The Office of Faculty Engagement is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Grants. These awards support undergraduate students as they pursue original research and creative scholarship under the mentorship of Stetson faculty members. Through the SURE program, students engage in hands-on research across a variety of disciplines, contributing to new knowledge while developing valuable scholarly and professional skills.
Natalie McCoy
Project: Echoes of the Early Modern English Songscape
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joel Davis
Natalie Reese McCoy’s research investigates “The sad nymph, Echo,” an understudied seventeenth-century song preserved in the manuscript Anne Twice, Her Booke: Songs Vnto the Violl and Lute. Drawing on research conducted at the New York Public Library, the project aims to produce the first modern transcription and professional recording of the piece while bringing greater attention to the contributions of women composers and musicians in early modern England.
Owen Lazarus
Project: The Sino-German Relationship and the American Response, 1927–1941
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Leander Seah
Owen Lazarus’s research examines the relationship between China and Germany from 1927 to 1941 and how the United States responded to that partnership. By studying this period of international diplomacy and conflict, the project explores how shifting alliances and global tensions shaped American foreign policy in the years leading up to World War II.
Nicholas Lucchese
Project: Theodore Roosevelt, Japan, and the United States in the Asia-Pacific, 1897–1909
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Leander Seah
Nicholas Lucchese’s research examines President Theodore Roosevelt’s administration and its approach to diplomacy with Japan as an emerging global power. By exploring historical strategies for navigating shifting international relationships, the project offers insights that may inform contemporary discussions about how the United States engages with rising powers in today’s geopolitical landscape.
Amy King
Project: Active Site Modifications in [NiFe] Hydrogenase for Enhanced Biomimetic Catalysts
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Meghan McGreal
Amy King’s research uses computational methods to study modifications to the active site of [NiFe] hydrogenase, an enzyme involved in hydrogen production and utilization. By examining how changes to the enzyme’s structure affect its function, the project aims to inform the design of more efficient biomimetic catalysts for clean energy and sustainable chemical applications.
Ilanthy Henry
Project: Analysis of Variance in Gene Expression in Drosophila melanogaster Testis
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sepideh Dadkhah
Ilanthy Henry’s research examines patterns of gene expression in the testis of Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly. By analyzing variation in gene activity, the project aims to deepen our understanding of the genetic mechanisms that influence reproductive biology and contribute to broader insights in genetics and developmental biology.
Mary DeNote
Project: King Arthur as a Political Tool from the Plantagenets to the Windsors
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kimberly Reiter
Mary DeNote’s research explores how Arthurian legend has been used by the House of Plantagenet and the modern House of Windsor to shape royal identity and legitimacy. By comparing the ways these two British dynasties have drawn on the stories and symbolism of King Arthur, the project examines the enduring influence of myth and history on monarchy and national identity.
Eloisy Goncalves
Project: Comparing Bone-Conducted to Air-Conducted Sound During Singing
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Chadley Ballantyne
Benjamin Miyazato – Stetson University’s First G.I. Generation
Project: Stetson University’s First G.I. Generation
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jacob Walters
Benjamin’s research explores the experiences of World War II veterans who attended Stetson University through the G.I. Bill and compares them with veterans at similar small, private liberal arts colleges across Florida. By examining themes of civic service and postwar education, the project seeks to better understand Stetson’s place within the broader history of higher education and its connection to national and regional developments following World War II.
Aayusha Sapkota
Project: Institutional Capacity and the Distributional Effects of Payment Digitalization – Nepal
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Khushbu Mishra
Aayusha Sapkota’s research explores how the digitalization of payments affects different populations in Nepal and the role institutional capacity plays in shaping those outcomes. By examining the distributional effects of digital payment systems, the project aims to better understand how financial technologies influence economic inclusion and access across communities.
Candela Tourné Muñoz
Project: The Role of Information in Shaping Higher Education Aspirations in Uruguay
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarah Lingo
Candela Tourné Muñoz’s research explores how access to information about universities, scholarships, and other educational opportunities influences the higher education aspirations of high school students in Uruguay. By examining whether greater awareness of available resources encourages students to pursue further education, the project aims to identify ways to better connect students with opportunities that support their academic goals.
Vivian Jones
Project: Using 3D-Printing to Examine the Mechanical Properties of Developing Tissue
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Holley Lynch
Brianna Boltz
Project: Comparing Endogenous Tidal Rhythms of Mangrove Tree Crabs (Aratus pisonii), Mosquito Lagoon
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Corie Charpentier
Emily Cloudman
Project: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Ozone Disrupting Canine Biofilms
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michele Skelton
Emily Cloudman’s research examines the use of ozone therapy as a potential treatment for antibiotic-resistant ear infections in canines. The project evaluates whether ozone could serve as an effective alternative to traditional antibiotic therapies and support the development of new strategies in veterinary medicine.
Aiden Ramsey
Project: Florida’s Youth Turnout Problem
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kelly Smith
Aiden Ramsey’s research examines why Florida experiences lower youth voter turnout than much of the rest of the United States. By compiling a comprehensive dataset spanning all 50 states from 2000 to 2024, the project analyzes voter turnout alongside registration laws, campaign spending, demographic factors, and education policies to better understand the influences on youth civic participation.