3rd Annual BCAS Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creativity

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The Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences (BCAS) hosted its third annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creativity on April 8 — a showcase of the diverse and exceptional research and creative projects that were completed by more than 50 students in various fields of study. The event was led by Dr. Nidaa Makki, associate dean of research and graduate studies.

The afternoon featured various activities, including poster sessions, flash talks, art and multimedia exhibits, and dance and music performances, all of which were judged by University leadership alongside college faculty and staff. The event provided an opportunity for undergraduate students to present their work, receive feedback from their peers and faculty across different areas of study, and engage in interdisciplinary discussions.

“It’s wonderful to be able to spotlight the research and creativity that our undergraduate students are engaged in with faculty members. They’re exploring new ideas, asking big questions, and bringing their creativity to life in ways that really make an impact. This event gives them a platform to shine and to be recognized for their contributions across disciplines.” - Dr. Nidaa Makki

A Broad Spectrum of Work

The poster sessions featured more than 30 posters from eight disciplines, including biology, chemistry, education, geosciences, history, political science, psychology and statistics. The posters displayed the students' research findings and students were available to answer questions and provide additional information to a panel of judges.

The event also featured presentations of creative work from areas such as graphic design, painting and multimedia production. Also taking the stage were two music performances and one dance ensemble. Five flash talks were also held, featuring students in English, philosophy, psychology and sociology.

Showcasing Discovery and Creativity

The Celebration of Undergraduate Research & Creativity was a resounding success and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, remarked McKinney. He noted that it highlighted the importance of undergraduate research and creativity and demonstrated the value of Buchtel College in fostering a culture of excellence, belonging and innovation.

“Events like this are a powerful reminder of the impact undergraduate research and creativity can have. These experiences sharpen essential skills like critical thinking and communication while empowering students to turn ideas into action. It’s exciting to see BCAS students pushing boundaries and making their mark.” - Dean Mitchell S.McKinney

Special thanks to our judges: Donray Bennett; Alex Boika; Aimee DeChambeau; Bill Donovan; Tammy Ewin; Amber Ferris; Gary Holliday; John Huss; Emily Janoski-Haehlen; Nadeesha Jayaweera; Jutta Luettmer-Strathmann; Bill Lyons; John Messina; John Peck; Jordan Renna; Aimee Saunders; Jennifer Stanley; William Visco; Heather Walter; and Jun Ye.

Congratulations to the winners!

• Best Art Exhibit
  • Mosijah Roye, "The Gen Z Fashion Series"
• Dance Showcase
  
  • "nothing outside everything inside" - Renee Clippinger, Hayley Cagarli, Madeleine Mennett, Amoni Dawson-Westley, Kelsey O'Leary
• Music Showcase
  • Clarinet Quintet - Christopher Hibbard, Autumn Myers, Elisabeth Peters, Zach Rafalke, Aiden Thacher

• Best Research Poster - Social Sciences
  • Naomi Boyer (Education) - "The Impact of Visiting Artists in Education"
  • Lacy Nicholas (History) - "Dividing Paradise: A History of Land in Hawai'I"
  • Lydia Boyer (Education) - "Explorations of Social-Emotional Learning in the Arts"

• Best Flash Talk Presentation
  • Larry Payne (Sociology) - "The color of hyper-sexualization"
• Music Showcase
  • Trumpet Ensemble - Jacob Benson, Joey Dunn, Morgan Pakosz, Andrew Shiebler, Gerrit Worthington

• Best Research Poster - Natural Sciences
  • Ashley Wong (Biology) - "Optimization of SDS Wash for Production of Cardiac Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel"
  • Rachel Engels (Geosciences) - "The Soil Signal of Airplane Combustion at a Class E Airport in Ohio"
  • Skylar Looper (Geosciences) - "Microbially influenced corrosion by nitrate and sulfate reducing bacteria in wetland sediments"

We look forward to seeing everyone in April, 2026!

• Story by: Lisa Craig, BCAS Marketing, 330-972-7429 or lmc91@uakron.edu.
• Photos by: Jakob Lawrence
• Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.