USD Announces 2025 Undergraduate Research Award Winners
Presented by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, the Undergraduate Research Awards are presented annually to recognize undergraduate students who have completed distinguished and exceptional research. Students who present research at USD’s IdeaFest are automatically nominated for the award; a multi-disciplinary group of faculty and staff from across campus then reviews the submissions and selects the final 12 recipients.
The 12 students who received an Undergraduate Research Award, in addition to a $500 cash prize, include the following.
- Haya Al Shraideh, “Synaptic Pruning and Cognitive Efficiency: Exploring the Impact on Brain Functioning"
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Olivia Allen, “Mechanism of Action of first-in-class Fully Human Anti-ThymoGlobulin Experimental Drug (SAB-142) as a Treatment Option for Type 1 Diabetes”
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Ella Dockendorf, “Injury Alters Sensory, Motor, and Integrative Elements Underlying Conflict Avoidance Conditioning in the Medicinal Leech”
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Breanne Dunn, Shanae Bergt, “Video Chat Interactions Can Increase Closeness Among Grandparents and Grandchildren”
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Ariana Edwards, “Subcellular Localization of ATG2 in WDR45 C52 C>T Mouse Brains Modeling the Neurodevelopmental Disorder Beta-Propeller Protein-Associated Neurodegeneration (BPAN)”
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Leyli Mammedowa, “Variation in Metabolic Rates, Tissue Masses, and Mitochondrial Function in Response to Fluctuating Cold in House Sparrows”
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Sam Markley, “Wrapped in the American Flag: Liberal Activism and Queer Political Organizing Post-1940s”
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Manish Rayamajhi, “Enhancing Orthopedic Implant Performance: Chitosan-Coated Titanium Screw for Biofilm Resistance and Mechanical Stability While Promoting the Osseointegration”
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Kate Schraufnagel, “Veratridine Lessens Cell Migration and Spheroid Formation in Colon Cancer in a P53-Independent Manner”
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Phoebe Smith, “Cowboy Image, Homomasculinity, and Community Building at the Gay Rodeo”
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Katherine Thompson, Hector Gallardo-Duarte, “Child Wellbeing Alternative Break – Dallas, Texas”
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Elizabeth Wiggins, “The Knutson Legacy”
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