Office of Research & Graduate Studies

  • An SFA faculty mentor and a student perform research in an animal science facility

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Welcome to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies

We invite you to explore the details of graduate studies and admissions, undergraduate research and creative discovery, and research grants and sponsored programs for faculty.


Outstanding Graduate Student Nominees

  • Chloe Randall

    Hometown: Martinsville, TX

    Research Topic: My research is about the perceived social support within collegiate athletes recovering from injury. I am mainly interested in how support from family, teammates, friends, coaches, athletic trainers, and counseling resources can influence the athlete’s mental health, emotional well-being, and overall recovery process. My thesis is also a collaborative effort between SFA School of Social Work and SFA Athletics Sports Medicine, which makes this research important because it is designed to help us know how we are able to show support to student-athletes to match their needs.

    Research Takeaway: The biggest takeaway I would want people to have is that injury recovery is not just physical, it is also emotional, mental and social. When student-athletes feel supported, heard, and understood, it can make a huge difference in how they heal and move forward. I want people to recognize that a strong support system makes a difference and that investing in those systems can have a major impact on the students’ well-being and success. 

    Chloe Randall

  • Emily Le Blanc

    Hometown: Montgomery, TX

    Research Topic: My capstone project is an in-depth analysis of diverse choral repertoire that represents multiple musical eras, languages, and styles. It includes research on composers and arrangers, historical context and cultural influences, as well as specific musical and textual elements. Overall, the project demonstrates the role of comprehensive score study in supporting intentional performance preparation and personal interpretation of the selected repertoire.

    Research Takeaway: One key takeaway from my research and recital process is that intentional score study is imperative for informed leadership when preparing and rehearsing any piece of music. It establishes a historical framework that guides interpretive and stylistic decisions, directly impacts the conducting gesture and overall performance, as well as enables conductors to lead with knowledge that helps singers engage with music beyond the notes on the page.

    Emily Le Blanc

  • Meredith Barney

    Hometown: Harrisburg, PA

    Research Topic: I study freshwater fish in the upper Red River Basin along the Texas-Oklahoma border. My research examines how these communities have changed over the past few decades and identifies the environmental factors driving these shifts in species occurrence and distribution. I also focus closely on three fish species of conservation concern, investigating their diets, movements, and resources crucial for their survival.

    Research Takeaway: I always liked the saying “we all live downstream,” which essentially means that our actions directly impact the systems around us. These relationships may be one of the most important ones of our lives, as they determine what species will survive to the next decade, as well as our ability to recreate and enjoy the freshwater systems that support them. 

    Meredith Barney

  • Zala Ule

    Hometown: Slovenia

    Research Topic: My research focuses on quantitative marketing, consumer behavior and predictive analytics. I am especially interested in using data to better understand why consumers make certain decisions and how organizations can use those insights to create stronger strategies..

    Research Takeaway: The one thing I hope people take away is that data is most powerful when it helps us ask better questions. Analytics is not simply about finding answers faster, it is about understanding people more deeply.

    Zala Ule

Graduate and Research Jack Facts

  • $17 MILLION
    IN RESEARCH
    FUNDING

  • 1,200+
    GRADUATE
    STUDENTS

  • 50+
    MASTER'S AND
    DOCTORAL PROGRAMS

  • Miranda de Bruin - 2025 Outstanding Graduate Student

    We are thrilled to announce Miranda de Bruin as our 2025 Marilyn Odom Outstanding Graduate Student Award recipient. This award recognizes her dedication, hard work and exceptional contributions to music education, public service and the SFA community.

    Throughout her time at SFA, de Bruin has demonstrated outstanding leadership, creativity and passion for her field. She has been instrumental in the success of the SFA Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band. She has led the University Band, fostering inclusive and engaging programming for diverse skill levels. In addition to her teaching and conducting roles, de Bruin has represented SFA in numerous scholarly pursuits including the Texas Music Educators Convention and the TMEA Graduate Student Essay Contest. 

    We look forward to seeing her continue to advocate for public education, elevate the field of music education, and inspire future generations of musicians and educators. Congratulations, Miranda!

    Miranda de Bruin

  • Callie Lynn — 2026 Three Minute Thesis® competition winner

    The Office of Research and Graduate Studies hosted its second Three Minute Thesis® competition in November, showcasing the outstanding research of SFA graduate students. Callie Lynn earned first place for her presentation, "The Dolphin Cocktail Party Effect: Did You Whistle My Name?"

    As the competition winner, Callie will represent SFA at the 2026 Conference of Southern Graduate Schools Three Minute Thesis Competition, where she will present her work to an interdisciplinary audience in three minutes or less.

    Learn about 3MT®

    Callie Lynn 3MT competition winner