IRAEA funds research scholarships for undergraduate students from a wide-range of disciplines to participate in faculty-led research projects on regulation and policy. With IRAEA undergraduate research scholarships, faculty and students have the opportunity to explore academic interests beyond the classroom. Students get hands-on experience with research and acquire academic and professional skills and credentials, and faculty get help with their research projects.
 
A member of the MSU Bozeman faculty must apply on the student's behalf.

The Undergraduate Research Scholarship grant cycle for Fall 2025 is now closed.
 

Summer 2025 Semester Scholars

Student Research Faculty
Lucy Lantz Algorithmic Risk Assessment and Criminal Justice Outcomes Wendy Stock
Greg Gilpin
Lucy Lantz Measuring Rally-Around-The-Flag Effects among Black Americans after 9/11 Mark Anderson
Frank Calandrella Exploring the Effects of Journal Replication Policies on Research Practices in Economics Isaac Swensen

IRAEA Undergraduate Scholars

Student Research Faculty        

Joshua Gunderson
Economics

 Medical Innovation and Neonatal Health: Exploring the Role of the Baby Bird Respirator Mark Anderson

Tucker Hall
Economics and Applied Mathematics

 Effects of NAFTA on Rural U.S. Employment and Wages Diane Charlton

Erica Knappenberger
Economics and Environmental Science

 Exploring the Effects on Incarceration on Family Outcomes                                              Isaac Swensen

 

Student

 Research Faculty

Beau Barthuly

 The Impact of Bank Regulation on Local Labor Market Outcomes Justin Gallagher

Nikoli Cunningham

 Public Library Branch Closures and their Impact on Local Economic Development Greg Gilpin

Ethan Gilpin

 Algorithmic Risk Assessment and Criminal Justice Outcomes                                                           Wendy Stock
Nora Griffith Measuring Rally-Around-The-Flag Effects among Black Americans after 9/11 Mark Anderson
Erika Knappenberger Exploring the Effects of Incarceration on Family Outcomes Isaac Swensen
Lucy Lantz Measuring Rally-Around-The-Flag Effects among Black Americans after 9/11 Mark Anderson
Lillian Pates Equity Resource Sharing: Analyzing the Impact of Interlibrary Loan Consortiums on Public Library
Collections and Personnel Between Low and High-Income Communities		 Greg Gilpin
Quinn Sanderson
 Do State-Level Financial Literacy/Economics Education Policies Impact Diversity in Economics? &
Book Bans and Teacher Turnover		 Wendy Stock
Claire Standley Estimating the Effects of Journal Article Retractions on Academic Careers Mark Anderson
Jonathan Yen The Effect of State-mandatory Retirement Plans on New Business Formation, Firm Size,
and Employee Savings		 Carly Urban

Student Research Faculty        

Robert Brown
Economics

 Book Bans, Teacher Morale, and Teacher Turnover Wendy Stock

Frank Calandrella      
Economics

 Book Bans, Teacher Morale, and Teacher Turnover Wendy Stock

Ricardo Caldeira
Business Accounting
Financial Engineering

  Are climate concerns contributing to low fertility?                                                             Melissa LoPalo     
Timothy Cuddy
Economics		 Exploring the Effects of Journal Replication Policies on Research
Practices in Economics		 Isaac Swensen
Grace Gilbreth
Economics		 Effects of Trade Policy on U.S. Rural Employment and Wages Diane Charlton
Nora Griffith
Economics		 Measuring Rally-Around-The-Flag Effects among Black
Americans after 9/11		 Mark Anderson
Aydemar Guerrero
Financial Engineering		 Book Bans, Teacher Morale, and Teacher Turnover Wendy Stock
Joseph Knappenberger
Economics		 The Impact of Bank Regulation on Local Labor Market Outcomes Justin Gallagher
Lucy Lantz
Economics
Mathematics		 Measuring Rally-Around-The-Flag Effects among Black Americans after 9/11 Mark Anderson
Lillian Pates
FInancial Engineering		 Equity Resource Sharing: Analyzing the Impact of Interlibrary Loan
Consortiums on Public Library Collections and Personnel Between
Low and High-Income Communities		 Greg Gilpin
Quinn Sanderson
Economics		 Book Bans and Teacher Turnover Wendy Stock
William Warner
Architecture/Finance      		 Estimating the Effects of Journal Article Retractions on
Academic Careers		 Mark Anderson

Student Research Faculty
Alec Fluer
Economics
Mathematics		 Choosing fewer children or running out of time? The role of the biological clock in global fertility decline                        Melissa LoPalo
Ethan Gilpin
Economics
Political Science		 Rape Kit Backlogs and Criminal Justice Outcomes Wendy Stock
Stephen Girts
Economics		 Exploring the Effects of Journal Replication Policies on Research
Practices in Economics		 Isaac Swensen
Joseph Knappenberger           
Economics
Computer Science 		 The Impact of Bank Regulation on Local Labor Market Outcomes Justin Gallagher
Quinn Sanderson
Economics
English Literature		 Do State-Level Financial Literacy/Economics Education Policies
Impact Diversity in Economics?		 Wendy Stock
Claire Standley
Agriculture Business		 Estimating the Effects of Journal Article Retractions on Academic Careers Mark Anderson

Student Research Faculty
Alec Fluer
Economics
Mathematics		 Choosing fewer children or running out of time? The role of the biological clock in global fertility decline                        Melissa LoPalo
Ethan Gilpin
Economics
Political Science		 Rape Kit Backlogs and Criminal Justice Outcomes Wendy Stock
Stephen Girts
Economics		 Exploring the Effects of Journal Replication Policies on Research
Practices in Economics		 Isaac Swensen
Joseph Knappenberger           
Economics
Computer Science 		 The Impact of Bank Regulation on Local Labor Market Outcomes Justin Gallagher
Quinn Sanderson
Economics
English Literature		 Do State-Level Financial Literacy/Economics Education Policies
Impact Diversity in Economics?		 Wendy Stock
Claire Standley
Agriculture Business		 Estimating the Effects of Journal Article Retractions on Academic Careers Mark Anderson

 

Student Research Faculty
Alec Fluer
Economics
Mathematics		 Choosing fewer children or running out of time? The role of the biological clock in global fertility decline                Melissa LoPalo
Caden Freeborn
Economics		 Exploring the Effects of Journal Replication Policies on Research Practices in Economics Isaac Swensen
Lillian Pates
FInancial Engineering		 Equity Resource Sharing: Analyzing the Impact of Interlibrary Loan Consortiums
on Public Library Collections and Personnel Between Low and High-Income Communities		 Greg Gilpin
Quinn Sanderson
Economics		 Book Bans and Teacher Turnover Wendy Stock
William Warner
Architecture/Finance		 Estimating the Effects of Journal Article Retractions on Academic Careers Mark Anderson

Student Research Faculty
Grace Gilbreth  Economics    "Effects of Trade Policy on Rural Employment and Wages" Diane Charlton
Dylan Granum
Economics
Mathematics   		 "Air Polution and Worker Productivity in Developing Countries: Evidence from Interviewers" Melisa LoPalo 
Grace Pannell
Economics
French		 "Smart Phones, Self-Control, and Productivity" Mariana  Carrera                                                                  
Quinn Sanderson  Economics                   

 "Medicaid Expansion and Special Education Outcomes" & "Medicaid Expansion, Child Neglect, and Foster Care"                                   Wendy Stock                                      

Student Research Faculty

Isaac Birdwell
Industrial Engineering

Katiana Carestia
Financial Engineering 

Tristan Jones
Financial Engineering 

 "Weather Damage Reporting, Selection Bias, and Voting."

Justin Gallagher

 
Norris Blossom
Industrial Engineering
Economics		 Renewal: "The Impacts of Paid Leave on Retirement, Mortality, Moridity, and Other Outcomes for Caregivers."

Wendy Stock

 
Nick Cornwall
Finance
Economics		 Renewal: "A Survey of Montana Community Banks."

Gary Caton (with Tim Harvery and Ed Gamble

Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship
Maxwell Ellingsen
Economics                     		 "Charter School Policies and Special Education Outcomes."

Wendy Stock

 
Nicholas Power
Economics		 "Medical Error, Physician Work Hours, and Motality Outcomes."

Isaac Swensen

 
Quinn Sanderson
Economics           		 "Do Antidiscrimination Laws Change Women's Marital Decisions?"                                       

Wendy Stock and Pamela Meyerhofer
Landon Sielaff
Financial Engineering                                        		 "What Does Price Volatility in Agricultural Commodities Mean for Producers? Counter-Cyclical Pattern Might be the Answer."

Joseph Atwood

Student Research Faculty
Norris Blossom
Industrial Engineering
Economics		 “The Impacts of Paid Leave on Retirement, Mortality, Morbidity, and Other Outcomes for Caregivers”

Wendy Stock

 
Nick Cornwall
Finance
Economics		 "A Survey of Montana Community Banks"

Gary Caton (with Tim Harvey and Ed Gamble)

Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship

Molly DeMarco
Education

“Impacts of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program”

Wendy Stock

Emiliano Hernandez
Microbiology and Immunology

"Optimization of Laboratory Assays to Quantify Influenza D Virus

Agnieszka Rynda-Apple

  • Department of Microbiology and Immunology

Kathryn Hilburn
Chemical Engineering 

 “Identifying Gaps in Intellectual Property Management in Tribal-University Agricultural Collaborations: A Case Study on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Montana State University Toward a Culturally Sensitive and Equitable Partnership”

Wan-Yuan Kuo

Department of Health and Human Development

Rachel Kepl
Early Childhood Education & Child Services 

  "Families’ Experiences of Transitions for their Children with Delays and Disabilities"

Kalli Decker

Department of Health and Human Development

Joseph Peoria
Geography

 "Integrating Neighborhood Voice into Policies, Plans, and Regulations: A Synthesis of Bozeman’s Northeast Neighborhood Vision and City Policy"

Sarah Church

Department of Earth Sciences

Kyle Rutten
Computer Science Data Science Economics

 "The Heat Is On: Enforcement of Occupational Health Heat Violations"

Sally Moyce

College of Nursing

Finn Vaughankraska
Financial Engineering

 "An Assessment of Potential Methodologies to Incorporating Risk Assessment and Control in Marine Fisheries Regulation"

Joseph Atwood

 

Logan Yates
Economics  English Writing

 "Telehealth and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic"

Mariana Carrera

 

Student Research Faculty
Norris Blossom
Industrial Engineering
Economics		 “Occupational Licensing in the Behavioral Health Industry”

Wendy Stock

Benjamin Moscona-Remnitz 
Economics               

 "Foreign Land Ownership in U.S. Farmland Markets: A Descriptive Analysis"

Daniel Bigelow                   

Kyle Rutton Statistics

 “A Hot Debate: Are Occupational Health Policies Effective?

Sally Moyce

College of Nursing

Student Research Faculty
Kyra Adamson University Studies "Human Trafficking: The Impact of Policy on Identification and Prosecution"

Wendy Stock

 
Norris Blossom Industrial Engineering Economics “Occupational Licensing in the Behavioral Health Industry”

Wendy Stock

 
Danielle Daley Economics “Do State-Level Financial Literacy Policies Impact Diversity in Economics”

Wendy Stock

 
Daniel Flavin Environmental Science "Application of Ecological Portfolio Theory to Inform Socio-environmental Incentives to Guide Salmon Conservation in a Low-regulatory Environment"

William Kleindl
Grace Pannell Economics  "Data Trends in Enrollment and Other Outcomes for Special Education Students"

Wendy Stock

 
Kyle Rutten Mathematics "A Hot Debate: Are Occupational Health Policies Effective?"

Sally Moyce, College of Nursing

Wendy Stock
Alec Truax Economics "Medical Error, Physician Work Hours, and Mortality Outcomes"

Isaac Swensen

 

Hailey Webb

“A Web-Based Story Map to Explain Sensitivity Analysis of Riparian Wetland Assessment to Disturbance Gradients within SW Montana”

William Kleindl

Land Resources and Environmental Sciences 

Student Research Faculty

Norris Blossom Economics & Industrial Engineering

“Data on Trends in Enrollment and Other Outcomes for Special Education Students”

Wendy Stock

 

Taylor Blossom Chemical Engineering Economics Interdisciplinary Studies

“Data on Trends in Enrollment and Other Outcomes for Special Education Students”

 

Wendy Stock

 

 

Emily Buschini Elementary Education

“Impact Study and Evaluation of K-5 School Practices and Schedules”

 Tina Cusker and Tricia Seifert, Department of Education 

Danielle Daley Economics

“Do State-Level Financial Literacy Policies Impact Diversity in Economics”

Wendy Stock

 

Athena Erickson Economics

“Food and Development Aid Policy” and “Charter School Legislation and Regulations”

Vincent Smith

 

Kenny Evans Economics

“Physician Incentives, Advanced Care Planning, and Health Care Costs”

Mariana Carrera

 
Zachariah Fighter Environmental Science    “Assessing Profitability of Wheat Production Under Heavy Losses Due to Wheat Stem Sawfly: Existing Regulatory Constraints and Options”

David Weaver

Land Resources and Environmental Sciences
Daniel Flavin Environmental Science  “Application of Ecological Portfolio Theory to Inform Socio-Environmental Incentives to Guide Salmon Conservation in a Low-regulatory Environment”

William Kleindl

Land Resources and Environmental Sciences 
Tyler Foster Economics    “The Effect of Unemployment Insurance on Marital Outcomes, Domestic Violence, and Suicide”

Isaac Swensen

 

Tory Johnson
Agricultural Business  

“The Effect of Unemployment Insurance on Marital Outcomes, Domestic Violence, and Suicide”

Isaac Swensen

Jake Kaminetzky Political Science and Economics 

“Is the Lottery a Tax on the Nation’s Poorest? Evidence from Lottery Participation, Jackpots, and Food Stamp Distribution”

Isaac Swensen

 

 
Lindsay Kimball Exercise Science “Data on Trends in Enrollment and Other Outcomes for Special Education Students”

Wendy Stock

 
Sarah Montalbano Economics  “Data on Trends in Enrollment and Other Outcomes for Special Education Students”

Wendy Stock

 
Hailey Webb Environmental Science A web-based story map to explain “Sensitivity Analysis of Riparian Wetland Assessment to Disturbance Gradients within SW Montana”

William Kleindl

Land Resources and Environmental Sciences

Student Research Faculty

Danielle Daley Economics

“Do State-Level Financial Literacy Policies Impact Diversity in Economics.”

 

Wendy Stock

Kenny Evans
Economics

"Physician Incentives, Advanced Care Planning, and Health Care Costs."

 

Mariana Carrera

 

Sarah Montalbano Computer Science Economics

"Antidiscrimination laws and Labor Market Impacts"

 

 Wendy Stock

Student Research Faculty

Joe Baan 

“Lotteries and Crime.”

Isaac Swensen                    

Jake Kaminetzky
                                                   

"Complementary of Lottery Participation, Cigarettes, and Alcohol"

Isaac Swensen 

Rowen Tracy

"Racial Segrgation and Team Performance"

 Isaac Swensen 

Student Research Faculty

Faisal AlSaad
Business Finance
Economics
Mathematic

“Payday Lending, Crime, and Suicide.”

 

Wendy Stock 

 

Danielle Antelope
Sustainable Food and bioenergy systems

"Toward Piikani Food Sovereignty: A Study of Federal Regulations, Tribal Prerogatives, and Lessons Learned for Establishing and Maintaining a Culturally Appropriate Food Distribution Program on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.”

Kristin Ruppel

Noelani Boise
Environmental Biology
German

 "Potential impacts of plastic degradation by thermoenzymes." 

Dana Skorupa

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Hannah Brauch
Economics

"The Differential Impact of Sarbanes-Oxley on Privately- versus Publicly-Held Banks."

 

Gary Caton

Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship

Athena Erickson
Economics

Project one: “Food and Development Aid.”

Vincent Smith

 

Emma Folkerts
Economics
Political Science

"Human Trafficking: The Impact of Policy on Identification and Prosecution."

Wendy Stock

 

Dustin Hofer
Economics

"Post Sullivan Law Gun Regulations."

Isaac Swensen

 

Connor Hoffman
Interdisciplinary Studies
Chemical Engineering
Biological Engineering

"Genetically Modified Food: Then, Now, and Tomorrow."

 

Wendy Stock

 

Brody Wallace

"Sensitivity Analysis of Multiple Regulatory Tools for Riparian Wetland Assessment to Disturbance Gradients within SW Montana."

William Kleindl and Tony Hartshron

Land Resources and Environmental Services

Student Research Faculty

Joe Baan
Economics

“State Lottery Participation and Crime Rates.”

 

Isaac Swensen

Meghan Brence
Agricultural Business

“Assessing Potential Impacts of Electronic Logging Device Regulations on Cattle Prices.”

 

 Anton Bekkerman

Andie Creel
Economics

“An Evaluation of Montana’s Willingness to Pay for Un-hunted Yellowstone Grizzly.”

 Mark Anderson

Danielle Daley
Economics

“Do Graduate Policies and Characteristics Affect Economists’ Later Publication and co-Authorship Rates?”

 

 Wendy Stock

Carolyn Egervary
Biological Science
Economics                                                                                                                       

"Data on Trends in Enrollment and          Outcomes of Students Covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and IDEA-related Special Education Teacher Certification Requirements."

Carolyn is studying biological sciencs and economics.

 Wendy Stock

Emma Folkerts
Economics
Political Science

"Human Trafficking: The Impact of Policy on Identification and Prosecution."

Emma is studying economics and political science.

 Wendy Stock

Connor 
Hoffman

“Assessing the Effects of Automation in Historically Labor-safe Industries.”

 

 Mark Anderson

Laura Ippolito
Sustainable Foods and Bioenergy Systems
Economics

 “Toward a Market-based Solution for Improving the Cost-Effectiveness of Enforcing the U.S. Grain Traceability Mandates.”

Laura is studying sustainable foods and bioenergy systems, and economics.

 Anton Bekkerman and Bruce Maxwell

Sarah McKnight
Economics

“Mental Health Resources in Schools, School Disciplinary Outcomes, and Youth Crime.”

 		 Christiana Stoddard

Student Research Faculty

Carolyn Egervary
Biological Sciences
Pre-Med
Economics                                                                                           

"Data on Trends in Enrollment and Outcomes of Students Covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and IDEA-related Special Education Teacher Certification Requirements."

Wendy Stock

Athena Erickson
Economics

“Charter Schools: The consequences of post Hurricane Education Policy Change in New Orleans and Puerto Rico.”

 

 Vincent Smith

Dominick Faith
Cell Biology
Neuroscience

"Developing Bio-based treatments for Scours with regard to FDA policy that governs these treatment strategies."

 Blake Wiedenheft, Eric Belasco

Fangfei Nui
Horticulture
Senior Exchange Student

"An Examination of Antibiotic Regulations on Cattle Production in Montana and Access to Export Markets."

  Eric Belasco

Emma Folkerts
Economics
Political Science

"Human Trafficking: The Impact of Policy on Identification and Prosecution"

 Wendy Stock

Alex Houtz
Economics

"Can Domestic Violence Victim Screening Reduce Domestic Violence?"

 

Alex is majoring in economics.

 Isaac Swensen

Ryan Trefethen
Financial Engineering

“Impacts of Medicaid Reform in Montana.”

 

 Vincent Smith

Student Research Faculty

Faisal Al-Saad
Finance
Mathematics

 "Investigating the Effect of GDL Laws on Risk Behaviors"

 Greg Gilpin
Athena Erickson 
Economics		  "US food aid policy to account for the efficiency of different categories of non-government agencies in providing emergency food aid in the context of alternative regulatory requirements." Vincent Smith

Peter Asmuth
Economics

 "An Economic Analysis of the Causes and Consequences of Wilderness Designation"

 Randal Rucker

Seth
Hedge
Masters of Professional Accountancy

“Prosocial Organizing and Regulation: Nonprofit Tax Status”

 Ed Gamble
Laura Ippolito
Sustainable Foods and Bioenergy Systems
Economics		  “Toward a Market-based Solution for Improving the Cost-Effectiveness of Enforcing the U.S. Grain Traceability Mandates”

 

 Anton Bekkerman & Bruce Maxwell
Joseph Lazarus  “Winsome: Widening Interest in New Soil Organic Matter Economics”

 

Tony Hartshorn

Ryan Trefethen
Financial Engineering
Economics

“Impacts of Medicaid Reform in Montana.”

Vincent Smith

Student Research Faculty

Andrea Creel
Economics 
Computer Science

“Analyzing the Impact of GDL Laws on Youth Employment and Risk Behaviors” 

 Gregory Gilpin

Grace Dikeman 
Economics
Business Administration

 “Alternative Crop Insurance Subsidy Structures with WTO-compliance considerations”

 Anton Bekkerman & Gregory Gilpin

Tanner Edward
Accounting

"What SOX should a bank be wearing? The Differential Impact of Sarbanes-Oxley on Small, Medium and Large Banks”

 Gary Caton, Edward Gamble, & Frank Kerins

Allie Hale
Entrepreneurship
Small Business Management

“Research on the History and Current State of Regulations on Marketing Psychiatric Pharmaceuticals in the U.S.”

 Wendy Stock

Micah McFelly 
Economics
Community Health

 “A Review of Mental Health Service Policy and Delivery in U.S. Higher Education Institutions”

 Wendy Stock

Alex Rickey
Finance
Economics

“Research on the Effects of Early Gun Regulations”

 Isaac Swensen

Student Research Faculty

Madeline Demaske
Agribusiness Management

“Alternative Crop Insurance Subsidy Structures with WTO-compliance considerations”

Eric Belasco

Alec Dinerstein
Physics
Economics

“Research on the History and Current State of Special Education Funding Laws in the US” 

 Wendy Stock

Tyler Elkins
Business Finance
Economics

“Impact of Dodd‐Frank on Mortgage Delinquency Rates for Large‐, Medium‐, and Small‐Size Banks”

Frank Kerins  & Gary Caton

Colburn Field
Agribusiness Management
Economics

“An Exploration into the contradictory definitions of “Good Farming Practices” across U.S. Government Agencies”

 Eric Belasco 

Allie Hale
Marketing
Entrepreneurship and Small Business

“Research on the History and Current State of Regulations on Marketing Psychiatric Pharmaceuticals in the U.S.”

 Wendy Stock
Austin Larson
Business Marketing		  “The Effect of Labor Market Regulatory Policy on Nascent Entrepreneurship” Agnieszka Kwapisz
Dan Penoyer
Business Finance
Economics		  “The Impact of Biofilm Regulatory Policy on the Development of Healthcare-Related Products”

Paul Sturman  & Frank Kerins

Alex Rickey
Finance
Economics

“Research on the Effects of Early Gun Regulations”

 Isaac Swensen
John Walker
Agricultural Business		  “The Effects of Regulations on the Commercial Fertilizer Industry”

 regulations"

  Gary Brester