Student researcher relies on well-rounded approach

Success at Radford University requires a healthy balance, and Angelina Walters finds harmony in a steady blend of academics and personal care.

The senior anthropological sciences major from Winchester, Virginia, spends much of her time in classrooms and labs studying human osteology. Over the past year, she has worked with professor and anthropological sciences chair Cassady Urista to study arthritis in humans and its effects on hip movement.

“It is very important to me that Radford offers such impactful research opportunities for undergraduate students,” Walters said. “As a fourth-year research student, I feel prepared and confident to understand research processes, present research and collaborate on projects.”

In March, Walters will present the research she has done with Urista, which is also her Honors College capstone project, at the American Association for Biological Anthropologists in Los Angeles, California.

“These opportunities,” Walters continued, “have helped shape my undergraduate career and have helped prepare me to move on to further education and long-term careers.”

It may seem as if Walters spends all of her time on academics and research, but the president of the Anthropology Club is also involved in another organization that promotes wellness to fellow students, the peer Health Educator’s Club.

“We go around campus teaching other students about different aspects of health and wellness and do outreach activities,” Walters explained. And for the past three years, Walters has taught weekly yoga classes in the Student Wellness and Recreation Center.

“I feel like I’ve had so many opportunities on campus that have allowed me to be well-rounded and get into different areas on campus that I never thought I would,” Walters said. “When I started at Radford, I didn’t know what to expect going into college, but you can get involved in so many different ways on campus. Outside of my major, outside of my comfort zone.”