(Photo 24815175 © Photopal604 | Dreamstime.com)

By rdnewsNOW staff

leading the way

RDP holds successful Research Showcase with 21 projects

Mar 8, 2022 | 12:19 PM

The recent virtual Research Showcase by Red Deer Polytechnic spotlighted 21 projects, completed and in-progress, by 36 student, faculty and staff researchers.

The conference-like event featured lightning talks and roundtable discussions, ranging from plasmonic nano-technology in the medical field to a case study of MicroSociety students to understand creativity and its impact on well-being.

“The Research Showcase provided an opportunity for us to collectively celebrate and share the scholarly activity that is happening at Red Deer Polytechnic,” says Dr. Maureen Toews, Associate Vice President, Teaching, Learning and Research. “Featuring research projects in this type of showcase format really highlighted not only the breadth of activity that is undertaken at our institution, but also the depth of analysis that researchers – whether students, faculty or staff – engage in throughout their projects.”

One such student researcher is Kira Weddell, who’s enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Biological Sciences. Weddell presented on the subject of bats in central Alberta.

“Having the opportunity to gain research experience that directly applies to the field of study I am pursuing is very motivating and has inspired me to seek out similar opportunities,” says Weddell, a third-year student and Queens volleyball team member.

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

6h ago

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

“Gaining real-world and applicable experience through this opportunity has helped to prepare me for my future experimental endeavors and has allowed me to see the complexity and importance of doing research.”

Weddell’s research, which was conducted in May and September over the last two years, is seeking to better understand the significant role bats play in the ecosystem around Red Deer’s North Highway Connector. This is particularly key as a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome moves closer to Alberta.

Weddell and her instructor, Dr. Sally Stuart, recorded bat vocalizations using a “Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter SM4” ultrasonic recorder. Data was analysed using “Kaleidoscope Pro” analysis software and the statistical tool “R.” The data collected has allowed for a year-to-year comparison of possible bat species in the area as well as insight into the different calls and foraging styles, according to an RDP summary.

“I find students, such as Kira, provide new insights into solving problems, and above all, bring their enthusiasm. Students gain valuable research skills using state-of-the-art field recorders, software skills to analyze data and programming skills for statistical analysis,” says Dr. Stuart. “Scientific literacy is more important than ever at this moment in time, so a component of each research project is scientific communication and learning to present information to the public in a clear and concise fashion.”

Stuart has been teaching biology and nursing at RDP for 34 years.

More information about the presented research projects is at rdpolytech.ca/research.