Five Butler University students showcased their research on a national stage this month, earning both individual and team recognition at the fifth annual BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium in New York City. 

Held at Madison Square Garden ahead of the BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Championship game, the symposium brings together top undergraduate researchers from across the conference. Each institution may send up to five students to present original research to a panel of faculty judges, with awards recognizing both individual excellence and overall team performance. 

This year, Butler’s delegation delivered one of its strongest performances to date. 

Milica Nenadovich, a senior biochemistry major who conducts research with faculty mentor Jen Kowalski, Professor of Biological Sciences, earned third place in the non-medical STEM category. Her recognition marked a standout moment for the Bulldogs—and contributed to Butler’s third-place finish in the overall team competition. 

The team honor reflects the collective strength and consistency of Butler students’ research and presentations across disciplines. 

“This is the first time Butler has brought home hardware from the symposium,” said Travis Ryan, Associate Provost, who accompanied the students to New York. “The team finish speaks not only to the quality of the individual projects, but to the consistency of excellence across all five presentations.” 

Joining Nenadovich at the symposium were: 

• Jason Garcia, a senior biochemistry major, working with Michael Samide, Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry 

• Julia Harmon, a senior biochemistry major (and a member of Butler’s dance team, who was also in New York to perform during the tournament), working with Carl DeAmicis, Lecturer, Chemistry & Biochemistry  

• Chase Nixon, a senior majoring in astronomy and astrophysics, working with Aarran Shaw in Physics and Astronomy 

• Abbey Shafier, a senior biology major, working with Lindsay Lewellyn, Associate Professor in Biological Sciences and Faculty Director of Undergraduate Research 

Butler faculty also played a key role in the event. Lewellyn, Ryan, and Tom Parry, Assistant Professor and Director of Kinesiology, served as judges alongside representatives from other BIG EAST institutions. 

The symposium continues to grow as a signature academic event for the conference, highlighting the importance of undergraduate research and collaboration across institutions. 

For Butler, this year’s results signal both momentum and the continued strength of its commitment to hands-on, faculty-mentored research experiences—an approach that prepares students to contribute meaningfully to their fields long before graduation. 

Additional details, including full abstracts and a conference recap, are available through the BIG EAST Conference.