Creighton students earn second place at BIG EAST Research Symposium
Creighton University students earned national recognition at the 2026 BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium, where senior Ty Monson placed second individually within the Biomedical division and the Creighton team finished second overall.
Held March 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium brings together undergraduate researchers from all 11 conference institutions to present projects across disciplines including science, healthcare, business and the humanities. The results reflect Creighton’s growing national reputation for undergraduate research and the strength of faculty mentorship that prepares students to present their work on national stages.
Ty Monson Earns Second in Poster Competition
Monson, a senior biochemistry major at Creighton University, earned second place at the BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium for his research focused on developing new approaches to treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment options.
His project investigates how specially designed nanoparticles can deliver promising drugs more effectively, helping researchers explore new therapeutic strategies for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
For Monson, the research is driven by the potential to improve the lives of patients and their families. Beyond advancing scientific understanding, he hopes discoveries like these could help patients maintain dignity and give families more meaningful time with their loved ones.
“I was extremely excited and humbled to receive this award, especially with the talent at the symposium,” Monson said. “It was a moment of confirmation for me. All the effort and sacrifice made was finally rewarded.”
Monson conducted the research in the laboratory of Surabhi Shukla, PhD, whose mentorship helped guide the project and prepared him to present his findings at the BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium.
Creighton Team Places Second Overall
In addition to Monson’s individual recognition, the Creighton team placed second overall at the BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium, highlighting the collective strength of undergraduate research across the University.
The Creighton team included Monson alongside Daniel Cline, Rachel Malander, Hannah Pflum and Jakob Schmit, whose projects explored topics ranging from antibiotic resistance and artificial intelligence in nursing education to brain immune responses during viral infection and safer approaches to pain treatment.
Ashley Fricks-Gleason, PhD, director of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (CURAS) at Creighton University, said the team recognition reflects the quality and breadth of research being conducted by Creighton students.
“Placing second in the team division highlights Creighton’s overall strength in undergraduate research across disciplines and colleges,” Fricks-Gleason said. “Success in this category requires each of our student presenters to score highly in their individual categories, reflecting the impressive work of all five students.”
The BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium provides undergraduate students the opportunity to share discoveries, connect with peers and present their research during the conference’s championship weekend. For Creighton, the team’s second-place finish highlights the impact of undergraduate research opportunities supported through CURAS and the faculty mentorship that helps students pursue meaningful discoveries.
