The transformative program is designed to support scholars at multiple points in their undergraduate years and early career. Renewable for up to two years, the UGSP provides:

• $20,000 per academic year to support undergraduate education expenses
• A 10-week full-time summer internship at the NIH immediately following the year of scholarship support
• One year of full-time employment with the NIH post-graduation

Because Barnes and Sterling have won the award as juniors, they are eligible to receive up to $40,000 in scholarship support, two paid summer internships (one between their junior and senior years, and another following graduation) and two years of employment upon graduation.

Approximately 15 scholars are selected each year from a nationwide pool of hundreds of applicants, and ������Ƶ students have been remarkably successful in this competition in recent years. The federally-funded program was on pause last year, but Samantha Hinton ’25 was selected in 2024, and three seniors—Genesis Tolbert ’24, Christopher D’Inzeo ’24 and Samuel Ramirez ’24—were selected in 2023. The addition of Barnes and Sterling to the list means that ������Ƶ has been represented in the three most recent cohorts of this highly selective program.

The next application cycle for the NIH UGSP will open in Spring 2027. Interested students should contact the National and International Fellowships Office to learn more.

Sofia Barnes ’28

Sofia Barnes is a chemistry and psychology double major from Port Washington, New York. At ������Ƶ, Barnes has worked under the mentorship of Dan Wright, associate professor of chemistry, on an analysis of toxic metal concentration in medicinal herbs and spices in the United States. The research aims to fill the knowledge gap around potential contamination of medicinal herbs and spices by creating a nationwide catalog outlining the metal accumulation in numerous medical herbs and spices. This experience helped foster Barnes’ love of research and pushed her to seek out external opportunities like the NIH UGSP.

Thanks to the robust structure of the award, Barnes will be freer to deepen her research impact at ������Ƶ and the NIH.

“This award will not only give me the opportunity to further my career as a researcher and give me the chance to connect with mentors and peers to help push and encourage me,” she explained. “It has also provided me with the support to be able to lessen the monetary stress that comes with my undergraduate degree, which allows me to focus more on making the most out of my time in undergrad. It allows me to expand my reach with my post-grad options and where I may go after ������Ƶ which before felt more limited.”

In addition to her research, Barnes is active across campus. She is a service ambassador in the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, a member of Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority Incorporated, a chemistry tutor, and has previously served as a SMART mentor and Peer Educator. Her constellation of ������Ƶ mentors includes Andrew Moffa, assistant Director for the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, Justin Clar, associate professor of chemistry and director of ������Ƶ’s Undergraduate Research Program, and Dr. Dan Wright, associate professor of chemistry.

Parker Sterling ’28

Parker Sterling is a double major in biology and history with minors in chemistry, neuroscience, and peace & conflict studies from Randleman, North Carolina. As an ������Ƶ College Fellow, Sterling is working under the mentorship of Jonathan Su, associate professor of engineering and chair of the Department of Engineering, to test the feasibility of a dual-drug intravaginal ring for menstrual pain. She’s supplemented her ECF research experience by assisting with data collection and processing in the ������Ƶ Physical Therapy Department’s Glen Raven Biomechanics Lab.

The NIH UGSP will be a critical step in Sterling’s development as a research scientist. While she remains committed to STEM research on her journey towards medical school, Sterling is equally committed to earning her master’s in history while working at the NIH. She seeks to understand not only the science, but also the historical and social contexts that have shaped scientific inquiry and advancement.

Sterling is highly engaged on campus outside of her research and academics. She is the Business Lead (and former President) for the Phoenix Racing Team, a physics TA, a senior resident assistant in the Global Neighborhood and a Leadership Ambassador with the Center for Leadership. As a reflection of her wide breadth of involvement, Sterling’s ������Ƶ mentors span disciplines and departments; the list includes Jonathan Su, associate professor of engineering and chair of the Department of Engineering, Andresa Bresler Bezerra, assistant teaching professor of chemistry, Efrain Rivera-Serrano, assistant professor of biology, Amanda Kleintop, assistant professor of history, and Matthew Banks, engineering lab manager and advisor for the Phoenix Racing Team.

Now, that vision has become a reality.

The newly completed immersive audio room in Arts West is providing students and faculty with a high-quality environment for both teaching and experimentation— particularly in Dolby Atmos, the industry-standard format for three-dimensional volumetric audio, reshaping everything from cinematic sound to commercial music releases. Associate Professor of Music Todd Coleman says the need for such a space had been clear for years.

“The music department had no dedicated listening environment that was like a classroom-sized space of high quality,” he explained. “We have the built-in generic AV stereo speaker set up in our classrooms and computer lab, but those rooms cannot play back audio beyond two-channel stereo recordings, and the rooms are not acoustically treated for detailed and nuanced listening, whether in stereo or surround formats.”

Originally envisioned more than a decade ago as a small theater-style room with tiered seating, the idea was shelved due to cost. When ������Ƶ added Studio D, its Dolby Atmos mixing studio, another challenge emerged: the studio only seats four people comfortably and was designed only for mixing and mastering, not large group listening sessions.”

Coleman proposed converting an existing Arts West classroom into a dedicated immersive audio space capable of seating 20 listeners. Although the project went unfunded for several years, it finally received approval in spring 2025. Over the summer, Coleman worked with an acoustics consultant to design the layout, sound treatment and speaker placement.

“While there were certainly some limitations due to both budget and facility constraints, through the renovation project we were able to add effective acoustic treatments, mount the 12 speakers throughout the room required for immersive audio playback, and enhance the aesthetic look and feel of the room,” Coleman said.

The finished space features a 7.1.4 Atmos setup, including seven ear-level speakers, four height speakers and a subwoofer, creating what Coleman described as a “true three-dimensional space” for audio playback.

“You can make it sound like it’s behind you to the right, behind you to the left, anywhere up or down,” he said. “It is not just sound that surrounds, it is sound that you inhabit – sound that moves around you, above you, through you, even in you.”

For Anthony Hotakainen ’26, who earned a degree in music production and recording arts, the room reshaped the scope of his undergraduate research. When he toured colleges, Studio D, which includes Dolby Atmos immersive audio mixing, mastering, and music/audio post production equipment, was the feature that made ������Ƶ stand out.

His ������Ƶ Fellows project, mentored by Coleman, explored the question of whether immersive audio actually enhances storytelling in formats other than film, including music, audiobook, podcasts, etc.

Beyond research, the room has quickly become a valuable teaching tool. Coleman now uses it for orchestration courses, and other music faculty are using it for senior seminars and songwriting project listening sessions. There is also a new mixing class and immersive audio class that are part of the revised music production and recording arts major that will make extensive use of the new resource.”

“It’s been great to be able to play examples and just hear them clearly,” he said.

The department also hopes the room will support expanded collaboration with the School of Communications, from screening student films to exploring immersive broadcast audio for athletics.

“This room will be the best screening room we have on campus, both audio and video,” said Coleman.

For Hotakainen, the space represents exactly what drew him to ������Ƶ. “I was just pretty impressed with the faculty and the spaces here,” he said. “It just felt like home.”

Read this story and more about how ������Ƶ is “breaking through the ordinary” in the 2025 Provost’s Report

“Part of the reason I picked ������Ƶ is that I had spent my whole life in Massachusetts,” Honan said. “I was really excited to go somewhere new, meet new people, build new bridges, and most importantly, I was excited to be a part of the ������Ƶ community.”

Working alongside his ������Ƶ College Fellow mentor, Laura Roselle, former professor of political science and policy studies, Honan completed his application for the Lumen Prize. His focus was to combine his passion for writing and knowledge of political science to explore how presidents use storytelling to shape policy outcomes.

“I remember sitting in her office, and we were talking through my project. I was there for an hour and a half, and at some point, I stopped and said to her, ‘This is really fun, I really like this.’” Honan said. “For me, that was the moment that it clicked that I wanted to work in politics. I really enjoy thinking, writing and reading about politics. It certainly was the moment that sparked my intellectual curiosity in politics as a career.”

Both a Lumen Scholar and an ������Ƶ College Fellow scholarship recipient, Honan built a successful start in his career at ������Ƶ. He studied abroad in London for Winter Term and did a semester at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He held leadership positions in ������Ƶ’s Model UN team and was also the president of the former politics forum club.

Most notably, he was an intern in the Office of the President for former President Leo Lambert. As an executive intern in the president’s office, he worked closely with Lambert and Jeff Stein, who, at the time, was chief of staff to the president.

“They had me working on communications. This was one of the first jobs I had where I was doing communications for a senior leader. In many ways, now, looking back, that was one of those moments where I was doing the career path that I wanted,” Honan said.

This experience led him to advance his career and intern for David Gergen, who was a professor at Harvard Kennedy School and a CNN Senior Political Analyst.

“Most importantly, David Gergen was from North Carolina and was a huge ������Ƶ fan. He was also the chair of the board for ������Ƶ Law. I had met him through a few different ������Ƶ and Massachusetts connections. I ended up interning for him for two summers, and when I graduated, he hired me full-time, where I worked for him for three years,” explained Honan.

Honan worked alongside Gergen full-time during the 2016 election cycle. His work included booking Gergen’s television hits, writing talking points, doing research and writing memos for Gergen.

“Working with him and being around him made me realize, not only did I like this work broadly as a career, but I wanted to be someone who was actually in these jobs that he had done,” Honan said. “I wanted to serve in government, I wanted to work on campaigns, and work for people that I cared about and believed in.”

Honan finished his two-year master’s in public policy program at Harvard Kennedy School, graduating in 2020, during the first two months of COVID-19.

“When I graduated, I told everyone I knew who was working on the campaign for then-Vice President Joe Biden, that I wanted to help and was willing to do anything and go anywhere,” he said.

This drive to work for what he believes in led him to work on the Democratic Convention in Wilmington, Delaware.

“I was on the team that worked to help run COVID-19 testing centers, which at the time was a completely new thing. It allowed me to help with the convention, meet incredible people, and help build the momentum towards Joe Biden’s ultimately successful election in November 2020,” he said.

Honan then moved to Washington and spent two years as the Communications Director for a nonprofit called ‘With Honor’, which works to advance veterans’ affairs issues in Congress.

It was around the time of the midterm elections in 2022 when he suddenly got a call to come into the White House and continue his work on COVID-19 operations. This was a perfect way for Honan to get his foot in the door and start working toward his dream position in the White House.

His hard work in COVID-19 operations eventually earned him a spot on the White House’s communications team, which Honan stated was “what I had always dreamed of and doing what I wanted to do when I attended ������Ƶ.”

During the last year of the administration, Honan was the chief of staff to the White House communications director, the director of message planning and special assistant to the president.

“In those roles, I got to work with an incredible team of people who were supporting the president’s communications, and I had the job of a lifetime. If you had asked me what I wanted to do at ������Ƶ, it would have been that job,” he expressed.

When reflecting on what choices he made at ������Ƶ that helped him get where he is today, Honan said, “At ������Ƶ, I was surrounded by professors, staff and classmates who challenged me and made me smarter. They had my back and helped me figure out how to pursue the career and the life that I wanted. I just think back, and I’m so grateful for people like Laura Roselle and Heidi Frontani.”

After his successes at the White House, Honan returned home to Boston to fill the role of deputy chief of communications for the City of Boston.

“Everyone said to me, Mayor Michelle Wu is an incredible person to work for, and working for a mayor in a place that you love is one of the most rewarding jobs you could have in politics. Both of those things are 100% true,” he said. “It is so special to live in the city of Boston and get to work on the issues that the people on my street, the people in my neighborhood and the people I take the train with every day really care about, and it impacts their lives. One of the coolest things about local government is that you’re working on problems that can immediately change people’s lives.”

This tangible and fulfilling work Honan is doing for his city has led him to extend a helping hand to others interested in politics as a career.

“I have incredible mentors who helped me get here. I am trying to spend as much time as I can mentoring other people. Politics is a tough business to get into, and you can’t just apply on LinkedIn, so I’ve helped people figure out how to get in the door because that’s what many good people did for me,” he said. “I would not have any of the career success I’ve had without the people at ������Ƶ. To me, it feels like it’s my duty to pay it forward and continue that legacy.”

That sense of duty keeps ������Ƶ close to his heart no matter where his career takes him. Every ������Ƶ student he mentors, every alum he runs into in the professional world, pulls him right back.

“I’m immediately brought back, and I remember why it was so special and why the people who went there are so special,” said Honan.

The excitement, the community, the sense of purpose he first felt walking through the bricks and under the oaks, never went away. It grew into something bigger, something he now carries with him everywhere he goes, and something he’s committed to passing on.

Maddie Hewgley ’26 is using her undergraduate research to explore a complex and timely question: Why are states continuing to pass Second Amendment Preservation Act laws even after courts have ruled them unconstitutional?

When Hewgley, a political science and music theatre major, Lumen Scholar and ������Ƶ College Fellow, began researching legislation from her home state of Missouri, she did not expect it to open the door to a much broader national conversation about federalism, state power and policy diffusion. She will present her findings during the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF) on April 28.

Her research project, “Bullets & Bills,” explores how and why the Second Amendment Preservation Act continues to be adopted at the state level, despite the federal court deeming it unconstitutional.

The Second Amendment Preservation Act aims to prevent states from enforcing federal gun laws that are not mirrored at the state level.

“These are laws that states are passing that attempt to nullify federal gun laws if there is not a state equivalent,’” Hewgley said. “What surprised me most is that states continue to pass them even after federal courts ruled they violate the supremacy clause of the United States Constitution. Civilians can even sue law enforcement for enforcing this federal policy.”

Missouri became the first state to pass this law in 2021, sparking similar legislation in 14 additional states. Hewgley’s research focuses on understanding what is driving these laws.

“My main question is not just what these laws are, it’s how and why they are continuing to proliferate despite legal challenges,” Hewgley said.

For Hewgley, this topic is not just academic, it’s personal.

“I lost loved ones to gun violence when I was younger,” Hewgley said. “I felt really helpless. This research feels like a way to take initiative on something that is much larger than myself.”

That experience led her to participate in gun violence activism and motivated her to conduct this research. She emphasizes that her research is not intended to advocate for one side of the debate, but to understand the mechanisms behind these laws.

Her findings show how states have adapted their strategies over time. Missouri’s original law included aggressive enforcement mechanisms and was struck down; states like South Carolina have passed revised versions with softer language or attached them to broader legislation to avoid legal scrutiny.

“States want to send a message or align themselves politically, but they are learning from earlier failures and adjusting their approach,” Hewgley said.

To analyze this trend, Hewgley has studied the theory of policy diffusion, which examines how and why policies spread between states. Her work explores whether states are motivated by emulation, learning, competition or coercion.

“I think states influence each other,” Hewgley said. “Missouri isn’t usually a policy innovator, so the fact that they were the first to pass this and others are following is really interesting.”

Her research also examines external influences, such as advocacy groups and political shifts at the national level, and how they drive some of this legislation.

Hewgley has studied documents, legislation and conducted a content analysis to build her research. One of her surprising findings was that many residents in Missouri were unaware this law existed, despite its significant implications.

“That finding made me question whether these laws are really meant to have an impact or if they are more symbolic,” Hewgley said.

Ultimately, Hewgley hopes her research encourages people to look beyond this law and consider larger questions about the balance of federalism in the United States.

“This is not just about gun rights; it’s about how states and the federal government interact and how that applies to so many other issues, from abortion to marijuana laws,” Hewgley said.

Hewgley’s research was mentored by Dillan Bono-Lunn, assistant professor of political science and public policy.

“When I met with Dr. Bono-Lunn, I knew before I left her office that she was who I wanted to be by mentor because I came to her with two research ideas, one that was pretty fleshed out and the other was a headline about Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act, which I was exceptionally interested in pursuing, but I did not have a research question,” Hewgley said. “She encouraged me to pursue a research idea that I was excited about, and now three years later I am pursuing that research. She allows me to follow whatever thread I find and has taught me that a good researcher stays curious and flexible at every stage of the process.”

As she prepares to present her research, Hewgley reflected on how far she’s come.

“If you had told me as a first-year student that I’d be researching something this complex, I wouldn’t have believed you,” said. “Now, I feel like I can really contribute to the conversation and it’s made me feel like I’ve made an impact.”

Autumn Parish ’28 found her place in the African Diaspora Living-Learning Community, located on the fourth floor of Jackson Hall in the Global Neighborhood. On that hall during her first year, she discovered best friends and built the foundation of her ������Ƶ experience.

“It’s important where you live,” Parish said. “You have to feel at home when you’re not home.”

While the African Diaspora LLC is her safe space on campus, the human service studies major is deeply involved in campus life. Parish serves as a member of the Student Government Association, a SMART mentor, an ������Ƶ College Fellow, a fall 2025 initiate of Alpha Kappa Alapa Sorority, Inc., a Renaissance Scholar and secretary for the National Council of Negro Women.

She also works as a student coordinator for the Black Student Success team, helping plan events centered on the Black community at ������Ƶ.

“I find planning events fulfilling because it lets students know that their community is here,” Parish said.

Mentorship

Mentorship is woven into the culture at ������Ƶ. Professors, staff and students alike step into mentorship roles, helping others navigate their college experience.

Parish serves as a SMART mentor, which feels natural. She’d always tried to be a positive role model for her younger siblings back home, and she now extends that same energy to first-year students finding their footing at ������Ƶ.

Sandra Reid, a professor of human service studies and Parish’s research adviser, inspires Parish’s approach to mentoring. Reid first made an impression at an admissions event when she led a mock class that ultimately swayed Parish’s decision to choose ������Ƶ.

“I know I can be successful in a small classroom environment where professors don’t see me as a number, but they know who I am,” Parish said. “They know my name, and they care about my well-being.”

Now working alongside Reid for her research, Parish continues to grow academically and personally.

“Autumn is a caring, inquisitive and highly focused research student who consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to learning,” Reid said. “She soaks up new information and engages thoughtfully with complex material, applying strong critical thinking skills to her work.”

The culture of mentorship at ������Ƶ has been one of the university’s defining characteristics.

“I love when people help me help the world,” Parish said. “I love that it’s part of the culture. The professors want you to succeed. The advisers want you to succeed. Even someone who doesn’t even know who you are, they want to see you succeed.”

History in the Making

For Parish, Black History Month is about understanding where you come from and honoring those who paved the way.

Growing up, her parents emphasized that the opportunities she has today exist because of sacrifices made by generations before her.

“And just to think that was only a couple of generations away — my grandparents protested,” Parish said. “They showed us how important it was and the sacrifices they made for the opportunity for me to get a scholarship at a school I didn’t even think I could go to.”

That perspective shapes how she approaches her work on campus. Parish believes history is not confined to the past. It is unfolding every day.

“Black history is happening all the time, and you are living Black history because everything that you do is history in the making,” she said.

Parish views her involvement at ������Ƶ as preparation for a life centered on service and impact. The sense of belonging she found in her first year and the mentors who guided her continue to shape how she shows up for others.

“Everything that you do makes an impact on future things to come,” Parish said. “Every decision you make can make a positive impact if you let it.”

Black History Month

As part of Black History Month, ������Ƶ is sharing stories through Today at ������Ƶ that highlight Black students, faculty and staff who actively contribute to a campus environment where cultural histories and identities are celebrated year-round. In February, ������Ƶ is also recognizing the month through a series of events and programming.

The Department of Performing Art’s production from Feb. 13-15, 2026, featured an immersive sound design developed through collaboration between Associate Professor Michael Smith, Production Manager Rick Earl and music production and recording arts student Brandon Cericola ’26.

The project blends Smith’s sabbatical research in immersive audio with Cericola’s interest in sound design for film and television, where immersive sound is increasingly common. The result was a student production that expanded beyond a traditional theatrical sound system.

“The traditional audio for musicals is augmented by eight surround speakers placed in the audience, some for sound effects, others to bring the performance out into the space more, to surround the audience with vocals,” Earl said.

The production used the department’s existing equipment, along with additional loudspeakers, to create the sound effect. The show used 80 inputs and 38 outputs, with updated software to help automate immersive sound effects. While some immersive systems require major hardware investments, the team developed manual techniques to adapt the live performance within available resources.

“The nature of the show is more rock-oriented, and maybe more intimate than some musicals, and takes place in a city, which by nature is an immersive environment,” Earl said. “The stars aligned — the right student, the recent research, experiences and the desire of all of us to do something like this.”

Cericola had significant creative ownership of the design. Aside from the required elements, much of what the audience heard was his creation. Earl and Smith worked with Cericola over the summer to build a small immersive setup, allowing him to record musicians, experiment with mixing and refining before scaling the systems for McCrary Theatre.

“A lot of what you hear is Brandon’s creation,” Earl said. “Large-scale system implementation like this takes strong project management skills, leadership and mentoring skills, documentation, flexibility, time management, and the ability to know when something isn’t going to work and find an alternative.

“From an audience perspective, I think it will bring them into the ‘world’ that is ‘RENT’ and enhance their experience,” Earl said.

For Cericola, the production represents the combination of the experiences he has had while at ������Ƶ.

“This has been the most challenging project I have taken on at ������Ƶ, and it is a combination of many skills I have learned here,” Cericola said. “To hear the show come to life during rehearsal was exciting and satisfying. It is evidence of my education and time at ������Ƶ.”

Cericola drew on coursework in the Music Production and Recording Arts program, leadership experiences, work study roles with the Office of Cultural and Special Programs and immersive audio research developed as an ������Ƶ College Fellow. He also attended the NAMM Show, an international music industry trade show, where he connected with manufacturers, sound designers and an engineer to discuss immersive audio approaches and set-ups.

For Smith, the production marks a full-circle moment following his sabbatical research.

“The research I did on my sabbatical was my main leaping point for trying to do immersive audio on the McCrary stage,” Smith said. “After hearing Brandon’s and Rick’s setup over the summer, I knew the next step would have to be producing a live musical with a similar setup.”

During his sabbatical, Smith built a scaled-down immersive theatre that was later expanded and installed in Roberts Studio Theatre. The 25-speaker system allows each speaker to be individually assigned and controlled, creating a unique learning space for students.

“It is the only theatre in this area that has an immersive audio system for students to do their sound design work on,” Smith said.

Earl, Smith and Cericola made decisions as a team to ensure the project remained manageable and cost-effective. They said the collaboration shows what is possible when research, creativity and student passions intersect.

“Without all three of us working together, something like this wouldn’t have been possible,” Smith said. “Now we realize what possibilities we have for future performances, not just in the Department of Performing Arts but for Cultural event programs as well.”

Nearly 300 aspiring ������Ƶ College Fellows participated in academic sessions, program receptions, group simulations and interviews during Fellows Weekend. Led by the Office of ������Ƶ, the annual Fellows Weekend invites to campus high school seniors in contention for the university’s signature fellows and scholarship programs.

“Talking with prospective ������Ƶ College Fellows was incredibly energizing,” said Associate Professor Renay Aumiller, director of the ������Ƶ College Fellows program. “Students brought such thoughtfulness, curiosity and openness to every conversation, and it was clear how deeply they were already thinking about learning, collaboration and purpose. Those moments of dialogue and connection are always my favorite part of Fellows Weekend.”

The ������Ƶ College Fellows program is a four-year academic and professional program for students who are passionately committed to exploring the breadth, depth and connections within ������Ƶ College, the College of Arts and Sciences.

There are three branches of the ������Ƶ College Fellows program for the 60 students selected for the cohort: Arts and Humanities Fellows, Mathematical and Natural Sciences Fellows and Social Sciences Fellows. Among other requirements, Fellows must intend to major in one of the many fields within ������Ƶ College, the College of Arts and Sciences and rank in the top 15% of their high school class.

Aumiller said she was struck by both enthusiasm and depth of engagement displayed by students throughout Fellows Weekend, which took place Feb. 6-7, 2026. The weekend also provided an opportunity for prospective families to connect with faculty, staff and current ������Ƶ students in the ������Ƶ College Fellows program.

“I left the weekend feeling inspired,” Aumiller said. “The energy was vibrant, focused and genuinely curious. Students were asking thoughtful questions, listening closely and engaging with one another in meaningful ways. There was a real sense of excitement about learning and being part of something larger than themselves.

“It was a joy to meet so many students and their families and to share the values of the ������Ƶ College Fellows program with them,” she added. “The level of engagement, warmth and enthusiasm throughout the weekend made it a special experience for all of us involved.”

At this conference, three ������Ƶ students and two faculty attended and presented.

Student Accomplishments:

• Kelly Donovan ’26, a double major in applied mathematics and statistics, a Lumen Scholar and College Fellow, presented her Lumen project titled “Novel Deep-Sea Coral Imputation Technique: Filling in Missing Data to Further Coral Conservation” in a poster session. Her research is mentored by Assistant Professor of Statistics Nic Bussberg.

• Lisa Kranec ’28, a double major in engineering and applied mathematics, presented her recent project in a poster session titled, “ Mathematical Modeling of Cardiac Macrophages in COVID-19.” Her research team is mentored by Associate Professor Hwayeon Ryu and their work has been supported by the  (under Ryu).

• Pagnapech Ngoun ’26, an engineering major, presented her collaborative research in an oral session titled, “ Mathematical Modeling of COVID-19 Reveals Immune Cell Dysfunction.” Her research represents recent findings based on a new mathematical model that accounts for the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the human immune system. Her research team is mentored by Associate Professor Hwayeon Ryu and their work has been supported by the  (under Ryu).

Faculty Accomplishments:

• Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Keta Henderson gave an invited talk on her collaborative work titled “Analysis of trade-off between dispersal and patch intrinsic growth for a landscape ecological model” in a session “Women in Mathematical Biology”. Henderson also served as a moderator and co-organizer for the Association of Women in Mathematics Panel: “Shattering the Myths—Hiring Women in Mathematics.” In addition, she participated in a professional development session focused on teaching multivariable calculus using CalcPlot3D and 3D printing. She plans to incorporate these strategies into her MTH 2520 Multivariable Calculus and Analytic Geometry in Spring 2026.

• Associate Professor of Mathematics Hwayeon Ryu co-organized a special session titled “Women in Mathematical Biology,” in which a total of 16 invited speakers presented a variety of life science questions through the lens of mathematical modeling to understand complex system dynamics. The goal was to highlight the new developments or advancements along with the diverse group of researchers who drive innovation. In this session, Ryu presented her recently published paper, “,” partially supported by ������Ƶ Faculty Research & Development Full-Year, Full-Pay Sabbatical Award with Financial Assistance.

“I had a very fulfilling time while at JMM. Althe l presentations I was able to attend, all conversations I had with professors from different programs, and all pieces of feedback I received on my poster were very enriching. I’m very grateful I was able to attend the conference and I’m excited to hopefully attend in the future,” said Donovan ’26.

Rafting through the Grand Canyon two years ago, Braetan Peters ’26 was taken by the beauty of the cliffs and valleys, but something else was also on her mind: her cell phone.

“The trip lasted eight days, and five days were actually water rafting throughout the canyon. So, we covered over 130 miles, and it was intense camping. And during that time, I did not have access to my cell phone, so I constantly felt the need to reach down and go ‘Oh, where’s my cell phone?’”

So, when it came time to find a topic for her ������Ƶ College Fellows research, Peters decided to explore the addictive factor of cell phones and how peoples’ behavior changes after not having access to the devices for extended periods.

“That experience in the Canyon really propelled this research forward,” said Peters, who is from Annville, Pennsylvania.

������Ƶ College Fellows is a four-year academic and professional program in ������Ƶ College, the College of Arts and Sciences, for students who are passionately committed to exploring the breadth, depth and connections within the arts and sciences.

Right now, Peters is in the process of gathering survey data. Over the summer, she partnered with Hatch River Expeditions, a family-owned rafting company in Northern Arizona. The company sent out Peters’ information to its clients, asking if they’d like to participate. Once confirmed, Peters surveyed people before their rafting trip and then followed up after.

“Grand Canyon is probably one of the last places left where your phone can’t constantly get internet. We hope we can help her get what she needs,” said Steve Hatch, owner of Hatch River Expeditions. “Not very many people in the world get access to the Grand Canyon the way we do. Whenever we can, we like to use that access to help people.”

In addition to survey results from Grand Canyon rafters, Peters will also survey students on Winter Term study abroad trips to Tanzania and New Zealand, where their cell phone use will be minimal.

A biology major with a neuroscience minor, Peters is currently on a pre-med track, so she says, getting experience with this kind of research will be helpful for her future. Undergraduate research is one of the five ������Ƶ Experiences, along with study abroad, service, leadership, internships and research. Students are required to complete at least two of the experiences before they graduate. With undergraduate research, students pair up with a faculty member as their mentor. Mat Gendle, professor of psychology, is serving as Peters’ mentor.

“It’s been super helpful to have someone to guide me through this process since it’s my first time,” said Peters, who has also been an ������Ƶ Women’s cross country and track and field student athlete for the past three years.  “I chose Mat Gendle because of his enthusiasm to work with me on this. This isn’t something that he has done previously, but he has knowledge in the neuroscience area.”

Peters is working on a manuscript for the project and hopes to submit it for publication after graduating.

Titled “A Qualitative Study of Parent-Reported Biopsychosocial Challenges Among North American Families with Adopted Children Living with Perinatally-Acquired HIV,” the article applies a biopsychosocial framework to better understand the complex realities these families face. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 22 adoptive caregivers, the research highlights that, while HIV is now a manageable medical condition thanks to effective antiretroviral treatment, families often grapple with significant psychological and social challenges.

Among the most pressing issues were early childhood trauma, racial discrimination and HIV-related stigma. Parents reported difficulties navigating disclosure in schools and communities, particularly when trying to advocate for their children without compromising their privacy. Many participants also emphasized the need for trauma-informed care and increased cultural sensitivity among healthcare and educational professionals.

“Parents described a reality in which HIV wasn’t the biggest challenge—it was the surrounding stigma, racism, and the long-term effects of trauma,” said Fair. “This research calls for holistic support systems that reflect the lived experiences of adoptive families.”

The study was supported by ������Ƶ College Fellows and Undergraduate Research Programs. Wolgin, who plans to attend law school in the fall, served as a co-author on the project.