Undergraduate students are headliners for innovation, sharing their research and creative minds at the fall 2025 symposium.
Students from a variety of departments share their months of prepared research projects to present to faculty, staff and students Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The event was hosted in the Blue Ridge Room where many undergrads with posters explained their chosen topic.
Students such as Noelle Shaw, Ashley McFarlane and Emma Belmonte gave oral presentations about their findings and experiences when preparing for the event.
Shaw’s research analysis shows how exercise affects the brain at the molecular level, specifically using mice.
She conducted a single nuclei RNA sequencing to see how exercise changes gene expression in the hippocampus.
She said she is interested in how exercise impacts cognitive disorders and wants to provide scientific evidence, not just the social-media claims circulating on TikTok.
Her goal is to connect exercise to measurable molecular changes, showing how movement truly supports brain health and cognition.
Shaw investigated exercise on the scientific side whereas Ashley Macfarlane explored ideas of how exercise and athletics have impacted her project through media.
Macfarlanes’ project was centered on the role of digital storytelling in elevating UNC Asheville Athletics. Drawing from her work within the Athletics Media Department, she showcases how video production and visual content contribute to stronger branding, fan engagement and athlete representation.
Her project features examples of pictures of hype videos and highlight reels she created for teams and individual athletes. She stated how promotional and social media content are designed to increase visibility.
She explains that the creative visual storytelling captures the energy, achievements and personalities within UNC Asheville Athletics.
Macfarlane demonstrates how media enhances the athletic department’s public presence, strengthens team identity and builds meaningful connections with fans.
Following Shaw and Macfarlane’s exploration of exercise and sports another researcher Emma Belmonte, focuses on the technical and creative processes behind tailoring a woman’s blazer inspired by 1970s fashion.
She discusses several core patterning techniques, including Draping, which is working with fabric directly on a form to shape the garment. Flat Patterning, which is patterns on paper using precise measurements and geometry. Another technique called Pouncing helps transition pattern marks using a pounce wheel and powder.
These skills also require lots of math and engineering skills because they require lots of accuracy in pattern creation and alignment according to Belmonte
She was dealing with a “Plug-and-play” experimentation by trying different shapes and design tweaks to see what works. She likes “messing around” with designs until they take shape.
Emma shared that the most difficult step of the project was attaching the collar, which required multiple attempts and refinements.
She has a strong passion for hands-on creation, costuming and garment construction. Emma works in theater and plans to participate in Summerstock Theatre after graduation, where she’ll live and work on-site for about a month doing full-time theatre production work.
The undergraduate symposium was a grand event for strong-minded individuals to research, prepare, conduct and innovate designs to bring to life for the Asheville community.
