“Getting a foot into the door, into a field that you don’t even know that you like, can change everything,” said Gibson, a senior in the . “I didn’t know this field that even existed before meeting Dr. Rochner.”

Gibson has been working in a lab for over a year researching dendrochronology – the study of measuring tree rings to establish age of historic trees. By analyzing the distinctive patterns of tree rings in living and dead trees, she can create a detailed record of environmental conditions and help date archaeological sites.

“It’s crucial because it can confirm construction dates and accurately determine the archaeological timbes and artifacts,” she said. “It can also help confirm the history of different people.”

Gibson’s summer research project has two parts. The first part is dating samples from the various structures such as the Riverside Planation in Louisville. The second part is a literature review on how dendrochronologists discuss the legacies of slavery in their work and how the dendrochronology can be used as a tool to tell lost stories.

“No matter what, you are dealing with this uncomfortable history. We are complicit in this work unless we say something and unless we are active in doing something about it,” said Gibson. “This is going to be an on-going project through my senior year because if I’m going to do this, I really want to do it well.”

Twenty-nine students are participating in UofL’s (SROP). SROP provides University of Louisville undergraduate students an intensive 10-week research experience with a faculty mentor in any discipline.

Dominic Laduke, a geography student in the , participated in summer research to explore his passion of meteorology.

“Getting to college and seeing all the research that goes into the different products that we use for meteorology really interested me and I knew that I wanted to do something like that,” Laduke said.

His project focuses on simulating how severe weather interacts with cities. By creating a detailed computer model of a virtual city, complete with increased roughness to represent buildings and changes in temperature to reflect the urban heat island effect, Laduke’s research examines the impact of aerosols – tiny particles suspended in the air – on these weather events.

Traditionally, research on severe weather and cities has relied on observations of past events. Laduke’s project uses computer modeling to create simulations, providing a deeper look into why these interactions happen. This research could lead to more accurate forecasts.

“The main goal of all of this research is to keep people informed and safe,” he said.

Some SROP students are even taking their research global. Gunnar Goshorn, a fine arts and liberal studies student in the , developed an intensive art program at the University of Rome.

Goshorn’s artistic journey began with a performance art experience that sparked a passion for the experimental and the essence of art. This curiosity led him to take a chance and reach out to a professor, a decision that blossomed into a collaborative summer research project.

“What really got me to reach out to my professor was just how open she was in the classroom. I just sent her an email saying I found a scholarship and would really love to try and create an opportunity not only for myself but for her as well,” he said. “A huge part of the creative identity is building connections and the most beautiful thing about those connections is that they can be built between any two creatives.”

UofL’s diverse environment also played a significant role in Goshorn’s desire for research. From professors with a traditional appreciation for art to classmates with a range of backgrounds and identities, UofL has provided a playground of experiences and perspectives for him. This exposure has not only shaped Gunnar’s artistic identity but also solidified his commitment to staying and building a community within Kentucky.Ěý

“UofL has been a hundred percent the right choice for me because I don’t think I would have had this experience or anything like this at any other school,” Goshorn said.

As a participant, Cicha is one of 18 undergraduate students taking part in the 10-week funded research experience, directed by UofL’s and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity. She says the program has given her a new level of research independence.

“This summer I have much more control over the study design and analysis of the data than I’ve had on previous projects,” she said.

Ray Yeager, assistant professor, Department of Environmental Medicine, is Cicha’s mentor. He says programs like SROP help undergraduate students build research understanding while also leading them toward more informed choices about research as a career path and future graduate schools.

“It is fundamentally different than sitting in class since you are participating in real research,” he said.

The Summer Research Opportunity Program offers participants a living allowance of $3,500 for the 10 weeks, plus their mentors receive $500 to support student research projects. Students identify a research mentor who provides them with an individualized research project. They also benefit from group seminars on research and graduate education topics. To participate, students need to have completed their second year of undergraduate education.

“I’m a big fan of SROP because it is crucial for equity,” said Yeager, who is now in his third year of providing SROP student mentorship. “If someone is from a disadvantaged background, they can’t just go volunteer with a lab for the summer. Because this is a funded program it gives students who otherwise would have to work the opportunity to focus on research.”

Yeager adds that the program is beneficial for undergraduates with a variety of future goals, pointing out that students don’t have to desire a career in research to gain value from things like understanding data analytics and other important aspects of research.

For Ethan Mills, a biology major with plans to become a trauma or critical care physician, the summer experience is helping develop essential character traits of “discipline, patience and the ability to achieve goals with a team. My critical thinking skills also have greatly improved while designing experiments and fixing issues as they arise,” he said.

Mills is taking part in work that includes purifying hemoglobin from swine red blood cells, and then conducting experiments with the blood. He’s participating in research within the lab of Michael Menze, professor, Department of Biology, and associate dean of research and innovation, College of Arts and Sciences. The lab hopes to develop a freeze-dried red blood cell product that would extend the shelf life of transfusible units and allow red blood cells to be stored at room temperature.

The soon-to-be fourth-year biology student says he appreciates the wisdom Menze imparted to him this summer.

“He has taught me the importance of maintaining a positive attitude despite setbacks, and carefully planning experiments before beginning them,” Mills said.ĚýĚý

Cicha also is learning time management, literature reviews and general best practices for the research world.

“In the future, I’d like to continue researching the environment, specifically climate change and solutions in that realm. This program is greatly helping me to shape those plans, as I’m able to experience what it’s like presenting and reporting on my findings,” Cicha said.

The SROP students, along with more than 80 additional undergraduate and graduate students taking part in summer research programs across UofL’s campuses, will present their findings in the Research Showcase on Aug. 5 at the Kosair Charities Clinical & Translation Research Building.

“I think SROP is a unique experience that UofL offers undergraduates. It’s great to be paired with someone who genuinely cares about the next generation of scientists and to meet other students with similar life goals,” Cicha said.

Here is Cicha talking about her summer research experience:

The journal, , is meant to highlight student research and scholarship across all disciplines. The inaugural issue includes pieces on isolated galaxies, legal history, medicine and more.

“The point of research is to communicate it,” said Jahnavi Sunkara, co-editor-in-chief of the journal, senior biology major and (GEMS) student. “We wanted to provide an avenue for undergraduate students to relay their research, as they’re the core of incredible research projects at UofL.”

The Cardinal Edge editorial team worked with UofL Libraries to develop an open-access portal where students can submit their work and read the journal. The goal is to help students share their work and prepare for future publishing by gaining experience as authors and editors.

The journal will publish once per year, and undergraduate students at UofL are full-length manuscripts, brief reports and literature reviews for the 2022 issue.

Currently, only UofL students can submit articles, but the journal may accept work from other universities in the future. Submitted papers will be evaluated by faculty and students through a double-blind peer review process, in which the identities of reviewers and authors are kept hidden, before the final issue is curated by the journal’s student editorial board.

Aside from faculty advisers Mark Running and Shira Rabin, of the Department of Biology, and their journal sponsor, Charlie Leonard, executive director of the UofL Grawemeyer Awards, every member of the editorial staff is an undergraduate student.

“We are grateful to the programs, organizations and individuals on campus who have promoted and continue to support our mission,” said Betty Ngo, a junior psychology and biology major, Grawemeyer Scholar and co-editor-in-chief of the journal. “We hope to increase our visibility in UofL’s community and strengthen our reputation as an academic journal in upcoming years”.

You can view and download published articles .

As part of an honors class, a group of undergraduate students studied — through interviews, research and first-hand experience — how towns like New Albany, Clarksville and Jeffersonville, Indiana, benefit from and can better promote kayaking, concerts and other riverside activities.

They worked with the U.S. National Park Service – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program to conduct river town reviews. The program’s team effort approach to looking with “fresh eyes on enhancing tourism and outdoor recreation” helped these communities explore how they can further realize the benefits of the Ohio River and the development of the 270-mile Ohio River Recreation Trail from Portsmouth, Ohio, to West Point, Kentucky.

“I think the main takeaway is that there is so much potential for the Ohio River and the communities that surround it,” said Forest Clevenger, a political science major who worked on the project. “By focusing on recreation, it not only reinvigorates the economies of these communities, but it makes it so that conservation (of rivers) is an economic asset and something that is supported.”

The results of the students’ research, including observations, models, maps and photos from their trips to the Ohio River Greenway, currently are on display at the main branch of the Louisville Free Public Library. The exhibit, “River of Life: Cities and Towns Along the Mighty Ohio,” is expected to run through the summer.

“The students’ work in this exhibit uses photos and explorations to understand past initiatives that encouraged river recreation,” said David Wicks, who taught the class and also is director of River City Paddle Sports. “They put a lot of work into this and it really shows. Their work could help shed new light on the role of rivers – how they shape and grow our towns.”

The exhibit also spawned an offshoot project called “Ripple Effects: Exploring Water in Louisville.” That project began with a photo contest that asked kids in grades K-12 to capture their feelings about water on film. The goal is to learn more about youth attitudes toward water — what it means to them, its role in their everyday lives and how they engage with it.

Mary Brydon-Miller, professor in the UofL College of łÉČËÖ±˛Ą and Human Development, will prepare a summary of the main themes that come out of the entries to present as part of an upcoming National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forum on extreme rainfall and community resilience.

“The important thing is the engagement of youth across the Louisville metro area in thinking about the importance of water in our community,” she said. “And asking kids to tell that story in a creative way will tell us a lot about how they see water’s role in their lives.”

Winners of the photo contest will be announced at Louisville Waterfront Park on June 21 and featured in another exhibit at LFPL this fall as part of the Louisville Photo Biennial.

More information on the exhibit, including sponsor listing, is available on , as well as more information on .

Most of the students came from UofL, but about one-third of them came from other schools, including from as far away as Japan. Their research projects focused everything from chemistry and physiology to engineering and molecular genetics.

The students were able to present their research at a poster session earlier this month.Ěý

“This is our next generation of researchers. It gives them opportunities for students both at the University of Louisville and across the country to carry out their own research projects in faculty laboratories,” said David Hein, professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology. “We hope this experience will enable all of the students to be scientifically literate and to strongly consider a career in biomedical sciences.”

Watch below for more information about the program and the students involved:Ěý

Lisa Sandell, PhD, assistant professor in UofL’s Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, says there is a pressing medical need to regenerate or bioengineer replacement salivary glands for people who suffer from salivary gland dysfunction.

Sandell and her team are working to advance science as they study the molecules and signals that an embryo uses to orchestrate the process of de novo gland formation. She says the ultimate aim is for some of these molecules to be utilized to promote regeneration or be used in bioengineering approaches to generate tissues for implantation.

While working in Sandell’s lab, Master of Science in Oral Biology student Timur Abashev, recently designed and carried out a study focused on the developmental growth of salivary gland epithelium. The results were published in the journal, , and his data image was selected for the cover of the February 2017 issue.

“To accomplish such a study and bring it to successful publication within the timeframe of a Masters project is a great achievement for a student,” Sandell said.

Sandell says it is exciting to work with students to uncover new knowledge, and to be a part of their long-term success. Abashev graduated from the MSOB program in December 2016, and is volunteering in Sandell’s lab this semester. He plans to begin an Advanced Standing for International Dentists program at University of the Pacific this summer.