UBC students present study findings at 10th annual symposium
What: Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Awards Symposium
When: September 22, 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Where: University Centre, Room 106, UBC’s Okanagan campus, Kelowna
From income inequality to heart disease and from infant gut health to species extinction, the topics to be discussed at UBC Okanagan’s 10th annual Undergraduate Research Awards (URA) Symposium are significant and diverse. Participating students, who spent the summer pursuing research under the supervision of Barber School faculty, will share their findings at the symposium with members of the public and the UBC community.
“Helping students make their research accessible to everyone is very much part of the URA mandate,” says Assoc. Prof. Stephen McNeil, URA coordinator. “The students have a passion for their work. Now, they will translate that enthusiasm for attendees of the symposium.”
McNeil, who teaches chemistry with the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences, adds that the number of students applying for these awards is remarkable and has been steadily increasing for the last decade.
“We have students with diverse backgrounds applying for these awards, and the word is spreading. Clearly they see the value in adding research to their studies.”
The URAs were established to provide research exposure to third-year students. The applicants develop their research topic and protocol in consultation with a faculty member and then have a four-month term to complete the study.
“Typically the awardees have been students who embrace a more complete university experience, not just their final transcripts,” says McNeil.
“The awardees are devoted, engaged, and forward-thinking,” he adds. “And they have continued their enthusiasm to go on to successful careers after graduation. We have alumni who are now working in industry, academia, government, and continuing their studies in medicine or law. We believe the URA gave them their first foothold to this trajectory.”
The Irving K. Barber URA is made possible through the generosity of Dr. Irving K. Barber. His gift established the Irving K. Barber Endowment, which supports programs and learning opportunities that prepare students to become better citizens of the world.
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