MSJC Honors Students Earn Statewide Recognition at "Building Bridges" Research Conference
4/27/2026
Students from Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and scholarly engagement at the annual Honors Transfer Council of California "Building Bridges" Research Conference, held this year at the University of California, Riverside.
MSJC was strongly represented, with seven student presentations delivered by a total of 10 student presenters. Of those, three were poster presentations, and four were oral presentations, showcasing a wide range of disciplines and research approaches.
The conference featured approximately 250 student presentations from more than 30 California Community Colleges, creating a highly competitive and collaborative academic environment.
MSJC students earned top honors for their work, further elevating the college's presence at the statewide event.
Jasmine Duckett, Amanda Warmbir, and Harold Romero-Angeles were awarded second place in the STEM Poster Competition for their research project titled: "Genomic Analysis and Gene Annotation of Insulin-like peptide 4 (Ilp4) in D. elegans, D. hydei, and D. Rhopaloa." The students conducted their research under the mentorship of Biology Professor Nick Reeves.
In addition, Valerie Cortes and Roice De Castro received Exemplary Achievement Awards, recognizing the quality and impact of their scholarly contributions. Also, MSJC sent approximately 13 student moderators and volunteers, who played an essential role in facilitating conference sessions. Serving as moderators provided students with exposure to academic conference operations, opportunities to engage with peer research, and a pathway to participate in the conference experience without presenting.
MSJC faculty contributed significantly to the success of the conference through both leadership and mentorship.
- Biology Professors Nick Reeves, Michael Plotkin, and Ryan Henderson, along with History Professor Brittany Mondragon, served as judges for the poster competition.
- History Professors Andrew Perkins and Clayton McAvoy assisted in organizing session moderators, supporting the overall structure and flow of the conference.
Additional MSJC faculty attended to mentor and support student presenters throughout the event.
Participation in the "Building Bridges" Conference reflects MSJC's broader commitment to cultivating student researchers, communicators, and future leaders. From award-winning presentations to hands-on conference participation and faculty mentorship, MSJC continues to provide transformative opportunities that prepare students for success beyond the classroom.