VCU’s master’s and doctoral students earlier this month displayed more than 50 projects, theses and dissertations at the eighth Graduate Research Symposium and Exhibit. Presentations represented by the College of Humanities and Sciences and the allied health professionals, social work, engineering, medicine, arts, education, nursing, pharmacy and psychology programs.
“Everything ran really smoothly, surprisingly,” said Kathleen Hall, the symposium chairwoman who praised the overall turnout and faculty support for the April 12 event sponsored by the Graduate Student Association.
“I’d just like to…encourage students for next year to see what research is getting done and gain inspiration.”
Marcus Ong, a research fellow in VCU’s Department of Emergency, won the Top Presenter Award for his display showing the hair-apposition technique he developed several years ago in his clinical practice.
Ong, a board certified emergency room physician who practices in Singapore, is a student in VCU’s Master’s of Public Health program. His method of treating head wounds involves twisting together hair from both sides of a cut to seal it with surgical glue. The procedure, Ong said, results in fewer infections, no stitches, no bald spots and less pain.
“You do need to go to a doctor…and do not try this at home,” Ong said, stipulating that hair apposition needs special care because such a low-pressure technique does not work for profuse bleeding or if a cut already is infected.
Hall, a two-time presenter seeking her master’s degree in biomedical engineering, said this is the first time the top presenter’s name is engraved on a plaque to be displayed in the graduate school offices at Moseley House on Grove Avenue. Hall presented Ong with a $50 RamBucks gift card and a certificate of his award.
The organization also presented the Distinguished Graduate Student and Faculty awards. Students nominated faculty for the awards and vice versa.
Ellen Netting, who has taught in the School of Social Work for 12 years, received the faculty award.
“I was totally surprised to win this award because I didn’t even know I’d been nominated,” she said in an e-mail. “I feel very fortunate that some student or students must have found my work worthy. I had wonderful teaching role-models who gave me extensive feedback, and I’ve tried to return what they’ve given to me.”
The School of Graduate Studies also gave achievement certificates to 11 students for completing the Preparing Future Faculty program designed for students interested in pursuing careers in higher education.
Sherry Sandkam, assistant dean of the graduate school, said adjunct and new faculty members as well as community college faculty have taken these classes.