FHU Students Recognized for Undergraduate Research and Summer Discovery

Freed-Hardeman University students are turning curiosity into discovery through undergraduate research that reaches from cancer-related enzyme studies to ancient DNA, bacterial identification and bioinformatics.

A few weeks before commencement in May, FHU celebrated its third group of Heintzman Research Scholar Award recipients. The awards are named in honor of the Heintzman family, longtime supporters of undergraduate research at FHU. Faculty members who oversee research projects selected 14 students for recognition during the 2025-26 academic year.

The 2025-26 Heintzman Research Scholars are Lily Simpson Amar, Jeanne Siebel, Elli Chumley, Nathan King, Zoe Imel, Olivia White, Xavier Falkenheim, Joseph "JT" Moore, Thabo Mahlaha, Joshua Clay "Clay" Smith, Jonathan Graves, Brayden Smith, Evan Vance and Megan Lampley. Faculty research mentors include Dr. Joe Deweese, Dr. Brian Butterfield, Lee Barton and Dr. Caleb Kersey.