Anna Crites holding her Beta Beta Beta award.Siena Heights University (SHU) biology major Anna Crites recently earned a second-place award from the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Society, earning the Frank G. Brooks Award for excellence in undergraduate research. Crites presented “The Effect of Static Electromagnetic Field Exposure on the Irritability and Anxiety-Like Behaviors of Rats” at the Northeast 4 District Beta Beta Beta conference at Wittenberg University, which was attended by students from eight universities. Her research presentation was evaluated by three judges, who assessed her project based on originality, organization, knowledge, and clarity.

In May 2023, Crites graduated Summa Cum Laude after successfully completing eight 18-credit-hour semesters with a double major in biology and in psychology. As a member of the S-STEM Scholars Program, she conducted group research projects in her first year and sophomore year, published two research abstracts in the Michigan Academician journal, and presented research posters at the virtual Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters conferences. In her junior year, she completed an individual research project and collected novel data that has been submitted for publication. That summer, Crites interned at the Neuropsychological Services of Lansing, where she observed testing sessions, conducted statistical analyses, and completed reports.

During her senior year, Crites was awarded a Beta Beta Beta Research Grant and successfully finished two research projects. One project was on “The Importance of Minimizing Psychiatric Disorder Burden and Misdiagnosis” for her psychology major and the second on the effect of electromagnetic field exposure on rats for her biology major, which was presented at the regional Beta Beta Beta conference. Her research on rats was awarded second place.

While at Siena Heights, Crites shared her love of music through her membership in the SHU choirs and concert assembles. She was awarded the STEM Outstanding Student Award and, in the fall, will be starting a Ph.D. program at Kent State University.