DECATUR, Ill. -- The annual Judith & G. Richard Locke Poster Symposium took place on Friday, April 25, in the Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Room of the University Commons.
The event showcases student and student-faculty scholarship, and this year’s symposium featured 35 presentations. Participation in the poster symposium was open to all Âé¶¹Ô¼ÅÄ students, regardless of major or class rank, and students from Biology, Chemistry, Music, Nursing, Physics, and Sociology & Criminal Justice presented their research.

Students participating were eligible for cash awards provided by the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Judith & G. Richard Locke Poster Awards.
Âé¶¹Ô¼ÅÄ Nurse Anesthesia DNP graduate student Alexis Stouffee’s poster about her research on the guidelines around the use of anesthesia for patients who are undergoing lung cancer surgery received first-place honors from the Poster Symposium judges.
To read more about Alexis’ research and why it has such a personal connection for her, check out her .
MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY 2025 POSTER SYMPOSIUM WINNERS LIST
First Place and Phi Kappa Phi Poster Award – Alexis Stouffe, Nursing
“Implementation Of Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines And Simulation To Improve Management Of Anesthesia Care For Patients With Cancer Undergoing Thoracoscopic Lung Resection�
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Dana Flatley
Second Place – Stephanie Ekeopara, Nursing
“Epidural Vs. Alternative Pain Management In Laboring Women�
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Teresa Gulley
Third Place – Alix Phelps, Nursing
“Implementation Of A Crisis Management Simulation For Management Of A Perioperative Myocardial Infarction: A Quality Improvement Project�
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jamie Nickell
Third Place – Gracie Shemwell, Nursing
“Effects Of Music Therapy In Cancer Patients�
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Teresa Gulley
Third Place – Alec Mallinder, Nursing
“Cold Capping For Chemotherapy Patients: A Literature Review�
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Teresa Gulley
Honorable Mention – Sophia Gibbs, Biology
“Antibiotic Production In The Summer Vs. Winter By Bacteria From Soil Samples In Central Illinois�
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jenna Smith
Honorable Mention – Hope Moore, Biology
“A Look Into Prescribed Burning Of Prairie Fields And The Effects It Has On The Amount Of Certain Mycorrhizal Fungi�
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Alicia Knudson
Honorable Mention – Emily Huttes, Nursing
“Impact Of Nurse-Driven Interventions On Delirium Incidence In Hospitalized Adults�
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Teresa Gulley
Honorable Mention – Tara Morris, Nursing
“Enhancing School Nurses' Knowledge Of Concussion Management Through Evidence-Based Education�
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Audra Trump
Honorable Mention – Hailey Gula, Biology
“Significance Of Aspergillus As A Pathogen To Birds Of Prey In Central Illinois�
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Travis Wilcoxen