Delta State students present research at inaugural MERIC symposium

Cleveland, MS (09/25/2026) — Contact: Nathan Duff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (662) 846-4678

Email: nduff@deltastate.edu

Delta State students present research at inaugural MERIC symposium

CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University students Parker Lovett, Kent Humphries and Larson Ingram presented their research alongside students and faculty from across Mississippi during the inaugural Mississippi Emerging Research Institution Council Symposium held Sept. 12 at Millsaps College.

Nearly 200 people registered for the one-day conference, with approximately 160 attending. The symposium featured 26 oral presentations and 72 posters spanning chemistry, biomedical science, computational research, artificial intelligence, engineering, agriculture, environmental science, mathematics, education, business and the social sciences.

Undergraduate and graduate students presented alongside faculty researchers, providing students with opportunities to communicate their work, receive feedback from researchers outside their home institutions and learn about research being conducted across the state.

Lovett, a senior Biology major from Indianola, presented a poster titled "Molecular Dynamics of Urea and Benzamide Candidates at a Non-Active-Site Pocket in CTX-M-15 -Lactamase."

"I had a great experience at MERIC," Lovett said. "I really enjoyed engaging in conversations about our research and connecting with students from across Mississippi. It was a great opportunity to see the work of other students, learn about a variety of different subjects, and gain perspective on the research being conducted across the state."

Humphries, a senior Biology major from Fulton, presented a poster titled "Structural Studies of Tetrahydroprotoberberine Oxidase and Canadine Synthase."

"MERIC gave me an opportunity to connect with other undergraduate researchers," Humphries said. "I appreciated that there were no judges and that the presentations did not feel like something you had to win; you could simply talk about research you found interesting."

Ingram, a senior Biology major from Boyle, presented a poster titled "Comparative Molecular Dynamics of Phenylacetic Acid and Diazaphenalene Candidates at an Allosteric-Site Pocket in CTX-M-15 -Lactamase."

"The MERIC Research Conference was a great experience, especially as a first-time researcher," Ingram said. "It was nice being able to practice presenting in a low-stress and welcoming environment. I really enjoyed seeing all the different posters and talks and learning from people with different areas of expertise. The graduate school workshop was also really helpful and gave me a better idea of what to expect when considering graduate school. Overall, it was a great opportunity to learn, gain confidence, and experience what research is like."

Dr. Christopher T. Jurgenson, Sullivan-Outlaw Professor of Biochemistry at Delta State and chair of MERIC, said the symposium highlighted both the strength of student research and the value of connecting researchers from institutions across Mississippi.

"For a first conference devoted specifically to Mississippi's emerging research institutions and primarily undergraduate institutions, the level of participation was remarkable," Jurgenson said. "More important than the numbers was the energy in the room and the quality of the work being presented. Students were sharing serious research, faculty members were finding potential collaborators, and institutions that often face similar challenges were beginning to see what we can accomplish together. The symposium demonstrated that outstanding research is already taking place at Mississippi's smaller institutions and that MERIC can help connect, support, and strengthen those efforts."

Jurgenson also presented a talk titled "Molecular Dynamics and AI-Assisted Ligand Generation Identify a Cryptic Binding Site Candidate in CTX-M-15 -Lactamase."

The program included three professional development workshops tailored to different stages of academic and research careers. Dr. Tristan Clemons of the University of Southern Mississippi presented "The Elite Mindset: Leading High-Performing Research Teams" for faculty from primarily undergraduate and emerging research institutions. Dr. Alex Flynt of the University of Mississippi led "Accessing Different Career Paths with Your Degree" for graduate students. Dr. Brandon Magers of Belhaven University presented "Decoding Grad School," which included a graduate student panel for undergraduate participants.

MERIC is a statewide council that brings together Mississippi colleges and universities seeking to expand research capacity, strengthen STEM pathways, share resources and broaden participation in the state's research enterprise. Additional information is available at themeric.org.

Lunch for the symposium was supported by the National Science Foundation through the Mississippi Research Alliance under Grant No. OIA-2433435.

Cutline: The DSU Division of Mathematics and Sciences was represented at the inaugural Mississippi Emerging Research Institution Council Symposium by (L to R) Parker Lovett, Dr. Christopher T. Jurgenson, Larson Ingram and Kent Humphries.

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About Delta State University: Delta State University is a four-year public institution whose nearly 2,800 students come from most U.S. states and more than 45 countries. Acknowledging its beginning as a teacher's college, the University sustains excellence in teacher education while continuing to expand offerings in traditional as well as unique fields of study. Programs such as those available through the Delta Music Institute, the Commercial Aviation Department, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information highlight the University's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the students it serves with world-leading, industry-acclaimed programs. Situated in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Delta State offers top-notch academic programs in business, arts, sciences, nursing, education, and more. DSU Athletics has won 15 national championships, 70 conference championships, and 37 regional titles.

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