Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities

Congratulations to the winners of the Fall 2022 URCA Assistant Program Awards!

URCA Research-Based Mentor of the Semester Award

 Dr. Carolyn Butts-Wilmsmeyer, Department of Biological Sciences

Nominated by: Mary-Margaret Benware & Hannah Labby

Dr. Carolyn Butts-Wilmsmeyer has participated as an URCA mentor for many semesters and has always gone above and beyond in her research in field crop sciences. Dr. Butts-Wilmsmeyer has many accomplishments and a very knowledgeable mentor to her URCA assistants. From her students:

"Corn has the ability to provide abundant resources just as Dr. Butts-Wilmsmeyer has an abundant wealth of knowledge to contribute to her students. Her ears are always there to listen to us when we have concerns and ensure that our thoughts are heard. In the same way corn is resilient in rain, wind, and storms, she is adaptable no matter what setbacks arise in the lab. Just like hydroxycinnamic acids create a strong layer to defend corn against environmental stressors, she strengthens us as a team and is always there to help us whatever challenge presents." 

URCA Research Assistant of the Semester Award

 Rie'Onna Holmon, Department of English

Nominated by: Dr. Elizabeth Cali

 Rie'Onna has been working with Dr. Elizabeth Cali during the Fall semester with the Digital Black Archive Project, which can be very demanding. Rie'Onna has displayed the ability to adapt, revisit, and reframe her research approach in order to find new information. Dr. Cali mentions how:

"Rie's approach to this project has been one of unexpected and now invaluable leadership. Her notes document not only her research, but also indications of peer review and ethical concerns in the archives she's identified. Rie's initiative to ask crucial questions about archive ownership and development will shape key questions that student in my future classes address when navigating digitized archives."

 URCA Research Assistant of the Semester Award

Ryan Kulasekara, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Nominated by: Dr. Jon Klingensmith

Ryan has worked with Dr. Klingensmith for 3 years now! From Ryan's first year at SIUE he has worked in the lab, and has surprised Dr. Klingensmith with his ability to learn so fast having no previous experience. Each year Ryan had advanced to more complicated projects. Dr. Klingensmith mentions how:

"Ryan has now worked on several different projects in my lab, all providing meaningful impact to the overall direction and goal of the lab. In doing so, he has adapted to each "new" project quickly, continued to proactively seek out guidance and new work, and become a meaningful contributor substantially faster than I would expect someone who is only in their 3rd year of college. It makes me very excited to see what Ryan can do next year and beyond."