Research at St. Mary’s University
As part of our University’s mission, St. Mary’s provides an integral quality education that guides our students to be adaptive and meet the needs of our changing world. Through our research programs and other creative scholarly activity, St. Mary’s provides students and faculty the opportunity to address real-world challenges while making positive, life-affirming connections.
Our Commitment to Research at St. Mary’s
St. Mary’s commits to giving St. Mary’s faculty, undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to participate in purposeful academic research that impacts the world. While fostering a high level of research, the University focuses on the holistic well-being of its community, ensuring that participants in research have their rights and welfare protected through our rigorous compliance process and high levels of professional integrity.
Innovation in Action
Research is thriving at St. Mary’s. Throughout the year, faculty and students collaborate on projects that address real-world challenges and make a lasting impact.
Presenters share their discoveries, highlighting the creativity, innovation and academic excellence found across our campus and local community.
600+ Presenters
at the St. Mary’s 2026 Research Showcase
Research Funding
$8.6 Million
in grant funding for St. Mary’s Research
With grants and other funding sources, St. Mary’s conducts cutting-edge research using emerging technologies across many fields. Faculty and students work alongside each other in our scholar programs, advancing the field of business, the humanities, sciences and law.
Student Impact
80% of research grants
involve student researchers
A St. Mary’s education goes beyond the classroom — including our research. Student and faculty research spans a wide range of disciplines and focuses on current, real-world problems. Research projects of all sizes help fuel change and impact people across the world.
We really emphasize that students should get involved in independent research because it gives them an outlet and way to make connections between what they’re learning in the classroom scientifically and what you can do as a scientist.”
Jennifer Harr, Ph.D.
Director, Forensic Science
Highlights
Faculty Highlight
Ayad Barsoum Ayad Barsoum is a Professor of Computer Science at St. Mary’s University, where he serves as Graduate Programs Director and Director of the NSA-designated Center for Cyber Excellence.
Barsoum is a cybersecurity scholar and academic leader dedicated to protecting digital systems in an increasingly connected world. He works at the intersection of research, education and workforce development to strengthen cybersecurity resilience at both institutional and national levels.
Barsoum’s research focuses on securing cloud computing systems. His work addresses critical questions such as…..
Student Highlight
Jennifer Harr, Ph.D., and Chiara Maldonado review the findings. A collaborative effort of St. Mary’s University students and alumni — supported by an associate professor of Biology — published a peer-reviewed article in December about microplastics affect lifespan and fertility; a result from a four-year grant awarded to the University in 2024.
The article, Microplastics-Mediated Delivery of Di-butyl Phthalate Alters C. elegans Lifespan and Reproductivity Fidelity, appeared in Microplastics, an international journal published by the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute.
In the article, the group from St. Mary’s found that…..
Research Grants and Funding
Supporting a Brighter Future
St. Mary’s supports our faculty and students to pursue their research interests. Grants help fund these research opportunities, so St. Mary’s researchers can focus on making an impact in our ever-changing world. With your help, we can make a difference. Email research@stmarytx.edu to get started.
Research Stipends
Supporting time and effort that faculty and students place into their research.
Equipment
Providing researchers with the proper equipment to pursue their research.
Travel
Allowing research participants to travel to research locations and conferences.
Facility Operation
Providing researchers with the facilities to conduct and pursue their research.
Awareness
Sharing research findings and making an impact in the world one project at a time.
Safety
Ensuring that all research projects adhere to compliance and safety regulations.
Research in Action
Attend Upcoming Research Events
Research Opportunities
Research Showcase
Research Showcase is an annual event at St. Mary’s that celebrates the research-based achievements of our undergraduates, graduates, faculty, and staff as part of National Research Week.
Sponsored Projects and Academic Research
The Office of Sponsored Projects, Academic Research, and Compliance (SPARC) promotes transformational learning through its support of research, creative and scholarly activities at St. Mary’s University.
McNair Scholars
The McNair Scholars Program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. This program seeks to help first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students of any major to apply to and succeed in doctoral programs.
Spring Research Fellowship (SRF)
The Spring Research Fellowship (SRF) program provides freshmen and sophomores with hands-on research experience and mentorship with a St. Mary’s faculty member during the spring semester. Students selected will research for at least 100 hours and receive a stipend. Those who are interested in a Ph.D. are strongly encouraged to apply. To be eligible for the program, students must have at least a 3.0 GPA, pursue a course of study in the School of Science, Engineering and Technology or Behavioral Science and be interested in research.
For more information, contact Veronica Contreras-Shannon, Ph.D. at vcontrerasshann2@stmarytx.edu.
Biaggini Research Program
The Biaggini Research Program in the Department of Biological Sciences hopes to enhance the ability of faculty members in the department to engage in research projects as a means for professional development in the form of publication(s) and/or additional external funding to continue their research endeavors.
Welch Summer Scholar Program
The Welch Summer Scholar Program, a hands-on summertime experience, is designed to give high school students a chance to learn more about research and to explore the many opportunities available to them.
StMU Research Scholars
StMU Research Scholars is a student organization at St. Mary’s featuring scholarly research, writing and media from students of all disciplines.
More About Research
Contact Us
Irene Holguin
Director of the Office of Sponsored Projects, Academic Research and Compliance (SPARC)
Melissa Karlin, Ph.D.
Professor of Environmental Science and Sustainability