STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University’s Barry B. Thompson Student Center Ballrooms were filled with excitement and conversation last week as individuals gave poster presentations, three-minute thesis presentations and faculty oral presentations with their findings at the annual RIED Research Symposium.
“The intellect and dedication demonstrated by the students presenting at this year’s research symposium was truly exceptional,” said Dr. Rupa Iyer, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Development. “This annual event serves as a testament to the university’s unwavering dedication to fostering research opportunities for both students and their faculty mentors. The depth of commitment, effort and meticulous preparation invested in each project reflects the exemplary work ethic exhibited by all participants.”
With 96 different research projects submitted into the competition, the day offered a wide range of topics for discussion. From the results of AI advertising to how romantic relationships affect athletic performance, each student brought information about their research topics and stories that led to their desire to find answers.
Stephanie Garcia, a graduate student at Tarleton State, is researching how hospital mergers affect the resiliency of rural communities. She explained how her experiences working in healthcare helped fuel her interest in this subject.
“I worked as a patient care tech at the start of the pandemic, and health has always been a big passion of mine,” said Garcia. “Having grown up in a rural county, I began to see that our rural counties deserve more representation in academic literature and research in general. That is why I chose to study this topic.”
Garcia received her undergraduate degree in biology from Tarleton State with a minor in public health. After working in her field of study, she decided to continue her education as a graduate student.
“With all the opportunities available here, when I started looking at graduate school, coming back to Tarleton State was a no-brainer,” said Garcia.
An impressive 32 submitted projects were funded by the President’s Excellence in Research Scholars grant, an initiative providing seed funding for faculty-led student research that reinforces Tarleton State’s commitment to research excellence.
To view the results of the competition or for more information about research at Tarleton State, visit www.tarleton.edu/research/.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.