The Office of Undergraduate Research announces 2025 Summer Scholars

Mississippi University for Women’s Office of Undergraduate Research is pleased to announce the selected students for the 2025 W Summer Scholar program. Chosen from a competitive pool of applicants, the cohort includes Elessa Harvey, Phallyn Clark, Jackson Thompson, Zarin T. Raya, Katelyn Klark and Alley Weathers.

“The Summer Scholars program has consistently grown its pool of applicants, demonstrating our students’ extraordinary capabilities and curiosity. We are proud to support their development as they explore research topics about which they are passionate,” said Dr. Reyna Vergara.

The Summer Scholars program offers students the opportunity to conduct independent research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, earning academic credit and gaining hands-on experience. Participants receive a scholarship for tuition and allowance for housing and meals for the duration of their research experience. The program culminates in public presentations, scheduled for Thursday, July 24 at 2 p.m., where students report their findings and next steps.

Elessa Harvey,from Ocean Springs and majoring in graphic design with minors in mathematics and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, mentored by Shawn Dickey, explores the provocative question, “Will AI replace artists?” Upon graduation in 2028, Harvey plans to further her education in Computer Science abroad.

Phallyn Clark, a biology major from Moselle, is working with Dr. Robert Sample in The W’s biology department to investigate correlations between chronic mold exposure and health symptoms in service members at Barksdale Air Force Base. Clark aims to contribute valuable insights that could inform future health policies in military housing and plans to pursue a physician assistant program after graduation.

Jackson Thompson, a biology major from New Albany, guided by Michael Dodson of The W’s math and science Department, is conducting research on pollen dispersal patterns of the campus’s male ginkgo tree using DNA extraction techniques. Thompson intends to advance into graduate studies, ultimately aiming for a career in laboratory research.

Zarin T. Raya, from Dhaka, Bangladesh, majoring in chemistry with minors in biology and mathematics, is conducting research under Dr. Ghanshyam Heda on the effects of channel- forming molecules on cystic fibrosis gene expression. Raya, who participated last year in computational research, looks forward to gaining wet lab experience and plans to pursue a PhD in biochemistry.

Katelyn Klark, a biology major with a geography minor from Caledonia, is mentored by Dr. Travis Hagey and is researching the evolutionary aspects of toe pads in Pachydactylus lizards. Klark, passionate about environmental science, plans to attend graduate school to further her studies in this field.

Alley Weathers, majoring in psychology from Columbus, is collaborating with Dr. Dorothy Berglund of the Department of Psychology and Family Science to analyze social media perceptions of IUDs by data scraping YouTube videos. Weathers aims to present her findings at upcoming academic conferences and plans to pursue graduate studies at Mississippi State University.

Dr. Vergara and Dr. Travis Hagey have worked alongside Hillary Richardson to oversee this year’s program, carefully drafting an experience for the student researchers that emphasizes professional growth, academic exploration and overall well-being.

For more information about the W Summer Scholar Program, visit the Office of Undergraduate Research website at https://www.muw.edu/our/summer/.