This summer, 73 students from 51 colleges nationwide are diving into research programs with faculty mentors at Washington State University Pullman and Vancouver.
Most of the students settled into university housing late last month and will spend 10 weeks engaged in a wide variety of STEM projects as part of their summer research. These projects will focus on a broad range of topics, such as crop resiliency in a changing climate, aquatic biosystems, and the examination of complex social interactions from a criminological perspective.
While students spend time in labs, with their computers, at workshops and outdoors, programming organized by their mentors and the WSU Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) offers plenty of time to build friendships, socialize, and explore the region. Their summer experience will culminate with the traditional Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium set for Friday, Aug. 1, in the CUE Atrium at WSU Pullman, with Zoom access for those at a distance.
Researchers have come from schools as far away as Texas A&M, Rutgers, Cornell, and Central Florida, and as close as Whitman, Gonzaga, and Central and Eastern Washington. Thirteen WSU students are also participating.
“It’s very impressive that so many outstanding student scientists chose to do research with our faculty this summer,” said William B. Davis, vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement. “Despite diminished financial support for research and programs nationwide, students’ choices to come to WSU speaks strongly to our stellar and robust research reputation. We welcome and deeply value the contributions these students will make to our many and diverse programs.”
Guest researchers participating in the summer program have come from universities and colleges as far away as Penn State, Texas A&M, Rutgers, Ohio State, Cornell, Central Florida, and Wisconsin-Madison. Researchers from more local higher education institutions, such as Whitman, Montana, Oregon State, Gonzaga, and Central and Eastern Washington, are also participating. Thirteen WSU students are part of the summer cadre.
“In addition to working with their own research teams on various projects, the OUR has organized several brown-bag lunch presentations for all of the students,” said Jeremy Lessmann, OUR director. Faculty and staff will share information about library research, resume building, graduate school, and how to prepare for the symposium with topics like writing an abstract and creating a poster.
“It’s incredible each year to see at the Symposium what the student researchers have accomplished during their time at WSU,” said Lessmann. “It’s just as fascinating to hear about their new experiences and friendships. WSU can be very proud of its summer research programs. And the faculty, staff, and students who make them possible.”
