Student Research Symposium
Empowering Academic Discovery
COMMITTEE ON STUDENT RESEARCH
CSR Symposium
The Research Symposium at the University of St. Thomas advances a culture of inquiry by supporting and showcasing undergraduate and graduate student research across disciplines. Through collaboration with faculty and engagement with rigorous research practices, students develop critical thinking skills, evaluate evidence with discernment, and apply ethical standards to their work.
The Symposium provides a platform for students to present their findings, fostering scholarly dialogue and encouraging participation in regional and national venues. By emphasizing analytical rigor, intellectual curiosity, and professional integrity, student research at UST prepares graduates to contribute thoughtfully and competitively in academic, professional, and civic contexts.
2026 Symposium
2026 Symposium Program
The 2026 Research Symposium will be held April 23-24. The schedule for each day will be:
THURSDAY, April 23rd
Keynote Address – Jones Hall, 5:00-6:30 PM (virtual access option available, as-needed)
5:00-5:15 PM – President’s Kick-Off: Opening Remarks
5:15-5:40 PM – External Speaker: Dr. Ilya Marotta
5:40-6:15 PM – Distinguished Alumni Keynote Panel Speakers: Dr. Ana Hernandez, Jacquelyn DiStefano, Ronan O’Malley, Danielle Herrera
6:15-6:30 PM – Interactive: Q&A
Keynote Reception – Jones Hall Foyer & Academic Mall, 6:30-6:45 PM
Poster Presentations – Academic Mall Outside Jones Hall, 6:45-8:00 PM
FRIDAY, April 24th
9:00 AM-1:00 PM – Oral Presentations: Malloy Hall Basement
9:00 AM-3:00 PM – Oral Presentations: Welder Hall’s Basilian Boardroom
3:00-5:00 PM – Honors Colloquium: Jones Hall
Evenings with...
Key Note Speakers
April 23-24, 2026
Speaker Bios
Check Out Our Speaker Lineup Below
Ilya R. Espino de Marotta
Ilya R. Espino de Marotta, a Marine Engineer, graduated from Texas A&M University, Galveston in 1985. She earned her Master of Economic Engineering in 1996 at Santa María La Antigua University, Panama. She advanced her Management Development studies at INCAE Business School in 2000, and The Kellogg School of Management in 2006. Ilya is Deputy Administrator and Chief Sustainability Officer of the Panama Canal Authority, currently, leading the integration of sustainability into the Canal’s corporate strategy. Under her leadership, the Panama Canal has reinforced its commitment to responsible water resource management, decarbonization, climate resilience, and sustainable development of the Canal’s watershed. Her Panama Canal experience of over 40 years, includes her 2012 appointment as Executive Vice President for Engineering and Program Management leading the Canal Expansion Program, and as Vice President for Transit Business in 2019 overseeing all Canal operations. In addition, Ilya has served on the Board of Directors for Ronald McDonald Children’s Foundation of Panama from 2017 to 2023, is a member of the Association of Women Directors of Panama and the International Women’s Forum, and also served as a judge for the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering in 2018. Ilya was elected to serve as International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, United Kingdom, in 2025.
Jacquelyn DiStefano
Jacquelyn “Jacque” DiStefano, graduated in 2014 from our School of Education and Human Services with her Bachelor of Arts General Studies in Education (Initial Licensure, 8-12 grade), and with two English and Philosophy minors. Jacque is the Senior Manager of Membership at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where she leads efforts to engage and grow the museum’s community of more than 80,000 member households. In her role, she wears many hats: overseeing membership data and day-to-day operations, creating member newsletters and reengagement campaigns, and collaborating across departments to strengthen accessibility and deepen community relationships. With nine years at HMNS and more than a decade in the nonprofit world, Jacque brings a genuine passion for community-focused work and generating meaningful audience connections.
Ana Victoria Hernandez, MD
Ana Victoria Hernandez, MD, graduated in 2018 from our School of Arts and Sciences with her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Theology minor, graduating as a proud member of the Honors Program. Ana was born in Caracas, Venezuela and Houston, Texas has been home for most of her life. She went on to earn her Doctor of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine in 2022. Ana is completing her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana in June 2026. She will transition into a Surgical NaPro Technology Fellowship in Omaha, Nebraska with Saint Paul VI Institute. This specialized field of women’s healthcare designs treatments to cooperate with, rather than suppress, the menstrual cycle. This approach reflects her medical expertise and commitment to addressing root causes of women’s health challenges with dignity and respect for the whole person. Ana’s formation at UST went beyond the sciences; through her studies in Catholic teaching, ethics, and Theology of the Body, she developed a deeply rooted philosophy of medicine that would shape the trajectory of her career. This foundation ultimately led her to pursue a path in women’s health centered on authentic, restorative care.
Danielle Herrera
Danielle “Dani” Herrera, graduated in 1997 from our Cameron School of Business with her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, and completed the Honors Program. Dani was named Outstanding Graduate in Marketing and was a Truman Scholarship finalist, an honor reflecting distinguished academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to public service. As part of her Honors Program Independent Research Project, she participated in the Student Research Symposium, presenting work in the area of Marketing of Higher Education. Her professional career spans over two decades across small business operations, accounting, and sales and business development. She most recently led cross-functional initiatives encompassing marketing, sales, project management, and business development for a commercial construction firm. A dedicated advocate for her alma mater, Dani has held leadership roles within the University of St. Thomas Alumni Association, most recently serving as President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Dani’s dedicated commitment to serving the University transitioned her to join our staff as Director of Alumni Relations. In this current role, Dani works to advance alumni engagement and strengthen meaningful connections between graduates and the University community.
Ronan O’Malley
Ronan O’Malley, graduated in 2000 from our School of Arts and Sciences with his Bachelor of Arts International Studies and History minor, then in 2006 earned his Master’s in International Business (MIB). Ronan O’Malley is Chief Program Officer for the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, where he oversees the large variety of speakers and events the Council hosts and teaches the Council’s continuing education and professional development classes on global affairs and foreign policy of the United States. Before joining the Council in 2012, he worked as a real estate broker for 10 years. Ronan moved to the United States with his family from Ireland as a young boy, and his insatiable curiosity and keen interest in global affairs that began in those early years still drives him to keep learning to this day. Over his twelve years with the Council, Ronan has been privileged to interview a wide array of U.S. national security decision-makers, foreign leaders and dissidents, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, and numerous other notable individuals.
Regional & Global Impact
CSR Funding Showcase
CSR Funding
Psychology
Two CSR-funded Department of Psychology student research groups—studying “Job Satisfaction and Burnout Among Intermediate School Teachers and College Professors” and “The Relationship Between Attention, Work Modality, and Job Satisfaction”—presented their capstone projects at the Southwestern Psychological Association (SWPA) Conference in Frisco, Texas, under the mentorship of Dr. Crystal Duc Tran. Both projects were selected for inclusion in the prestigious 2026 SWPA Showcase, an honor reserved for exceptional undergraduate research across the region.
Each student presenter received an award certificate, a $25 prize, and formal recognition at the SWPA Business Meeting, underscoring the high caliber of scholarship demonstrated by these teams.
CSR funding also supported fourteen additional research capstone and psychometric presentations accepted for poster presentation at the conference.
CSR Funding
Physics and Engineering
Under the faculty sponsorship of Dr. Vahid Taghikhani, and with funding from CSR, students from our Department of Physics and Engineering conducted research on “Experimental Analysis and Optimization of a Gas–Liquid Absorption Column for CO₂ Capture Using Environmentally Friendly Solvents”. This research will be. presented at the University R&D Showcase of the 2026 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC).
The OTC R&D Showcase provides select student researchers an opportunity to present innovative offshore‑related research to over 30,000 industry professionals throughout the conference, alongside other peers from reputable Tier 1 in/out-of-state and globally located universities.
Globally recognized and with a rich history in Houston, the OTC runs from May 4 through May 7, 2026.
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