Wickie Awards

Impactful Solution
 
Gold: From Commons to Commodity: Privatization of Water in the Global South by Adam Hamze and Brendan Stevens (POSC 490-Capitalism and Globalization, Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D.)
 
Silver: Streams Under Siege: Small Stream Health in the Age of Mountaintop Removal by Jack Martin, Charles Davis, and Joseph
Caylor (BIOL 229-Ecology (Wicked Ecological Problems), Chet Bhatta, Ph.D.)
 
Bronze: Data Centers and Water ScarcityConcern: A case study in Loudoun County by Jacob McKinney, Alyssa Smith, Haley
Snow, Tara Phillips, Teresa Frasch, and Harry Cheung (GEOG 140-Intro to Environmental Studies, Naveen Joseph, Ph.D.)
 
Distinguished Research

Gold: The Ozempic Face: The GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drug Boom and the Commodification of Health by Erin Torres and Maggie Fulk (POSC 490-Capitalism and Globalization, Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D.)
 
Silver: The Rise of Drones in Military Conflicts: Asymmetric Warfare, Civilian Casualties, and Arms Proliferation by
Stephen Jaje and Damar Vaccianna (INST 490-International Studies, Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D.)
 
Bronze: Terms & Conditions: Digital Privacy Doesn't Exist—E’liott Cole (PHIL 115-Wicked Problems, Katy Shepard, Ph.D.)
 
Outstanding Presentation

Gold: Locked in the Loop: Mass Incarceration in America by Tyler Russell and Graham Smith (POSC 410-Demystifying Leadership, Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D.)
 
Silver: The Indus Waters Dispute: When Geopolitics Threatens a Lifeline by Jakob Genest and Adam Futerman (INST 490-International Studies, Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D.)
 
Bronze: Gentrification and displacement, in Gainsboro, Roanoke by Jerrod Traynham and Isaiah Kigwe (POSC 410-Demystifying Leadership, Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D.)

Rising Star

Gold: Let's SPOT the Damage! The Effects of the Spotted Lanternfly by Maylen Johnson, Alaysha Lang, Kynslee Blankenship,
Morgan Prine, Ruby Estes, and Zora Richardson (BIOL 229-Ecology (Wicked Ecological Problems), Chet Bhatta, Ph.D.)
 
Silver: Forests Under Siege: The Ecological Consequences of the Emerald Ash Borer by Raven Smith, Addison Gilliam, Ariawyn
Lyons, Aubrey Hatch, Natalie Barnett, and Tiffany Little (BIOL 229-Ecology (Wicked Ecological Problems), Chet Bhatta, Ph.D.)
 
Bronze: Balancing Safety and Rights: Solutions to Gun Violence in America by Hudson Lynch, Ryn Simmerson, and Nathan
Morrow (ENGL 306-Professional Writing, Jessica Mattox, M.A.)

Rising Star

• Gold: Valley Without Walls: The Unhoused Population in the New River Valley by Courtney McMahon, Lillyan Porter, Therese Root, Katherine Rose, Dr. John Brummette (OURS 100 Introduction to Research and Creative Inquiry, Joseph Wirgau, Ph.D.)
• Silver: Waves of Pollution: How Waste Affects Our Ocean and Wildlife by Emily Seubert, Greg Armentrout, Leslie Romero, Rylee Lyons (MKTG 101 Creativity and Innovation, Luke Liska, Ph.D.)
• Bronze: Vanishing Ice: The Impact of Climate Change on Arctic Polar Bears by Adyson Meredith, Bella Atwell, Maya Dixit (GEOG 140 Intro to Environmental Studies, Naveen Joseph, Ph.D.)

Impactful Solution

• Gold: Japan’s Illegal Whaling in the High Seas by Rachael Bruce and Devin VanDyke (POSC 360 International Law and Organization, Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D.)
• Silver: Highlander Helping Hands: Reducing Food Insecurity by Kristodea Appianti, Dylan Graham, Maurice Moomey, and Becky Owens (POSC 130 Changing the World, Paige Tan, Ph.D.)
• Bronze: Colony Collapse: The Decline of Pollinators and Its Impact on the World Food System by Kayla Fields, Sophie Magson, and Jillian Hunt (INST 101 Understanding the World, Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D.)

Distinguished Research

• Gold: Healing the Healers by Brianna Moser and Kaitlyn Steele (PHIL 115 Wicked Problems, Katy Shepard, Ph.D.)
• Silver: Fighting a Terrorist Group: Far-Right in Germany by Stephan Csontos and Jakob Genest (POSC 355 Global Terrorism, Paige Tan, Ph.D.)   
• Bronze: Advocacy for Bloodwork Testing in India by Stefanie Balagao (PHIL Katy Shepard, Ph.D.)  

Outstanding Presentation

• Gold: Censored Medicine: What The Government Doesn’t Want You to Know by Za’vionna Green (POSC 490 Capstone Conspiracy!, Chapman Rackaway, Ph.D.)
• Silver: How Might We Rebuild Social Connection to Support Students Post Covid? by Abby Sheridan, Ariawyn Lyons, Gabriel Amiryar, and James Weaver (MKTG 101 Creativity and Innovation, Luke Liska, Ph.D.)  
• Bronze: Age Limits for the Presidency and Congress by Desirae Compton, Nevaeh Holsclaw, Evan Lee (POSC 111 Big Questions, Stephen Joyce, Ph.D.)

Outstanding Presentation

• Gold: Taking down a Dictator: Venezuela by Riley Johnson (POSC 490, Paige Tan, Ph.D.)
• Silver: The Threat of AI to Literary and Artistic Professions – Ryan Young, Fletcher Mutert (INST 490, Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D.)
• Bronze: How might we improve the parking experience at Radford University to reduce congestion, increase convenience, and ensure fair access for all students, faculty, and visitors by Dylan Dampeer, Ethan Sherman, Cate Carlson, Sam Capps (MKTG 101, Luke Liska, Ph.D.)

Distinguished Research

• Gold: Economic Empires: How the United States Can Handle Chinese Technological Advancements in the Race for Economic Dominance by Jalyn Waller, Jonas Miller (POSC 350, Paige Tan, Ph.D.)
• Silver: Reforming a Dictatorship: Singapore’s One-Party State by Rose Guillaume (POSC 490, Paige Tan, Ph.D.)
• Bronze: AI Companions and their Impact on Teens and Minors – Sophie Crawford, Sarah Showalter (POSC 410, Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D.)

Impactful Solution

• Gold: How to Feed AI: An Energy Crisis for the Future by Benjamin Goldfeder (ECON 340, Professor Jennifer Elias)
• Silver: Proposal for a Sustainable Food Culture on Campus by Kendall Kennedy, Brenna Cooper, Abigail Dillon, Isaiah Kigwe, Ellie Mathenia, Lily McConkey, Kylie Minter, Kathryn Saunders, Mikayla St. Sing, Olivia Stroud (HONORS 310, Laird Christensen, Ph.D.)
• Bronze: Child Trafficking – Kennedy Cole, Jenna Slepetz (POSC 410, Tay  Keong Tan, Ph.D.)

Rising Star

• Gold: Filling the Plate: Eco or Ego: Understanding the Impact of Greenwashing by Alexandra Barragan (PHIL 115, Katy Shepard, Ph.D.)
• Silver: ClearMind: Ending Hazing Together by Tomas Rivera, Liliana Cordero, and Sarah Seagraves for the Rising Star Award (POSC 180, Chapman Rackaway, Ph.D.)
• Bronze: How might we reduce coral reef pollution by Abigail Harrington, Sierra Spencer, Mackenzie Richardson (MKTG 101, Luke Liska, Ph.D.)

Outstanding Presentation

• Gold: 5-3 A Game of Chance: The Contexts Surrounding Impoverished Hispanic Immigrants in Virginia by Jojo Turcios, Taylor Allen, Jan Diaz, Lily McConkey (faculty mentor: Steve Fesmire)
• Silver: 5-47 Virginians over Money: Virginia’s Corruption in Politics and How It Takes the Voice of the People and Elected Officials Away by Riley Johnson, Jack Tull, Michael Kautzmann (Paige Tan)
• Bronze: 5-44 Stirrup the Silence: Investigating Invasive Feminine Procedures by Evergreene Dietz, Kaley Hagan, Emma Snead (Jessica Mattox)

Distinguished Research

• Gold: 6-27 Sexual Violence in the Military by Jonas Miller, Danae Bowyer, Jack Braun (faculty mentor: Tay Keong  Tan)
• Silver: 6-63 The Dark Net: Ungoverned Platform for Illicit Content, Trafficking, and Terrorist Financing by Mel Cornils, Paige Olson (Tay Keong Tan)
• Bronze: 5-78 Fool Me Twice: The Internet and Elder Fraud by Owen Saunders (Dai Zehui)
• Honorable Mention: 6-55 Are You Ever Truly Alone: Lack of Privacy in an AI Dominated World by Sean Anderson, Barrick Mogel, Ebenezer Morkeh, Abby Sikora (Meg Konkel)

Impactful Solution

• Gold: 5-14 Factory Farming: The Globalization of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations by Zora Comer, Erin Torres (faculty mentor: Tay Keong Tan)
• Silver: 6-36 Ultra-Processed Foods that Kill People and Destroy the Planet by Katherine Falvey, Abigail Stuckey, Camren Carter (Tay Keong Tan)
• Bronze: 5-48 Cleaner Currents: Limiting Pollution in the New River by Luke Harrison, Alex Resnick, Caden Berg (Jessica Mattox)
  

Rising Star

• Gold: 6-34 How might we help pet owners better afford their pets by Isabella Lopez, Emily O'Quinn, Thomason Liles, Alexis Thornton, Isabelah Cauley (faculty mentor: Luke Liska)
• Silver: 6-40 Bridging the Gap: Addressing the Teacher Shortage Crisis by Ilianna Pena, Shelby Beverly (Joe Wirgau)
• Bronze: 6-60 How might people protect themselves from AI by Megan Cash, Tony Hall, Sean Milshteen, Morgan Jessie (Luke Liska)

Rising Star

• Gold: 1-18 Finding the Balance: Sustainability vs Mass Production of Cereal Crops as Biofuels by Danielle Cook, Natalie Jimenez, Allison Owens, Ava Tuell (Dr. Christine Small and Dr. Amanda Raimer)
• Silver: 2-9 Reshaping Congress by Evan Harless, Christian Housh, Sarah Showalter (Dr. Allyson Yankle)
• Bronze: 2-47 Automatic Registration in the U.S. by Thea Bayse, Za’vionna Green, A’mya Holland (Dr. Allyson Yankle)

Outstanding Presentation

• Gold: 1-2 Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine by Becca Holcombe and Riley Petroski (Dr. Paige Tan)
• Silver: 2-37 Eyewitness Testimony; Testing Memory by EJ Auvil (Dr. Katy Shepard)
• Bronze: 1-46 Emerging Impact of Space Tourism by Sydney Brummitt and Sam Morgan (Dr. Tay Keong Tan)

Distinguished Research

• Gold: 2-43 Rise of White Nationalism by I’yonah Cartwright (Dr. Tay Keong Tan)
• Silver: 1-33 Solar Eruptions by Brandon Englen and Samantha McKnight (Dr. Tay Keong Tan)
• Bronze: 1-37 Self-Driving Cars by Emma Smith, Zach Hupman, Marcayla McWhorter, Bianca Eze (Dr. Laurie Cubbison)

Impactful Solution

• Gold: 1-53 Killer Asteroids Earthbound by Kaylee Tieche and Merca Shelton (Dr. Tay Keong Tan)
• Silver: 2-40 Transnational Repression by Caroline Sapp (Dr. Tay Keong Tan)
• Bronze: Not awarded

Outstanding Presentation

Judges: Professor Susan Sheridan Smith, student Rafael Parra, alum Caitlyn Scaggs

• Gold: 1-6 How the US Can Combat the Fentanyl Crisis by Becca Holcombe, Caroline Sapp 
• Silver: 1-45 Fueling the Future: A Study on Food Insecurity in Elementary-aged Children in the NRV by Kyndall Altamirano, Jae Horst, Jordyn Johnson, Kristina Milochova 
• Bronze: 2-81 How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit by Celena Osorio 
• Honorable Mention: 1-42. RU Wasteful? Alexa Parisi, Jonah Packer, Owen Tidd, Harleigh Britt, Cait Verdura, Jacob Gilbert 

Distinguished Research

Judges Laurie Cubbison, Ph.D., student: Keiko Klisiewecz, alum: Pattie DeLoatche 

• Gold: 2-76 Deterring Chinese Aggression against Taiwan by Camilla Eggleston, Adian Lacy 
• Silver: 2-16 How Might We Expand Sexual Health Education among Radford University Students to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases by Alison Sayers, Denise Kackley, Emma Fleming, Jazmyne Scott, Kaitlyn O'Shaughnessy, Maddie Kayes, Michael Mitchell, Tejaeden Harrigan 
• Bronze: 1-58 How Might We Bring More Awareness to Radford Students about Health Services Offered by Anna Mason, Bryan Dehoyos, Kenzie Andruss, Taylor Miller 

Impactful Solution

Judges Jack Call, Ph.D., student: Isaiah Hawkins, alum: Rick Sparks

• Gold: 1-8 Ultra-Processed Foods by Cory Page, Cole Harrington, Evan Harless 
• Silver: 2-35 Global Warming Solved the Right Way by Nick Terehoff 
• Bronze: 2-21 Assisting the Homeless through Job Opportunities by Geronimo Moleno, Isabelle Mohl, Daniel Huff, Walker Bourne, Liam Valvo 

Video Awards

• Gold:  Why the Long Phase Effects of Power Distribution on Biodiversity Loss by Lily Backus, Anna Beeson 
• Silver:  Dismantling the Inequality Machine: Undergraduate Research Experiences from Start to Finish by Abbi Green, Cora Burt 

Outstanding Presentation 

• Gold: How to Democratize Belarus by Corey Burgess  (Paige Tan, Ph.D., Political Science) 
• Silver: Gaps within the American Foster Care System by Lucy Cooper, Ronnie Butler, Gabe Robertson (Chapman Rackaway, Ph.D., Political Science) 
• Bronze: Equity for Equatorial Guinea: The Importance of the Removal of Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo by Riley Petroski (Paige Tan, Ph.D., Political Science) 

Distinguished Research

• Gold: Taking Down Mohammed bin Salman by Becca Holcombe, Emmie Maurer (Paige Tan, Ph.D., Political Science) 
• Silver: How Might We Control Portion Sizes? By Jasmine Blevins, Nic Cook, Carley Fagan, Isaac Morales, Evan Valdez (Jane Machin, Ph.D., Marketing) 
• Bronze: The Great Replacement and White Nationalist Violence in America by Nick Robinson, Will Avalos, Riley Petroski (Tay Keong Tan, Political Science) 

Impactful Solution

• Gold: Killer Asteroids by Levi Hylton, Jalen Booker, Rafael Parra (Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D., Political Science) 
• Silver: Massive Solar Eruptions by Kate Sutherland, Makayla Fields, Charity Wilson (Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D., Political Science) 
• Bronze: What a Waste: Food Sustainability at Radford by Annalisa Twum, Darryl Fulton, Bailey Lester, Anthony Barbarisi, Keiko Klisiewecz, Isaiah Hawkins (Steven Fesmire, Ph.D., Philosophy) 

Video Awards

• Gold: Equitable Energy by Nicholas Beach, Sara Johnson, Camden McGookin, Will Sadler (Meg Konkel, Ph.D., Design/Philosophy) 

Outstanding Presentation

• Gold: Hunter Cole and Makayla Fields, “Islamic State-Sinai,” POSC 355 Terrorism (Paige Tan, Ph.D.).  
• Silver: Rose Guillaume, Grace Herritage, Travis Giraldi, Cayden Guinther, “A World with Serial Pandemics,” INST 101 Understanding the World (Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D.)

Distinguished Research

• Gold: Madelyn Cheney, Kristen Chang, Ava Graham, Ethan Gear, “How Might We Eliminate Barriers to Homelessness Resources,” MKTG 101 Creativity and Innovation (Jane Machin, Ph.D.)
• Silver: Rose Guillaume, Grace Herritage, Travis Giraldi, Cayden Guinther, “A World with Serial Pandemics,” INST 101 Understanding the World (Tay Keong Tan, Ph.D.)

Impactful Solution

• Gold: Alex Cook, Wellington Dressler, Prophet Magee, Trey Taylor, “Is the Fentanyl Epidemic Gone Too Far?” CRJU 495 Critical Perspectives in Criminal Justice (Steve Owen, Ph.D.)
• Silver: Madelyn Cheney, Kristen Chang, Ava Graham, Ethan Gear, “How Might We Eliminate Barriers to Homelessness Resources,” MKTG 101 Creativity and Innovation (Jane Machin, Ph.D.)