Undergraduate Research Forum April 25 features student research, new faculty instruction exhibit
The 31st annual forum includes more than 280 student projects
Undergraduate Research Forum April 25 features student research, new faculty instruction exhibit
Intellectual curiosity, passion, and collaboration combine at the annual , allowing ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University students to not only showcase their specific niche of research but also see what their peers have been working on.
This year’s forum is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, April 25, in the Shriver Center Dolibois rooms.
Now in its 31st year, this annual forum spotlights the scholarly and creative pursuits of undergraduate students and ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s commitment to meaningful educational experiences through research. This year, 378 individual students will be presenting their work with a total of 286 poster presentations and 10-minute talks scheduled. The presentations represent mentorship on projects provided by 149 faculty members and 67 graduate students.
A special new exhibit, “Research as Instruction: Integrating the process of research into courses,” will highlight how faculty provide experiences in research skills through course instruction.
“This is an effort to shine a light on the multitude of ways research is being embedded into courses,” said Joyce Fernandes, director of the Office for Research for Undergraduates, who organized the new exhibit.
Many undergraduate students report that faculty mentoring relationships were instrumental in launching their research journeys.
Geology and Environmental Science major Conor Cahill knew coming into college that he wanted to pursue undergraduate research. When his professor, Brian Currie, mentioned needing undergraduate assistance on a project, Cahill approached them after class. This initiative led to Cahill participating in 10 days of fieldwork in Utah and later presenting his findings on the . Forming connections with professors, Cahill stressed, is key to finding interesting research opportunities.
For Jackson Yeager, a Kinesiology major whose research focused on the , the experience proved transformative.
“Getting to watch (my professors) do what they love and conduct research in an ethical way, they inspired me,” Yeager said. “Ultimately, I’d like to get my Ph.D. and do what they do.”
Yeager added that one-on-one time with his professors and the hands-on lab experience made his coursework much easier.
To students who might be intimidated by the prospect of taking on a research project, Biochemistry and French double major Kei Brown has some advice: “Be scared, but be scared and try it…. Just take the opportunity and you can get so much experience to help you in the future.” Brown’s research project concentrated on .
Fernandes added this is a valuable opportunity for first-year students to explore research possibilities at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú and the breadth of interdisciplinary work being conducted: “It’s live, it’s in person, so come check it out and explore research opportunities across the institution.”
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