Celebrating Student Scholarship at Northern Michigan University
The Celebration of Student Scholarship is an annual event held on the Northern Michigan University campus to recognize the scholarly activity of undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines. It serves as a platform for students to share their work with the NMU and Marquette communities. This event is free and open to the public.
A Showcase of Academic Excellence
The 28th Annual Celebration of Student Scholarship was held on April 18. Stands were set up all around Jamrich Hall. Large posters with complex formulas, long paragraphs and graphs were placed on them. There, the public was free to roam and view the research posters of students. Displayed in Jamrich Hall, students showcase their research and present it to an audience.
Student Perspectives
“Presenting at the COSS is so much fun. I really enjoy getting to talk to people about my research and it makes me feel even more proud of the work I’m doing,” biology graduate student Bailey Gomes said. Gomes presented data from their master’s thesis project. Their study was on “The variant composition of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in Marquette’s wastewater,” and the data is being used to build a timeline of dominant variants over a four-year time span. A PROUD PRESENTATION - Gomes takes the time to explain their project in detail to their audience. The event was open to the public, meaning anyone could stop in and listen to them speak. “I’m proud of the fact that I’ve been with this project since it began in 2020 when we were originally studying wastewater monitoring as a method for detecting SARS-CoV-2,” Gomes said.
Many students also found it encouraging to see other students’ projects in comparison to theirs. “I think that an event like this allows for students to showcase their results of their hard work in a professional setting that might not be available without this event,” senior Julia Lietz said. Lietz presented her senior capstone project: “Breaking Down Barriers: A Case Study on Rural Public Transportation in Marquette County, Michigan.” As an environmental science and sustainability major, she focused on the state of Marquette’s transportation system. “It was super exciting to be able to present at this event. I’ve been working on this project for the entirety of the semester, so it was gratifying to be able to discuss all of the work I have accomplished,” Lietz said. “I felt proud to be able to showcase my work after so many months of data collection,” Lietz said. “This experience personally served me as a great send-off before I graduate.
Scope of Presentations
In the past, this event was limited to research posters and 10-minute oral presentations. Last year, the event expanded to include student art work. For the 30th anniversary, we are looking to include as many different students from across campus as possible and are opening Celebration to other formats, including film and video, readings, round tables, performances, publications, artistic displays, and more. Students share their work with the NMU and Marquette communities by presenting research posters and oral presentations, which include creative written work and artwork.
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Mission and Goals
This event is an important opportunity for student scholars to share their work in a way that is accessible to the general public. Our mission is to improve how we communicate about academic topics and ideas while recognizing the hard work done by NMU students under the guidance of faculty. Join us to discover and celebrate student scholarship.
Research Projects Presented
Numerous research projects were presented, covering a wide array of disciplines. Some of the projects include:
- Future of woody biofuels on NMU's campus (Broxson, B., Krebs, J., Dedenbach, E., and Mittlefehldt, S.).
- Filling empty lands, hands, & stomachs; or a close look at the triumph of the 1893 Pingree Potato Patch and its implications for the present (Fontella, Z. and Mittlefehldt, S.).
- What is divestment and what it means for NMU (Geary, M., Drobish, K., and Stock, R.).
- Sink or swim: preparedness level of Lake Superior coastal communities for climate change impacts (Hogan, C. and Mittlefehldt, S.).
- Shading the future: a GIS-based approach to optimal tree planting for urban heat island mitigation at Northern Michigan University (Kelly, M. and Ziegler, S.S.).
- "Use of aerial LiDAR survey to support restoration and management objectives for mitigation wetlands in Marquette, MI, USA” (Kelly, M, Naito, AT, O'Donnell, M, Van Grinsven, M).
- Assessing the perceptions and efficacy of removing parking minimums in Marquette, MI (Laws, L. and and Mittlefehldt, S.).
- Monocropping & threatened farmlands in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (Lietz, J., Shepard, M., and Adebiyi, J.).
- Breaking down barriers: a case study on rural public transportation in Marquette County, Michigan (Lietz, J. and Mittlefehldt, S.).
- Composting at NMU (Miller, D., Oertel, I., and Thompson, J.).
- The effect of shrub cover on coyote, mule deer, and rabbit relative abundance (Petitjean, E. and Lafferty, D.).
- Green burials: a study of Marquette residents' attitudes toward burial practices (Pinkava, E. and Mittlefehldt, S.).
- Growing sustainability: insights from Bothwell Middle School's Garden Project (Rigano, L. and Adebiyi, J.).
- Let's cut to the tarp: assessing the influence of cover crop termination practices on soil health, temperature, and greenhouse gas fluxes in organic vegetable crop production (Rothhorn, K. and Van Grinsven, M.J.).
- Investigating carbonate system dynamics and monitoring freshwater acidification in the Great Lakes (Saddler, M. and Mittlefehldt, S.).
- Sustainable building processes in northern climates (Whaley, P. and Mittlefehldt, S.).
- Reimaging streets as spaces for wealth creation (Williams, E. and Mittlefehldt, S.).
- Wood residuals as a fuel source (Williams, J. and Mittlefehldt, S.).
- Displayed in Jamrich Hall, students showcase their research and present it to an audience (Zimney, A. and Mittlefehldt, S.).
- Maternal Determinants and Early Diagnosis of Language Disorders, Emily E.
- Daily Activity Patterns Among Apex Predators in the Northwest United States, Sydney M.
- Development of a Nucleic Acid Based Fluorescence ATP Biosensor, Aleah N.
- Ecological Impacts of Invasive Species, Nadia S. Finley, Lorie L. Thompson, Shannon A. Ehrlich, and Kendall J.
- Efficacy of Psychoactive Treatments Examined in Contextual-Fear Conditioned Paradigms Used to Elicit Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Mice Models, Weiland R. Dyer and JD D.
- Genetic analysis of CRISPR/cas9 basigin knockout T98 glioblastoma clones, Mia J. Strazny, Robert J.
- Importance of reference points in orientation in a current by juvenile mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), Ryan C.
- Integration of Multiple Datasets to Evaluate Red Fox Distribution, Laura S.
- Plasma and fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations following an ACTH challenge in captive brown bears (Ursus arctos)., Justin A.
- Using Thioflavin T as a biosensor for the detection of nucleic acid secondary structures, Caitlyn B.
- Activity pattern variation of three canine species in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Trinity E.
- Advocacy Poster, Jalen T.
- Arctic Change: Drivers and Solutions, Lindsey E.
- Brown Bear Gut Microbiomes: A Micro-Approach to Wildlife Management, Sarah M.
- Characterization of LAMP Primer Design Compared to Published Results, Scott Z.
- Characterization of the P2D7 Monoclonal Antibody Specific for Basigin-2, Jeannine M. Barna, Mitchell H. Messing, and Lauren A.
- Comparison of Activity Patterns for American Beavers, Gray Wolves, and Muskrats, Margaret L.
- Daily Activity Patterns of Michigan Forest Squirrels, Nicole M.
- Detection of the Human Necrobiome in Soil: A Pilot Study, Amanda L.
- Determining Performance of the SD Biosensor Rapid Test for Covid-19 Antibodies as a Point of Care Test in an Urgent Care Setting, Nicholas P.
- Evaluating Pika Colonization Through Parasite Histories, Cora M.
- Hormone-Induced Decidualization of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells, Margaret E.
- Human Recreation Influences American Black Bear Occupancy and Activity Across the Rural-Highland Interface, Tru M. Hubbard and Mitchell C.
- Identification and Ecological Significance of Endoparasite Load in Martes americana of Michigan and Alaska, Cassidy L. Downing, Zack T. Van Huysen, and Claire E.
- Linking Art and Science to Catalyze Creative Thinking and Scientific Inquiry, Claire E.
- Natural History of Small Mammal Use of Forensic Cadavers, Jordon M.
- Prevalence of Recreational and Varsity Athlete’s Cell Phone Uses at a Midwestern University in the United States, Amber M.
- SARS-CoV-2 Detection in Wastewater Samples via Digital Droplet Polymerase Chain Reaction, Molly M.
- The Expression of Cannabinoid Receptors in Glioblastoma Multiforme Tumors, Bailey Gomes and Margaret L.
- Variation of activity patterns of American beaver, North American porcupine, and muskrat, Raquel I.
General Timeline for Participation
For those interested in participating in future celebrations, a general timeline is provided:
- Fall 2025 semester and early Winter 2026: Plan, seek guidance, ask questions.
- March 2026: Workshops (abstracts, posters, presentations).
- End March: Register for Celebration and submit abstract or statements of work (e.g., artist statement).
- Early April: Print posters; prepare any items for display; practice performance / presentation.
- Wednesday, April 15, 2026: Delivery of tangible items to Jamrich or display location (posters, sculptures, chapbooks, etc.).
- Thursday, April 16, 2026: Celebration!!
More detailed information about the application process and sponsorship will be provided later in fall semester. To register for the Celebration event, students must submit an abstract by the stated deadline. All abstract statements must be in English and artist statements must address methods, materials, and inspiration for the creative endeavor. Oral work: recorded scholarly research presentations or oral works to be uploaded and included in the event’s online presence.
Awards and Recognition
The Library/Archives Research Award provides a $500 award for an undergraduate student for a project that effectively uses resources from the Lydia M. Olson Library and/or Central Upper Peninsula & NMU Archives.
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Supporting Graduate Studies and Research
The NMU College of Graduate Studies & Research (CGS&R) invites alumni and friends to offer support for graduate students and programs. CGS&R works to support students in their research and graduate school journeys through events, learning opportunities, and financial support. Financial gifts to the College of Graduate Studies & Research are used in a variety of areas to advance our goals. These could be graduate program development, expanding student access, or supporting research infrastructure to name a few.
The Graduate Research and Scholarly Activity (GRSA) award funds graduate student research projects in all academic disciplines. Your gift to this fund goes directly to graduate students to support their academic endeavors in their field. Student projects are as varied as they are, and can come from any graduate degree program.
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