From humanities to the sciences, from superheroes to jaguars, 300+ students will present on variety of topics at A & S Symposium

April 11, 2017

Students analyzing superhero films, the impact of logging practices on jaguars and the feasibility of adding a preserve to the National Park Service’s Registry will present their independent research at The University of Richmond’s School of Arts and Sciences 32nd annual Student Symposium.

More than 300 students from varying disciplines across the arts, social sciences, humanities, leadership, business and sciences will share their faculty-mentored, independent research April 21 from 1-6 p.m. in the Modlin Center for the Arts and Gottwald Center for the Sciences.

The Student Symposium features research projects in the form of oral presentations, poster sessions, performances and art exhibits. The symposium provides students an opportunity to present their work in a professional setting, comparable to an international conference or discipline-specific symposium. All presentations are free and open to the public.

“Faculty-mentored research opportunities play a signature role in our students’ education,” School of Arts and Sciences Dean Patrice Rankine said. “The Student Symposium showcases the breadth and depth of undergraduate research across the School of Arts and Sciences.”

Highlighted student research includes:

Damian Hondares, ‘17, a journalism and American studies double major, analyzed three superhero films from director Zack Snyder, who was heavily influenced by Ayn Rand's “The Fountainhead,” to consider how the films subvert the meaning of superheroism and exalt "rational selfishness."

Kayla Sherman, ‘17, a biology and environmental studies double major, studied how sustainable logging practices affect jaguar activity at the Rio Bravo Conservation Area in Belize.

Natalie Somerville,‘17, an international studies and French double major, researched the feasibility of adding Bear Rocks Preserve in West Virginia to the National Park Service’s Registry of Natural Landmarks. 

Grace Conway, Arjun Jaini and Andrew Levorse, three juniors who recently received Goldwater scholarships, also will each present their research at the Symposium.

For more information and a detailed list of presenters and topics, visit the University of Richmond website.

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