Undergraduate researchers from around the world are gathering at the University this week to share their soon-to-be-published papers.
The Universitas 21 Undergraduate Research Conference began yesterday with a welcoming by University Vice President and Provost, Gene Block.
Each day of the four-day conference will offer eight to ten presentations within one of four areas of study, including public health, medical science, social science and sciences including physics, chemistry, engineering and math.
Before speaking, Block expressed gratitude for the University having the opportunity to host the conference.
"We're gratified that the group decided to meet here," he said. "It's a great opportunity to share undergraduate research."
The conference, which is the first Universitas 21 event hosted by the University, will feature three University students.
Today fourth-year College student Jalan Washington, an interdisciplinary human biology major, will present her paper titled "Intersection of Biology and Society: Differential Responses to the HIV and AIDS Syndemic in Uganda and the U.S."
Washington, who grew up in an inner-city neighborhood where with a high rate of teen pregnancy, said she decided to study sexuality in adolescents and HIV rates to further understand the problems faced by teens in her community.
Washington began her research with the Center for Global Health and has been working on it for a year and a half. She was invited by conference planners to present her research and said she is excited to speak at the conference.
"Speaking and giving back is an honor to me," Washington said.
Third-year College student Catherine Neale, a history and American studies major, will give her presentation, "Slaves and the University of Virginia," tomorrow morning.
Neale started her research last year and said she been interested in the history of the University since coming here.
After much research, Neale said she realized there was a gap in what she was learning about the history of the University and the history of slavery.
"I'm very excited and honored," she said. "I think it's really great that I can share the history of the University and show the impact of the University and its relation to the rest of the world."
Friday third-year College student Yogesh Surendranath, a biochemistry and physics major, will give a presentation titled "Synthesis and Reactivity of 2-Diazine Tungsten (0) Complexes."
University undergraduates were asked to apply to present at the conference. In an effort to promote collaboration, the Center for Undergraduate Excellence chose students based on the quality of their research and on how well their research topics fit with those of other students presenting at the conference, said Nicole Hurd, assistant dean in the Center for Undergraduate Excellence.
The conference is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President and Provost and the Center for Undergraduate Excellence. Presentations will take place at the Special Collections Library.
Universitas 21 is an international network of research-intensive institutions with 17 member institutions in nine countries.
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