YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University’s Sokolov Honors College sent 16 students to the 2025 National Collegiate Honors Council Conference, its largest delegation of student presenters. 

The students shared original research, leadership initiatives and projects at the annual conference, held Nov. 6-9 in San Diego.

The conference convened honors students and faculty from across the country to exchange ideas and highlight the impact of honors education on academic and professional development.

“Our NCHC 2025 students impressed me with their professionalism and genuine curiosity to learn,” said Presley Bowser, associate director of the Sokolov Honors College. “They fully engaged in sessions on leadership, research, study abroad and honors programming, bringing back thoughtful ideas for the Sokolov Honors College and YSU. Even outside the conference, their curiosity about the new city and spending time with one another stood out. Watching them support one another throughout the trip was truly heartwarming. What a great group.”

Student-led conference sessions featured a variety of topics in the sciences, social sciences and health fields, including:

  • Comparative Muscle Architecture Analysis of the European Chipmunk, Black-Tailed Prairie Dog and Western Pocket Gopher, Cole Burnett, biological sciences BaccMed.
  • Chirp Asymmetry in Zeeman Electromagnetically Induced Transparency, Erfan Nasirzadeh Organg, computer science.
  • The Synthesis and Characterization of Boron-Containing Thin Films, James W. Killmeyer, physics.
  • Impact of Pediatrician Attire on Anticipatory Anxiety and Comfort Levels in Young Patients: A Comparison of Formal vs. Casual Clothing, Anthony Mazzella, Simon Kovass and Prabhas Kolluri, all biological sciences BaccMed.
  • Genetic Engineering and Biodiversity: Harnessing CRISPR for a Sustainable Future, Sushan Tiwari, biological sciences.
  • Patient Dissatisfaction in Dermatology: An Analysis Across Five Major Ohio Cities, Akshita Priyadershi, and Ritika Chavan, biological sciences BaccMed.
  • Investigating Antibiotic Resistance in Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium from Yogurt, Luca Ricchiuti, Kaitlyn Vail and Devika Rajeev, all biological sciences BaccMed.
  • Conservation of the Autonomic Amygdala Network
    Crescenzo Scheetz, biological sciences BaccMed.
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Yearly Mammograms: A Social Justice Approach to Individualized Medicine,
    DiAndra Tensley, biochemistry BaccMed.
  • Benefits of Research for Pre-Health Undergraduate Students, Kaitlyn Vail, biological sciences BaccMed.

In addition to research presentations, Gabe Perrotta and Caitlyn Sapp led general sessions about honors trustees and honors teaching assistants, sharing leadership insights with peers and honors professionals from across the country.

This year’s delegation also included a nationally recognized award recipient.

Akshita Priyadershi received the Freddye T. Davy Student Scholarship, honoring her work as a mentor, advocate and campus leader through her role as an honors teaching assistant. The scholarship recognizes exceptional student leadership and service within the national honors community. Students described the conference as an inspiring and transformative academic experience.

“This experience was easily one of my favorites throughout my entire college career,” Sapp said. “Not only did it allow me to connect professionally and gain ideas from honors colleges from across the world, but it also allowed me to explore a new city and create memories that will last a lifetime.”