The Leatherby Libraries is pleased to announce the 2025 Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Research Prize winners. For the second year of this prize, we received applications from students from a variety of graduate programs, including:

  • Master of Arts in War, Diplomacy, and Society
  • Ph.D. in Education
  • Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Master of Science in Behavioral and Computational Economics
  • Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Master of Science in Computational and Data Sciences
  • Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

This year’s winners were honored at the 2025 Leatherby Library Student Research Prize Ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2025.

From Left to Right: Second Place Winner, Connor Bogenreif, Second Place Winner, Robin Gomes, First Place Winner, Gerald Obinna Ozota, Second Place Winner, Mir Aminy, Third Place Winner, Sevana Karagoulian, and the prize’s benefactor, Eric M. Scandrett.

Continue reading to learn more about the winning researchers and what winning the

Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Research Prize means to them in their own words!  

Pictured: Gerald Obinna Ozota

First Place: Gerald Obinna Ozota

Gerald is a doctoral student in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D. program who won first place for his paper:

Effectiveness of Intravesical BCG in the Treatment of Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: An Umbrella Review

“I am elated to win first place in the Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Library Research Prize, an honor and a significant recognition of my commitment to research. It affirms the value of rigorous, well-resourced study while highlighting the pivotal role that library resources at Chapman University play in advancing academic research. The library and the guidance of my principal investigator, Dr. Lawrence (LB) Brown, Ph.D., have been essential in shaping the quality and depth of my research. I am honored to have my work acknowledged in this way. This prize inspires me to pursue impactful translational research that bridges academic rigor and clinical relevance.”

Second Place: Robin Gomes, Connor Bogenreif, and Mir Aminy

Robin, Connor, and Mir are doctoral students in the Ph.D. in Education program who won second place for their paper:

The Role of Repertoire Selection and Teacher Collaboration in Culturally Responsive Music Education

Pictured: Connor Bogenreif

 

“I am grateful for this opportunity for our research to be recognized by the Leatherby Libraries. As researchers, our goals and efforts have been greatly helped by the resources provided through the Leatherby Libraries. In addition to the wealth of databases we have access to, one of the library’s greatest resources is the librarians we get to work with. I am grateful for their support and excited to continue my ongoing research endeavors utilizing the resources and support the Leatherby Libraries offer us. Thank you for this recognition!” – Connor Bogenreif

 

Pictured: Robin Gomes

 

“Winning second place in the 2025 Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Library Research Prize is a meaningful honor, especially as a first-year Ph.D. student. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside Connor and Mir and for the mentorship of Dr. Havard and Dr. Howard. I hope that our research inspires and supports other educators committed to culturally responsive teaching practices and encourages more Chapman students to pursue meaningful library-based research.” – Robin Gomes

 

Pictured: Mir Aminy

 

 

“Winning second place in the Scandrett Graduate Library Research Prize reinforces the power of interdisciplinary, community-rooted scholarship. I’m thankful for this recognition and feel highly encouraged to continue research that uplifts diverse voices and fosters inclusive education.” – Mir Aminy

 

 

Third Place: Sevana Karagoulian

Sevana is a student in the Ph.D. in Education program who won third place for her paper:

Nontraditional and Commuter Student Experiences and Challenges

Pictured: Sevana Karagoulian

“It is an honor to be the third-place recipient of the 2025 Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Library Research Prize contest. Lifelong learning is my passion, and libraries are powerful gateways that make scholarship and creativity possible and accessible for all. During modern times, when digital convenience and commercial dominance are so prevalent, libraries can be easily overlooked. However, more than ever, it is critical to highlight the influence library resources have on learning. Students like me would not thrive in our studies without the expertise and dedication of incredible librarians and library staff. The library personnel at Chapman are the best with whom I have had the pleasure to work. They cultivate selections that seamlessly complement the personalized education Chapman values while simultaneously building confidence in students to achieve academic fortitude. My education would not be as impactful without access to the library system and the knowledge it holds. I am extremely proud to celebrate the positive force libraries continue to have on learning and innovation.”

About the Prize:

The Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Research Prize promotes and acknowledges excellent research and practical usage of library resources by Chapman graduate students. Eric M. Scandrett, the benefactor of this prize, is deeply integrated into the fabric of the Chapman University community. Eric has made significant contributions to the campus through his involvement with Sodexo catering services, the Town & Gown, and as a legacy donor for the Leatherby Libraries. We sincerely thank Eric for his continued support of this research prize and our graduate students and for being a valued friend of the Leatherby Libraries. 

The selection committee included the following faculty members and librarians:

  • Leah Beekman-Velarde, Ph.D.
    • Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders in the Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
  • Andrew Greenman
    • Data Services Librarian at the Leatherby Libraries
  • Ivan Portillo
    • Director of Rinker Campus Library Services at the Leatherby Libraries
  • Anuradha Prakash, Ph.D.
    • Professor of Food Science in the Schmid College of Science and Technology
  • Ron Steiner, Ph.D.
    • Director of the Pre-Law program and Professor of Political Science in Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
  • Elaine Yeung, Ph.D.
    • STEM Librarian at the Leatherby Libraries