ATHENS, Ohio ­ Seven Ohio University students ­ involved in projects ranging from studies of parasites to the creation of new dance choreographies ­ have been named recipients of the 2001 Student Enhancement Awards, which support research, scholarship and creative work. The annual awards program, sponsored by the university's Council for Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity, is open to full-time undergraduate, graduate and medical students who are working under the guidance of a faculty mentor or adviser. Students may receive up to $6,000 to fund their work for one year.

"These awards are extremely competitive. The Student Enhancement Award is a singular honor and one of the most prestigious at Ohio University," said Andre Gribou, chair of the council and associate professor of dance. "The work of these young researchers and scholars in previous years has been exceptional, and there is every expectation that the current recipients will have great success and achieve their research and creative goals." Recipients of the annual awards are selected by the council after being nominated by members of its subcommittees and campus faculty. A student may receive only one award per degree program while enrolled at Ohio University. This year, 17 students were nominated for the award, and the council granted a total of $39,000 to the seven winning projects. Since 1999, the Student Enhancement Awards program has funded a total of 26 student projects for $141,000.

The Council on Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity was created in the fall of 1997 as part of a universitywide effort to support existing research and creative endeavors and promote new initiatives by faculty and students. In addition to the Student Enhancement Awards, the council also oversees the Department/School/Center Awards and the Presidential Research Scholars Awards.

A list of Student Enhancement Awards recipients follows. 2001 Student Enhancement Awards Recipients

Undergraduate recipients:

• Student: Rayan Ihle, undergraduate student in biological sciences
  Project: "Investigation of the Role of IGF-I in Mediating Effects of Low Energy Availability on Bone Turnover in Women as Measured by Biochemical Bone Markers"
  Faculty Mentor: Anne Loucks, professor of biological sciences

• Student: Abby Harris, undergraduate student in dance
  Project: "Trinity/La/Ma/Ma/New York City Performing Arts Program"
  Faculty Mentor: Andre Gribou, associate professor of dance

Graduate recipients:

• Student: Ross McCauley, graduate student in environmental and plant biology
  Project: "Field Studies of the Genus Froelichia (Amaranthaceae)"
  Faculty Mentor: Harvey Ballard, assistant professor of environmental and plant biology

• Student: Rick Dodgson, graduate student in history
  Project: "An Oral History of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters"
  Faculty Mentor: Katherine Jellison, associate professor of history

• Student: Deborah Moore-Lai, graduate student in biological sciences
  Project: "Characterization of an Immunologic Factor in the Serum of Mice Chronically Infected with Trypanosoma Cruzi"
  Faculty Mentor: Ed Rowland, associate professor of biomedical sciences

• Student: Lance McBrayer, graduate student in biological sciences
  Project: "The Evolution of Foraging Mode and Feeding Performance in Lizards"
  Faculty Mentor: Stephen Reilly, associate professor of biological sciences

• Student: Dale Casamatta, graduate student in environmental and plant biology
  Project: "An Investigation of the Genetics and Ecology of the Freshwater Cyanobacterium Phormidium Retzii"
  Faculty Mentor: Morgan Vis, assistant professor of environmental and plant biology