More than 200 UGA students showcased their academic growth and commitment to research at the annual spring undergraduate research symposium sponsored by the Honors Program’s Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities.
“The development and growth of the CURO symposium, under the direction and leadership of David Williams and Pamela Kleiber, is beyond anything anyone could have ever imagined when this annual symposium was launched nine years ago,” said Jere Morehead, vice president for instruction. “To see so many faculty and students working together at this symposium was truly inspirational.”
The CURO symposium provides a public forum for UGA students to share their scholarly and creative works. The symposium is held at the Classic Center to accommodate increased student and faculty involvement.
Student presenter Shelina Ramnarine, a junior with a double major in biology and statistics, participated for the first time at the CURO symposium, although it was not her first visit to the event. As a high school senior, Ramnarine was invited to the symposium and recognized as a CURO Promising Scholar by the Honors Program.
At UGA, Ramnarine has been working with the Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation for more than two years and currently serves as vice president of the student advisory board for the alliance, which aims to increase the number of students earning degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“Research has had a huge impact on my UGA experience,” said Ramnarine, who presented a project that investigated DNA processes during a particular segment of the cell cycle. “I have worked with faculty who have been very supportive and helpful, especially when I recently decided to pursue a doctorate in biostatistics.”
One of the new features of the symposium were roundtables where Honors students finishing up their theses had the opportunity to talk about their research with peers, facilitated by UGA emeriti scholars.
“The thesis roundtable provided a forum for interests to be shared and sparked while asking each other engaging questions,” said Lauren Kelly, a senior microbiology major, who talked about her placental malaria project.
Student artists used traditional and innovative research methods to explore cross-disciplinary topics such as poetry pedagogy, postmodern jewelry and digital literature. In additional to oral presentations, art gallery talks gave students a chance to discuss their projects and individual research processes.
Senior Malorie McCloy created 20 fabric samples based on plant structures during various growth stages. She used a number of manipulation techniques to turn flat material into three-dimensional forms.
“The symposium marked a very exciting point in my academic career because it was my first opportunity to speak to the public about my artwork in the fabric design department,” said McCloy. “CURO also gave me the opportunity to conduct in-depth research that allowed me to create a stronger, more cohesive body of work than I have ever made in the past.”