MESA, Arizona - May 12, 2026 - Eight students in the Mesa Community College (MCC) Undergraduate Research Programwere honored during a recent Undergraduate Research Symposium, an event demonstrating the growth, strength and quality of undergraduate research at MCC. 

“The event created a vibrant and supportive academic environment where students could share authentic research, discuss their findings and celebrate their accomplishments with peers, faculty and the broader college community,” said Francesca De Martini, Ph.D., MCC Undergraduate Research program chair and Life Science faculty member.  

Forty students shared their research through paper presentations and research posters with family, peers and instructors during the event. “This year’s symposium was a tremendous success,” she added. “We had nearly 100 participants, including students and faculty mentors.” 

Research poster competition honorees recognized for their research achievements include:

Greatest Community Impact: Elliot Carosella
Poster Title:  “A Quantitative Assessment of Ecosystem Services Provided by Mesa Community College Arboretum Trees”
Mentor: Prof. Sean Whitcomb

Best Use of Graphs and Figures: Yoojeung Kim, Sophie Maxwell, Jake Eggen and Tyler Potter
Poster Title: “Optimization of DNA Extraction of Arizona Bacteriophage”
Mentor: Dr. Francesca De Martini

Best Use of Graphs and Figures: Julia Wright 
Poster Title:  “Neotermes Species Symbionts (Oxymonadida)”  
Mentor: Dr. Francesca De Martini

Best Use of Graphs and Figures & Outstanding Analysis: Clara Vilas de la Fuente 
Poster Title: “Decoding Gene 86: Structural and Functional Predictions in Arthrobacter 
Phage Panchaali” 
Mentor: Dr. Francesca De Martini

Exceptional Communication: Lydia Griffin 
Poster Title: “From Starlight to Sequence: A Calibrated Color-Magnitude Diagram of Messier 35” Mentor: Dr. Kevin Haley

Students in the faculty-mentored Undergraduate Research Program have access to a variety of  choices including research-based coursework, Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), faculty-mentored independent projects, interdisciplinary collaborations, poster and oral presentations, symposium participation and opportunities to share their work beyond the classroom. 

“Undergraduate research has traditionally been associated with four-year institutions, but community colleges play an essential role in expanding access to these transformative experiences,” she explained. 

“What makes MCC special is our commitment to bringing these opportunities into the community college setting in a meaningful and accessible way, demonstrating that community college students can engage in authentic research and present high-quality, scholarly work.”

De Martini emphasized that undergraduate research offers students many important benefits such as  building confidence, strengthening critical thinking and problem-solving skills, improving communication abilities, and deepening their understanding of the research process.

“It also helps students to develop closer connections with faculty mentors, feel more engaged in their education, and better understand future academic and career opportunities. For many students, participating in research supports persistence, transfer readiness and a stronger sense of belonging in higher education.” 

Undergraduate research experiences at MCC are offered in all disciplines. Learn about the many opportunities on the college website, mesacc.edu/students/undergraduate-research.

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Media Contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892

Mesa Community College (MCC) is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative education. Serving more than 25,500 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 8,500 hours of community service annually. MCC serves as a key resource for education, workforce development and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees and it boasts the largest Indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges, supporting students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education, training and undergraduate research opportunities. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu/newsroom.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.