During the third annual Temple Undergraduate Research Day, undergraduate students from across the university and region presented their Temple-funded research projects to members of the general assembly and visitors in the East Rotunda of Pennsylvania’s capitol building in Harrisburg.

The research highlighted a wide range of the innovative efforts by Temple undergraduates, ranging from a study of the impact cycling has on New York City’s sustainability programs to work with oncologists in developing new technologies for the early detection of breast cancer.

Each presenter is a participant in one of Temple’s undergraduate research programs, which include Diamond Research Scholars, Undergraduate Research Incentive Fund and Summer Research Opportunities Program. The programs provide students an opportunity to engage in a focused, mentored research or creative arts project with the financial support of the university.

Research Day is an opportunity to highlight students who are “deeply engaged in profound questions,” said Dr. Ruth Ost, director of Temple’s Honors Program, who has worked with many of the participants. All of the presenters who are graduating have utilized their research programs in their next steps, either further education or employment, Ost said.

Seniors Danielle Mancinelli, of the College of Liberal Arts, and Amanda Garcia, of the School of Communications and Theater, discussed literacy efforts in North Philadelphia and Disney’s presentation of Latina characters in popular shows with Senator Stewart Greenleaf, who met with the students in the Senate chambers. 

“The Diamond Scholars program gave me the resources I needed to develop a program which has opened so many doors for me — and today is another example of that,” said Mancinelli, who will teach in New Orleans next fall through the Teach for America program.

The Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies sponsored the event.