Students from nine eastern Penn State campuses (Abington, Berks, Brandywine, Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Schuylkill, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and York) presented their research at the 14th annual Penn State Eastern Regional Undergraduate Research Symposium on April 26, writes Christina Billie for Penn State Brandywine.

The symposium, which took place in Brandywine’s Commons/Athletics Center gymnasium in Media Borough, saw 56 students present their research in arts and humanities, biological sciences and health, physical sciences, informational sciences and engineering, and social sciences and business.

Brandywine had two winners during the symposium.

Thomas Stauffer, a first-year engineering major, won second place in the physical sciences, informational sciences, and engineering category for his presentation, “Group Theoretic Applications to Music Theory.”

Stauffer’s work was advised by Associate Teaching Professor of Mathematics Samantha Pezzimenti.

Bandy Khoury, a first-year psychology major, won third place in the social sciences and business category for her presentation, “Impact of Roleplaying in Psychodrama Group Therapy on Traumatic and Prolonged Grief.”

Khoury’s work was advised by Teaching Professor of Psychology Joshua Marquit.

Teaching Professor of Chemistry Kurt Kistler helped organize the symposium at Brandywine. He noted the importance of undergraduate students getting involved in research and expressed his enjoyment of facilitating the event.

“Undergraduate research is one of the important and beneficial undertakings students can involve themselves with,” Kistler said. “For me, facilitating and enjoying this big annual symposium is being witness to a real celebration of the true value of higher education and presents the reason we all do what we do in a glorious and joyful day.”

The 15th annual Penn State Eastern Regional Undergraduate Research Symposium will be in April 2026. The location is to be determined.