Lincoln Memorial University recognized the achievements of student and faculty researchers during its 2026 Research Awards on April 22 at the Cumberland Gap Convention Center.
The Undergraduate Student Researcher of the Year Awards were presented to Terri Hardy for arts and Josie Short for sciences.
Hardy received the arts award for work examining how cultural narratives shape Appalachian identity. Through archival research and digital storytelling, the project explored folklore, place-making and regional memory in Southern Appalachia.
The sciences award was presented to Short for research conducted in Costa Rica that investigated habitat complexity and biodiversity. The work, sponsored by an Appalachian College Association Ledford Award, has been described as advanced and publishable and has contributed to ongoing ecological research.
“This event reflects the collaborative spirit that defines research at Lincoln Memorial University,” said Natalie Sweet, executive director of the Office of Research, Grants and Sponsored Programs. “The work recognized demonstrates how mentorship, interdisciplinary scholarship and student initiative come together to address complex issues in meaningful ways.”
Congratulations to the following winners from LMU Research Day 2026:
Biological and Conservation Sciences (undergraduate)
Simon Fillers and David Zuwerink — “American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)”
Biological and Conservation Sciences with Health Implications (undergraduate)
Natalie Johnson and Barbara Shock — “Rickettsia spp.”
Biomedical and Medical Science (graduate)
Ilsa Saeed, Stan Kunigelis and Joseph Kennedy — “Optimizing Wnt Canonical Pathways Detection by Immunofluorescence in the Estuarine Copepod Labidocera aestiva: APC Mutation Studies”
Business (graduate)
Jenae Matikke — “The Relationship of Organizational Culture to Small Business Employees’ Attitudes Toward Artificial Intelligence”
Chemical and Physical Science (undergraduate)
Jonathan Dianas and Thomas Shell — “Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of a Fluorinated Derivative of Apremilast”
Chemical and Physical Science with Health Implications (undergraduate)
Seth Begley — “Synthesis of a Light-Activated SN38-Vitamin B12 Conjugate for Localized Cancer Therapy”
Education (graduate)
William Fritts — “Patterns, Causes and Interventions: A Data Analysis of Chronic Absenteeism in a Public Primary School”
Health Professions (undergraduate)
Kassidy Robinson, Nicholas A. Carlini, Matthew P. Harber and Bradley S. Fleenor — “Association Between Cardiometabolic Health Score and Arterial Stiffness in Apparently Healthy Adults”
Humanities (undergraduate)
Terri Hardy — “Folklore as Geography: How Do Cultural Narratives Shape Place”
Interdisciplinary (veterinary/dentistry)
Ashley Cottone, Keely Seiter, Brinley Thomas, Nathan Schank, Michelle Wulf, Lynda Miller, Stacy Anderson, Ashutosh Verma, Ammaar Abidi and Modar Kassan — “The Importance of Prebiotics in Managing Colic in Horses”
Osteopathic Medicine (graduate)
Samuel Ebner and Jeanette Toney — “Vaginal Delivery Through a Lateral Bucket-Handle Cervical Laceration”
Psychology (graduate)
Alexa Skoubas and Savannah Campbell — “Stumbling Yet Persevering: A Survey of First-Gens and Student-Athletes”
Social Sciences (undergraduate)
Reagan Oliver — “Examining the Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST): Limitations and Adaptations”
Underserved Communities (graduate)
Anna Stanton, Amalie Kugajevsky, Nicole Sejas and Raha Beigi — “Improving Advance Directive Awareness in Underserved Communities: A Medical Student-Led, Evidence-Based Community Outreach Model”
The ACA’s Ledford Scholars Program offers financial assistance for intensive research projects to undergraduate students enrolled at ACA member institutions. Undergraduate students from Appalachian or contiguous counties are eligible, and a variety of fields of study, research approaches and methodologies are supported each year.
The Undergraduate Presentations and Learning Initiatives Funding for Travel Program, also known as UPLIFT, supports undergraduate students attending academic research conferences. Up to three students each quarter are awarded a stipend of up to $500 to help cover conference fees, hotel accommodations, transportation and print fees.
In 2026, thanks to the generosity of alumni and donors, 20 students received funding to present their research at local, regional, national and international gatherings across the country. Increased funding this year was made possible through support from the LMU Class of 1974, Hearthside Bank, Mr. and Mrs. Danny A. Ross, Mr. and Mrs. David Blair, Mr. and Mrs. Don C. Jeffers, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory L. Perry, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lantz and Mr. and Mrs. Roger E. Camenisch.
Events attended by undergraduate students included the Hindman Settlement School, the Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference, the Tennessee Academy of Science, the Tennessee Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, the Applied Sport Management Association National Conference, the American Chemical Society National Meeting, the National Collegiate Honors Council Meeting and the international convention of Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society.
Recipients included Meredith Allen, Theo Czepiel, Marissa Eccles, Grace Ellis, Isabella Keener, John Keener, Isabella Kirpan, Megan King, Briana Martinez, Jacqueline Medellin, Weslyn McIntosh, Riley Miller, Rune Ossinsky, Josie Short, Emileigh Steele, Ragan Sanders, Natali Shultz, Stewart Thacker and Randi Turner.
In support of Lincoln Memorial University’s mission of service and community engagement, the Office of Research, Grants and Sponsored Programs awards the Students Engaged in Research, Volunteerism and Empowerment Award, also known as SERVE. The program recognizes undergraduate and graduate student teams that identify a community need, develop a research-informed solution and implement their project with faculty or staff mentorship. Through the SERVE Award, students gain hands-on experience in project development, grant management and community-focused research, with completed projects shared during LMU Research Day.
“SunSafe Jax,” by Meriah Frauwirth, Hannah Bowers and Isabella Meerzaman, focused on empowering patients at the Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville Free Clinic to recognize early signs of melanoma and adopt sun-safe habits through culturally sensitive, evidence-based education. The initiative supported preventive health by educating clinic patients on sun protection strategies, melanoma awareness and self-skin examinations while distributing SunSafe Kits that included sunscreen, bilingual educational materials and skin-check mirror cards.
The project measured patient knowledge through pre- and post-education surveys and emphasized sustainability by strengthening an ongoing partnership between Volunteers in Medicine and the LMU-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. In addition to improving community health awareness, the initiative promoted leadership development and service-focused learning among participating medical students.
As winter temperatures frequently drop below 25 degrees in rural Ohio, Megan Finch, Zuha Nazir and Brooke Ommert, from the LMU-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, organized a winter donation drive to support individuals experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in Chillicothe, Ohio. The initiative partnered with the nonprofit Seeds of Hope to provide essential cold-weather and personal care supplies aimed at reducing the risk of hypothermia and frostbite.
Donations included warm clothing, bedding, toiletries and health care items, easing financial strain on community resources and enabling the organization to serve vulnerable individuals more effectively. In addition to addressing urgent seasonal needs, the project raised awareness about homelessness in the community and encouraged compassionate engagement and long-term support for those most at risk.
