Student Research Symposium 2025: More than 100 students across disciplines showcase original projects

The SUNY New Paltz Student Research Symposium returned for its 31st year to celebrate the power of academic discovery on Friday, May 2, showcasing a wide range of original research & creative activity by undergraduate students who collaborated with faculty mentors across disciplines this year.  

The Symposium featured 69 presentations by 110 students in 15 academic departments, covering material from disaster mental health to ornithology. Use this link to view the full Symposium program. 

“These projects give opportunities outside the classroom to learn something,” said Ken Nystrom, professor of anthropology and director of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities (RSCA). “You learn things that are transferrable to other fields.”  

Students who presented found that being a part of these unique experiences indeed broadened their skillset and horizons. 

“Without this project, I don’t know if I would have had opportunities to speak publicly,” said Leeza Pantano ‘25 (Psychology), who had previously presented her study of volunteer motivation at the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference. “This endeavor has been a master class in public speaking, and it’s been exciting for me.”  

“When I first came to New Paltz, I wanted to be a therapist, but now I’ve found a home on the research side of psychology,” said Nadia Dasi Tamayo ‘26 (Psychology), who conducted her work as a member of the University’s Evolutionary Studies Lab. 

By participating in research at the undergraduate level, New Paltz students gain skills that can be applied in academia and in many other professional fields. They also create opportunities for themselves to propose innovative solutions to contemporary issues. 

“It was interesting to tackle a real-world problem while learning how to conduct experiments for the first time,” said Alisha Mokal ‘26 (Biochemistry), who worked with Chemistry faculty Preeti Dhar and Aaron Haselton to investigate the potential of Saussurea lappa – a species of thistle native to India, China and Pakistan – to be harnessed in a plant-based insecticide.  

The Symposium is also an affirmation that students in all disciplines can pursue research – even in fields that may not be traditionally associated with science. The Department of Theatre Arts, always well represented at this event, provided the basis for one such study with their February production of “Spies are Forever.” 

“My research was largely based around creating a rehearsal space where people feel they can have fun while being productive,” said Barclay Travis ‘25 (Theatre Arts), who directed that show. “Having this showcase so people can see all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into a theatre production is valuable.” 

The RSCA Advisory Board also continued its annual tradition of recognizing an exceptional faculty mentor at the Symposium, honoring their dedication to the often time-intensive work of guiding students in an open-ended project. This year’s Faculty Mentor Award went to Associate Professor of Psychology Doug Maynard.  

Projects at the 2025 Student Research Symposium were sponsored by grants from the Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity program, which support travel costs, supplies and more for faculty-mentored student endeavors. Learn more here.