Undergraduate Research Center

READY to SOAR

What is READY to SOAR?

The READY to SOAR (R2S) program is a high school outreach initiative designed to immerse students in research and creative activities at MTSU. The program aims to highlight the university’s undergraduate research opportunities through a one-day event. Participants engage in informational sessions and hands-on group activities, guided by current undergraduate researchers, giving them a glimpse into campus life and research experiences.

Is your high school interested in participating? Contact the URC Director, Dr. Jamie Burriss, at Jamie.Burriss@mtsu.edu.

2025-2026 URC READY to SOAR Mentors

READY to SOAR Director: Emily Callison

Emily Callison is a senior majoring in Psychology with a pre-med emphasis and minoring in Biology, Chemistry, and University Honors. She leads high school student engagement efforts in the Murfreesboro area and served as the READY to SOAR Coordinator for the 2024–2025 academic year.

Emily has significant experience in undergraduate research, having conducted fungal pathogenesis research under the mentorship of Dr. David Nelson and behavioral neuroscience and autism research with Dr. Tiffany Rogers. Emily has been awarded two URECA grants (Assistant and Silver) for her work in the Nelson Lab. She has also presented her work at both local and international conferences, contributed to two NCBI GenBank submissions, and is a co-author on a forthcoming peer-reviewed publication.

Have questions? Email Emily Callison at enc3m@mtmail.mtsu.edu

READY to SOAR Coodinators: Travis Ray and Batoul Sawas

Travis Ray is a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Biology, Mathematics for Managerial, Social, and Life Sciences, and University Honors. He assists Emily in overseeing the READY to SOAR Program and served as a READY to SOAR Group Leader during the Spring 2025 semester.

Travis has significant experience in undergraduate research, having conducted biology education research under the mentorship of Dr. Elizabeth Barnes and health behavior research with Dr. James Loveless. He has also presented his work at the Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research (SABER) Conference and contributed to the winning CBAS poster presented at MTSU Scholars Week 2025.

Have questions? Email Travis Ray at jtr5s@mtmail.mtsu.edu

Batoul Sawas is a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Mental Health Services, Spanish, and University Honors. She assists Emily in overseeing the READY to SOAR Program and served as a READY to SOAR Group Leader during the Spring 2025 semester.

Batoul has significant experience in undergraduate research, having conducted personality and self-esteem research under the mentorship of Dr. Megan Zeringue, health behavior research with Dr. James Loveless, and community-based mental health research through Meharry Medical College. She has also presented her work at multiple local and regional conferences and is currently completing an honors thesis exploring the relationship between self-esteem, parent-child relationships, and personality traits.

Have questions? Email Batoul Sawas at bs8m@mtmail.mtsu.edu

How do I get involved?

Are you an MTSU student interested in getting involved? Check back later to see what opportunities we will have for the 2026 program.

Ready to SOAR Blackman Collegiate Academy Seniors at Scholars Week 2025

Blackman Collegiate Academy Juniors attending sessions on research papers and undergraduate research as part of the Rutherford County Stem Expo in the Student Union.

R2S Seniors listen to a panel discussion on undergraduate research and college life from SOAR members.

R2S Juniors attend presentations about undergraduate research and college life from SOAR members.

BCA Senior James Bush presents his research to Dr. William Langston at Scholars Week 2025.

2024-25 READY to SOAR Mentors

Anna Collins is a senior majoring in Agribusiness with a minor in Honors. Anna oversees high school student engagement in the Murfreesboro area. Anna served as a READY to SOAR Group Leader in 2024 and has a silver-level URECA grant with Dr. Grant Gardner.

Have questions? Email Anna Collins at ajc9k@mtmail.mtsu.edu

Emily Callison is a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biology and Chemistry. Emily assists Anna in overseeing the READY to SOAR Program. Emily has experience in undergraduate research with her two URECA grants (assistant and silver) with Dr. David Nelson.

Have questions? Email Emily Callison at enc3m@mtmail.mtsu.edu