Students Honored with Top Undergraduate Research Awards

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From left, SUNY Potsdam President John F. Schwaller poses with Justin McNally, Aimee Kellicutt, Matthew Dunlop III, Andrew Beane and Carleen Graham, director of the Center for Undergraduate Research.

POTSDAM, NY (04/22/2011)(readMedia)-- Students at SUNY Potsdam took home cash awards in recognition of their outstanding undergraduate research at the College's 2011 Learning and Research Fair on April 13.

Student presenters competed for the Ram L. Chugh North Country Research and Public Service Award, sponsored by the Chugh Public Service Endowment. It is awarded to the top student researcher in recognition of excellent research on an issue relevant to the North Country. The Chugh Award is made possible by an endowment established by SUNY Potsdam Professor Emeritus Dr. Ram L. Chugh and his wife, Seema.

The Chugh Award recognizes political, scientific, environmental or social research conducted in a designated North Country county. First place went to Matthew Dunlop III, for his presentation, "Mineralogical and Petrological Study of an Unnamed Magnetite Prospect, Owls Head Mountain, Franklin County, N.Y." Dunlop's research was overseen by faculty mentor Dr. Christopher Kelson. Second place went to Andrew Beane, for his project, "Surveys and Habitat Use of Wintering Raptors in Northern New York," overseen by faculty mentor Dr. Angelina Ross.

The afternoon event also included the presentation of three Kilmer Undergraduate Research Poster Excellence Awards, made possible by a generous gift to the Potsdam College Foundation from an anonymous donor in memory of Dr. Frederick Kilmer, original science director for the Johnson and Johnson Corporation.

For the Kilmer Awards, Justin McNally earned first place for his project, "Characterization of Several L-Ferritin Mutants that Cause Neuroferritinopathy," overseen by faculty mentor Dr. Fadi Bou-Abdallah.

Second place went to Aimee Kellicutt her presentation, "Production of Biodiesel from Ethanol," which she completed with faculty mentor Dr. Martin Walker. Brenna Cooper was awarded third place for her project, "Characterization of Iron Oxidation and Mineral Core Formation in Recombinant Heteropolymer Ferritin," also overseen by Dr. Bou-Abdallah.

To learn more about the many research opportunities offered at SUNY Potsdam, please visit www.potsdam.edu/faculty/research/rspo/index.cfm.

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Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts.

-www.potsdam.edu-