Cameron University students Landon Holley and Leilani Hunter were among the 25 finalists who presented their research with oral and poster presentations during the 30th annual Research Day at the Capitol, which celebrates exceptional undergraduate research conducted by students from Oklahoma colleges and universities in the areas of science. The event is an initiative of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and Oklahoma EPSCoR, a program of the National Science Foundation.
Hunter’s research presentation, “Unveiling Bioactive Phenolic-Identifying Key Compounds in Herbal Tea Samples,” was awarded second place in the Regional, Community and Tribal Colleges and Universities category. For this research, Hunter, a chemistry major from Lawton advised by Dr. KD Priyasantha, analyzed 10 different herbal tea samples to identify beneficial compounds called phenolic acids using a technique called High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. These phenolic acids are known for their antioxidant properties, which can promote health and prevent disease. Understanding their presence in herbal teas could have a significant social impact by contributing to the development of natural, plant-based remedies for common health conditions.
Holley’s poster focused on “Measurement of Ionospheric Properties during Geomagnetic Storms.” Holley, a senior physics major from Duncan mentored by former faculty member Dr. Susmita Hazra, sought to understand and track the effects of geomagnetic storms on the ionosphere, which plays a key role in radio communication systems due to its ability to reflect and modify radio waves. Variations in the ionosphere are closely studied to ensure that many communication systems stay active and functional. The research showed that during the May 11, 2024, geomagnetic storm, the total electron count remained relatively stable. Further research is planned to discover the reason behind the TEC stability, which should have experienced some variation.
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PR#25-065
