CBU students present their math and science research projects at symposium

Riverside, Calif. (March 9, 2020) - More than 65 California Baptist University students presented their research projects at the 12th annual Natural and Mathematical Research Symposium on March 7.

Dr. Jacob Lanphere, associate professor of environmental science, said the purpose of the symposium is to give students opportunities to showcase their research projects. 

“Students and faculty have been working together to accomplish unique goals in each major within the Division of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (NMS),” Lanphere said. “The NMS Research Symposium creates a special forum in which ideas and conversations can begin to help form the future of new research projects as well.”

Students in the Division of Natural and Mathematical Science at CBU presented their findings through an oral or poster presentation.  

Anthony Cornwall, a sports analytics junior, presented a research project that aimed to predict an NBA player’s potential salary in free agency based off various factors such as the player’s statistics, a team’s market size, the NBA salary cap and even a team’s fan base.

Cornwall said he will continue his research next year with a goal to work for a NBA team after graduation.

“It’s my dream to work for the NBA and the project assisted me in my long-term goal of helping teams win free agency and get players for the best rate,” Cornwall said.

Rachel Moulton, an environmental science senior, presented her research on the air quality in the CBU parking structure. She sampled 14 sites in the garage once a week for seven weeks.

“My overall conclusion was that the parking structure had no effect on the air quality, which is good,” Moulton explained. “You can’t just look outside and assume the air will be good or bad. There was one day I monitored the air after a nearby fire in Jurupa Valley (California) and assumed the levels would be terrible. But they were some of the lowest readings I had. You really can’t make assumptions.”

Moulton said it was reassurance to know then air quality on campus is safe and she also enjoyed being able to see her research come to life.