Curious about smartphone addiction? Interested in the influence of mid-level providers for pediatric diabetes care? Concerned about kindergarten teachers’ qualifications and student achievement? Stop by and discuss these topics and others at the 14th annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research on April 15.
The third week in April is National Undergraduate Research Week, and UNC is celebrating accordingly. On April 15, a record-breaking 200-plus undergraduate researchers will showcase projects that they’ve worked on in the past year, a 40 percent increase from the participation recorded in 2011.
Students’ projects range from local topics relevant to the community such as invasive exotic vines in Battle Park to scientific breakthroughs such as nanoparticle delivery of therapeutics for autoimmune diseases.
“It is thrilling to see the creative contributions that undergraduates make to Carolina’s research mission” said Patricia Pukkila, professor of biology and associate dean and director for undergraduate research.
Poster displays will be set up from 1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in the Great Hall at the Frank Porter Graham Student Union. Students will showcase their projects through individual 15-minute platform presentations scheduled throughout the celebration. All events are open to the public; potential undergraduate researchers are encouraged to attend. Students with “HOST” name tags will be present to answer any questions, help potential researchers discover topics of interest, and complete their “Research Bingo” cards to be eligible for the grand prize drawing ($100 plus gift discounts from local organizations). Students will also be competing for prizes in Research Madness Bracket contest leading up to the symposium. Visit the OUR blog (http://ourblog.web.unc.edu/) and Facebook page to cast your vote.
The goal of the celebration is to showcase and encourage meaningful research in all disciplines by undergraduates at UNC. The annual celebration is sponsored by the Office for Undergraduate Research (OUR) and The Roosevelt Institute.
Following the symposium, there will be a recognition ceremony to honor graduate students who served as co-mentors this year, graduating undergraduates who served as OUR Ambassadors, and students receiving the Carolina Research Scholar transcript designation. Patricia Pukkila, who retires from the University in June, will preside.
For more information about undergraduate research at Carolina, visit http://www.unc.edu/depts/our/index.html.
