GSC’s Undergraduate Research Symposium Celebrates Academic Excellence Across Disciplines
By Karolina Philmon, GSC marketing manager
Gordon State College’s 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium drew its largest turnout yet, as students and faculty filled the halls of the Instructional Complex during the newly scheduled student activity hour to explore and engage with a dynamic range of student-led research and creative projects.
This year’s symposium was led by Dr. Cori Newton, associate professor of biology, who noted that adjusting the event’s timing helped attract a much broader audience.
“The undergraduate research symposium was a smashing success! The lively chatter from the discussion of posters could be heard throughout the building,” Newton said.
The event annually invites scholarly paper submissions from students across a variety of disciplines. Submissions featured critical analysis, evidence-based practice, original interpretation and primary research. Selected students presented their projects through poster and podium presentations, sharing their work with an engaged audience of peers and faculty.
This year’s top podium presentation, titled “Measuring the Brightness and Color Change of RZ-Aries,” was presented by Qasim Ahmed of Fulton County. Runners-up included Holton Bell of Monroe County and Tanner Browning of Butts County for their joint presentation, “Climate Change vs. Birds in the Southern United States.”
William Shiflett of Henry County was named the poster presentation winner for his project, “The State of Modern Assault Drones and the Countermeasures Against Them.” Runners-up were Bell, Kaleb Lopez-Cruz and Naneshka Rodriguez, all of Henry County, for their joint project, “Calf vs. Adult Manatee Skeletal Muscle Myoglobin Levels.”
Faculty played a key role in supporting students by serving as research advisors and mentors.
Ahmed, whose project earned top honors in the podium presentations, was advised by Dr. Richard Schmude, professor of chemistry. Ahmed’s research focused on the star RZ-Aries, aiming to understand its changes in brightness by measuring its light through various color filters. His findings revealed that the star becomes cooler and redder when dimmer, and hotter and bluer when brighter.
Shiflett’s advisor was Kelly Carter, lecturer of computer science and engineering. His research examined how drones have reshaped modern warfare since 2001, particularly their increasing use in surveillance and attacks. The project also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in enabling autonomous missions and explored the countermeasures nations are developing in response to this evolving threat.
“Student research projects across various disciplines were wonderfully showcased,” Newton said. “I could not be prouder of all the presenters and the faculty mentors that dedicated their time to these students.”
The URS committee consists of: Newton as committee chair; Dr. Alan Burstein; GSC professor of business; Dr. David Janssen, GSC professor of English; Dr. John George, GSC professor of mathematics; Dr. Stephen Powers, GSC professor of English; Dr. Joseph Jones, GSC professor of education; and Melanie Mertz, GSC associate professor of nursing.