Students, researchers showcase projects at 40th annual University-Wide Research Symposium

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University’s students and researchers showcased their cutting-edge research projects and inventions at the 40th Annual University-Wide Research Symposium April 2-6.

Omari Paul, a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Information Systems Engineering; and Akinwunmi Joaquin, a graduate student in CISE, received 1st place award in oral presentation in the “Graduate Engineering” category. Pictured are, from left, Dr. Michael Ivy, associate professor of neuroscience; Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, vice president for research and institutional advancement; Akinwunmi Joaquim; Omari Paul; and John Barfield, director of engagement and visibility in the Division of Research and Institutional Research. (photo by Courtney Buggs, TSU Media Relations)

The symposium, which is largely composed of presentations from the science, engineering, business and humanities disciplines, allowed students to gain exposure and experience as either oral or poster presenters in an evaluative environment with external judges from the Mid-South region.

“This is an opportunity for the students and the faculty to highlight their research,” Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, TSU’s vice president of research and institutional advancement said Friday, the last day of the symposium. “And the areas of research that are presented show the excellence that’s being done at TSU. It’s an exciting day for us.“

Omari Paul, a Ph.D. candidate, and Akinwunmi Joaquim, a master of computer science major, won 1st place oral presentation in the “Graduate Engineering” category.

“It’s something I’m really grateful for,” said Joaquim. “I’m going to use this opportunity to help other graduate students, and just try to give back.

The theme for this year’s symposium was “Establishing a Culture of Research Excellence.”

Dr. Michael Ivy, TSU associate professor of Neuroscience, and John Barfield, TSU director of engagement and visibility in the Division of Research and Institutional Advancement, served as the co-chairs for the symposium, which featured abstracts from 174 students and 40 faculty members.

Barfield said the symposium is important because it prepares students for future research opportunities.

“When our students go to graduate school, they can go research-ready being able to prove that they already know how to do research and that they have worked in a research environment,” Barfield said. “If they are graduate level students about to work on their doctorate, then they will be able to show that they have mastered the rigor of being able to present research at an academic level.”

In other honors at the symposium, Eloise Alexis Abernathy, associated Vice President for Institutional Advancement, was admitted into the “Million Dollar Club,” for receiving grant money of a million or more in a single year. And Leslie Speller Henderson, assistant professor and Extension specialist, was admitted into the “Blue Jacket Society.”

For more information about the 40th Annual University-Wide Research Symposium visit tnstate.edu/researchsymposium.

Department of Media Relations

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With more than 8,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 25 master’s degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.