Archer Library Research Award • Winner

The Archer Library Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award, sponsored by Archer Library and the Instructional Resource Center, recognizes excellence in research for a student project presented during the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (URCA) Symposium.  

The award application process required a 250-word (or more) research process essay describing research strategies and use of library tools including library databases, discovery service, and selection of search terms. The essay required student reflection of the research process itself. Applicants were required to provide a bibliography or works cited paper for their final project.

Cindy Perkovich, 2026 URCA Symposium Chairperson, recognized the six finalists for the 2026 Archer Library Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award:

• Raechel Serafimov, for Analysis of Nicotine and Toxic Metals in Nicotine and Tobacco Pouches
• Aniket Patel, for A Comprehensive Dual-Camera Driver Monitoring System for Real-Time Traffic Violation Detection Using Multi-Task Deep Learning
• Colin Pham, for Presentation: Phosphazene-based Metal Organic Frameworks Incorporating Coinage Metals for Drug Delivery Systems
• Zack Van Farrowe, for The Church as Alternative Polis: John Howard Yoder's Vision for Christian Social Action
• Oleksandra Bibik, for Soviet‑Born Wounds in Ukraine: Holodomor Genocide and the Lingering Trauma of a Nation
• Ayden (James) Mason, for The host ranges of Bacillus bacteriophages

Patricia Frank, Archer Library Director, is pleased to announce the winner of the 2026 Archer Library Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award:

Prabesh Sunar, for Campus Exchange Marketplace — Investigating Behavior in a Zero-Price Campus Exchange System

Prabesh's research and essay examined: "How does a campus-exclusive, zero=price digital exchange platform shape participation, trust, and patterns of resource redistribution among students, faculty, and staff?" (Sunar, P., Archer Library Research Essay, 2026).

Congratulations to the finalists and winner of the inaugural Archer Library Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award!

Library Research Award Announcement

We can hardly wait! Tomorrow (April 22) the finalists and winner of Archer Library's Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award will be announced at the URCA Symposium.  Join us at Noon, in the Alumni Room, Convocation Center.

Archer Library Research Award • Apply Now

Archer Library Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award

Archer Library and the Instructional Resource Center are sponsoring a $500 Research Award for undergraduate students. This award is in recognition of excellence in research for a student project presented during the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (URCA) Symposium and will be presented during National Library Week. The award winner will be announced April 22, 2026.

Eligibility

Undergraduate students must present their project at the 2026 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (URCA) Symposium. The Archer Library Research Award is for an individual project or presentation. Applicants who fail to submit required award application documents will not be considered for the research award.

About the Research Award

The research award application process requires submission of:

• Research Process Essay: A 250-word (or more) essay describing your research process and use of library tools.
• Bibliography/Works cited paper for your final project.

Documents must be submitted via the Archer Library Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award form; only digital applications will be accepted.

The Archer Library Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award will be given based on the research process essay. The submitted essay should help the judges understand your research process and what you learned while writing this research paper. Interested in learning more? Click the button below to view the judging rubric.

Application Deadline

All documents must be submitted via the application form by midnight, April 1, 2026. We encourage you to apply for the Archer Library Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award.

Archer Library Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award

Archer Library Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award

Archer Library and the Instructional Resource Center are sponsoring a $500 Research Award for undergraduate students. This award is in recognition of excellence in research for a student project presented during the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (URCA) Symposium and will be presented during National Library Week. The award winner will be announced April 22, 2026.

Eligibility

Undergraduate students must present their project at the 2026 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (URCA) Symposium. The Archer Library Research Award is for an individual project or presentation. Applicants who fail to submit required award application documents will not be considered for the research award.

About the Research Award

The research award application process requires submission of:

• Research Process Essay: A 250-word (or more) essay describing your research process and use of library tools.
• Bibliography/Works cited paper for your final project.

Documents must be submitted via the Archer Library Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award form; only digital applications will be accepted.

The Archer Library Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award will be given based on the research process essay. The submitted essay should help the judges understand your research process and what you learned while writing this research paper. Interested in learning more? Click the button below to view the judging rubric.

Application Deadline

All documents must be submitted via the application form by midnight, April 1, 2026. We encourage you to apply for the Archer Library Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award.