Connor Robinson Earns Top Poster Award at International Research Summit

Jun. 23, 2026

Competing alongside leading researchers from around the world, honors biomedical engineering student Connor Robinson earned third place for Best Overall Poster at the 2026 International Microphysiological Systems Society World Summit in Washington, D.C., in May.  

"It's really cool to be recognized as an undergraduate at a conference like that," Robinson said. "There were more than 500 posters, so to get third place was exciting." 

The summit brings together researchers from academia, industry and government agencies to share advances in microphysiological systems, laboratory platforms that use human cells and engineered tissues to replicate key functions of the human body. These systems help scientists study disease, evaluate potential treatments and better understand human biology. 

Robinson began working in Kartik Balachandran's Mechanobiology & Soft Materials Laboratory as a sophomore, where he contributes to research focused on heart valve disease. Working with devices that allow scientists to grow and stretch human heart cells, Robinson studies how those cells respond to mechanical stress. The work addresses a significant public health challenge: heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. 

"Connor is a highly motivated and gifted student, engineer and researcher," Balachandran said. "His research will enable the development of novel treatments for cardiovascular disease and provide significant benefit to society. I am so happy he got the recognition that he deserved at this Research Summit."  

During a two-hour poster session, Robinson presented his research to conference attendees and answered questions about his work. While speaking to so many researchers was "a little nerve-wracking," he said it was also "fun and rewarding" to explain the project to other scientists. 

Robinson recently graduated with honors and will begin a doctoral program at the U of A in engineering this fall. He said the supportive environment he found in the Mechanobiology & Soft Materials Laboratory helped shape that decision. 

"Dr. Balachandran is a really great mentor," Robinson said. "I think the connections I built there were a big motivator for me to stay." 

Those experiences ultimately reflected what Robinson hoped to gain when he joined the Honors College as an undergraduate. Drawn to the program's academic rigor and research opportunities, he found a community that supported his growth both inside and outside the lab.  

"It's challenging, and I learned a lot from the whole honors experience and the assistance I got for pursuing my research project," Robinson said. 

Contacts

Shelby Gill, director of communications

Honors College

479-575-2024, segill@uark.edu

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