PLAINVIEW, TX — From tuberculosis and cancer to the chemical effects of vaping, Wayland Baptist University students spent part of their summer tackling real-world scientific questions through intensive undergraduate research.
Six students were selected for Wayland’s Welch Summer Research Program in 2026, continuing a program that has provided undergraduate students with hands-on research opportunities for more than 20 years. Interest was particularly strong this year, with more students applying than the program could accommodate.
“Undergraduate research gives our students an opportunity to move beyond learning science in the classroom and actually participate in the process of science,” said Dr. Robert Moore, Professor of Chemistry who leads the Welch Summer Research Program. “They develop research objectives, spend eight weeks working full time in the laboratory and ultimately present their results to other scientists. That kind of experience can have a tremendous impact on a student.”
Supported by a Departmental Research Grant from the Welch Foundation, the program provides research supplies, travel support and $4,000 stipends for participating students. Students work with faculty mentors during the spring semester to identify research objectives and plan experimental approaches before returning for eight weeks of full-time summer research.
Several of this summer’s projects focused on questions surrounding vaping.
Second-year researcher Anna Perez worked with Dr. Clancy Collom, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, to identify the presence and amount of metals in vaping aerosols and residues that may be leaching from vaping coils. Perez uses an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer capable of detecting metals in extremely small samples.
Magdalynn Bender, a first-year researcher also working with Collom, developed protocols for separating vaping aerosols and identifying their chemical compositions and transformations. Koda Bigham, another first-year researcher working with Collom, investigated the toxicity of common flavoring agents used in both the food and vaping industries.
Two other projects explored tuberculosis and drug resistance.
Emma Scott returned for her second summer of research, working with Moore to study the binding strength of the DNA repair protein RecA with tuberculosis DNA sequences at or near sites where mutations can lead to drug resistance. Her work builds on research she conducted last summer using fluorescent polarization to distinguish between RecA-bound DNA and free DNA.
Carter Biggs, a first-year researcher working with Dr. Matthew Dyson, Associate Professor of Biology and Chemistry, designed recombinant DNA sequences to express and model tuberculosis RecA protein. The goal is to create cell lines that will allow researchers to study the protein without using dangerous pathogens.
Peyton North worked with Dr. Adam Reinhart, Dean of the School of Mathematics and Sciences and Professor of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, to develop a standardized “scratch test” using a 3D printer to uniformly remove cells from a film of cells. Researchers can then monitor the rate at which cells return to the cleared area under different experimental conditions, helping evaluate compounds for their effectiveness in preventing cancer growth.
“Programs like Welch demonstrate what is possible when talented students, dedicated faculty and generous partners come together around a shared commitment to learning and discovery,” said Dr. Donna Hedgepath, President of Wayland Baptist University. “The research taking place at Wayland gives our students opportunities to ask meaningful questions, develop their abilities and prepare for what God is calling them to do beyond the university.”
The six Welch participants were part of an even broader summer research effort at Wayland.
Noah Dyson, a Welch researcher last summer, continued his work with Collom as part of his honors thesis, investigating the toxicity of selected vaping flavorings.
Olivia Fischer conducted research with Dr. Matthew Allen, Professor of Biological Sciences, through Wayland’s National Science Foundation Noyce Grant. Designed for future STEM educators, the Noyce summer research experience was modeled after the Welch program. It gives future science and mathematics teachers a research foundation they can take into high school classrooms and expand with their own students.
For the Welch participants, the research process continues into the academic year. Students will prepare their findings for presentation at scientific meetings, where Wayland’s Welch-funded research has consistently earned awards.
Students interested in learning more about the WBU Welch Summer Research Program may visit https://tinyurl.com/wbuwelch. Results from previous summer research projects are available at https://tinyurl.com/wbuchemresearch.
