A celebration of student research at Wright State

Wright State University students are tackling real-world challenges with innovative research showcased at the Celebration of Undergraduate and Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities on March 13.

From using MRI scans to study mental health in veterans and first responders to developing radiation-fighting technology and designing better-fitting safety gear for women, their work highlighted the power of discovery and problem-solving.

“It’s one of the most exciting days on campus,” said acting Provost Jim Denniston, Ph.D. “It’s a great opportunity for our students to learn about all the different types of research that’s happening in the different colleges across campus.”

The annual showcase provided students an opportunity to exhibit posters and present discoveries, advances and scholarly exploration. This year’s event featured poster presentations from over 130 students in the Student Union Apollo Room.

“I love to learn so that’s one of the reasons why I wanted to participate,” said Megan Hildreth, a graduate student who is studying MRI images with Matt Sherwood, Ph.D., director of the CoNNECT Lab, to find connections with mental disorders in veterans and first responders.

The student research event kicked off with opening remarks from Wright State University President Sue Edwards, Ph.D., who encouraged the students in attendance to continue to grow as researchers.

“You are future explorers, innovators and cure finders,” Edwards said. “Don’t give up focus.”

Posters and presentations were judged by over 40 faculty volunteers.

The event concluded with an awards presentation, and each winner received a $100 credit to their Wright1 Card accounts:

• Trustees Award for Excellence: Arram Abboud
• Provost Award for Excellence: Emily Martin
• Excellence in Plenary Research Presentation Award: Ibrahim Abdul Halim
• Outstanding Data Blitz Concise Presentation Award: Angela Allen
• Excellence in Research Poster Presentation Award Winners:
  • Rathnamala Balaga
  • Bailey Nicole Stammen
  • John Karanja Kamau
  • Scout Bowman-Gibson
  • Ava Maria Megyeri
  • Douglas Robert Sattler
  • Gabrielle Elie Christner
  • Minuki Medis