Awards Recognize Six Undergrad Researchers

The 2018 recipients of the Duane and Linda Buhrmester Undergraduate Research Award include (from left) Michel Tabet, Emily Scarlett, Jesmine Argente, Natalia Camacho and Gianna Maggiore. Not pictured is Christina Mai.

Six students from the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS) have been selected to receive the Duane and Linda Buhrmester Undergraduate Research Award.

Established in 2012, the award supports undergraduate students conducting research during the summer semester in the laboratory of a BBS primary-affiliate faculty member.

The award was established in memory of Dr. Duane Buhrmester and his wife, Linda, who both died in a mountain climbing accident in 2010. Buhrmester served as BBS associate dean of undergraduate education for 13 years, mentoring students and developing programs to engender strong research skills.

“We created this program after discussing how best to honor both Duane and Linda Buhrmester,” said Dr. Melanie Spence, associate dean for undergraduate studies in BBS. “Dr. Duane Buhrmester enabled students to get crucial research experience within our degree plans and encouraged them to take those opportunities. Linda Buhrmester, who was trained as a child development professional, knew the value of research for informing practice and policy in her own work.”

Honorees receive $500 awards each year to use for supplies to conduct research and gather data. The names of recipients are inscribed on the Duane and Linda Buhrmester Undergraduate Research Award plaque that is displayed in Green Hall.

Below is the list of this year’s recipients:

–Stephen Fontenot