Opportunities for Wittenberg University students to partner with faculty members as they conduct research abound each year, including during the summer months. Click here to read our latest feature about research on Dandelion Growth.
Check this page regularly as we feature different research projects.
Sarah Fitterer ’25 collaborated with Matt Collier, professor of biology and department chair, to study the impacts of soil iron and manganese exposure on North American dandelion growth.
William Westermeyer ’26 is collaborating this summer with Kunal Chatterjee, assistant professor of biology, on a special class of biomolecule called tRNA. “tRNA are required by cells to make proteins. William is trying to learn what happens when tRNA are not properly made – are they repaired and/or destroyed? He is also trying to discover the proteins that participate in this tRNA quality control mechanism,” Chatterjee said.
Deza Frega ’24 is partnering with Stacy Porter, assistant professor of environmental science, this summer to quantify the urban heat island effect in Wittenberg’s hometown of Springfield and determine its possible influence on precipitation.
Hannah Marcin '24 is conducting research with Michelle McWhorter, associate professor of biological and environmental sciences, to study obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The research is a continuation of the work previously begun by two students with McWhorter.
Biology majors Lily Bonar ’24, Neil Boyles ’26, and Tori Hinkle ‘24 are all researching spotted turtles in southwestern Ohio this summer under the direction of Associate Professor of Biology Richard Phillips. Phillips has let Bonar, Boyles, and Hinkle run the show. The trio recently finished trapping and is currently analyzing data and tracking the turtles.
Sarah Fitterer ’25 is currently collaborating with Matt Collier, professor of biology, department chair, and the 2023 recipient of the University’s top faculty prize, the Alumni Association Award for Distinguished Teaching, to study the impacts of soil iron and manganese exposure on North American dandelion growth.
