The Spring 2026 Honors Presentation Symposium brought together undergraduate students at the Washington State University College of Nursing on April 3 for a full day of research and discussion focused on real-world health care challenges.
Throughout the day, honors students presented original research and evidence-based projects shaped by faculty mentorship and grounded in patient care. Attendees moved between sessions, engaging directly with student work that explored clinical practice, caregiver support, and health equity.
The presentations covered a wide range of topics:
- Atopic dermatitis and its effects on the quality of life: A literature review — Shanni Chou
- Nurses’ stress and burnout in the care of autism: An integrative review — Jacob Streuli
- The effectiveness of Eat, Sleep, Console on neonatal abstinence syndrome — Cadence McLin
- Integrating naturopathic practices in pediatric care: A complementary approach to standard treatment — Alyssa Martindale
- Exercise management and mobility improvement in Parkinson’s patients — Olivia Lofstedt
- Alleviating caregiver burnout in caretakers of patients with Parkinson’s disease — Kiera Morley
- How language translation services impact health care for patients whose primary language is Spanish — Kate Guede
- Predictors of relapse in idiopathic clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method: A systematic review — Abigale Roberts
- Vascular brain lesions and cognitive change in aging American Indians: Data from the Strong Heart Study — Ashley Sample
Across each project, students focused on practical questions tied to patient outcomes. Many explored how care models, communication, and support systems can directly improve the patient and family experience.
Cadence McLin’s research “The effectiveness of Eat, Sleep, Console on neonatal abstinence syndrome” stood out among the group. Her work earned the top Crimson Award at the 2026 Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (SURCA) awards, recognizing both the quality of her research and its relevance to improving neonatal care practices.
Kate Guede, BSN ’26, contributed in multiple ways that same day. Along with presenting her research on language translation services in nursing, she served as the student emcee for the 2026 Celebration of Giving. In her remarks, she reflected on the impact of support and recognition, sharing that being seen and encouraged can shape a student’s confidence and reinforce their purpose in nursing.
Several honors projects aligned with ongoing student-led efforts such as Cougs for Parkinsons, which aims to support patients and families affected by Parkinson’s disease. Presentations on mobility and caregiver burnout reflected this growing area of focus.
The symposium offered a clear view of how undergraduate nursing students are contributing to the future of health care through research, collaboration, and applied learning.
View additional photos on the College of Nursing Flickr photostream.
