Utah State University is gearing up for something big: the largest Fall Student Research Symposium in its history. With over 250 undergraduate presentations on the docket, the event is a testament to the booming interest in academic research among students. This year’s symposium is a considerable leap from the modest 15 presentations featured when it kicked off in 2013, showcasing studies that slice through a spectrum of disciplines from meticulous film analysis to the vibrant health of cherry orchards, USU Today reported.
Set against the backdrop of USU's Year of Undergraduate Research, close to 425 undergraduates, that's about a hundred more brains than last year, will be delving into their research, joined for the first time by 22 graduate students. Alexa Sand, associate vice president for research, highlighted USU's longstanding commitment to embedding undergraduate research into the fabric of the institution. She credits the thriving programs for the surge in applications for the Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunity grants, sharing with USU Today, "The numbers we’re seeing are a direct result of half a century of dedicated work from our faculty, staff and administration to ingrain undergraduate research into USU’s culture."
According to the university, research opportunities are more than academic exercises; they're a gateway for students to tackle significant questions, harness critical thinking, and inject new perspectives within their fields. Engaging in research also means building community ties and honing skills that resonate beyond academia, into future careers and civic engagement.
Undergraduate Research Fellow Emilia Huff, walking along the path paved by a URCO grant since spring, shared the impact her hands-on research pursuits had on her confidence and career ambitions with USU Today. “I was deeply involved in hands-on experiments and felt like I was making real progress toward solving important problems," explained Huff. "This experience gave me the confidence to take on bigger projects and convinced me how much I wanted to pursue research that could make a difference in people’s lives.”
