Two University of New Orleans undergraduate students presented their research at the Louisiana State Capitol on June 9 as part of the first annual Posters at the Capitol event, hosted by the Louisiana Undergraduate Research Association (LaURA). The event brought together undergraduates from public and private institutions across the state to share faculty-mentored research projects with legislators and other attendees.

UNO students Jody Billiot and Walker J. Reisman joined participants in the Capitol rotunda, where they displayed their posters and answered questions from visitors throughout the day. The event provided an opportunity for students to highlight their academic work in a public setting.

Billiot, an anthropology major, presented Echoes of Pointe-au-Chien: Unraveling an Effigy Pipe’s Roots, mentored by D. Ryan Gray. Reisman, an earth and environmental sciences major, presented Frequency and Patterns of Plastic Nurdles in Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) Stomach Contents across the Louisiana Coast, under the mentorship of Martin O’Connell.

Their work drew interest from state legislators including Joseph Orgeron and Jessica Domangue, as well as environmental journalist Wes Muller of The Louisiana Illuminator. Both students spoke with visitors about their research topics and methods.

LaURA was established to promote undergraduate research, support collaboration between students and faculty, and increase awareness of undergraduate academic research among Louisiana policymakers.