Chapman Undergraduates Shine at SABER West 2026

Ten undergraduate students from Chapman University, including six dedicated majors and minors from Schmid College of Science and Technology, recently had the remarkable opportunity to present their research at the Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research (SABER) – West conference. For these students, standing alongside educators and researchers at a professional conference was not only an eye-opening experience but also a vital step in their academic and professional journeys.

This unique opportunity reflects Chapman’s commitment to personalized education and hands-on research experiences. Under the mentorship of Associate Professor of Biology Jeremy Hsu and Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dan Dries, these students played key roles in exploring how students learn and how to improve STEM teaching. By engaging directly with STEM education projects, they not only contributed to the broader conversation about effective STEM instruction but also embodied the Chapman philosophy of learning through doing.

(Speakers left to right) Makaylee Dahms ’26 and Molly Niswender ’26 gave an oral presentation on “Factors Shaping Students’ Study Strategies in Introductory Biology Classes.”

For instance, biochemistry major Molly Niswender ’26 and biology major Makaylee Dahms ’26 have been part of the Chapman Biology Education Research Group (led by Associate Professor Jeremy Hsu) for the past three years, gaining hands-on training in research skills. The two seniors delivered an oral presentation on their project examining factors that shape students’ study strategies in introductory biology courses, sharing novel insights on how students’ study habits evolve over a semester.  “SABER West always brings together such a fabulous group of professors, researchers, and students who want to contribute to equity and understanding of student experiences in STEM,” Molly mentioned. “It made me so happy to see others passionate about improving biology education, and I loved learning about new areas of research. Giving an oral talk to a crowd of supportive and curious researchers made the experience feel so much more impactful!” Makaylee reflected similarly, commenting, “It was amazing to see our hard work come to fruition, learn more about current advances and research in the field, and watch our lab mates share their research.”

Mel Manell ’27 and Grace Holick ’26 gave a presentation titled, “How do Students at a Two-year College Perceive Office Hours?”

Similarly, biology major Grace Holick ’26 and Mel Manell ’27 (a nutrition minor) led an oral presentation highlighting their research on student motivations to attend STEM course office hours at a two-year college. “Presenting my work at SABER West was a super rewarding experience!” Grace shared. “It was super cool to present to a bunch of professionals who are interested and curious about all the hard work you’ve put in, and I enjoyed meeting new people in the field and creating these professional development skills I can use in the future.” Mel agreed, adding, “it was such a rewarding experience to share my work and receive thoughtful feedback from researchers and instructors who deeply value improving biology education.”

(Poster presenters left to right) Olivia Rivet ’26 and Lilliona Bentzinger ’28 presented their poster, “What Do You Think?: How Peer Questions Reveal Social Metacognition in Biology Labs.”

Other Schmid students presented posters on their work. Biochemistry major Lilliona Bentzinger ’28 and health sciences major Olivia Rivet ’26 led a research project exploring how students plan, monitor, and evaluate their learning in groups. “Showcasing my research about social metacognition to so many knowledgeable researchers and receiving feedback that could be impactful to the community was amazing,” Lilliona commented. Biochemistry major Alexa Forbes ’26, co-led a project examining how students develop interest in STEM careers with Yara Eloraby ’27 and Malina Dahms ’27. They shared similar sentiments: “Presenting at a national conference was extremely rewarding and allowed me to gain valuable feedback and insight for future directions to take my research.”

(Left to right) Malina Dahms ’27, Alexa Forbes ’26 and Yara Eloraby ’27 posed in front of their poster, “Evaluating the impact of the SPIRE program and influencing factors of college students’ STEM career choice.”

Olivia Vu ’27, member of the DRIES Lab, presented her work on the mentoring roles instructors adopt in active learning classrooms. Olivia found the experience to be formative on several levels: “I have always struggled with public speaking; however, the supportive environment at SABER West helped me feel confident in my work and contributed to my professional development, particularly by strengthening my ability to think on the spot when I was asked unexpected questions about the research.”

Olivia Vu ’27 presented her poster, “Facilitating Independence: Student Perspectives on Instructor Mentorship in a Collaborative Learning-Based Biochemistry Course.”

These experiences – and the research accomplishments of these students – underscore the exceptional opportunities that Chapman provides its undergraduates. By presenting at SABER West, these students gained not only confidence and communication expertise but also a renewed passion for advancing effective STEM teaching and learning.