Paths of Discovery

Investigating medicinal plants. Exploring carbon emissions in freshwater ecosystems. Reconstructing historic costumes. Through Rollins’ Collaborative Research Fellowship Program, students had the opportunity to engage in original scholarly research typically available only at the graduate school level. These powerful partnerships have generated dozens of professional publications, performances, and exhibitions, and have paved the way for admission to some of the world’s most prestigious graduate programs. Plus, executives and hiring managers are 86 percent more likely to hire candidates with experience conducting a research project in collaboration with faculty.

As last spring turned to summer, we asked students to keep us in the loop as they embarked on their summertime research experiences. Here are a few of our favorites from summer 2026.

Sylvie Reveley ’28 partnered with biology professor Paul Stephenson to investigate whether certain Florida plant species possess antimicrobial properties that could inform future medical treatments.

“As antibiotic resistance continues to rise worldwide, researchers must continue exploring new treatment options to protect public health,” says Reveley. “By studying medicinal plants, we may uncover compounds that can contribute to future therapies and help address one of the most significant challenges facing modern medicine.”

The project combined Reveley’s interests in biology and public health while giving her a firsthand look at the research process. As a pre-health student, she gained a deeper understanding of how medications are discovered, tested, and translated into patient care.

“Rollins has provided me with countless opportunities to engage in hands-on learning both in and outside the classroom. My coursework in biology, chemistry, and global health has given me a strong interdisciplinary foundation, while undergraduate research has allowed me to apply that knowledge to real scientific questions. Small class sizes have also allowed me to build meaningful relationships with faculty, particularly Dr. Stephenson, who began as my Biology I professor and is now my advisor, collaborator, and mentor.”

For eight weeks this summer, art history majors Ana Ortega ’27 and Claire Classon ’27 partnered with art history professor MacKenzie Moon Ryan to research 154 artworks that have been added to the Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art since 2018. Through their research, they will curate an art exhibition—the first of its kind—set to be displayed later this year at The Alfond Inn.

“As a double major in art history and international relations—two fields that seldom overlap—I was incredibly enthusiastic at the opportunity to bring years of coursework into a comprehensive project,” shares Classon. “We researched more than 150 individual artworks, created object files for 127 artists, made site visits to The Alfond Inn, and developed a unique exhibition theme featuring works never before seen by the Rollins community.”

“I discovered works in the collection from artists I’ve seen in major institutions elsewhere or have read about in my classes, and gained a new appreciation for both the artist and what the pieces mean for the museum,” says Ortega. “This project has also shown me the strength and nature of collaboration. While art history work tends to be individually focused, this project was different because we each managed our own research while collectively shaping every other aspect of the exhibition, from narrowing our works and exhibition themes to developing presentations and writing accompanying text.”

The trio’s research will culminate not just in a physical exhibition at The Alfond Inn but also in an accompanying exhibition essay and a presentation at an art history conference.

This summer, Mihika Srikrishna ’28 and Sarah Winslett ’28 teamed up with biology professor Phoenix Rogers to study stormwater retention ponds and the impact of carbon levels on freshwater ecosystems.

“The goal of this research is to understand more about how retention ponds play a role in impacting carbon dynamics,” shares Srikrishna, a marine biology and environmental studies double major. “Ultimately, we hope our findings will provide scientific evidence to help local communities manage these ponds in ways that improve water quality and reduce carbon emissions.”

For both students, the project has been a natural extension of their classroom experience, giving them the opportunity to develop an independent project aligned with their interests while strengthening the lab skills they’ve built through their coursework.

“Dr. Rogers invited me to collaborate on this research because of my interest in marine science and background with invertebrates, which was inspired by taking Invertebrate Zoology with Dr. Harper,” says Winslett, a marine biology major. “Support from our professors has been the most inspirational factor for me. They truly believe in our curiosity and want to see us thrive. This experience has tremendously helped my confidence in lab and field work, my ability to examine data, and collaborate with other scientists—skills I will take with me to graduate school.”

Alongside physics professor Ashley Cannaday, Gabriel Hasson ’28 and Desmond Nieves ’28 observed angular light scattering that could help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease at early stages.

“We worked on a microscope that uses angular light scattering to determine the size of small objects,” says Hasson, a physics and mathematics double major. “This can later create a system that can identify and diagnose clumps of proteins present in Alzheimer’s. While you could use an electron microscope to diagnose Alzheimer’s, that microscope is expensive, hard to transport, and invasive. Once we collect enough data, our portable, much less expensive microscope with a lower-intensity laser can lead to a less invasive method to diagnose Alzheimer’s.”

Beyond the project’s potential applications, the research gave both students an opportunity to strengthen technical skills while experiencing firsthand the trial-and-error nature of scientific discovery.

“This research is worthwhile because of the positive effect it could have on the world,” says Nieves, a physics and computer science double major. “Besides learning physics and coding principles, specifically MATLAB, this experience taught me the value of patience and problem-solving. We had things go wrong, and we had to figure it out.”

For Hasson, the project also provided a direct connection between concepts he had studied in the classroom and their application in the lab.

“In physics classes, we learned how light behaves—specifically topics like light interference, which we applied when using a diffraction grating to tune the microscope,” says Hasson. “But I’ve learned that research isn’t something you just check off a list. It’s a process that happens slowly, methodically, and often unexpectedly.”

Theatre major Alex Collins ’29 spent the summer working with artist-in-residence and costume shop manager Allison Crutchfield to research and recreate two costumes worn by actress Annie Russell, the namesake of the College’s historic Annie Russell Theatre. Russell’s legacy at Rollins includes performing in campus productions, teaching, and directing until her death in 1936.

“Reconstructing costumes worn by Annie Russell gave me the opportunity to preserve an important piece of theatrical history while applying the sewing and patternmaking skills I’ve developed through my Rollins coursework and professional experience,” shares Collins. “It also deepened my appreciation for the craftsmanship and artistry of the Edwardian era.”

Working with faculty mentors and the Rollins Archives, Collins studied archival photographs, historical records, and period sewing techniques to reconstruct how these garments were originally designed and constructed. The process strengthened her technical sewing skills and her ability to analyze historical sources, solve design problems, and adapt when information was incomplete—essential skills for her future career in costume design for theater, museums, or historical preservation.

“This research demonstrates how practical craftsmanship can support historical and cultural preservation,” says Collins. “Many historic costumes and garments are too fragile to be worn or studied hands-on, but by recreating these pieces, I can make that history more accessible to future students and researchers.”

Art history major Juliana Gonzalez ’29 spent her summer conducting research alongside Wenxian Zhang, professor and chair of the Asian studies department and head of the Rollins College Archives & Special Collections, to identify toxic pigments, like emerald green or Paris green, used in bookbindings during the Victorian era.

Although the pigments are not poisonous to the touch, residue can be hazardous if someone rubs their eyes or touches their face. Because Rollins holds a large collection of 19th-century books in Olin Library, Gonzalez and Zhang wanted to determine whether the College had any of these books to add to the Arsenical Books Database and isolate them to protect students, staff, and visitors who engage with the collections.

“This research taught me about conservation and how attention to detail is essential when conducting research,” shares Gonzalez. “Working with a large number of books and a lot of data has taught me to analyze information carefully, verify the accuracy of the readings, and be thorough and thoughtful throughout the entire process.”

Building on the Poison Book Project, launched by the University of Delaware and Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, Gonzalez and Zhang developed new ideas for safely accessing affected books. Their findings could also help other universities protect people who work with similar collections.

“Rollins fosters such a supportive learning environment that I felt comfortable seeking guidance and collaborating with a professor on a project like this. I encourage every Rollins student to take advantage of the Collaborative Research Fellowship because it provides invaluable hands-on experience and opportunities to build meaningful relationships with faculty.”