Bright minds, bold research

The Berry Summer Thesis Institute (BSTI) engages a cohort of honors students from different majors in a full-summer, on-campus program that provides intensive disciplinary research and scholarship opportunities. 

Anna Schmitz ’28, a pre-medicine major with minors in medicine and society and psychology, is among the first rising sophomores admitted into BSTI. The program typically attracts rising juniors preparing to decide whether to write an undergraduate honors thesis.

“I completed research in a breast cancer lab in high school, and so during my first week on campus my first year I immediately contacted Dr. Loan Bui who leads the breast cancer research lab on campus,” she shared at the luncheon with representatives of the Berry Family Foundation. “I was accepted into the lab and immediately got to work.”

BSTI offers students like Schmitz the opportunity to continue their research throughout the summer, often getting a head start on their honors thesis research without the additional course load throughout the academic year.

Environmental biology major Nick Canfield ’27 echoed Anna’s eagerness to join a lab his first year.

“I chose UD because it is one of the only schools that allows first-years to join research labs and actively engage in high-level research,” he said.

Nick and Anna both reflect the types of students the Berry Family Foundation aims to recognize and support at the University through BSTI.

“The Berry Scholarship was designed to attract high-achieving students to the University of Dayton to raise the overall academic standards of the University,” said John Berry Jr., addressing students during a luncheon. He was joined by his wife, Shirley Berry and Nora Vondrell, executive director of the Berry Family Foundation.

From groundbreaking innovation in optimizing connectivity to funding dynamic undergraduate research, the Berry Family Foundation is committed to supporting a visionary spirit and building a strong Dayton community through grants awarded to organizations aligned with Loren and John Berry Sr.’s original mission and core values for the L.M. Berry Co.

In its 13th year, the 13 students in the BSTI cohort shared their research topics with those attending the luncheon. From tadpole deformities to chemiluminescence to German World War I veterans, their projects represent the distinct multidisciplinary characteristics of the BSTI.

As a Catholic and Marianist Institution, academics and research at UD go beyond the lab and library to serve the local community.

“It’s important for you all to be engaged in the Dayton community beyond UD because that is the Berry community,” Vondrell told students.

In addition to their research, students in the BSTI cohort volunteer with community partners Mission of Mary and Premier Health’s mobile health clinic to maintain the Marianist spirit of giving back in pursuit of the Common Good.

“I love the support from the Dayton community, so I am more than willing to dedicate my undergraduate years to giving back through research and beyond,” said Triet Cao ’27, a physics major from Vietnam.

“You all passed the test,” Berry said with a smile as the luncheon concluded.

“You all are exemplary students, and we can’t wait to continue this program into future years to give more students like you all this opportunity.”

The BSTI cohort will continue their research throughout the summer, culminating in a Symposium presentation Aug. 1, where the students will share the progress they have made this summer with their research pursuits. 

Photos by Sai Sandeep Vunnam '25