Undergraduate Summer Research Expo highlights students’ work

Friday, August 27, 2021

Media Contact: Harrison Hill | Research Communications Specialist | 405-744-5827 | harrison.c.hill@okstate.edu

Research at Oklahoma State University starts with students — from senior students, comfortable in a lab, to freshmen, just getting their bearings in college life.

“One of the tell-tale signs of a thriving university research culture is the extent to which undergraduates are involved in and enthusiastic about gaining research experiences with faculty,” said Dr. Kenneth Sewell, OSU’s vice president for research.

And everyone could get a look at the research being done by undergraduates when the OSU Undergraduate Research Committee hosted the inaugural Undergraduate Summer Research Expo at the end of July.

Posters from 36 undergraduate students — including 21 different majors — highlighted their projects.

“The expo allowed this aspect of our research culture to be on full display,” Sewell said.

Most of the students were from federally funded formal summer research programs, such as Research Experience for Undergraduates, McNair Scholars, OK-LSAMP Scholars and Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates, or privately funded ones like the Niblack Research Scholars.

In the Nancy Randolph Davis building on the Stillwater campus, students, faculty advisors, administration members and guests learned more about projects ranging from animal science to zoology.

“The projects on display, and the poise and knowledge of the undergraduate students who presented them, were truly impressive,” Sewell said. “Many thanks to our faculty and graduate student researchers for their devotion to mentoring and aiding these young minds to pursue their passions.”

Since many of these summer research programs do not require students to be enrolled at OSU, the event allowed researchers from universities across Oklahoma and the nation to share ideas. Students pursuing a degree from Cameron University, East Central University, Marietta College, Pittsburg State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, University of Connecticut, University of Missouri — Kansas City, University of Rochester and University of Tennessee were all present.

Kaitlyn Cotton drove from Dallas to showcase her OSU Freshman Research Scholars project. Because of the pandemic, The Freshman Research Scholars were unable to present their research posters in a live venue during spring 2021, so the opportunity to present at this summer expo was extended to these students.

“When I had presented virtually before, there was time for one or two questions that I had to quickly answer before the next presenter came on,” Cotton said. “With this in-person expo, I was able to have more in-depth conversations with the audience and learn what their views or ideas on my project were.”

Cotton also talked with people who shared different backgrounds and interests, she said. One organic chemistry professor provided insight into the chemical components of Cotton’s project and offered a new experiment set-up for her.

“I loved getting to talk to so many different people about my research and hearing their insights, questions and ideas for my project,” she said.

For Jackson Caves, another OSU Freshman Research Scholar, the expo helped him learn more about presenting.

“This in-person presentation was very helpful,” Caves said. “I reviewed my virtual presentation, but it was different in person because of the questions people asked. There was more real-time interaction. I believe it was very helpful and will change my approach for future presentations. It was a great learning experience.”

Caves said he always looks forward to in-person presentations and interviews and called this another educational experience.

“Seeing how others set up their posters was very helpful, and now I will approach future posters and presentations differently,” Caves said. “I got a lot of great ideas seeing the others.”

The expo also featured words of wisdom from Sewell and Dr. Jason F. Kirksey, OSU’s vice president for institutional diversity and the chief diversity officer.

“I don't want you to hope for success and greatness, I want you to expect it!” Kirksey told the crowd.