More than 100 UH Students to Participate in Undergraduate Research Day

Meredith Chavez went to Cambodia to analyze the urban and natural ecological issues affecting Phnom Penh, Adesola Oyewole studied whether anti-malarial drugs taken by Peace Corps volunteers help prevent cancer and Gregory Buchanan explored the appeal of novels from different immigrant cultures.

They are among more than 100 undergraduate students from across the University of Houston who will present their original research or creative work on Thursday (Oct. 11) at the eighth annual Undergraduate Research Day.

This free event will showcase the achievements of undergraduate researchers at UH through poster and oral presentations. It will take place in the Rockwell Pavilion and The Honors College on the second floor of UH’s M.D. Anderson Library. Oral presentations are from 1:30-2:30 p.m. and the posters will be on view from 4-6 p.m. Special remarks will begin at 5 p.m.

Participants are student presenters from a wide range of majors and colleges who have conducted substantive research projects within the last year, including the 2012 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship students.

More than 10 colleges and 30 academic departments will be represented at the event, which is coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Research and The Honors College.

“Conducting undergraduate research under the guidance of a faculty mentor gives our students the chance to make real contributions to the scholarship in their chosen fields,” said Karen Weber, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. “This allows them to take ownership of their education and to gain valuable, in-depth research experience to highlight as they apply for graduate school or enter the workforce.”

Weber said the event helps foster a research culture for undergraduate students, which is especially important since undergraduate research has been shown to increase graduation rates and open the path to graduate and professional school.

“Every year hundreds of UH undergraduates spend thousands of hours conducting original, substantive research. Undergraduate Research Day lets these students showcase their achievements and gives the entire university the chance to come together to celebrate their success,” Weber said.

About the University of Houston

                The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation’s best colleges for undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation’s fourth-largest city, UH serves more than 39,500 students in the most ethnically and culturally diverse region in the country.