May 9, 2025

Discovery unfolds at the 28th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium

On Friday, May 16, more than 1,500 undergraduates will present innovative research, scholarship and creative work as they converge at the 28th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. The all-day celebration features undergraduates actively plugging into and contributing to the University of Washington’s strengths as an engine of discovery, public good and progress. Presenters represent all three UW campuses, as well as local community and regional colleges, highlighting the breadth of undergraduate research across the region.

“The Undergraduate Research Symposium is a powerful showcase of student-led scholarship that centers curiosity, collaboration and cutting-edge research,” said Sophie Pierszalowski, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. “It’s an opportunity for students to build confidence, share ideas and reflect on their research’s impact across fields and communities.”

An immersive research ecosystem

Bringing together students, faculty mentors and the greater community, the Symposium highlights the depth of the undergraduate research ecosystem at the UW. This year’s event will feature more than 1,200 students presenting 1,138 projects, supported by 1,019 mentors — including faculty, graduate students, postdocs and professional researchers. Student projects reflect the spirit of the Husky Experience — tackling real-world questions, collaborating across disciplines and prioritizing public impact.

“Research has been the most meaningful part of my UW experience. It turned what I was learning in class into something real — something I could touch, question and contribute to,” said Symposium presenter, Maya Abhyankar, ‘25. “It gave me a sense of purpose and community and helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect both as a scientist and as a person.” 

Research in action

Spanning STEM, social sciences, humanities, arts and design, the Symposium showcases the wide-ranging inquiry driving undergraduate research at the UW. Presentation topics will explore everything from sustainable computing and Indigenous media to AI ethics and community-based mental health initiatives. Students will share their work through poster sessions, oral presentations, visual arts and design exhibits, and a performing arts showcase.

“As a performing arts kid, I truly never imagined I would do research while in university,” said presenter Alicia Leslie Lopez, ‘25. “I will now graduate having completed four overseen research studies. Research is not just about exploring your passions, but building skillsets. I now think like a researcher, and I can’t help but question the world around me more and more for the better.”

Poster sessions and oral presentations will take place throughout Mary Gates Hall, the HUB Lyceum and the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering, while visual and design work will be on display in the Allen Library Research Commons. Performances will take place in the Meany Studio Theatre. The Symposium is open to the public, and guests are encouraged to explore throughout the day.

“As a transfer student who joined a lab in the same quarter I transferred, research has been central to my experience at the UW,” said presenter Simon Guo Wong, ‘25. “My lab has become my home on campus. I go to work not just to do research, but to study for my classes and socialize with my labmates. Being able to essentially shadow my colleagues constantly has made for an immersive and unique undergraduate environment.”

As in previous years, the Symposium welcomes participants from 14 partner institutions. This year, 150 students from community and four-year colleges across the Pacific Northwest will take part in the day’s presentations. The event serves as a regional celebration of research, highlighting the pathways and possibilities created through undergraduate scholarship.

“This day is more than a showcase — it’s a milestone,” said Pierszalowski. “It reflects the relationships built through research, the growth students experience through discovery and the confidence they gain to pursue future challenges.”

For a full schedule of events and to find individual presentations, visit symposium.uw.edu