DANBURY, CONN. — Ten research projects conducted by Western Connecticut State University students in the fields of biology, chemistry and mathematics received Provost Awards at the 11th annual Western Research Day held on May 1, 2015, at the university’s Midtown campus in Danbury.

Western faculty and staff judged student research exhibits during the WRD poster session, and selected Provost Award recipients in several academic categories based on the effectiveness and clarity in presentation of project design, methodology and findings. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jane McBride Gates recognized presenters of the exhibits with gift certificate prizes at the closing WRD ceremony. The 15 WCSU students who earned Provost Award honors and their projects are:

• Kelly Egan, of Brookfield, with Caroline Dahm, of Brookfield; Christi Daniels, of Thomaston; and Mary Sigillo, of Danbury. Project (biology): “Do Individuals of Lumbricus Terrestris Know Where They Are Going?”

• Karina Escobar, of Milford. Project (biology): “An Analysis of Preventative Tick Measures for Household Pets.”

• Socheata Lim, of Danbury. Project (chemistry): “The Binding of Methylene Blue to Plasmodium Falciparum Glutathione Reductase.”

• Catherine Martello, of Waterbury. Project (chemistry): “Coordination Chemistry of Divalent Group 12 Thiocyanate Complexes Containing Quinazoline.”

• Matthew Monaco, of Danbury. Project (biology): “Asthma Emergencies and Pollution Sources: A GIS Analysis.”

• Cassandra Pierre, of Danbury. Project (biology): “Using GIS to Predict Eastern Equine Encephalitis Risk in Connecticut.”

• Alex Potocki, of New Fairfield, with Cameron Sakurai, of Danbury. Project (math): “Quantum Audio Embedding Using M-Band Wavelets.”

• Sakurai, with Potocki. Project (math): “Price Optimization of an Established National Brand: Revisiting the Industry Structure.”

• Matthew Rowley, of Meriden, with Rockwell Anyoha, of Sandy Hook, and Marilian Reyes, of Danbury. Project (biology): “Night Crawlers: Conductors of Soil Movement.”

• Adebowale Shoroye, of Danbury. Project (chemistry): “Coordination of Divalent Group 12 Thiocyanate Complexes Containing 2-Amino-5-Cyanopyridine.”

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.