Sarah Tepp, a student at Marian University's Ancilla College, recently traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to present her research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). She represented the institution alongside students from across the country.
Sarah's project was part of the Undergraduate Summer Scholars Program, where students work with a professor to explore real-world problems. She worked with Neal Knapp, Ph. D., department head of the agriculture program and assistant professor of agriculture, and Ancilla Beef and Grain on a project focused on keeping plants safe from squash borers—a type of pest that harms crops.
Her research looked at using rabbit urine as a natural pesticide to protect squash plants. Sarah's project shows how Marian students learn by doing and how their work can make a real difference in the world. "I am grateful for the experience that allowed me to share thoughts and possibly help not only others through the possible results but also possibly inspire other research," said Sarah.
The NCUR conference brings together thousands of college students each year to share their ideas and research. Sarah's work is a great example of how Marian supports student learning, hands-on experience, and creative problem-solving, especially in agriculture.