Four Wildcats selected for undergraduate research conference

Four Wildcats presented their research at a major multi-disciplinary conference in Jacksonville this month. The four are Mariyah Espinoza, Augustinas Navickas, Sierra Perry and Monique Satterfield. Their topics included an examination of the news consumption habits of college students and an examination of how black families are portrayed on television. This will be the second trip in two years for Espinosa and Navickas, both seniors. The event took place Feb. 22 and 23 at the University of North Florida. Perry, a junior mass communications major, said she was ecstatic about her selection. "I feel so blessed to be able to participate in an event such as this. I can't wait to show off my research and witness the greatness of others," she said. The Florida Undergraduate Research Conference is one of the nation's largest multi-disciplinary research conferences, according to Dr. Salvador Victor, a professor in the mass communications department. The annual event allows undergraduate researchers in Florida a great opportunity to present their research in a poster forum, Victor said. "There are also exhibitors and recruiters from graduate programs, and other opportunities targets for students involved in undergraduate research," he said. He said judges look for work that is relevant and timely. Students interested in attending future conferences, he said, should be mindful of the "deadliness for submission and make sure they provide a solid abstract." "It is always a good idea to get faculty members advice and guidance before submission," Victor says. The students selected, he said, "must prepare an outstanding poster with the most relevant aspects of the research process and finding." "Given the multi-disciplinary aspect of this event, students interested in future conferences should seek advice from faculty members teaching research courses, or conducting field research in their respective disciplines," he said.