Gordon State College’s annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, held April 22 in the Instructional Complex, experienced significant growth in 2026, more than doubling participation and showcasing a wide range of student-led research across disciplines.

The symposium featured podium presentations, poster sessions and an awards ceremony, drawing 50 student participants and 26 research presentations. In comparison, the 2025 symposium included 16 students and 11 presentations, marking a substantial increase in both participation and academic output.

“This year’s [URS] was truly a magical event,” said Dr. Cori Newton, associate professor of biology and symposium coordinator. “The large number of research projects and the variety of disciplines represented made this one of our most exciting symposiums to date.”

Students presented projects across a broad spectrum of fields, including astronomy, chemistry, nursing, English and literature, physics, business, ecology, engineering, education and biology. Presentations ranged from innovative engineering prototypes to studies addressing public health, environmental conservation and workforce trends.

Caleb Terry of Rockdale County earned top honors in the podium presentations for his research on a soft-body robotic system designed for agricultural use. His faculty mentor was Dr. Andy Osborne, professor of chemistry. George Patrick Czick of Coweta County and Logan Chase Fagin of Spalding County were named runners-up for their presentation exploring media literacy through collaborative editing and analysis. Their faculty mentor was Dr. David Janssen, professor of English.

Coming off her third-place finish at the 2026 USG Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, Danielle Gibson earned first place in the poster presentations for her project on copper electroplating technology designed to improve equine hoof health. Her faculty mentor was Dr. Osborne.

Runner-up honors in the poster category were awarded for a project examining myoglobin levels in the skeletal muscles of Florida manatees. The project was presented by Lauren Dudley of Butts County, Alexys Gibson of Upson County, and Madison Norrell and Taylor Preston, both of Henry County. Their faculty mentor was Dr. Newton.

Highlights from the symposium included a student-led journal and podcast exploring media literacy and a study examining the impact of the anti-vaccine movement on public health. Poster presentations contributed to the event’s energy, with projects exploring topics such as biodiversity research and healthcare workforce trends.

The symposium continues to serve as a platform for students to apply classroom knowledge through research, analysis and presentation. Faculty mentors played a key role in guiding students through the research process and supporting the development of their projects.

The success of the URS is driven by a dedicated committee of faculty members who lead the planning and execution of the event each year. Chaired by Dr. Newton, the committee includes Dr. Alan Burstein, professor of business; Dr. Janssen; Dr. Stephen Powers, professor of English; and Melanie Mertz, associate professor of nursing.