BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s Office of Student Research is set to host App State’s 29th annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors on Wednesday, April 22, from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. in Plemmons Student Union. The event is free and open to the public.

The showcase highlights the outstanding research and creative works of App State students and the impact of faculty-mentored scholarship across disciplines. Throughout the day, guests can explore student poster presentations, attend platform sessions and celebrate the achievements of Mountaineer student scholars.

“App State has long been recognized for its strong commitment to student research,” said event organizer Dr. Rebecca Battista, professor in the Department of Kinesiology and director of the Office of Student Research. “These experiences help students become thoughtful scholars and engaged citizens, and they show how the ideas developed on our campus today can make a lasting impact in our communities tomorrow.”

This year’s event will be the largest in App State history, with 240 students participating — nearly 100 more than the 2025 event. It will also be the first to feature a keynote speaker, App State alumna Amelia Bruce Leicht ’19, assistant research professor in the Department of Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition at the University of Kentucky.

“I’m very honored to come back and share my research experiences from my time in college,” said Bruce Leicht. “App State was really a springboard that helped get me to where I am today, so I’m excited to share some nuggets of wisdom and optimism — and how pivotal the university has been in my professional journey.”

Battista said attendees will learn about hands-on research projects that address real-world challenges — from improving health outcomes, to creating art that reflects community resilience, to developing sustainable energy and resource solutions.

“This event is a celebration of these meaningful accomplishments,” she said.

App State research propelled her career — now Bruce Leicht inspires the next generation

Bruce Leicht earned her doctorate in sports medicine from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree in exercise science from App State and a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and sports medicine from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

She said her time at App State ultimately solidified her trajectory in medical research.

“When I was getting my master’s at App State, I got one-on-one time with professors that you’d expect a Ph.D. student to get,” said Bruce Leicht. “Between that and all of the hands-on work, I felt like it really put me at an advantage as I took the next steps in my career.”

Bruce Leicht began her role at the University of Kentucky in July 2025. There, she studies topics related to ligament injury rehabilitation and human performance across civilian and tactical athlete populations — research interests that gained momentum while she was a student at App State.

“To learn how to take research and apply it to the community, and to think about the long-term impact — that’s what motivates me,” she said.

During the 2019 Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors, Bruce Leicht was a poster competition winner for her research presentation on how ankle injuries can be treated by targeting the brain, a project she completed in partnership with Dr. Alan Needle, professor in the Department of Kinesiology.

“You never know who’s going to be walking by your poster or coming up to talk to you during events like this, and it really set me up with some incredible opportunities,” she said.

Bruce Leicht would go on to present her findings at several national and international conferences, including the Human Movement Science Research Symposium at UNC-Chapel Hill, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Convention in Las Vegas, the International Ankle Symposium in Amsterdam and the Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics in Stockholm.

“None of this would have been possible without the top-notch faculty mentorship I received from App State, and not to mention the incredible facility that Levine Hall of Health Sciences is,” said Bruce Leicht. “I still keep in touch with my mentors and continue to take advantage of the amazing connections I’ve made.”

As students prepare for the 2026 Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors, Bruce Leicht offers the following advice: “Just take a breath — take a moment to soak it in. You’re the expert in the room, and you’ve done the work and put in the hours. Don’t take the opportunity for granted, and know that what you’re doing can make a real difference in the world.”

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Office of Student Research

Appalachian State University encourages faculty-mentored student research, which provides students with the opportunity to work side by side with faculty on meaningful research or creative endeavors. These projects often result in presentations, performances or exhibitions at regional, national and international conferences and events. Students who engage in research are able to apply knowledge from the classroom into real-world experiences and learn how to problem-solve, effectively communicate and analyze complex issues. Appalachian’s Office of Student Research (OSR) was established in 2005 to expand the opportunities necessary for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in research and creative activities at Appalachian.

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About student research at Appalachian

Appalachian State University encourages faculty-mentored student research, which provides students with the opportunity to work side by side with faculty on meaningful research or creative endeavors. These projects often result in presentations, performances or exhibitions at regional, national and international conferences and events. Students who engage in research are able to apply knowledge from the classroom into real-world experiences and learn how to problem-solve, effectively communicate and analyze complex issues. Appalachian’s Office of Student Research (OSR) was established in 2005 to expand the opportunities necessary for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in research and creative activities at Appalachian. Learn more at https://osr.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.