Morrisville State College students vet their specialties during first SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference

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MORRISVILLE, NY—Five students from Morrisville State College were among those selected to present at the first SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC) held recently at the College at Brockport.

The conference brought together undergraduate researchers and visual and performing artists as well as their faculty mentors throughout the SUNY system for a full day of activities, including sessions devoted to student presentations, a SUNY Graduate School Fair, and professional development workshops for students and faculty. 

The multi-disciplinary research conference provides a select group of undergraduates, original researchers and artists, a special opportunity to vet their work with students and faculty from across the state specializing in their fields. 

Presenting for MSC were the following massage therapy students: 

  • Paula Scheftic, of Manlius
  • Traci Maxwell, of Valencia, Pa. 
  • John Posson, of Norwich
  • Jon Cloutier, Queensbury

Also presenting was: Eric Griffin, a dietetic technician student from Troy. 

Massage therapy students gave a presentation titled, “Progressive Massage Therapy Treatments Encourage Overall Health and Well-being.” In their study, they used a variety of massage therapy modalities to improve performance and quality of life while decreasing stress and pain levels. 

Griffin’s nutrition topic was “Irradiation.” His presentation focused on irradiation of food to prevent future outbreaks of E.coli in a hypothetical community. The study was part of a visual aids capstone project in his Educational Methods for the Food and Health Care Fields class. 

The SURC is supported by SUNY’s Chancellor and Provost, Research Foundation, University Faculty Senate, Faculty Council of Community Colleges, and Student Assembly. 

Morrisville State’s curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs. 

In addition to being named to the 2014 President’s Higher Community Education Service Honor Roll, the college was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an institution in the top tier of the Best Regional Colleges list and ranked second among regional colleges nationwide for outperforming its anticipated graduation rate.