BUCKHANNON, West Virginia — West Virginia Wesleyan College Health Science presented its first Student Research Symposium recently showcasing graduating seniors’ capstone research projects.

Dr. Jessica Riffee, assistant professor of health sciences, said, “Watching our Health Science seniors take the stage to share their research interests and growth has been an incredibly meaningful experience. These students have taken the important first step in shaping what the Student Research Symposium will grow to become – a lasting tradition that celebrates student scholarship and innovation.”

Students and their research presentations were as follows:

An Evaluation of a Rural Transition Planning Program” by Hailey Biser ‘26, of Purgitsville, West Virginia; The Relationship Between Caffeine Consumption, Sleep Quality, and Perceived Academic Performance Among College Students by Maddie MacMillan ‘26, of Moorestown, New Jersey; Impacts of Pulmonary Artery Stenosis on Young Male Athletes by Olivia Albrecht ‘26, of Tridelphia, West Virginia; Maternal Emotional and Cognitive Responses to Prenatal Ultrasounds: A Case Series by Kenley Keveton ‘26, of Salt Rock, West Virginia; E-cigarette Disposal Behaviors of Undergraduate Students by Gracie Payne ‘26, of St. Albans, West Virginia; and Mental Health WIthin Undergraduate Collegiate Athletes by Illich Purcell ‘26, of Brandton, Florida.

At the conclusion of the symposium, Riffee presented a Certificate of Achievement in Health Science Research to both MacMillan and Payne. 

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for 135 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2026 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2026  Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan second in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and counseling; 22 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.