Sioux City, IA – Morningside University students presented results from 100 independent or classroom research projects at last week’s Palmer Student Research Symposium.

Throughout the day, students shared research results through oral presentations, poster presentations, and panel discussions. Students presented research projects completed in a class or independent research projects completed under faculty supervision. The student research projects represent almost every academic department on campus.

Palmer 2025 Session Winners

• Oral Sessions
  • Cindy Ortega – Becoming a Welcoming Church for People with Autism and Their Families
  • Barbara Kozouskova – Cultural Perspectives on Leadership: The Role of Emotional Intelligence in U.S. vs. Czech Leaders
  • Marcia Lozada – The Impact of Inquiry-Based Collaborative Problem-Solving on Students’ Attitudes about Mathematical Story Problems 
  • Lauryn Bonar – Interarm Blood Pressure Difference During Lower Limb Anaerobic Exercise
• Virtual Nursing Posters:
  • Audrey Appel – Improving Antibiotic Stewardship for Acute Bronchitis with Written Patient Education 
  • Ara (Beth) Avakian – Breaking Barriers: Improving Statin Adherence in Underserved Patients
  • Katelyn Lewis – Asymptomatic Bacteriuria: An Evidence-Based Approach to Reduce Antibiotic Use

Poster Session I

• Shawna Fernau – How Experiential and Demographic Factors Predict Levels of Mental Health Literacy
• Mandi De Jongh – A Conjoint Analysis of Consumer Preferences in the Retail Coffee Market
• Claire Wilson – The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Positions Among Morningside Students 
• Alexandra Stuhrenberg – Family-Centered Care
• Alexander Valdez – Identification of Antibiotic-Producing Soil Bacteria Near a Local Wastewater Treatment Plant 
• Skyler Rahn – Secret Cures in the Stable: Exploring Equine for the Next Antibiotic Discovery
• Hayden Stephenson – The Influence of Physical and Surgical Variables of Feline Postoperative Volatility 

Poster Session II

• Olivia Larsen – Prevalence of UTI in Long-Term Care Facilities
• Audrey Haworth – Pressure Ulcer Prevention in Evidence-Based Practice
•  JoHannah McKibben – Rising Colorectal Cancer Rates: The Role of Prevention and Early Detection
• Kaylee Small – Screening and Referrals for Those With Housing Insecurities
• Kali Hill – Nurse-Initiated Chest Pain Protocols in the Emergency Department 
• Ann Davidshfer – Identifying External Social, Economic, and Environmental Conditions Using a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Survey 
• Reagan Milton, Kinsey Hall, Elvis Iroegbulem, Emerson Smith, Skyler Rahn, Ella Stpek, Claire Cozad – Shots and Skepticism: Unpacking College Students’ Opinions and Understanding of Childhood Vaccines 

Poster Session III

• Kaylynn Larson – Evaluation of GLP-1 Medications: Current Benefits and the Unknown
• Kayla Heller – Back to the Basics: Right Time Administration of Levothyroxine in Hospitalized Patients 
• Lateefat Odubote – Preventing Central Venous Catheter (CVC) Infections in an Inpatient Dialysis Unit by Improving Staff Education 
• Elizabeth Hogrefe – Anti-Inflammatory Diets and Their Impacts on the Gastrointestinal System 
• Maureen Wernsmann – Nurse Based Education to Increase Vaccination