Wells College has a long and distinguished history of involving its students in undergraduate research. Working side by side with professors on original research projects enhances the educational experience for Wells students and gives them an edge in graduate school and professional advancement.  At Wells, all students, not just a select few, work on research projects or participate in Capstone Experiences leading to a senior thesis.

Undergraduate research at Wells has led students to participate in local and national disciplinary conferences, and to co-author papers for publication in scholarly journals. For almost two decades, Wells students have been selected to present their research findings at the annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). The Wells students who presented their work at the two most recent NCUR Conferences are listed below, along with their faculty advisors and their major and research topic. 

Brooke Andersen (Prof. Hildahl), Sociology: Harmony or Discord: An Analysis of the Symphony Orchestra as a Subculture.

Tracy Flynn (Prof. Burroughs), English: "Set the Window Open Unto Licence, Lust and Riot": Sexual Conduct and Samuel Daniel's The Tragedie of Cleopatra (1594).

Kathryn Fong (Prof. Hildahl) Sociology: Queer Media as Public Discourse.

Katherine Gero (Prof. Wahl and Prof. Bailey) Biological and Chemical Sciences: Using Bioinformatics Tools to Visualize the Ligand-Receptor Complex of the Mel-1A Receptor in Gallus Gallus. 

Sabrina Johnston  (Prof. Hill) Psychology: Religious Coping and Psychological Health. 

Megan McCarthy (Prof. Hildahl), Sociology: A Generation in Transition: Modern Juvenile Delinquency in Japan.

Meghan McCune (Prof. Olson), Anthropology: Rural Monocultural Ideology: The Cultural Famine of Monocropping in Cayuga County, New York.

Melissa Patterson  (Prof. Wahl) Biological and Chemical Sciences: The Effect of Reduced Gas Exchange on Hematocrit and Body Weight of Chick Embrios.

Nicole Pellegrino (Prof. Gagnon) Psychology: Student Satisfaction at Wells College and Its Link to Retention Rates. 

Karen Stangl (Prof. Wahl) Biological and Chemical Sciences: Proteomic Profiling of Three Penicilium Species to Investigate Fungal Dimorphism. 

Sarah Steinkamp (Prof. McClusky), Sociology/Anthropology: Re-evaluating the Simplistic Paradigm of Man as Enemy, Woman as Victim: The Intersectionality of Gender, Race, Class and Sexuality.

Yuko Takagi (Prof. Wahl), Biological and Chemical Sciences: Hormonal Effects on the Scleral Venus Sinus in Relation to Optical Development of Chick Eyes.

Tara Venezio (Profs. Collmer and Vawter), Biological and Chemical Sciences: Courtship and Mating Behavior of Four Hybrid-inbred Strains of Nasonia Wasps in Comparison to the Two Parent Strains. [Co-written with Adrienne Loero.] 

Jin Joo Yun (Prof. Collmer) Biological and Chemical Sciences: Role of Vision in Mating 
Behavior of Male Nasonia vitripennis. 
 

The Senior Project

All students produce a senior essay or project during their last year of study at Wells. The senior thesis crystallizes the college experience and provides excellent training for graduate-level studies. It also provides students with the unique experience of completing a thoughtful, in-depth analysis of a topic that is of importance to them. Working with you one-on-one from outline to final presentation, your faculty advisor will help develop your ideas and offer suggestions. The following is a representative list of senior thesis titles from 2004-2005: 

Miranda Klass, Art History:  The Eye of the Artist:  Looking at Art History from a Visual Perspective.

Holly Kitchen, Biological and Chemical Sciences: Light Exposure, Feeding Behavior, and the Development of the Lateral Line in Brachydanio rerio.

Samantha Henning, French:  Les problèmes sociaux dans Les Misérables de Victor Hugo.

Anna Grace Schurman, International Studies:  Political and Social Approaches to the Fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa:  A Comparative Case Study of Senegal and Uganda.

Zoe Malinchoc, Theatre/Theory:  Theatre as Apothesosis:  An Analysis of Four 20th-Century Performance Theorists.

Rachael R. Whitney, Women’s Studies:  Because I Can:  The Link Between Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse.

Tiffany S. Czechowski, Psychology:  The Effect of Dieting on the Psychological Health of Women.

Melissa Elizabeth Knight, Public Affairs:  The Access of Evil:  Money and Politics in the United States.

Katie Bernstein, Public Affairs:  Fundamentalist Christian Doctrine in the White House:  The Effects on Democracy, the Separation of Church and State, and Transatlantic Relations.

Katherine Ruggiero, Women’s Studies:  Feminism and Transgenderism:  Toward Building a Collaborative Gender Movement.

Alessandra Sarrica, Biological and Chemical Sciences:  Natural Light Requirements for Vitamin D Synthesis in Captive Reptiles.