On Dec. 12, 2025, 105 students presented their research in Gallogly Hall covering a range of topics, including anthropology, computer science, social work and biology at the 17th annual Mountain Lion Research Day (MLRD).
Projects are presented to UCCS professors and board members of the Office of Research. The event is designed to provide students with the opportunity to network and gain research experience. MLRD was created in 2009 by Michael Larson, a former associate vice chancellor for research and innovation, to stimulate cross-campus collaboration and networks with the Colorado Springs community according to the MLRD abstract book.
Each year, one undergraduate and one graduate student receive the Top Scholars Award. This year, Samantha Torres and Minoti Karnik earned the rewards respectively.
Torres presented Moral Foundations-Based Dialogue and Political Tolerance in Undergraduate Students, which discussed political polarization among students.
Her research findings suggest that students are more tolerant of different ideologies in platonic relationships than romantic ones, and structured dialogue encourages students to discuss differing political opinions.
Karnik presented The Development of Metamemory Ratings and Justifications during Middle Childhood on research populations aged 8 to 13 years old. Metamemory refers to the ability to self-reflect one’s own memories. Her research aims to discover the best way to predict memory.
According to Karnik, the event will help her get recommendation letters for post-grad opportunities and give her resume and real-life experience.
Other presentations included graduate student Harinishree Obla’s — whose research showed that ADHD manifests in children via inattentiveness, while adults see hyperactivity — and senior Biology major Justin Chapell who presented “the effectiveness of emergency room protocols for treating hypothermia. Chapell discovered that cold water immersion and body bag cooling were effective at quelling dangerous increases in core body temperature.
“Students that are involved in this [event] have higher GPAs and higher graduation rates, so it’s just a really great opportunity for students,” said Kelly McNear, the research development coordinator.
According to the Senior Research Business Professional for the Office of Research Lindsay Coppa, those who wish to participate in MLRD 2026 must be members of the Undergraduate Research Academy and can contact the Center for Student Research for more information.
Mountain Lion Research Day. Photo by UCCS Communique.