Student Scholars Day goes virtual; more than 100 presentations set

The 24th annual Student Scholars Day will be presented virtually Wednesday, April 8, with more than 100 presentations and exhibits planned.

Susan Mendoza, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship, said it was important to keep the annual event, as the showcase is the primary way student research is shared with the larger campus community.

The online schedule builder will allow viewers to browse presentations and read abstracts. Poster presentations will be housed in ScholarWorks and links will be added for synchronous and asynchronous presentations.

Gabriella Davis is a McNair Scholar and will participate in the virtual event with her project that focuses on Afro-Equadorians and the transformational aspects of literature. Davis, who is a double major in English and Spanish, said she is glad the research showcase will continue in this format.

"Considering the upheaval society has recently been put through, I am glad that the projects people have spent so much effort on are still able to be viewed," Davis said. "Plus, through this format, people are able to view more presentations than if SSD were happening in-person."

Davis' mentor is Regis Fox, assistant professor of English. Davis' SSD research looks at race, sexuality and ancestral past through the novel, "Drums Under My Skin," by Luz Argentina Chiriboga.