SWOSU Chapter Hosts TriBeta Regional Research Convention

Students and professors from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) recently helped organize and host the 2025 Southcentral Regional Convention of the TriBeta Biological Honor Society at Mt. Lebanon Camp and Conference Center. The event brought together 79 participants from 10 TriBeta chapters across Oklahoma and Texas for a weekend of original research presentations, faculty-led sessions, and student networking opportunities.

SWOSU's Delta Sigma Chapter coordinated the event, with faculty sponsors Drs. Mark Garcia and Marcella Santos leading the planning efforts. Additional support came from Dr. Rickey Cothran. The weekend began with a welcome address from Dr. Garcia, followed by chapter introductions led by student officers. Representing SWOSU's chapter were President Rachel Uhlig and Vice President Adreana Aquino, who introduced the group and set the stage for the weekend's activities.

The convention included two concurrent oral presentations featuring a range of student research. Topics covered the immune response of honeybees, the role of disrupted sleep cycles in cancer development, and inflammation of lung tissue caused by Strep infections. Bryant Franco Sea from the SWOSU Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences presented his research on the use of artificial intelligence to digitize the university's herbarium and natural history collections. These presentations give students an opportunity to explain their methods, share their findings, and receive feedback from fellow researchers and faculty.

Taylor Jones (right) and Darren Powers (left) stand in front of their poster detailing their research on mechanisms of pancreatic cancer development and survival.

A poster presentation session followed, with students displaying their original research as diligently crafted posters and welcoming guests to read and discuss their work one-on-one. Projects addressed issues such as eutrophication and its impact on the population of freshwater invertebrates, the persistence of E. coli in stressful environments, and new approaches to studying the blood-brain barrier. SWOSU student presenters included Madison Normile, Austin Buchanan, and Stardaja Sims. Each student had the opportunity to answer questions and explain their work to a broader audience.

In addition to research presentations, the convention featured a keynote address by Kristi Tu from the Southwestern Medical Center at the University of Texas. Tu spoke about her career as a genetic counselor and discussed the path she took to enter the profession. She answered questions from students interested in her profession, offering practical advice and insight into the field.

The weekend concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding student work. SWOSU students Madison Keene and Rachel Uhlig both earned second-place honors for their respective poster presentations. SWOSU's Delta Sigma Chapter also received the "Chapter of the Year" award for the Southcentral I District in recognition of its work throughout the year, including student research, chapter events, and community service.

Participating in events like the TriBeta regional convention gives SWOSU students a meaningful opportunity to present research in a professional setting, build connections with peers and faculty, and gain experience beyond the classroom. The Delta Sigma Chapter continues to represent the university through its academic engagement and leadership within the organization and plans to attend future regional and national conventions.

To learn more about the SWOSU Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, visit https://www.swosu.edu/biological-sciences/index.php.

John Preston displays his research on how the movement of tides impacts the development, growth, and behavior of fish.

Madison Keene (right) is presented with her second-place certificate by Dr. Debra Hinson (left), Vice President of the TriBeta Southcentral Region.

Rachel Uhlig (right) is presented with her second-place certificate by Dr. Debra Hinson (left), Vice President of the TriBeta Southcentral Region.

Stardaja Moss's presentation entitled, "Nutritional Preferences of Fruit Flies (Drosophila melanogaster)."

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.