For the first time in its history, there is a tie for first place in the Honors Thesis Pitch at Georgia State University.
The Fall 2020 Thesis Pitch winners are Aryonne Genae’Link for her presentation, “‘Do I Know You?’ Taking an In Depth Look at The Dynasore Protein for Reversing Alzheimer’s Disease,” and Karan Sharma for his presentation, “The Meal, The Memory…The Next Meal.”
Both contestants will receive a $150 prize. Genae’Link also is winner of the People’s Choice Award.
The second place winner of the Thesis Pitch is Praful Gade, double majoring in neuroscience and psychology, for his presentation, “Social Anxiety in a Social World: A New Spin on Evaluating Social Disorders.” He will receive a $75 prize.
The Honors Thesis Pitch is a semesterly contest, challenging undergraduate students to articulate their research projects in a compelling and engaging way in just three minutes or less. The competition is hosted each semester by the Honors College at Georgia State and is co-sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Students and Alumni (CASA).
While usually a live competition, this semester’s Thesis Pitch occurred as a virtual event because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nine students recorded and uploaded their timed presentation to a video sharing platform, where a panel of expert judges evaluated them.
More than 400 members of the general public voted on the People’s Choice Award through an online survey. First place includes a monetary award of $150; second place is $75; and the CASA-sponsored People’s Choice award is $50.
The panel of Thesis Pitch judges included Jose Rodriguez Class, Honors College librarian; Jessica Waldrop, Honors College faculty associate for the Honors Experience in Robinson; and Jonte Meyers, assistant professor of learning sciences in the College of Education and Human Development.
The Fall 2020 Thesis Pitch Presenters were:
- Taylor Davis, Psychology, “The Pitfalls Of Popularity: More Affiliative Interactions Associated with Higher Cortisol in Tufted Capuchin Monkeys”
Faculty Mentor Sarah Brosnan - Victoria Folayan, Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies, “I Don't (Want To) See Race: Ambiguous Aspirations and Racialized Realities”
Faculty Mentor Chamara Kwakye - Praful Gade, Neuroscience and Psychology, “Social Anxiety in a Social World: A New Spin on Evaluating Social Disorders”
Faculty Mentor Page Anderson - Aryonne Genae’Link, Neuroscience, “‘Do I Know You?’ Taking an In Depth Look at The Dynasore Protein for Reversing Alzheimer’s Disease”
Faculty Mentor Liana Artinian - Micah Scott, English Literature, “On the Metaphysics of Culture in Death and the King's Horseman”
Faculty Mentor Reiner Smolinski - Karan Sharma, Neuroscience, “The Meal, The Memory ... The Next Meal”
Faculty Mentor Marise Parent - Melissa Stan, Psychology, “What is Behind the Curtain: The Potential Dangers of Gender Biases in Pediatric Pain Assessment”
Faculty Mentor Lindsey Cohen - Yewouemoe Lynda Waku Kouomou, Chemistry, “Can A Dye That Causes DNA Damage Help Treat Cancer”
Faculty Mentor Kathryn Grant - Karhtat Wallace, Interior Design, “Can Plants Save Lives? Restorative Biophilic Design Concept Combining Interior Design and Psychology”
Faculty Mentor Ryan Crooks
Did you know?
The Honors Thesis Pitch is the culminating event for students across the university who are writing an Honors Thesis. Any Georgia State undergraduate with a qualifying GPA can apply to write an Honors Thesis. An Honors Thesis can come from a class project, study abroad or field studies—or they can come from an entirely fresh idea. To learn more, check out our website and contact Research Program Coordinator Emily Buis using this form.