Student researchers shine at 5th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium
Monday, April 27, 2026
Media Contact: Sydney Trainor | OSU Brand Management | 405-744-9782 | sydney.trainor@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University undergraduate students don’t have to wait for their graduate thesis or doctoral dissertation to show their findings.
They are the ones driving discovery.
The 5th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium brought together approximately 350 students who presented 307 research projects, underscoring the continued growth and impact of undergraduate research at OSU.
The event showcased how undergraduate researchers transform hands-on experiences into original research, creative work and real-world solutions — highlighting the high-impact, faculty-mentored learning that defines OSU’s land-grant mission.
Held at the ConocoPhillips Alumni Center on April 21, the symposium featured student work spanning all academic disciplines, with undergraduates sharing what they learned through their research experiences with the OSU campus community.
Students presented their work through poster sessions, oral flash talks and creative presentations, engaging faculty, peers and community members in conversations that reflected both the depth and variety of OSU research.
“If you’re involved in undergraduate research at Oklahoma State University, you’re one of the lucky ones,” said Dr. Kenneth Sewell, vice president for research. “You’re at a top-tier, high-research, land-grant university that truly values undergraduate contributions, where faculty see you as partners in discovery, not just students.
“More importantly, you’ve crossed a line many never do, moving from learning what others have discovered to creating new knowledge yourself, work that will shape future research, ideas and understanding.”
Kamry Hansen is a senior with her mind set on a career in the medical field. Undergraduate research at OSU allowed her to explore topics like astrology and opened her eyes to a whole new world.
At the URS, Hansen presented her poster titled: “Mapping the Milky Way: The Classification and Discovery of Extrasolar Planets.”
“One of the biggest benefits was getting to explore topics I never thought I’d be interested in. I didn’t expect to be drawn to something like astrology or thinking about its future impacts, but once I started researching it, I was like, wow — this is actually really cool. It made me excited to talk about something I wasn’t familiar with before,” Hansen said.
“That’s kind of the beauty of research; you get to explore things you never would have considered coming in. It can even shift your perspective or make you pivot a little ... experiences like this show you there are other paths or ways to combine your interests.”
The symposium included representation from all academic colleges across the Stillwater campus, as well as two applied research institutes — the Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute and the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education.
This year’s event also introduced a visual arts session, where students presented artwork inspired by what is seen when materials are magnified under high-powered microscopes at the atomic level.
“It’s taught me that success comes through a lot of failure,” said Abram Smith, a Freshman Research Scholar in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. “For example, the motor we used went through three different iterations, which meant redesigning the mounting piece and the electrical system each time. I’ve failed more times than I’ve succeeded, but that’s how we ended up with something that actually works. You learn to push through those setbacks and not give up.”
As OSU continues to expand undergraduate research opportunities, the symposium stands as a showcase of student-driven discovery and the university’s broader commitment to preparing graduates who think critically, communicate effectively and contribute meaningfully to their fields.