Senior conservation biology major Autumn Pembelton is studying insect communication this summer as part of Mary Washington’s Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute, now in its 26th year.

When red milkweed beetles engage in combat, they don’t just fight with their bodies – they communicate through vibrations that travel across the plant. This summer, University of Mary Washington students are investigating whether these fighting vibrations might actually prevent battles rather than provoke them, challenging assumptions about insect behavior.

It’s the kind of hands-on discovery that defines UMW’s Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute (SSI), now in its 26th year. The 10-week experience pairs undergraduate researchers with faculty mentors for intensive research projects, from insect communication and environmental contamination to complex computer algorithms. This year’s projects showcase an interdisciplinary approach and real-world applications, with 30 students tackling scientific questions across seven STEM disciplines – biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, geography, mathematics and physics.

“What surprised me most was how collaborative research really is,” said senior Autumn Pembelton, a conservation biology major working with Assistant Professor of Biology Lauren Cirino on the milkweed beetle project. “I’ve learned that other people are absolutely crucial to making a project successful,” she said of the work, which employed a laser vibrometer and some support from Assistant Professor of Physics Varun Makhija on getting the experimental design set up.

The institute culminates with a public symposium on Wednesday, July 23, when students present their findings through oral presentations and posters from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom. Winners in both presentation categories will receive scholarship awards supported by 1961 Mary Washington alumna Dr. Jerri Barden Perkins.

Originally launched in 1999 with support from a DuPont grant, the program has evolved significantly since Professor of Chemistry Ray Scott first organized seven research teams. Over its quarter-century history, the program has incorporated an array of new disciplines and given over 500 students the chance to conduct dynamic undergraduate research on campus and in the field.

In 2024, the Institute was renamed to honor Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59, whose gift of more than $30 million to the University ensured continued growth in undergraduate STEM research opportunities. SSI students receive full funding, including room, board and stipends, allowing them to focus entirely on their studies. Read more.