For Cal State Fullerton students Cassandra Yuan and Max Wiessner, the 39th Annual California State University Student Research Competition was a chance to present their research — and they did not disappoint. Yuan, a chemistry graduate student, earned first place in the Biological and Agricultural Sciences category for her work on non-opioid therapies for chronic pain, while Wiessner, an undergraduate student majoring in women and gender studies, took second place in the Humanities and Letters category for their critical analysis of the 2022 horror film “Barbarian.”
Held on April 24-25 at Cal Poly Humboldt, the competition brought together over 200 students from across the CSU system, each presenting their original research through oral presentations. Yuan and Wiessner’s successes reflect the strength of CSUF’s diverse academic programs and the university’s commitment to fostering excellence in both the sciences and the humanities.
Yuan’s research focused on dual enzyme inhibition strategies, which have the potential to provide safer alternatives to opioid treatments. As the nation continues to grapple with the opioid crisis, Yuan’s work stands out as an important step toward advancing pain management options.
“This recognition is a reminder of how research can make a real difference in people’s lives,” Yuan said. “It motivates me to continue pursuing solutions that can help improve health care outcomes.”
Yuan’s success was built on a foundation of earlier experiences, including her participation in CSUF’s Student Creative Activities and Research Day, where she earned second place in her oral presentation session. The support she received through UROC-led workshops and practice sessions with fellow graduate students also played a crucial role in preparing her for the SRC.
“I couldn’t have done it without the preparation and practice I had through SCAR Day and UROC,” Yuan said. “The experience gave me the confidence I needed to perform well at such a large event.”
Yuan’s adviser, Stevan Pecic, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, praised her innovative approach to the research.
“Cassandra’s research is an exemplary combination of scientific rigor and real-world applicability,” Pecic said. “Her work on developing non-opioid alternatives for chronic pain is not only scientifically valuable but could help transform how we approach pain management. I am extremely proud of her achievement, and this recognition at the statewide level further validates the importance of the work she’s doing.”
Wiessner’s second-place award in the Humanities and Letters category was significant not only for their academic achievement but also for its symbolic value in an arena often dominated by STEM fields. Their project, “Mother Below: A Critical Interrogation of Gendered Anxieties in ‘Barbarian,'” used queer theory and trans studies to explore the film’s portrayal of gender identity and non-normative parenting. By examining these themes through the lens of horror, Wiessner’s research sheds light on how cultural texts reflect deeper societal anxieties about family structures and gender roles.
In a field where lab-based and technical research often take the spotlight, Wiessner’s work emphasizes that critical scholarship in the humanities is just as vital to understanding the world. Their achievement highlights the growing recognition of humanities research as a crucial part of academic discourse.
“Film has always been a critical point of interest in my research, especially the horror genre,” Wiessner said. “When you start looking at cultural texts with a critical lens, you realize how much they say about the world we live in.”
Under the guidance of faculty adviser Erika Thomas, associate professor of human communication studies, Wiessner refined their project, ultimately producing a compelling analysis.
“Max’s project is original, audacious and incredibly relevant,” Thomas said. “Humanities research often asks us to interrogate assumptions and find meaning in unexpected places, and it’s exciting to see that kind of work recognized in a competition that typically emphasizes lab-based research.”
In addition to Wiessner and Yuan, 10 other CSUF students presented their original research at the competition, representing a wide range of disciplines and showcasing the depth of scholarly and creative work happening across campus. Their participation in the competition, although not recognized with awards, was a significant opportunity to engage in academic dialogue, develop presentation skills and witness the diverse research projects unfolding across the CSU system.
Faculty and CSUF leadership echoed this sentiment. “It’s amazing to see our students not only master their subject matter but also articulate the broader relevance of their work,” said Nicole Bonuso, director of UROC. “Watching them grow from proposal to final presentation is what makes this program so impactful.”
Andrew Petit, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry and UROC faculty fellow, noted the impressive growth of the students he mentored.
“Seeing their depth of thought, poise, and confidence by the end of the process was remarkable. It was a joy to watch them succeed,” said Petit.
Binod Tiwari, associate vice president for research and sponsored programs, emphasized the broader significance of the recognition: “This kind of achievement underscores CSUF’s commitment to research excellence across all disciplines. Whether in science, engineering or the humanities, our students are doing extraordinary work that has a lasting impact on the academic community and beyond.”
For both Wiessner and Yuan, their victories were not only about the accolades but also about reinforcing the value of their respective fields. Wiessner, who will continue on to graduate school at Wake Forest University on a full scholarship, summed up their experience: “It reminded me that research doesn’t have to look one way. Whether you’re working with molecules or horror movies, you can contribute something meaningful.”
2025 CSUF Student Presenters
Alexandra Alvarado
Title: “Echoes of Tradition: Exploring the Legacy of José Alfredo Jiménez in Latin-American Music”
Faculty adviser: Judit Palencia Gutierrez, assistant professor of modern languages and literatures
John Baker
Title: “Determining How Two Similar Proteins Can Exert Different Functional Outcomes”
Faculty adviser: Niroshika Monerawila Keppetipola, chair and professor of chemistry and biochemistry
George Diaz Mejia and Nicole Maldonado
Title: “Capturing the Evolution of Entertainment Architecture and Technology With 3D LiDAR Scanning”
Faculty adviser: Norman Luker, associate professor of theatre and dance
Juliet Leyva
Title: “Nurturing Growth: The Power of Environmental Affordances in Infancy Development”
Faculty adviser: Do Kyeong Lee, associate professor of kinesiology
Irene Luu
Title: “Assessing Novel B-Lactam B-Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations Against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB): Ceftazidime-Avibactam and Ampicillin-Sulbactam”
Faculty adviser: María Soledad Ramírez, professor of biological science
Brendon Maus
Title: “Brain-Controlled Interfacing and Its Usage in the Movement of Robotic Arms”
Faculty adviser: Kiran George, professor of electrical and computer engineering
Vanessa Monterrosa and Jennifer Camacho
Title: “Exploring Mothers’ Parenting Practices and Its Relation to Their Children’s Socio-Emotional Well-Being”
Faculty adviser: Lucia Alcalá, professor of psychology
Valeria Reyes Bastidas
Title: “Baby Steps: Exploring the Influence of Birth Order on Infants’ Cruising Milestone, Locations and Parental Support”
Faculty adviser: Do Kyeong Lee, associate professor of kinesiology
Max Wiessner
Title: “Mother Below: A Critical Interrogation of Gendered Anxieties in ‘Barbarian'”
Faculty adviser: Erika Thomas, associate professor, human communication studies
Cassandra Yuan
Title: “Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Non-Opioid Therapeutics for Chronic Pain Treatment”
Faculty adviser: Stevan Pecic, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry