Honors Program

Westminster student earns Drinko grant for psychology research

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Westminster College student Samantha Reed earned an individual Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research grant for her research project, “The Effects of Caffeine on Emotional Memory.”

Reed, a senior psychology major and honors student from Zionsville, Pa., used the grant to fund three semesters of research. She studied how caffeinated versus non-caffeinated beverages affect emotional memory. Reed distributed a memory test to 40 participants over two sessions to collect data based on the participants' ability to remember positive, negative and neutral words.

Dr. Eric Fields, assistant professor of psychology at Westminster, mentored Reed throughout the research.

“I think this experience has greatly helped me by giving me the chance to work alongside my adviser. I have learned more through this research process than in any class. It has taught me to work individually and problem solve,” said Reed.

Westminster’s Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research financially supports undergraduate work through various grants for students participating in academic programs, conferences and creative projects at Westminster College.

For more information on the Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research, contact director Dr. Patrick Lackey at ugresearch@westminster.edu.

Friday, December 15, 2023

Westminster College honors student Lily Hefner presented a research paper, “Using Low-Activity MAOA as a Mitigating Factor in the United States Criminal Justice System,” at the 58th annual conference of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) in Chicago in November.

A junior molecular biology and criminal justice studies double major from Washington, Pa., Hefner’s paper was a product of work completed for her interdisciplinary Honors Program research project.

Hefner’s research examines the role a particular gene can play in the likelihood of someone committing a crime. She evaluates how an unstable or abusive environment during adolescence combined with this genetic predisposition may be more likely to cause certain behaviors.

“Attending NCHC was a great learning experience. I feel much more confident in my own knowledge and my ability to share my thoughts in a clear and polished way. I think this was an important first step into larger academic circles,” said Hefner.

Funding for conference expenses was provided by the Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research. The All-College Honors Program provided additional funding which supports participation in academic programs and research for honors students.

Attending the conference with Hefner was Dr. Jamie Chapman, associate professor of sociology and director of the Honors Program.

Click here for information about the All-College Honors Program at Westminster College.

Biology, microbiology majors present capstone research

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Several biology and molecular biology majors from Westminster College presented their capstone research posters at a semester-end event on Friday, Dec. 1.

In these disciplines, the focus of the capstone project is the application of the scientific method through the design, execution, analysis and presentation of an experimental study.

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Six Westminster College students had an opportunity to travel overseas to Budapest, Hungary, for a seminar on comparative conceptions of charity and philanthropy prior to the start of the fall semester.

Hosted by the University of Jewish Studies in Budapest, the weeklong seminar welcomed students from the host school, Westminster and Western Galilee College in Israel.

Westminster students attending included seniors Victoria Harden, an individual interdisciplinary major and secondary education minor from Greensburg, Pa., and Ashley Tarter, a political science and English double major from Alliance, Ohio; juniors Christina Loewe, an international studies and political science double major and criminal justice minor from Austin, Texas, and Ellis Moore, a political science and psychology double major from Millington, Mich.; and sophomores Erin DaRe, a history major and interfaith studies minor from Mars, Pa., and Quinnlyn Reaver, a political science major and environmental studies minor from West Middlesex, Pa.

Dr. Michael Aleprete, professor of political science and director of Westminster’s Office of Global Engagement, served as program adviser to the Westminster students and accompanied them on the trip.

In the mornings, students participated in tours of local religious charities including the Hungarian Jewish Charity Hospital and a homeless shelter run by the Order of Malta’s Hungarian Charity Service. Afternoons were spent in class, where students learned about the traditions of charity and philanthropy in major religious traditions.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Westminster College student Emma Parker spent 10 weeks at Texas A&M University (TAMU) over the summer identifying deubiquitinating proteins for the ubiquitin-like protein UFM-1 through a National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.

Parker, a senior biochemistry major and honors student from Poolesville, Md., worked in the laboratory of TAMU’s Gradipore Chair of Chemistry Dr. Wenshe Liu and was mentored by graduate student Swatadipta Chakraborty.

In Liu’s lab, she attempted to conduct protein identification and discover unknown deubiquitinates (DUBS) that would associate with the protein UFM-1. She utilized different techniques such as liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and proteomics to seek identification.

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Abigail Guiste ’26, a sophomore neuroscience major and participant in Westminster College’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program, was awarded a $750 scholarship from the Pennsylvania Association of TRIO programs (PATRIO).

A native of Pittsburgh, Guiste is one of 13 local students awarded the scholarship.

Guiste’s winning essay explained how TRIO helped her become the person she is today while planning future academic goals and personal growth strategies.

Guiste is a member of the Westminster College Honors Program and is consistently active in TRIO by attending meetings and utilizing the available support tools to further her success as a student.

“Abigail's hard work, involvement across campus and desire to help others will serve her exceptionally well as she works to become a neurologist,” said Erik Austin, program director for Westminster’s TRIO SSS.

Westminster’s federally funded TRIO SSS program provides services and resources to first-generation, income-eligible students and those with disabilities to ensure they successfully navigate their college education. TRIO scholars have access to academic tutoring, academic success and wellness coaching to promote classroom achievement and personal wellbeing, support for learning and other disabilities, and career and college mentoring.

To learn more about Westminster’s TRIO SSS program, please visit https://www.westminster.edu/academics/trio.cfm or contact Austin at austined@westminster.edu.

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Twenty-four Westminster College students had the opportunity to expand their educational and cultural horizons during the All-College Honors Program’s annual journey to Greece this summer.

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Meet Taylor Harman ’24, one of 10 students selected for a 2023 Summer Research Fellowship. Taylor is a senior neuroscience major from Edinburg, Pa. She and her faculty mentor, Dr. Deanne Buffalari, associate professor of psychology and director of the neuroscience program, spent their summer months working on the project “Does Stimulant History Affect the Anxiety-Like Response to Nicotine in Male Rats?”

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Meet Hannah Piccirilli ’24, one of 10 students selected for a 2023 Summer Research Fellowship. Hannah, a senior double majoring in neuroscience and international relations, is from Erie, Pa. She and her faculty mentor, Dr. Eric Fields, assistant professor of psychology, spent their summer months working on the project “EEG Correlates of Memory Encoding and Consolidation from Emotional Stimuli.” She is a member of the All-College Honors Program and its corresponding honorary, Omicron Kappa Sigma. Consistently named to dean’s list, Hannah served as president of the sophomore honorary Lambda Sigma and is a member of the senior honorary Pi Sigma Pi. Hannah belongs to the Psychology-Neuroscience Honors Society Psi Chi and the Spanish Honors Society Sigma Delta Pi. She serves as a peer tutor for Spanish, psychology, neuroscience and speech. She currently serves as president of the Sexuality and Gender Alliance and was instrumental in organizing the campus’ One Love 5K event to raise awareness for victims of relationship violence.