Bemidji State University student Elliott Sisterman earned an Honorable Mention at the annual Posters at the Capitol event held March 17 in St. Paul. Sisterman’s project, A Layered Framework for Intertextuality: Ophelia in Shostakovich’s “Seven Romances,” was one of four posters recognized with Honorable Mention.
Sisterman’s research, guided by Dr. Miriam Webber,Director of the Honors Program and Associate Professor of Music, introduced a layered framework for analyzing intertextuality in music. The project examined Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Seven Romances on Poems by Alexander Blok” by applying a five-layer analytical model exploring texture, pitch, text, quotations and meter. The framework reveals how the character of Ophelia gains additional depth through musical interpretation beyond her original portrayal in Hamlet.
In addition to Sisterman’s recognized work, several BSU students presented research across a wide range of disciplines:
Megan Nicholls and Kyla Pederson: Assessing the Effect Inhibitors of Succinate Dehydrogenase and Glycolysis have on Normal Pancreatic Cells.
Gloria Rose: Isolation, Cloning and Transformation of DFR from Citrus sinensis leaf tissue into Escherichia coli (TOP10).
Sarah Borgen: Perceiving Others Having Less Challenges: Mental Health Bias and Students’ Sense of and Access to Community.
Tristen Garner, Alexander Sunne and Logan Olson: Selective lanthanide-based receptors for direct ocean capture of bicarbonate.
Elijah Wozniak: Statewide Northern Pike Response to Minnesota’s 2018 Regulation Change.
Keshia Hunter: The Social Determinants of Homeless Youth in Itasca County, Minnesota.
More than 10 Minnesota State Universities and over 30 students presented at the annual Posters at the Capitol event, which allows undergraduate students from across the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities to present their research to legislators, faculty and peers while gaining experience in professional research communication.
More information can be found at the event’s website, 2026 Posters at St. Paul.