WKU News

The 23rd Annual Posters-at-the-Capitol event will shine a spotlight on the innovative research being conducted by Western Kentucky University students, as it returns to Frankfort on March 6, 2025. The event provides a unique platform for students to present their academic research to state lawmakers and the public, fostering a strong connection between higher education and state government while helping those responsible for higher education funding in Kentucky understand the vital role that undergraduate research plays in the education of students.

This year, twelve exceptional research projects, authored and co-authored by 15 WKU students and four students from the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science, were selected in January for presentation. These cutting-edge projects span a range of disciplines, highlighting the diverse talents and expertise of WKU’s academic community.

13 WKU faculty members mentored the 19 students, and their support is integral in guiding the students through their research. Faculty mentors are listed with the projects below.

The event will take place on the second floor of the Capitol Building, beginning with a Welcome Program and Poster Presentation by the students from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Select students will deliver Lightning Talks beginning at 2:15, with Senior Ava Lich of Brownsville, Kentucky representing WKU. The program will continue in the Rotunda from 2:00 - 3:50 with guest speakers sharing remarks, including a Q & A time. A group photo will be taken before the end of the program at 3:50. All times are in EST. Prior to the Welcome Program, students will have the opportunity to engage with their state legislators from their respective hometowns and demonstrate the valuable work being done at WKU and the important contributions students are making in their fields of study. Jennifer Breiwa-Smith facilitated the scheduling of these meeting for the students.

The Posters-at-the-Capitol event provides a chance for students to engage with lawmakers and showcase how their academic efforts play a key role in the state’s academic and economic growth.

The twelve WKU research projects follow:

• An autoethnography on the desires and emotions in heritage language learning: The effect of external pressures by Gatton Scholar Amber Wu of Murray, Kentucky. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Juyoung Song, MSU, Department of English

• Bridging the past and future of equine architecture in Kentucky by Senior Grace Lawson of Louisville, Kentucky, with co-authors: Madeline Fey of Louisville, Kentucky, Kyler Adams of Collinsville, Illinois, Josie M. Raaf of Chrisney, Indiana. Faculty Mentor: Shahnaz Aly, PhD, WKU, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
• Calculus, caves, and climate change by Senior Ava Lich of Brownsville, Kentucky. Faculty Mentors: Dr. Christopher Groves, Dr. Thomas Richmond, WKU, Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences

• Creating safe spaces: Evaluating residential and day facilities for vulnerable populations by Senior Carrigan Watson of Bowling Green, Kentucky, with co-authors: Alaina Hess of Willisburg, Kentucky, Caroline Burton of Georgetown, Kentucky, Madison Miller of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Faculty Mentor:   Dr. Aly Shahnaz, WKU, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences 
• Developing a novel fluorescent sensor for detecting analytes in an aqueous medium by Sophomore Gatton Scholar Varshith Kotagiri of Frankfort, Kentucky. faculty Mentor: Dr. Lei Li, WKU, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry 
• Exploring the role of Bingocize® workshops in enhancing physical health in older adults by Senior Kaitlyn Gray of Versailles, Kentucky. Faculty Mentors: Dr. Mark Schafer, Dr. Jason Crandall, WKU, Center for Applied Science in Health and Aging
• Functional analysis of a bacteriophage gene product with cytotoxic effects on mycobacterium smegmatis by Sophomore Gatton Scholar Ava R. Blackledge of Morehead, Kentucky. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rodney King, WKU, Department of Biology
• Historical county level maps of natural disasters and extreme weather events for a statewide public health jurisdictional risk assessment by Junior Chase Pitchford of Sonora, Kentucky, with co-author Jay Macy. Faculty Mentors: Dr. Ritchie, Dr. Jacqueline Basham, Dr. Edrisa Sanyang, Dr. Gretchen Macy, WKU, Department of Public Health
• Predicting college student dropout rates using predictive analytics by Senior Jenna Wells of Louisville, Kentucky. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lily Popova Zhuhadar, Department of Analytics & Information Systems
• Predicting hazardous near-earth objects using machine learning for planetary defense by Senior John Costa of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lily Popova Zhuhadar, Department of Analytics & Information Systems
• Risk assessments for COVID-19 by Gatton Scholar Harper Ferrell of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jacob Byl, Department of Economics
• Understanding perceived pediatric healthcare needs in the rural Mennonite communities of South-Central Kentucky: A community-based research study by Junior Allison West of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kim Link, Department of Nursing