YSU students named finalists in regional supply chain competition

Two students from Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration were selected as top five undergraduate finalists at the Spring 2026 Supply Chain Management Symposium Poster Competition, hosted by the University of Pittsburgh.

Rosetti Johnson, junior supply chain management major, and Tanishka Agnihotri, junior finance major, represented WCBA with their research project, “Regulatory Impact on Global Pharmaceutical Supply Chains,” which examines how differing regulatory frameworks between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency affect global supply chain operations.

Their research explores how regulatory differences contribute to logistical, economic and resilience challenges within the pharmaceutical industry, an issue with implications for both public health and business performance.

“We were inspired to tackle the topic of global pharmaceutical supply chains because we wanted to challenge ourselves and stand out from the crowd,” Johnson said. “The experience allowed us to apply what we’ve learned in the classroom to a complex, real-world problem.”

Agnihotri emphasized that the research was driven by a shared interest in understanding how regulation shapes global operations. “We wanted to explore how policy decisions affect supply chains and impact both companies and consumers,” she said.

The competition provided opportunities for students to present research to an academic and professional audience while strengthening key communication and analytical skills. Johnson noted that participating as a finalist helped her refine her ability to present technical supply chain data clearly and professionally, an experience she plans to carry into her upcoming procurement internship.

Agnihotri added that the project strengthened her ability to analyze regulatory frameworks, synthesize complex information and communicate findings effectively.

The recognition marks a milestone for WCBA, as Johnson and Agnihotri are the first students in five years to represent the college in a supply chain poster competition.

“It’s exciting to see our students recognized on a regional stage,” said Alina Marculetiu, professor and faculty advisor in WCBA. “Experiences like this reinforce classroom learning while challenging students to think critically, solve real problems and communicate with confidence and professionalism. I am very proud of how they represented our program and college.”

Opportunities such as this reflect WCBA’s emphasis on experiential learning and applied research, preparing students to engage with global business challenges and compete at a high level within their field.