On April 7-8 the Office of Graduate Studies, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, as well as the Office of Research and Economic Development, held the 2026 Student Research Days Poster Sessions and Creative Exhibitions.
More than 120 graduate students and 200 undergraduate students participated in these sessions in addition to a week-long celebration of student research and creative activity. Graduate students who were awarded competitive prizes for their scholarship and presentation skills received $400 toward travel grants to present their research regionally or nationally as well as support other research costs. Academic colleges sponsored prizes valued at $250 awarded to undergraduates.
Graduate student awards
- Chang Li (China, studying Geography) “A Machine Learning-Enhanced Optical Trapezoid Model (OPTRAM-2) Framework for Mapping Active Inundation and Receded Flood Areas from Soil Moisture Proxies”, adviser: Zhenghong Tang
People's Choice awards of $100
- Gabriella Rizzo (Nutley, New Jersey, studying Biological Sciences) “Metabolic Interactions Sustaining Carbonate Dissolution in a Hydrogenotrophic Methanogenic Enrichment”, Adviser: Karrie Weber
Undergraduate college awards
- Joe Stalder (Humboldt, studying Geology), “Description of a New Fossil Marine Diatom and its Potential as a Miocene Paleoclimatic Proxy,” adviser: David Harwood
- Reyna Dugas (Denver, Colorado, studying Biological Sciences), “Place Matters: Care Environments and Alzheimer's Disease,” adviser: Angela Bolen
- Nour Al-janabi (Lincoln, studying Anthropology and Political Science), “Habeas Corpus as a Tool in Challenging Wrongful Detention and Deportation: 1880 - Present,” adviser: Katrina Jagodinsky
- Erica Vollbrecht (Lincoln, studying Biological Sciences), “Sperm competitiveness in Drosophila simulans concerning Dox selfish gene system,” adviser: Colin Meiklejohn
- Jordan Kuenzler (Aurora, Colorado, studying Biological Sciences), “Identification of resident gut microbial species that promote Faecalibacterium duncaniae growth,” adviser: Amanda Ramer-Tait
- Alex Tapia (Omaha, studying Psychology), “Are Links Between Early Adversity and Academic Achievement Mediated Through Preschool Executive Control?,” adviser: Timothy Nelson
Undergraduate honors awards
- Long-Term Contributions to the Field — This award recognizes an Honors student researcher whose work displayed the most potential for significant long-term contributions to the discipline of study: Dhwani Dholakia (Elkhorn, studying biochemistry and psychology), “Characterization of Carbon Nanotube-Polymer Sensors for Electronic Nose Diagnostics” adviser: Eric Markvicka
- Most Original — This award recognizes an Honors student researcher whose research question or approach to answering the research question displayed the most originality: Aaron Morrissey (Omaha, studying data science and economics) “The Effects of ACA Medicaid Expansion on Health Insurance Coverage,” adviser: Brenden Timpe
- Immediate Contribution — This award recognizes an Honors student researcher whose work displays the most significant and immediate potential for real-world impact: Ella Guerra (Lincoln, studying psychology) “Exploring the Moderating Role of Familism in the Link Between Cultural Stress and Depression in Latino Adolescents,” adviser: Rebecca Brock
Nearly 100 faculty, staff, postdoc and graduate student volunteer judges met with students during morning and afternoon sessions and evaluated their presentations.
