Dr. Anita Joy from the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine and SIU Edwardsville student, Mollee Pezold, were highlighted as part of the Spring 2013 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities program.
Joy, an assistant professor, was nominated by student Casey Ritchard and received the Vaughn Vandegrift Research Mentor award for the semester. The award was named for SIUE Chancellor Emeritus Vandegrift who retired in 2012.
“Dr. Joy is obviously a highly educated woman and loves her positions as head anatomy professor,” Ritchard said. “I idolize her intelligence and the modesty that she possesses regarding her intelligence. She always wants to ensure that we know exactly what will occur at each step, and why this step will produce a certain outcome.” Ritchard also pointed to Joy’s support and encouragement of her students extending beyond the classroom and laboratory settings.”
Pezold, a sophomore majoring in speech-language pathology, received the semester research assistant award. Dr. Kathryn Brady, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, nominated Pezold because of her maturity and promise as a researcher.
“Mollee functions in the research setting like a graduate student,” Brady stated. “She is the total package: intelligent, analytical, organized, detail-oriented, flexible, collaborative, even-keeled and friendly. She has essentially become my lab manager. Other students working in the lab quickly become aware both of her competence and collegiality.”
Other faculty mentor nominees included: Dr. Christopher Rosnick, assistant professor of psychology; Dr. Anne Flaherty, assistant professor of political science; and Dr. Jianwei Huang, assistant professor of civil engineering.
Other students nominated for the research assistant award included: Bentley Gederis and Brandon Beckemeyer from Engineering; Sarah Giacomini and Michelle Pherson from biological sciences; Alyssa Gretak from psychology; Alissa Yoder and Caige Smith from kinesiology; Kristine Scharven from nursing; and Grayce Voreis from special education and communication disorders.
The URCA Program at SIUE encourages, supports and enables students to participate in research and creative activities at the undergraduate level. This opportunity enhances the undergraduate experience and allows students to interact with faculty and engage in scholarship, while connecting more fully in the educational process.