Posters at the Capitol 2025

Congratulations to several Undergraduate Students from UL Lafayette that presented during the first annual Posters at the Capitol, hosted by Louisiana Undergraduate Research Association (LaURA), on June 9th. Posters at the Capitol is an opportunity for undergraduate student researchers from across the State to display the work and innovation they have produced throughout the academic year. This event brought together 65 students from 13 colleges, universities, and research programs across the state.

The students were honored with an announcement during sessions in both the State Senate and House. Furthermore, several of the legislators found time in their busy schedules to view posters and listen to students at the event.

Presidents from several State universities attended the event, including Dr. Savoie, who also stopped in the rotunda to view the students' work.

The Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development from UL Lafayette helped secure lunch for the students, and the Advance Student Research Program staff were there to ensure efficiency. The UL Lafayette Graduate School provided swag for all students and were also present to speak with all of the student researchers. Undergraduate research is a high impact practice in higher education and the results of the work completed by students, their faculty, and supporting staff were on display and received fantastic reviews. UL Lafayette played a huge role in making this event happen. We should be very proud of our amazing Undergraduate Students.

Click here to view Posters at the Capitol webpage.

Click here to view Posters at the Capitol program.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Undergraduate Student Presenters:

Poster Title: The Presence of Microplastics in Tillandsia usneoides
Student Presenter: Ethan Adams
Hometown: Houma, LA
Authors: Ethan Adams, Hallie Blondiau, Ava Thibodeaux, Madison Maier
College: Ray P. Authement College of Sciences
Department: Biology
Expected Graduation Date: May, 2027
Mentor: William Schmidt

Poster Title: Modular and Resilient Cubesat Power System Design
Student Presenter: Maxwell Boutte
Hometown: Lafayette, LA
Author: Maxwell Boutte
College: Engineering
Department: William Hansen Hall Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Expected Graduation Date: 2025
Mentor: Nick Pugh

Poster Title: “No Tax on Tips” - The Implications of Newly Proposed Tax Legislation
Student Presenter: Debra Crawford, Hannah Sonnier
Hometowns: Thibodeaux, LA & Lafayette, LA
Authors: Debra Crawford, My Le, Bethany Webre, Hannah Sonnier
College: B. I. Moody College of Business Administration
Department: Accounting
Expected Graduation Date: May, 2025
Mentor: Laura R. Guichard Latiolais

Poster Title: Clementine Hunter: Folk Art Inspiration from a Louisiana Plantation
Student Presenter: Sydnei Henson
Hometown: Baton Rouge
Author: Sydnei Henson
College: Arts and Design
Department: Visual Arts; Graphic Design
Expected Graduation Date: May, 2026
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Bennett

Poster Title: Breaking Barriers: Dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline Through the Use of Positive Behavior Interventions
Student Presenter: Abbey Poirier
Hometown: St. Martinville, LA
Authors: Abbey Poirier & Ronald Dore’
College: Education and Human Development
Department: Elementary Education Gr 1-5
Expected Graduation Date: May, 2026
Mentor: Ronald Dore’

Poster Title: Remote Sensing Applications in Identifying High Probability Archaeological Locales on the South Central Louisiana Coastline
Student Presenter: Ian Robicheaux
Hometown: New Iberia, LA
Author: Ian Robicheaux
College: College of Liberal Arts
Department: Anthropology
Expected Graduation Date: May, 2026
Mentor: Dr. Mark Rees

Poster Title: BURNOUT: The Silent Epidemic Supporting Nurses’ Mental Health
Student Presenter: Edie Bollich, Gracie Becker, Torey Smith, Anna White, Emily Wilcox
Authors: Edie Bollich, Gracie Becker, Torey Smith, Anna White, Emily Wilcox
Hometowns: Youngsville, LA
University: University of Louisiana at Lafayette
College: Nursing & Health Sciences
Department: LHC Group Myers School of Nursing
Expected Graduation Date: May, 2025 (all students)
Mentor: Dr. Tricia Templet