February 25, 2026

The ⁠State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS) took place November 15, 2025 at Elon University. This yearly symposium is a chance for NC undergraduates in all fields to showcase their research and creative work. SNCURCS (pronounced as ‘snickers’) was co-hosted this year by Forsyth Tech and Elon University and we are proud to report that SNCURCS featured the work of four Forsyth Tech students: Cameron Roberts, Oscar Alonso Gonzalez Garcia, Sheri Castellani and Olivia Anais Razzak. For these four students from the Life Sciences Department, presenting their scientific research during a poster session at the symposium provided an opportunity to share research findings and celebrate their educational achievements.

Reflecting on the experience, Sheri Castellani explained that her research and study at Forsyth Tech was in honor of her mother who died in July 2025. She notes, “I knew I had to keep going and not let her loss stop me. She wouldn’t want that”. Castellani graduated with a Biotechnology degree in December 2025 and the research she presented at SNCURCS was a culmination of her studies and was conducted during her internship at the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) in Greensboro. Castellani has also authored two dystopian novels.

Part of my mourning process was studying hard and writing my books.

Another student, Olivia Anais Razzak who also graduated this past fall with an AAS in Biotechnology, describers herself as a science nerd. Her research, “Evaluating the Neuroregenerative Potential of Hericine and Erincine A in SH-SY5Y Cells with Retinoic Acid-Induced Differentiation”, explored whether the two bioactive compounds from a fungi called “Lion’s Mane Mushroom” can not only enhance differentiation in human neuroblastoma cells, but also promote neuronal growth which could lead to neuroregenerative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis. This is Razzak’s third academic degree and she is currently preparing for grad school and continues to explore how plants and other natural resources carry properties of neuroregeneration.

Cameron Roberts showcased a research project called “Unique Nonwoven Meltblown Fabric Application to Decrease Eutrophication in Freshwater” and Oscar Alonso Gonzalez Garcia presented research called “Optimizing Biochar Adsorption and Testing Synergy with Non-Woven Meltblown Fabrics to Decrease Effects of Eutrophication”. 

We also celebrate the guidance of faculty mentors Dr. Tandeka Boko, Assistant Professor in Biology in the Life Sciences Department and Dr. Cheryl Burrell, Department Chair in Biotechnology who supported student research. We give special thanks to Dr. Becky Howell and Eric Lance from the Department of Psychology. Dr. Howell served on the planning committee for SNCURCS this year and Eric Lance served as a session moderator. We have long engaged in undergraduate research at Forsyth Tech, thanks to dedicated faculty like Dr. Boko and Dr. Burrell, and many others! 

We are excited to expand research opportunities. If you want to know more about incorporating undergraduate research into your courses, contact Dr. Becky Howell, Psychology Department Chair at: bhowell@forsythtech.edu.