Honors College Students Shine in Prestigious Research Fellowships

By Gary Hyatt, WSU Honors College, gary.hyatt1@wsu.edu

Eighteen students from the Washington State University Honors College have been awarded competitive fellowships through the Office of Undergraduate Research, highlighting the extraordinary impact Honors students are making across disciplines.

As part of a university-wide program that distributed $56,000 in fellowships to 36 students for the 2025–26 academic year, nearly half of the recipients come from the Honors College. This recognition affirms both the academic strength of the College and the dedication of its students to research, scholarship, and creative inquiry.

“I’m immensely proud of these students. They are outstanding representatives of Washington State University and the Honors College,” said Dean Norton. “I look forward to seeing how their projects develop and what the future holds for these exceptional young researchers.”

The awards and Honors College recipients include:

• Auvil Scholars Fellowship: Sawyer Hicks, Katy Touretsky
• Scott and Linda Carson Undergraduate Research Endowed Excellence Fund: Joan “Jo” Castaneda, Eva Rickard
• DeVlieg Undergraduate Research Foundation Award: Jace Dunn
• Team Mentoring Program Research Scholarship Award: Aminata Sinyan, Anita Valdez
•  Office of Undergraduate Research Fellowship: Lauren Benjamin, Nicole Diefenbach, Samuel Faville, Caelyn Intal, Kaitlyn Ipsen, Daniel Mrak, Taylor Page, Cole Wilson, Kate Yoon
• James A. Weir Undergraduate Research Fellowship: Allison Mata, Ari Wilson

For many students, these awards open doors to deeper academic exploration and future opportunities.

“I have learned that I thoroughly enjoy the scientific process—from the planning, execution, and troubleshooting. I want to be a researcher and contribute to the scientific field in more ways than one, in addition to becoming a physician,” said Katy Touretsky, an Auvil Scholar Fellow.

Daniel Mrak, recipient of an OUR Fellowship, reflected on how research is shaping his career goals: “Participating in this research is helping me broaden my future horizons by opening the door to graduate school while giving me valuable hands-on experience with applicable chemical engineering processes.”

For Kate Yoon, the fellowship represents more than just research skills—it’s about growth and mentorship. “Through my time as a researcher in Driskell Lab and as an Undergraduate Peer Mentor, I have learned how to communicate my research, gained valuable skills, and developed a deeper understanding of the impact of research.”

And for Jace Dunn, recipient of the DeVlieg Undergraduate Research Foundation Award, research has expanded both technical and collaborative skills. “Participating in undergraduate research expanded my knowledge of electrical engineering and has shown me how to coordinate with teammates from diverse technical backgrounds who share a common goal.”

From scientific discovery to engineering innovation, the success of these 18 Honors College students highlights the transformative power of undergraduate research. Their recognition is a testament not only to their own dedication but also to the supportive faculty mentors and opportunities provided through WSU’s Honors College.

Congratulations to Honors College Student Hailey Patchett: 2025 Portz Interdisciplinary Fellowship Award Recipient

By Gary Hyatt, WSU Honors College, gary.hyatt1@wsu.edu

The Honors College is proud to congratulate Hailey Patchett, an incoming senior majoring in Microbiology and minoring in Spanish, on receiving a 2025 Portz Interdisciplinary Fellowship Award. Hailey is one of only six students nationwide selected for this prestigious honor, which supports creative and innovative undergraduate research that crosses disciplinary boundaries.

Hailey received a $5,000 top-tier award for her project titled “A new human-dog co-evolutionary paradigm via social media positive feedback loops.” Guided by her faculty mentor, Dr. Joanna Schultz, Hailey’s research explores the enduring bond between humans and dogs in the context of the digital age. By measuring oxytocin

levels in participants before and after watching curated dog-related content on social media, her project seeks to uncover whether virtual interactions can trigger emotional responses similar to those experienced during in-person interactions with dogs.

Reflecting on her work, Hailey shared: “This project will explore the long-standing relationship between humans and dogs; specifically, whether watching dog-related content on social media can elevate oxytocin levels and trigger emotional responses similar to those experienced during in-person interactions with dogs. … By measuring participants’ oxytocin levels before and after viewing curated dog videos, we hope to discover how this ancient, interspecies bond may be evolving in the digital age!”

Launched in 2010 through a gift from John and Edythe Portz, the Portz Interdisciplinary Fellowship is one of the most competitive awards in honors education, supporting bold, cross-disciplinary projects by exceptional undergraduate scholars. Hailey is the second Honors College student to receive this prestigious award, following Teva Mayer, the College’s first recipient in 2017.

Hailey expressed gratitude for the support she has received along the way: “Deepest thanks to my mentor, Dr. Joanna Schultz, the WSU Honors College, and the National Collegiate Honors Council for supporting my work. Go Cougs!”

Hailey’s achievement highlights the intellectual curiosity, creativity, and research excellence at the heart of the WSU Honors College. We are excited to see how her project will expand our understanding of the human-animal bond in an increasingly digital world.

Congratulations, Hailey!