May 14, 2003

Student researchers rise to the top

Two California State University, Sacramento students won coveted awards at this month’s prestigious 17th annual California State University Student Research Competition.

Chemistry major Jacqueline Houston received first place in the physical and mathematical sciences division with a project titled “Transition Metal Cation Migration Through Zeolite Materials.” Her research examined how metal moves through porous materials. Houston is graduating this semester with her master’s degree and is entering a doctoral program this fall. She lives in Sacramento, 95825.

Sherry Reafsnyder’s project, “Open Clusters: An Important Means of Probing Galactic Disk Evolution,” earned second place, also in the physical and mathematical sciences division. Open clusters are related groups of stars held together by gravity. Reafsnyder is pursuing her bachelor’s degree with a double major in English and astronomy. Her hometown is Grass Valley, 95945.
The annual CSU Student Research Competition features research of undergraduate and graduate students and recent alumni from all academic disciplines.

Approximately 200 students from all 23 CSU campuses submit written papers and present their findings. Seven students from CSUS competed in the event at CSU Stanislaus.

Media assistance is available from the CSUS public affairs office at (916) 278-6156.