2016 Student Research Showcase Results
Sigma Xi's Student Research Showcase is a science communication competition for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. From April 11–April 18, 2016, judges evaluated presentation websites from participants and selected division winners as well as winners of each research area's section.
Division winners receive $500 from Sigma Xi. The Undergraduate Division had three presenters for the top project so their prize money will be split evenly between the presenters. All participants receive feedback from judges, a certificate of participation, and an invitation to become associate members of Sigma Xi, the international honor society for scientists and engineers. Additionally, high school participants are invited to submit research papers to Sigma Xi's journal for pre-college research, Chronicle of The New Researcher.
For more details, please see the news announcement. Congratulations to this year's participants!
Division Winners
High School Division
A Greener Cleaner: Investigating a Potential Biosorbent for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solutions
Ananya Karthik, Saint Francis High School
I investigated the use of spent coffee grounds as an environmentally-friendly and low-cost biosorbent for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions.
Undergraduate Division
Mounting Evidence of the False Consensus Effect in Male Bodybuilders
Bryan S. Nelson, Andre Nakkab, & Ward Pettibone, New York University
We present evidence of the false consensus about steroid use within steroid users and the broader exercise community.
Graduate Division
Drying without dying- Resurrection fern, Pleopeltis polypodioides
Susan P. John, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Our goal is to determine how Pleopeltis survives dehydration.
Section Winners
In addition to division winners, the judges selected the top presentation in each research area as the section winners.
People's Choice Award
Janie Kim, a junior at Scripps Ranch High School in San Diego, California, won the inaugural, $250 People's Choice Award. The People's Choice Award is selected by a public vote based solely on the merit of a presentation's video.
Development of a Novel Antiseptic Combination to Target MRSA and Pseudomonas
Janie Kim, Scripps Ranch High School
I tested the antibacterial activity of five commercial contact lens solutions (Opti-Free GP, Boston Simplus, Boston Advance, MeniCare GP, and Lobob) and their individual component antiseptic compounds against these two pathogens.
See All 2016 Presentation Websites
Present Your Research in Atlanta
High school, undergraduate, and graduate students are invited to present their research in person at Sigma Xi's Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference November 10–13, 2016, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Save the Date for 2017
The deadline will be March 22, 2017, to submit presentations for the next Student Research Showcase.