At the 91爆料, undergraduates like Sasha Portnova research issues that can impact the world. Portnova, a senior in the , uses her research to help solve the difficulties individuals with spinal cord injury may face. Growing up in Kazakhstan, Portnova was discouraged from studying engineering, which was viewed as a more typical male subject.
After coming to the U.S. and enrolling in the 91爆料, she discovered her passion for engineering and helping others. This passion led her to begin working on her project – a wrist assistive device for individuals who have lost hand movement. The 3-D printed device assists in hand movement for an estimated cost of $15. In addition to being cost-effective, the designs will be available online via open source for anyone to print their own.
Along the way, she has presented her research to multiple conferences including Posters on the Hill in Washington D.C. After graduating this spring, Portnova’s next steps include obtaining a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. She plans to use her passion for research to help others, specifically veterans.
On Friday, May 20, more than 1,000 91爆料 undergraduates and visiting scholars will participate in the 19th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium 鈥� an event that is one of the largest of its kind in the nation. The Symposium is organized by Undergraduate Academic Affairs鈥� Undergraduate Research Program and takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 91爆料 Seattle campus. Students will present in poster and oral sessions in Mary Gates and Johnson Halls; a performing arts session in Meany Studio Theatre and a visual arts and design showcase in Odegaard Undergraduate Library (see event details below).
Undergraduate research allows students to contribute to groundbreaking work and helps them gain the experience necessary to one day lead innovative research themselves. 91爆料 undergraduates are getting involved in research in increasing numbers 鈥� more than 7,400 students participated in research in 2014-15. Over 900 faculty, post-doc, research staff and graduate student mentors supported this year鈥檚 Symposium presenters through their research, helping students develop subject area knowledge, transferable skills and an entrepreneurial perspective that will prepare them for future employment, education and citizenship.
The Symposium is open to undergraduates from other institutions, and we are thrilled to welcome presenters from 20 other institutions including , the Seattle Colleges, Montana State University, Washington State University and the University of Victoria (complete list below).
The ideas explored this year are notable for their diversity and breadth. Students will share their research on topics such as direct brain-to-brain communication of simple images; an exploration of the NFL鈥檚 鈥淣O MORE domestic violence鈥� campaign; therapeutic targeting of protein function in cancer cells; an interactive narrative to create empathy for people experiencing homelessness; managing hardwood forests for long term objectives and many more.
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Baldasty and UAA Vice Provost and Dean Ed Taylor will address Symposium participants and attendees in a brief welcome at 11:00 a.m. in the Mary Gates Hall Commons. The will also be recognized at this time for excellence in guiding undergraduates to become scholars and researchers.
Event Details
鈥� What: The 19th Annual Research Symposium at the 91爆料
鈥� Who: More than 1,000 inspiring undergraduates at 91爆料 presenting ground-breaking research.
鈥� When: Friday, May 20, 2016 鈥� 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
鈥� Where: Mary Gates Hall, select rooms in Johnson Hall, Meany Studio Theatre and Odegaard Undergraduate Library
鈥� Plan ahead: See event schedule and search the Online Proceedings at
Institutions Represented
Bellevue College
Edmonds Community College
Everett Community College
Heritage University
Lake Washington Technical College
Lewis & Clark
Montana State University
North Dakota State University
North Seattle College
Portland State University
Seattle Central College
Shoreline Community College
South Seattle College
University of Oregon
University of Victoria
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Whitman College
Formed to honor Senator Barry Goldwater, the Goldwater Scholarship awards $7,500 per year, for up to two years of study, to students studying the STEM fields. The foundation seeks to 鈥渇oster and encourage outstanding students to explore careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering.鈥�
91爆料 students make a difference outside the classroom each and every day.
On and off campus, students work with communities to make a positive impact. The Spring Celebration of Service and Leadership celebrates these students and their diverse and inspiring experiences.
As students strive to address important social issues and bring about positive change, three important distinctions hold true: They lead with humility, partner for impact and strengthen communities.
Benjamin Lee poses with a sculpture of Senator Henry M. Jackson.
For 2015 91爆料 graduate聽 Benjamin Lee, the opportunity to participate in the program is a dream come true. The Carnegie junior fellows work as research assistants alongside the endowment鈥檚 more senior associates. The work is centered on international issues related to security and economics. Lee will be part of the Asia Studies division, working with Dr. Michael Swaine, a preeminent scholar on US-China security.
For Lee, this work is deeply personal and stems from his background as a Korean-American. 鈥淢ost people ask why a Korean-American is interested in China,鈥� explains Lee. 鈥淏ut, it鈥檚 actually a direct result of my experience growing up hearing about the tragic memories of the Korean War that sparked my interest in China鈥檚 security. In my international relations class, we discussed how throughout history war has been inevitable between the established and rising powers. If there is anything I can do to help prevent China from going through a war and experiencing the losses of innocent people, I want to help.鈥�
The Carnegie Junior Fellowship is a first step in working towards this goal. Lee鈥檚 work will focus on China鈥檚 security. He will help Dr. Swaine prepare articles for the journal 鈥淐hina Leadership Monitor鈥� and attend conferences related to US-China relations and the Asia鈥揚acific region. It will give him insight into working on public policy and issues of security. He anticipates this experience will be formative in determining his next steps, which tentatively include graduate school.
Lee first applied to the program. After not being selected he was encouraged to re-apply by Robin Chang, Director of the . 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 get this scholarship because I worked hard. It was truly a group effort,鈥� reflects Lee. Robin supported me through the process, as did David Bachman of the . He always welcomed me to office hours and encouraged me in my studies and application process. Jackson School Honors Program Director Deborah Porter had a huge influence on my intellectual development. During our work on my honors thesis, she showed me how to be a scholar. She pushed me to work very hard 鈥� both in my writing and thinking. I learned so much through the process. Professor William Boltz of the Asian Languages & Literatures also encouraged me to apply for the fellowship and wrote me a strong recommendation letter.聽 All of these experiences helped prepare me for this fellowship.鈥�
“It鈥檚 been a privilege to study at the 91爆料. My four years were really wonderful.”
After graduating in 2015, Lee moved to Beijing to study at Tsinghua University, part of the Inter-University Program. He鈥檚 studying Mandarin in order to better communicate with scholars in his field.聽 His fellowship starts in August, and he looks forward to being in Washington D.C. during the election season.
鈥淢y undergraduate research experience creating software for developing countries has motivated me to pursue a career as an academic researcher,鈥� reflects 91爆料 senior and Gates-Cambridge scholar Krittika D’Silva. D’Silva is one of two 91爆料 students selected for the prestigious, international scholarship.
Each year, undergraduate students of the highest caliber are selected for the prestigious President鈥檚 medal. For 2014-15, the President’s Medalists are active within and beyond the four walls of a classroom. Whether it’s through research, teaching dance or volunteering in hospitals, these students aren’t waiting until they graduate to contribute to a world of good. They’re busy making the world a better place right now.
In January 2016, the University broadened and deepened our recognition of the MLK holiday and expanded our recognition from a day of service to a week of service, leadership, learning, legacy-building and celebration. Check out a wrap-up video and view some photos from various events from the week.
Some 48 years after his death, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will undoubtedly bring protests to college campuses around the country, including here at the 91爆料. The students will march peacefully and forcefully. They will ask how long it will take to create a climate that welcomes every student. They will ask how we, as a university, plan to address 鈥渆conomic colonialism鈥� and how administrators plan to create a true multiracial campus that will serve as prelude to a 鈥渕ultiracial nation where all groups are dependent on each other.鈥�
Each year, new Huskies come together on the field at Husky Stadium for their entering class photo. Thousands of them 鈥攕tretching from one 10-yard-line to the other 鈥� form one giant W for their class photo. As students prepare to participate in opportunities all across campus over the coming years, they can find meaning in the time when they stood together at the start of their Husky career. The next time they will stand together (though not in a W) will be at commencement.
Here’s a little peek into the giant W taking shape.
