SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Penn State Schuylkill students showcased their academic work across multiple disciplines during the fall 2025 Undergraduate Research Poster Conference, a semesterly event celebrating student research, scholarship, and experiential learning.
Students presented posters highlighting projects in biology, chemistry, nursing, criminal justice, history and communications. Faculty, staff and peers gathered in the Health and Wellness Building to learn about student-driven inquiry and the impact hands-on research has on academic and professional development.
“The poster conference gives our students the opportunity to communicate their work, build confidence and see themselves as emerging scholars,” said Mary Ann Smith, biology lecturer and chair of the Poster Symposium. “Each semester, we see outstanding projects that demonstrate curiosity, persistence and real-world relevance.”
Many of the participating students also competed in the semester poster competition, where projects are judged by faculty reviewers.
- Biology: Youssef Amin placed first for his poster on soil-based approaches to sustainable energy.
- Humanities: Lily Kreiser earned first place for her analysis of this year’s Super Bowl halftime show.
- Social Sciences: Paige Koch received first place for her research on soft crime.
Among this year’s presenters were third-year nursing students Morgan Lutzkanin and Brianna Tassone, who studied nurse staffing ratios and their effects on patient care and workforce well-being.
“We were surprised by how many nurses reported feeling understaffed during their shifts,” Lutzkanin said. “Doing this research helped us see how critical staffing is to patient safety.”
Tassone added, “As future nurses, we want the profession to continue improving. Every area of health care depends on nurses’ well-being, so understanding these challenges is essential.”
Third-year biology student Regan Kreitzer presented her research conducted under the mentorship of chemistry professor Lee Silverberg. This marks her second semester participating in undergraduate research.
“Research helps me connect what I’m learning in class to real lab experience,” Kreitzer said. “It strengthens my skills now and prepares me for my future career.”
Fourth-year corporate communication major Kacey Harper showcased two ongoing projects centered on cultural analysis through the lens of Taylor Swift.
“One project explores how people grow and change within relationships, and the other examines how women are portrayed in history,” Harper said. “There’s so much you can learn by studying cultural figures. Research opens your eyes to new perspectives, and you grow from that.”
Biology student Youssef Amin presented two posters — one on gene annotation, completed with fellow students Jonah Zias and Ashton Owens, and one examining soil-based approaches to sustainable energy.
“I love research and try to take on as many projects as I can,” Amin said. “It challenges you to ask questions, solve problems and really understand what’s happening at the scientific level.”
As the fall semester concludes, the Undergraduate Research Poster Conference continues to affirm Penn State Schuylkill’s commitment to hands-on learning and academic discovery.
“Student research enhances every part of the educational experience,” Smith said. “We’re proud of what our students accomplish, and we’re excited to see where their curiosity takes them next.”
Learn more about undergraduate research at Penn State Schuylkill.