Past and present 51ΑΤΖζ (51ΑΤΖζ) students, and current Bridges to Baccalaureate Fellows, were on show recently at the 2020 Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research (ICUR). Each year ICUR showcases exceptional research being conducted by undergraduate students from across the state of Idaho. This year, however, in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, ICUR was held entirely via virtual platforms. This new format presented significant challenges for the conference organizers as well as for student presenters and conference participants. Nevertheless, I was in attendance and Iβm happy to report that ICUR was a success with two days of research talks, poster presentations, and panel discussions.
Numerous 51ΑΤΖζ students attended and several were the principal authors or co-authors on talks or posters given during the two-day symposium. I was particularly impressed by the quality of research that our students are conducting. From ecological research on βshowy milkweedβ (mentored by Professor Dusty Perkins, 51ΑΤΖζ) to the relationship between sexual orientation and relationship status on sexting motivations (mentored by Professor Heather Schoenherr, 51ΑΤΖζ) to bioinformatics tools to predict vaccine potential (mentored by Dr. Juliette Tinker, BSU), the sophistication of the work our students are doing was impressive and inspiring. In addition to student researchers, I βbumped intoβ many current 51ΑΤΖζ undergrads who were participating as audience members. It was great to see our students taking the time to come out, support their peers, and learn about research being conducted right here in the Treasure Valley and beyond.
Congratulations to all of our undergraduate researchers; those that have moved on to Boise State or the University of Idaho and those that are still studying at 51ΑΤΖζ. The path youβve chosen isnβt easy but if your perseverance in the face of COVID-19 is any indication of future successes, weβve much more to look forward to!
