Grad students make strong showing at research forum
Forum participants (Left to right) William & Mary graduate students Steven Gianvecchio, Kevin Kosanovich, Andrew Wozniak, Kristi Lee Wyatt, Michael Bagge-Hansen, and Stephen Coleman participated in the fourth annual Graduate Student Research Forum. Photo by Carla Schneider
On Feb. 10, six graduate students from the College of William and Mary participated in the fourth annual Graduate Student Research Forum, held at the Library of Virginia in Richmond.
The Virginia Council of Graduate Schools hosted the event, which was attended by members of the General Assembly, their staffs, industry representatives, school administrators and the general public.
In his letter endorsing the forum, Governor Timothy Kaine noted, "The Commonwealth relies heavily on the work and scholarship of our graduate students."
The William & Mary graduate students that participated in the forum presented posters of their original research on topics including cathodes for next generation microelectronic applications (Michael Bagge-Hansen, Applied Science); neutrino physics (Stephen Coleman, Physics); detection of bots in online chat services (Steven Gianvecchio, Computer Science); the emergence of rap and hip-hop in modern American and African American popular culture (Kevin Kosanovich, American Studies); aerosols in the York River watershed (Andrew Wozniak, Marine Science); and technology-assisted distance counseling (Kristi Lee Wyatt, Education).
"William & Mary graduate students are passionate about their research and the opportunity to share the excitement of discovery with undergraduate students, fellow graduate students, and the public," said Laurie Sanderson, William & Mary's Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
Much of William & Mary's graduate research aligns with the priorities of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, demonstrating the critical link between university research, the economic development of the Commonwealth, and the well-being of its citizens.
Virginia's Secretary of Technology Aneesh Chopra has commented in the past that, "Investment in graduate education and the research enterprise is an investment in human capital, which promotes economic development and impacts the quality of life of all Virginians."
More information about the research forum and the Virginia Council of Graduate Schools can be found at www.vacgs.net.
