Western Carolina University has established itself as a national leader in undergraduate research and has a long-standing tradition of acceptance and participation\u00a0in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Students accepted to NCUR have the opportunity to present their undergraduate research along with peers from across disciplines. Since 1987, NCUR has been a flagship conference for undergraduate researchers to share, celebrate, and promote their research achievements.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Western Carolina University was proud to have 20 undergraduate researchers present at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) 2026 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, VA. With record-breaking attendance, including over 5,200 presenters representing 500 colleges, all 50 states, and 12 countries, this year\u2019s conference highlighted the incredible impact of undergraduate scholarship worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n From inspiring presentations to unforgettable moments, NCUR 2026 showcased the energy, innovation, and passion of student researchers everywhere. Our undergraduate researchers represented WCU well!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Primary student presenters are acknowledged below by the College and Department they represented. Congratulations to these students and their faculty mentors!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding=”86px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Development of an in vitro model of wound healing in human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cell cultures to test the impact of crude keratin on healing <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Synthesis and characterization of \u03b2-mannanase and \u03b1-galactosidase encapsulated PLL-g-PEG nanoparticles as an efficient viscosity breaker in fracturing fluids used in oil reservoirs\u00a0 <\/strong> Synthesis and Characterization of L-asparaginase and glucose oxidase encapsulated PLL-g-PEG Nanoparticles for Therapeutic Delivery. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Usability in the Nonprofit Sector: Improving the User Experience and Online Presence of a Rural Nonprofit Improving Forensic Identification of Cathinone Isomers Using Multi-Energy Ionization.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> The Ballad of Artist and Veterans Against the Vietnam War<\/strong> A Graph on Bumpless Pipe Dreams\u00a0<\/strong> Mimetic Reactionary Thought: Propaganda in the Digital Age and a New Epistemology of Fragmented Incoherence\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cShow Me the Incentives and I Will Show You the Results\u201d Ethics, Economics, and Ecology in AI Usage\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n What Do You Think Why Adults Talk Like Kids: Wh-Question Comprehension in Adults\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong> Neurodivergent Adults Outperform On Complex Question Production Under Cognitive Load\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> Can You Smell That Smell? ADHD, COVID-19, and Anosmia\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong> Familism is not always protective: Family Weight Stigma, Familism, and Body Dissatisfaction for Latine Youth\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Dynamic Effects of Abrasive Water-Jet Machining (AWJM) on Material Integrity\u00a0 <\/strong> Design and Implementation of Customized Instrumentation System to Measure Mountain Bike Trail Profiles\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> An Algorithm to Determine Trail Profile Based Upon Distance Sensor Arrays and IMU Inputs\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Catamount Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation\u00a0<\/strong> From Classroom to Community: Rethinking Educational Interiors Through Neurodiversity\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/rasc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2026\/04\/Image-8-1024x777.jpg\")
<\/span><\/p>\nCollege of Arts & Sciences<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Biology<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b>Presenters: AJ Cansler and Samuel Silveus<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor:<\/span> Heather Coan<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nChemistry and Physics<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Presenter: Jacob Given<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor:<\/span> Rangika Hikkaduwa Koralege<\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/strong>Presenter:<\/span> Jonathan “Brian” Duke<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor: Rangika Hikkaduwa Koralege<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nEnglish<\/span><\/b> Studies<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/strong>Presenter:<\/span> Spencer Davis<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor: Drew Virtue<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/h4>\n
Forensic Science<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Presenter: Sofia Douglas
Faculty Sponsor: Nuwan Perera<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n
History<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Presenter:<\/span> William “Zechariah” Hoppes<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor:<\/span> Gael Graham<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/h4>\n
Mathematics & Computer Science<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
Presenter:<\/span> Prashreet Poudel<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor:<\/span> Adam Gregory<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/h4>\n
Philosophy & Religion<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/span>Presenter:<\/span> Isabel Chapman<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor:<\/span> Christopher Hoyt<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWorld Languages<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
<\/span>Presenter: Jaryn Green<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor:<\/span> Lori Oxford<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCollege of Education & Allied Professions<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n
Psychology<\/h4>\n
<\/span>Presenter:<\/span> Andrew Baker<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor: Jane Lutken<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Presenter: Blake Murdock
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor: Jane Lutken<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Presenter: Eden McKinney
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor: Sam Castelblanco<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Presenter: Gabriella Loredo Marquez
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor: Meghan Gangel<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCollege of Engineering & Technology<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n
School of Engineering & Technology<\/h4>\n
<\/span>Presenter:<\/span> Bakang Phutietsile<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor: Chaitanya Borra<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Presenter: John Crain
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor: Matt Clontz<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Presenter: Michael Synoracki
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor: Matt Clontz<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nDavid Orr Belcher College of Fine & Performing Arts<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n
School of Art & Design<\/h4>\n
<\/span>Presenter:<\/span> Avery Pittman<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor: Shelby Hicks<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Presenter: Samantha Mack
<\/span>Faculty Sponsor: Shelby Hicks<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n