Undergraduate Academic Affairs

May 7, 2015

Undergraduates to present research spanning academic disciplines on May 15

Undergraduate Academic Affairs

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Undergraduate Research Symposium

Undergraduate researchers present their findings during the 2014 Symposium.

On Friday, May 15, more than 1,000 University of Washington undergraduates will participate in the 18th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium — an event that is one of the largest of its kind in the nation. The Symposium is organized by Undergraduate Academic Affairs’ Undergraduate Research Program and takes place from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. in Mary Gates Hall; select oral presentations will be in Mary Gates Hall and Johnson Hall; a performing arts session will happen in Meany Studio Theatre; and a visual arts and design showcase will be in Odegaard Undergraduate Library (see event details below).

UW undergraduates are getting involved in research in ever-increasing numbers—more than 7,000 students participated in research in 2013-14, contributing to the groundbreaking research of UW faculty and gaining the experience necessary to perhaps one day lead innovative research efforts themselves.

The ideas explored this year are notable for their diversity and breadth. Students will share their research on topics like developing a plant-based vaccine to treat river blindness, 3D printing non-solid materials, how online communities facilitate connections between people managing cancer, human powered submarines, the effects of sea star wasting disease on intertidal communities, the geographical and population demographics of charter schools, a graphics library for virtual reality applications, and much more.

This year the Symposium offers a special emphasis on the arts with both a performing arts session and a visual arts and design showcase featuring topics like choreographing emotion, electroforming on glass, Bulgarian folk dance in Seattle, and paintings that represent the creative process.

More than 800 faculty, post-doc, and graduate student mentors supported the student presenters through their research, helping students develop subject area knowledge, transferable skills, and an entrepreneurial perspective that will prepare them for future employment, education and citizenship.

Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Gerald J. Baldasty and UAA Vice Provost and Dean Ed Taylor will address Symposium participants and attendees in a brief welcome at 11:00 a.m. in the Mary Gates Hall Commons. The 2015 Undergraduate Research Mentor Awardees will also be recognized at this time for excellence in guiding undergraduates to become scholars and researchers.

Event Details:

  • WHAT: 18th Annual Research Symposium at the University of Washington
  • WHO: More than 1,000 of the sharpest young minds at UW presenting ground-breaking undergraduate research
  • WHEN: Friday, May 15, 2015, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
  • WHERE: Mary Gates Hall, select rooms in Johnson Hall, Meany Studio Theatre and Odegaard Undergraduate Library
  • PLAN: Search the online proceedings at: www.uw.edu/undergradresearch/symposium/

Back to the spring 2015 UAA e-newsletter >


About the Undergraduate Research Program

The Undergraduate Research Program facilitates research experiences for undergraduates with UW faculty members in all departments and disciplines. Since 1997, it has produced the Undergraduate Research Symposium, during which hundreds of undergraduates present their research to the campus and community. It is among the largest symposia for undergraduates in the nation. The Undergraduate Research Program is housed within Undergraduate Academic Affairs, in the Center for Experiential Learning and Diversity.