Alison Tock of Watonga was selected to represent Redlands Community College at Research Day held recently at the State Capitol.
Tock’s project, focusing on hops production in a greenhouse environment, involved growing hops rhizomes in both aquaponic and containerized environments, and bringing the hops out of dormancy using artificial light cycles. With the growing microbrewery and craft beer industries in Oklahoma, the ability to source hops locally has the potential to boost options and production.
“I was proud to represent Redlands as one of only two community colleges which participated in the event,” Tock said. “Showcasing student work in a statewide forum highlights the great opportunities and the quality of education I have received at a two-year college.”
Twenty-one undergraduate students representing 15 Oklahoma colleges and universities presented competitive scientific research posters to the state legislature and the public during the annual event sponsored by Oklahoma NSF EPSCoR, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the National Science Foundation. The event is designed to raise awareness of the outstanding research that is taking place at Oklahoma’s colleges and universities.
Dr. Julie Flegal-Smallwood, Redlands instructor and director of the NASNTI STEM Part A grant, served as Tock’s faculty mentor for the research project. She believes Research Day provides a valuable opportunity for students to develop presentation skills beyond just doing the research because they have to know their research, but also have to be able to explain it both professionally and in lay terms.
“I also think one of the great benefits is the opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor outside of a classroom environment – in part for the advanced research capacity, but also learning to develop professional relationships and gain insight into potential career paths or areas of further study,” Flegal-Smallwood added.