An Arcadia University alumna and several students have received Ellington Beavers Awards for Intellectual Inquiry to support their research projects. 

Layla Darian 22DPT, 22MPH was awarded $987 for her project, “Mujeres en Movimiento: El Camino al Bienestar (Women in Motion: The Path to Wellbeing).” Darian is co-founder of Arcadia’s Physical Therapy Multicultural Leadership Alliance. Her faculty sponsor is Dr. Dejenaba Gordon, assistant professor / internship coordinator, Public Health. The funds will be placed in the budget of the Department of Public Health. 

Michelle Frank ’23, a Biology major, was awarded $934 for her project, “Evaluating Client Binding to HSP90B upon Treatment with DAP-19 in Breast Cancer Cells.” Her faculty sponsor is Dr. Maria Theodoraki, associate professor of Biology. The funds will be placed in the budget of the Biology Department.

Marissa Howard ’23, a Biology major and Honors student, was awarded $660 for her project, “Assessment of Genetic Variation and Population Isolation among Populations of Red Cornsnakes, Pantherophis Guttarus, in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.” Her faculty sponsor is Dr. Lauretta Bushar, professor of Biology. The funds will be placed in the budget of the Biology Department.

Keisha Robinson ’18 M.Ed ’23, a student in the doctorate of Education program with a focus in Educational Leadership, has been awarded $519 for her project, “Exploring the Arcadia University Social Action and Justice Education Program Structure and its Effectiveness in the retention of BIPOC Educators.” Her faculty sponsor is Dr. Marc Brasof, associate professor of Education.

Joy Slabaugh ’23, a student in the Master of Counseling program, has been awarded $500 for her project, “Survey of Mental Health Care Providers Beliefs toward Pricing Models.” Her faculty sponsor is Dr. Michael Morrow, professor of Psychology and director of the Graduate Program in Counseling. The funds will be placed in the budget of the Psychology Department.

Jonathan Noble ’23, a Biology major, was awarded $400 for his project, “The Role of Dap Degradation in Oogenesis.” His faculty sponsor is Dr. Christina Swanson, assistant professor of Biology. The funds will be placed in the budget of the Biology Department.

The students may draw upon the funds–designated for their use after June 1–for expenses directly related to their project proposals. Expenditures require the approval of the department chair. Faculty nominate students who are planning to carry out projects of substantial intellectual inquiry under their supervision. Nominees are invited to submit proposals, which are reviewed by a faculty committee.  

Upon completion of their projects, the awardees will be expected to make a presentation to the campus community.