Category: Activity

The Office of Faculty Engagement recognizes the 2020 Stetson Showcase, held under extraordinary circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Originally planned as a campus-wide celebration of undergraduate research, scholarship, innovation, and creativity, Showcase 2020 was set to feature nearly 250 student presentations representing every school and college at Stetson University. Although the in-person event could not take place, the commitment of Stetson’s students and faculty ensured that undergraduate research and creative work continued to be celebrated through virtual presentations and online exhibitions.

The 2020 theme, “Vision,” reflected Stetson’s commitment to engaged learning, creativity, interdisciplinary exploration, and undergraduate research. Artwork created by students Reeva Licht and Cameron Gerstenslager was selected to represent the theme, capturing the optimism and breadth of opportunities available through a Stetson education.

Despite the challenges of the year, Showcase 2020 demonstrated the resilience of the Stetson community and reinforced the university’s dedication to undergraduate scholarship. The experiences of 2020 also informed future planning, leading to the development of strategies for supporting virtual research presentations when needed.

The Office of Faculty Engagement thanks the Undergraduate Research Committee, faculty mentors, staff, student interns, and all participating students whose efforts ensured that the spirit of Showcase endured during an unprecedented year.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.