April 25, 2012, the University of Kentucky held the annual Showcase of Undergraduate Research organized by the Society for the Promotion of Undergraduate Research (SPUR). The School of Human Environmental Sciences (HES) was well represented by students in human nutrition, dietetics, and hospitality management and tourism.
Students from the human nutrition program have been participating in the showcase for several years. Within the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, faculty evaluate the student projects before the showcase. An overall winner and honorable mentions are selected. Students recognized this year included:
- Rachel Flaherty (overall winner) – “Association between frozen meal replacements and dietary guidelines”
- Michele Kirn – “Correlation between organic food intake and fruit & vegetable consumption”
- Deepa Patel – “Correlation between stress and caloric intake among college students”
- Michelle Studeny – “Are school lunches the real culprit of obesity in middle school age children? - a study conducted in Webster County”
- Rachel Skidmore – “Correlation between participation in exercise classes and weight loss or weight maintenance among college aged females”
- Nicole Tifft - “Store type and frequency of shopping and the association with dietary intake and weight among college age students in Kentucky, 2012”
Hospitality, management and tourism (HMT) undergraduates participated in the event for the first time. Through HMT 480, Trend Analysis in Hospitality, students worked in groups to complete a research project and presented their results at the showcase. HMT students look forward to taking part in the showcase again next year.
In addition to sharing research, students from the School of HES showcased their food preparation and hospitality talents by catering the event. Food was prepared by students from NFS 342, Quantity Food Production.
The showcase is an annual event typically scheduled the last Wednesday in April.