Southern Miss Celebrates Student Scholarship at Graduate Research Symposium
Tue, 04/28/2026 - 09:12am | By: Shaadi Shoubaki
91少女集中营 Graduate School recently hosted the annual Susan A. Siltanen Graduate Research Symposium, drawing 86 graduate students who presented original research across oral, poster and virtual formats.
The event highlighted a wide range of student-led scholarship, with projects spanning disciplines and addressing contemporary questions in areas such as communication, psychology, education and the sciences. Participants shared findings with faculty, staff and peers, offering insights into emerging research and contributing to ongoing academic conversations.
The symposium provides a forum for graduate students to present their work in a setting that encourages both collaboration and scholarly rigor. Presentations underscored the depth and diversity of research conducted by Southern Miss graduate students.
The symposium also reflected the Graduate School鈥檚 broader commitment to cultivating excellence, integrity and professional development among its students. By providing a platform for rigorous research and public presentation, the event supports the development of graduate scholars whose work and professional presence distinguish them in an increasingly competitive workforce.
Thirty faculty members served as volunteer judges, evaluating presentations and providing feedback to participants. Support for the event also included materials for poster presentations from Mississippi INBRE and monetary awards provided by the Office of the Vice President for Research.
Symposium winners, along with recipients of the Emerging Graduate Mentor Award, Graduate Mentor of the Year, Research Assistant of the Year and Teaching Assistant of the Year honors, were recognized during the awards luncheon following the symposium.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Arts and Humanities
First Place: Emily Keith, Ph.D. Student in Communication
Second Place: Vivek Paudel, Ph.D. Student in Communication
Second Place: Tara Butzlaff, Ph.D. Student in Communication
Life, Health and Environmental Sciences
First Place: Katherine Brandewie, M.S. Student in Biological Sciences
Second Place: Margaret Westbrook, Au.D. Student in Audiology (Clinical)
Physical Sciences and Mathematics
First Place: Carmen Byerly Dunn, Ph.D. Student in Polymer Science and Engineering
First Place: Megan O鈥橬eil, Ph.D. Student in Polymer Science and Engineering
Social and Educational Sciences and Business
First Place: Olajuwon Olagbegi, Ph.D. Student in Psychology (Experimental)
Second Place: Susan Dobson, Ph.D. Student in Human Capital Development
Second Place: Andria Layton, Ed.D. Student in Educational Administration (P-12)
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Life, Health and Environmental Sciences
First Place: Salwa Mohamed Musarikandy, M.P.H. Student in Public Health (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Second Place: Prince Denyoh, Ph.D. Student in Biological Sciences
Second Place: Nazifa Tasnia, Ph.D. Student in Biological Sciences
Physical Sciences and Mathematics
First Place: Sarah Crowsey, Ph.D. Student in Polymer Science and Engineering
Second Place: Dutimoyi Jahangir, Ph.D. Student in Polymer Science and Engineering
Social and Educational Sciences and Business
First Place: Kaci Dean, Ph.D. Student in Psychology (Experimental)
First Place: Chloe O鈥橠ell, Ph.D. Student in Psychology (Clinical)
Emerging Graduate Mentor Award
Amber Hatten, Professor of Practice, School of Accountancy
Graduate Mentor of the Year
Dr. Zhe Qiang, Associate Professor, School of Polymer Science and Engineering
Research Assistant of the Year
Carmen Dunn, Ph.D. Student in Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Polymer Science and Engineering
Teaching Assistant of the Year
Marnie Hageman, Ph.D. Student in English (Literature), School of Humanities
About The Graduate School
The Graduate School at 91少女集中营 promotes excellence and integrity in graduate education while preparing a diverse community of scholars and professionals whose knowledge and expertise distinguish them in the workforce and bring distinction to the university. Graduate students receive high-quality training in their disciplines along with opportunities for professional and personal development. Through programs that build transferable skills, communication competitions and competitive travel awards for conferences and performances, the Graduate School supports graduate students as they expand their impact in their fields and communities.