OSU students present at biannual World Congress for Undergraduate Research

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Media Contact: Harrison Hill | Senior Research Communications Specialist | 405-744-5827 | harrison.c.hill@okstate.edu

Three Oklahoma State University undergraduate students recently had the opportunity to present their research at the World Congress for Undergraduate Research in Coventry, England.

The symposium brings together undergraduate students from all over the world to present and compare research on global issues. The conference took place at the University of Warwick from April 4-6. 

Latasha Tasci, program manager of in the Office of Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research at OSU, believes the WCUR opens several doors for the students who attended.  

“It’s an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students to share their research with a broad audience,” Tasci said, “And an extra perk that they are able to explore a new location at the same time.”

The three OSU students in attendance were nutritional sciences major Juliana Arndt, microbiology and molecular genetics major Camren Branch, and microbiology and cell and molecular biology major Kaitlyn Cotton. 

Arndt researched the preventive effects of red ginseng on an aging hallmark senescence. Branch focused on enteric neurons' ability to promote homeostatic recovery from intestinal tissue inflammation in irritable bowel disease. 

“The opportunity to meet and have intellectual conversations with people from all around the world was incredible,” Arndt said. “Experiences like these are vital for the development of undergraduate students as they broaden one's perspective of the world.”

Cotton said that once she heard about the conference, it was a no-brainer for her to register. 

“I was eager to apply and get the chance to speak with fellow researchers from all over the world,” Cotton said. “I also was excited to learn about the research that others across many different fields and countries were involved in.”

Cotton’s research focused on how novel organoantimony compounds can be used as antifungal drugs. She measured the antifungal activity of the compounds against fungi and used electron microscopy to look at their RNA sequencing. Finally, she tested their effectiveness through in-vivo injections into Galleria mellonella, or as it is commonly known, the greater wax moth.  

“We got to discuss our research with each other, give insight into each other’s projects and discuss many of the other researchers in our rather small field,” Cotton said. “It was so surprising to run into someone who does the same niche research as me.”

Aside from all the research presented, Cotton said it was a great networking experience with other researchers, recalling meeting students who compiled similar research to her.

“Presenting my research at WorldCUR was an amazing experience. Not only did I get to share my research with others, but I also benefited by hearing the many questions and ideas regarding my project that were shared by other researchers around the world,” Cotton said.

Story By: Sam Milek | smilek@okstate.edu