Undergraduate Research Day
Thomas E. Helm Undergraduate Research Day - April 15, 2026
Thomas E. Helm Undergraduate Research Day provides a public, university-wide forum for showcasing undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity. Students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to submit their faculty-mentored research, projects, or creative activity. Submissions may be either completed or in-progress. Monetary awards are given to the top presentations in each category.
Go to听PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES听& ABSTRACT SUBMISSION to review the Guidelines for Participation and to submit your abstract using the link at the bottom of the page.
By submitting abstracts, all participants acknowledge that they have read and accepted the Guidelines for Participation and that their research meets protocols for human, animal, and radiological research. All presenters also permit the release of photographs taken of them and their work on the day of presentation.听
Submit your abstrcts at or scan the QR code down bellow.
If you have any questions, please email URD-g@wiu.edu
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10:00am - 11:00pm: Podium Presentations, University Union Lincoln Room
11:00am -1:30pm: Poster Presentations, University Union Grand Ballroom
11:00am:听President Kristi Mindrup and Provost Mark Mossman will welcome students and guests, University Union Grand Ballroom.听
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2025 Winners
Podium Competition
First Place: Olivia Rueschhoff, of Manito, IL, with faculty mentors Dinesh Ekanayake and Amy Ekanayake, Mathematics 鈥� 鈥淪haping the Future: Education, Economy, and Policy Influence Life Expectancy and Fertility鈥�
Project Abstract
Second Place: Ariana Sanchez of St. Charles, IL, with faculty mentor, Kristine Kelly, Psychology 鈥� 鈥淐omparing White Fragility Across Three Measures鈥�
Project Abstract
Third Place: Emma Evans, of Keokuk, IA, with faculty mentors Amy Ekanayake and Dinesh Ekanayake, Mathematics 鈥� 鈥淪hark attacks and the story they reveal鈥�
Project AbstractPoster Competition
First Place: Payton Wiggins, of Batavia, IL, with faculty mentor John Determan, Forensic Chemistry 鈥� 鈥淭he Use of Silica Nanoparticles as Biosensors for the Detection of Illicit Drugs鈥�
Project Abstract
Second Place: Anvith Devarashetty, of United Arab Emirates, with faculty mentor, Leslie Melim, Geology 鈥� 鈥淧etrographic Comparison of Torosites with New Samples from Shoveleater Cave, WV鈥�
Project Abstract
Third Place: Owen Beck, of Good Hope, IL, with Brian Bellott, Chemistry 鈥� 鈥淪olid State Synthesis of Athabascaite (Cu5Se4)鈥�
Project Abstract
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