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Students Find Success at UNO's Virtual Research and Creative Activity Fair

A group of 17 students from a range of programs and colleges were recognized for their innovative contribution to their field.

A screenshot of the Zoom awards presentation for the 2021 RCAF

NOTE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed Cody Anderson as a co-author on the poster presentation "Praying Sexual Perversions Away: The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Deterring Repeat Sex Offending" by Lexi Goodjohn. The information has been corrected and we apologize for the error.


On Friday, March 26, more than 160 students virtually gathered with their faculty mentors, peers, and members of the community to participate in UNO's 13th Annual Student Research and Creative Activity Fair (RCAF).

The fair, which has served as the starting point for a generation of scholars, scientists, artists, and more, featured a robust selection of presentations from each of UNO's six academic colleges and across all education levels - from bachelor's to doctoral research.

Among all the presentations, there were 16 that stood out, judged by volunteers from the Omaha and campus communities, as some of the best the university had to offer.

2020 Research and Creative Activity Fair Winners


Graduate Oral Presentations or Performances

Best - Erica Hendrick, Biomechanics, "Using Real-Time Biofeedback to Increase Walking Speed in Individuals After Stroke"; Advisor: Brian Knarr, Ph.D.

Outstanding - Elizabeth Pekas, Exercise Science, "Dietary Nitrate Intake Improves Vascular Function and Walking Capacity in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease"; Advisor: Song-Young Park, Ph.D.

Meritoriuous - Michael Allen, Exercise Science, "Resistance Band Exercise Training Ameliorates Insulin Resistance and Lipid Profiles in Obese Postmenopausal Women With Mild Peripheral Artery Disease"; Advisor: Song-Young Park, Ph.D.

Honorable Mention - Kennady Gustin, Gerontology, "Examination of Job Satisfaction of Aged Care Employees: A Systematic Review"; Advisor: Chris Kelly, Ph.D.

Graduate Poster Presentations

Best - Namwoong Kim, Biomechanics, "The Effects of Three Different Visual Biofeedback Strategies on Reducing Joint Loading Asymmetries During Bilateral Squats in Individuals With ACL Reconstruction"; Advisor: Brian Knarr, Ph.D.

Outstanding - Adam Damadzic, IO Psychology, "Oops I Did It Again"; Advisor: Kelsey Medeiros, Ph.D.

Meritoriuous - Angela Gifford, Neuroscience and Behavior, "The Impact of Stress Management on the relation of Loneliness and Chronic Stress in Older Adults"; Advisor: Janelle Beadle, Ph.D.

Honorable Mention - Tyler Hamer, Biomechanics, "Implementation and Evaluation of a Baseball Pitching Program and Its Impact on Injury Prevention and Performance"; Advisor: Brian Knarr, Ph.D.

Undergraduate Oral Presentations or Performances

Best - LeeAnna Lui, Molecular and Biomedical Biology, "Determining the Efficacy of a Combinational Therapy Against the Chronic Stage of Toxoplasma Gondii"; Advisor: Paul Davis, Ph.D.

Outstanding - Austin Seamann, Bioinformatics, "Why Does Age Matter? A Structural Analysis of T-Cell Receptors in Young and Elderly Individuals"; Advisor: Dario Ghersi, Ph.D.

Meritoriuous - Andrew Stone, English, "Dungeon Caretakers - An Animated Short"; Advisor: Kenneth White, M.F.A.

Honorable Mention - Kristy McGuire, "Examining Child Trauma in the Jewish Community"; Advisor: Jeannette Gabriel.

Undergraduate Poster Presentations

Best - Afrah Rasheed, Psychology and Sociology, "Adolescent Adjustment: How Social Withdrawal and Number of Friends Affect Peer Victimization"; Advisors: Mithra Pirooz, Ph.D.; Jonathon Santo, Ph.D.

Outstanding - Spencer Witte, Determination of Atrazine in Glacier Creek Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry"; Advisor: Andrew Miller, Ph.D.

Meritoriuous - Tara Goering, "Benevolence Toward Men and Political Conservatism Among Married and Never-Married Women"; Advisors: Carey Ryan, Ph.D.; Abigail M. Folberg, Ph.D.

Honorable Mention - Lexi Goodijohn, Criminology and Criminal Justice, "Praying Sexual Perversions Away: The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Deterring Repeat Sex Offending"; Advisor: Lisa Sample, Ph.D.

Honorable Mention - Cody Anderson, "Efficacy of the Openism Simulator as a Tool to Detect Changes in Gait: A Peripheral Artery Disease Model"; Advisor: Sara Myers, Ph.D.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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