Research

Transformative research to advance the world.
IN THIS SECTION

At Worcester State, students engage with faculty to perform cutting-edge, transformative research that serves to advance the world we live in – our community, state, nation, and beyond. The University values the curiosity and drive which leads students to explore a topic of academic interest through research.

We recognize the importance of reinforcing student learning with experiences outside the classroom. Each year, Worcester State recognizes the accomplishments of hundreds of our scholars and researchers at the Celebration of Scholarship and Creativity, and our Faculty Showcase.

STUDENT STORIES

Scholarship & Research at Worcester State

Hear about the exciting, cutting-edge research underway at Worcester State–and discover what unique opportunities await you here.
Worcester State student Moises Chauca
My research group found links between rock & roll music and reading comprehension, and we were able to present the research to our classmates.
— Moises Chauca, Psychology
Worcester State student Anna Johnson
As a Sociology Major, I've learned to be a good researcher. I've learned to understand where people come from. I had the opportunity to research or specific groups in Worcester and how to utilize that community spaces, which helped me to learn more about the city I live in.
— Anna Johnson, Sociology & Political Science
Worcester State student Bryan Escobar
My research projects have focused on mental health and Latinx population health. I focus on how to make healthcare more affordable through prevention, and how we can open doors and allow for every population to feel included in new research.
— Bryan Escobar, Nursing
Worcester State student Tallia Annese
Working closely with one of my professors, I was able to complete an independent study on tissue culture, which is really big in biotech. That research opportunity was a huge milestone for me.
— Tallia Annese, Biotechnology Graduate Student
A woman with long brown hair and a blue blouse, involved in Worcester State Research, stands against a plain, light background, looking at the camera with a neutral expression.
My advisor encouraged me to complete a directed study on my favorite subject in history: the American Revolution. I was able to conduct research at the Worcester Art Museum, and really dive into the intricacies of the period.
— Kayleigh Irish, History and Secondary Education
Worcester State student Nhu Le
As a Chemistry major, I've worked on multiple research projects, including developing ultra-small and biocompatible nanomaterials for biomedical applications at the Children's Medical Center at UMass.
— Nhu Le, Chemistry
There's a uniqueness at Worcester State when it comes to researching alongside faculty–you feel like project partners, united in some really cool advanced research. The professors here guide your toward your full potential–they support and encourage you to do things you didn't know you were were capable of.
— Bradley Montanez, Chemistry
I'm working on a project where we are looking into microplastics in a local lake. I think one of my favorite parts of the research is I get to go canoeing with the professors.
— Vincent Pellegrino, Geography

Academic Innovation

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Worcester State hosts ‘Breaking Bread’ event for immigrant justice

91¿ì²¥ recently hosted a powerful community event titled “Breaking Bread: Building Solidarity Across Cultural Community Meal for Mutual Aid and Collective Action.” The gathering, organized by the Urban Studies Department’s Urban Action Institute, brought together students, faculty, and local community organizations to foster connections and drive action around pressing social issues. The gathering […]

2026 George I. Alden Excellence in Teaching Award winners announced

91¿ì²¥ has announced the recipients of the 2026 George I. Alden Excellence in Teaching Award, recognizing two faculty members whose innovative, student-centered approaches exemplify excellence in the classroom. This year’s honorees are Anne Armstrong, assistant professor in the Department of Earth, Environment & Physics as the pre-tenure recipient, and Champika K. Soysa, professor […]

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Worcester State announces return of the Next Big Idea Awards 

91¿ì²¥ is officially bringing back the Robert K. O’Brien Next Big Idea competition, ending a five-year hiatus for the contest where students compete for seed funding to launch startup businesses and social ventures. This year’s contestants include student groups developing their business acumen in the Spring semester’s Introduction to Entrepreneurship course.  Their pitches […]

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From factories to families: students unveil new vision for Worcester’s history

In a quiet gallery where the echoes of industrial machinery usually dominate the narrative, a new generation of historians is shifting the spotlight toward the people behind the gears. Worcester State students from Professor Erika Briesacher’s Material Culture class recently stood before museum staff to pitch a bold, human-centric exhibit titled “Walking through Worcester: 250 […]

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Worcester State expands global reach with University of Limerick partnership

91¿ì²¥ and the University of Limerick (UL) in Ireland have officially entered into a five-year Memorandum of Agreement, establishing a formal partnership designed to provide WSU students with a direct bridge to advanced graduate degrees in Europe. This strategic partnership creates a streamlined pathway for Worcester State students to transition into prestigious master’s […]

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Students Find New Depth in Macbeth Through Early Staging Techniques

In November, Worcester State student actors explored Macbeth through a new, yet historic lens by drawing on staging techniques that would have been familiar to audiences in the 17th century.  One of William Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedies, Macbeth follows a Scottish general whose ambition drives him to murder the king and seize the crown. As […]

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Nursing Students from Ireland Visit 91¿ì²¥

A group of seven nursing students and their faculty advisors from Atlantic Technological University – Letterkenny campus in Ireland, visited 91¿ì²¥ recently as part of a long-standing international academic exchange program between the two institutions.  The visit, fully funded by the Worcester State Foundation, included attending classes, laboratory learning, and interactive discussion with […]

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Partnership program and donor support helps paraeducators graduate with teaching degrees

This story first appeared in the University Advancement Fall 2025 Donor Impact Report, whose theme is “Thank you for believing in me.” When Nancy Vickery-Taylor ’26 graduates from Worcester State with a bachelor’s in elementary education, it will be a full-circle moment. For one, her granddaughter will graduate from college the same week. And, Vickery-Taylor […]