From tracking the impact of sleep hygiene for varsity athletes to measuring avian-related microbial water contamination on farms, TWU students and faculty members tackled important and timely topics through research.
Faculty and student researchers showcased their work at TWU CREATE 2024, a multidisciplinary conference held on Oct. 17, 2024.
This year’s CREATE conference once again featured a variety of fascinating research in the fields of science, business, nursing, and the humanities.
Exploring truth in various forms
TWU takes a unique approach to integrating a Christian faith perspective into academics and research, viewing the world as a place of faithful discovery and stewardship. CREATE stands for creativity, research, exploration, arts, truth, and engagement. The annual academic research conference highlights contributions from across the University in all of these areas.
Moreover, TWU values learning in community and provides plenty of opportunities for undergraduate students to pursue research alongside faculty supervisors who guide students throughout the research process. Faculty and student researchers can also apply for awards and grant funding to receive support for their research activities.
Building confidence in the next generation of researchers
“The research opportunities offered at TWU develop innovation, confidence, and leadership in students,” affirms Dr. Richard Chandra, associate provost of Research and Graduate Studies.
In addition to gaining hands-on learning experiences within their chosen field, students are introduced to academic avenues in research, publication, and conference participation. As Dr. Chandra emphasizes, “Research goes beyond what students can learn in the classroom.”
Engaging the campus community
At the CREATE conference, student researchers engage with members of the TWU community, introducing their work to students, staff, faculty, and University leadership and board members. This provides a further learning opportunity to develop skills in oral presentation and public engagement.
Dr. Chandra highlights how the CREATE conference provides a platform to share “the incredible research happening at our University, the value and opportunities research gives to our students, and the impact that TWU's research is having in our community and world.”
TWU is grateful for the participation of all presenters and attendees at this year’s CREATE conference, and for coordination by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies. We look forward to celebrating more research activities that lead to positive impact for our societies.
Student researchers at CREATE 2024
Thank you to all presenters for their participation. The following are the student researchers who presented at CREATE 2024:
Hailey Hrvatin, "Women’s Experience of Embodiment Across the Menstrual Cycle." Faculty supervisor: Dr. Chelsea Beyer.
Dr. Alyssa Fenuta, "Pre-Season Assessment of Sleep and Selected Psychological Parameters in Varsity Athletes."
Mandelena Chetty, "Multilingualism and cultural identity in an intergenerational family: A study in rural Bukidnon, Philippines."
Chengzhe He, "Microbial Identification and Source Tracking for Pest Bird Contamination of Dairy Farm Settings."
Nolan Lagrisola, "Psychosocial supports for children and their parents when admitted to hospital: A scoping review." Faculty supervisor: Dr. Lyndsay MacKay. Other researchers: Hayden, A., Dewan, T., Whiteley, A., Christoffersen, M.
Miriam Van Bergeyk, "Identifying essential proteins in cancer cell-lines using topological data analysis." Faculty supervisor: Dr. Enrique Torres Giese.
Gen Li, "Assessing the Effects of QLT-0267 and Novel Anti-ILK Chemotherapeutic Drugs in 2D and 3D In Vitro Glioblastoma Model." Faculty supervisor: Dr. Julia Mills.
Jadon Deffenbaugh, "Evaluating the Effects of Knotweed (Reynoutria spp.) and Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) on Soil Cohesion."
Amberly Adema and Malaya Brandsma, "Tracking Progress: The Continuation of the Planetary Health Report Card (PHRC) in a Canadian Undergraduate Nursing Program." Faculty supervisor: Dr. Barb Astle. Other researchers: Hayden, A., Dewan, T., Whiteley, A., Christoffersen, M.
Jenessa Butler, "Revealing Bifunctional Compounds in Monotropa uniflora Wax." Faculty supervisor: Dr. Miriam Buschhaus.
Aidin Zojaji Kohan, “Managing Conflicts in New Product Development within the FMCG Market: A Practical Framework.”
Finian Lugtigheid, "Sidewalk-Based Accessible Pedestrian Routing." Faculty supervisor: Dr. Andrew Park.
William Laframboise, "Burnout, Social, and Religious Factors in Undergraduates." Faculty supervisor: Dr. Kelly Arbeau.
Miriam Aldom, "Mechanochemical Synthesis of Bio-Based Perfluoropyridine Monomers." Faculty supervisor: Dr. Chad Friesen.
Benjamin Chung, "Anti-virulent activity of cuminaldehyde (CMA) and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (HMB) against Staphylococcus spp." Faculty supervisor: Dr. Laura Onyango.
Benjamin Zubaly, "Religiosity and the Behavioral Immune System." Faculty supervisors: Dr. Jamie Palmer-Hague, Dr. Kelly Arbeau.
Faith Nelson, "ConVersing/ConServing: A History of, and Creative Responses to, the TWU Ecosystem Study Area." Faculty supervisors: Dr. Katharine Bubel, Dr. Holly Faith Nelson, Dr. Laura Van Dyke, and Jessica Walters.
Adina Cazacu, "Assessing the Effects of QLT-0267 and Novel Anti-ILK Chemotherapeutic Drugs in 2D and 3D In Vitro Glioblastoma Model." Faculty supervisor: Dr. Julia Mills.
Kiana Dau, Anaya Jhutti, and Sadie McDonald, "Undergraduates' Experiences of the 2024 Research Data Management Institute." Faculty supervisor: Elizabeth Kreiter.
See also: TWU announces winners of the 2024 student research awards
About Research at TWU
TWU researchers are award-winning professors, nationally recognized educators, and intellectually engaged students. Together, they are enriching our programming, contributing to society, and revealing the necessity of faith integration in research. Learn more at TWU Research.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has campuses in Canada in Langley, Richmond, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn. For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca.