July 21, 2025, at the Illinois Conference Center
The Illinois Summer Research Symposium is the culminating program that features the cutting-edge research, achievement, and creativity by our summer scholars. Nearly 140 scholars will present research that has been developed through the mentorship and training of faculty members from across a variety of disciplines.
Schedule of Events
8:30 – 9:00 Check-in & Continental Breakfast for Registered Attendees– Heritage Hall 2
9:00 – 9:15 Opening Remarks – Heritage Hall 2
9:30 – 10:30 Session 1: Poster Presentations – various
10:00 – 12:00 Professional Headshots for Registered Attendees – Lincoln Room
10:45 – 11:45 Session 2: Research Talks – various
12:00 – 1:15 Lunch for Registered Attendees – Heritage Hall 2
1:30 – 2:30 Session 3: Poster Presentations – various
1:30 – 4:00 Professional Headshots for Registered Attendees – Lincoln Room
2:45 – 3:45 Session 4: Research Talks – various
4:00 – 5:00 Session 5: Poster Presentations – various
5:00 – 5:30 EMERGE Lightning Talks – Alma Mater
5:30 – 6:00 Break
6:00 – 6:45 Dinner for Registered Attendees
6:45 – 7:30 Awards Ceremony – Heritage Hall 2
2025 Participating Programs
AREES - Alliance for Research Enterprise Excellence in STEM
MATRIX-UNI - Molecule Maker Lab Institute Advancing Talent and Research through Interdisciplinary Excellence in AI and Chemistry in the University
McNair - TRiO Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
POETS - Power Optimization of Electro-Thermal Systems
PRI - Prairie Research Institute Internship
REACH Program - Research & Education for the Advancement of Compassionate Healthcare
SCI-STEMA - Southern & Central Illinois STEM Alliance
SPI - Summer Predoctoral Institute
SROP at Illinois - Summer Research Opportunities Program for Undergraduates at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
SROP at UIC - Summer Research Opportunities Program for Undergraduates at the University of Illinois Chicago
SURE Tox - Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Toxicology at the University of Illinois
2024 ISRS Award Winners
Graduate Research Talks
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1st Place: Florence Adibu
From Dependents to Providers: Exploring the Stories of African Immigrant Youth Navigating American Healthcare During COVID-19 and Beyond
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2nd Place: Kass Gonzalez
Is Your Trust Weatherproof?: Disability Preparedness and Support Before and After Disasters
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3rd Place: Cade Boggan
Experimental Battery Cell Characterization Validation for Electric Aircraft Simulation
Undergraduate Research Talks
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1st Place: Athena Thai
Challenges to Implementing Trauma-Informed Practices: Serving Students of Color in School-Based Settings
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2nd Place: Esmerelda Lopez
Examining the Association between Mentorship and University Belonging among Latinx First-Generation College Students at a Hispanic Serving Institution
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3rd Place: Janel Dawson
To Speak or to Die: The Resurrection of Robert Charles
Undergraduate Poster Presentations
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1st Place: Jaiden Curlin
Quantifying Exposure of Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid on Striatal and Hippocampal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in CD-1 Mice
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2nd Place: Nathan Batres
Utilizing a Lean Management Approach to Influence Production in a Multilingual, High-Growth Food Company
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3rd Place: Shanon Jordan
Understanding the Benefits of Black Educators for Black Students
Highlights from ISRS 2024
