NEWS
By
Jennifer Walters
Date
Media Contact
ounews@ou.edu
NORMAN, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma Honors College brought student innovation to the forefront on Saturday, April 26, 2025, as it hosted the 37th annual Undergraduate Research Day at the Thurman J. White Forum Building on the Norman campus.
Drawing more than 300 attendees, the event showcased over 100 presentations that highlighted the range and quality of research being produced by OU undergraduates. Topics such as “Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations for Photothermal Treatment of Cancer” and “A Creative Study of Modern Place-Based Fiction in Texas and Oklahoma” were featured alongside a wide range of other projects across the sciences, engineering, humanities and fine arts.
Undergraduate Research Day offers students a platform to present their original work through poster sessions, oral presentations and performances. Visitors—including faculty, fellow students, and members of the public—were invited to engage directly with presenters and explore the ideas shaping tomorrow’s innovations.
Fields represented at the event included life sciences; engineering; social, political, and geographical sciences; and fine arts and humanities, reflecting the interdisciplinary strength of the university’s academic community.
The event also serves as a testament to the Honors College’s commitment to student research. Through programs like the First-Year Research Engagement (FYRE), Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), Honors Research Assistant Program (HRAP), and Travel Assistance Program, students are encouraged to engage in independent inquiry, work alongside faculty mentors, and share their findings on local and national stages.
“Undergraduate Research Day showcases the creativity, hard work, and dedication of our students, as well as the mentoring and support of their faculty sponsors,” said Michael Markham, Interim Dean of the Honors College. “These research experiences, and the opportunity to present their work in a large scholarly forum, empowers students with the confidence and skills to excel in graduate studies and in their future careers.”
Undergraduate Research Day 2025 winners include:
Oral Presentations
Life Sciences 1
Arabella Martin, microbiology major – Phi Beta Kappa Grand Prize
Jessica Jaramillo, biomedical engineering major – Second Place
Life Sciences 2
Maya Joseph, human health and biology major – First Place
Tess Placek, microbiology major – Second Place
Life Sciences 3
Emma Singletary, biology major – First Place
Katherine Valles, biology major – Second Place
Engineering
Kaitlyn Williams, biomedical engineering major – First Place
Pero Planinic, mechanical engineering major – Second Place
Fine Arts & Humanities
Goldie Snow, theater major – First Place
Madeline Woodard, classical studies major – Second Place
Social, Political, and Geological Sciences
Braeden Moreland, geology major – First Place
Mayme McClure, psychology major – Second Place
Posters
Life Sciences
Anayat Yousef, biology and public health major – Phi Kappa Phi Grand Prize
Mackenzie Hightower, biology major – Second Place
Julia Fellows, biology major – Third Place
Engineering & Physics
Liam Thompson, metorology and environmental sustainability major – First Place
Kevin Nguyen, chemical engineering major – Second Place
Luke Terry, computer science major – Third Place
Social Sciences & Humanities
Sofia Givens, history major – First Place
Destiny Reyes, psychology major – Second Place
Elena Price, neuropsychology pre-med major – Third Place
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
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The University of Oklahoma has once again been awarded the Davis Cup in recognition of its enrollment of Davis United World College Scholar freshmen. This marks the 11th time in 13 years OU has received the award. A total of 75 Davis UWC Scholars began their studies at OU this fall.
