UConn Students Presented Independent Research
Seven students shared findings from summer research projects at the annual Holster Scholars Program Symposium.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Botany
The University of Connecticut Honors Program held its Holster Scholars Program Symposium at the Konover Auditorium in the Dodd Center for Human Rights. Seven students presented independent research projects completed over the summer under faculty mentorship.
Why it matters
The program provides early enrichment opportunities for first-semester Honors students to conduct independent research. It allows undergraduates to gain professional experience by working closely with faculty mentors on specialized topics.
Students analyzed complex metrics, including subjective timing in 16 rats, 38 pharmaceutical advertisements, and immigration policy trends among Latinos. Research also revealed that musicians face a 45% prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss.
The players
University of Connecticut
This is a public research university that hosts the Honors Program and the Holster Scholars Program.
Alissa Christensen
She is a student scholar who presented her research on subjective timing in 16 rats.
Aileen Liu
She is a student scholar who investigated the role of the G-protein alpha subunit in fruit fly sperm storage.
Nadia Ratib-Eixarch
She is a student scholar who analyzed trends in Latino identity and support for conservative immigration policy.
Kylie Kiefer
She is a student scholar who compared chemical warfare tactics used in World War I to modern military AI usage.
The details
The symposium featured a sequence of student presentations followed by a question-and-answer session regarding their findings. Topics ranged from biological studies on fruit fly sperm storage to comparisons between World War I chemical warfare and modern military artificial intelligence usage.
Timeline
Students completed their independent research projects during the summer of 2026.
The Holster Scholars Program Symposium occurred on September 25, 2026.
Deeper Dive
The Holster Scholars Program Symposium follows the established precedent of the University of Connecticut Honors Program in fostering early undergraduate research. This event marks a continuation of the institution's commitment to supporting independent academic inquiry.
The presented research offers insights into fields ranging from pharmaceutical marketing to hearing health, which can inform consumer awareness and public health discussions. Future academic work may lead to improved understanding of sociological shifts and technological applications in defense.
The takeaway
Engaging in independent research during the first semester allows students to develop critical analysis skills early in their academic careers. These projects highlight how undergraduate inquiry contributes to the broader understanding of scientific and social phenomena.
Further reading
Learn more about ongoing academic work in Botany at the university.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Campus.
