From health care to human performance, Harris College students earned top recognition at the 2026 Student Research Competition for research tackling real-world challenges.
Boller Competition
Winner: Sara Scott
“Health Literacy Champions”
Nursing | Mentor: Carol Howe
Scott will represent Harris College at the University-level Boller Competition.
Runner-Up: Isabella Kershaw
“Hesitant Medicine in Reproductive Healthcare”
Social Work | Mentor: Katie Lauve-Moon
Kershaw will serve as an alternate for the University-level competition.
Student Research Conference – Poster Awards
Undergraduate
First Place: Camilla Buchanan
“Mathematical Concepts and Computational Abilities Among Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in Second Grade”
Communication Sciences and Disorders | Mentor: Emily Lund
Second Place: Sarah Morgan
“Parental Perception of Children’s Media Use”
Social Work | Mentor: Aesha John
Master’s
First Place: Parker Hughes
“Kicking and Pulling: Are Propulsive Forces the Secret to Peak Swimming Performance?”
Kinesiology | Mentor: Peter Weyand
Second Place: Sarah Parnell
“Influence of Athletic and Exercise Identity on Perceptual and Attitudinal Body Image in Young Adults”
Kinesiology | Mentor: Austin Graybeal
Doctoral
First Place: Angela Boyan
“Language Complexity as a Marker of Academic Discourse”
Communication Sciences and Disorders | Mentor: Danielle Brimo
Second Place: Rebekah Gay
“Strokes vs. Steps: A Mixed-Methods Comparison of Guided Mindfulness on Exertion,
Attention, and Self-Compassion in Rowing and Walking”
Kinesiology | Mentor: Robyn Trocchio