Delta State’s McNair Scholars (L to R, top to bottom) Nicholas Bobo, Akumcha Mobit, Johnathan McCaskill, Fa'Darryl Cooper, Jessie Shorts, Program Coordinator Hannah Alley, Faith Washington, J'Myl Richardson, Kanitria Taylor, Ty'Jeodian Forest, Sha'Daria Darden, Miya Sanders, and DSU McNair Program Director Dannielle K. Taylor.CLEVELAND, Miss. — Eleven students from Delta State University’s Ronald E. McNair Research Scholars Program, along with two staff members, recently returned from the 25th Annual University of Maryland National Conference for McNair Scholars and Undergraduate Research. Held during Spring Break, this prestigious event offered unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and presenting research on a national stage.
The DSU delegation, comprised of Nicholas Bobo, Fa’Darryl T. Cooper, Sha’Daria Darden, Ty’Jeodian Forest, Johnathan McCaskill, Akumcha Mobit, J’Myl Richardson, Miya Sanders, Jessie Shorts, Kanitria Taylor, and Faith Washington, showcased their academic prowess and dedication to scholarly inquiry throughout the conference.
The event consisted of workshops designed to demystify the graduate school application process, panels featuring distinguished university and industry experts, and opportunities to connect with graduate school recruiters. DSU’s McNair Scholars were able to interact with peers from across the nation, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among McNair Scholars nationwide.
Six DSU scholars took center stage, presenting their research on a national platform. Four scholars, including Nicholas Bobo, Sha’Daria Darden, J’Myl Richardson, and Faith Washington, delivered compelling poster presentations, diving deep into topics ranging from nicotine addiction to the impact of social media on body image.
Meanwhile, Fa’Darryl Cooper and Johnathan McCaskill captivated the audience with their oral presentations. Fa’Darryl Cooper discussed workflow process improvements for Double Quick Inc. & Refuel Operating Company, while Johnathan McCaskill explored enzyme promiscuity of an archaebacterium hexokinase.
Bobo expressed his enthusiasm for the conference, saying, “I enjoyed the trip to the McNair Scholars Research Conference in Maryland. My favorite part was being around other scholars from schools across the country and getting to see new insight on their research topics. It gave a great deal of knowledge, networking, and experience that will carry into the future.”
Delta State President Dr. Daniel J. Ennis commended the scholars for their outstanding representation of DSU on the national stage, saying, “We are immensely proud of our McNair Scholars and their exceptional achievements at the conference. Their dedication to academic excellence and research innovation reflects the core values of Delta State University.”
For more information about the McNair Research Scholars Program at Delta State University, visit https://www.deltastate.edu/graduate-and-continuing-studies/mcnair-research-scholars/. The McNair Research Scholars Program at Delta State aims to prepare undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds for doctoral studies through involvement in research and scholarly activities. The program provides mentorship, professional development, and financial support to empower students on their academic journey. The McNair Research Scholars Program at Delta State University is 100% funded by the United States Department of Education.
