Applied learning, classroom scholarship, and faculty achievement anchored the annual
School of Business event
FRANKFORT, Ky. 鈥� More than 60 黑料福利社 students brought their ideas
before faculty, peers, and judges April 30, using original research to examine applied
questions across academic disciplines and career fields.
The Tenth Annual Expree Student Research Day and Awards Banquet, hosted by the School
of Business and the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy in partnership
with Expree Credit Union, gave students an opportunity to present scholarly work,
receive feedback, and strengthen skills that extend beyond the classroom.
This year鈥檚 focus, 鈥淟inking Teaching and Research in the Classroom to Enhance Student
Learning Outcomes,鈥� reflected the event鈥檚 emphasis on connecting academic instruction
with applied research and professional development.
Research areas included agriculture, artificial intelligence, business, climate, communication,
community and economic development, digital systems, economics, education, environmental
science, finance, food systems, geospatial science, GIS, human performance, land use,
media, personal development, and technology.
The event was coordinated by Dr. Abdul Turay, professor of business and computational
science in the School of Business, with assistance from Dr. Amanda Fickey of the Center
for Economic Education and Financial Literacy, and Dr. Gary R. Stratton, chair of
the School of Business.
Student award winners included:
Research Paper
First place: Shristi Adhikari (faculty mentor: Dr. Buddhi Gyawali)
Second place: Katrina Frailey (faculty mentor: Dr. Abdul Turay)
Oral Presentation
First place: Emmanuel Obielodan (faculty mentors: Dr. Chinonso Etumnu and Dr. Sait
Sarr)
Second place: Marie Uwimbabazi (faculty mentor: Dr. Theoneste Nzaramyimana)
Third place: Amos Akwemoh (faculty mentor: Dr. Buddhi Gyawali)
Third place: Megrael Ngudia (faculty mentors: Dr. Adekunle Adeyeye, Dr. Theoneste Nzaramyimana,
and Ms. Cora Teets)
Third place: Seema Adhikari (faculty mentor: Dr. Maheteme Gebremedhin)
Third place: Susan Fakolade (faculty mentor: Dr. Frederick Bebe)
Poster Presentation
First place: Prabina Bhujel (faculty mentor: Dr. Kirk Pomper)
Second place: Anthony Thomas (faculty mentor: Dr. James Obielodan)
Third place: Surekha Panthi (faculty mentor: Dr. Anuj Chiluwal)
Faculty awards were also announced during the event.
Dr. Stratton received the Teaching-Research Award in recognition of his dedication
to integrating scholarly work into teaching and was also recognized as the recipient
of the Dr. Finley Helm Faculty Award of Excellence. His research interests include
economic development, entrepreneurship, economic education, and financial literacy.
He has taught in these areas at Murray State University, Clemson University, the University
of Virginia鈥檚 College at Wise, and 黑料福利社, and has used his research to support
regional economic and labor studies, and economic education and financial literacy
centers.
Dr. Swagata 鈥淏an鈥� Banerjee received the Scholar Award for achieving a position of
prominence in his discipline through scholarship and creative research activity. His
research interests include applied microeconomics, production economics, agricultural
and environmental economics, technology adoption, regional development, and sustainable
farming systems. He has taught at Alabama A&M University, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville,
and 黑料福利社, with courses spanning economics, finance, agribusiness, and agricultural
economics. At 黑料福利社, he has served as director of the Center for Economic
Education and Financial Literacy.
The School of Business and the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy
extend appreciation to Expree Credit Union, participating students, faculty, staff,
and event organizers for helping make the 2026 Research Day a success.
