Helena, MT – Carroll College invites the campus and Helena community to attend the 2026 Student Research Festival (SRF), a signature academic event showcasing the exceptional research and scholarly work of undergraduate students across disciplines.
Held annually, the festival highlights mentored student research in the sciences, humanities, social sciences, and arts, offering a dynamic opportunity for students to present their work through oral and poster presentations while engaging with faculty, peers, and the broader community.
The festival begins with a keynote address on Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lower Campus Center. This year’s keynote speaker, Mauricio López Oropeza, co-founder and lay Vice President of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA), will present From the Amazon to Montana: A Journey towards Integral Ecology, Faith, and Shared Hope. Drawing on global experience from the Amazon to North America, Oropeza will explore how faith, science, and intercultural dialogue can inform a more connected and hopeful response to today’s ecological and social challenges.
On Friday, April 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Carroll students will present more than 150 research projects spanning a wide range of disciplines. Topics include:
- Social and Economic Implications of a Flat Tax System in Montana (Accounting & Strategic Finance)
- Myofascial Release as Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review (Health Sciences)
- Snow Algae: Skier’s Friend or Foe (Environmental Science)
- Project Baymax: Designing an AI Companion for Emotional Support (Computer Science)
- Operation Pedro Pan: The Overlooked Legacy (Hispanic Studies)
- Effect of Music Therapy on Alzheimer’s Disease (Nursing)
- Development of a Chlorophyll-Based Environmentally Friendly Sunscreen (Biochemistry-Molecular Biology)
Additional presentations span fields such as Mathematics, Neuroscience, Theology, Fine Arts, Psychology, and more.
The festival will conclude with a closing panel, Laudato Si’ and Carroll’s New Sustainability Minor, on Friday, April 24 at 4:00 p.m. in the Upper Campus Center. The panel will explore themes of integral ecology, sustainability, and the intersection of faith and environmental stewardship, followed by a public reception at 5:00 p.m.
“The Student Research Festival reflects the depth of inquiry-based learning at Carroll and the meaningful collaboration between students and faculty,” said Dr. Jennifer Glowienka, Interim Co-President of Carroll College. “It is an opportunity to celebrate the intellectual curiosity, creativity, and impact of our students’ work.”
The Student Research Festival is free and open to the public. Community members are encouraged to attend sessions, engage with student presenters, and experience firsthand the breadth of research taking place at Carroll College.
The SRF Committee extends sincere thanks to Trustee Dr. Russ Bell and the many supporters of Saints Giving Day whose contributions help sustain and strengthen the Student Research Festival. We also gratefully recognize the campus partners and others who directly supported the SRF Reception, including ASCC, the Alumni Office, Saints Athletics, Mission, Laudato Si’, Campus Ministry, and Carroll alum Ray Kuntz '77.
For a full schedule and list of presenters, visit www.carroll.edu/srf.
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