Author: Dayspring Idahosa

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Awards

2026 Maris Award Winners

Stetson University proudly congratulates the recipients of the 2026 Maris Awards, recognizing exceptional undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative achievement presented during Stetson Showcase.

The Maris Awards celebrate students whose projects demonstrate originality, academic excellence, and effective communication across a wide range of disciplines. The 2026 recipients explored topics spanning biology, public policy, economics, environmental science, business, the arts, and technology, showcasing the breadth and impact of undergraduate scholarship at Stetson.

Poster Presentations
  • Naya Adla – Acoustic Indices as Reliability Indicators for Automated Oyster Toadfish Calls Detection
  • Raissa Borges de Oliveira Leal – Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of a Non-Canonical Nuclear Localization Signal Within the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Small Tumor Antigen
  • Sean Gaudreault – Investigating Fus1 and Pea2 Roles in Mating and Protein Localization by Mutating Fus1’s Internal Domain in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Arts
  • Maria Latour – Fish Sermon
Junior Music Recitals
  • Andre Caquimbo – Oboe
Oral Presentations
  • Noelle Zinn – Cell Cycle-Dependent Nuclear Localization of the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Small Tumor Antigen Suggests a Regulated Import Mechanism
  • Diana Godinho – From Repression to Human Rights: The Case of Michelle Bachelet in Chile
  • Nicholas Mauck – Microplastic Abundance and Color Distribution in Palaemonetes paludosus Across Urban and Protected Freshwater Systems in Central Florida
  • Raissa Borges de Oliveira Leal – Evaluating the Impact of Vaccination on Dengue Incidence: An Econometric Analysis of São Paulo
  • Isabella Degenhardt, Endrik Brettmann, Dietre Griesinger, and Kamryn Wilson – Lululemon Stockpitch
  • Leonardo Giorgioni Figueroa – The Influence of Educational Video Interventions on Hurricane Risk Perception: The Role of Affective Response and Graphical Literacy
  • Kira Zaitsava – Local Impact Score
Kathleen Johnson Award for Excellence in Arts and Humanities
  • Nico Alonso – Conservative State Religion: Miami Cubans as the “Model Minority”
Leonard Nance Award for Justice Studies
  • Abdulraqeeb Oguntade – Building Frameworks for a Recovery Housing Program at Rising Against All Odds
  • Patrick Galloway – Punishment as Political Language: The Ideational Foundations of Rehabilitation’s Marginalization in U.S. Prisons

Stetson University congratulates all of the 2026 Maris Award recipients on their outstanding accomplishments. Their research, scholarship, and creative work exemplify the university’s dedication to academic excellence, innovation, and meaningful engagement with the challenges and opportunities facing society today.

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Awards Stetson Showcase

2025 Maris Award Winners

Stetson University proudly congratulates the recipients of the 2025 Maris Awards, recognizing exceptional undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative achievement presented during Stetson Showcase.

The Maris Awards honor students whose projects exemplify academic excellence, originality, and effective communication across a broad spectrum of disciplines. This year’s recipients explored topics ranging from biology and environmental science to entrepreneurship, literature, psychology, and the performing arts, highlighting the outstanding work of Stetson’s undergraduate scholars.

Poster Presentations
  • Nicole Stover – Gene Regulation of Catalase and Copper/Zinc Superoxide Dismutase in Response to Normoxic Stress on Eruca sativa in a Nutrient Film Technique System
  • Avery Brooks – The Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Seedling Growth of Arnoglossum floridanum
Arts and Museums
  • Danielle Hunt – The JungleBrunch89
Music
  • Rayah Yehnert – Flute
Oral Presentations
  • Anthony Cagle – The Effects of Steviol Glycoside and Aspartame on Development of Gastrulation-Stage Axolotl Embryos
  • Kyanna Buisch – Age Differences Between Religious Traditions and Depression
  • Madelyn Emmons – The Lion, The Bus, and The Homework
  • Dylan Anthony – Dissecting the Domains of Fus1 Required for Yeast Cell Fusion
  • Braedyn Wasden – The Spaces and Bodies of Ligotti and Kafka: Between Space and Body in Capitalist Organizational Management
  • Nicole Alvarez-Ruiz – A Coffee Venture: Café Querido
  • Sara Ward, John DeVaul, and Rayner Almaraz – Panel on Public Safety

Stetson University congratulates all of the 2025 Maris Award recipients on their exceptional accomplishments. Their research, scholarship, and creative work reflect the university’s enduring commitment to innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and academic excellence while making meaningful contributions to their respective fields.

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Awards Stetson Showcase

2024 Maris Award Winners

Stetson University proudly congratulates the recipients of the 2024 Maris Awards, recognizing exceptional undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative achievement presented during Stetson Showcase.

The Maris Awards honor students whose work exemplifies originality, academic excellence, and effective communication across diverse fields of study. This year’s recipients explored topics ranging from ecology and infectious disease to history, psychology, agriculture, and the arts, demonstrating the depth and impact of undergraduate scholarship at Stetson.

Poster Presentations
  • Justine Horne – Infection Experiments with the Invasive Pentastome (Raillietiella orientalis) in Invasive Cane Toads (Rhinella marina)
  • Jordan Calderara – Documenting the Spread of an Invasive Pentastome (Raillietiella orientalis) Throughout Southwest, Central, and Northern Florida
  • Ryan Mossell – A Tale of Two Habitats: Why Are Copepods Larger in Mosquito Lagoon Than in Halifax River?
Creative Arts
  • Jodi-Ann Taylor – Exploring the Interconnectivity Between Nature, Technology, and the Arts
Junior Music Recitals
  • Nicholas Dieux – Baritone Voice
Oral Presentations
  • Coral Kehm – Infection of Curly-Tailed Lizards (Leiocephalus carinatus) with the Pentastome Parasite, Raillietiella orientalis
  • Tristyn Rampersad – Analyzing Racial Disorientation Through Predictive Processing
  • Abria Doe – Efficiency Enhancement Initiative
  • Christian Berberich – Rodent Species in a Midwestern Prairie Ecosystem Serve as Potential Reservoirs of Ehrlichiosis-Causing Bacteria
  • Christa Assi – Understanding State Fragility Through Media: Why Hezbollah Thrives in Lebanon and Not Jordan
  • Ryan Mason – Factors Affecting Improved Agricultural Output Under Khrushchev Versus Stalin in the Soviet Union
  • Rosemary McHugh – The Emotional Labor and Identity Sensemaking in Recruitment: It’s Not for Everyone
Leonard Nance Prize for Research in Social Justice
  • August DuPuis – Stolen Language, Stolen Spirit: An Exploration of Indigenous Two-Spirit Language Loss and Its Impacts on Gender Expression
  • Devin Hernandez – Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: The History of Methadone, 1947 to 1974

Stetson University congratulates all of the 2024 Maris Award recipients on their remarkable accomplishments. Their research, scholarship, and creative work reflect the university’s commitment to innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and the pursuit of knowledge that makes a meaningful impact within and beyond the Stetson community.

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Awards Stetson Showcase

2023 Maris Award Winners

Stetson University proudly congratulates the recipients of the 2023 Maris Awards, honoring exceptional undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative achievement presented during Stetson Showcase.

The Maris Awards recognize students whose work demonstrates originality, academic excellence, and effective communication across a broad range of disciplines. The 2023 recipients showcased innovative projects spanning scientific research, technology, the humanities, social sciences, and the arts, reflecting the vibrant culture of undergraduate scholarship at Stetson.

Leonard Nance Prize
  • Analee Monrreal – Effects of Farm-related Risks and Exposures: Evaluating Environmental Injustice on Farmworkers in Pierson, Florida
Poster Presentations
  • Grayson Taber – Imaging Early Developmental Stages of Butterfly, Vanessa cardui
  • Margaret Struble – The Effect of Hypoxia on Apoptotic Pathways in SKBR3 Breast Cancer Cells
  • Kayle Cunningham – Diversity of Parasites in Central Florida Rodents: Neotoma, Sigmodon, and Peromyscus
Art and Digital Arts Presentations and Exhibitions
  • Mario Saponaro – Eternity Doesn’t Last Forever
Junior Music Recitals
  • Isabel Barbato – Voice
Oral Presentations
  • Xanthippe A. Pack-Brown – Let Women Love: A Cross Examination of Sapphic Relationships in Fantasy and Reality
  • Mary Brandt – United States and China: Cybersecurity and Cyberwarfare in the 21st Century
  • Evans Asuboah – Redesigning Black Home Schoolers of Central Florida’s Website for Improved User Experience and Increased Donations
  • Kaira Thevenin – Exploration of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Small Tumor Antigen in Transformation & Tumorigenesis
  • Chloe DeYoung – Analyzing the Function of Fus1 During Cell Fusion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  • Shadia Muñoz Najar – Riches to Rags: The Paradox of Resource Abundance in Latin America

Stetson University congratulates all of the 2023 Maris Award recipients on their outstanding accomplishments. Their research, scholarship, and creative work exemplify the university’s commitment to intellectual curiosity, innovation, and academic excellence while making meaningful contributions to their respective fields.

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Awards Stetson Showcase

2022 Maris Award Winners

Stetson University proudly congratulates the recipients of the 2022 Maris Awards, honoring exceptional undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative achievement presented during Stetson Showcase.

The Maris Awards recognize students whose projects demonstrate academic excellence, innovation, and effective communication across a wide range of disciplines. This year’s recipients explored topics spanning scientific research, sustainability, history, public health, and the arts, reflecting the breadth and impact of undergraduate scholarship at Stetson.

Leonard Nance Prize
  • Emily Keck – Expanding Access to Black History in Volusia County Through Digital Storytelling
Poster Presentations
  • Kaira Thevenin – Exploration of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Small Tumor Antigen in Transformation & Tumorigenesis
  • Maria Snee – The Effects of Habitat on the Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in Rodent Reservoirs
  • Jay Stearman – Students’ Perception of Campus Green Spaces and Community Gardens
Art and Digital Arts Presentations and Exhibitions
  • Andy Ramirez-Garcia – The Hidden Forest
  • Jade Ammones – e.g.
Junior Music Recitals
  • Abbey Brodnick – Piano
  • Kaylan Hernandez – Voice (Soprano)
Oral Presentations
  • Kendall Buck – Improving Food Waste to Drive Sustainability
  • Meghan Landsberg – The Ones We Lose to Lies: The Role of QAnon in the Destruction of Personal Relationships
  • Bec Hett – Interfaith Relations on Stetson’s Campus
  • Kellie Baier – Identifying the Primary Reservoir of Borrelia burgdorferi Present in Central Florida
  • Madison Wilkerson – Family and Friends’ Influence on Internalized Stigma of Mental Health

Stetson University congratulates all of the 2022 Maris Award recipients for their outstanding accomplishments. Their research, scholarship, and creative work embody the university’s commitment to intellectual curiosity, innovation, and excellence while making meaningful contributions to their fields and communities.

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Awards Stetson Showcase Stetson Showcase

2021 Maris Award Winners

Stetson University proudly congratulates the recipients of the 2021 Maris Awards, recognizing exceptional undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative achievement showcased by students across a variety of disciplines.

The Maris Awards celebrate presentations that demonstrate originality, academic excellence, and effective communication. The 2021 recipients reflect Stetson’s commitment to fostering inquiry, innovation, and creative expression through undergraduate education.

Art and Digital Arts Presentations and Exhibitions
  • Grace Crandall – A Place You Want to Stay
Junior Music Recitals
  • Elené Okruashvili – Piano
Oral Presentations
  • D. Zevi Altus – Estimating Kurdish Population in Turkey: Population Modeling with Regression and Leslie Matrices
  • Anna Baj – Investigating How a Single Point Mutation in FUS1 Alters Yeast Cell Fusion
  • Matis Fogel – Using Molecular Docking to Study Known SINE XPO1 Inhibitors and to Design Novel SINE XPO1 Inhibitors
  • Shmuel Fogel – Ethanol-Based Extracts from Alpinia zerumbet Induce Apoptosis in CLL Cells
  • Alison Martin – Effects of Ibuprofen on Development of Axolotl Embryos
  • Tahira Perry – Impact of Light Availability and the Mutualistic Relationship with Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterium, Rhizobium, on Above-Ground Growth of Chamaecrista fasciculata
  • Jessica Matilszki – Selling Secondhand Concert Tickets: What Is Your Best Bet?
  • Aliya Cruise and Caleb Roberts – (ACT)ion: Combating Social Justice Issues Through Devised Theatre

Stetson University congratulates all of the 2021 Maris Award recipients on their remarkable achievements. Their research, scholarship, and creative work exemplify the dedication, curiosity, and innovation that continue to enrich the Stetson community and advance undergraduate excellence.

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Awards Stetson Showcase

2019 Maris Award Winners

Stetson University proudly congratulates the recipients of the 2019 Maris Awards, recognizing exceptional undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative achievement presented during Stetson Showcase.

The Maris Awards celebrate students whose work demonstrates originality, academic excellence, and effective communication across a wide range of disciplines. The 2019 recipients exemplify the curiosity, innovation, and dedication that define undergraduate research and creative activity at Stetson.

Poster Presentations

  • Tara Breeden – The Effects of tDCS and Meditation on Anxiety and Attention
  • Hallie Kimbrel – Comparison of the Distribution of Southern Rays (Hypanus americanus) and Bluntnose Rays (Hypanus say) in Pinellas County, Florida
  • Katherine Scott – Keep Calm and Pray On: The Exploration of How Religious Involvement Predicts Anxiety Levels
  • Samantha McPherson – Assessing the Metabolic Cost of Pregnancy in Pygmy Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius)

Art Exhibition

  • Solomon Nehrig – Harmonic Levels

Music Recitals

  • Kat Kirby-Kopczynski – Voice (Soprano)

Oral Presentations

  • Claretta Holsey – Mouth Sound
  • Elijah McCoy – App-tastic: How Can Technology Improve the Stage Management Process?
  • Zoe Weaver – Bu Yi Yang: Why Democracy in Taiwan Is in Two
  • Samantha Harris – The Limitations Behind a Laser Range Finder
  • William Gillett – Analyzing Cryptobiosis in Tardigrades: Hypsibius dujardini and Dactylbiotus dispar
  • Molly Flanagan – The Effect of Informative Contexts on the Recall of the Orthographic Representations of Words

Business

  • Kailee Howe – Mish Mash Bowl
  • Nathaniel Diamond, Nathaniel Smith, Regis Steighner, and Matthew Sweeney – A New Business Approach for the Cancer Action Network of the American Cancer Society

Stetson University congratulates all of the 2019 Maris Award recipients on their outstanding accomplishments. Their research, scholarship, and creative work reflect the university’s commitment to academic excellence and the pursuit of knowledge across disciplines.

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Awards Stetson Showcase

2018 Maris Awards

Stetson University recognizes the recipients of the 2018 Maris Awards, honoring exceptional undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative achievement presented at Stetson Showcase.

The Maris Awards celebrate students whose presentations exemplify academic excellence, innovation, and effective communication across a diverse range of disciplines. From scientific research and business innovation to the arts and humanities, these projects reflect the creativity and dedication of Stetson students.

Poster Presentations
  • Slavina Ancheva – The Effects of European Union Economic Policy on Bulgaria and Romania
  • Mackenzie Quinn – Investigating the Accessibility to Select Organic Food Sources Based on Food Desert Characteristics within DeLand, Florida
  • Ana Rodriguez – Adaptive Significance of Homing in the Limpet (Siphonaria pectinata) in Central Florida
  • Ashtan Madsen – Academic Self-Efficacy is More Closely Associated with Anxiety than Social Support
Art Exhibition
  • Ariana Santana – Wild Growth
Junior Music Recitals
  • Alexander Rivera-Charles – Clarinet
Oral Presentations
  • Rebekah Anderson – The Son of Man and the Historical Jesus
  • Marissa Hanley – Barlovius: DeLand’s Vacation into the Eldritch
  • Veronica Faison – Standing Up by Kneeling Down: The Delegitimization of Colin Kaepernick’s “Taking the Knee” Protest in Fox News’ Media Coverage
  • Alexander Krest – A Comparative Field Study Regarding the Competitive Growth Rates of Ceratophyllum demersum and Hydrilla verticillata
  • Justin Corriss – Crushing Sweet: The Historical Origins of Sweet Wine Stigmatization
  • James McNichols – Alpinia zerumbet Essential Oil Ethanol Extracts Derived from the Rhizome, Seed, and Seed Covering Reduce Jurkat Leukemia Cell Viability via XIAP1 and PARP Modulation
Business Competitions
Ethics
  • Nate Smith and Sara Klass – The Ethics of Hacking
Stock Pitch
  • Leah Hauserman – Knowles Corp
Family Business
  • William “Billy” Harris, Alycia Perkins, and Ryan Burke – LEE KUM Kee – Motivating the Fifth Generation
Entrepreneurship
  • Zachary Harshbarger – The Stink Box

The Office of Faculty Engagement congratulates all of the 2018 Maris Award recipients on their outstanding accomplishments. Their scholarship, creativity, and dedication embody the spirit of academic excellence and undergraduate research at Stetson University.

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Awards Faculty Accomplishments Faculty Awards Willa Dean Lowery Grant

Willa Dean Lowery Awards 2026

The Office of Faculty Engagement is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Willa Dean Lowery Fund to Support Research in the Natural Sciences. Established through the generosity of Dr. Willa Dean Lowery ’48, the fund supports innovative research projects that advance scientific discovery while providing meaningful opportunities for student engagement in research.

This year’s recipients represent a diverse range of disciplines across the natural sciences, with projects spanning cancer biology, environmental chemistry, ecology, exercise physiology, and microbiology.

The Office of Faculty Engagement congratulates the 2026 Willa Dean Lowery Award recipients and looks forward to the discoveries and student research opportunities that will emerge from these innovative projects. Their work exemplifies Stetson University’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge through faculty scholarship and undergraduate research engagement.

Dr. Roslyn Crowder, Associate Professor of Biology

Defining SINE2-Mediated Human Jurkat Leukemia Cell Growth Inhibition

Roslyn Crowder’s project investigates the role of SINE2 in regulating the growth of human Jurkat leukemia cells. By examining the molecular mechanisms involved in cell growth inhibition, this research seeks to improve our understanding of leukemia biology and identify potential pathways that may contribute to future therapeutic approaches.

Dr. Matthew Shannon, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry

Comparative Assessment of Chlorophyll a and Turbidity Across Distinct Florida Aquatic Systems

Matthew Shannon will examine relationships between chlorophyll a concentrations and turbidity in a variety of Florida aquatic environments. This study aims to provide valuable insight into water quality dynamics and ecosystem health, contributing to a better understanding of environmental conditions across diverse aquatic systems.

Dr. Candid0 Diaz, Assistant Professor of Biology

Prevalence and Diversity of Moth Pheromone Mimicry by Orb-Weaving Spiders

Candid0 Diaz and collaborator Ricky Coulson will investigate the extent to which orb-weaving spiders mimic moth pheromones to attract prey. By exploring the prevalence and diversity of this remarkable ecological strategy, the project will contribute to our understanding of predator-prey interactions and chemical communication in nature.

Dr. Drake Eserhaut, Assistant Professor of Health Sciences

Monitoring Yearlong Changes in Blood Lactate Thresholds and Skeletal Muscle Oxygen Saturation Kinetics in NCAA Division I Male and Female Rowers

Working alongside Matthew Schrager, Erica Goldstein, and Brian Benitez, Dr. Drake Eserhaut will investigate yearlong changes in blood lactate thresholds and skeletal muscle oxygen saturation kinetics among NCAA Division I male and female rowers. The project seeks to improve understanding of physiological adaptations to training and competition, providing valuable insight into factors that influence athletic performance and endurance development.

Dr. Jean Smith, Associate Professor of Biology

Genomic and Phenotypic Characterization of an Understudied Bacterial Species in the Oral Microbiome

Jean Smith’s research focuses on the genomic and phenotypic characteristics of a bacterial species that remains poorly understood within the oral microbiome. The project seeks to expand knowledge of microbial diversity and function, providing insights that may contribute to future studies of oral health and disease.

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Announcements Faculty Awards McEniry Awards

2026 William Hugh McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching

Congratulations to the recipient of the 2022 William Hugh McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching

Stetson University congratulates Dr. Randall Croom, Associate Professor of Management and Assistant Director of the Honors Program, on receiving the 2026 William Hugh McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching.

As Stetson University’s highest recognition for teaching excellence, the McEniry Award honors faculty members whose impact extends beyond the classroom through exceptional instruction, meaningful mentorship, and a lasting commitment to student success.

For Dr. Croom, that impact is reflected not only in what his students learn, but in how they grow under his guidance. Nominations from students, colleagues, and industry professionals consistently highlighted his ability to challenge students while providing unwavering support throughout their academic and professional journeys. As one student shared, “Of all the teachers I’ve had at Stetson, this professor has left the biggest impact on me, teaching real-world scenarios and adding wisdom that will guide me for the rest of my life.”

Another student emphasized the care and preparation Dr. Croom brings to every class, noting that “he truly and deeply cares about every single one of his students.” During the award presentation, these themes were captured through the image of a mentor who does more than teach—someone who walks alongside students and, in their most difficult moments, helps carry them forward.

Through his dedication to experiential learning, mentorship, and student development, Dr. Croom embodies the spirit of the McEniry Award and the values it celebrates.

Please join the faculty, staff, and students at Stetson University in congratulating Dr. Randall Croom on this well-deserved recognition and thanking him for his continued contributions to Stetson University and its students.

Dr. Randall Croom

Associate Professor of Management and Assistant Director of the Honors Program