Ten Cameron University students and a recent graduate journeyed to Long Beach, Calif., in April to present their research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), presented by the Council on Undergraduate Research.
Timothy Ballard, an English education major from Cache, submitted a paper titled “"Frankenstein’s Symbolic Eco-Feminist Agenda." The paper was based on research performed in Dr. John Hodgson’s Studies in British Literature course on “the gothic” in Fall 2023 and examines critiques of the patriarchal domination of nature in Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel.
Katherine Bartek, an English major from Lawton, submitted a paper focusing on “Queer and Transgender Representation in Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein.’” Also developed in Hodgson’s gothic literature course, Bartek’s paper analyzes the characters of Victor and his creation as outcasts from society, showing the novel’s potential to resonate with marginalized communities today.
Marlow’s Aubrey Hewitt, who graduated in December 2023 with an Associate in Science degree in business, submitted her paper, "The ‘Same Old Shit’: Seeing Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Artworks Through His Black Vision." Her paper was developed in Dr. John Morris’ African-American Literature course.
Landon Holley, a senior physics major from Duncan, presented a poster focusing on ionospheric drift using ionosonde data. The results of this research can be important in terms of space plasma studies and space weather predictions, which play a significant role in radio and satellite communication as well as GPS navigation.
Jennifer Lane, a physics and engineering major from Fletcher, also presented a poster. Lane has been analyzing the light curve of exoplanets, which are planets in other solar systems. She is part of an exoplanet watch program via NASA’s partnership with the MicroObservatory Robotic Telescope Network at the Center for Astrophysics/Harvard & Smithsonian and Las Cumbres Observatory, a network of 25 telescopes at seven sites around the world.
"The Role of Trauma and Love in ‘Beloved’ by Toni Morrison" was the paper submitted by Kaley Muse, an English major from Lawton. Developed in Dr. Carie Schneider’s Studies in American Literature: American Gothic course in Fall 2023, the paper analyzes the interplay between the bonds of family love and the traumatic aftermath of slavery as depicted in Morrison’s Pulitzer-prize winning novel.
Brooke Nicholson, an English education major from Lawton, conducted a poster presentation focusing on “Satire in the Magical World.” Her research provides new insights into “Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix” that reveals author J.K. Rowling’s hidden social criticism of the U.S. education system.
Torie Ortiz-Jones, an education major from Cache, presented a poster based on her personal experience with Cowden Syndrome, a genetic condition that is characterized by the presence of multiple non-cancerous tumor-like growths and an increased susceptibility to certain cancers. Her findings indicated that being able to isolate a specific gene and making testing more accessible would help more undiagnosed patients get testing and treatment.
Ryn Swinson, an English major from Duncan, presented her paper, “Gender Performance and Heteronormativity in ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’.” Swinson’s paper builds on research conducted in Schneider’s Literary Theory class in Fall 2023 to analyze the relationships and self-presentation of female characters in the 1991 film.
Gina Welborn, a strategic communications major from Lawton, submitted a paper called "How Fiction Authors Can Use Cultural Communication Differences to Enhance Conflict in Dialogue." Welborn’s paper uses Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” as an example text, applying intercultural communication theory in order to identify key elements of creative writing craft.
Marlow’s Emily Womack, an English major, submitted a paper called "Finding Literary Freedom.” Based on research conducted in Dr. William Carney’s Intro to Literary Studies course, the paper takes Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” as a case study of book bans and censorship, arguing for the importance of access to challenging texts.
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PR#24-091
