On Friday, April 8, 2016, Presbyterian College professors and students attended the 12th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium at the University of South Carolina Upstate campus in Spartanburg. The symposium is an opportunity for undergraduate students from local colleges to share their research. Students from Presbyterian College presented their research along with students from the University of South Carolina Upstate, Clemson University, Lander University, Southern Wesleyan University, Claflin University, Converse College, Greenville Technical College, and Spartanburg Methodist College.

Dr. Julia Wilkins, assistant professor of education, attended the symposium with two early childhood education majors, Taylor Berry and Laura James, who presented their poster, “The Gendered Portrayal of Inanimate Characters in Children’s Books” based on their capstone research. Participants were intrigued by Berry and James’s finding that even when children’s book characters are inanimate objects, such as trucks or food items, authors often assign them a gender and portray them in ways that reflect stereotypical gender roles in the wider society.

Minhanh Pham, a biology major at PC, presented her research entitled, “3D Prosthetic Modeling: A study in Complimentary Biomechanics and Electromechanics” based on her research with 3D printing of prosthetics in collaboration with the e-NABLE organization that works to provide 3D printed prosthetic devices at a lower cost for people in financial need.

“My research is opening doors at PC for interdisciplinary service-learning opportunities that will benefit the Laurens County area and those in financial need of some form of prosthesis,” said Pham.

Participants at the symposium were particularly impressed by Minhanh’s modification of the current Raptor Hand model in which copper wires are replaced with non-elastic cords, which will lead to the incorporation of electromechanics for individual finger movement of the prosthesis. She attended the symposium with Dr. James Wetzel, the Pulaski L. Bealy Smith professor of biology and two other biology majors.

“It was a neat experience to meet other students and professors and to hear about the different types of research projects that they have been conducting,” James said.

Berry added, “There was a wide range of topics all unique in their own way. Attending the symposium was an overall great experience.”

Presbyterian College is located on a striking 240-acre campus in Clinton, between Columbia and Greenville, S.C. Offering challenging academics and a culture of honor, ethics, and service that prepares students to be leaders in communities, PC offers its students the benefit of engaging with an exceptional faculty who take individual interest in their students’ well-being, both personally and in the classroom. The Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy opened in 2010, and is dedicated to the ideals of leadership, honor to the profession, and service to the community. For more information about Presbyterian College, visit www.presby.edu.