The 2026 John Sargon Albazi Student Research and Creative Activities Symposium was held as an in-person conference on Friday, May 1, 2026.

For parking, please use the 4th and 5th floors of the parking garage.

Participants
College of Arts & Sciences
College of Business & Technology
College of Graduate Studies & Research
Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education
McNair Scholars Program
NEIU Libraries
NIH MARC U-STAR Program at NEIU
Student Center for Science Engagement
University Honors Program

Symposium Planning Committee Members
Javier Aquino, Ed.D., College of Graduate and Research Studies, Symposium Chair
Jon Hageman, Ph.D., University Honors Program
Ashley Howdeshell, M.L.S., Library
Deborah Klos Dehring, Ph.D., McNair Scholars Program
Vincent Rosado, Graduate Student, Master of Arts in Higher Education (ENLACE)
Melinda Storie, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences
Christopher Straughn, Ph.D., Library
Marcelo Sztainberg, Ph.D., College of Graduate and Research Studies
Mary Thill, Library, M.L.S., Institutional Review Board
Laura West, M.S., SCSE/STEM

Symposium Steering Committee Members
Kim Ambriz, M.F.A., College of Arts and Sciences
Jorge Cantu, Ph.D., SCSE/STEM
Denise Cloonan, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences
Amanda Dykema-Engblade, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences
Hsiao-Chin Kuo, Ph.D., Goodwin College of Education
Alberto Lopez, Ph.D., Goodwin College of Education
Nate Mathews, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences
Ana Nieves, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences
Christopher Owen, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences
Lizi Zhu, Ph.D., College of Business and Technology

Symposium Program

8:00–8:30am – Registration (Golden Eagle/Alumni Hall)

8:30–8:50am – Welcome Ceremony (Alumni Hall)

9:00–11:10am – Podium Sessions: Block A

10:00-11:30am – Poster Sessions: Block A

11:10–11:20am – Break

11:20–1:30pm – Podium Sessions: Block B

12:00-1:30pm- Poster Sessions: Block B

1:30-1:45pm - Break

1:45pm – Luncheon and Awards Ceremony (Alumni Hall)