Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program
An LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher is a student who has demonstrated outstanding ability as an advanced student researcher in their discipline.
Distinguished Researchers will be honored at a special medal ceremony in their graduating semester, the designation will be noted on their transcripts, and they will have the opportunity for their research to be published in the LSU Scholarly Repository.
The LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher designation recognizes the achievements of outstanding LSU undergraduates who participate in a track of educational and research activities leading to a final and public presentation or publication of a faculty-mentored undergraduate scholarly project.
There are strict standards and requirements, including due dates, that must be met for students to earn and remain eligible for the award once enrolled. Students will become ineligible for the award if they fail to meet any standards and/or due dates.
| Awardee | Degree | Mentor(s) |
| Aseel Basil Ahmed | B.S. in Biological Engineering | Dr. Qi Cai |
| Ibrahim Alam | B.S. in Computer Science | Dr. James Ghawaly |
| Jalayne Allison | B.A. in Anthropology | Dr. Michael (M.P.) Hayes |
| Benjamin Paul Almond | B.S. in Biological Sciences | Dr. SeYeon Chung |
| Ted Elkana Bosire Atera | B.S. in Electrical Engineering | Dr. Yen-Fang Su |
| Lillie Marguerite Ballanco | B.S. in Biological Sciences | Dr. Nathaniel Gilbert |
| Virginia Bordelon | B.S. in Kinesiology | Dr. Senlin Chen |
| Anne Elise Brasseaux | B.S. in Biological Sciences | Dr. Ryoichi Teruyama |
| Jennifer Cagnolatti | B.S. in Biological Sciences | Dr. Naohiro Kato |
| Eva Margaret Carter | B.A in Political Science | Dr. Nichole Bauer |
| Kiara Charles | B.S. in Biological Sciences | Dr. Jennifer Caldwell, Dr. Robert Kesterson, Dr. John Pojman |
| Calley Marie Chauvin | B.S. in Biological Engineering | Dr. Adam Melvin, Dr. Christopher Axelrod |
| Anthony Felix Chiasson | B.S. in Geology, B.S. in Biological Sciences | Dr. Achim Herrmann |
| Liz Marjorie Diaz Guevara | B.S. in Chemical Engineering | Dr. Kevin McPeak, Dr. Samuel Snow |
| Molly Dreznick | B.S. in Microbiology | Dr. Fan Zhang |
| Bryce James Joseph Edwards | B.A. in History | Jennifer Cramer, Dr. Julia Irwin |
| Samantha Maria Ferrer | B.S in Microbiology | Dr. Alyssa Johnson |
| Meghan Elizabeth Garcelon | B.S. in Psychology | Dr. Christopher Cox, Dr. Heather Lucas |
| Ashleigh Godke | B.S. in Animal Sciences | Dr. Mark Mitchell |
| Marissa Irja Goldthorp | B.S. in Psychology | Dr. Christopher Cox |
| Roan Gabriel Guidry | B.A. in Political Sciences, B.A. in Philosophy | Dr. John Andrew Nyman |
| Henry Hanks | B.A. in Sociology, B.A. in Anthropology | Dr. Mark Walker |
| Isabel Hau | B.S. in Biochemistry | Dr. Zhi-Yuan Chen |
| Marc Hebert | B.S. in Computer Engineering, B.A. in Music | Dr. Ali Kazemian |
| Marie Nancy Howe | B.S. in Biological Engineering | Dr. Cristina Sabliov, Dr. Sean Lee |
| Tai Hua | B.S. in Chemistry | Dr. Kenneth Lopata |
| Samuel Allen Juneau | B.S. in Geology | Dr. Matthew Loocke |
| Sydney Junot | B.S. in Biological Sciences | Dr. David McDougal |
| Sophia Klosowski | B.S. in Chemistry | Dr. Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy |
| Sydney Lynn Lawson | B.S. in Biological Sciences, B.S. in Mathematics | Dr. Fatima Rivas |
| Iresa Zephlyn Lincoln | B.S in Biological Sciences | Dr. Nicholas Fears |
| Gerard Lorio | B.S. in Biological Engineering | Dr. Todd Monroe |
| Cameron Nicole McCleary | B.S. in Psychology | Dr. Katie Cherry |
| Ally Noel Miller | B.A. in Communication Sciences & Disorders, B.A in Communication Studies | Dr. Willem van Boxtel |
| Mallory Miller | B.S. in Natural Resource Ecology and Management | Dr. Jeffrey Plumlee |
| Niya Alyse Mogheeth | B.S. in Psychology | Dr. Teairra Evans, Dr. Danbi Choe |
| Marleigh Arys Morman | B.A. in Chemistry | Dr. Fatima Rivas |
| Eseoghene Mukoro | B.I.S in Interdisciplinary Studies | Dr. Danielle Thomas |
| Mika Ndikumana | B.S. in Kinesiology | Dr. Hyun Kim |
| Moises Osorio Ruiz | B.S. in Environmental Engineering | Dr. Samuel Snow |
| Brookelyn Pasipanki | B.S. in Psychology | Dr. Colleen Sinclair |
| Ananya Pathak | B.S. in Biological Sciences | Dr. Jiaqi Tan |
| Olivia Marie Perry | B.S. in Kinesiology | Dr. Chris Hill |
| Madelyn Phillips | B.S. in Nutrition and Food Science | Dr. Erin McKinley |
| Lan Qiu | B.S. in Psychology, B.I.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies | Dr. Julia Buckner |
| Amna Rathor | B.S. in Biological Sciences | Dr. Shisheng Li, Dr. Jennifer Cameron |
| Laraimie Reid | B.S. in Civil Engineering | Dr. Yen-Fang Su |
| Martha Raffaela Rigney | B.S. in Textiles, Apparel Design, & Merchandising | Dr. Michael Mamp, Dr. Casey Stannard |
| Senora Rodgers | B.S. in Psychology | Dr. Teairra Evans, Dr. Amy Mikolajewski |
| Icyss Sargeant | B.S. in Biochemistry | Dr. Igor Schneider |
| Abigail Savoy | B.S. in Biological Engineering | Dr. Nicholas Totaro |
| Faye Sciple | B.S. in Psychology | Dr. Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy |
| Maureen Kathryn Shelby | B.S in Biochemistry, B.S. in Microbiology | Dr. Huangen Ding |
| Raedan Stephens | B.S. in Biological Engineering, B.S. in Computer Science | Dr. Nicholas Totaro, Dr. Christine Lattin |
| Elise Marguerite Strain | B.A. in Mass Communication, B.M. in Vocal Performance | Dr. Nichole Bauer |
| Francesca Thomassee | B.S. in Psychology | Dr. Christopher Cox |
| Emma Tsai | B.S. in Biochemistry | Dr. Ahmed Abdelmoneim |
| Matthew William Umstetter | B.S. in Biochemistry | Dr. Anastasios Vourekas |
| Marie Jasmine Vilcin | B.S in Kinesiology | Dr. Arend Van Gemmert, Dr. Neil Johannsen |
| Skylar Marie Vollmer | Bachelor of Architecture | Dr. Farzaneh Oghazian |
| Hang N. Vu | B.S. in Biochemistry | Dr. Alexandra Noel |
| Carissa Wagner | B.S. in Biochemistry | Dr. Achyut Adhikari |
| Elena Grace Whatley | B.S. in Psychology, B.A. in Political Science | Dr. Elia Soto |
| Abigail Williams | B.A. in International Studies | Dr. Jill Trepanier, Dr. Scott Madere |
| Madison Woodson | B.S. in Environmental Management Systems | Dr. Michael (M.P.) Hayes |
| Madison Grace Wray | B.S. in Natural Resource Ecology and Management | Dr. Jeffrey Plumlee |
| Jada Yeboah | B.S. in Biochemistry | Dr. Graca Vicente |
| Rei Zimmerman | B.A. in English Literature, B.A. in Liberal Arts | Dr. Michael Bibler,Dr. Ashley Mack, Dr. Benjy Kahan |
Carefully review all of the eligibility requirements and next steps below to learn how to join the program.
How to earn the Distinction
Students must complete all activities listed in the following categories and meet all standards in order to earn the Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher medal and transcript notation. Students will no longer be eligible for the award if they fail to meet any of the standards, don't complete all of the required activities, and/or fail to meet the due dates.
Standards:
- All of the program requirements must be met by their respective due dates.
- Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA upon graduation.
- Must be in good standing with the university upon graduation.
- Must receive a positive recommendation from a faculty mentor.
Requirements:
Enrolled students will be added to the Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program to submit and track all completed requirements.
Distinguished Researcher candidates participate in faculty-mentored research activities and provide evidence of research skill proficiency.
Earn 270 hours from any combination of the following activities. All course work and final course grade must earn a grade of B- or higher.
- Research Intensive course credit: 30 hours per credit hour.
- Research for pay, as a volunteer, or as part of a scholarship: Based on average hours worked per week and number of weeks worked for each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer).
All Distinguished Researchers are required to present at the University's annual undergraduate research and creativity conference, LSU Discover Day.
In addition to presenting at LSU Discover Day, Distinguished Researcher candidates are required to present or publish their work at least once to an audience beyond LSU in one of the activities listed below.
- Presentation at a professional or academic conference.
- Presentation at a non-LSU student conference.
- Presentation of a departmental or Honors Thesis defense.
- Publication in a peer-reviewed academic or professional publication.
- Publication in a non-LSU student research publication.
Distinguished Researchers must attend supplemental workshops and activities in order to broaden their research skills and knowledge. Students must attend 3 LSU OUR Workshops:
- CV Writing workshop.
- Abstract Writing workshop.
- Writing Personal Statements workshop
All candidates must complete the CITI Responsible Conduct of Research (CITI RCR) online training module and then submit their certificate.
Distinguished Researcher candidates are required to take part in at least 2 Professional Development activities. Below are the types of events that qualify with a few examples listed after each.
Training or workshops:
- EHSA Lab Safety
- Attend any of the Graduate Research Fellowship workshop series
- Workshops at conferences
- Take a research-related workshop offered by CxC, LSU Libraries, or another LSU department
Attend research events:
- Attend an on-campus student research event such as the LSU Discover Day events, Geology Rock Stars, Chemical Engineering Poster competition, etc.
- Attend an LSU Science Cafe event.
- Attend a departmental or college research event or guest lecture.
- Attend a Doctoral dissertation defense, Masters thesis defense, or undergraduate honors thesis defense.
In your graduating semester, senior portfolios must be submitted. These will be sent to the faculty mentor and an LSU OUR faculty advisory board member for review and final approval.
Portfolio elements:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Reflective Essay.
- Final copy of research paper, poster, or publication with corresponding abstract to be submitted to the LSU Scholarly Repository .
Past Award Winners
View the list of students who have recieved the distinguished undergraduate researcher award
Student awardees at the Spring 2025 Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher ceremony.