The fall cohort of Stamps Impact Prize recipients at the University of Mississippi includes: (front, from left) Ann Grigsby, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, a senior studio art major; Jacob King, of Canton, a senior biochemistry major; Abi Turner, of Suwanee, Georgia, a senior elementary education major; Benton Donahue, of Madison, a senior music education major; Jana Abuirshaid, of Southaven, a senior majoring in public health and Arabic, and Katherine Tibbs, of Gulfport, a senior exercise science major; and (back, from left) Jack Griffith of Charlotte, North Carolina, a senior mechanical engineering major; Darryl Bonds, of Flowood, a senior psychology major; Camille Newman, of Pass Christian, a senior mechanical engineering major; Jackson Sevin, of New Orleans, a senior psychology major; Maria Fernanda Argote de la Torre, of San Andres Cholula, Puebla, Mexico, a senior biomedical engineering major; Emma Broemmer, of Leesburg, Virginia, a senior psychology major; and Lindsey McGee, of Chesterfield, Missouri, a senior mechanical engineering major. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Student projects to investigate congenital heart defects, food addiction, women in the arts
By Clara Turnage
The Stamps Impact Prize welcomed its largest cohort yet of University of Mississippi student researchers and artists on Thursday, August 28.
The Stamps Impact Prize will help 15 students study a range of topics from symphony conducting to bridging the language gap in public health. The university recognized the spring 2025 cohort of recipients during a Thursday ceremony in the Paul B. Johnson Commons.
“These 15 exceptional projects join 34 others that we have funded or are currently funding in our just first two years of operation,” said Kenneth Sufka, distinguished professor of psychology and pharmacology and research professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Sufka leads the Stamps Impact Prize program.
“Whether it’s in the sciences, fine arts, education, engineering, or humanities, the Stamps Impact Prize gives students the chance to chase their passions, test their ideas, and prepare for what comes next. That’s what the prize is all about: investing in their potential while giving them the tools they need to succeed.”
This year’s recipients are:
- Jana Abuirshaid, of Southaven, a senior majoring in public health and Arabic
- Maria Fernanda Argote de la Torre, of San Andres Cholula, Puebla, Mexico, a senior biomedical engineering major
- Darryl Bonds, of Flowood, a senior psychology major
- Emma Broemmer, of Leesburg, Virginia, a senior psychology major
- Benton Donahue, of Madison, a senior music education major
- Jack Griffith of Charlotte, North Carolina, a senior mechanical engineering major
- Ann Grigsby, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, a senior studio art major
- Sydney Guntharp, of Hernando, a senior majoring in English and political science
- Jacob King, of Canton, a senior biochemistry major
- Lindsey McGee, of Chesterfield, Missouri, a senior mechanical engineering major
- Camille Newman, of Pass Christian, a senior mechanical engineering major
- Compton Ross, of Madison, a senior majoring in computer science and mathematics
- Jackson Sevin, of New Orleans, a senior psychology major
- Katherine Tibbs, of Gulfport, a senior exercise science major
- Abi Turner, of Suwanee, Georgia, a senior elementary education major.
Argote de la Torre is studying congenital heart defects and will use CRISPR, a gene-editing tool that allows scientists to precisely modify DNA, to better understand what role genes play in the heart’s development.
“What that actually allows us to do is turn off genes and play detective to see what genes had what effects,” she said. “By being able to turn them ‘off,’ we hope to better understand why this happens and eventually minimize the number of children who have these defects in the future.”
Broemmer, who will be studying gender roles in Greek life, said her research will focus on an often-overlooked demographic of the student body.
“There has been a lot of research on masculinity and on fraternities,” she said. “It’s about time we started researching women as well.”
Griffith’s project will use concepts of fluid dynamics to create more efficient unmanned aircraft shaped like traditional flying saucers. The UFO-shaped drones will not only be able to operate with only one propeller as opposed to four, but using the science-backed principles of airflow mechanics could make them consume less energy.
Being able to conduct research with a mentor as an undergraduate will help prepare him for the future, Griffith said.
“I’m going to be able to think outside the box and find solutions to problems on my own,” he said. “Whether it’s in my career or in a master’s program, this will be a valuable experience for me.”
Launched in fall 2023, the competitive award gives undergraduate students a chance to take their learning beyond the classroom with faculty-mentored projects. Students can receive up to $5,000 to support their research, creative work, or community initiative.
The application portal for the fall semester opens October 1. Recipients will be announced November 15. The awards are open to all Ole Miss students on the Oxford and regional campuses.
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