Paths of Discovery

Investigating medicinal plants. Curating a contemporary art exhibition. Exploring carbon emissions in freshwater ecosystems. Reconstructing historic costumes. Through Rollins’ Collaborative Research Fellowship program, students had the opportunity to engage in the kind of original scholarly research that’s 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 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 doing a research project collaboratively 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 Sylvie. “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 inside 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. Its 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 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 set to be displayed later this year at The Alfond Inn—the first of its kind.

“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 they mean for the museum,” says Ortega. “This project is my way to share my love for contemporary art with the larger public. I hope our exhibition will become a hub for reflection, communication, and a place to grapple with ideas and experiences.”

“This research project has shown me the strength and nature of collaborating in a group, which has been the most fun and the most challenging,” continues Ortega. “While art history work tends to be individually focused, this project was different because we each managed our own research responsibilities 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 collaborative 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.”

“This experience has been the perfect complement to my classroom experience,” continues Srikrishna. “In my research, I fully developed my own project based on my interests while also enhancing lab skills that I gained in the classroom.”

“Dr. Rogers invited me to collaborate with him and Mihika on this research due to 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. “Macroinvertebrates make up so much of our marine life and produce a portion of the air we breathe. This research gives me experience in freshwater systems, whereas the work I do with marine mammals expands into saltwater.”

“Support from our professors has been the most inspirational factor for me,” continues Winslett. “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 allow them to 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.”

“This research is worthwhile due to the positive effect it could have on the world,” shares 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.”

“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,” shares 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.”

Alongside artist-in-residence and costume shop manager Allison Crutchfield, Alex Collins ’29 spent her summer researching and recreating two costumes worn by actress Annie Russell—the namesake of the College’s historic Annie Russell Theatre. Russell’s legacy at Rollins included 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,” shares Collins, a theatre arts major, “while applying the sewing and patternmaking skills I’ve developed through my Rollins coursework and professional experience. 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.

“I chose this research because it combines my passion for theatre history with my love of costume design and construction. I’ve always been fascinated by how clothing tells a story—every seam, fabric choice, and construction technique reveals something about a character, a historical period, the designer, and the person who wore it.”

“This research demonstrates how practical craftsmanship can support historical and cultural preservation. 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.

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.

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

“My coursework helped me build strong writing and critical thinking skills, while my professors encouraged me to ask questions and approach challenges with confidence. 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.”