The Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI) at Bowie State concluded its nine-week program with a symposium July 30-31, 2026.

Under the direction of Julian Ajenifuja, program coordinator of Undergraduate Research, and Oluwatoyin Kode, program management specialist, the multidisciplinary research program explored topics in science, technology, mathematics and history.

SURI brought 36 students together in pairs to conduct joint research on topics such as the history of Black jockeys, quantum computers, neurophysiological changes in collegiate football players and crowdsourced food rescue.

Ivy Phaire, a Criminal Justice major, and Angelica Short, a Psychology major, studied the disappearances of Black and Latina women in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia region from 2005 to 2025. They focused on media framing, police efforts, and public attention to missing Black and Latina women, reviewing available information. Phaire recalled the personal impact of the research.

"There was so much to unpack on this subject, but I developed a deeper appreciation in bringing awareness to underserved communities and informative conversations about equity, public policy, and the social injustice women of color experience."

Under the guidance of Dr. Shannell Thomas, interim chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, the pair utilized spatial mapping, institutional response analysis and media coding to identify significant discrepancies in reporting and justice outcomes by gender and race. Angelica Short recounted her experience.

"The data we reviewed identified more than 150 Black and Brown women in this region over 20 years, which is highly unlikely. This study revealed that Black women were reported in media by what they did, including the details if they had a criminal past. They weren't simply reported as humans with a family. That was alarming."

Another group that delved into sensitive data was Ami Dekpoh and Dareon Faircloth, juniors majoring in Social Work. Their research focused on elders in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. who live in high-crime communities, and the ways they cope with elder abuse, structural disadvantages and community violence. One finding that stood out to Faircloth was the intergenerational coping practice.

"Answering the question on parenting style of different generations deserves further exploration. There's the conversation around breaking generational curses in the Black community, so that is something I'm interested in researching more in the future."

SURI and the Semester-based Undergraduate Research Institute comprise a rolling admissions program that offers undergraduate students the opportunity to gain research experience. It offers workshops on research ethics and design, preparation for graduate school and presentation tips. These comprehensive skills and knowledge complement participants' academic journeys. Through faculty mentorship and scholarly exploration, SURI equips Bulldogs with the knowledge, confidence and experience needed to become future researchers, leaders and changemakers.