Students Present Research to Members of Congress" 

SALISBURY, MD---Two Salisbury State University students, part of a select group of 64 undergraduates nationwide, recently went to Capitol Hill, presented their research to national legislators and pleaded for more funding for undergraduate study.

Students from some 57 colleges including Towson University, Loyola College in Maryland, the University of Michigan, UCLA and Harvard College joined them.

“I really hope to be able to show the Senators and Congressmen that undergraduates can do valuable research,” said Michael Mullendore an SSU chemistry student.

Dr. Mike Bardzell, professor in SSU’s Mathematics and Computer Science Department, said the conference emphasized the importance of scientific research and the continued funding of agencies such as NASA, the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health to national leaders.

Mullendore and Nicole Miller, an SSU mathematics student, presented their work to their national legislators including Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) and Congressman Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-1-MD) as part of the Conference on Undergraduate Research that highlights work performed in the fields of math, science and engineering.

Miller’s presentation about mathematical patterns--funded by the National Science Foundation--also was viewed by a representative from the organization and her Congressman from Pennsylvania, Todd Platts (R-19-PA).

Mullendore presented research he has worked on with Dr. E. J. Crane, SSU Chemistry Professor, about tiny undersea creatures that live in extreme environments near volcanic vents.

Dr. Kathleen Shannon, chair of the Mathematics and Computer Sciences Department, accompanied the students on the trip.

For information call 410-543-6030 or visit the University’s Web site at www.salisbury.edu.