The Washington State University Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (SURCA) will feature a record number of students accepted to present—273—and posters—233–when doors open Mon., March 24, 2025, from 3:30-4:45 p.m. in the CUB Senior Ballroom at WSU Pullman.
“With students from every campus, this is the largest SURCA we’ve hosted, and the topics of their mentored research, scholarship, and creative activities cover a myriad of disciplines,” said Jeremy Lessmann, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. The office is part of the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement in the provost’s office.
There is also a record number of judges—239—assigned to evaluate every poster presentation using a common rubric.
Each presenter in the nine poster categories will meet with more than one judge to be evaluated. Those with top scores will receive awards at a post-showcase ceremony starting at 5 p.m. in the CUB Auditorium.
Guests can attend the awards ceremony in person or view it live on YouTube. Both the showcase and the awards ceremony are open to all at no-cost.
SURCA is the unique, single venue where students from all years in college, majors, and campuses can disseminate their work and results of their research. On this one afternoon, undergraduates can demonstrate to the university community and guests how their efforts make an original intellectual or creative contribution to a discipline. Presenters may be in the early stages of their research, or be more experienced. Award categories cover all stages.
This year’s SURCA topics are quite diverse, said Lessmann. Examples include projects on:
- Unveiling amphibian immunity
- Performance/competing at an international horn symposium
- The oldest inorganic pigment—Egyptian blue
- Anthropogenic effects on nestling growth and survival in cavity-nesting birds
- Unique canid species persisting along the Gulf Coast
- Hyperspectral image analysis to identify types of plastics in municipal solid waste
- Aphantasia, neurodivergence, and effects on working memory.
An online searchable presentation list features these and all other abstracts plus information about each presenter’s campus, major, and mentor.
