Final answer:
Without the context of Chapter 8, it's unclear what Denise Bortree studied. Additional information is needed to provide an accurate answer regarding her research topic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The information provided does not specifically mention Denise Bortree's study topic, and it is difficult to accurately answer what she studied without the proper context or a direct reference. Denise Bortree's study may involve academic publishing based on the provided text, which focuses on undergraduate students learning to write for a real audience in academic settings.
However, the given details primarily relate to the experience of students mastering the challenges of writing, organizing research into categories, and the importance of academic collaboration and publication.
To answer what Denise Bortree studied, more specific context from Chapter 8 is required.