Undergraduate Research Day

Thomas E. Helm Undergraduate Research Day - April 15, 2026

Pictures of students doing research and giving presentations

Thomas E. Helm Undergraduate Research Day provides a public, university-wide forum for showcasing undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity. Students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to submit their faculty mentored research, projects, or creative activity. Submissions may be either completed or in-progress. Monetary awards are given to the top presentations in each category.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS

Go to PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES & ABSTRACT SUBMISSION to review the Guidelines for Participation and to submit your abstract using the link at the bottom of the page.

By submitting abstracts, all participants acknowledge that they have read and accepted the Guidelines for Participation and that their research meets protocols for human, animal, and radiological research. All presenters also permit the release of photographs taken of them and their work on the day of presentation.

 

APRIL 15, 2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 

9:00am - 12:00pm: Podium Presentations, University Union Lincoln Room

11:00am -1:30pm: Poster Presentations, University Union Grand Ballroom

Noon: President Kristi Mindrup and Provost Mark Mossman will welcome students and guests, University Union Grand Ballroom. 

 

2025 Winners

Podium Competition

First Place: Olivia Rueschhoff, of Manito, IL, with faculty mentors Dinesh Ekanayake and Amy Ekanayake, Mathematics – “Shaping the Future: Education, Economy, and Policy Influence Life Expectancy and Fertility”

Project Abstract
Ariana Sanchez Project

Second Place: Ariana Sanchez of St. Charles, IL, with faculty mentor, Kristine Kelly, Psychology – “Comparing White Fragility Across Three Measures”

Project Abstract

Third Place: Emma Evans, of Keokuk, IA, with faculty mentors Amy Ekanayake and Dinesh Ekanayake, Mathematics – “Shark attacks and the story they reveal”

Project Abstract
Poster Competition
Payton Wiggins Project

First Place: Payton Wiggins, of Batavia, IL, with faculty mentor John Determan, Forensic Chemistry – “The Use of Silica Nanoparticles as Biosensors for the Detection of Illicit Drugs”

Project Abstract
Anvith Devarashetty Project

Second Place: Anvith Devarashetty, of United Arab Emirates, with faculty mentor, Leslie Melim, Geology – “Petrographic Comparison of Torosites with New Samples from Shoveleater Cave, WV”

Project Abstract
Owen Beck Project

Third Place: Owen Beck, of Good Hope, IL, with Brian Bellott, Chemistry – “Solid State Synthesis of Athabascaite (Cu5Se4)”

Project Abstract

2025 PRESENTERS