UNH Hosts Annual Legislators Breakfast March 29

Contact: Denise Hart
603-862-1462
UNH Media Relations

March 21, 2005



DURHAM, N.H. – Rising stars at the University of New Hampshire are highlighted when state legislators have the opportunity to meet with outstanding student researchers at the annual UNH Legislators Breakfast March 29, 2005.

UNH President Ann Weaver Hart, the UNH Alumni Association and the Parents Association will welcome legislators at the New Hampshire Historical Society’s Tuck Library in Concord from 7:30-9 a.m.

“Student research is a central part of the academic experience at UNH, and we are delighted to highlight eight student research projects for our New Hampshire legislators,” says President Hart. “In conducting original research with the guidance of a faculty mentor, students discover new knowledge that benefits our communities and our economy.”

Hart and Vice President for Research and Public Service John Aber will offer remarks during the breakfast.

The students will present their work in a poster session, where they will explain their research and answer questions. The research topics include:

• Police/Citizen Interaction: Three Perspectives on the Television Show COPS
  Courtney Bezanson, Stratham, NH – Major: Communication
  Samantha Jason, Vineyard Haven, Mass.– Major: Communication
  Caroline Kutcher, Somerville, NJ – Major: Anthropology and Communication
  Faculty advisor: Mardi Kidwell, assistant profession of communication
  
  
• Design, Analysis and Construction of a Data Acquisition System for Biofouled Open Ocean Aquaculture Netting
  Alexander Unrein, Lee, NH – Major: Mechanical Engineering
  Faculty advisor: M. Robinson Swift, professor of mechanical engineering
  
  
• The Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on the New Zealand Sea Urchin, Pseudechinus huttoni
  Byron Pedler, East Falmouth, Mass.– Major: Marine and Freshwater Biology
  Faculty advisor: Michael Lesser, research professor of zoology
  
  
• Interdisciplinary Care in a British Pediatric Hospice: Communication and Decision- Making within the Care Team
  Emily Lagana, Auburn, NH – Major: Nursing
  Faculty advisor: Dorothy Rentschler, associate professor of nursing
  
  
• Mapping Manchester Neighborhoods: A Spatial Study of Work, Family, and Culture
  Elizabeth Fournier, Manchester, NH – Major: History
  Faculty advisor: Robert Macieski, associate professor of history
  
  
• The Politics of Survival: Indian and European Collaboration in Colonial North America
  Ian Pajer-Rogers, Dover, NH – Major: Political Science and International Affairs
  Faculty Advisory: Mary Malone, lecturer of history
  
  
• Resilience and Childhood Adversity: The Role of Spirituality
  Angela Borges, Manchester, NH – Major: Psychology and Women’s Studies
  Faculty advisor: Victoria Banyard, associate professor of psychology
  
  
• Wildlife Responses to Invasive Shrubs in Early-Successional Habitats
  Brendan Clifford, Hampton, NH – Major: Wildlife Management
  Faculty advisor: John Litvaitis, professor of natural resources

During the week of April 25-29, the university will host the sixth annual Undergraduate Research Conference (URC), with public events at the Durham and Manchester campuses designed to highlight and discuss student research. For more information about the URC, visit http://www.unh.edu/urc.