Student Spotlights
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Muskan Walia publishes paper in Undergraduate Research Journal (2025) with Frederick R. Adler as their faculty mentor Pierce Christoffersen and Kalista Leggitt selected as the 2024 Humanities Outstanding Undergrad Researchers Milo Yates presents at 2024 Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium Hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Lauren Wigod presents at 2024 Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium Hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Philosophy Undergraduate Selected as 2022 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Awardee
Muskan Walia, a senior honors student majoring in mathematics and philosophy, will serve as the student board member for the 2024-2025 academic year. Walia was selected by Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox to represent the students at Utah's 16 public colleges and universities. "Muskan has extensive leadership experience—including more than two years on the University of Utah’s student senate and two years as a Presidential Intern in Higher Education Leadership at the U."
Muskan Walia, a second-year student studying math and philosophy was named a Key into Public Service Scholar by the Phi Beta Kappa Society. The Society is the nation's most prestigious academic honor society, and the Key into Public Service award highlights specific pathways for arts and sciences graduates to launch public sector careers. Chosen from numerous applicants attending Phi Beta Kappa chapter institutions across the nation, the Key into Public Service Scholars are high-achieving college sophomores and juniors who display notable breadth and depth in their academic interests.
Walia is an ACCESS Scholar and undergraduate researcher working with Dr. Fred Adler, Professor of Biology and of Mathematics. In her research, Walia adapted an epidemiological SIR model for spread of disease to model the number of cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 in order to predict when different types of tests will produce false positives or false negatives.
"Working under the mentorship of Dr. Fred Adler has been invaluable," Walia exclaimed. "I wanted to be engaged in mathematics research that centered on justice and informed public policy. There was truly no better pairing than with Dr. Adler. He has wholeheartedly supported and encouraged my curiosity and passion to utilize mathematics principles to tackle the most pressing social justice related questions of our time."
Lauren Wigod presents at 2024 Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium Hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR)
Milo Yates presents at 2024 Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium Hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR)
Abigail Pace wins 2024 Colllege of Humanities Research Awards
Eliana Massey wins 2024 Colllege of Humanities Research Awards
Pierce Christoffersen and Kalista Leggitt selected as the 2024 Humanities Outstanding Undergrad Researchers
Pierce Christoffersen (philosophy and political science) and Kalista Leggitt (international studies, health society and policy, and biology) were selected as the 2024 Humanities Outstanding Undergraduate Researchers. They were presented with the award from the Office of Undergraduate Research in a ceremony on April 1, 2024. Pierce and Kalista collaborated on two research projects: the first one explores pediatric autonomy, with a special focus on the ethical dilemmas healthcare professionals face when adolescents and their caregivers disagree about the care adolescents might receive. The other project focuses on ethical issues arising from the use of AI in psychotherapy.
Muskan Walia publishes paper in Undergraduate Research Journal (2025) with Frederick R. Adler as their faculty mentor
Muskan Walia publishes paper "Mathematical Models of SARS-CoV-2 Testing: Explaining Differences in Test Results Among Patients" in UEN Undergrad Research Journal.
Peyton Cooper awarded Summer 2025 Undergraduate Research Oppurtunity Program
Peyton Cooper is a senior double majoring in Philosophy of Science and Biology and is working with faculty mentor Matt Haber (Philosophy) on a project titled Conventional Ranks.
Katherine Berensen awarded Summer 2025 Undergraduate Research Oppurtunity Program
Katherine Berensen, a senior double majoring in Philosophy of Science and Biology, has been working with faculty mentor Matt Haber (Philosophy) on a project titled The Species Problem Problem and the No Solution Solution. She also received a UROP award for the same research in Spring 2025.







