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IUURC 2023: A Celebration of Knowledge, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning

IUURC 2023: A Celebration of Knowledge, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning

By: Derrick Brownie

Monday, April 15, 2024

About the conference

Nine campuses, one goal: undergraduate research. Attendees and presenters from all over Indiana gathered at the Indiana Undergraduate Research Conference (IUURC) at the Indiana University Southeast campus. IUURC brings together a diverse array of student researchers to showcase their achievements, share insights, and foster a community dedicated to engaged learning through research. This statewide event celebrates the spirit of inquiry and serves as a platform for promoting undergraduate research, scholarly and creative achievement, and professional development. There were 140 presentations, with 186 student presenters in attendance.

Dr. Seuth Chaleunphonh

Dr. Susan Sciame-Giesecke, Dr. Debbie Ford

Unveiling excellence across disciplines

IUURC provides a stage for students to communicate the knowledge and insights gained in their research projects. The conference paints a vibrant tapestry of innovation.

For student researchers, IUURC is more than a conference; it is a vital opportunity to meet the challenge of effective communication in a professional setting. It empowers them to articulate the significance of their work and share their passion for discovery with a diverse audience. The event fosters a supportive environment that encourages intellectual exchange and collaboration, nurturing the growth of these emerging scholars.

Poster and oral presenters winners

Students and faculty were judged on various factors.

Overall poster design
Clearly defined research objective
Poster content contains all elements (introduction, background, purpose, process, conclusion, acknowledgements, references)
Poster presentation

Poster Winners

Gracie White (Indianapolis)

Poster title: Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Starch Films Using an Adaptive Experimental Design Approach supported by Bayesian Machine Learning
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Faculty: Andres Tovar

Dylann Mapp (Southeast)

Poster title: “Any Color You Like” Homing Pigeons Ability to Make Feature-Based Choices
Major: Neuroscience
Faculty: Brittany Sizemore

Lilia Brunett (Bloomington)

Poster title: Modulation of FXR Response Genes by PFOA in a Pancreatic Cancer Cell Model
Major: Biotechnology
Faculty: Barbara Hocevar

Jayden Emenhiser (Kokomo)

Poster title: Measurement of Endotoxin Concentrations in Blood Serum of Subjects Undertaking a Pescatarian Diet Study
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty: Hisako Masuda

Sarah Langdon (Indianapolis)

Poster title: Service Enrollment and Access Barriers Twelve Months After Diagnosis of Autism for Young Children
Major: Psychology
Faculty: Angela Paxton

Askar Mazitov (Bloomington)

Poster title: The Effects of Nodule-Associated Bacteria on Clover Growth
Major: Biology
Faculty: Jennifer Lau

Jacob Rose, Kylie Shields (Southeast)

Poster title: Discovery and Isolation of QueenC
Major: Biology
Faculty: Beth Rueschhoff

Jake Staker, Ellyssa Purdy, Gracie White, Haiquan Guo, Jagadeep Thota (Indianapolis)

Poster title: Potato Thermoplastic Starch Aerogels for Insulation and Hydro-Protection Appliances in High Powered Rocketry
Major: Chemistry
Faculty: Andres Tovar

Oral presentations

Ellie Boehnlein (Southeast)

Poster title: What Impact Does a Five-Day Intervention, Focused on Multiplication, Have on Fourth Grade Students?
Major: Elementary Education
Faculty: Jacquelyn Singleton

Steven Burrel (Southeast)

Poster title: Exploring the Principles and Challenges of Self-Driving Cars: A Hands-on Project on Autonomous Vehicle Technology.
Major: Informatics
Faculty: Sridhar Ramachandran

Rian MarQuand (Southeast)

Poster title: Transfeminism: The Adverse Effects of Cis-Centric and Trans-Exclusive Feminism on the Modern Transgender Community
Major: Political Science
Faculty: Rebekah Dement

Natalie Stewart (Southeast)

Poster title: Regulation of Reproduction and the Gastrointestinal System in the Marsh Rice Rat (Oryzomys Palustris)
Major: Biology
Faculty: Kent Edmonds

Hannah Breaven (Indianapolis)

Poster title: Fluorescent Tracking of Intranasally Delivered Non-emulsion in the Rat Nasal Cavity
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Faculty: Michael Veronesi

Lucia Lopez (Southeast)

Poster title: How Does a Five-Day Intervention Schedule Focused on Multiplying Affect Fifth Grade Students Who are Struggling to Multiply and Use Their Strategies?
Major: Elementary Education
Faculty: Molly Riddle

Khloe Mull (Southeast)

Poster title: Building 1st-Grade Students Subtraction Fluency Through Repeated Practice
Major: Elementary Education
Faculty: Molly Riddle

Benefits of attending or presenting

This conference is not just an event; it's a catalyst for personal and academic growth. Whether a seasoned researcher or just embarking on a research journey, attending or presenting at IUURC provides these opportunities:

Networking: Connect with like-minded individuals, professors, and industry professionals who share a passion for research and innovation.
Inspiration: Be immersed in a diverse range of topics and projects, sparking new ideas and perspectives that can fuel academic pursuits.
Professional Development: Hone presentation skills, learn to communicate complex ideas effectively, and gain valuable experience for a future career.

The conference received generous funding from the Office of Research and Vice President Mumper to whom special thanks are extended.

IUURC is not just a conference; it's an investment in an academic and professional future. Join the event next year as participants continue to celebrate the spirit of inquiry, foster collaboration, and inspire the next generation of scholars and innovators.

IUURC announcements and deadlines are available via social media, @iuiengagedlearning.