Faculty Share Results of Summer Research: Photogallery

Faculty members at Trinity excel in their disciplines because they remain constant students of those disciplines. Sabbaticals, collaborative projects with students, and summer research are a few of the ways professors engage in scholarship that deepens their knowledge and enhances their teaching.

Recently, professors who completed research over the summer shared their work with the Trinity community.

Summer 2014 Research

Dr. Robert Boomsma, professor of biology, researched gap junction formation. He also published two papers.

Dr. Michael Bosscher, assistant professor of chemistry, discussed his summer work on protein binding with lanthanides and his continued research on aquaponics.

Dr. David Brodnax, associate professor of history, Dr. Mark Jones, professor of English, and Dr. Mark Peters, professor of music, completed collaborative research and writing on “Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man in Interdisciplinary Perspective.”

Ellen Browning, associate professor of art and design, and Dr. Jeff Nyhoff, associate professor of computer science, researched and collaborated in developing a proposal for a new Digital Design Major offering at Trinity.

Dr. Clayton Carlson, assistant professor of biology, published a paper on his work in the field of epigenetics. He also completed a book review published in Perspectives on Science and the Christian Faith.

Dr. Karen Dieleman, associate professor of English, currently on sabbatical, sent an audio file to inform her peers about her research on Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

Dr. Mark Jones, professor of English, continued his research on his work, titled, Chronicle and Mythopoeia in Fairyland.

Dr. Bethany Keeley-Jonker, assistant professor of communication arts, and Dr. Craig Mattson, professor of communication arts, studied Christian endeavors in public speaking, which they found pertinent to their own curriculum. Their work has been accepted for publication.

Professors of Math Dr. Dave Klanderman and Dr. Mandi Maxwell, Interim Provost Dr. Sharon Robbert, and Instructor Practitioner Christine Henle worked with Trinity adjuncts, textbook authors, and 13 other educators on the project “A New Paradigm for Teaching and Learning Statistics.”

Dr. Mark Peters, professor of music, is writing a book centered on the biblical Mary’s Song.

Dr. Aron Reppmann, professor of philosophy, continued research on his thesis. Reppmann’s work focuses on Plato and reformed philosophers. He is currently compiling a book.

Dr. John Sebestyen, associate professor of communication arts, continued his thesis study on holocaust representation in drama, and found “community counter patterns of oppression.” He extended that experience through a visit to the Holocaust Museum with Honors students.

Dr. Erick Sierra, professor of English, received acceptance for publication of a paper on his research concerning Postmodern America and spirituality.

Ryan Thompson, associate professor of art and design, co-authored Bad Luck Hot Rocks, a book capturing images and notes from the conscience pile at the Petrified Forest National Park. The book has received positive reviews from The New Yorker and the Los Angeles Times.

Assistant Professors of Psychology Dr. Kara Wolf and Dr. Jessica Clevering researched student identity goals and titled their work “Where do I fit.” They have submitted their work for publication.