research and scholarship week hosted by the Division of Natural, Applied, and Health Sciences. The week displays the achievements of students, highlighting their academics and innovative quality. The event brought scholars from several disciplines to present their research, share ideas, and celebrate the spirit of discovery that defines Muskingum.

Two cornerstone events that are held during this week are the James R. Bradford Colloquium and the Homer A. Anderson Lecture and Poster Session. The Colloquium featured oral presentations from student researchers, who delivered 15-minute talks on their capstone projects throughout the year, highlighting disciplines like biology, chemistry, communication, geology, and several others.

The lecture was presented by Dr. Andrea Richard '11. She graduated with double majors in physics and math and then completed her master’s and doctorate degrees at Ohio University in physics. She then served as a postdoctoral researcher and Nuclear Science and Security Consortium Fellow in the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University and as a postdoctoral researcher at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.  She is currently an Assistant Professor of Physics at Ohio University specializing in low energy nuclear physics.

Following the lecture, 69 students participated in the poster presentation. The week included interactive sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities that fostered collaboration among students, faculty, and visiting scholars. Attendees engaged with presenters, asked in-depth questions, and discussed potential future projects. This dynamic environment highlighted Muskingum University’s academic rigor and encouraged interdisciplinary connections that sparked innovative ideas.

As the week concluded, participants reflected on the wealth of knowledge shared and the inspiration gained from their peers and mentors. The Research and Scholarship Week served as a testament to Muskingum University's commitment to academic excellence and the continuous pursuit of discovery. It left students motivated to push the boundaries of their respective fields and eager to contribute meaningfully to the broader academic community.