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Warren, OH (May 2, 2023) - At this year’s Student Showcase for Research, Scholarship and Creativity on the Trumbull Campus, nearly 30 students presented their research findings on topics ranging from altruism in millennials and Generation Z to ����Թ� State students’ response to World War II.

Faculty judges assessed each poster presentation and awarded first place to Soraeya Loveland, a sophomore honors student seeking a bachelor’s degree in business management. A graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, she earned a $1,000 Student Showcase scholarship for her research presentation titled  "Plastics in the Oceans and their Effects on our Earth System." 

Loveland enrolled in the Student Showcase through an honors class project agreement for her oceanography class taught by Dr. David Hacker, geology professor.
 
"Dr. Hacker encouraged me to choose a topic that interested me, and I wanted to bring attention to a topic that has a critical impact on this place we call home," Loveland said. "He encouraged me from the first day of class to put myself in the ‘first-place mindset.’ He believed I had the potential to win and told me just to relax and have fun!" 

"It's fantastic to see all of the entries each year," said Dr. Laurie Hines, Honors College coordinator and assistant professor of education. "We had many first timers who plan to compete again next year. By working with their faculty mentors on these projects, students accepted the challenge to think critically and rigorously; learn broadly; and apply their knowledge and skills to topics about which they are passionate. This can only benefit them moving forward.”

Dr. Patricia Tomich, associate professor of psychology, mentored the second and third place winners. Samantha Lovesee placed second with her research project titled "Does Personal Growth Mediate the Link Between Trauma Exposure and Mental Health?",  while Dakota Smith received third place with "Does Procrastination Explain the Link between Stress and Worse Mental Health?” They earned scholarships valued at $750 and $500, respectively.

 Pictured Soraeya Loveland (right) presents her poster to Min He, Ph.D.