Research projects aren't just for book-publishing professors or dissertation-focused grad students. Undergraduates invest time in these endeavors as well, and today is their chance to show off.
The Undergraduate Research Network is sponsoring a Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today in the Newcomb Hall South Meeting Room.
The symposium includes presentations of research from 13 students across the College and Engineering Schools, and showcases projects in chemistry, biology and history, to name a few. Some of the more unusual topics are traditional healing in Russia -- also known as witchcraft -- and the healing power of music.
The presenters, ranging from second years to fourth years, were selected earlier this semester through a University-wide application process.
The organizers hope to increase awareness of the many types of research being conducted on Grounds.
"The idea behind the URN symposium is to get all of the departments talking to each other," said second-year College student Maggie Samra, the symposium director. "A lot of people do amazing work, but only their mentors know about it, and it gets shelved."
The symposium also will include a poster presentation from strong projects that URN could not fit into the oral presentation schedule, Samra said. In addition to hosting presentations, the symposium marks the release of this semester's "Oculus," URN's undergraduate research journal.
URN sponsors a weekly event called "Brain Food," which meets every Wednesday for lunch. The lunch typically includes presentations from two or three student researchers.
"The symposium is a larger, broader session," Samra said.
The symposium will begin with a keynote address from University Vice President and Provost Gene Block, followed by student presentations and poster sessions. Administrators of the Harrison Awards also will make a presentation. Schedules will be posted throughout Newcomb Hall and around Grounds.
"I hope to see a lot of people there," Samra said. "I hope it'll inspire other people to work on projects they didn't think were feasible."
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