The Fourth Biennial Florida Undergraduate Research Posters at the Capitol
The Fourth Biennial Florida Undergraduate Research Posters at the Capitol Event Features Research Posters Designed by Three FSU Undergraduate Students
Take a look back at the 2026 Florida Undergraduate Research Association’s (FURA) Posters at the Capitol event! This year marked the Fourth Biennial Posters at the Capitol event, featuring undergraduate students from across Florida, including three students from FSU: Eddie Fordham, Rudy Santayana, and Sophia Vizoso!
Taking place January 26 and 27 and co-hosted by the CRE and FURA, students had the chance to present their scholarship and creative endeavors to Florida legislators. In doing so, these talented students have the chance to impact our state and improve the lives of Floridians. Their contributions add to the larger body of research knowledge and demonstrate the importance of undergraduate research.
This year’s FSU students presented the following posters:
Eddie Fordham
“Degrees of Opportunity: Exploring the Challenges and Successes of Justice-Impacted Students at FSU”
Eddie Fordham’s research, conducted under Dr. Alexandra Cockerham, Dr. Radha Modi, and Dr. Mark Schlakman, focuses on the best ways to support justice-impacted students – those who have been through incarceration, arrest, or experienced the effects of a loved one’s involvement with the legal system – as they return to higher education.
Through a series of interviews with staff and leadership at FSU, including Provost James J. Clark, Fordham’s work investigates the obstacles justice-impacted students face and the way FSU support students. Ultimately, Fordham's work asserts the transformative nature of higher education. Fordham described his experience at the Posters at the Capitol Event: “From these halls flow the laws that impact people’s lives, and I’m honored and grateful to be presenting work focused on justice-impacted students and access to opportunity through higher education.”
Rudy Santayana
“Advancing Analytical Techniques for REOB Detection in Asphalt Binder”
Rudy Santayana’s research, conducted under Dr. Michael Elwardany, investigates the method of detecting Re-Refined Engine Oil Bottoms (REOB) in asphalt binders, in order to ensure the quality of the asphalt. By investigating advanced material characterization
techniques, Santayana’s research aims to form a consistent detection approach to support quality control practices for Florida’s roadways.
Santayana "had a great time presenting [his] poster alongside Sophia Vizoso and Eddie Fordham” and stated “it was an honor to represent FSU while sharing undergraduate research at the state level.”
Rudy Santayana’s research aims to improve pavement preservation and analysis through advanced material characterization techniques. (Brittany Mobley, Undergraduate Studies)
Sophia Vizoso
“Cardiac Vagal Baroreflex Sensitivity Among Young Adults With and Without Obesity”
Sophia Vizoso’s research, conducted under Dr. Joseph Watso, is an Honors in the Major thesis which examines reduced cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (cBRS) in young adults with stage 1-2 obesity compared to those without obesity. Through a series of tests, Vizoso’s research concludes that cBRS is significantly lower in adults with stage 1-2 obesity compared to those without obesity. This research creates a greater understanding of how the nervous and cardiovascular systems interact to influence health.
Vizoso summarized her experience with Posters at the Capitol, explaining that “Being able to present my work at the Capitol showed me, in a very real way, that undergraduate research is not just an academic exercise, it has the power to inform conversations and decisions that directly affect our communities.