Southwestern Oklahoma State University
03/05/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/05/2026 13:43
SWOSU Biology Students Achieve Record Participation at Oklahoma Research Day
SWOSU Biology students and faculty attended the Oklahoma Research Day to present their research. Front row, left to right: Mckaegan Gregory, Erica Kline, Darby Elmore, Jonathan Almanza, Ria Govind, Carla Albert, Dr. Renan Bosque.
Center rows, left to right: John Preston, Austin Buchanan, Dr. Rickey Cothran, Kyle Lane, Kim Harris, Monserrath Rivera, Taylor Jones, Madison Normile, Ty Elliott.
Back row, left to right: Dr. Eric Paul, Dr. Muatasem Ubeidat, Dr. Liedson Carneiro, Eric Mesta, Christian Rick.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) achieved a record-breaking milestone at Oklahoma Research Day in Tahlequah, Okla., with fifteen students presenting original research. The group represents the largest number of student presenters SWOSU has taken to the annual event.
Students from SWOSU's Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences presented research in several areas, including climate change and plant responses to changing environmental conditions, zoology and organismal biology, ecology and ecosystem dynamics, genetics and molecular research, and cell biology. Some projects examined long-term ecological patterns and the effects of environmental change on native Oklahoma species, while others focused on evolutionary processes, genetic variation, and cellular mechanisms that influence biological function.
Darby Elmore presented her research on the evaluation of flowering phenology in native Oklahoma plants under the supervision of Dr. Garcia and Dr. Carneiro.
John Preston presented his research on the effects of tidal fluctuations on egg development in a self-fertilizing fish under the supervision of Dr. Garcia.
Faculty members from the department accompanied and mentored the students during the conference, including Dr. Bosque, Dr. Ubeidat, Dr. Paul, Dr. Cothran, and Dr. Carneiro. The record participation demonstrates the department's continued emphasis on undergraduate research, mentorship, and hands-on learning opportunities.
The Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences incorporates research into many aspects of the student experience, ensuring that students actively engage in scientific discovery alongside faculty mentors. Through laboratory work, field studies, faculty-guided projects, and conference presentations, students gain experience conducting scientific research and presenting their findings to the academic community.
"Our department is deeply committed to creating meaningful research opportunities for students," said Dr. Bosque. "Taking a record number of students to Oklahoma Research Day demonstrates the culture of mentorship, collaboration, and scientific work that defines our program."
Research participation and conference presentation opportunities help prepare students for graduate programs, healthcare careers, environmental professions, and other scientific fields.
For more information about the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit https://www.swosu.edu/biological-sciences.
About Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.
For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit https://www.swosu.edu.
Thinking about becoming a Bulldog?
Choosing the right university comes with plenty of questions about applications, costs, and campus life. At SWOSU, students benefit from strong programs, a supportive community, and plenty of opportunities to get involved. This FAQ highlights answers to some of the questions students most often ask when considering SWOSU.
FAQs
How to apply to SWOSU?Start your application process by visiting SWOSU's admissions page to choose the path that fits you to submit your application!
To learn more, visit the SWOSU Admissions page.
For graduate degrees, you submit your application through the Graduate Application Portal and include transcripts and immunization records. Deadlines vary by program.
To learn more, visit the Graduate School Admissions page.
Tuition rates for SWOSU vary based on residency status and credit hours. For the most accurate and current tuition information, please refer to the official SWOSU Tuition and Fees page.
SWOSU welcomes transfer students! Requirements depend on hours completed: if under 24 hours, submit an application, test scores, and transcripts. For more than 24 hours, submit your application, transcript(s), and immunization records. A GPA of 1.7 is required for up to 30 hours; 2.0 is required beyond that.
To learn more, visit the Transfer Students page.
SWOSU offers a range of financial assistance, including scholarships, grants, and loans. These can come from academic departments, foundations, or federal and state resources.
To learn more, visit the Scholarships & Grants page.
SWOSU's "In-State + $1 Tuition Program" allows non-resident (including transfer and international) students to pay the in-state tuition rate plus $1 per credit hour. No extra application is needed. Savings can exceed $3,450 per semester (based on 15 credit hours).
Note: This rate applies to tuition only, not fees, housing, meal plan, or books. To learn more, visit the In-State + $1 Tuition page.
Yes! SWOSU offers graduate programs in areas such as Education, Business, Nursing, Allied Health, and more.
To learn more, visit the Graduate School Admissions page.
Yes! SWOSU offers online courses and degree options across undergraduate and graduate levels to give students flexibility with their schedules.
To learn more, visit our SWOSU Online page.
On-campus housing includes traditional residence halls and apartment-style living. These options offer amenities like meal plans, laundry, and social spaces.
To learn more, visit our Residential Life page.
SWOSU hosts more than 80 student clubs and organizations-ranging from Chemistry Club, Scuba Club, Gaming Club, Honors Associations, Hispanic American Leadership Organization, to Faith-based, academic, and recreational groups.
To learn more, visit the Student Organizations page.
SWOSU offers services including academic advising, tutoring, writing support, health and counseling services, financial aid assistance, residence life, library, and more.
To learn more, visit the Student Services page.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University published this content on March 05, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 05, 2026 at 19:43 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]