Undergraduate Research on Utah’s Capitol Hill - 2026
ArtSci scholars are among about 25 Aggie undergraduate researchers selected to present research posters to state legislators and visitors on Utah’s Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City on Thursday, February 26, 2026. These exceptional students serve as ambassadors for USU, present cutting-edge studies and highlight the importance of undergraduate research experiences for students, local communities and the State of Utah.
Learn more about these exemplary scholars:
Ashley Bahora
Major: Physics
Presentation: “Advanced Analysis through Database Visualization of the Charging Particles of Materials in Extreme Environments”
Faculty Mentor: J.R. Dennison
Ian Brush
Majors: Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Psychology
Presentation: “The Origins of Cooperation: Mechanisms of Division of Labor Between Ant Queenss”
Faculty Mentor: Chris Smith
April Buys
Major: Biochemistry
Presentation: “Mentorship’s Impact on Abundance and Growth Mindsets in Low-Income Communities, an International Study”
Faculty Mentor: Mathew Meng
Sophie Christensen
Major: Political Science
Presentation: “State Legislature Demographics and Anti-Transgender Legislation”
Faculty Mentor: Josh Ryan
Isis Cordova
Major: Biochemistry
Presentation: “Response to Induced Herbivory: Evaluating Secondary Metabolite Concentrations”
Faculty Mentor: Fabiane Mundim
Nathan McCoy
Major: Biology
Presentation: “Advancing Women’s Health Through Ovarian Transplant Research in Mice”
Faculty Mentor: Jeff Mason
Jessie Miller
Majors: Global Communications, Technical Sales Management, Anticipatory Intelligence
Presentation: “Utah’s Winter-Time Growing Season”
Faculty Mentor: Sterling Bone
Rebekah Rowe
Major: Biology
Presentation: “Validating Molecular Methods to Study the Neurobiology of Grief in a Novel Animal Model: The Coyote”
Faculty Mentor: Sara Freeman
Emily Samuels
Major: Human Biology
Presentation: “Early Detection of Cyanobacterial Blooms: qPCR and Predictive Monitoring”
Faculty Mentor: Jordan Truex
Trace Taylor
Major: Physics
Presentation: “Advanced Analysis through Database Visualization of the Charging Particles of Materials in Extreme Environments”
Faculty Mentor: J.R. Dennison
Kenzie Wachtel
Majors: Biology, Psychology
Presentation: “Investigating Oxytocin in Self-Control”
Faculty Mentor: Sara Freeman
Connor Waite
Major: Physics
Presentation: “Medium-scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed Over Bear Lake, Utah”
Faculty Mentor: Yucheng Zhao
Joshua Westhora
Major: Biology
Presentation: “Identification of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests in Vineyards in Utah”
Faculty Mentor: Claudia Nitschwitz