Above: Texas A&M University–Central Texas student Ariana Espinosa Grimaldo shares her research entitled "Bridging the Gap: The Relationship Between Student-Faculty Interactions, Motivation, Self-Confidence, and Stress" at a recent research symposium at the university.
The air buzzed with anticipation inside Bernie Beck Lecture Hall last Friday as Texas A&M University–Central Texas welcomed a crowd of eager students, faculty, and guests for the annual Student Research Symposium. Organized by the Division of Research and Innovation in collaboration with the Psychology Club, the Psi Chi Honor Society, and the Science Club, the event promised an afternoon of intellectual exploration and academic pride. Attendees shuffled through their programs, reading the lineup of presentations that spanned an array of disciplines.
The event began promptly at 1 p.m. with opening remarks from A&M–Central Texas President Dr. Richard M. Rhodes.
“Today, we gather to celebrate the incredible work of our students,” Rhodes said. “Research is the backbone of discovery and innovation, and the projects you’ll see today reflect the hard work and curiosity of the university’s brightest minds.”
Dr. Malin Lilley, Assistant Professor of Psychology and the primary organizer of the symposium, said this event allows students to not only share their research with the community, but also allows them the opportunity to practice presentation skills, learn from peers and faculty, and inspire others to ask questions and seek answers.
The first presenters, Lexi Rhodes and Emily Barragan, captured the audience’s attention with a graphically fascinating presentation on the “Decomposition of a Porcine Mandible in Commercial-Grade Acid.” The presentation depicted the effects of acid on teeth and gums.
“The jaw continuously absorbed acid, gaining weight until it peaked at 139.65 grams,” Lexi explained.
Each presentation built upon the excitement.
Martha Brown, mentored by Dr. Cadra McDaniel, brought a striking shift in tone with her study, “Socialist Realism in Soviet Kyrgyzstan.” Her slides featured Soviet-era artwork, including a 1947 painting titled “Donbass” by Alexander Deineka. Pictured in this painting were two women shoveling coal in a gritty industrial setting, surrounded by rising smoke, coal carts, and a black locomotive in the background. Despite the harsh environment, the women appeared immaculate–one bent over her shovel with a pink scarf tied around her head, and the other standing upright, poised with a sense of strength and dignity.
“This juxtaposition of cleanliness and harsh labor was central to socialist realism,” Martha explained, elaborating how this particular art style was the Soviet regime’s attempt to romanticize and idealize industrial progress and collective pride.
Dr. Madelynn Shell, an associate professor of counseling and psychology and co-organizer of the event said the opportunity for students to present their research can be transformative.“Each of my students comes to this with a different level of experience,” she said. “We meet weekly to review data, refine hypotheses, and run analyses, so they’re prepared to present in front of 30-50 people, not just the six or seven they’d see in a classroom.
“This is a stepping stone for larger conferences. In fact, four faculty members and six students, including three of mine, are heading to the Southwest Psychological Association Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas this March.”
Among the attendees was Moya McNeely, the student body president and a biology and history double major, who shared her excitement about the event.
“Seeing all of these presentations makes me even more eager to dive into my own research and share it at a future symposium,” she said.
One of the afternoon’s standout presentations came from Zachary Whitt, a history major mentored by Dr. Timothy Hemmis. His project, “A Recipe for Tragedy: Origins of the Korean War,” explained the causes and consequences of the Korean War.
“I think the Korean War deserves more attention,” Whitt said. “It’s lodged in the unfortunate position between World War II and the Vietnam War – on one hand, a conflict that most Americans are interested in learning about, and on the other, a more infamous conflict that most people would rather forget. Lumped in the middle is the Korean War – a war that also ended in a stalemate and, to some, technically never ended at all.”
For many students, the symposium marked the culmination of months of effort and collaboration. Ariana Espinosa Grimaldo, who presented her research on the relationship between student-faculty interactions, motivation, self-confidence, and stress, shared how the experience pushed her boundaries.
“I was nervous” she admitted with a smile, “but the feedback I’ve received from everyone has given me so much confidence. I’ve learned so much from this experience.”
As the event drew to a close, Dr. Walter Murphy, Assistant Vice President of the Division of Research and Innovation, reflected on the day’s success.
“Symposiums like these are incredible opportunities for students,” he said.
The afternoon ended with a reception, where students, faculty, and attendees mingled over refreshments, their conversations buzzing with ideas and shared excitement.
The full lineup of presenters at this year’s Student Research Symposium showcased the range of topics explored by A&M–Central Texas students. Below is a summary of the projects presented, along with their dedicated mentors:
- Dr. Tammy Bracewell
Lexy Rhodes & Emily Barragan: "Observing the Decomposition of a Porcine Mandible in Commercial-Grade Acid" - Dr. Lavanya Elluri
Ikechukwu Oranekwu: "Automated Knowledge Framework for IoT Cybersecurity Compliance: Leveraging Ontology and Knowledge Graphs for Enhanced Regulatory Adherence" - Dr. Deepti Gupta
Ajitha Bodapothula: "Securing Smart Homes Environment Using Machine Learning"
Ricky Rodriguez: "Types of Machine Learning Models: The Applications and Impact in Daily Life"
Stephen Hairston: "Apple Bug Bounty" - Dr. Timothy Hemmis
Zachary Whitt: "A Recipe for Tragedy: Origins of the Korean War" - Dr. Malin Lilley
Alexandra Penrose: "Join the Club: Campus Engagement Could Be the Key to Increased Self-Confidence"
Ariana Espinosa Grimaldo: "Bridging the Gap: The Relationship Between Student-Faculty Interactions, Motivation, Self-Confidence, and Stress"
Michelle Sandy: "You’ve Got a Friend in Me: The Relationship Between Belonging and GPA" - Dr. Cadra McDaniel
Martha Brown: "Socialist Realism in Soviet Kyrgyzstan" - Dr. Madelynn Shell
Abigayle Rocha: "The Influence of Self-Efficacy and College Belonging on Academic Success and Giving Feedback"
Amanda Sawyer: "Effects of Self-Worth and Shyness on the Well-Being of First-Year University Students"
Joel Millan: "Understanding the Effects of Student Background on Motivation and Achievement" - Dr. Chamindika Siriwardana
Alex Babkov: "Network Analysis of NF-YC9 Subunit in A. thaliana"
Amara Onuoha: "Detection of GM Sequences in Papaya and Corn Marketed in Texas Using PCR and RT-PCR" - Dr. Laura Weiser Erlandson
Kirstey Ferguson: "The Observational Analysis of the Behavioral Differences Between Ghost Shrimp and Freshwater Snails"
Mahogany Milo: "Growth and Development Rate of Hippodamia convergens Consuming Green Vs. Red Cabbage-Fed Pieris rapae Larvae"