MONTICELLO, Ark. — On November 20, the Department of Social Work at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) hosted the 2025 Student Research Symposium in the Gibson University Center.
The symposium showcased student research at UAM, welcoming projects from all disciplines and programs across campus. Thirty students from the UAM School of Arts and Humanities, the UAM School of Business, the UAM School of Computer Information Systems, the UAM College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources and the UAM School of Social and Behavioral Sciences presented projects during the event.
Sarah Bloom, associate professor of English at UAM; Dr. Arturo Quintero Ferrer, assistant professor of biology at UAM; Dr. Shuneize Slater, dean of the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences at UAM; and Dr. Carol Strong, professor of political science at UAM, served as judges. The event was open to the public, who were invited to vote for the People’s Choice award.
Alexandria Lewis, a biology and biochemistry double major, was awarded first place for her project, “AI-Assisted Computational Screening and Binding Studies Reveal Dual CDC42/Rac1 Inhibitors for Potential TNBC Treatment.”
Maddison Allen-DeVries, a graduate student in the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, took second place for her project, “Direct Harvest Rates of Mallards Wintering in Arkansas: A Post-Season Banding Approach.”
Chelsea Owens, a criminal justice major, took third place for her project, “Policing Issues: Extensive Training.”
Nikeonina Allen, Ryan Green, Maira Mondragon, Krystal Ramirez and Autumn Smith, all social work majors, were selected as the winners of the People’s Choice award for their project, “Sea of Pink: The Women’s March Foundation.”
The inaugural event was created and organized in 2018 by Marie Jenkins, associate professor and director of social work at UAM. Jenkins explained the history of the event, stating, “The symposium is open to all students regardless of major. This event was created to provide students with an opportunity to conduct and present their original research in an interdisciplinary format. It is especially beneficial for students who have never done a formal presentation and might be intimidated by a larger format. Also, it does not carry the financial burden of an off-campus and/or out-of-town/state conference, which might be prohibitive to some of our students.”
For more information about the symposium, contact the UAM Department of Social Work at 870-460-1747.
