From left: Assistant Professor of Biology Lauren Cirino, second-place oral presentation winner Evie Gaffney ‘27, second-place poster presentation winner Rylan Neal ‘29, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Ginny Morriss, first-place oral presentation winner Abby Powers ‘27, first-place poster presentation winner Hayden George ’27, and Professor of Chemistry Nicole Crowder.
One by one, University of Mary Washington students stepped to the podium or stood beside posters, ready to present the results of 10 weeks of intensive research to faculty, classmates and judges. As the symposium progressed, students grew increasingly confident, discussing their findings and fielding questions like seasoned researchers.
Now in its 27th year, the Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute gives UMW undergraduates the opportunity to immerse themselves in scientific inquiry under the guidance of faculty mentors. This year’s culminating symposium, held at the University’s Hurley Convergence Center, showcased research on topics ranging from breast cancer therapies and artificial intelligence to quantum computing, environmental contamination, climate reconstruction, dark matter, invasive species, sustainable chemistry and public health.
This year, 33 students representing seven STEM disciplines participated in the Institute. They received full funding, including housing, meal plans and a stipend, allowing them to focus entirely on research. Their projects took them from campus laboratories to field sites in Florida, Charlottesville and along the Potomac River.
“The quality of the presentations, especially the oral presentations, was very high this year,” said Elizabeth Lewis, director of undergraduate research and professor of Spanish, who also directs UMW’s Research and Creativity Collaborative. “The students were very engaged and supportive of each other.” Read more about UMW’s Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute.
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