Clay N. Hixson Student Success Center

21st Annual Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (TLSAMP) Research Conference

Mentorship and Leadership in STEM: Empowering the Next Generation

February 29 and March 1, 2024

Tennessee Tech University, Roaden University Center,
1000 N. Dixie Ave. Cookeville TN, 38505

The 21st Annual TLSAMP Undergraduate Research Conference is an exciting convergence of innovative ideas and pioneering research in the field of STEM. This conference brings together students, researchers, and experts to share their groundbreaking work, explore current trends in STEM education, and foster collaboration. With a focus on empowering underrepresented voices in science and technology, this event promises to inspire, educate, and illuminate the path forward in the ever-evolving landscape of STEM.

Poster and Oral Presentations

» Oral Presentations Abstracts
» Poster Presentations Abstracts

Undergraduate students at TLSAMP institutions are eligible to participate in poster and oral presentations. All poster and oral presentations must address a valid scientific question. The categories for research presentations include the following:

Engineering (includes Computer Science and Technology) and Math
Science (includes Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Other) and Agriculture

All presentations will be evaluated based on scientific merit, originality, and the student's ability to interact with conference attendees in response to questions addressing the research projects. Poster presentations will also be assessed according to their appearance, and oral presentations will be evaluated in terms of students’ confidence in presenting the information. All presenters are required to attend the Awards Luncheon on Friday, March 01, 2024. Students will be recognized at this time and special certificates will be awarded.

Posters

Professional attire is expected (males: coat and tie, females: appropriate attire at the same level).

Posters must include the title of the research project, names of student and faculty research mentor, department, student’s sponsoring institution, and research category. In addition, all posters must be self-explanatory. Each display must provide a concise summary of the research results. This summary is limited to one typed page using a font that is easy to read. A full explanation of what is being demonstrated is also required under each illustration, table, figure, photo, or diagram.

Poster format and dimensions: All poster presentations will be set up on tripods. Students are responsible for transporting their posters. Set-up for poster presentations is at 2:00 pm on Thursday, February 29. Judging of posters will begin at 7:00 pm.

Students will need to be on hand to answer questions regarding their posters during their scheduled presentation. Students are required to dismantle all posters.

Oral

Each student will be allotted 10 minutes to make a formal presentation. A 5-minute question-and-answer period will follow each presentation. Faculty and advanced graduate student teams will moderate each session and monitor the time for each presenter. Audience participants will consist of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics faculty and students from TLSAMP institutions, as well as special guests.
Students may use audio-visual materials and equipment to facilitate presentations (e.g., PowerPoint). If audio-visual equipment beyond a computer, projector, and screen is needed, please indicate your specific needs on the abstract and registration forms.
Professional attire is expected (males: coat and tie, females: appropriate attire at the same level).

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Schedule of Events

Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024

Time	Event Location
4:00 - 5:30 pm	Conference Registration & Check-in 1^st Floor – Roaden University Center (RUC)
5:30 - 7:00 pm	Opening Reception Dinner Speaker: Dr. Lori Mann Bruce, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Tennessee Tech University and Dr. Terrance West, U.S. Army DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center RUC 282 – Multipurpose Room
7:00 - 8:30 pm	Poster Presentations/Judging RUC 101 – Tech Pride Room » Poster Presentations Abstracts
7:00 - 8:30 pm	Graduate School Fair RUC 282 – Multipurpose Room
8:30 - 9:30 pm	Student Networking Event RUC 282 – Multipurpose Room

Friday, March 1, 2024

Time	Event Location
7:30 – 8:30 am	Breakfast RUC 282 – Multipurpose Room
8:30 – 9:10 am	Plenary Speaker Topic: From Personal Story to Product: Harnessing Big Data and AI for Human-Centered Design Speaker: Dr. Umbreen Nehal, MD, MPH RUC 282 – Multipurpose Room
9:10 - 9:20 am	Break
9:25 – 10:10 am	Oral Presentations Session – 01 RUC 282 – Multipurpose Room »Oral Presentations Abstracts - Engineering and Computer Science	Workshop: Fundamentals of Graduate School Presenter: Dr. William Eberle, Interim Assistant Dean of Graduate Education for the College of Engineering, Professor of Computer Science RUC 101 – Tech Pride Room
10:15 – 11:00 am	Oral Presentations Session – 02 RUC 282 – Multipurpose Room »Oral Presentations Abstracts - Sciences: Biology and Chemistry	Workshop: Building a Successful Graduate School Career Presenter: Dr. Maanak Gupta, Assistant Professor of Computer Science RUC 101 – Tech Pride Room
11:00 – 11:15 am	Break
11:15 am – 12:00 pm	Workshop: Time Management in Graduate School Presenter: Dr. William Eberle, Interim Assistant Dean of Graduate Education for the College of Engineering, Professor of Computer Science RUC 282 – Multipurpose Room	Workshop: How to Choose a Research Topic and Advisor Presenter: Dr. Tarek Elfouly, Associate Professor of Computer Science RUC 101 – Tech Pride Room
12:00 – 12: 15 pm	Photo Session Centennial Plaza
12:30 – 1:30 pm	Lunch & Panel Discussion Title: Mentorship and Leadership in STEM Panelists: Dr. William Dunne, Associate Dean for Research, College of Engineering, University of Tennessee - Knoxville Dr. Keith Johnson, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, East Tennessee State University Mr. Harry Richards, Research & Proposal Development Coordinator, College of Engineering, University of Tennessee - Knoxville Dr. Julie Vernon, Associate Dean for Academic Success, School of Engineering, Vanderbilt University Dr. Kumar Yelamarthi, Associate Dean, College of Engineering, Tennessee Tech University RUC 282 – Multipurpose Room
1:30 – 2:00 pm	Awards & Closing Ceremony RUC 282 – Multipurpose Room

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