Todd Daniel awarded 2009 Best Student Poster Presentation

Todd Daniel, psychology instructor at Drury, was awarded 2009 Best Student Poster Presentation for his poster “On Thin Ice: Listening to Methamphetamine Users in the Ozarks” at the Walden University summer residency held at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN.

The poster represented research conducted by Burrell Behavioral Health into the experience of the Midwestern methamphetamine user. A team of six investigators interviewed methamphetamine addicts and analyzed their responses. The stated purpose of the study was to provide an in-depth, meaningful perspective on the lives of a group of methamphetamine addicts—their motivations, characteristics, hopes, fears, regrets, and experiences.

The poster presentation summarized the findings of the research team. These findings were supplemented with numerous actual quotes from the methamphetamine users themselves about why they began to use meth, who and what got them involved, why they continued to use, and the effects, both positive and negative, on their lives. Daniel presented a summary of the Burrell research to over 400 faculty, staff and administrators at the Walden University commencement banquet.

Todd Daniel has completed the coursework for his PhD in Organizational Psychology at Walden University and will be beginning his dissertation this winter. Walden University is a member of the Laureate International Universities network, accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. Walden University provides a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change.