Editorial Review Board, MURR Vol. 9

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Zachary Ellis

Editor-in-chief

Zachary is a junior Biochemistry major from Renick, West Virginia. As part of the Honors EXCEL Program, he is working to expand and advance MURR, making the journal more accessible and inclusive in the process. Outside of MURR, he works as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Justin Legleiter’s biophysical chemistry laboratory in the C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on probing morphological and mechanical changes associated with the progression of Huntington’s Disease in a Caenorhabditis elegans model. Outside of classes and clubs, he enjoys reading, hiking, fishing, and spending time with friends and family.
MANAGING EDITOR

Hayley Bockius

MANAGING EDITOR

Hayley is a junior Biochemistry major from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. She has grown a passion for improving academic communication and accessibility while completing both the RAP and SURE programs. Through MURR, she aims to provide a platform for undergraduates of all disciplines to share their academic endeavors and to encourage creative curiosity. Hayley conducts research in the Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine Department under mentor Dr. Ramamurthy. Currently, she is demonstrating the importance of Heat Shock Protein 90 in photoreceptor development and its overarching role in vision. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering through WVU Medicine, working with club and intramural sports teams at the Campus Rec, and spending time with her loved ones.
DESIGN EDITOR
Susanna Risk

design editor

Susie is a junior from Charleston, West Virginia. She is majoring in Political Science and Economics, with a minor in history. After her undergraduate career, Susie is interested in attending graduate school to pursue a path researching international economics and government policy. Outside of MURR, she is involved in the WVU Student Government Association, Women in Politics and Government, and the Neidermeyer Scholar Program. In her free time, she also enjoys cooking and spending time with friends. Susie is most excited to join the MURR team to expand her knowledge of research being conducted at WVU, and hopes to become more involved in undergraduate research herself in the process.
HEAD SECTION EDITORS
Michael Fiala

HEAD STEM Section Editor

Michael is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Microbiology and participating in the WVUteach program to develop a secondary education and mentorship path. As a RAP graduate, Michael aims to continue building undergraduate research experience to prepare for graduate school in the environmental field. In addition to MURR, Michael is an undergraduate teaching assistant and participates and volunteers with various clubs and organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), WV Botanic Garden, student organizations, WVU Soil Judging, and the WVU Planetarium. Michael also has two cats, Eevee and Mayla, and enjoys spending his free time exploring a WV state park or forest.
Red Klug

HEAD humanities, arts, & social sciences (hass) Section Editor

Red Klug is a senior with a double major in Art History and Anthropology with minors in History, Political Science, and Native American Studies. Red volunteers with the Rack Student Food Pantry and serves as the vice president of that organization. Working also with the DDEI, the Anthropology Club, and the Presidential Student Ambassadors, among others, Red dedicates time to making the university a more inclusive and safer space for students. Red’s academic interests lie in modern Latin American culture and politics, spending time researching women’s rights and contentious politics in Argentina specifically. In their free time, Red likes to walk around town and soak in the sun while it’s still bright outside
SECTION REVIEWERS
Damon LeMaster

Stem Section REVIEWER

Damon is a Junior majoring in Environmental Microbiology from Sissonville, West Virginia. He has completed both RAP and SURE in the Morrissey Lab that studies microbial communities and biogeochemical cycling. His research interests include root-fungal colonization and factors affecting soil health across West Virginia pastures, but the overall interest is in leveraging microbes to increase plant resilience. After his undergraduate degree, he plans to get his Ph.D from WVU in Plant and Soil Sciences. Through MURR, Damon wants to help other undergraduate researchers publish their works to better advance their careers and undergraduate research conducted here at WVU.
Jacob Freeze

STEM Section REVIEWER

Jacob is a senior Physics major with a minor in Mathematics from Grafton, West Virginia. His research interests are in plasma physics with focus on laser diagnostic methods such as laser induced fluorescence. His project experience spans from vacuum and optical design, data analysis on space plasmas, and optical emission spectroscopy. He currently engages in research under the tutelage of Dr. Earl Scime and Dr. Thomas Steinberger. He previously has engaged in research with the Naval Research Laboratory and the Greenbank Radio Observatory. In addition, he is currently serving as president of the Quantum Technology student organization and as secretary in both the Society of Physics Students and the Astronomy Club. In his free time, he greatly enjoys cooking and the visual arts.

Riley Coulter

STEM Section REVIEWER

Riley is a junior Biomedical Engineering major with a minor in Molecular Medicine from Hurricane, West Virginia. After graduating from RAP last spring, she participated in the NURO summer program and will be continuing her research under Dr. Morgan Bridi on the connections between stress and sensory activity in the brain. Other than MURR, Riley is involved on campus as an SGA senator, Statler Ambassador, and holds leadership positions in various student organizations. In her free time she enjoys reading, being outdoors, cooking, and spending time with her friends. Riley is excited to work with MURR on expanding access and awareness about the research opportunities WVU offers, and to share the amazing projects our fellow peers are participating in.
Sheridan Tolley

STEM Section REVIEWER

Sheridan is a sophomore Neuroscience student from Lewisburg, West Virginia. In the last academic year, Sheridan completed the RAP program with her editing/publishing work regarding rural and Appalachian health disparities soon to be published in The International Journal of Aging and Human Development. Alongside her mentors, Dr. Kristina Hash and Dr. Julie Hicks Patrick, Sheridan’s knowledge of scientific literature and writing advanced. Her continuing interest has led her to contribute her skills as MURR STEM Section Editor. Additionally, Sheridan is a tutor for testWELL Learning Center, a current member of the Honors College, and a volunteer in Dr. Michele Bridi’s Neuroscience lab. In her free time, Sheridan loves to attend her local church, cook with friends, love on farm animals, and drink lots of chai.
Taya Sullivan

STEM SecTion REVIEWER

Taya is a junior Neuroscience and Spanish dual degree candidate minoring in linguistics. While going through both the RAP and SURE programs, she fell in love with her current research at the intersection of neuroscience and linguistics, studying the phonetics, phonology, and underlying mental representations of Spanish, English, and Korean under Dr. Jonah Katz and Dr. Sergio Robles-Puente in the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. Through MURR, she hopes to encourage interdisciplinary research at the intersection of STEM and the humanities. Outside of MURR, you can find her assisting students at the testWELL Learning Center and Statistics Tutoring Center, and in her free time, she enjoys reading sci-fi/fantasy novels, learning new languages, and trying her hardest not to burn what she’s cooking.
Victoria Nist

STEM SeCTION REVIEWER

Victoria is a junior majoring in Animal & Nutritional Sciences from Canton, Ohio. Victoria became involved in undergraduate research in August 2021 while working with Dr. Heather Chaney as a member of the RAP program. In May 2023, Victoria joined Dr. Elizabeth Bowdridge’s laboratory as a member of the SURE program where she will continue working in the fall. Undergraduate research has changed Victoria’s academic and professional career paths for the better, and she could not be more thankful for the experience she has had. Her involvement in undergraduate research during her first two years has led her to pursue a graduate degree. She is thankful for the opportunities research has presented her and is eager to begin the next chapter as a member of MURR.
Ayah Aldebyan

HASS SecTion REVIEWER

Ayah is a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Nutrition and Food Studies. She plans to receive a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, aiming to become a research professor educating undergraduate and graduate students. She also aspires to become a clinical psychologist specializing in eating disorders. She is passionate about making mental health treatment accessible and affordable. Ayah is a research assistant in Dr. Steinman's Cognition, Anxiety, and Treatment Lab and does research through the WVU AGE-ADAR Program. Under the mentorship of Dr. Claydon, Ayah wrote a systematic review of childhood obesity intervention programs. Her research interests include examining sociocultural factors that contribute to the development of eating disorders and exploring eating disorders among aging adults. Outside of class, Ayah enjoys baking, yoga, and running.
Bethanny Prascik

HASS SecTion REVIEWER

Bethanny is a senior Anthropology and Dance dual major and an Art History minor. She is a West Virginia native of Fairmont and enjoys going home to visit family and friends during her free time. After graduation, Bethanny plans to undertake an MA in Conservation and pursue a career in museum curation. Her research at WVU has primarily focused on Oak Mound, a Native American burial mound in Clarksburg, WV. She will be completing this research project during her senior year with the goal of publishing an updated technical report on the site with the information she and her mentor Dr. Olivia A. Jones gathered during the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Program. Outside of class, Bethanny enjoys cooking, painting, and spending time outdoors.
Gwendolyn Dzwil

HASS SecTion REVIEWER

Gwendolyn is a senior Public Health major and a General Business minor from Lansdale, Pennsylvania. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to attain her Master of Health Administration and pursue a career in hospital administration. Her research focuses on social and behavioral sciences and has been conducted under the direction of Dr. Linda Alexander and Dr. Danielle Davidov. She also serves as a research assistant in the WVU Medicine Heart and Vascular Institute Clinical Research unit. In her free time, she enjoys watching football and basketball games, volunteering in the community, and spending time with friends
Nathaniel Palmer

HASS SecTion REVIEWER

Nathaniel is a senior Public Health major from Clarksburg, West Virginia. His research interests lie in global health and geriatric care. Nathaniel is an AGE-ADAR Scholar and also does charity work with The Sisters of The Child of Jesus in Zimbabwe. Nathaniel is excited to work with the MURR team and continue to explore the world of academia! His personal interests are Zimbo/Rhodesian culture, sci-fi movies, and weightlifting.
Peyton Price

HASS SecTion REVIEWER

Peyton is a senior and 4+1 Master’s Student majoring in Journalism and History with a minor in English. She is from Chester, WV and works as an RA on campus and a Marketing Communications student worker with Collegiate Recovery. Along with learning Italian, one of her key academic interests is Italian history and hopes to visit one day. Peyton is excited to join the team of MURR as a HASS section editor. Outside of classes, Peyton likes to read, write poetry, and hang out with her calico cat named Riven.
Timothy Reidell

HASS SecTion REVIEWER

Timothy is a junior Criminology major and double minoring in Psychology and Forensic Science. He completed his Associate of Arts in Criminology at WVU Potomac State College. In the spring of 2023, he received the Whitmore-Gates Scholar Award for his dedication to academic and scholarly excellence. Timothy presented his research on the impact of private prisons on recidivism, which led to the opportunity to join the MURR as the HASS Section Editor. He wants to use MURR to motivate his peers to explore the fascinating realm of research and achieve greater academic success. Outside the classroom, he enjoys abstract painting, baking, drinking coffee, and making memories with friends and family.
EXPLORATORY BOARD
Rachel Morris

EXPLORATORY BOARD OUTREACH

Rachel is a senior Biology major and philosophy/psychology minor from Charleston, West Virginia. With plans to pursue her Ph.D. in evolutionary biology, Rachel has been conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Rio in the biology department. Her current research interests surround the contribution of nutrient provisioning to upholding the tsetse fly microbiota. Rachel recently completed the SURE program and is transitioning into Honors EXCEL to create scientific illustrations to aid in the communication of microbial symbiosis to a larger audience. In her spare time, Rachel can be found on the rec fields playing soccer, doing some nature journaling around campus, or out hiking.
Jacob Smothers

EXPLORATORY BOARD OUTREACH

Jacob is a chemistry and biology double major with a minor in French at West Virginia University. Since August of 2020, he has been conducting research in the lab of Dr. Jessica Hoover and has been exploring the potential use of nickel to catalyze reactions of importance to pharmaceutical engineering, materials science, and agriculture. In August of 2021, he joined the Exploratory Board of MURR and has been involved in implementing a research essay writing contest for West Virginia high school students. In his spare time, Jacob enjoys attending WVU sporting events with his dad, playing guitar, and spending time with his boyfriend and his dog.