Tomas Vasquez talks to a visitor about his research on the effects of social connections in relation to suicide among Indigenous peoples. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
UWM alum ('17) CJ Greer (left) learns about Ivan Martin's research, which explores motivations behind vaping cessation among young adults in rural areas. Martin was among the winners for outstanding presentation. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Delaney Carolan explains her research into certain kinds of proteins that are involved in wound healing and cell proliferation. Carolan said that the understanding of their molecular function remains incomplete and in her research she dives deeper to learn more. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Provost Andrew Daire learns about Kali Quade’s research into ways to personalize cancer prevention and treatment by recognizing genetic variability in underlying malignancies in the immune system or in blood-forming tissues. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Justin Laabs presented his research into using modern 3D printing technologies to help create Damascus steel. Damascus steel is created with a forging technique used in the pre-industrial era to make weapon blades and in ornamental blacksmithing. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Nathan Ebersole presents his examination of the effects of mental skills training workshops in the fire service to Joshua Parish, assistant chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department. Ebersole was one of the winners of an Outstanding Presentation Award. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Dyanna Czeck holds her Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year award with (from left) Kristian O’Connor, provost for research and dean of the Graduate School; Chancellor Mark Mone and geosciences mentees Stephanie Fones and J Schneider. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Emlyn Swardenski receives a purple ribbon from Nigel Rothfels, the founding director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. Swardenski won an Outstanding Presentation Award for research into how bone fractures heal. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Mira Beranek cheers for friend and fellow chemistry researcher Preston Burdett after he is announced one of the outstanding presentation winners. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
All of the Outstanding Presentation Award winners pose for a group photo after the ceremony. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
The annual UWM Undergraduate Research Symposium celebrates the collaborations of UWM undergraduate students with the university’s larger research community.
Students find opportunities mainly through the Office of Undergraduate Research, or by reaching out to faculty in disciplines that interest them. At this year’s symposium, over 250 UWM students, mentored by over 130 of UWM’s faculty and research staff, presented their work.
Students from a wide variety of schools and colleges presented their findings in posters, art and oral presentations.
The judges do not know the topics that they are evaluating beforehand in order to see how well the students can explain their research to someone outside of their departments. These presentations were judged by faculty, graduate students, alumni, and staff volunteers.
Outstanding presentation winners this year are:
- Preston Burdett (Chemistry)
- Elizabeth Lappano (Theatre)
- Nathan Ebersole (Psychology)
- Kendyl Froberg (Communication Sciences and Disorders)
- Julia Egly (Kinesiology)
- Madisyn Adelman (Biomedical Engineering)
- Jessica Kania (Psychology)
- Kelsey Sponholz (Biological Sciences)
- Ivan Martin (Nursing)
- David Marsella (Materials Science & Engineering)
- Charles Rojas (Linguistics)
- Terra Johnson (Geosciences)
- Liam Farin (History)
- Florin Saitis (Biological Sciences)
- Nicholas Richards (Psychology)
- Ashley Hale (Film Studies)
- Harleen Tewatia (Biological Sciences)
- Emlyn Swardenski (Biomedical Engineering)
- Anna Lutz (Civil & Environmental Engineering)
- William Zickler (Computer Sciences)
- Aniket Singh (Mathematics & Natural Sciences)
- Amelia Scheiber (Biological Sciences)
