Annual Symposium, UML’s First Since Achieving R1 Status, Highlights Research Excellence

A young man in glasses and a hoodie talks about his research poster with a woman in the lobby of a building. Image by Ed Brennen
Michael Jones, a graduate student of physics in the Kennedy College of Sciences, presents his poster during the recent Student Research and Community Engagement Symposium at University Crossing.

04/10/2025
By Ed Brennen

UMass Lowell’s recent rise to R1 status, the highest research designation for four-year universities in the United States, reflects its commitment to research excellence and innovation.

That commitment was on full display during the 28th annual Student Research and Community Engagement Symposium, held recently at University Crossing. 

More than 200 undergraduate and graduate students showcased their research, service-learning projects, study abroad experiences, creative works and academic endeavors, either through oral or poster presentations.

“This has always been an event that I love, because it is an opportunity that I remember as a student to talk about the work that you've spent time doing,” Chancellor Julie Chen said during the symposium’s closing awards ceremony.

A person take a photo with her smartphone of a young man holding a certificate and posing with a woman on a stage. Image by Ed Brennen
Marketing Ph.D. student Haoran Wang poses for a photo with Chancellor Julie Chen after winning the Manning School of Business' "fan favorite" award at the symposium.
“We're proud because we just became an R1 research university, and a big part of that is because of the work that all of you have done,” Chen added. “Being an R1 university means creating new knowledge. It means discovering new things. And it means providing that opportunity for the next generation.” 

The symposium serves as both a competition and a networking opportunity, with faculty, staff, alumni, corporate representatives and community partners evaluating presentations and providing feedback.

One undergraduate and one graduate student (or team) from each of UML’s five colleges received $200 awards for best oral presentation and best poster presentation. In addition, at least one individual or team from each college received a $100 “fan favorite” award.

An overhead view of people presenting their research posters to guests in the lobby of a building. Image by Ed Brennen
More than 200 undergraduate and graduate students presented posters and gave talks at the symposium.
From the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (FAHSS), the interdisciplinary team of junior music major Alejandro Bonilla and junior psychology major Jesus Santiago won the best undergraduate oral presentation award for their research project, “Using Music Video Storytelling to Prevent Dog Bite Injuries in Young Children.”

“It's a little unusual seeing a psychology major like me in the Music Department, but being part of this project has given me an opportunity to challenge myself, collaborate with others and learn something outside of my field,” said Santiago, who is on a pre-med track.

Santiago was drawn to the project because of his passion for writing and performing music while growing up in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

“That kind of died down once I got to college, but being part of this research project has given me that light and that opportunity to find that happiness with art again,” he said.

A woman with glasses and holding an orange travel mug smiles while talking about her research poster with a person in a mask. Image by Ed Brennen
Biology major Branae Craveiro discusses her research poster on tracking the health of Caribbean reefs during the symposium.
For Bonilla, the project was a chance to expand his academic horizons.

“It's rare, especially with music majors and our demanding schedules, to really do much outside of our field,” the Lowell native said. “This project has given me an opportunity to contribute what I love doing and what I love learning about to a collaborative, creative project.”

Bruce Lezana, a first-year Ph.D. student in entrepreneurship in the Manning School of Business, won the graduate best oral presentation award for his project, “Unpacking Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: A Configurational Approach.” 

“I consider myself a very curious person. I’m always wondering, ‘Why is this happening?’” said Lezana, who is from Santiago, Chile. “And what I like most about research is that I can answer those questions that I have.”

A man in a sweater and collared shirt points to a monitor while giving a presentation. Image by Ed Brennen
Pharmaceutical sciences Ph.D. student Isaac Amao gives a talk on the impacts of bioflavonoid hesperidin in the control of Crohn's disease.
Alexandria Winstead, a fourth-year Ph.D. student in applied psychology and prevention science, won the FAHSS graduate award for best oral presentation. Her project, “Who do they trust to tell? Age-related trends in child sexual abuse disclosure patterns,” seeks to identify the types of individuals to whom a child may disclose abuse based on the child’s age.

“I got into research because I really wanted to improve people’s lives by informing interventions and policy,” said Winstead, who did her undergraduate studies at the University of Evansville in her home state of Indiana.

“This event is an opportunity to see some fruit of what we’re doing in the lab and to present the information,” she added. “It’s also a chance to network and see what people in other departments are doing. As a doctoral student, I really don't immerse myself in the UMass Lowell community as much as I maybe would have as an undergraduate. This event really helps to facilitate that collaboration.”

Check out the complete list of symposium award winners.

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