May 2025
At the end of the spring semester, Saint Mary's College holds a forum for the presentation and discussion of the best research and creative work of undergraduate and graduate students.
Each year, presenters from every major and discipline share their latest projects with SMC and the broader East Bay community. Students showcase their passions and academic pursuits, not just for their college professors and peers, but to give themselves a leg up in the next stage of their professional development.
In the age of AI, strong communication and presentation skills are more essential than ever. Being able to talk about your work in a passionate and convincing way is key to a successful career.
2025 Student Research Conference & Showcase
Coming Soon...
Past Conferences
Conference Report
With 300 total presenters and around 300 friends, family, and faculty filling the Soda Center, this year's conference was truly something to behold. Students from nearly every academic department brought their latest research and coursework to share with the campus community, from art and science posters to business class exhibits and prerecorded presentations from our graduate education students in KSOE. There were even some presenters, including a few alumni, who simply wanted to showcase their academic passions, and this year's conference offered them a great opportunity to awe and amaze their friends and instructors, as well as our conference judges, with their thoughtful and compelling scholarship.
Best Presentations in the Arts & Humanities:
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| Lorenzo Caruso Italian Immigrant Interview |
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| Trinity Durfee & Gabrielle Ly (pictured) Bufano Elephant Treatment (Group Award) |
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| Shelley Teichrow Italian Capstone Portfolio |
Best Presentation in Business:
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| James Brumley Estate Planning Market Research & Product Strategy |
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| Angelica Buncio, Natasha Canedo, Mattias Limon, Jayden Salazar, Casey Sansoni, & Gavin Walters Oliver Hall Food Waste Reduction (Group Award) |
Best Presentations in Education:
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| Veronica Gibbs, Mariel Nodado, & Kelly Pham The Silent Pain of High School Students: School Counselors Using Group Interventions to Support Adolescent Grief (Group Award) |
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| Nicole Mammoser, Erica Pon, & Omar Williams Action Research: Preventive Measures to Avoid School Counselor Burnout (Group Award) |
Best Presentations in the Sciences:
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| Natalie Alaniz Exploring the Impact of Asef on Breast Cancer Epithelial Cell Proliferation and Migration in Response to Epidermal Growth Factor |
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| David Coleman, Samuel Leitch, Andrew Kernycky, & Mary Kyne Dub Dragon |
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| Cristian Ramirez Rodriguez Lagrangian Motion On Rotating Monomial Wires |
Best Presentation in the Social Sciences:
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| Lily Lundbaek Looking at Health Disparities within Minority Groups with Disabilities |
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| Cash Sanders Psychedelic Drugs Potential In Clinical Therapy: Past, Present, and Future |
Elevator Pitch Contest Winner:
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| Ayanna Wade The Fight Against Fragile Masculinity |
Library Research Awardees:
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| Emma Cardinale Extreme Exercise Intensity Increases Risk of Cardiovascular Dysfunction |
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| Gabrielle Ly Museums: Collections or Community |
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| Melody Ng Edward Said: The Perpetuation of Imperialism |
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| Isabella Ruiz Crash and Burn: Violence and Stimulant Use in Japan |
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| Jessalyn Torres MHC Diversity & the Power of Personalized Healthcare |
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| LaReina Torres The Historical factors affecting the rise and fall of maternal mortality rates in the United States |
2024 Conference Links
Conference Awards
Projects can be presented by groups or by individuals, each presentation being eligible to compete* in the 2024 Student Conference Competition in one of the following categories:
Best Presentations in Science ($100-300)
Best Presentations in Humanities ($100-300)
Best Presentations in Social Sciences ($100-300)
Best Presentations in Arts and Performing Arts ($100-300)
Best Presentations in Business ($100-300)
Best Presentations in Education ($100-300)
Best Group Presentation Certificate**
Library Research Awards
2024 Elevator Pitch Contest
In the span of 20-90 seconds, roughly the length of a short elevator ride, the presenter's goal is to sell their idea, to present their audience with something that they will not only understand, but also remember. Any good elevator pitch, whether for a contest, an employer, or even a potential investor, should be interesting, persuasive, succinct, and memorable.
Round 1 submissions are due by May 1, with finalists announced on May 2.
Round 2 submissions are due May 6; the entire SMC community will have the chance to view and vote for the best pitch among the finalists. The winner and their prize will be announced at the Conference.
Hosted by
Past Presentations
Contact Us
Honors Program
honors@stmarys-ca.edu
Dr. Helga Lenart-Cheng, Program Director
hl4@stmarys-ca.edu
Connor McCaslin, Coordinator
crm20@stmarys-ca.edu