MADISON, Wis. – Undergraduate research takes center stage across the University of Wisconsin System this month, as UW institutions work with the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) to boost interest in undergraduate research.
A national conference in La Crosse this past weekend attracted thousands of participants from across the country. On Wednesday, students from every UW campus will convene in Madison for the 10th annual Posters in the Rotunda event, where they will display their research projects in the Capitol Rotunda. Later this month, a University of Wisconsin–La Crosse student will represent Wisconsin at a similar national event in the U.S. Capitol.
“The University of Wisconsin System is providing significant leadership in the national undergraduate research movement,” said Beth Ambos, Executive Officer for the Council on Undergraduate Research, the nation’s leading advocate for undergraduate research. “The engagement of the campuses throughout the system is outstanding.”
Studies show that undergraduate research leads to better job readiness, encompassing a broad range of student talents, interests, and skills across academic disciplines. Additionally, participation in undergraduate research contributes to improved student retention and graduation rates. UW leaders believe that broader participation in undergraduate research will provide students with the knowledge and skills they need for 21st-century jobs, preparing graduates to succeed in a world that values innovation, problem-solving, teamwork, and collaboration.
“Advancing undergraduate research projects has many important benefits – for the students, for the university, and for the entire state. Students who collaborate with professors on meaningful research are more likely to stay in college and complete their degree. The hands‐on experience prepares them for professional success after graduation, and the added brainpower in our research projects provides a tremendous return on investment, including job creation and economic growth,” said UW System President Kevin P. Reilly.
Undergraduate research is a high-impact educational practice that provides students with opportunities both in and outside the classroom, leading to the types of student outcomes that make their education more meaningful. It has been widely tested and shown to be beneficial for all students, including students from diverse backgrounds.
National Conference on Undergraduate Research
Last Saturday, UW-La Crosse hosted the 27th annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). The conference promotes high-quality student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. This was the NCUR’s third visit to Wisconsin and the second time it was hosted by UW-La Crosse. A record-setting 3,000 students and their faculty mentors from across the country attended.
Annual Posters in the Rotunda: Explore the Power of Student Research
Nearly 150 University of Wisconsin System undergraduate students and their faculty advisers will fill the Capitol Rotunda in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for the 10th annual event to share their undergraduate research findings on a variety of important topics with legislators, state leaders, UW alumni, and other supporters. State leaders and others will have the opportunity to view poster presentations depicting the research projects, speak with students, and learn more about how this work enriches their college experience.
“This event is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the exciting research going on throughout the state, and to support Wisconsin students and faculty members who contribute to the state’s strong economic future,” said Reilly. “We are delighted to showcase the innovative undergraduate research going on across the UW System and strengthen our commitment to making undergraduate research a top priority.”
For more information on the UW System’s Posters in the Rotunda event, go to: http://wisconsin.edu/posters/.
Posters on the Hill
Emma E. Sabel, a University of Wisconsin-La Crosse student in chemistry, has been selected as a winner in a national competition sponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research, and will be visiting Washington, D.C., and Capitol Hill to participate in a poster session with fellow winners from across the country. Her poster, Shape Matters: How We Can Design Structural Features That Are Relevant to Antibiotic Peptide Function, will be on display on April 24 in the Rayburn House Office Building from 5 to 7 p.m. Joining Sabel will be her faculty mentor, Dr. Adrienne Loh, a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the UW-La Crosse.
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