STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University students from the College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) presented emerging undergraduate and graduate research in Monday’s Student Research Symposium. Hosted in the Lamar Johanson Science Building, the symposium spotlighted over 50 student research projects, including potentially groundbreaking work in neurological science, bioscience and epidemiology.
Joined by classmates, proud family members and college leadership, students eagerly delivered oral and visual poster presentations throughout the afternoon. A panel of judges composed of COSM faculty evaluated presenters on their research content and ability to concisely and confidently communicate their findings.
“The COSM Student Research Symposium is one of my favorite days of the year, because it’s where you see exactly what our students are capable of when given real mentorship and real research problems to solve,” said Dr. Kevin Johnson, Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. “The work of these students is sophisticated and represents a genuine collaboration with our faculty. These hands-on experiences are what set our graduates apart, they don’t just learn science and mathematics; they practice it alongside people who care about their success.”
Gabriel Osei’s “Calibration Bridges the Generalizability Gap in Single-trial Detection of Alzheimer’s and Frontotemporal Dementia” studies the subtle but necessary distinctions between the cognitive conditions. Osei, who works as a graduate research assistant in the Bridging Research in AI and Neuroscience (B.R.A.I.N.) Lab, uses artificial intelligence to revolutionize diagnostic processes for clinicians and patients.
“My research uses brainwave data to help distinguish between Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, two conditions that can look similar clinically but need different treatment approaches,” said Osei. “Better tools for distinguishing between neurodegenerative diseases could help clinicians make faster, more accurate diagnoses, which matters a lot for patients and families navigating treatment decisions.”
Building off chemistry department research isolating microplastics with fenugreek seeds, student researchers Asher Boniol and Montana Zapata’s “Portable Optical Trapping” presents another method of minimizing pollutants in bodies of water. Using a custom-built laser system, Boniol and Zapata’s research demonstrates how high concentrations of microplastics can be removed from contaminated water.
“What we’re doing is exposing it to a laser for a certain time period to eliminate microplastics out of said water sample,” Boniol said. “This is just proof that this works. We would like to apply this to bigger water samples and filtration systems throughout Texas.”
Senior mathematics student Raven Slabach’s “Social Vulnerability, Crowding and Age Structure as Predictors of Measles and Influenza Risk” identifies risk factors associated with susceptibility to viral infections, including age, employment status and household crowding. This approach to public health, she says, could be used to mitigate the spread of other viral respiratory illnesses.
“I use different models to predict measles and influenza outbreaks, mainly a social vulnerability index of 16 factors,” Slabach said. “The higher the risk, the better we can predict how vulnerable a community is and implement strategies to get on top of those outbreaks.”
Ahead of the symposium, students were paired with a faculty mentor, working closely with them to find direction and refine methodology. Students and their mentors worked rigorously to both develop and articulate their complex work.
“I am very glad to have these people as our students because they are truly brilliant. I’m also learning alongside them,” said Dr. Hyun Suk Kang, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and faculty mentor. “I think the experience of presenting will be beneficial for them. Science is not just about getting the knowledge but also disseminating the knowledge to society.”
Following extended deliberation, the panel of judges awarded winners within five categories:
– Best Undergraduate Oral Presentation: Sadie Shudde and Sandra Rangel
– Best Graduate Oral Presentation: Gabriel Osei
– Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation: Brenna Fesmire
– Best Graduate Poster Presentation and Best Overall: Nathanael Solagratia
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of more than 21,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For over 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.