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Bass Connections Teams Share Research Highlights at 2026 Showcase

On April 15, students from more than 70 project teams shared their research findings at the tenth annual Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff and community partners gathered for the event in Penn Pavilion to view poster presentations and explore interactive displays that demonstrated the wide variety of interdisciplinary projects undertaken during the 2025-2026 academic year.

In addition to recognizing the work of so many researchers, the showcase was an opportunity to bid a fond farewell to Edward Balleisen, senior vice provost for interdisciplinary programs and initiatives, who has developed and refined the Bass Connections program for over a decade. Balleisen is set to become provost and executive vice president of academic affairs at George Washington University in July.

Collage of photos showing scenes from a poster showcase — Students and faculty share their research outcomes through posters and interactive displays with Senior Vice Provost Edward Balleisen. (Photos: Les Todd)

Gary Bennett, dean of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, praised Balleisen’s contributions in his opening remarks, noting “We are where we are today because of your hard work, your vision and your passion for collaboration.”

Collage of photos of Dean Gary Bennett interacting with students — Dean Bennett shares remarks and talks to students at the showcase. (Photos: Les Todd)

The spirit of collaboration Balleisen and Bass Connections have fostered was evident in the many outstanding interactive displays and posters on view throughout Penn Pavilion.

Interactive Displays

This year, 14 teams shared their research through interactive displays that included VR explorations, puppetry, 3D models, prototypes, field tools, photographs, digital media and more.

A panel of judges selected the Home Design for the Visually Impaired: A Path to Independence team the winner of this year’s award for best interactive display.

Collage of tables with posters, computers, VR headsets, puppets and other interactive items — Students show off their interactive displays at the showcase. The "Home Design for the Visually Impaired" team (upper right) won the award for best interactive display. (Photos: Les Todd)

Poster Competition

Over 60 research posters were displayed at the showcase. A panel of judges selected the winners of the 2026 Bass Connections Poster Competition.

Students show off their posters at the showcase — Student share research posters at the showcase. The "Closing Heat Data Gaps and Exploring Climate Injustice Narratives" team (top left) won this year's poster competition. (Photos: Les Todd)

Winner

“Closing Heat Data Gaps and Exploring Climate Injustice Narratives,” Closing Heat Data Gaps and Exploring Climate Injustice Narratives

A poster showing Heat Data Gaps and the research done to address them

GH_Closing-Heat-Data-Gaps-and-Exploring-Climate-Injustice-Narratives-1.pdf (858.25 KB)

Finalists

“Community Living With Mental Illness: A Sensory Health Initiative,” Community Living with Mental Illness: A Sensory Health Initiative

“Developing Interdisciplinary Models for Surgical Education,” Developing Interdisciplinary Models for Surgical Education

“Fostering Climate Resilience Through Education and the Arts,” Fostering Climate Resilience Through Education and Arts

“Understanding Social Needs and Disparities in Head and Neck Cancer Care,” Understanding Distress and Disparities in Head and Neck Cancer Care

Awards and Grants

Edward Balleisen recognized this year’s award winners for leadership and mentorship, as well as the recipients of 2026 student research grants.

Bass Connections Leadership Award

This award recognizes outstanding faculty and staff team leaders for their creativity, intellectual vision and commitment to student mentoring on Bass Connections project teams.

Winners: David Ming (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Duke School of Medicine) and Neal deJong (Professor of Pediatrics, UNC School of Medicine), Children’s Complex Care Coalition of North Carolina (4CNC)

A group of faculty and students stand in front of a poster. — David Ming (left) stands next to Neal deJong and members of the 4CNC team. Ming and deJong are co-winners of the Bass Connections Leadership Award. (Photo: Les Todd)

Bass Connections Award for Outstanding Mentorship

This award recognizes graduate/professional students and postdocs who have made tremendous contributions to the success of their team and positively shaped their fellow team members’ experiences.

Winner: Sarah Soucek (MFA student in Experimental and Documentary Arts), Video Advocacy for North Carolina Parole Applications

A woman stands beside a poster that reads, "What even is parole?" — Sarah Soucek, wearing a striped shirt, talks with students at her team's interactive display. Soucek is winner of the Bass Connections Award for Outstanding Mentorship. (Photo: Les Todd)

Bass Connections Student Research Grants

14 graduate and professional students and 22 undergraduates will pursue faculty-mentored research projects this summer and next year with grant funding from Bass Connections. These awards include eleven team-based projects with multiple students who span schools and academic levels. Grantees will be exploring a diverse range of topics, including creating a resource toolkit for spine surgery patients; studying barriers to food security in adults with physical disabilities; and exploring how to deliver immunotherapies to head and neck cancer patients in a safer and more equitable way.

Learn More

Explore current and previous Bass Connections teams.
Sign up for our newsletter to get updates on summer recruitment for 2026-2027 Bass Connections teams.
Read reflections from students and faculty on their Bass Connections experiences.