CCE Fellows Symposium shows multidisciplinary undergraduate research

FROM RICE NEWS STAFF REPORTS

	JEFF FITLOW
	Ariel Handler, right, and Robyn Moscowitz, center, work with their faculty adviser Devika Subramanian at Medical Bridges of Houston to redistribute surplus medical supplies to health care providers in less developed countries.

Through the Center for Civic Engagement’s (CCE) Fellows Program, students from Rice University spent their summers designing custom archival solutions for priceless artwork, researching health disparities across racial and economic variables, uncovering security threats and vulnerabilities in wireless networks and redistributing surplus medical supplies to health care providers in less-developed countries.

While topics spanned disciplines, they are all part of the same endeavor: using substantive, high-quality undergraduate research to support Houston-based community partners and positively impact the city. All projects are faculty supervised and aim to provide sustainable solutions that address civic challenges.

“This collaborative approach allows students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply that knowledge to help solve issues facing the Houston community,” said Stephanie Post, executive director of the CCE. “Not only do students have the opportunity to solve real-world problems, they understand the impact they can make in their own backyard.”

This year’s fellows will be showing the results of their summer research during a symposium from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8 in Farnsworth Pavilion in the Ley Student Center. The event is free and open to the public; light refreshments will be served.

For more information on the 2009 CCE Fellows and their projects, visit http://ccrd.rice.edu/content.aspx?id=1706.