Two students receive OSU Undergraduate Library Research Award

April 28, 2023

Ishani Ray and Cade Pearson have been chosen as the winners of the 2023 Undergraduate Library Research Award. Both will receive $1,500.

Ishani Ray, who is double majoring in chemistry and biochemistry, was selected as the upperclassman ULRA winner. Her research investigated the anti-cancer activity and mechanisms of coumarin derivatives against human cancer cell lines. This research gave Ray the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom and gain experience before she graduates.

“You have to take the initiative, even if you don’t know if research is right for you or not, you can always explore it,” Ray said. “If you don’t like it you can change your mind, but I don’t think people realize how much opportunity that you can create for yourself.”

Cade Pearson, a Mcknight Scholar majoring in mathematics, was selected as the underclassman ULRA winner. His research focused on the mechanisms, implications and phenomena of neutrino oscillation. According to Pearson, the OSU Libraries were critical in developing his research.

“The Library is so versatile,” Pearson said. “Just having a space were you can think in the way you want to think is one of the most important things that helped me in my research journey.”

Both ULRA winners are making plans for the future. As a senior, Ray will graduate this May and plans to be a research technician before applying for an MD-PhD program. As a freshman, Pearson plans to continue his studies at OSU before going to graduate school.

ULRA is presented annually to recognize undergraduate students who have completed, or are completing, research at OSU. This award encourages students to participate in research, use Library resources and reflect on the research process. To learn more about ULRA, visit http://bit.ly/ULRAinfo. 

STORY BY: Kelly O'Connor, Library Electronic Communications Intern

URL: https://library-dep.okstate.edu/news/archived-news/spring-2023/two-students-receive-osu-undergraduate-library-research-award

Last Updated: 28 April 2023