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Christopher Newport University students contributed to the first-ever statewide Undergraduate Research Showcase at the State Capitol in Richmond, where they described what they’ve learned about workplace justice and about the snakeskin protein and gut health.
Two pairs of CNU students were selected to present their work to members of the General Assembly. The students joined about 50 others from 16 universities at the event, sponsored by the Network for Undergraduate Research in Virginia (NURVa).
“The posters the students created highlighted for Virginia legislators the importance of undergraduate research,” said Dr. David Salomon, Director of Student Research and Creativity.
“This event is an opportunity for students to meet with the people who have the power to change policies and it is a way to show lawmakers that our students can make a meaningful impact on the pursuit of new knowledge,” Salomon said.
That new knowledge touches on two disparate topics. Connor Auby, ‘26 Neuroscience, and Hunter Moore, ‘26 Neuroscience, have been studying the impact of snakeskin knockdown on health and disease under the direction of Neuroscience Professor Dr. Anna Salazar.
Olivia Walker, ‘27 Psychology, and Marcelo Viteri, ‘27 Psychology, (pictured with Del. Simonds) researched the effect of employee observations of procedural justice in deserved and undeserved rewarding work environments. They were directed by Psychology Professor Dr. Jeffrey Gibbons.
Del. Shelly Simonds from Newport News helped facilitate the event and was among the lawmakers who reviewed the posters and talked with the student researchers.
NURVa is a consortium of Virginia colleges and universities dedicated to supporting undergraduate research and creative activity throughout the state. Salomon is the founding chair of the network.