Area Students Part of Research Program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Emily Loose, of Williamsburg, and Sarah Everett, of Hollidaysburg, were part of Indiana University of Pennsylvania's John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics sixth annual Research Experience for Summer Scholars Program.

Loose, daughter of Mark and Deanna Loose, is a member of Cook Honors College and a communications media major at IUP. She is a 2016 graduate of Williamsburg Junior/Senior High School.

At IUP, Loose is a dean's list student and served on the homecoming court in 2018. She is the station manager of WIUP-FM and works with The Penn, IUP's student newspaper. Loose also contributes content to Her Campus and Public Pictures Theatre.

Everett, daughter of Stephanie and Steve Everett, is a member of Cook Honors College. She is a communications media graduate and an August graduate of the strategic communications, Master of Science at IUP. She is a 2015 graduate of Hollidaysburg High School.

At IUP, Everett is a dean's list student and a Sutton Scholar. She is a member of the IUP Symphony Orchestra, Red Flag Poetry, IUP's Swoop Productions and member of WIUP-FM.

In the RESS program, Loose and Everett conducted research with Dr. Mark Piwinsky on her project, titled "Twitterverse and Gender: Examining Perceptions of Gender in Political Tweets."

Students worked in either IUP research laboratories or in the field for a 10-week period with an IUP faculty mentor.

The program included events such as the "Presenter Pizza Series" where students presented their research; professional development events where students were given tips and resources for resume writing and poster presenting; and a concluding event with keynote speaker Dr. Douglas Kupas '86, the Director of Pennsylvania's Emergency Medical Services.