Students, faculty present research at NCUR

By Kayla Pearson
Assistant News Editor

This year UNCP had five students and one faculty member accepted to present oral and poster presentations at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research held at Salisbury University in Maryland from April 10-12.

Students include William Baxley, Lisa Walters, Ashley Clark, Jacqueline Kerr and Hannah Woriax.

Subjects of interest are biology, microbiology, chemistry and literature.

Dr. Timothy Ritter was selected to present his project titled “The Complete Undergraduate Research Experience Inspired by NASA’s Microgravity University.”

According to his abstract, this project tracks the results, lessons and experiences from a multidisciplinary, multi-campus undergraduate microgravity research program.

The application process started in October when the participants submitted abstracts to the conference. These abstracts were reviewed and then accepted in early February.

Students at UNCP have participated in the conference for three years. They come up with the topic and work with faculty members in conducting research.

“We encourage students to go to discipline conferences, but this is a more friendly audience. You have thousands of undergrads presenting,” said Dr. Lee Phillips, associate director of the Pembroke Undergraduate Research and Creativity Center.

The mission of the NCUR is to promote undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity done in partnership with faculty and other mentors as a component of higher education.

The conference happens annually and attracts a national audience of undergraduate students and faculty.

“It brings them together to present research in a student friendly setting and provides students the opportunity to gain experience presenting work to an unfamiliar audience,” Dr. Phillips said.