The 36th annual Research Day was held campus-wide on Friday, April 25. Students had the opportunity to present their research projects and celebrate a year of hard work. A variety of disciplines were on display as they conducted oral, film, poster exhibits, and performance presentations. An estimated 1,500 people attended Research Day, including 410 presenters and judges.
Nylah Whitaker, C'2025, an economics major from Middletown, Del., presented her research on 'The Impact of Soda Taxes on Obesity and Health-Related Behaviors in Teens.’ Her co-researchers, Jadyn Jones, C’2025, and Sydney Parker, C’2025, started conducting research during the fall 2025 semester. Professor Rebecca Sen Choudhury served as the group’s mentor.
“Our research involved extensive work, including countless late nights analyzing literature that supported our hypothesis, coding data using a coding platform called Stata, and revising and refining our 50-page thesis. Although it was challenging, it was also an incredibly rewarding process," Whitaker said. “Beyond Research Day, I learned so much about myself and what I’m capable of through conducting data-driven research on a topic that my co-researchers and I developed. This was only my second time conducting research of this magnitude, and it was a transformative experience! Although I’m a graduating senior, I realize I still have so much to learn. This experience has shown me how much I can grow, and I’m excited about what lies ahead.”
All majors were welcome to participate. Organizers strongly encouraged student researchers to engage in Research Day actively because of its multifaceted benefits. This event facilitated meaningful connections with peers, faculty, and mentors and positioned students as advocates for undergraduate research. Research Day has played an essential role in advancing research and collaboration.
“The importance of Research Day lies in its ability to showcase students' extraordinary and creative scholarship, while also providing a space for participants and audiences to connect in ways they might not have otherwise, especially given the diversity of majors represented,” Whitaker said. “Research Day is a melting pot where different academic disciplines can come together to enrich the Spelman academic experience. The skills gained from participating in Research Day are transferable beyond Spelman, whether in an internship, fellowship, or full-time job.”
Dazaree’ Tylee Ware, C’2025, an economics major and Spanish minor on the pre-law track from Heinesville, Ga., conducted research on the impacts of paid family leave and labor market outcomes for minority families. She worked with group members KaNya Turner, C’2025, and Madison Porter, C’2025. Sen Choudhury also served as their mentor.
“We wanted to compare states with paid family leave versus those with unpaid family leave,” Ware said. “We wanted to see how it impacted minority families and to see if it had a positive effect on their caregiving responsibilities, unemployment security, and if it reduced turnover rates for employers. Our research findings suggest that paid family leave has a positive impact on job retention, as well as securing a job after having paid family leave for minority families.”
Ware participated in her second Research Day. She enjoyed her experience, mentorship and the opportunity to present her hard work. “Presenting my senior thesis as a graduating senior was very rewarding,” Ware said. “I was very proud (of my project) and the people I worked with on Research Day and all of the great energy.”
Research starts well before Research Day. Sarah Williams, C’2025, a political science major on the pre-law track from Houston participated in her first Research Day. Dr. Unislawa Williams served as her research advisor. She has worked on her project since her sophomore year at Spelman. Williams' research topic was titled, “The Impact of Student Cultural Liberalism on the Politics of Spelman.”
I went to the Spelman Archives and different forms of media, using pictures as data, to find out how Spelman College has been conservative in the past, because there has been progression. That correlation proves that the culture has been conservative and progression is impacted by student culture liberalism.
“It’s definitely rewarding. I feel like I’m finally able to get my flowers and have a holistic approach to everything that I’ve been working for so hard and so long. I feel very happy and content with everything.
Research Day took an interesting twist this year. Organizers included a platform to give exposure and shine a light on the creative arts. A midday session held in the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, Ed.D., Academic Center Auditorium included three performances. The artists celebrated creative excellence in dance performance, choreography, and music.
Kiara Smith, C’2026, and Savonna Johnson, C’2026, danced to “Dear Grandma.” Ashley Rawls, C’2026, conducted a live music production and breakdown of “Deconstructing the Beat.” Noire, Spelman’s contemporary popular music ensemble, presented “Behind the Songs,” a live performance that told the story of well-known songs.
“I always think of Research Day as the culminating event of the year. We have evolved over the years. We are definitely proud of where we are right now; our student presenters, faculty, and staff who support this lovely institution,” said Brandi Taylor, C'2001, the lead organizer for Research Day. “In years past, we’ve had panel discussions where we’ve had deep interaction and engagement and invoked conversations for Research Day. We changed it up a little bit. We need some vitality, energy, and movement in our midday sessions. A lot of us have been toiled down mentally. The midday performances will reenergize you and bring some of that passion that we need.”
Taylor, the Undergraduate Research and Training (URTP) programs manager, opened the mid-day performances with a spirited welcome address and spoke about the importance of Research Day to the audience.
“I want to mention how important Research Day is, given the climate we’re in regarding research and DEI and the support of our young scientists. When planning Research Day, we thought we had to continue. We can’t let this stop us. We have to showcase the amazing work that’s taking place at Spelman,” Taylor said. “I am very excited we are here. The students have been working hard.”
Provost Pamela E. Scott-Johnson, C’1982, called Research Day a day to celebrate all the engagements, activities, and undergraduate work students conduct with faculty. “We’re now so much more inclusive. We have dancers and creative folks. This is Spelman College’s day to show off your stuff,” said Scott-Johnson. “We hope all of you feel a part of our mission because it’s important to develop and support our students. Spelman is designed to educate and empower women to lead in any area they choose.”
The 2025 Research Day winners will be announced on Friday, May 2. Save the date for the 37th Research Day, which will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Research Day 2024 Research Day Winners Navigating the Road to Research Day