Howard Payne University (HPU), a Christ-centered liberal arts institution in Brownwood, Texas, is known for its close-knit academic community and strong emphasis on mentoring and personal connection. The Welch Foundation departmental grant aligns seamlessly with that mission, providing HPU students access to high-impact research experiences typically associated with much larger universities, especially through the university’s annual Summer Research Symposium.
“The reason I started the Symposium was that a lot of students were coming into the lab for the first time, and they were so scared to break something and make mistakes,” said Associate Professor Dennis Gibson, the director for HPU’s Center of Faculty and Student Research and one of the Welch grant’s three faculty leaders.
“My goal is to catch them early as freshmen or sophomores and get them into the lab over the summer. They learn that failure is part of the process and to work through problems; they become resilient and benefit from that experience throughout their academic careers.”
The four-week Summer Research Symposium centers on current, real-world problems in STEM and emphasizes student independence. Early in the program, faculty provide close, one-on-one guidance in lab safety, techniques, and instrumentation. As the weeks progress, the mentors step back. By the end of the summer, participants are largely self-sufficient: planning experiments, troubleshooting problems, and presenting their findings.
“This is the first time we’ve really been able to pay a large group of students to stay on campus and do research,” said Gibson. Last summer, during HPU’s 4th Summer Research Symposium, seven undergraduates participated, four of whom received stipends funded by the Welch departmental grant to remain on campus and immerse themselves in full-time laboratory work. Seven local high school students also worked alongside the undergraduates. By funding lab materials, travel, and supplies in addition to the stipends, the Welch grant supports capacity building for the entire chemical research program.
Three major research thrusts are currently being supported by the Welch grant. The first focuses on identifying a cost-effective manner to measure the presence of microplastics. Traditional staining compounds used in microplastic analysis are expensive and require specialized suppliers. HPU students have discovered that crude extracts from some common plants can effectively stain microplastics and allow imaging under a fluorescent microscope. Because these materials are inexpensive and readily available at grocery stores, their approach could dramatically reduce barriers for researchers studying plastic pollution.
“When you’re a small university, you have to think outside of the box to get an answer with the resources at your disposal. But by doing that, you think of a different technique that may not have been used historically to do analysis. Now you have developed a new, more accessible technique for your research project, and also for others as well,” Gibson said.
The second project addresses a critical health issue related to eye drops used by individuals with Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition that limits tear and saliva production. Preservatives can cause harm with long-term use, but preservative-free eye drops are vulnerable to contamination by dangerous bacteria. Students are investigating whether naturally occurring compounds, such as free fatty acids, could inhibit bacterial growth in these eyedrops.
A third project has developed a recyclable, green chemistry method to extract a biopolymer that is commonly used in cosmetics, healthcare products, and a variety of medical applications. While details are limited due to ongoing patent considerations, this Welch-supported research emphasizes environmentally friendly methods for the biopolymer extraction, using non-harsh chemicals that can be recycled after the extraction is complete.
A major goal is setting up the students for future success. The students who participate in HPU’s chemistry program and Summer Research Symposium usually are interested in continuing into pre-professional programs, like medical or pharmacy school, after graduation.
“At HPU, we have that small university, student-centered focus. I really enjoy being able to offer individuals specialized, very close to one-on-one training. Those experiences are very beneficial in getting students to the next step,” said Gibson. “We are grateful that The Welch Foundation is helping us offer more opportunities for our students to succeed.”