SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Penn State Schuylkill undergraduate students presented their original research at the fall Undergraduate Research Symposium on Nov. 29. Twenty students from a variety of disciplines, including biology, arts and humanities, and the physical and social sciences, presented on topics that ranged from synthesis of chemical compounds to the use of artificial intelligence in a 3D environment, as well as on cultural and societal issues.

The event, coordinated by Mary Ann Smith, lecturer in biology, showcased the students' semester-long work on their respective projects.

"The impactful research conducted by undergraduate students at Penn State Schuylkill shows that our students are thinking about ways to combat antibiotic resistance, to improve the use of artificial intelligence in the virtual world, to refine the clinical approach to substance misuse disorders and more," said Cory Scherer, interim director of academic affairs at Penn State Schuylkill. "I applaud the hard work and dedication of these undergraduate researchers, as their efforts are reflected in their outstanding presentations."

Following the symposium, eight students were selected as winners and are eligible to be considered to present at the Penn State Eastern Regional Undergraduate Research Symposium in spring 2024. They are Justice Cappella, Isabella Caruso, Karandhir Flora, Mikayla Kupstas, Andrew Sepp, Poetic Session, Joan Young and Kaely Walshaw.

Students interested in participating in the research symposium in the future should reach out to Smith at mvs14@psu.edu.