More than 21 University of the Virgin Islands student researchers will present original research at the 2026 Fall Student Research Symposium, held simultaneously on UVI's St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. Projects span applied mathematics, biology, nursing, physics and environmental science and include studies on coral dispersal modeling, community stroke education, and local medical providers' readiness to use AI tools.
Event Details:
Hosted by the UVI Emerging Caribbean Scientists (ECS) Program and the College of Science and Mathematics.
Student researchers including Lilian Alexander (senior, Applied Mathematics), who is presenting two projects — a mathematical model of coral dispersal with mentor Dr. Robert Stolz, and a study of mangrove seedling survival with mentor Dr. Kristin Wilson — and Ayaela Louis Riley (senior, Biology) and Jadine Davis (junior, Nursing), presenting a community stroke education project, are available for interviews. Faculty mentors including Dr. Stolz, Dr. Wilson, Dr. Bruce Gendre and Dr. Bernard Castillo are also available. Pre-event interviews can be arranged noon on Saturday, Sept. 26, by request.
Students will present research posters and demonstrations.
UVI's Emerging Caribbean Scientists (ECS) program encompasses the university's research training activities, offering scholarships, summer programs, research experiences, mentoring and academic enrichment for undergraduate students, with a mission to increase research training and promote excellence for STEM students at the University of the Virgin Islands. Funding comes from federal grant awards through the National Science Foundation NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), as well as university sponsors and donors. The symposium is free and open to the public.
