S3 Special Sessions

Undergraduate and graduate students showcased their research at poster sessions focused on how artificial intelligence and robotics are shaping the future of autonomous systems. Topics included smart drones, self-driving vehicles, collaborative robots, and intelligent planning algorithms, contributed to the conversation at the intersection of autonomy, learning, and control.

Hosted by NSF ExpandAI project team

Dr. Jun Chen, Session Chair

Dr. Junfei Xie, Session Co-Chair

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This session aimed to amplify research that impacts and/or advances Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) communities and initiatives. It brought together student researchers studying multidisciplinary topics with connections to APIDA narratives, histories, and experiences. Presentations of all formats were welcome.

Hosted by SDSU APIDA Center & Office of AANHPISI Affairs

Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagan, Session Chair

Gi Gonzales Vargas, Session Co-Chair

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The session was meant to drive research convergence in cancer by bringing together all cancer researchers at SDSU, spanning multiple disciplines. Contributions addressing fundamental or applied questions in areas including but not limited to cancer etiology, prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship were presented.

Hosted by SDSU Cancer CoRe

Dr. Parag Katira, Session Chair

Dr. Jill Nery, Session Co-Chair

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This special session, hosted by the Media, Identity, & Communication (MIC) Innovation Research Lab at the School of Journalism and Media Studies, invited students to examine how different communities are represented and engaged across today’s complex media landscape. From journalism and public relations to advertising and digital culture, student researchers are explored how identity, culture, and communication intersect amid political tensions, technological change, and the rise of tools like AI. Oral and poster presentations were invited from students in media studies, communication, journalism, public relations, advertising, sociology, and related fields.

Hosted by Media, Identity, & Communication (MIC) Innovation Research Lab at the School of Journalism and Media Studies

Dr. Lourdes M. Cueva Chacón, Session Chair

Dr. Nathian Rodriguez, Session Co-Chair

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This session highlighted the community-based work of students from classes that participated in the Sage Project. The Sage Project collaborates with local communities in the binational region to engage students, through their coursework, in meaningful, real-world projects that address pressing needs in SDSU’s service area. These are high-priority, high-need projects that are identified and prioritized by our community partner and are addressed by classes from diverse disciplines across the campus to provide creative, innovative solutions and recommendations for the community.

Hosted by Center for Regional Sustainability

Dr. Jessica Barlow, Session Chair

Dr. Madison Swayne, Session Co-Chair

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The session was meant to drive research convergence in cancer by bringing together all cancer researchers at SDSU, spanning multiple disciplines. Contributions addressing fundamental or applied questions in areas including but not limited to cancer etiology, prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship were included. Oral and poster presentations were invited. 

Hosted by SDSU Cancer CoRe

Parag Katira, Chair

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This session was held online and focused on research, scholarly and creative activity related to Dual Language Programs and/or Multilingual Learners -- particularly work that transforms or poses critical challenges to existing systems. Oral and poster presentations were invited. 

Hosted by Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education

Tamara Collins-Parks, Chair

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This special session, hosted by the Center for Better Food Futures, invited students from diverse majors to explore the field of sustainable agriculture. As global challenges like climate change and food insecurity intensify, the need for innovative, holistic solutions has never been more urgent. This session brought together students from anthropology, biology, chemistry, environmental science, foods and nutrition, geography, marketing, and sustainability majors to discuss and present research projects that focus on creating resilient food systems. Oral and poster presentations were invited. 

Hosted by Center for Better Food Futures

Lluvia Flores-Renteria, Pascale Joassart-Marcelli, and Changqi Liu, Session Chairs

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SDSU’s 2024-2025 Social Innovation Theme was food insecurity. Food insecurity is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.” Households experiencing food insecurity have limited accessibility to or availability of affordable foods necessary to meet basic needs and/or sustain a healthy diet. The latest data suggest that 2.33 billion people worldwide and 44 million people in the United States experience food insecurity. Solutions to food insecurity require multidisciplinary perspectives and innovative solutions. Undergraduate and graduate students across campus are working on course projects related to understanding food insecurity, evaluating existing solutions, and proposing new and innovative approaches to addressing this issue that affects communities, households, and individuals all over the world. Oral and poster presentations were invited from students working on these projects in their courses or as part of their research or community-based efforts.

One award of $250 was given for the best poster from this special session and one award of $250 was given for the best oral presentation from this special session.

Hosted by Division of Research and Innovation and Fowler College of Business

Cathy Pucher and Iana Castro, Chairs

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