NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – University of Oklahoma undergraduate researchers earned two of the highest honors at the 31st annual Research Day at the Capitol, a statewide competition highlighting top undergraduate research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Hunter Helvey, a biology major from Lawton, received the competition’s overall Grand Prize for his research presentation, “Local Drug Delivery for Glioblastoma.” The honor recognized him as the top undergraduate researcher among 27 finalists representing 18 colleges and universities across Oklahoma. He will begin medical school on the OU Health campus this summer.
Avery Glinsmann, a biochemistry major from Yukon who recently completed her sophomore year, earned second place in the Research-Intensive University category for her title “Evaluation of Heterocyclic Cannabinergic Derivatives.”
OU student Leena Ahmad, a biology major from Bixby who recently completed her sophomore year, was also selected as a finalist in the statewide competition.
All three OU students began their research involvement through the Honors College’s First-Year Research Experience program and conducted research through OU faculty labs.
The 31st annual Research Day at the Capitol was April 27–28 at the Oklahoma State Capitol, where finalists presented research posters before state legislators, higher education leaders and scientific judges.
The event is sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Oklahoma Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and National Science Foundation.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
From strengthening severe-weather preparedness to advancing national security, MITRE and the University of Oklahoma (OU) are joining forces to tackle some of the nation’s most critical challenges.
Jensen Moore, Ph.D., an associate professor of public relations at the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication, has been elected to a three-year term on the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication’s Standing Committee on Professional Freedom and Responsibility.
The OU Water Technologies for Emerging Regions (WaTER) Center has awarded Barbara Evans, a leader in public health engineering and urban sanitation, with the ninth International Water Prize. Her selection was announced at the 2026 OU WaTER Symoposium.
