Design graduate student researchers were recognized for their innovative work at the 2026 Edward F. Hayes Advanced Research Forum, with several students earning top honors and distinctions. Now in its 40th year, the Hayes Advanced Research Forum is one of Ohio State’s largest annual celebrations of graduate research, highlighting the creativity, rigor, and impact of student scholarship across the university. 

Among the award recipients in the Arts category, Amarth Chen earned first place in the Arts category for oral presentations. Chen, a student in the Digital Animation and Interactive Media track, was recognized for the project “A Framework for Imaging System Simulation".

Also representing the Digital Animation and Interactive Media track in the Arts category, Sophia Reeder received an honorable mention for the presentation “Design Your Anatomy: A User Interface for Real-Time Mocap Instruction and Performance.” Her work explored emerging intersections of motion capture, interface design, and performance. 

In the Social and Behavioral Sciences category, Valeska Tan from the Design Research and Development track placed first among this year’s Hayes Forum winners by sharing her research "Understanding Patient and Provider Perceptions of Social Isolation, Loneliness and Boredom in the Cancer Patient Experience," contributing to the strong showing of design-based research at the university.

Also participating in the forum was Borami Kang, whose research in the Design Research and Development track "Unmaking the Everyday AI: A Design Inquiry into Research Tools and AI Nudge" contributed to the breadth of interdisciplinary work showcased at the event.

Congratulations to all participants!