Jason Shephard, left, explains the workings of a Formula SEA car he helped create to Associate Professor Leonard Vance, at the 2015 Research Weeks Senior Engineering Expo. (File photo)

Creative and innovative scholarship to be unveiled at seventh annual Student Research Weeks

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Undergraduate and graduate students will proudly celebrate and present their research during the seventh annual Virginia Commonwealth University Research Weeks, March 24 to April 28. Students from across disciplines will present their work to faculty and peers during research symposiums and other events.

VCU Research Weeks is often a major highlight for student researchers, said Herbert Hill, director of undergraduate research opportunities in the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation.

“For our students, it is about the culmination of a year’s worth of research and scholarship. For some of them, it is the culmination of their undergraduate careers, the end of a senior year,” Hill said. “While not every student who conducts research at VCU will pursue research as a career, it’s undeniable that the experience will inform their future as they take their place among the next generation of community and globally engaged scholars, innovators, and professionals.”

The following is a schedule of VCU Research Weeks events, which are free and open to the public:

 

School of the Arts juried design and Fine Arts Exhibition
The Anderson, 907 ½ W. Franklin St.
March 24–April 9

The VCUarts undergraduate exhibition is an annual culmination of undergraduate work in the arts. An opening reception will be hosted at the gallery on March 24 from 5–8 p.m. The event features work from students in all fine art departments. Faculty from the departments of Communication Arts, Fashion Design, Graphic Design and Interior Design have selected student work for the design exhibitions.

A student views artwork at the 2015 Juried Fine Arts, Design & Kinetic Imaging Exhibition at the Anderson Gallery. (File photo)
A student views artwork at the 2015 Juried Fine Arts, Design & Kinetic Imaging Exhibition at the Anderson Gallery. (File photo)

 

13th Annual Women’s Health Research Day
Hermes A. Kontos Medical Science Building, 1217 E. Marshall St.
March 29, 1–4:30 p.m.

This celebration and promotion of women’s health research will include a plenary symposium, poster awards and a reception highlighting women’s health research by VCU faculty and students. Several awards will be given recognizing outstanding work and interdisciplinary partnerships.

 

School of Dentistry Clinic and Research Day
Lyons Building, Crockett Lounge, 520 N. 12th St.
April 6, 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

The event will give students the opportunity to share research that exemplifies how students can help progress the practice of dentistry. Judges will award prizes for the strongest poster presentations by dental students and by dental hygiene students. Student work will be highlighted in the Dental Investigator, the School of Dentistry’s quarterly research newsletter.

 

Virginia Commonwealth University Political Science 11th Annual Student Research Conference
Student Commons, Richmond Salons, 907 Floyd Ave.
April 14

VCU undergraduate and graduate students will join other students from across the state and overseas to present research and conduct discussions on topics such as American government and international relations.

 

Graduate Research Symposium and Exhibit
Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballroom
April 18, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Student researchers from across all disciplines will present work to faculty, staff, students and the community. The event is sponsored by the Graduate Student Association.

 

Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity
Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballroom and Richmond Salons
April 19, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Organized by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, the symposium is the first time many undergraduates have had the opportunity to present research at a major event. Projects represent work across a wide variety of disciplines.

Undergraduate and graduate research symposiums during the sixth annual Student Research Weeks last year.
Undergraduate and graduate research symposiums during the sixth annual Student Research Weeks last year.

 

Graduate Recruitment Fair
Student Commons, Virginia Rooms
April 19, noon–3 p.m.

The VCU Office of Admissions will host a Graduate Recruitment Fair to coincide with the VCU Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity. Undergraduates from all disciplines are invited to attend for information related to opportunities in graduate education at VCU and beyond. Recruiters from a number of universities will be in attendance.

 

School of World Studies Senior Research Poster Exposition
Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballrooms
April 20, 12:30–1:30 p.m.

Students from the School of World Studies will showcase research gathered from course work, internship experiences and service learning work. Participants will also have a chance to learn about graduate school programs, and network with recent graduates and employers from the community.

 

National Science Foundation Research Fellowship Information Session
Student Commons, Forum Room
April 20, 12:30–2 p.m.

The VCU National Scholarship Office will be hosting an information session for the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Jeff Wing, director of the National Scholarship Office, will share information about the application process. Juniors and seniors who are planning to pursue graduate degrees in STEM fields are encouraged to attend, as are first-year graduate students.

 

Fulbright Scholarship Information Session
Student Commons, Forum Room
April 20, 2–3 p.m.

The VCU National Scholarship Office is hosting an information session for students interested in the Fulbright Student Scholarship program, which provides funding to study, conduct research or teach English in more than 140 nations. Fulbright grantees come from a range of diverse fields and undertake projects that prepare them to play an influential role in today’s global society. They also contribute to mutual understanding among cultures and nations.

 

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Information Session
National Scholarship Office, VCU Honors College, 701 W. Grace St.
April 20, 3:30 p.m.

The VCU National Scholarship Office is hosting an information session for students interested in the Goldwater Scholarship. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide a constant source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue research careers in STEM fields. For this scholarship, eligible sophomores and juniors are expected to write a research proposal in the discipline of their choice. Four nominees from each participating university are then chosen to compete nationally for a chance to become a Goldwater Scholar. This scholarship pays full tuition, as well as fees, up to $7,500.

 

School of Social Work Research Symposium
Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballroom
April 21, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Graduate and undergraduate students from the VCU School of Social Work will present their research and scholarly projects at this annual symposium. Students share their work in the form of research posters and oral presentations.

 

School of Engineering Senior Design Expo
Siegel Center
April 28, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

The Senior Design Expo allows undergraduate engineering students to share capstone senior projects with the greater Richmond community and to increase the awareness of the engineering profession among middle and high school students. The annual event offers senior design teams the opportunity to display and demonstrate their prototypes, which are the culmination of eight months of effort. Eighty-eight student teams will participate in the expo, which has become a signature event for the School of Engineering and VCU.