Students Turn Summer Projects into Real-World Impact at Mini-RAD

At Webster, summer isn’t a break from learning. It’s a chance to dive deeper. At this fall’s Mini-RAD, students shared how their summer work turned curiosity into action.

Every year, the Research Across the Disciplines (RAD) conference gives students an opportunity to present research and creative projects completed in collaboration with faculty. Mini-RAD, a shorter version of the full event, was held from 12:30 to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025,  in the University Center.

Students from all six schools and colleges at Webster presented summer work that stretched across disciplines. From finance to biology to international economics, the event showcased how students connect classroom learning with real-world experience.

Here’s a look at what students shared at Mini-RAD:

• Interns at Edward Jones helped launch marketing campaigns, organize finance systems and build data dashboards. These projects were developed and used at one of St. Louis’s biggest companies.

• One biology student studied how inflammation in the brain after concussions might affect memory. The project tested how new treatments could protect brain function after injury.

• A research team tracked bee activity and fruit growth across St. Louis to see how urban environments affect food production and pollination.

• In a cancer research lab, one student helped improve the process used to make CAR-T cell therapies. These treatments are used to fight aggressive forms of cancer.

• A business student studied banks in Nepal to understand how lending practices and financial systems affect the country’s economy.

These projects represent more than classwork. They reflect collaboration, discovery and professional growth. Students worked closely with faculty mentors and often contributed to larger research efforts that made a difference in local and global communities.

Mini-RAD is hosted by the Impact Center, which connects students to hands-on learning through internships, research, service and more. Students who present at a RAD event receive a digital badge to recognize their academic and professional accomplishments.

Want to get involved? Whether you’re interested in science, art, education, business or technology, there are opportunities to work closely with faculty and apply what you’re learning. You can present your work at RAD and build experience that goes beyond the classroom.

Learn more about RAD and how to get involved 
Explore opportunities through the Impact Center