Post by Saba Anjum

Last week, I had the privilege of presenting my honors thesis, sharing not only my research, but the curiosity that drives scientific discovery at Texas Christian University. I am incredibly proud to share that I was named the 2026 Boller Competition Winner, an award recognizing the best honors thesis presentation across the university. Selected from over 120 participants, I presented my work on "Developing Metal-Based Antioxidants to Target Oxidative Stress in Aging" to a panel of representatives from multiple academic disciplines. In my presentation, I translated the complex chemistry of metal ligands and their therapeutic potential into a narrative that is both accessible and engaging. This experience reaffirmed something I care deeply about: scientific research does not end at the bench. It truly comes to life when it is shared, understood, and sparks lasting curiosity in others. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Kayla Green for her mentorship, encouragement, and unwavering commitment to undergraduate research. Her guidance over the years has been instrumental in shaping my growth as a confident researcher. Thank you as well to Dr. Katherine Smith and Mark Sayegh for their contributions to this project, the Green Research Group for their support throughout this journey, and to the TCU Davis College of Science and Engineering and the TCU - John V. Roach Honors College for making this work possible!