UT Tyler Biochemistry Senior Recognized at National Honors Conference 

Alexis Osborn

TYLER, Texas (November 24, 2025) – Alexis Osborn of Krum, an honors student and senior biochemistry major at The University of Texas at Tyler, placed first for her undergraduate research  poster in the health sciences category at the 2025 National Collegiate Honors Council Conference.  

Her poster, “Investigating Methods for Small Molecule Polymerization Inside the HK97 Virus-like  Particle,” was among the 82 posters in the category and grew from work with her undergraduate  research adviser, Dr. Dustin Patterson, UT Tyler professor and assistant chair of chemistry and  biochemistry. This year, 359 posters were collectively presented in 11 categories from nearly 500  submissions.  and  Honors College founding dean. “This prize is a testament to Lexi’s hard work over the years in her  field of biochemistry and Dr. Patterson’s amazing mentoring.”

Osborn will graduate next spring with a bachelor’s degree and plans to continue her education  upon graduation. “This experience will be one I will remember forever. I am so appreciative of the  Honors College and UT Tyler for giving me this opportunity, and my mentor, Dr. Patterson, who  helped me learn everything I know,” she said. 

Since 1965, the National Collegiate Honors Council serves as both support and a place where  collaboration and community can take place between honors programs across the United States  and beyond. To learn more, visit: nchchonors.org/.  

With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT  Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 11,500 students.  Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has  unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent  patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World  Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.