Big wins, big impact: Voinovich students excel at 2026 Student Expo

Ohio University’s Walter Fieldhouse transformed from a place of turf and tracks into a place of innovation on April 7, 2026.

This year’s Ohio University Student Research and Creative Activity Expo was a huge success, with 462 posters, 670 student presenters and 59 judged sessions. The Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service had a large number of students participate in the Student Expo, and they excelled in their presentations. 

Between the 59 judged sessions, Voinovich students were able to do a lot more than just present data, they showed off real solutions for the community. Here is what a few of the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service student presenters said about the event.
 

Excellence in every arena

Ohio University student athlete Laker Aldridge recently demonstrated what it means to excel in all arenas. Following a national championship win with the hockey team, Aldridge transitioned from the rink to the research floor to earn a first-place award at the Expo.

Aldridge’s project looked at how medical groups can better connect with their communities using CLAS Standards. For him, it’s about his future as a doctor.

"It’s been a fun little ride these past two weeks," he said, adding that the research will help him "connect with patients on a deeper level" down the road. 

Research that hits home

Many students chose the Voinovich School because they want to give back to the region, and that showed on the Expo floor.

Christian Swart took first place for his map of food insecurity in Appalachian Ohio, identifying 56,000 households that struggle to get fresh food. For Swart, it’s personal.

"Growing up in Appalachian Ohio, witnessing issues like food deserts was a major reason I chose to pursue a career in public service," he said.

Phoebe Giordano also focused on food access, specifically how it affects women in Athens. She didn’t just walk away with a first place ribbon; she also grabbed an award from the University Libraries.

After a year of being stuck in a "research bubble," Giordano said it was amazing to finally see people care about her work.

"Getting out of it and being able to relate to all kinds of people through my work really means a lot," she said.

Future-proofing our environment

On the environmental side, Emily Fox, an MSES student graduating in May, won first place for her work on how restored wetlands can save the pollinating insects.

As a first-time participant, Fox loved the "friendly, encouraging space" of the Expo. She’s hoping to turn this research into a full-time career in wetland restoration after she crosses the stage at Commencement.

Meanwhile, Ella Grey took second place for her project on "energy justice." She’s building a framework to help Athens County decide where to put energy sites fairly.

It’s the foundation for her upcoming Honors Tutorial College senior thesis, and she’s already looking toward a career in climate policy.

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By the numbers

The Expo is a massive operation, and the final data underscores the incredible scale of the day:

• Student participation: Approximately 670 students shared their hard work.
• Project diversity: 462 projects were showcased, covering everything from wetland ecology to spatial mapping.
• Competitive rigor: 59 judged sessions kept the pressure high, though the students handled the challenge with ease.

Whether they were bringing home trophies or sharing their "un-judged" showcase projects, the Voinovich students proved that research is about much more than just spreadsheets—it is about making a tangible difference in our communities.