Diane Ugwu, a doctoral student in Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, was recently recognized with an Outstanding Research Presentation Award at the 2024 National Diversity in STEM Conference hosted by Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS).
The conference, held Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 in Phoenix, brought together top graduate and undergraduate students from historically excluded communities to showcase their research and presentation skills. Ugwu’s poster and presentation, “Assessing the BASIL Experience and Sustaining CUREs,” explored preliminary findings from her research into the factors faculty consider when deciding to implement Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) and how those factors may differ across institutional contexts.
“Receiving the Outstanding Research Presentation Award is incredibly meaningful and validates the passion, hard work, and dedication I have brought to this project,” Ugwu said. “It reinforces my commitment to seeing it through successfully, while also motivating me to keep refining my communication skills — an important skill I aim to develop as a science educator.”
Receiving the Outstanding Research Presentation Award is incredibly meaningful and validates the passion, hard work, and dedication I have brought to this project.
Diane Ugwu, doctoral student
WSU College of Veterinary Medicine
Ugwu’s research focuses on understanding how support systems, resources, and professional development opportunities encourage faculty to integrate CUREs into their curricula. Using the Biochemistry Authentic Scientific Inquiry Lab (BASIL) CURE as a model, she is examining the factors influencing faculty’s adoption of this curriculum across diverse institutional contexts. Her goal is to promote access to course-based research experiences for undergraduates by enhancing faculty support and creating sustainable, scalable research programs in STEM education.
Now in the third year of her doctorate studies, Ugwu thanked her advisor, Erika Offerdahl, a professor in the School of Molecular Bioscience and the associate director of SMB Undergraduate Programs in the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the support of her lab in contributing to her success.
“Dr. Offerdahl has been a steadfast mentor and support system during my journey in graduate school. As an international student with family responsibilities, the challenges I faced in my first semester almost overwhelmed me,” Ugwu said. “She made my transition to WSU much smoother by ensuring I had the resources and accommodations needed to succeed in my coursework and research as a student-mom. She is always approachable and dedicates quality time to me and my project.”
SACNAS is an organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers and positions of leadership within STEM. The organization has more than 9,000 members and more than 150 student and professional chapters throughout the United States.
