Hundreds of undergraduate researchers highlight annual event

Hundreds of students will present their research findings during the 21st annual Student Scholars Day on Wednesday, April 12.

Oral presentations and panel presentations will run from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center; poster presentations will be in the Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room, and Henry Hall atrium; art exhibitions and a film screening will be in the Mary Idema Pew Library. An online schedule builder allows attendees to search presentations by time, presenter and other filters.

Susan Mendoza, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship, said 600 students and faculty mentors participated this year, representing more than 70 disciplines. 

The keynote address will be delivered by Liliana M. Dávalos, associate professor of conservation biology at Stony Brook University in New York. Dávalos will speak at 7 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center, Pere Marquette Room. Her research focuses on the evolution of species and trait diversity, and on how to conserve ecosystems today and into the future.

Dávalos is a 2013 Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow for outstanding early career, a 2012 National Academies of Sciences Education Fellow in the Life Sciences, and has advised the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime on statistical analyses of deforestation since 2007.

Luncheon speakers for SSD participants and their mentors will be Grand Valley alumni Delia Fernandez and Nico Fernandez. They will talk about the transition to graduate school. Students who will attend graduate or professional school are invited to this new event, co-sponsored by The Graduate School.

Delia earned a bachelor's degree in history from Grand Valley in 2010, a master's degree and doctorate in history from Ohio State University. Nico earned a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences from Grand Valley in 2014 and is pursuing a master's degree at Michigan State University.