Troy University to hold Trojan Research Week

Troy University will hold its second Trojan Research Week from April 20 to 24.  

The week will showcase student and collaborative faculty research from across the university through a series of presentations and events. 

“It helps in that it gets students involved in something that's a little beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Ben Robertson, professor of English and event organizer for the College of Arts and Humanities. “If you've written a paper for a class, you could use it for this, but the idea is that you're taking something that you're really interested in and going a step further.” 

The week will kick off with the College of Arts and Humanities. On April 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., students studying anything within arts and humanities will showcase their work through presentations, performances and posters.  

The College of Science and Engineering will hold a presentation showcase on April 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Hal Hall, where students stand with posters presenting their work and answer questions to guests stopping by. They will also have official research talks where students present their findings through a presentation.  

“It’s a great opportunity for our students to learn the process behind research and about experimental design," said Dr. Janet Gaston, lecturer and health professions adviser. “It’sbeneficial to them because most of our students in STEM are going to go on to a professional program, and they need to know how to do this.  

“They need to know how to gather data, understand and interpret that data and how to report that data.” 

Gaston encouraged all students to pursue a research project in whatever subject they are interested in and said there are a multitude of professors that are willing to help students find a topic they are passionate about.  

Kassidy Adams, alumna of Troy and current math PhD student at the University of Alabama, presented at last year’s Trojan Research Week on “Graph Theory and its Applications in Modeling Mazes.”  

“I would recommend other students get involved,” Adams said. “It was a great low-stakes opportunity to practice professional skills, like compiling research and public speaking.  

“It was also great to listen to other students and see what kind of research was happening elsewhere on campus.”  

Associate Dean of Academics and Administration, College of Science and Engineering Dr. Ken Roblee encouraged all students to present what they are passionate about and tobecome inspired by their peers' presentations.  

“Trojan Research Week helps Troy University by supporting our students’ research efforts,” Roblee said. “By the students presenting their research, it will help them in their future by preparing them for their careers and job searches, graduate school or professional school.  

“Student success is Troy’s success.” 

The deadline to submit a proposal is March 27. Students interested in presenting should talk to a professor within their department to sponsor them and then sign up at my.troy.edu/undergraduate-research-day/.