91探花

May 12, 2014

Undergraduate research to take over Mary Gates Hall on May 16

On Friday, May 16, more than 1,100 91探花 undergraduates will participate in the 鈥攁n event that might well be the country鈥檚 largest 鈥渟how and tell鈥� for undergraduate research. The Symposium takes place from 11 a.m.鈥�6 p.m. in Mary Gates Hall; select oral presentations will happen in Johnson Hall and visual arts and design presentations will be in Odegaard Undergraduate Library.

91探花Undergraduates are getting involved in research in ever-increasing numbers鈥攎ore than 7,000 students participated in research in 2011-12, contributing to the innovative and groundbreaking research of 91探花faculty and even stretching into the surrounding research community.

At the Symposium, students present the research, scholarly, and creative work they have accomplished alongside faculty and graduate mentors throughout the academic year. Through their poster and oral presentations, undergraduates also learn to explain and connect their work to a general audience.

The diversity of undergraduate research on display is notable鈥攕tudents are investigating research questions from all disciplines and address issues that are timeless and timely. At this year鈥檚 Symposium alone, students will share their research on topics spanning the artistic expression of multiple cultures, targeting and inactivating latent Hepatitis B virus, the evolution of genetic pathways affecting petal and stamen development, racial and ethnic discourses within Seattle鈥檚 Ethiopian and Eritrean communities, the local food movement, and much more.

New this year is a Visual Arts and Design Showcase featuring 19 works from ten students in sculpture; experimental media; landscape architecture, the landscape of an imagined, urban city; photography, printmaking, and more. The showcase is the outcome of a collaboration between Odegaard Undergraduate Library and the Undergraduate Research Program.

The Symposium itself is a profound symbol of collaboration across and beyond the UW. More than 800 mentors supported the student presenters through their research, helping students develop subject area knowledge, transferable skills, and an entrepreneurial perspective that will prepare them well for future employment, education and citizenship. One hundred twenty-two students from other institutions will also present their research, including students from local community colleges and students from institutions across the country who will be on campus for the .

President Michael K. Young and UAA Dean and Vice Provost Ed Taylor will address symposium participants and attendees in a brief welcome at 11:00 a.m. in the Mary Gates Hall Commons. The 2014 Undergraduate Research Mentor Awardees will also be recognized at this time for excellence in guiding undergraduates to become scholars and researchers. Nominated by students, this year鈥檚 awardees are:

• Sam Chung, Associate Professor, Information Technology & Systems, 91探花Tacoma
• Maria Elena Garcia, Associate Professor, Comparative History of Ideas
• Merill B. Hille, Professor, Biology
• Patricia A. Kramer, Associate Professor, Anthropology
• Robert M. Winglee, Professor, Earth and Space Sciences
• Tracy Larson, Graduate Student, Biology

The Symposium is organized by Undergraduate Academic Affairs鈥� , which facilitates research experiences for students in all academic disciplines. Symposium attendees are encouraged to , locate the poster and oral presentation sessions that interest them, and create their own, personalized proceedings to navigate the Symposium.