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Posters in the Rotunda: A Celebration of Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville are taking on a statewide level of education by presenting their work to Wisconsin legislators. On Wednesday, March 7, the UW System will be hosting the ninth annual Posters in the Rotunda: A Celebration of Undergraduate Research.

The event is held at the State Capitol in Madison where students from across the UW-System will display the many different areas of research being conducted in Wisconsin. UW-Platteville will have 12 students and five staff advisors presenting five different research projects.

Students Kyle Kuzicki, from Sobieski; Kristi Nolden, Lodi; Katrina Taylor, Dane; Amber Kopitzke, Chilton, and advisor Dr. Wayne Weber will be displaying their research poster on “The genetic diversity of Brown Trout populations in Southwest Wisconsin.”

Undergrad Anthony Probst, Appleton, and faculty advisor Dr. Soma Chattopadhyay will be presenting their research on “Fabrication of porous silicon templates for Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering applications.”

Student presenters Steven LaBarge and Sara Allen, both of Platteville, chemistry department staff member Thomas Wilding, Verona, and advisor Dr. Evan Larson are going to be exhibiting their research on “Invasive earthworm impacts on tree growth in the Menominee Forest of Northern Wisconsin.”

Student Michelle Merkovich, Franksville, and advisor Dr. Sabina Burton will be demonstrating their research on “Lone wolf typology of domestic terrorists.”

Undergrads Leslie Monical, Plymouth, Minn.; Brandon Schumacher, Ixonia; Elizabeth Wilkinson, Rockford, Ill.; and advisor Dr. Karen Ruffner are going to be presenting research on “Action research in public schools through a university partnership.”

These students and staff will be proving that hard work pays off with this day-long event, and throughout this time there will be follow-ups on each of the groups presenting their work at the capitol.

Contact: Renae Kratcha, UW-Platteville Education Graduate Assistant, gorman@uwplatt.edu
Written by: Alyssa Bloechl, UW-Platteville University Information and Communications, (608) 342-1194, bloechla@uwplatt.edu

Launch Lab / Entrepreneurial Opps

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville initiates an entrepreneurial initiative, the Pioneer Launch Lab. Located on the fifth floor of Pioneer Tower, the Pioneer Launch Lab is an entrepreneurial setting providing a “low risk – high touch” nurturing environment for students, recent alumni, faculty and staff for development of business ideas, launches and operations.

According to Bernhardt, the lab is intended for those who have a creative concept or for those who are already operating a business but want to expand and take it to the next level. It will be a network of people who will dedicate their time, expertise and experience to provide resources, consultation, connections, assistance and mentoring to members. An application process is in place and five students have been accepted for membership.

“Entrepreneurship and innovation are high priorities on the UW-Platteville campus,” said Chancellor Shields. “The university environment has always been about creativity. Now more than ever, it is vital that the campus community capitalize on the creativity and innovation of our students, faculty and staff. Entrepreneurship on this campus, whether through students or the research and development by faculty, is a strategic priority. The Launch Lab, the entrepreneurship minor, competitions and events are all important pieces in this strategic effort.”

Jessica Thompson, a junior majoring in business administration, is one of the lab’s members.

“The Launch Lab to me serves as a unique opportunity and a valuable resource to UW-Platteville students with an entrepreneurial interest and drive; it fosters entrepreneurship and aims to harness the ideas of students here on campus. It works to create an avenue for students to network and connect with other students, faculty and advisory board members who are truly there to aid this group,” said Thompson. Other students who have joined the Pioneer Launch Lab include Tom Aronson, Micah Binns, Zachary Voelker and Shzabette Knox and Holly Korzeniewski.

Melissa Pahl, executive director of the Platteville Area Industrial Development Corporation, is a member of the Pioneer Launch Lab Advisory Team. She is looking forward to helping the students work through some of the marketing complexities by answering questions like how to find clients and offer services, what to charge and how to differentiate a business from its competitors. “These questions aren’t always addressed in a business plan but can be major hurdles for a business owner,” said Pahl. “I would have loved a resource like this when I was going to school.”

Pahl is joined on the Advisory Panel by Chris Geyer, owner of Netux Solutions LLC; Thomas Geyer, partner/attorney at Kopp, McKichan LLP; Doug Rogers, partner at Honkamp Krueger and Company CPA’s; Deb McWilliams, vice president of Clare Bank; Ed White, executive director of Platteville Business Incubator; and Bart Neis, vice president of Delta 3 Engineering.

For more information or to apply for membership in the Pioneer Launch Lab, visit www.uwplatt.edu/entrepreneurship or contact Kathy Neumeister at neumeisterk@uwplatt.edu or at (608) 342-6020.

 

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