UNDERGRADUATES FROM 15 SCHOOLS TO PARTICIPATE IN STEM RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[ST. PAUL, MN, April 13, 2021] -- Forty students from 15 regional colleges and universities will showcase their original research at the upcoming Winchell Undergraduate Research Symposium (WURS), which will take place virtually on April 24. 

WURS is an annual event hosted by the Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS) that prepares undergraduates to enter science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields by providing a forum for students to present scientific research. In the 2021 virtual symposium format, each student will give a ten-minute presentation followed by a five-minute question session. STEM professionals will serve as judges and will determine the winners of the Judges’ Choice Awards.

“It's inspiring that college students have risen to the challenges of conducting research during a pandemic, with creative projects in chemistry, ecology, cellular and molecular biology, and other STEM fields,” said program director Kristine Fowler. “By presenting their research at this virtual symposium, they're getting the same experience all scientists are having these days.”

Participants will hear a keynote address on mitochondria entitled “The Dangers of Driving with a Broken Engine” from Dr. Jim Maher, a professor at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Students will also participate in breakout sessions with topics ranging from graduate school to biomedical career paths.

The Winchell Symposium is a program of the Minnesota Academy of Science sponsored by the Michael H. Baker Family Foundation, the Minnesota Section of the American Chemical Society, the TriBeta Biology Honor Society, and sponsoring colleges and universities.

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Media contacts:
Emily Shepard, MAS Communications Specialist

Student presenters’ academic institutions:
Bethel University, St. Paul
Carleton College, Northfield
Crown College, Saint Bonifacius
College of St. Benedict - St. John's University, Collegeville
Hamline University, St. Paul
Macalester College, St. Paul
Missouri State University
Rochester Community and Technical College, Rochester
St. Catherine University, St. Paul
St. Mary's University, Winona
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
University of Northwestern, St. Paul
University of St. Thomas, St. Paul
University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Wartburg College