More than 100 undergraduate students from across the Universities of Wisconsin, along with their faculty advisers, showcased research projects at the 21st Annual Research in the Rotunda event held in the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison.
UWO’s 2025 Research in the Rotunda delegation.
Five research entries representing the work of eight University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh students, were showcased Wednesday as undergraduate researchers from across the state gathered for the 21st Annual Research in the Rotunda inside Wisconsin’s state capitol in Madison.
“The research projects on display embody the personal and intellectual growth experienced by the students who created them, said Jay Rothman, president of the Universities of Wisconsin. “Over the 21 years of holding this event, we have featured well over 1,500 undergraduate research projects. They are a tangible representation of the Universities of Wisconsin’s ongoing commitment to build the talent pipeline and to expand knowledge and ideas that are vital to the state’s success—objectives that are an integral part of our 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. Today’s event highlights our commitment to having at least 25% of our undergraduate students involved in research at each of our universities by 2028.”
Following are the UW-Oshkosh entries:
■ Breaking Free: A Study of Sobriety as a Pathway Out of Recidivism
Antonina Lattuca, Schiller Park, Illinois. Faculty adviser: Matt Richie
■ Concussion Baseline Differences in Healthy Collegiate Athletes vs. Non-Athletes on the Bertec Vision Trainer
Kennedy Koehler, Appleton. Co-authors: Angie Blinderman, Maris Heun, Drue Polka. Faculty adviser: Kyle Petit
Kennedy Koehler outlines her research with Rep. Jerry O’Connor of Fond du Lac.
■ IoT-Facilitated mmWave Sensing Platform for Simple Gesture Recognition Paul Price, Oshkosh. Faculty adviser: Ahmed Nasif
■ The Effects of School Performance, Voting, and Economic Factors on Wisconsin Students Civil Liberties
Ryne Panzer, Oregon, Wisconsin. Faculty adviser: Marianne Johnson
■ The Modern US Feminist Movement: A Measure of Mobilization across the Upper Midwest (1970-2020)
Amanda Pierron, Neenah. Faculty adviser: Amber Lusvardi
Rothman commended students who partnered with faculty to investigate real-life issues affecting local, state, national and international citizens and communities.
Ryne Panzer shares his research with a legislative staff member.
“Engaging in undergraduate research is a proven practice that leads to student success, not only in school, but also in future careers,” Rothman said. “The students’ research also has the potential to inform public policy and decisions made by the private sector to help resolve the complex challenges our local, state, and global communities face. Their work helps create knowledge that enables Wisconsin to address difficult problems while helping improve our quality of life.”
Undergraduate highlight
Ryne Panzer, a UWO junior from Oregon, Wisconsin, majoring in economics and accounting, said Research in the Rotunda was a great experience. In the future, Panzer aspires to earn his certified public accounting credential and to work in public accounting.
“Learning about my peers’ research and aspirations is always enjoyable and interesting,” Panzer said. “Through my research I’ve learned valuable skills that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It has helped me improve my critical thinking and speaking and also instilled a new confidence in myself.”
UWO student Paul Price of Oshkosh said research has been the highlight of his undergraduate experience.
“I have pursued classroom topics that interest me the most, which has helped me build a stronger foundation in my major and has helped distinguish me among my peers,” he said, adding that he was “thrilled to represent UWO” and to connect with fellow student researchers, their mentors and state legislators.
UW-Oshkosh had five undergraduate research projects representing the work of eight students on display.
UWO Associate Professor Matt Richie said the research in the Rotunda event provides a great experience and place for students to showcase all of their hard work. Richie and Lattuca studied sobriety and recidivism, working alongside a team of community nonprofits in the recovery field and local law enforcement agencies.
“It’s also become a great event to showcase our work with community partners,” he said. “We work with the public, private, and nonprofit sector to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative strategies to solve the problems we face in an ever-changing world.”
UWO Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ed Martini, who joined the UWO delegation on April 2, said there are few, if any, state Capitol showcases for students like Research in the Rotunda.
“Once again, UWO students shone brightly and made the case that undergraduate research is a powerful practice that takes their learning and development to a new level,” he said. “And in the process, UWO’s region and the state benefit from some eye-opening discoveries across a spectrum of disciplines, some of which have very practical applications in the communities we serve.”
Research investment
“This event is a testament to the power of investing in undergraduate research,” said President Rothman. “We are cultivating the next generation of leaders who will drive innovation, advance knowledge, and help shape the future.”