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Undergraduates to Present Research to Legislators at Posters at the Capitol

This year, 63 Tennessee undergraduates will present their research posters to legislators at the annual Tennessee Posters at the Capitol on Tuesday, February 26. Seven UT students are traveling to Nashville for the event.

The Posters at the Capitol project started in 2006 as a way for legislators to meet with students from their districts and to see the quality and value of research being done by undergraduate students across the state of Tennessee.

Amanda Bryant, of Greenville, Tennessee, is a senior in religious studies. Bryant’s research poster explores how gentiles were incorporated into the Jesus movement without converting to Judaism, using the biblical figures of Hagar and Sarah as a main case study.

Kyle Freeman, of Memphis, Tennessee, is a senior in biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology. Freeman’s research seeks to better understand how plants regulate nutrient transport between cells and tissues as the basis for developing plants with more optimal nutrient transport to serve an ever-increasing global population.

Clayton Hale, of Nolensville, Tennessee, is a senior in forestry restoration and conservation science. Hale’s poster explores how land managers can experiment with mixed-species planting to increase biodiversity during reforestation.

Mackenzie Hobbs, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a senior in history. Hobbs’s research poster uses the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which played from 1943 to 1954, and specifically the career of Knoxville native Doris (Sammye) Sams to explore notions of masculinity and femininity.

Grace Malone, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is a senior in public administration and a Greg and Lisa Smith Global Leadership Scholar. Malone’s research evaluates the impact of state mental health care expenditures on incarceration rates.

Aiden Rutter, of Knoxville, Tennessee, is a junior in computer science. Rutter’s research takes machine learning—algorithms that learn to complete tasks without explicit instructions—and uses it to improve wireless communications on hardware with limited processing and storage capabilities.

Alexander Tripp, of Powell, Tennessee, is a senior in political science. Tripp’s research explores Chinese investment into Latin American countries as China tries to maintain production of goods for its massive population and economy. His poster evaluates what strong Chinese investment could mean for the future of the Latin American region.

“This event provides our students with the chance to see how research can affect policy change. They have the chance to meet with their state representative, share their research, and learn more about the legislative process. I continue to be impressed each year with the research acumen of our undergraduate students. They are great ambassadors for UT,” said Marisa Moazen, assistant vice chancellor for research and engagement and director of undergraduate research.

Students interested in presenting research can apply to participate in EURēCA, the Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement, held each spring semester during Research Week. This year, EURēCA will be held April 15–18.

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CONTACT:

Raphael Rosalin (865-974-2152, rrosalin@utk.edu)