Temple College Students Capture Five Awards at Texas Academy of Science Conference
Temple College presentation award recipients at the Texas Academy of Science on the campus of the University of Texas at Tyler, Feb 27, 2026. From left to right: Yamilex Hernandez, Michaela Stelzer, Lila O’Donnell, Ariyana Fisher, and Tyler Miller.
Temple College students stood out among 180 undergraduate students from Texas colleges and universities presenting their research results at the 146th Annual Meeting of the Texas Academy of Science, earning five top awards during the two-day conference held on February 27–28, 2026, at the University of Texas at Tyler.
The Texas Academy of Science, the oldest scientific organization in Texas, brings together faculty, researchers, and students from colleges and universities across the State to present original research results across a variety of scientific disciplines. This year, 12 Temple College students presented their research at the conference.
Temple College presentation award recipients at the Texas Academy of Science on the campus of the University of Texas at Tyler, Feb 27, 2026. From left to right: Yamilex Hernandez, Michaela Stelzer, Lila O’Donnell, Ariyana Fisher, and Tyler Miller.
Five of those students earned top recognition within their respective divisions:
Lila O’Donnell, First Place Research Poster Presentation, STEM Education
Ariyana Fisher, Second Place Research Poster Presentation, STEM Education
Tyler Miller, First Place Research Poster Presentation, Terrestrial Ecology and Management
Yamilex Hernandez, Second Place Research Oral Presentation, Plant Science
Michaela Stelzer, First Place Research Poster Presentation, Plant Science
For many of the students, the recognition was both unexpected and transformative.
“I was not expecting to win any award,” said Tyler Miller, who received First Place Poster in Terrestrial Ecology and Management. “But I’m thankful to receive it. The award proves that dedication toward a goal can really pay off, especially when others, including the mentor of your research project, drive you to achieve it.”
Miller said the experience strengthened his confidence not just in research, but in his academic ability overall.
“If I can complete a research project, I don’t see why any specific class would be too great a challenge with the right dedication and help,” he said.
Yamilez Hernandez presents her Temple College research results to the Plant Science section of the Texas Academy of Science on the campus of the University of Texas at Tyler, Feb 27, 2026.
Yamilex Hernandez, who earned Second Place Oral Presentation in Plant Science, described a similar shift in perspective.
“I had only read research papers before,” Hernandez said. “Carrying out my own research experiment was an amazing experience that showed me I’m capable of doing real scientific work.”
Both students reflected on how research changed the way they view science itself. For Miller, the process extended far beyond data collection.
“It isn’t just about doing the project,” he said. “It’s about researching what others in your field have done to find areas that need further study. You have to adapt to unforeseen complications and be willing to reach out to other scientists for advice.”
Hernandez said her project revealed another important lesson.
“Science is not always perfect,” she said. “Unexpected results are still meaningful. Outcomes you might not expect can still contribute to research in some way.”
Representing Temple College at the Texas Academy of Science conference also carried personal significance.
“Being trusted to represent Temple College at the conference is an honor,” Miller said.
Hernandez echoed that sentiment, calling it “an amazing opportunity to represent my school that supported me along my first research project,” adding that the experience strengthened her scientific skills and confidence.
Both students said participating in undergraduate research at Temple College expanded their expectations of what is possible.
“There are so many opportunities and support systems for students to excel,” Hernandez said. “From learning research methods to completing our own projects, these are valuable experiences you can gain before transferring to a university.”
Miller noted that the relationships built through research were equally impactful.
“One surprise would be the connections you make to professors and fellow students,” he said. “If you make any effort at all, you can enjoy your classes more by interacting with your peers. That can help prevent burnout.”
The award-winning projects reflect the range of undergraduate research taking place at Temple College.
Miller’s first-place poster examined the prevalence of nasal botflies in white-tailed deer across central Texas in Fall 2025, contributing baseline data for wildlife management and ecological monitoring.
Hernandez’s first-place oral presentation investigated how the herbicide diquat dibromide affects cherry tomato plants and cellular signaling pathways, contributing to broader conversations about agricultural chemical use and plant stress responses.
In the STEM Education division, Lila O’Donnell earned First Place Poster for developing a biochemistry-driven laboratory module that integrates liquid–liquid phase separation concepts into organic chemistry coursework. Ariyana Fisher received Second Place Poster for creating an online math readiness bootcamp designed to strengthen preparation for general chemistry students.
In the Plant Science Research Poster competition, Michaela Stelzer earned First Place Poster honors for her work examining how diquat exposure influences tomato root complexity and fungal symbiosis in soil ecosystems.
In total, 12 Temple College students presented research at the conference, including Kaylyn Wolf, Caleb Fry, Layla Salinas, Ruby Tapia, Tyler Miller, Blake Willey, Courtney Shuman, and Jacquelyn Rios. Their collective participation reflects the growing strength and culture of undergraduate research at Temple College and makes them eligible to graduate with Honors from Temple College.
The 2026 meeting marked the 146th annual conference of the Texas Academy of Science. In 2027, the conference will be hosted on the Temple College campus, bringing hundreds of scientists and student researchers from across Texas to Temple.
For this year’s award recipients and presenters, the experience reinforced both their scientific capability and the expanding role of undergraduate research at Temple College. Competing successfully on a statewide stage demonstrated that high-level scientific inquiry is not defined by institution type, but by mentorship, opportunity, and student dedication.