Research event that benefits students in numerous ways sees record-breaking participation this year 

Student research at Pittsburg State is making a real-world impact — from public health and housing to sustainable materials. At the same time, it’s empowering them to become the next generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and leaders. 

They display it in an annual showcase called the Research Colloquium, which allows students and faculty to share ideas, celebrate discoveries, and explore new perspectives. 

This year, research by nearly 160 students — the highest number of participants in the past decade — was on display. 

“We proudly witnessed record-breaking participation, reflecting an extraordinary level of academic engagement and enthusiasm,” said Associate Vice President of Research and Support Ram Gupta. 

Their research ranged from the distribution of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Southeast Kansas parks, to the use of bio-based composite materials to enhance mechanical strength and improve flame retardancy, to the economic factors that are shaping U.S. housing affordability. 

For the university, Gupta said, the event highlights the vibrant research culture and intellectual curiosity thriving across departments. For the students, it sharpens essential skills like public speaking, critical thinking, and effective communication — all vital for future professional and academic success. 

Interests were diverse:  

• David Mendez of St. Mary’s Colgan High School presented his findings on the effect of music on children’s development.
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• Maya Craven of Joplin High School presented her findings on how the use of sheep wool pellets — a discarded item — could be used to aid water conservation in areas of drought.
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• History major Makenzie Coomes outlined the factors that contributed to the success of the university under the leadership of President William A. Brandenburg.  
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• And Biology major Rylan Mason summarized her work to document native and non-native plants in Bates County, Missouri — an under-surveyed region where she found 36 county records.
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“This is a space where mentorship flourishes, creativity thrives, and students are empowered to become the next generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and leaders,” Gupta said of the event. 

Winners are chosen by more than 20 esteemed judges for poster presentations and oral presentations in high school undergraduate, and graduate levels in several categories, including Science & Technology; Business, Education, & Humanities; Creative Works; and Topical Literature Review.  

Overall poster presentation winners 

Graduate:  

• Josh Ortolani (Synergistic Long-Term Protection of Inorganic and Polymer Hybrid Coatings for Free-Dendrite Zinc Anodes)
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• Dharmikkumar Patel (Mechanically Robust, Self-Healing, and Reprocessable Geraniol Based Epoxy Vitrimer by Dynamic Boronic Ester Bonds) 
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Undergraduate: 

• Jayme Barkley (Hyperbranched Polyesters Containing Natural Antibacterial Compounds)  

High School:  

• Christian Cavener (A Novel Analysis of the Redshift Dependence of the Masses of the Supermassive Black Holes of a Sample of Quasars)
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Overall oral presentation winners 

Graduate:  

• Khadija Ceesay (Beyond the Poster: Unveiling the Realities of War and the Trauma of Soldiers in Literature from WWI to Vietnam) 
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Undergraduate:  

• Trevor Bohnenblust (Market Augmentation of the U.S. Soybean Crush Spread)
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Gupta said the work of all student participants was invaluable. 

"Their engagement and commitment continue to inspire us all,” he said.

Learn more 

READ THE COMPLETE LIST OF PROJECTS

Read about the Research Colloquium