SHU Hosts Annual College of Arts & Sciences Conference

Event offers students opportunity to engage with professors and learn about their research

Sacred Heart University professors recently showcased their research for students and fellow faculty members at the seventh annual College of Arts & Sciences Conference (CASCon). The event highlighted the depth and breadth of faculty studies and offered undergraduate students an opportunity to get involved in professors’ research.

Separated into three sessions, the presentations covered a wide variety of topics, each taking place in a different room. Topics included “Literature & Healing Trauma,” “Exploring Social and Political Issues in Modern Culture” and “Introducing Dramatic Humanities.”

Nidhi Shrivastava, languages & literature department professor, spoke in the room dedicated to modern social and political issues. Her research, based on her upcoming co-edited volume on Reimagining #MeToo and South Asia, “Is India Experiencing #MeToo 2.0?: Interrogating 2023 Indian Wrestlers’ Protests,” focuses on public outcry following allegations that the Wrestling Federation of India president sexually harassed female wrestlers.

In the “Blitz Talks” room, six faculty members circulated among groups of students and spent five minutes talking to each about their studies. The chats offered students an opportunity to ask faculty members specific questions about their research.

Sue Deschenes, a biology department professor, discussed her project, “Spicing Things Up: Effect of Pungent Spices on Development of Skeletal Muscle.” She said putting specific spices on cultured muscle cells may aid in the muscle’s development and regeneration.

Another biology department professor, Ashley Stoehr, talked about her research involving sharks, in which she plans to study environmental DNA (DNA that organisms release into the environment) to discover if sharks―and which species―were recently in particular waters. Their presence can be determined by the DNA they shed as they swim and rub against other organisms. Stoehr is conducting further research in an effort to pinpoint when the sharks were in the area.

Faculty and students look forward to the annual conference because it is a chance to share ideas and information. Students who are particularly interested in a professor’s study can offer to assist.

Photo: Biology professor Ashley Stoehr talks to students about her research, “Worms, White Sharks and Women.”