UMO Students to Present Research at National Undergraduate Conference
March 5, 2026
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
MOUNT OLIVE – For the first time in its history, the University of Mount Olive will send two students to present original research at the prestigious National Conference on Undergraduate Research, held April 12–15 in Richmond, Virginia.
Senior psychology majors Alina Esser of Erftstadt, Germany and Simone Szovan of Sneek, Netherlands will present their undergraduate thesis research during a national poster session on April 15. The National Conference on Undergraduate Research, commonly known as NCUR, is one of the largest interdisciplinary conferences in the country dedicated exclusively to undergraduate scholarship. Students from large research universities, flagship state institutions, selective private colleges, and smaller teaching-focused universities gather to present peer-reviewed work in a professional conference setting.
Dr. David Shields, Assistant Professor of Psychology, said the milestone represents a significant step forward for the University. “This is an important moment for our institutional commitment to undergraduate scholarship and experiential learning,” Shields said. “Sending students to NCUR for the first time signals that our students are producing work that meets national standards of quality and rigor. While we regularly send students to regional conferences, this places them on a national academic stage.”
Both students were selected to submit their research based on the strength of their thesis projects completed through UMO’s PSY 491 and PSY 492 research sequence. The courses mirror graduate-level expectations, requiring proposal development, literature review, data collection, statistical analysis, formal writing, and public thesis defense. Projects often take one to two years to complete.
Esser’s research examines sleep behavior among UMO students, exploring how factors such as chronotype, bedtime procrastination, cell phone use, and depression impact sleep quality. Her interest in the topic began in a neuroscience course.
“Sleep affects almost all aspects of life,” Esser explained. “Not getting enough sleep can impact physical and cognitive functioning and worsen mental health. I wanted to understand what factors affect college students’ sleep and whether depression plays a role.” Following graduation, Esser plans to return to Germany to pursue medical school with the goal of becoming a physician.
Szovan’s project explores the relationship between anxiety, depression, and eating behavior among traditional college students ages 18 to 25. A student-athlete, she combined her interest in mental health with questions about nutrition and wellbeing. “I wanted to know whether healthy eating makes people happier, or whether mental health affects how people eat,” Szovan said. “It is a topic that impacts many students, and I think it is important to better understand that relationship.” Szovan plans to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology at Erasmus University in Rotterdam and hopes to build a career that blends clinical practice with research.
Both students will present their findings in an interactive poster format, engaging one-on-one with faculty and peers from across the country. Shields said the experience builds skills that extend well beyond the classroom. “They will strengthen their scientific communication, learn to think on their feet, and gain confidence translating research into real-world impact,” he said. “That kind of experience is invaluable for graduate school and professional development.”
For Shields, who once completed his own undergraduate research at UMO, the opportunity carries personal meaning. “Undergraduate research shaped my career path and ultimately led me into academia,” he said. “To now mentor students through a similar journey brings that experience full circle.”
As UMO celebrates its 75th anniversary, this achievement highlights the University’s continued investment in high-impact learning experiences and close faculty mentorship. “Opportunities like NCUR demonstrate that program quality is not defined by size,” Shields added. “It is defined by the depth of engagement and the opportunities we provide our students.”
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
