Drexel Students Win Grants, Publish Research This Fall

Students at Drexel University are proving that the next generation of innovators is already here and making waves.

This fall, dozens of students across nearly every discipline earned prestigious awards, published research in major journals, and launched ventures aimed at solving real problems. The wins came from the Office of the Provost and Pennoni Honors College, showcasing talent from freshmen to PhD candidates.

Six students secured spots in the Impact Innovation Hub, a competitive six month accelerator for entrepreneurs building socially impactful businesses. The cohort includes students working on everything from biomedical engineering to computing security, all focused on ventures that balance profit with purpose.

Breana Channer, an MD/PhD student, landed a $54,538 grant from the National Institutes of Health to study how dopamine affects immune responses during HIV infection. Her research could unlock new treatment approaches for millions of patients worldwide.

Madeline Plummer took an independent summer research project all the way to publication in Psychology, Health & Medicine Journal. Her study explored how education and health beliefs affect inflammation in cancer survivors, work she started as an undergraduate through the STAR Scholars program.

The creative achievements matched the scientific ones. Arefeh Ahmadi's digital artwork "Bluebird" appeared on billboards across New York, New Jersey, and Tokyo during major international art shows, reaching millions of viewers.

Architecture student Colin Cooper won the 2025 John Stewardson Memorial Fellowship for reimagining affordable housing through Accessory Dwelling Units. His project "Planting A Seed" explored how small structures could strengthen communities while expanding housing options.

The Ripple Effect

These student wins represent more than individual achievement. Each research project, published paper, and social venture creates opportunities for others to build on their work.

Plummer's cancer research offers hope to survivors managing chronic inflammation. Channer's HIV study could inform treatment protocols worldwide. The entrepreneurs in the Impact Innovation Hub are designing solutions for environmental and social challenges that affect entire communities.

More than 30 students participated in DrexLab, receiving $1,500 each to work alongside faculty mentors for six months. Programs like this multiply the impact, turning curiosity into published research and classroom learning into real world discovery.

The next breakthrough in medicine, sustainable housing, or community health might come from one of these students.