University of Findlay Students to Present Projects at NCUR 2026

With 10 students total, the University of Findlay will be well represented at the 2026 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), to be held in Richmond, VA, on April 13-15. NCUR is the largest undergraduate research conference (approximately 4,000 students) in the U.S. The following UF students in English and biology have earned acceptance to present their research. Their names and research titles are listed below.

• Isabella Angel, The Standards that Bind Us Together: A Model for Visibly Integrating State Standards Into a Year-Long Curriculum
• Cameo Cedarleaf, A Rarity of Realism in Romance: Abby Jimenez’s Just for the Summer as a Model of Incorporating Attachment Theory into Romance Writing
• Dessa Eisenhour, A Writing Center How-To: A Guide For Tutoring Creative Writing Students
• Kaitlyn Fisher, Filling in the Gap: An Evidence-Based 9th Grade ELA Academic Writing Unit
• Sierra Kirby, Allison Diller, Mackenzie Sirks, Kaitlyn Siefert, Payton Miller, Effects of Phytoremediation on Horizontal Gene Transfer
• Maitlyn Stevens, Understanding the Reader’s Voice: A Ten-Year Analysis of Goodreads Reviews for A Court of Thorns and Roses

For more than 10 years, students in English and biology have presented their original scholarly and creative works at NCUR. Among the criteria for acceptance is that projects make a unique contribution to a student’s field of study.

Faculty Support

UF faculty and staff members will accompany the students at the conference. This includes Nicole Diederich, Ph.D., professor of English and lead College Credit Plus faculty liaison; Bethany Henderson Dean, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of biology; Justin Rheubert, assistant professor of teaching biology and co-director of the Honors Program; and Sarah Fedirka, director of the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership.

“Faculty in English and biology make it a priority to for students to experience NCUR,” stated Fedirka. “We have seen first-hand how transformative this type of learning can be.” She continued, “Every aspect of the experience, from traveling with faculty and peers to presenting a culminating research project before a national audience, supports the University’s mission to equip our students for meaningful lives and productive careers.”