Announcing the Spring 2025 URSA Award Winners
The Office of Engaged Learning is pleased to announce the winners of the Spring 2025 URSA Awards, recognizing outstanding proposals for undergraduate research projects. Congratulations to our three exceptional winners!
1. Abigail Pitts: Senior B.A. Medical Humanities, Biochemistry minor
Project Title: Elucidation of Brassica Glucosinolate-Protein Interactions in the Gut Microbiome
Mentor: Dr. Aaron Wright, Department of Biology
Summary: Abigail's research focuses on the health benefits of Brassica vegetables, such as broccoli and kale. These vegetables contain compounds called glucosinolates, which are believed to have cancer-preventative and antimicrobial properties. Abigail aims to understand how these compounds interact with enzymes in the human gut to produce beneficial effects. Her innovative approach involves developing new chemical probes to study these interactions, potentially leading to advancements in drug discovery and public health.
Impact: This research could provide valuable insights into the health benefits of Brassica vegetables and contribute to the development of new treatments for chronic diseases.
2. Anna Pinchen: Senior B.S. Neuroscience
Project Title: Uncovering Historical Evidence of Resilience Among Wartime Evacuees: An Analysis of Personal Narratives from Operation Pied Piper
Mentor: Dr. Julie deGraffenried, History Department
Summary: Anna's project explores the resilience of children evacuated from urban areas during World War II as part of Operation Pied Piper. By analyzing personal narratives from evacuees, Anna aims to understand how these individuals adapted to their new environments and overcame adversity. Her research will shed light on the social and cultural factors that contributed to their resilience and provide a deeper understanding of the long-term effects of wartime displacement.
Impact: This study will preserve important historical accounts and enhance our understanding of resilience in the face of adversity, with implications for current and future research on displacement and trauma.
3. Lily Lobo: Senior University Scholar, Philosophy Major, Great Texts Minor
Project Title: Plato and the Problem of Pleonexia: Athenian Greed in the Peloponnesian Wars and the Platonic Dialogues
Mentor: Dr. Anne-Marie Schultz, Department of Philosophy
Summary: Lily's research examines how the socio-political turmoil of Athens during the Peloponnesian Wars influenced Plato's philosophical dialogues. She focuses on the concept of pleonexia (greed) and how it shaped Plato's arguments about justice and democracy. By analyzing historical context and primary sources, Lily aims to provide a deeper understanding of Plato's motivations and the relevance of his work to contemporary discussions on ethics and governance.
Impact: This research will contribute to the scholarly conversation on Platonic philosophy and offer new insights into the historical context of Plato's writings.
Congratulations to Abigail, Anna, and Lily for their successful proposals. We look forward to seeing the impact of their research in the years to come!
The URSA Research Grant Program is supported by the Office of Engaged Learning. URSA grants promote and expand research participation by undergraduate students by engaging students in active faculty/student collaborative learning relationships. There are several types of grants available. These are further described in the URSA Grant Guidelines.