University of South Florida · Est. 2025

Voices
& Visions

An interdisciplinary research symposium where undergraduate and postgraduate scholars present original work across STEM, social sciences, analytics, and art history — on stage, in front of the world.

19+
Published Papers
3
Disciplines
25+
Attendees
Scroll

Research is not administrative.
It's a stage.

Mission

Our mission is to make research accessible and collaborative for all students. We bring together diverse fields, from STEM to the arts, through semester events that connect students with expert researchers and foster hands-on experience. By encouraging open dialogue and creative inquiry, we aim to build a community where ideas can grow into opportunities and where every student gains the confidence to engage in research that matters.

Vizn's approach

Our symposia are built around live student presentations that create an active, professional research environment. Each event brings together undergraduates, postgraduates, alumni, and faculty for structured sessions, guided discussion, and real-time feedback. By emphasizing face-to-face communication, interdisciplinary exchange, and mentorship, we give students hands-on experience presenting their work, engaging with scholars, and building confidence in academic and professional settings.

Live Stage Presentations
No poster boards. Researchers present original findings to a live audience in a formal symposium setting — certificates, banquet seating, and faculty attendance included.
Academic Publication
Every presenter is published in the VIZN research archive — a permanent, citable, publicly accessible record of their work.
Intellectual Community
STEM researchers sit beside humanities scholars. Data scientists collaborate with artists. VIZN is where disciplines stop competing and start conversing.
Prestige & Legitimacy
We design every element of VIZN to signal one thing: your research is serious. And it always was.

Every discipline.
One stage.

We welcome original research from across the academic spectrum. The most interesting work happens at the intersections.

⚗️
STEM
Biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, and applied sciences
📊
Analytics
Data science, statistics, behavioral analytics, public health data, and computational social science
🌐
Social Sciences
Psychology, sociology, political science, economics, anthropology, and public policy
🎨
Art History
Visual art, art history, literature, design, creative writing, cultural studies, and humanities

What happens on the day.

VIZN is a full-day, professionally curated academic event — designed to feel less like a university requirement and more like a professional debut.

01
Breakfast & Opening Networking
The day opens with a catered breakfast and unstructured networking among presenters, faculty, and guests. First impressions, new connections, and the quiet energy before the stage comes alive.
Community · Morning
02
Introduction & Opening Remarks
VIZN leadership formally opens the symposium — setting the tone, welcoming attendees, and framing why this research, and this moment, matters.
Opening Ceremony
03
First Presentations Block
Researchers take the stage to deliver their original work to a seated audience. Each presenter fields questions from faculty and fellow scholars. No poster boards — a real stage, real attention, real stakes.
Live Presentations · Round I
04
Networking Break & Lunch
A mid-day pause with food and open conversation. Presenters, attendees, and faculty mix freely — discussing what they heard, sharing ideas across disciplines, and recharging before round two.
Break · Midday
05
Second Presentations Block
The afternoon session continues with the remaining presenters. The energy shifts — the room is warmed up, the conversations are richer, and every presentation belongs exactly where it is.
Live Presentations · Round II
06
Certificate Ceremony
Every presenter receives a formal certificate of presentation. Their names are called, their research acknowledged, and their work permanently published in the VIZN archive.
Recognition · Publication
07
Banquet Closing
A formal closing banquet ends the day — because the scholars who present at VIZN deserve to be celebrated, not just evaluated.
Celebration · Closing

Published.
Permanent. Yours.

The VIZN2026 archive is where student research lives beyond the symposium — accessible, citable, and free to the world. Postgraduate presentations are listed first.

STEM · Postgraduate
"Acute and Persistent Adverse Reactions After One Cycle of Docetaxel"
Paul Velter & Sebastian Jiminez McKenzie
Examines acute and long-term adverse reactions observed in patients following a single cycle of Docetaxel chemotherapy, exploring symptom patterns, severity, and clinical implications for oncology care.
Art History · Postgraduate / Faculty
"In Defense of Psycho-Hued Literature and Slow Reading in the 21st Century"
Alejandra Cancel Hernández · USF Professor
Explores Juan José Saer's The Regal Lemon Tree (1974) through the lens of "psycho-hued literature" and its importance for developing minds in the digital era through the cultivation of sensory awareness.
STEM · Undergraduate
"The Impact of Academic Stress on Acne in Students and Young Adults: A Literature Review"
Hannah Rodrigues & Marie Wamae
Examines how cortisol released during academic stress contributes to acne development through excess oil production, pore blockage, and inflammation — with implications for holistic skin health management.
STEM · Undergraduate · Group
"RNA-Binding Proteins in Cardiac Progenitor Cell Differentiation and Heart Tube Formation"
Abrahim, Leo, Martinez, Murphy & Para
Systematic review of RNA-binding protein roles during cardiac progenitor cell differentiation — highlighting LIN28A, RBPMS, and PRRC2B as key regulators of heart tube formation and congenital heart defect risk.
Social Sciences · Undergraduate
"Echoes of Home: Language, Migration, and Memories of Culture"
Harini Para · Microbiology, USF
Explores how language modification driven by diaspora, colonization, and cultural hierarchy reshapes community identity and belonging across anthropological, sociological, and individualistic lenses.
Social Sciences · Undergraduate
"Neuroarchitecture: Enhancing Cognitive Performance Through the Design of Spaces"
Ava Murphy · Chemistry & Biochemistry, USF
Investigates how physical environment design can be reimagined to support learners with attention-deficit disorders through universal design principles and sensory processing research.
Social Sciences · Undergraduate
"The Healing Palette: The Clinical Impact of Visual and Culinary Arts"
Bhavagna Punyala · Health Sciences, USF
Examines the therapeutic and clinical applications of visual and culinary arts in healthcare settings, exploring how creative modalities contribute to patient healing and quality of care.
Analytics · Coming Soon
Analytics presentations will be featured in upcoming VIZN symposiums.
VIZN · Future Events
Analytics and data science research will be featured in future VIZN symposiums. Stay connected for VIZN2027 application announcements.

One symposium.
One institution born.

VIZN2026 was the inaugural event — proof that the format works, the research is real, and the organization is just getting started.

2026
VIZN2026 — The Inaugural Symposium
Presenters18–19
Published Papers18–19
Attendees25+
Disciplines3
SemesterSpring 2026
View Archive →
Next Event
Stay tuned — the next VIZN symposium
is currently being planned.
Follow @VIZNusf for updates →

Built by scholars,
for scholars.

Leadership
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Academic Program Lead
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Operations
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Have a question?
We'd love to hear from you.

Email us at voicesandvisions1@outlook.com for further questions!