Students, faculty and staff at the University of the Virgin Islands showcased research on Thursday that they’ve conducted during the fall and spring semesters. The focus of the research was generally on current events, social issues and topics relevant to the Virgin Islands.
The research was displayed on 16 posters filled with facts and figures, and was also discussed in roundtable sessions at the Great Hall on the St. Croix campus.
The research was on community issues such as youth violence, ciguatera fish poisoning, the United States Virgin Islands census data online, colorism and college students, and social media.
The topic of legalizing marijuana in the U.S. Virgin Islands generated some stimulating conversations with the audience. The students from the criminal justice class gave the pros and cons of legalization and professionally voiced their opinions.
UVI junior Iziah Ashe said liberty comes with responsibility. “The question is can we legalize it and use it so that it may not jeopardize safety.”
Corwin Commobatch, also a junior, said medicinal marijuana costs less than conventional drug therapy. Commobatch also said that in his research he found studies that show marijuana reduces pain and suffering associated with some chronic diseases. And he added it is less toxic and addictive than some prescribed drugs.
Sophomore Shemika Durand said that, as an asthmatic she looked at the benefits of the legalization of medicinal marijuana. She said in her research she found some experts say the dangers outweigh the benefits. She added medicinal marijuana is proven to relive pressure in the eyes, help prevent blindness and is beneficial for chronic pain.
Criminal justice professor Nandi Sekou was the moderator and posed questions to generate audience participation.
Sen. Terrence “Positive” Nelson spoke about the three pieces of legislation he has proposed. The production of hemp, the decriminalization for up to an ounce of marijuana, and the legalization for medicinal and recreational use.
Meridith Neilsen, a drug policy advisor in the Turnbull administration, was also in the audience and stood up and gave his opinions.
Sgt. Richard Matthews of the V.I. Police Department and a student research presenter was also in the audience. He said it wouldn’t be easy telling youth not to use marijuana if it is legalized.
A roundtable discussion was also held on the topic of Transfer Day 100th anniversary: Celebrations, Tribulations and the Future.
Kathleen Mae Miego, a senior in the school of liberal arts, researched the correlation between Facebook use and 80 students’ academic performances through their grade point averages. She found there wasn’t any correlation between the amount of time spent using Facebook and a student’s GPA. Her research was for a senior-level social science class.
“It was a lot of work, but I gained a lot of knowledge taking part in the research project,” Miego said. “It was fun too. And I feel proud to have done the research myself.”
The researchers gave presentations to about 150 people, mostly students from St. Croix Educational Complex, Seventh-day Adventist School and Country Day Good Hope School. Frank Mills, UVI interim vice provost for Research and Public Service, said they provided transportation for the high school students.
Mills said the administrators believe that exposing high school students to the world of research is likely to encourage students to attend college.
“The purpose behind UVI Research Day is to share with the public the research that is taking place in all the colleges and schools of UVI,” Mills said. He said that one student from each campus who best exemplifies the methodological and/or applied research will be honored.
UVI’s research areas participating included the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, Agricultural Experiment Station, the Eastern Caribbean Center, Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service, Caribbean Exploratory Research Center, the College of Science and Mathematics’ Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Physical Sciences areas, the School of Education, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and the Masters in Marine and Environmental Studies program.
