Student researchers put UTA on national stage

(Press-News.org) University of Texas at Arlington biochemistry major Debby Sunday showcased her research at a recent American Chemistry Society conference at East Texas A&M in Commerce. Her findings on photosynthesizers and bacteria earned second place in the undergraduate competition.

“This was the first research conference I ever attended, and my experience was very educational,” said Sunday, a graduate of Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield. “Other chemists from across the metroplex presented their various research, from inorganic chemistry to physical chemistry to biochemistry. Not only did I learn about their work, but I also learned how to be a better presenter and how to really know your audience when presenting individual research.”

Sunday is one of several UT Arlington students who have attended professional conferences and shared their original research thanks to support from UTA’s Office of Undergraduate Research, which helps students participate in hands-on learning experiences.

“I was able to be confident in my ability to share my work with others and answer questions in a way that was straightforward to understand,” Sunday added.

Related: UT Arlington prioritizes undergraduate research to ensure student success

Ope Oyeyemi presented her study’s findings on mindfulness and anxiety at the Southwestern Psychological Association Convention in Little Rock, Arkansas. Sadid Morshed shared his research on plastic waste recycling with laboratory scientists at the Pittcon Conference in Boston. Jenny Nguyen and Bao Nhi Nguyen showcased their medicinal chemistry research at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Meeting in Chicago. 

“By allowing a select group of students to showcase their original research at conferences with attendees from around the world, we were able to provide our researchers with opportunities to network with future collaborators, talk to possible employers and experience firsthand what it would be like to be a professional researcher,” said Kayunta Johnson-Winters, director of undergraduate research at UTA and an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry. “This type of experiential learning beyond the classroom is critical for students.”

Oyeyemi, a graduate of Frontier High School in Mansfield, focused her presentation on how just one mindfulness session can reduce exam anxiety among students.

“This is a project I’m really passionate about, and I think it has real potential to create tools that can truly help people—especially other students—so it was really exciting to showcase my work,” she said.

Related: Prestigious research award goes to 23 UTA scholars

Morshed, who attended Notre Dame College in Dhaka, Bangladesh, before coming to UTA, said attending the Pittcon analytical chemistry conference was a unique and valuable experience.

“Attending such a large conference allowed me to engage with researchers in the field, present my work and receive valuable feedback from faculty and peers,” Morshed said. “I especially appreciated the chance to learn about emerging techniques and connect with researchers exploring similar study areas.”

About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 41,000, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.

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