Wednesday, May 20, 2009
PRINCESS ANNE, MD – Latoiya Payton and Kimberly Cephas, student researchers at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, were honored recently at the 15th Biennial Research Symposium of the Association of Research Directors Inc. in Atlanta, Ga.
Payton won first place in the human sciences (oral papers) division for her presentation titled, “The Social Comparison of Fashion Print Advertisements and Female College Students’ Body Image.” The study contributes to the understanding of how the mass media’s representation of the idealistic adult female affects the perceived body image and social comparison habits of the everyday woman. Research results show that the culture of society influences college females body image perceptions through the social comparison of print advertisements. Payton conducted her research under the guidance of advisor Bridgett Clinton, lecturer in the Department of Human Ecology, UMES.
Cephas brought home second place in the food safety, human nutrition and health (oral papers) division for her presentation titled, “Growth and Survival of Vibrio vulnificus in Postharvest American Oysters.” Vibrio vulnificus is the leading cause of reported human death in the U.S. associated with the consumption of marine and aquaculture molluscan shellfish. The intent of this research endeavor was to examine the growth and survival of V. vulnificus in shellstock American oysters under various storage temperatures relevant to industry and consumer handling practices. Cephas conducted her research under the guidance of advisor Salina Parveen, Ph.D., associate professor at the Center for Food Science & Technology, UMES.
The research symposium showcased research initiatives from all 1890 institutions. The goal of the conference was to provide a forum for interactions and knowledge sharing, as well as to build networks for expanded partnerships and to showcase the talents and achievements of the 1890 community. Ten faculty researchers and 15 students from the UMES School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, six undergraduate and nine graduate, presented research findings in five areas: renewable resources and environmental stewardship; small scale agriculture and rural development; emerging technologies; human sciences; and food safety, human nutrition and health. Student presentations and posters were judged competitively.
Other students who, with the support of their advisors, presented research include Leonard Kibet, Brett Smith, Anish Chaudhuri, Matilda Madden, Xavier Henry, Meshack Mudoh, Tagelsir Mohamed, Bridget Hagens, Apsara Hettiarachi, Anthony Farrar, Adam Morris, Tiara Dunn and Byron Johnson. This year’s conference theme was “1890 Research: Sustainable Solutions for the 21st Century.” UMES faculty and student researchers continue to strive to find sustainable solutions for the challenges our world faces.
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Courtney Harned, Ag Communications, UMES, 410-621-3850, cpharned@umes.edu.
It is the policy of the University of Maryland, Agricultural Experiment Station and Maryland Cooperative Extension that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or disability.
