Graduate Research Exhibition Ranges from Meteorites to Gothic Cathedrals

3-06-98
University Park, Pa. -- Alligator farming, biomimetic robots, Gettysburg and carpal tunnel syndrome are a few examples of the topics that will be covered by poster presentations during Penn State's 13th annual Graduate Research Exhibition, March 27 and 28.

Graduate students will display and explain research underway in many University departments. Topics range from evaluating noise produced by tires on pavement to studying dust from the asteroids to aid in discovery of planets around other stars. Included for the second year is the Performance Option which includes presentations of operatic solos, piano suites, poetry reading, dramatic readings and a radio play.

Free to the public, the performance option will take place on March 27 in the Recital Hall, Music Building from 8 to 10 p.m. The poster exhibition will be open to the public in the Hetzel Union Building Ballroom on Penn State's University Park campus from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 28.

The exhibition provides graduate students with the opportunity to explain and defend their research -- to faculty, other students, administrators and the community.

"We hope to show undergraduates and the rest of the community how exciting research can be," says Lynne Goodstein, associate dean of the graduate school. "This is our opportunity to share our enthusiasm."

A graduate student in dairy and animal sciences is looking at "Better Sex through Biochemistry," in his attempts to improve cattle production by using a naturally produced protein to enhance sperm fertilizing ability. Another student in physiology and poultry science is using cartilage cells from birds to develop viable implants for the regeneration of joint cartilage.

The life histories of two cathedrals -- one in Strasbourg, France and the other in Cologne, Germany -- are compared and contrasted by an art history graduate student. Closer to home, a history student is investigating the progression of Gettysburg from a battle field to a cultural icon, finding that the process began soon after the battle and has changed repeatedly to accommodate American tastes.

Nearly 150 Penn State graduate students will compete for awards totaling $10,000.

**aem**

Contacts:
A'ndrea Elyse Messer (814) 865-9481 (office) (814) 867-1774 (home) aem1@psu.edu
Vicki Fong (814) 865-9481 (office) (814) 238-1221 (home) vyf1@psu.edu