PULLMAN, Wash. — Twenty-five Washington State University undergraduate science majors will display posters March 23 explaining the results of their research in the first College of Sciences Undergraduate Research Poster Competition.
The exhibit will be in the Compton Union Building Ballroom. Student researchers will be available to explain their posters when the session opens to the public at 4:15 p.m. A program and awards presentation will begin at 5:30. Refreshments will be served.
The guest speaker will be Richard Gomulkiewicz, associate professor of biosciences and mathematics. He will discuss bioinformatics in “Understanding the Genetics and Evolution of Complex Traits: A Research Synthesis of Biological Data, Mathematical Models and Statistics.” The program will also include introductions by Michael Griswold, dean of sciences, and remarks by James Petersen, vice provost of research.
“It seems obvious that WSU’s major advantage, with regard to undergraduate education, is student access to research,” Griswold said. “Not all College of Sciences programs require undergraduates to participate in research, but all of them provide access to on-going ‘world class’ research. Quality undergraduate research in good laboratories can benefit the student, the investigator and the university.
“In the past, to encourage and give visibility to undergraduate research, the college offered undergraduate research awards. This year, by holding a poster competition, we are taking the next step in showcasing the accomplishments of our students,” Griswold said. “While the competition will be fun and rewarding, the primary reason for it is to provide feedback to the students on their research, to emphasize the importance of undergraduate research and to show all students what can be accomplished by doing undergraduate research at WSU.”
Student researchers will be awarded prizes in three categories: biosciences, physical sciences and mathematics, and interdisciplinary. The prizes are $450 for first place, $350 for second place, $250 for third place and $100 for honorable mention in all three categories.
