Illinois State University’s Office of Student Research (OSR) has announced the winners of the Spring 2024 FIREBird and BirdFEEDER research grants.
These small grants provide funding to support student research, scholarly inquiry, and innovation at Illinois State.
The FIREbird Awards provide undergraduate students with funds for Faculty-mentored Independent Research Experiences (FIREbird). Up to $1500 may be used for student hourly wages, research incentives, supplies, or travel.
The BirdFEEDER Awards (Fund for Experimentation, Enquiry and the DEvelopment of Student Research) provide graduate and undergraduate students with up to $500 to use for research supplies, materials or travel to conduct research.
This semester’s FIREBird recipients
Jesus Camargo, Department of Economics, “Gender Gap in Initial Job Placements Among New Ph.D. Economists.” Faculty Mentor: Susan Chen.
Maria Canon, School of Biological Sciences, “Pedigree Formation and Parental Lineaging in House Wrens.” Faculty Mentor: Pirmin Nietlisbach.
Tara Geyer, School of Biological Sciences, “Song Dialects in a Bird with Highly Precise Timing of Notes (Microcerculus marginatus).” Faculty Mentor: Carlos Rodriguez.
Mason McClure, Department of History, “Did Racism Cause Slavery or Did Slavery Cause Racism?” Faculty Mentor: Stewart Winger.
Erik Peterson, Department of Technology, “Addressing IoT Vulnerabilities: An Analysis of Risks Facing Smart Homes.” Faculty Mentor: Stephen Mujeye.
This semester’s BirdFEEDER recipients
Aalimah Akinosho, School of Biological Sciences, “Investigation of the Mechanism of Magnetic Transduction in C. Elegans.” Faculty Mentor: Andres Vidal-Gadea.
Camila Fontes Fialho, Department of Psychology, “Understanding the Role of Response Expectancy in Gynecological Pain During Sex.” Faculty Mentor: Kelly Clemens.
Raquel Hecke, Department of Psychology, “Incentives for Bicultural Research.” Faculty Mentor: Suejung Han.
Hi Yun Jung, Department of English, “Using Metacognitive Theory and Narrative Inquiry in Examining Korean Pre-service English Teachers’ Knowledge and Perspectives about English Writing.” Faculty Mentor: Lisya Seloni.
Lilly King, School of Biological Sciences, “Testing for Sex Differences in Response to Oxidative Stress.” Faculty Mentor: Ryan Paitz.
Cynthia Li, School of Biological Sciences, “Using LPS and Defroxamine to Determine Whether Embryo Responses are Sex-Specific.” Faculty Mentor: Ryan Paitz.
Caitlin Montalbano, School of Biological Sciences, “Understanding the Role of Antioxidant Enzymes in Protecting Against Oxidative Stress During Embryonic Development.” Faculty Mentor: Ryan Paitz.
Jadyn Noel, School of Biological Sciences, “Embryonic Responses to Hydrogen Sulfide Donor Compound in Chicken Embryos.” Faculty Mentor: Ryan Paitz.
Kierra Peterson, Department of Psychology, “Differences in Racial Microaggressions for Black PWI and HBCU College Students.” Faculty Mentor: Brea Banks.
Kelly Rosecrans, Mennonite College of Nursing, “Utilization of Harm Reduction Services for People Who Use Substances in Rural Central Illinois.” Faculty Mentor: Theresa Adelman-Mullally.
Brendan Smiley, School of Biological Sciences, “Exploring the Role of Glutathione in Mitigating Iron-Induced Oxidative Stress in Chicken Embryo Development.” Faculty Mentor: Ryan Paitz.
Applications for summer BirdFEEDER Awards are due April 3, 2024. For more information, visit Student Research.
