TU holds annual Student Research & Creative Inquiry Forum

By Ray Feldmann on April 24, 2017

Academic research, innovation, scholarship and creativity were on full display last Wednesday, April 19, as Towson University held its Student Research & Creative Inquiry Forum in the University Union. It is an annual, campus-wide event to promote scholarly research and creative activities among TU’s graduate and undergraduate students.

This year, the forum had added significance because it was part of a new “Celebration of Excellence” launched earlier this month to better showcase the university’s best and brightest students, alumni, faculty and staff. Five more “Celebration” events are scheduled before the end of the semester as the perfect transition to the commencement season next month.

The third “Celebration of Excellence” event, the BTU Partnerships Showcase, took place Monday, April 24, at SECU Arena.

At this year’s Student Research & Creative Inquiry Forum, more than 175 students across each academic college at TU presented their research and creative activities. All of the student work was conducted under the guidance of TU faculty mentors.

Some of the topics presented at the April 19 forum included "Developing Long-Acting Implants for Breast Cancer Prevention," "Biomechanics Partnership with Dance," "The Effects Chronic Illness in Childhood has on Adulthood," and "The Plight of Refugee Children Violence."

"Presenting my research surrounded by my peers was a fantastic opportunity," said senior Aubrey Baird. "I presented about my internship experience, specifically with treating patients with Borderline Personality Disorder.

"Not only did the Forum help me develop the confidence to talk about my own work, but I got to see how passionate and driven so many of my peers were," Baird added. "It really exemplified a lot of the amazing work completed by students at Towson."

A psychology and family science double major, Baird is also a clinical psychology intern at Medstar Union Memorial Hospital's Partial Hospitalization Program.

A full list of the topics presented by students within each college is available in the forum guidebook.

The next “Celebration of Excellence” event, a Senior Colleagues Reception, will take place this Thursday, April 27, at 5:30 p.m. in the Minnegan Room of the Unitas Stadium Field House. 

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel's priorities for Towson University: Strategic Plan Alignment.