*In this photo:* One of the many groups of student researchers recognized for their outstanding poster presentations at Delaware State University’s 18th Annual Summer Research Symposium.

On Campus

DSU hosts 18th Annual Summer Research Symposium

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

In June and July, while classrooms at Delaware State University were largely empty, laboratories and research spaces were abuzz with activity.

While graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and faculty typically spend their summers conducting research, this summer, as in years past, they were joined by nearly 150 student researchers, including undergraduate, high school and even middle school students.

The students participated in federal, state, or University funded research programs designed to develop the next generation of scientific talent and grow science-savvy citizens by providing early exposure to research. Depending on the programs, students spent four to 10 weeks working alongside DSU faculty, graduate students and research scientists, either conducting individual research projects or contributing to larger research projects underway in University laboratories.

Their work culminated in DSU’s 18th Annual Summer Research Symposium on July 31, which took over the two lower floors of the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center.

Click here to view photos from the event

More than 135 student presenters displayed 128 posters throughout the MLK parlors. Of those, 70 were presented by undergraduate students, 47 by high school students and eight by middle school students. Three additional poster presentations were given by new graduate students beginning DSU graduate programs in fall 2026.

DSU students were well represented, accounting for 56 of the 70 undergraduate presenters. Four presenters were from the University of Delaware. Other HBCUs represented included Coppin State University, Florida A&M University, Savannah State University, Tennessee State University, Xavier University and Spelman College.

Among the high school participants, MOT Charter School led with six student presenters, while DSU’s Early College High School and Appoquinimink High School each had four. Caesar Rodney High School, Dover High School, Middletown High School and Milford High School each had two students presenting posters.

DSU’s Annual Summer Research Symposium is more than an opportunity for students to present their work. Prizes are awarded in multiple categories for the best poster presentations, adding a competitive element to the event.

Student presenters began setting up their posters early that morning, with many arriving before 8 a.m. to rehearse before the symposium began at 9 a.m. Dr. Melissa Harrington, DSU associate vice president for research and mistress of ceremonies, encouraged presenters to step away from their posters to gather for the opening remarks.

DSU Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Patrice Gilliam formally opened the symposium, welcoming students, parents, friends and other guests. She also thanked the DSU faculty members and researchers who worked with students throughout the summer.

Following the poster presentations, attendees gathered for a boxed lunch while judges tallied the scores and determined the competition winners. Dr. Terrel Holmes, DSU assistant vice president of strategic initiatives and a former undergraduate researcher, delivered the keynote address, “I am not a scientist, but my early research experience changed my life.”

Prizes for the best poster presentations were awarded in three divisions: undergraduate, high school and middle school. Undergraduate and high school students also competed in three disciplinary categories.

Poster Competition Winners

Middle School Division

First place – Sujan Talabattula
Second place – Josie Hayford
Third place – Jesil Arthur

High School Division

Agriculture/Natural Resources

First place – Nikit Paudel, Appoquinimink High School
Second place (tie) – Delaney Weissberg, Milford High School; Zayd Anwar, MOT Charter School
Third place – Hrithik Danduprolu, Appoquinimink High School

Sociology/Neuroscience/Cell & Molecular Biology

First place – Maya Warthen, Tower Hill School
Second place (tie) – Afia Ibnat Aumiya, Dover High School; “AI in Health Care” team: Kayla Arthur, Cardinal Gibbons High School; Kaire Asare, Cumberland International Early College High School; Krista Asare, Cross Creek Early College High School; Aidan Collison, Georgia Cyber Academy; Marie Hankoua, Hebron High School
Third place – Haritha Jimoh, DSU Early College School

Chemistry/Data Science/Physics

First place (tie) – Rithvik Raj, Appoquinimink High School; Prayag Parisi, MOT Charter School
Second place – Ashmit Mukherjee
Third place – Ruchi Daga, DSU Early College High School

Undergraduate Division

Agriculture/Natural Resources

First place – Cierra Tkachuk, Delaware State University
Second place – James Jordan, Delaware State University
Third place – Agnes Besong, Temple University

Mathematics/Data Science/Physics

First place (tie) – Albert Kiser, Delaware State University; Haley Crawford, Delaware State University
Second place – Brejon Turner, Delaware State University
Third place – Erika Suber-Bey, Delaware State University

Chemistry/Cell Biology/Neuroscience

First place – Katelyn Lemon, Coppin State University
Second place – Mark Moore, Delaware State University
Third place – Kareem Boukari, Delaware State University