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Snapshots from the 17th Annual UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

  • published: 2025/04/14
  • contact: Bella Lockwood-Watson - Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu

➡️ The news: On April 11, 2025, University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) students from every college participated in the 17th Annual Research and Creative Activity Fair (RCAF). The event spanned across four buildings: the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center (CEC), Strauss Performing Arts Center, Criss Library, and Weber Fine Arts Building. The fair featured research presentations, artistic performances, and innovative projects by undergraduates, graduates, and doctoral students.

💡 What did we see?

  • Nearly 300 students shared their work—from cutting-edge scientific research to captivating artistic performances.
  • The event highlighted a diverse array of academic disciplines, showcasing the rich breadth of talent at UNO.
  • Students had the chance to network with faculty, industry experts, and peers, creating valuable connections for future endeavors.

💡 Why it matters: RCAF serves as a career-launching platform. It provides students with the chance to present work that could shape their professional journeys, whether in science, education, social work, or the arts. UNO’s RCAF continues to inspire students to bridge the gap between academics and real-world applications, helping them gain skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

🤝 Who Supported it? This year’s fair was proudly sponsored by UNO’s Alumni Association, Bio Nebraska, Nebraska National Guard, Great Plains IDEA, Holland Computing Center, and Invest Nebraska.


2025 Student Research and Creative Activity Fair Awardees

Undergraduate Performances

Best:
Matea Jerkovic, Cameron Jordan, Hayden Johnson, Robert Russell

Outstanding:
Isa Wright

Meritorious:
Alex Martinez

Graduate Performances

Best:
Kyle Paoletti

Outstanding:
Aaron Scobie

Undergraduate Exhibits or Demonstrations

Best:
Kennedy Wallman

Outstanding:
Ian Andress

Meritorious:
Jen Riedl

Honorable Mention:
Alyssiah Green

Graduate Exhibits or Demonstrations

Best:
Chelsea Kavich

Outstanding:
Savannah Boedigheimer

Undergraduate Poster Presentations

Best:
Paw Thlay Wah

Outstanding:
Megan Althouse

Meritorious:
Brooklynn Schmidt

Honorable Mention:
Claire Wing

Graduate Poster Presentations

Best:
Chukwuma Adinchezor

Outstanding:
Christopher Engsberg

Meritorious:
Sarah Woelfel

Honorable Mention:
Mahboubeh Ghanbari

Undergraduate Oral Presentations

Best:
Isabelle Weber

Outstanding:
Izzy Vargas

Meritorious:
Charleston Berryman

Honorable Mention:
Cherylynn Gibson

Graduate Oral Presentations

Best:
Sarah Lehn

Outstanding:
Ramin Shahbad

Meritorious:
Toka Mootaz AboElnour Ahmed

Honorable Mention (Tie):
Mehrnoush Haghighatnejad

Honorable Mention (Tie):
Thomas Forke

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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