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 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 inSaccharomyces 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 inPalaemonetes paludosusAcross 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.
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 onEruca sativain a Nutrient Film Technique System
Avery Brooks – The Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Seedling Growth ofArnoglossum 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 ofBorrelia burgdorferiin 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 ofBorrelia burgdorferiPresent 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 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.
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.
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 ofCeratophyllum demersumandHydrilla 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.
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.
