Spring Research and Arts Conference Oral Presentations
2026 Oral Presentation Schedule
Session One (9:00 – 10:30 a.m.)
| Emerging Directions in Applied Mathematics | |
| Presentation Type: Panel | |
| Moderator: Dr. Lakmali Weerasena | |
| Lani Chastain | Development of Analytical Framework for Noiseless Quantum Optical Amplifiers |
| Elvis Frimpong | Learning-Enhanced Optimization: Graph Convolutional Networks for Set Covering |
| Matthew Gentry | A Heuristic Framework for Connected Covering Problems via Node Weighted Steiner Trees |
| Galahitiyawe Walawwe Maheshi | Multi-Objective Strategies for Controlling Chinese Privet: Balancing Ecological Impact and Operational Efficiency |
| Marie Musgrave | Species Management using Sturm-Liouville Problem on Quantum Graphs |
| Gloria Oppong | Quantum Algorithms for Discrete and Combinatorial Optimization |
| AI Pedagogy Panel | |
| Presentation Type: Panel | |
| Moderator: Dr. Gretchen Potts | |
| Sarah Farnsley, MS | AI Pedagogy |
| Tammy Garland, PhD | AI-Dependent Strategies to Enhance Student Learning |
| Jenn Stewart, PhD, Stephanie Todd, MA, Sheena Monds, MA, Susie Fries, MA, DA | Writing with/without Gen AI: Approaching Ethical and Critical AI Use in First-Year Writing Classes |
| Ruth Walker, PhD | Guardrails, Not Bans: A Structured Permission Approach to Generative AI |
| Presentation Type: Orals | |
| Moderator: Dr. Jennifer Lynberg | |
| Ashleigh Pipes, PhD, Brandee Strickland, PhD | Piecing it Together: The Role of Creativity in L2 Listening Skills |
| Daniela Salas | The Examination of Emotional Detachment in Bilingual Adults |
| Gary Wilkerson, EdD, ATC | Application of Neuroscience Principles to Sport Performance and Reduction of Injury Risk |
| Presentation Type: Orals | |
| Moderator: Dr. Prashant Srivastava | |
| Nishat Tasnim Nisha, Grace Pippin | Emerging Solutions for Emerging Contaminants: A case Study of Microplastics |
| Kironmoy Paul Shourov | Challenges and Opportunities of Fate and Transport Modeling for Microplastics in Watershed Runoff |
| Kegeng Tang | Longitudinal CT Difference Reporting with Vision-Language Models |
| Presentation Type: Orals | |
| Moderator: Katie Gohn | |
| Merna Abdrabo | Effect of Sol-gel Sealing on Corrosion Fatigue Behavior of PEO-Coated Magnesium Alloy |
| Aniekan Ebiefung | Vertical Block Z-Matrix and its Applications |
| Jannatul Ferdoush | ADCY3: An Olfactory-Related Driver and Therapeutic Target in Kidney and Colorectal Cancers |
Session Two (11:15 – 12:45 p.m.)
| GIS Presentation | |
| Presentation Type: Presentation | |
| Charlie Mix and Nyssa Hunt | Unlocking the Power of Geospatial Information: An Overview of GIS Resources for Campus |
| AI Pedagogy Panel | |
| Presentation Type: Panel | |
| Moderator: Dr. Gretchen Potts | |
| Sarah Farnsley, MS | AI Pedagogy |
| Tammy Garland, PhD | AI-Dependent Strategies to Enhance Student Learning |
| Jenn Stewart, PhD, Stephanie Todd, MA, Sheena Monds, MA, Susie Fries, MA, DA | Writing with/without Gen AI: Approaching Ethical and Critical AI Use in First-Year Writing Classes |
| Ruth Walker, PhD | Guardrails, Not Bans: A Structured Permission Approach to Generative AI |
| Presentation Type: Orals | |
| Moderator: Dr. Pratibha Deepak | |
| Priya Chowdhury | Autonomous Vehicle Potential for Powering Urban Runoff Management |
| Brady Mangrum, Alex Gallion, Brandon Perez, Evan Rominger, Robert Hunsucker | ClinAI Assst - Drug Dosage Optimization |
| Matthew Pruitt | Predicting Spray Penetration in High-Pressure Combustion Using Machine Learning Models Tuned on ECN Data |
| Presentation Type: Orals | |
| Moderator - Dr. Derek Liuzzo | |
| Luke Hicks, Edie Rust | Investigating the Pursuit of Prosocial Goals Among Neurodivergent Individuals: A Naturalistic Prospective Memory Study |
| Brady Permenter | DISAbility Identity and Support Networks for Promoting Psychological Well-Being |
| Mattie Tabor | Bridging Theory and Reality: Student Perspectives on Writing Center Design |
| Presentation Type: Orals | |
| Moderator - Reagan de la Torre | |
| Ashton Biggs, Jonas Gregg, Ryan Wilson, Wisdom Crawford | The Chilean Revolution |
| Devin Chaudhari, Eric Song, Meldyn Aaron, Cyrus Reimer | Prohibition |
| Catherine Fields, Sky Husky, Julia Anderson, Sophia Turpin Bolanos, Noah Grant | Little Harry & His Mama: Winning Women the Right to Vote |
| Titus Humphrey | Allegiance |
| Matt Scott | Vascular Plant Checklist of the City of Chattanooga |
| Adam Shaw, Hayden Heitmeier, Conner Shore | The Estonian Singing Revolution: A Musical |
Session Three (1:30 – 3 p.m.)
| Presentation Type: Orals | |
| Moderators: Dr. Nishani Vincent | |
| Hanae El Ouardani | Evolving Behavioral Dynamics and Environmental Risk in Cholera Epidemics |
| Sean Kidd | Optimization of Stormwater Storages for Increased Flood Control |
| Mohammad Sharif Ullah | Targeted vaccination policy embedded with behavioral dynamics and a heterogeneous network setting for controlling epidemic diseases |
| Science and Art Panel | |
| Presentation Type: Panel | |
| Moderator: Dr. Chris Cox | |
| Lani Chastain | |
| Martin Jones, PhD | Can a Computer Solo Over a Jazz Standard? |
| Júlia Pontés, MFA | |
| Michael Standard, MM | Making Music with Science in Mind: Some Examples |
| Jen Taylor | Art Skills for Scientists |
| Presentation Type: Orals | |
| Moderator: Virginia Cairns | |
| Ian Dunkle, PhD | Pregnancy, Agency, & Health |
| Lauren Graves | Feminine Affect and Emotional Labor within Writing Center Pedagogy |
| Fiona Hamilton | Holding the River: Containing Change |
| Emma McDonnell | Harnessing Biodiversity: Neglected and Underutilized Species as Drivers of Structural Transformation |
| Danny Milan | Sing Us a Song, Piano Man: A Breakdown of the Art of Playing Pop Music at the Piano |
| Presentation Type: Orals | |
| Moderators: Dr. Wolday Abrha | |
| Caspar Alsobrooks | Toward a Machine Learning Model for Relating Urban Heat Islands to Algal Bloom Susceptibility in the Tennessee River |
| Claire Beach | Interactions of Childhood Adversity and Temperamental Traits: The Pathway to Cognitive Resilience |
| Hannah Daugherty | Decoding Belief: Neural Mechanisms of Conspiracy Message Evaluation |
| Presentation Type: Orals | |
| Moderator - Krishani Weerasinghe | |
| Ashton Biggs, Jonas Gregg, Ryan Wilson, Wisdom Crawford, Sky Huskey | What's Inside Is What Really Matters |
| Ashlyn Fox, Bella Greene | The Iranian Revolution |
| Alex Harris | Of Vast Political Significance: The Major Questions Doctrine and the Future of Environmental Law |
| Kayelyn McCaslin | Being in the Room: How Industry Immersion Shapes Media Career Confidence |
| Madelyn Moffitt, Kiya Patel, Calla Siler | Partition in British India |