UT Tyler Biochemistry Senior Recognized at National Honors Conference

November 24, 2025 | Hannah Buchanan

Alexis Osborn of Krum, an honors student and senior biochemistry major at The University of Texas at Tyler, placed first for her undergraduate research poster in the health sciences category at the 2025 National Collegiate Honors Council Conference.

Her poster, “Investigating Methods for Small Molecule Polymerization Inside the HK97 Virus-like Particle,” was among the 82 posters in the category and grew from work with her undergraduate research adviser, Dr. Dustin Patterson, UT Tyler professor and assistant chair of chemistry and biochemistry. This year, 359 posters were collectively presented in 11 categories from nearly 500 submissions.

“We’re so proud of Lexi, who brought home the top spot in the toughest and largest category at the biggest student research conference in the nation,” said Dr. Paul Streufert, UT Tyler professor and Honors College founding dean. “This prize is a testament to Lexi’s hard work over the years in her field of biochemistry and Dr. Patterson’s amazing mentoring.”

Osborn will graduate next spring with a bachelor’s degree and plans to continue her education upon graduation. “This experience will be one I will remember forever. I am so appreciative of the Honors College and UT Tyler for giving me this opportunity, and my mentor, Dr. Patterson, who helped me learn everything I know,” she said.

Since 1965, the National Collegiate Honors Council serves as both support and a place where collaboration and community can take place between honors programs across the United States and beyond. To learn more, visit: nchchonors.org/.

With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 11,500 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.