Angelo State Student Presents Physics Research at Texas Capitol

SAN ANGELO, TX - YooJin Choi, a senior physics major at Angelo State University, was selected to represent ASU and present her research project at the recent 2025 Texas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol event in Austin.

Undergraduate Research Day is hosted by the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT) organization and the Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors (CPUPC) to showcase exciting research from talented undergraduate students at public and private universities across the state. It only takes place in odd-numbered years when the Texas Legislature is in session. Each institute of higher education in Texas is allowed to select one student to present a research project poster, and 40 institutions were represented this year.

Choi presented her research poster on her project titled "Capturing Cellular Dynamics: A Force Center Model Inspired by the Game of Life," which she completed under the mentorship of Dr. Michael C. Holcomb, assistant professor of physics. Holcomb was also invited to participate in Undergraduate Research Day as part of a panel presentation on "The Inside Scoop on Academic Research."

"I have had the pleasure of working with YooJin Choi throughout her undergraduate career, and I am so very proud that she was selected to represent Angelo State at this event," Holcomb said. "I have witnessed firsthand her relentless dedication to her academic and research pursuits, and I can confidently say that her accomplishments accurately reflect the immense amount of hard work she puts in to all that she does."

A native of Seoul, South Korea, Choi has also received two ASU Faculty Mentored Research Grants for various projects, has worked as a tutor in the Math Lab and served as a physics tutor in ASU's Supplemental Instruction peer-tutoring program. She has also held leadership positions in the Society of Physics Students, Women in Physics and STEM Nexus student organizations. As part of the service missions of those organizations, she has participated in numerous community outreach activities, including STEM Nights at local elementary schools, Girl Scouts STEMfest and the annual Physics Road Show around West Texas. She has also been active as a percussionist in the ASU Ram Band, Drumline and Symphonic Band.

"Ms. Choi sets a great example for how students can take advantage of the many resources, opportunities and mentorship offered by the Department of Physics and Geosciences and ASU to enhance their personal and academic growth as an undergraduate," Holcomb said. "As a department, we know that she will continue to make us proud and meaningfully contribute to the scientific community as she pursues her goals in graduate study and beyond."

Additionally, Choi has made the ASU Dean's List every semester and has been inducted into the prestigious Alpha Chi National Collegiate Honor Society and Sigma Pi Sigma National Physics Honor Society.

Choi is scheduled to graduate with her Bachelor of Science degree in May. She has been offered a Distinguished Graduate Student Assistantship at Texas Tech University and will head to Texas Tech this fall to pursue her doctoral degree in physics.