Youngstown State University’s Sokolov Honors College hosted its second annual Pre-Health Research Symposium, bringing together undergraduate researchers from across campus to present original work in biology, chemistry, health sciences and related disciplines. Students showcased their findings through oral and poster presentations aimed at strengthening their research experience and preparing for future careers in healthcare.

The symposium welcomed students, faculty, staff and family members who gathered to support presenters and celebrate their scholarly achievements.

Given the event’s growth from its inaugural year, the planning team expanded the awards structure to recognize a broader range of student excellence. Award recipients are listed below:

• Best Overall Presentation: Cole Burnett, third-year biology major, BaccMed track
• Most Outstanding Poster Presentation: Michelle Ott, fourth-year biology pre-med major
• Most Outstanding Oral Presentation: Pranav Alapati, second-year biology major, BaccMed track
• Future Impact Award: Arunraj Jeyaprakash, first-year biology major, BaccMed track

The symposium was conceptualized and organized by a team of YSU BaccMed students who wanted to create a platform for their peers to gain research experience and practice presenting their work. The original planning committee — Kaitlyn Vail, Crescenzo Scheetz, Luca Ricchiuti and Grace Burchfield — were joined this year by three additional second-year BaccMed students: Shridhar Narain, Noah Pfeifer and Grace Burchfield, who helped prepare for a leadership transition in future years.

“We are so proud of the work the student team has done to make this a successful event for the benefit of all YSU students. They have gained tremendous experience leading a mini-conference and working together to execute all of the planning to make it possible,” said Mollie Hartup, director of the Sokolov Honors College.

All YSU students conducting research in health-related fields were invited to submit proposals for oral or poster presentations. Those selected through a peer-review process presented their work to an audience of faculty, peers and prospective students.

“Experiential learning bridges theory and practice, allowing students to collaborate and translate their knowledge into meaningful application,” said Amy Cosentino, associate provost and dean of the Sokolov Honors College. “These types of experiences provide students with opportunities to develop skills that support their professional development.”

The symposium will continue annually as part of the Sokolov Honors College’s commitment to fostering undergraduate research, professional readiness and interdisciplinary collaboration across campus.