Ben Chan

Exploring STEM Faculty Motivations for Accommodating Students across Institutions

The people and ideas presented at AAAS were deeply inspiring. The sense of community among ASU students, faculty, and staff was palpable throughout the conference. AAAS served as a vibrant hub for intellectual discussion, mutual respect, and meaningful opportunities that empowered us to take the next steps in our careers as scientists. I am grateful for the opportunity to present my work, to build new connections, and to be supported by such a strong and encouraging community at AAAS.

Ruhika Das

Investigating the Effect of Beta Synuclein on Pathological Alpha Synuclein in a Cell Model of Synucleinopothy

Honorable Mention in the AAAS 2026 Student E-Poster Competition in the Brain and Behavior category as an undergraduate student. 

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to present my neuroscience research at the AAAS 2026 Annual Meeting. Being surrounded by ambitious and thoughtful scientists driven by curiosity and discovery was deeply inspiring. Even hearing the remarkable presentations from my cohort in the Brain and Behavior category expanded the way I think about studying the brain. Knowing there are so many brilliant minds pushing the boundaries of understanding motivates me to continue asking more insightful questions- and I have AAAS to thank for fostering such an engaging environment.

Baylee Edwards

Student perceptions of a science professor collecting and sharing class demographics

Attending the AAAS 2026 annual meeting was more valuable than I possibly could have imagined. Not only did I have the incredible opportunity to share and receive feedback on my own research, but I was also able to learn from thought leaders across disciplines, all while finding further community with fellow Biology and Society graduate students. I am so grateful for the experiences I gained at AAAS and would highly recommend the meeting to any students who are considering attending in the future!

Anna Fowler

Consciousness Beyond the Brain: Renegotiating Death

Presenting my research at the American Association for the Advancement of Science was a defining moment. It was an opportunity to contribute to a global scientific dialogue and position my work at the intersection of neuroscience, medicine, and the evolving understanding of human consciousness.

Aliya Hashim

Perineural Nets Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease 

Presenting my research at the AAAS Annual Meeting was an incredibly meaningful experience. It gave me the opportunity to share my work on Alzheimer’s disease with a broader scientific community and engage in thoughtful conversations that pushed me to think more deeply about my research. I am grateful for the support of my mentors and the ASU community that made this opportunity possible.

Emma James

Associations Between Inflammatory Biomarkers and Neuropathological Staging in Alzheimer’s Disease

First place in the AAAS 2026 Student E-Poster Competition in the Brain and Behavior category as an undergraduate student. 

I love conferences. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about watching your hard work culminate in a moment where you’re able to share it with others. I was honored to present my research at the AAAS conference this year. The experience challenged me to grow as a scientific communicator and strengthened my public speaking skills in a professional setting. Engaging in open discourse with fellow researchers was both inspiring and motivating. I’m deeply grateful to the mentors who guided and supported me in reaching this milestone.

Mary Kahraman

Adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies deployed by U.S. science graduate students with depression when encountering stressors in research

Attending the AAAS 2026 Annual Meeting was a tremendous honor and a valuable opportunity to present my research alongside such an incredible cohort of Biology & Society students and to feel supported at every step. What stood out most was the openness of the conversations, as engagement was shaped not by seniority or specialization, but by a genuine curiosity and respect for one another’s work. I am grateful to have had this experience."

Veena Krishnan

Comparison of Composition and Effects on Human Health of Plant Metabolite Mixtures

I enjoyed presenting my research at the AAAS 2026 Annual Meeting, and getting to meet presenters from ASU and other institutions! I would like to thank AAAS for this opportunity to present in front of esteemed judges, Barrett, the Honors College for their support, and Dr. Judith Klein-Seetharaman for her mentorship and guidance.

Briana Le

Comparing Brain Anatomy Between Rodents from Rural and Urban Environments

Esther Low

Social Validation Framework for Digital Health Innovations

Presenting at the AAAS Annual Meeting was an incredible opportunity to share my work with a diverse scientific community. Engaging with researchers and innovators at the conference challenged me to think more critically about the societal implications of digital health technologies

Jenna Materna

A Scalable Language Exchange App for Refugee Integration and Health Equity

Presenting my honors thesis at the AAAS Annual Meeting was an incredibly meaningful opportunity to share work focused on improving healthcare access for refugee and non-native speaking populations. Being part of a community committed to advancing science for the public good made the experience both inspiring and motivating. 

Karah Mayer

Characterization of CG34168 in Drosphelia Wings and Testes

First place in the AAAS 2026 Student E-Poster Competition in the Developmental Biology, Genetics and Immunology category as an undergraduate student. 

“Attending and presenting at the 2026 AAAS Annual Meeting was an incredibly valuable and fun experience. Having the opportunity to share my research with a broader scientific audience pushed me to improve my scientific communication skills and consider aspects of my results and questions from a different perspective. I am so grateful for this experience and the support of both Barrett, the Honors College and the ASU Center for Biology and Society.”

Federico Mellani

Leveraging Generative AI to Support Student Scientific Public Writing in the Embryo Project

Having the opportunity to present my poster at the 2026 AAAS Annual Meeting was an amazing and meaningful experience for me, both personally and professionally. As my first poster competition, it gave me the chance to share my research in a new setting, hear thoughtful feedback from other scholars, and see my work from perspectives I had not considered before. I also really enjoyed meeting people, talking about ideas, and learning from the wide range of research presented at the meeting. Overall, it was an exciting experience that helped me grow as a researcher and made me even more motivated about the future of my work.

Tasneem Mohammed

The Impact of Science Instructor Disclosure of a Mental Health Condition to Students

First place in the AAAS 2026 Student E-Poster Competition in the Social Sciences category as a Graduate student.

Attending AAAS 2026 was truly transformative. From sharing my research and learning about the work of others to building connections internationally, I feel incredibly grateful for this professional development and networking opportunity!”

Helen Nguyen

Electrowriting Scaffolds for Therapeutic Xenogeneic Cell Encapsulation

First place in the AAAS 2026 Student E-Poster Competition in the Technology, Engineering & Math as an Undergraduate Student

“Presenting at the AAAS 2026 Annual Meeting gave me the same chills as walking into a haunted house—terrifying at first, but thrilling once I stepped inside! After plenty of practice at home, at school, and even at the convention center, I grew confident enough to deliver a cohesive three-minute presentation to the judges. It was an unforgettable experience and a perfect opportunity to sharpen my public speaking skills while sharing my research with a broader audience. I’m deeply grateful to Barrett for the guidance in preparing and to my lab at Mayo Clinic for supporting the development of my work. The inspiring posters, insightful panelists, and meaningful connections I made have only increased my excitement for the next conference.

Megha Pillai

Historical Context of Menopause and Related Health Challenges

Being able to present at the AAAS 2026 Annual Meeting was a valuable experience that I am so grateful for! It really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it was the perfect setting to grow as a researcher and communicator. I am so thankful for the support of my fellow Biology and Society students, as well as the other researchers I got a chance to meet. The conference allowed me to make some meaningful connections, and engage with some incredible panels, which makes me feel hopeful for the future of science!

Alice Sansonetti

An Adaptive Framework Evaluating Impact of Forest Thinning on Biodiversity Outcomes

Participating in the AAAS 2026 Annual Meeting was a fantastic opportunity, especially during ASU’s hosting year. Presenting to a diverse audience allowed me to learn what aspects of my research can cross interdisciplinary boundaries and make personal connections across disciplines. I am also so grateful to my Biology & Society community for their support throughout the whole process.

Amy Senkerik

Exploring SCIN Expression in Glioblastoma

“It was an incredible honor to present at the 2026 AAAS Annual Meeting. I thoroughly enjoyed engaging with interdisciplinary scientists from around the world. Thank you to Barrett, the Honors College, for sponsoring my attendance, and to the Mayo Clinic Undergraduate Biomedical Research Internship for supporting my research.”

Keshav Sivakumar

Constructing Complex Topological Structures Using Switchback DNA

I found it exciting to share my work with experts and talk about everything I learned at the Di Liu laboratory. One highlight of the event was meeting my peers who study similar fields. I am grateful to ASU for hosting this event and to Dr. Di Liu for his guidance in my project.

Becca Tiernan

An eco-evolutionary framework for assessing environmental release of gene drives

First Place in the AAAS 2026 E-Poster Competition in the Environment and Ecology category as a Graduate Student

"It was an incredible experience to attend and present my research at the AAAS meeting this year in Phoenix as a graduate representative of Biology & Society. I enjoyed having the opportunity to network and engage with scientists and professionals from such diverse disciplines and backgrounds. I am grateful to the Center for Biology and Society and to my entire ASU community for their invaluable support." 

Jynx Weaver

STEM Majors, Gender & Mental Health: Understanding Depression & Anxiety at Scale

Honorable Mention in the AAAS 2026 E-Poster Competition in the Science in Society Category as a Graduate Student

 Conferences shape your professional presentation to the world and directly impact future career opportunities through networking and attending talks. It's been an incredible chance to broaden my horizons in both ways through attending AAAS 2026 as a representative of ASU's Biology & Society graduate program.

Annie Weaver-Bryant

Oncosiphon in the City: Plant Associates and Abundance Patterns

Honorable Mention in the Environment and Ecology Category as a Graduate Student

I am immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the AAAS 2026 Annual Meeting. This incredible experience allowed me to present my research to an interdisciplinary and global audience, as well as network across multiple fields of study. This conference has inspired me and left me feeling honored to be able to represent the innovative version of both AAAS and ASU.

Delaney Witmer

Young Children’s Manual Exploration of Familiar and Unfamiliar Objects During Play

First place in the AAAS 2026 Student E-Poster Competition in the Social Sciences category as an undergraduate student. 

I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend the AAAS 2026 conference, especially with ASU as the host institution. It was an incredible experience, not only to learn about research across multiple disciplines, but also to further develop my skills in presenting my own work. I sincerely appreciate Barrett, the Honors College, for making this opportunity possible, as well as my mentors, Dr. Viridiana Benitez and Dr. Ye Li, for their guidance and support throughout my research.

Ava Claus

Capturing Carabid Diversity Over Time: The Necessity for Long-term Sampling

Attending the AAAS 2025 Annual Meeting was an incredible opportunity to share my research and connect with other scholars. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to share my work with such a large audience and to learn about a diverse array of other areas of research.

Sara Korpe 

Impact of Immune Checkpoint Blockade on Macrophages Against Lewis Lung Carcinoma

 I am incredibly grateful to have attended the AAAS 2025 Conference. Presenting my research to an interdisciplinary audience and connecting with experts in science and policy were invaluable experiences that I will always cherish. The panels, workshops, and discussions broadened my perspective on the future of science, and I look forward to seeing how my peers and I contribute to its rapidly evolving landscape.

Anirudh Manjesh

Integrating Honeybee Sleep Behavior to Enhance Learning in Artificial Neural Networks

Presenting my research at AAAS 2025 was an incredible opportunity to share insights into the role of sleep in memory consolidation. It was inspiring to engage with scientists from diverse fields, exchange ideas, and learn about groundbreaking discoveries that are shaping the future of science.

Tasneem Mohammed

The Impact of Aspects of Academia on Science Faculty Depression

First place in the AAAS 2025 Student E-Poster Competition in the Science and Society category as a Graduate student.

I am so grateful for having the opportunity to present my research at the AAAS 2025 meeting. It was empowering to learn about recent research from other interdisciplinary fields and enhance my professional network with researchers from all over the world! Attending AAAS instilled in me further passion and motivation for conducting scientific research.

Aida Movahed

Cerebral Organoids in Neurodegenerative Disease Research

Attending AAAS 2025 was an incredible experience that connected me with researchers, policy experts, and professionals from various disciplines, offering new perspectives on the future of science. This experience expanded my network and strengthened my vision for where I want my research to go next.

Fathima Nawaz

Immune Responses to Oral Toxins

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to represent ASU at the AAAS 2025 conference. The AAAS is the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific community and it was an awesome experience engaging with such a diverse group of scientists, researchers, and policy leaders.

Sarah Nesbit

Creating a Prosocial Tomorrow: Social Curiosity Can Influence Children's Sharing

Attending AAAS 2025 was an amazing opportunity to connect with other young researchers while learning from expert scientists.  The interdisciplinary nature of this conference allowed me to truly expand my understanding about many fields of science, while inspiring me to continue pursuing scientific research. Being able to attend this prestigious conference was truly an honor and I am so grateful for this experience! 

Jynx Pigart

Depression Over Time in Science Graduate Programs

First place in the AAAS 2025 Student E-Poster Competition in the Social Sciences category as a Graduate student.

Conferences shape your professional presentation to the world and directly impact future career opportunities through networking and attending talks. It’s been an incredible chance to broaden my horizons in both ways through attending AAAS 2025 as a representative of ASU’s Biology & Society graduate program. 

Aubrey Pinteric

Uterine Technologies:  Social Implications from Past to Future

First Place in the Science and Society category as an Undergraduate Student

AAAS was an incredible opportunity to present my research, learn from researchers from diverse scientific fields, and network with scientists and students from across the world! I am thankful for the opportunity to share my own work with the community, and the conference affirmed my interest in continuing my involvement in research post-graduation. I would recommend any student interested in science to attend and present at AAAS!

Devangana Shah

X-Chromosome Inactivation: From Theory to Therapy

AAAS was my first big conference and I’m so grateful for having had the chance to present my poster, attend sessions, and network with people! I also learned about so many opportunities in my field from other students as well as presenters sharing their research. The conference confirmed my passion for all things science and I look forward to learning more from my next conference opportunity!

Christina Stewart

"Teach me, Big Sis!" Older Sibling Effects on Curiosity Behaviors in Early Childhood

 I am so thankful to have the opportunity to present my research and attend AAAS 2025. I was inspired by hearing from leaders in research and policy and got to know other young researchers. This experience has continued to strengthen my passion and determination to continue important research. 

Akaash Surendra

Assessing Effects of CDK4/6i on Glioblastoma Cell State Markers and Cell Viability

Honorable Mention in the Cell Biology Category as an Undergraduate Student

Presenting at the AAAS conference was such an amazing opportunity for both my professional and personal growth. Being able to present my research and attend scientific talks across a wide array of scientific fields was an incredibly enriching opportunity, and I look forward to attending the conference again in the future!

Rita Dallal

Differential Gene Expression in Human Brain Cells Treated with Rexinoids

“Representing ASU and Barrett, The Honors College alongside amazing students is an opportunity I am honored to have been a part of. Meeting great individuals and connecting with professionals in the scientific realm allowed me to expand my knowledge on various aspects of science. Overall, the incredible support given by fellow students and ASU faculty made this trip one of my favorite conferences!”

Olivia Davis 

A New Five-Year Review Metric to Evaluate Recovery Under the Endangered Species Act

Honorable Mention in the Science in Society as a Graduate presenter

“Overall, I had an amazing time at AAAS. Going into such a big, interdisciplinary conference, I wasn't sure what to expect, but everyone was kind and welcoming. I really enjoyed walking around the exhibition hall to chat with publishers and have the opportunity to attend a diverse array of talks. This was also my first poster presentation as a graduate student, so I was a bit nervous. However, the ASU team really helped me prepare and make the best poster, and presentation, that I could. It meant a lot to have such a supportive group at the conference too. I also really enjoyed how the conference gave the opportunity for scientists and journalists to interact so much. I love science writing, so getting to meet professionals in both of these fields was really exciting.”

Mikayla Glancy

Neuroprotective Effects of ACMSD Across Sex in P301S Tauopathy Mouse Model

First Place in Brain & Behavior as an Undergraduate presenter

“Attending the AAAS meeting was an amazing experience both personally and professionally. I was able to hear lectures that interested me, make connections with peers and professionals, and get great practice presenting to an audience. I am very grateful I was able to attend!”

Jared Johnson

An Investigation on the Spatial Configurations of Amphibian Conservation in Drylands

“I had a great time representing ASU at AAAS ‘24. My favorite part of the trip was meeting other ASU students with different background in Biology and learning about all the interesting research topics we were each presenting. I also was able to connect with a lot of potential employers and gain valuable presentation experience.”

Sophia Koutsgiannis

Can We Turn Back the Clock on Insecticide Resistance?

First Place Developmental Biology, Genetics, and Immunology as an Undergraduate presenter

"Attending the 2024 AAAS symposium was the most influential step in my scientific journey thus far. It was an honor to be able to present my research among so many other brilliant scientists. The highlight of the conference for me was the opportunity to meet and engage in dialogue with seasoned professionals in academia, as well as making many new friends." 

Moria MacCatherine

An Assessment Scale and Care Recommendations for Neonatal Opioid
Withdrawal Syndrome

First Place in Medicine and Public Health as an Undergraduate presenter

“I am so grateful to have been a part of the 2024 AAAS Conference. Presenting my research to a panel of judges and a generalized audience challenged me to be descriptive yet concise and confident. I met students and professionals from a vast range of specialties - one of the benefits of attending a general science meeting. It was fascinating to learn about a wide array of topics and contribute my own niche interests to the conversation. I felt a strong community of my Barrett peers, which provided a nice balance of familiarity while still having the freedom to explore the conference sessions I wanted to attend. Traveling to Denver also granted us the opportunity to venture into a new city after conference hours and strengthen these new relationships. Thank you to everyone involved!”

Naina Misra

The Effect of Free Food Events on Inclusivity Among University Students

First Place in Science in Society as a Undergraduate presenter

“Attending the AAAS General Meeting was an eye-opening experience for me and the others in my cohort this year, as we attended memorable speaker sessions, networked with companies and national organizations, and cheered each other on at our poster presentations. Presenting our project posters to an interdisciplinary panel of judges and competing on a National stage was the perfect opportunity for me to raise awareness for my mission to encourage and support Free Food Events on college campuses to be more inclusive for students with dietary restrictions. Hearing their feedback, praise, and personal experiences regarding my project galvanized me to reach out to more stakeholders at ASU and even other universities about the data I have collected and solutions I devised. I am confident that I will take the lessons I learned at this conference with me into the future and use it to create an even greater positive impact on my community.”

Sophia Page

Biodiversity’s Impact on Desert Soil Carbon Sequestration: Could Landscaping for Biodiversity Help Climate Change?

“This was my first conference and it was a truly eye-opening experience. Every day presented a new deluge of possibilities and it showed me that I am capable of great things---both in- and out-of-state. But at the end of the day, traveling to Denver made me realize how much I love my home in Phoenix. I will take what I learned home to improve the ways in which I help my community.”

Jynx Pigart

Social Comparison Partially Mediates the Relationship Between Underserved Science Identities and Fear of Negative Evaluation

"This experience was enthralling to see how issues of equity and inclusion in sciences are being approached from both a scientific perspective but also from an institutional side, from publishers to administrators to government agencies like the National Science Foundation. At AAAS, I felt like I saw a side of academia that students don't usually get to see. AAAS made me curious for potential future careers."

Srivatsan Swaminathan

Vaccines Re-establish Homeostasis in a Mouse Collagen-induced Arthritis Model

Honorable Mention Developmental Biology, Genetics, and Immunology as an Undergraduate presenter

Orchee Syed

Pain During Midlife:  A Crossnational  Analysis of Birthyear Cohort Differences

Honorable Mention in Social Sciences as an Undergraduate presenter

“This was my first conference, and I had a really great time! Presenting my research, nerve-wracking though it was, was a rewarding and fulfilling experience. My judges were invested and asked compelling questions, and everyone I travelled with was so friendly and supportive. I enjoyed seeing the other students’ projects as well, and the booths and speakers were very interesting.”

Cindy Vargas 

Incorporating Fisher Metrics in Assessments of Bycatch Reduction Technologies   

First Place in Social Sciences as a Graduate presenter

“I am thankful for having the opportunity to present in the AAAS 2024 meeting in Denver. It was exciting to practice communicating my research to a broader range of scientists and learn about various topics outside of my field of study. One of the benefits of attending a large scientific conference, such as AAAS, is that there are many workshops, talks, and posters you can attend and learn about. There is something for everyone!”

Bryan Yavari

Adaptive Therapy: Leveraging Evolutionary Dynamics For Colorectal Cancer Management

“The AAAS meeting was a rewarding experience, allowing me to meaningfully contribute to the scientific community by presenting my research to experts and peers. I was able to network and learn from other scientists in many different fields, diversifying my knowledge across multiple disciplines. The discussions I had sparked new ideas and collaborations that I am currently working to develop. I am excited to further use the insights that I gained in my research and future endeavors.”

Kayla Burgher Graduate Student First Place - Environment and Ecology

"Attending the AAAS conference in Washington, D.C. was a wonderful experience that opened my mind to different ways of scientific thinking while giving me a platform to present my work and learn about future career opportunities. Many of the sessions I attended discussed science communication and the ethics of conducting science, topics I haven’t had much exposure to in my daily work. Additionally, while attending sessions and wandering around the expo hall, I met many fascinating scientists from many backgrounds and career paths. Not only did I get the opportunity to bounce my research ideas off these scientists, but I also gained insider information on how they built their careers. Finally, I enjoyed presenting my research in the e-poster competition. Through presenting, I practiced communicating my work to a general audience and had the opportunity to answer thoughtful questions from the judges. Ultimately, AAAS opened my eyes to the larger world of science outside of my field and ASU. I am excited to attend again in the future."   

Baylee Edwards

"My experience at AAAS was incredibly educational and very fun. I had opportunities to build connections with folks from a variety of disciplines, and discussing my work with them gave me new insight into my research. I was also able to attend sessions on topics both within and outside of my field, which helped me connect my work to some of my other interests. At the end of the weekend, I left the conference with multiple new ideas and the inspiration I need to bring those ideas to life at ASU." 

Joseph Hale

"Worry. Hope. Inspiration. Introspection. Such feelings characterize the experience of exhibiting
undergraduate research about a Rubik's Cube at the graduate level in one of science's most prestigious conferences, the 2023 AAAS Annual Meeting. Fortunately, initial fears of inadequacy gradually dissolved into crystalizing confidence as new friendships formed over shared excitement and mutual admiration.  As the conference progressed, thought-provoking presentations prompted contemplation of the patent economy, privacy amidst quantum computing, and proposals for ethical intelligent algorithms. Overall, this academic experience revealed many new opportunities to stretch intellectually and professionally, for which I offer sincere gratitude."

Cole Nichols

"AAAS 2023 was my first experience at an academic conference. Presenting my research was a
welcome challenge, and I enjoyed learning from other poster presenters. From attending other sessions, I gained new insights for use both in my research and larger academic career."