Big Ideas and Bold Discoveries, Barrett Students Make Their Mark at AAAS Conference

When the Center for Biology and Society and Barrett, The Honors College send students to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Conference, incredible things happen. Student researchers took the national stage, sharing discoveries that push scientific boundaries, challenge ethical perspectives, and pave the way for future innovations. This prestigious event provides unparalleled mentorship, professional development, and engagement with the broader scientific community.

But the benefits of AAAS extend beyond the conference. ASU and AAAS have partnered to offer all students, faculty, and staff a complimentary membership, providing access to networking, research, and career-readiness resources that empower ASU’s academic community.

The impact of this partnership was evident as students traveled to Boston to present research spanning medicine, psychology, ethics, and environmental science. Akaash Surendra, who received an honorable mention in the Cell Biology category, reflected on the experience. “The interdisciplinary nature of the conference opened my eyes to how interconnected scientific research truly is,” he said. His research, conducted at the Ivy Brain Tumor Center at Barrow Neurological Institute, focuses on novel drug treatments for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive brain cancers and seeks to improve treatment strategies. “Further understanding these drug interactions can lead to better clinical trials and future therapies,” he added.

Sarah Nesbit recalled a moment when a faculty member from another university praised her research on childhood curiosity and prosocial behavior. “That interaction gave me even more confidence in my work and motivation to continue pursuing my academic goals,” she said.

Beyond their presentations, students embraced networking opportunities and diverse lectures. “It was inspiring to meet other ambitious scholars from different fields, supporting and encouraging each other on this journey,” said Christina Stewart, whose research examines how having an older sibling influences a child’s curiosity.

For Aubrey Pinteric, who studies the ethical implications of reproductive technologies, the conference was especially meaningful as she earned first place in the science and society category. It broadened perspectives on the societal impact of artificial uteruses and transplants. “If these technologies become common clinical practices, there will be profound implications,” she explained.

Fathima Nawaz, whose research explores immune responses to environmental toxins, saw firsthand the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. “Understanding these immune defenses provides a framework for future clinical therapies,” she said, highlighting the potential for her research to contribute to life-saving medical advancements.

Meanwhile, Ava Claus, who studies biodiversity sampling methods using data from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), gained insight from other researchers on the policy implications of biodiversity data collection.

Graduate students also excelled in the competition. Jynx Pigart won first place in the social sciences category for research on depression in science graduate programs, while Tasneem Mohammed took first place in the science and society category for studying how aspects of academia impact faculty depression.

For all of these students, the conference was just the beginning of a lifelong journey in scientific exploration.

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