UW McNair Scholars Present Research at 34th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium
Published September 10, 2026
The University of Wyoming’s McNair Scholars Program celebrated the culmination of
its students’ research at the 34th Annual McNair Scholars Undergraduate Research Symposium
in August. Following the symposium, seven students -- who participated in both the
2025 and 2026 McNair Scholars Undergraduate Research Symposium -- continue to refine
their research projects by presenting at the 2026 McNair Scholars Research Conference
at the University of New Mexico today (Sept. 10) and Friday, Sept. 11.
The McNair Scholars Program strives to provide its scholars varied opportunities to
present their research as an important element in their preparation for graduate education,
according to organizers.
The annual symposium, which took place Aug. 13 in the Wyoming Union Family Room, provided
an opportunity for UW McNair Scholars to present their summer research project findings
to an audience composed of faculty, staff, students, mentors and family members.
“This summer taught me so much about graduate school, research and what it takes to succeed in an academic environment,” a McNair Scholar says of the program’s impact. “While the program was certainly intense at times, it was one of the most rewarding opportunities I’ve had.”
UW undergraduate students who presented at the 2026 symposium, listed by hometowns and areas of study, are:
Cheyenne -- Diana Arenas-Rocha, sociology; Sierra Schildmeier, psychology and criminal justice; and Zcherina Villegas, anthropology and English.
Cody -- Holly Ward, anthropology.
Kemmerer -- Owen Burnett, molecular biology.
Los Angeles -- Jovanna Salazar, sociology.
Star Valley -- Jayton Meyer, physiology.
Arenas-Rocha, Schildmeier, Villegas, Burnett and Ward also will present at the conference.
Other UW undergraduate students presenting at the research conference, listed by hometowns and areas of study, are:
Gillette -- Selena Melendez, molecular biology.
Rock Springs -- Dylan Chatterley, psychology.
UW’s McNair Scholars, a TRIO Program, encourages first-generation college students from limited-income families to prepare for and pursue doctoral degrees by providing opportunities to engage in funded undergraduate research and prepare for success in graduate school. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education at $356,548 annually, with a tuition contribution from UW.
The UW McNair Scholars Program is recruiting for the 2026-27 academic year. For more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/seo/mcnair/ or email mcnair@uwyo.edu.
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.