Annual Research Symposium Shines a Light on Student Innovation and Research
The symposium at East Texas A&M University provided a platform for students to present their original research to the university community.
The Sixth Annual Research Symposium at East Texas A&M University was the biggest yet, showcasing research from 75 undergraduate and 88 graduate students. Presented by the Division of Research and Economic Development on April 16, the event provided a platform for students to present their original research through oral or poster presentations.
Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members came together to celebrate student research across all majors. Alumni, industry leaders and Texas A&M University System representatives also joined as volunteer judges.
At the end of the day, student-researchers Shane Johnson and Sri Surya Venkata Satyanarayana Kappagantu were named the overall winners.
Shane Johnson — Analyzing Costco
Overall winner Shane Johnson, an undergraduate finance major, presented “Investment Analysis of Costco: A Comprehensive Strategic and Financial Evaluation.”
In his research, Johnson used financial modeling, comparative ratio analysis, and techniques like discounted cash flow models, scenario analysis, and comparative benchmarking to analyze Costco's performance in the retail sector and determine whether it is a wise long-term investment. His honors thesis advisor is Dr. Srinivas Nippani.
Johnson said the symposium gave him valuable real-world experience in presenting and communicating complex research.
“I truly enjoyed the experience,” Johnson said. “I got to practice speaking and communicating what my findings were for the research. Overall, just being able to get real-world experience with communication was extremely helpful for me.”
Johnson will graduate with his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance this spring and plans to pursue his MBA soon. He is currently studying for the first of three exams to earn the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Sri Surya Venkata Satyanarayana Kappagantu — Nitrous Oxide and College Students
Overall winner Sri Surya Venkata Satyanarayana Kappagantu, a graduate business analytics major, presented “Nitrous Oxide Use Among College Students: Trends, Risks, and Implementations.”
Kappagantu's literature review focuses on the increasing recreational use of nitrous oxide among college students. His research analyzes usage trends, associated health risks and the lack of institutional awareness around the issue. The review also highlights evidence-based recommendations to foster safer student behavior and informed decision-making surrounding this substance.
Kappagantu said the symposium was an enriching experience.
“It provided a platform to present my work to a diverse academic audience and receive thoughtful feedback from faculty and peers,” he said. “This experience has inspired me to further pursue scholarly work and continue developing my skills as a researcher who is committed to producing impactful, data-informed insights.”
Kappagantu's thesis advisors include Dr. LaVelle Hendricks, Dr. Dimitra Smith and Dr. Delarious Stewart. He is set to graduate in May with his Master of Science in Business Analytics. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career where he can apply his research and analytical skills in a practical setting. He is also open to future doctoral studies where he can contribute to impactful research.
Other Award Winners
The complete list of award winners is as follows:
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Undergraduate
Student: Yasmine Taylor
Oral Presentation: Drinking Behavior and Performance in Neonatal Swine
Student: Brittanie Smith
Poster Presentation: Price Comparison of Commercial and Locally Sourced Pork Products
Graduate
Student: Anisa Olavarria
Poster Presentation: Spray Volume Influence on Pyroxasulfone Efficacy in Winter Wheat
College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts
Undergraduate
Student: Tijana Krivokapic
Oral Presentation: The Impact of Race on Sentencing Outcomes in the United States
Student: Angela Stalcup
Poster Presentation: Beyond the Stars: 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Philosophical Dimensions of Science Fiction Film
Graduate
Student: Breeanna Hicks
Oral Presentation: Expanding the Ecoliterary Canon: Using Literature to Save The Environment
Student: Brian August Laukaitis
Poster Presentation: Elevating Youth Interest in Professional Aviation Careers
College of Business
Undergraduate
Student: Molly Caldwell
Poster Presentation: The Impact of Quiet Quitting on University Students: A Phenomenological Investigation Providing Student Perspectives and Institutional Implications
Student: Shane Johnson
Poster Presentation: Investment Analysis of Costco: A Comprehensive Strategic and Financial Evaluation
Graduate
Student: Sri Surya Venkata Satyanarayana Kappagantu
Poster Presentation: Nitrous Oxide Use Among College Students: Trends, Risks, and Implications
College of Science and Engineering
Undergraduate
Student: Sherman Butler-Losey
Oral Presentation: A Search for Rapid Rotation in Massive White Dwarf Stars
Student: Juan Hernandez
Poster Presentation: A Comparative Study of Plans for Residential Building Construction in the United States and Mexico: Analysis of Processes, Systems, and Materials
Graduate
Student: Richmond Amankwaah Adomako
Oral Presentation: Characterization of Zinc-Binding Heptapeptides as a Replacement for the His Tag in Improved Protein Purification Efficiency
Student: Emmanuel Asirifi Agyabeng
Poster Presentation: G1P3/IFI-6 Suppresses Cytoplasmic DNA in Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7
College of Education and Human Services
Undergraduate
Student: Asia Bayoud
Oral Presentation: The Effect of Context Reinstatement on the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) False Memory Task
Student: Cortney Cooper Jr., with/ co-presenters Yehjoon Hwang and Thomas Payne
Undergraduate Poster: From Odds to Algorithms: Does AI Actually Change Sports Betting?
Graduate
Student: Bronwyn Banks
Poster Presentation (tie): Quality of Life in College Students from Freshman to Sophomore at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Student: Autumn Van Winkle
Poster Presentation (tie): Novice Principals' Perceptions of Their Instructional Leadership Development: A Research Prospectus of a Narrative Inquiry Study
A Growing Research University
More than 140 presentations were entered in this year's symposium, compared to 120 last year. The 20% increase is a big deal for East Texas A&M, especially as the university expands its research footprint as a Research 2 (R2) institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This designation, which took effect on February 13, highlights the university’s commitment to research and innovation.
Dr. Brent Donham, vice president for Research and Economic Development at East Texas A&M, said accomplishing and maintaining an R2 status requires a team effort.
“Achieving the R2 designation is not something that a handful of researchers can accomplish alone,” Donham said. “It requires an institution-wide effort, and the increased student participation [at the symposium] this year reflects the growth in research at ETAMU.”
Donham added that while achievements in sports or campus expansion often grab headlines, research deserves its moment in the spotlight, too. Events like the Annual Research Symposium bring those behind-the-scenes efforts to light, allowing the community to celebrate students' innovative research.
Learn more about A&M-Commerce Research.
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