At Barry University, learning extends far beyond the classroom. The 17th Annual STEM Research Symposium was a true testament to this philosophy, highlighting student-driven research across a variety of disciplines and reaffirming the University’s commitment to experiential learning. Through hands-on exploration and faculty mentorship, undergraduate, graduate and high school students are empowered to apply classroom theory to real-world challenges.

The symposium is one of many platforms at Barry University where students and faculty work side by side, fostering a collaborative environment where critical thinking, innovation, and creativity thrive. This event not only celebrates academic achievement but also underscores the transformative power of research in shaping students’ personal and professional growth.

Each year, this event brings together sharp and curious minds from Barry University’s science, technology, mathematics and social science departments, celebrating their dedication to exploration and research. The symposium embodies what it means to learn with purpose and encourages students to become co-creators of knowledge.

Whether testing the cognitive effects of physical activity or evaluating the environmental impact of microplastics, students at this year’s symposium exemplified how academic research advances solutions to some of today’s most pressing issues and develops future thought leaders.  

This year’s event would not be possible without the dedication and effort of Barry University’s S.T.E.M. Committee: Dr. Zacharias Papadakis, Dr. Sabrina Des Rosiers, Dr. Christoph Hengartner, Dr. Ricardo Jimenez, Dr. Michael Robinson, Dr. Zuzana Zajickova, and Dr. Anita Zavodska. Their leadership, time, and commitment to supporting student research are instrumental to the continued success of this annual event.

Check out the recap of this year’s symposium now available on Barry University’s YouTube channel.

Congratulations to all participants in the 2025 STEM Research Symposium for their hard work and inspiring contributions. Below are this year’s standout projects and winners by category:

Chemistry-Physics
Calla Marco, and Zuzana Zajickova (Department of Chemistry & Physics, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL) – Designing organo-silica hybrid monoliths using thiol-ene click chemistry for potential applications in high performance liquid chromatography

Mathematical Sciences – Computer Science
Sean Chin Loy, Marcus Dahl, Lola Umarova, James Haralambides (Department of Math & Computer Science, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL) – Object detection utilizing color histograms 

Psychology
Zakiyya Shaw, Sabrina Des Rosiers, Guillermo Wated (Department of Psychology, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL) –Association between Acculturation Domains and Emotion Regulation in Hispanic Emerging Adults 

Nyah Williams ¹, Justin Lauro ², Zacharias Papadakis ³ (¹Department of Biomedical Sciences, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL, ²Department of Psychology, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL, ³Department of Sport & Exercise Sciences, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL) – Cognitive benefits of long-term physical activity: a comparative study of attentional processes in college athletes and non-athlete

Biology
Yalena Anderson, Xyan Henry, Jeffernique Victor, Leticia Vega, Christoph Hengartner (Department of Biology, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL) – Exploring the inhibition of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation by lauric acid from coconut oil

Faiyaz Mahmud Nirob and Stephanie Bingham (Department of Biology, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL) – Impact of microplastics on embryogenesis and physiological development in zebrafish: Implications for human health 

Health Sciences
Gabriela Jansen ¹, Imogen Rafferty ², Nirva Tervil ², Conrad Vallon ², Christoph Hengartner ² (¹Department of Health Sciences, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL, ²Department of Biology, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL) –Annotation of the unc-13 gene sequence from Drosophila willistoni’s f element 

Maya Coan , Natalia Wisniewska , Ethan Hartwig, Daniel Julis, Lia Larramendi Mirabal, Ma Shengyan, Hinata Sakamoto, Rozi Marta, Vivien Vardai, Nataniel Boiangin, Itay Basevitch (Department of Sport & Exercise Sciences, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL ) –The impact of pre-exercise mental preparation on muscle activation during strength performance