OSU-Tulsa announces winners of inaugural Student Research Day

OSU-Tulsa announces winners of inaugural Student Research Day

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Media Contact: Aaron Campbell | OSU-Tulsa Communications Coordinator | 918-899-4960 | [email protected]

Oklahoma State University-Tulsa recognized the top student presenters from its first-ever Student Research Day, held Nov. 12. The event featured 21 posters representing original research, creative projects and applied studies from Tulsa-based students in a diversity of disciplines.

Students presented their work to faculty and staff judges who evaluated each project on six criteria: clarity and conciseness, accessibility for non-specialists, visual design, communication and the ability to respond thoughtfully to questions, effective use of space and presenter confidence.

2025 Student Research Day winners

1st Place - Steven Yon, doctoral student, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

• Project: "Helicopter Landing on Naval Ship Deck"
• Authors: Steven Wilson, Bipin Kafle and Khaled Sallam
• Faculty mentor: Dr. Khaled Sallam

2nd Place - Kalynn Geranen, undergraduate student, Psychology

• Project: "The Role of Childhood Adversity and Protective Factors on Adulthood Anxiety Symptoms"
• Authors: Kalynn Geranen, Elizabeth Winn, April Anderson, Melissa Dobson, Jennifer N.H. Watrous, Jens E. Jespersen, Jennifer Hays-Grudo and Amanda Sheffield Morris
• Faculty mentor: Dr. Amanda Morris

3rd Place - Zachary Atkinson, master's student, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

• Project: "An Aerodynamic Modeling Framework for a Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with Flight-Test Validation"
• Author: Zachary Atkinson
• Faculty mentor: Dr. Anthony Comer

Honorable Mention - Emerson Reichert (Undergraduate Student, Psychology)

• Project Title: Childhood Adversity and Adulthood Protective Factors in Trait Hope Scores
• Author/s: Emerson D.B. Reichert, Landon S. Edwards, & Kara L. Kerr
• Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kara Kerr

OSU-Tulsa leaders said Student Research Day reflects a growing research culture on campus and supports the university's commitment to hands-on learning. The event welcomed all forms of student inquiry, from thesis and doctoral work to applied class projects and emerging ideas.

"One of the most encouraging parts of this event was seeing such a wide range of work," said Hope Geiger, director of Academic Affairs and Graduate Student Services. "Some students presented thesis or doctoral research, others shared projects developed for a class and some used this as a chance to explore emerging ideas. No matter where they are in their academic journey, participating in a research showcase helps students learn to communicate their thinking clearly, connect their work to real-world questions and build confidence in sharing ideas with people outside their field. Those skills matter in every profession, not just in research-focused careers."

Judges noted the high caliber of submissions and said selecting only three award recipients was a challenge.

"We're proud of every student who stepped forward to share their work," said Dr. Craig Freeman, vice provost and dean, OSU College of Professional Studies. "Their willingness to participate - whether they're pursuing graduate research or developing ideas in an undergraduate course - speaks to the curiosity and determination we see across our campus. I'm equally grateful for the faculty and staff who encourage students to take part in opportunities like this. Events like Student Research Day reflect the broad range of learners we serve and the strong support system that helps them succeed."

For a full list of Student Research Day participants and more information on their research, visit the OSU-Tulsa research webpage.