Since 1988 more than 15,000 students have participated in high-level research through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program in LSA.
The national award-winning program creates research partnerships between first- and second-year students and U-M faculty and research scientists. All U-M schools and colleges participate, providing a wealth of topics from which a student can choose.
Thousands of alumni have gone on to successful careers using the skills they acquired through UROP.
To celebrate 25 years of success UROP will host a symposium “Celebrating 25 Years of Undergraduate Research: Diversity, Inclusion, Impact” from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 14 at Palmer Commons. The event will feature presentations by educators, alumni and current UROP students. The symposium is free and open to the public but registration is required.
“We are excited to be celebrating UROP’s 25th anniversary in the company of alumni who are faculty members and leaders in their fields, program directors from around the country who have developed programs modeled after UROP, and national experts on undergraduate research,” says Sandra Gregerman, UROP director. “This symposium will highlight the important role undergraduate research plays in the academic success of diverse students at Michigan and on campuses around the country.”
The keynote address will be given by Angela M. Locks, a UROP alumna and assistant professor of student development in higher education at California State University in Long Beach. She will discuss “Broadening Access to and Through Postsecondary Education: Serving the 21st Century College Student.”
Other alumni speakers include Julian Heilig, associate professor of educational policy and planning at the University of Texas, Austin, and Dr. Michelle Sia, residency director and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University.
The morning panel featuring national educational experts will include presentations by Elizabeth Ambos, executive director of the Council on Undergraduate Research; Corby Hovis, program director for the National Science Foundation, Education and Human Resources Directorate; and Kelly Mack, executive director of Project Kaleidoscope at the American Association of Colleges and Universities.
The afternoon alumni panel will include Arthur Brannon III, who is enrolled in the M.D./Ph.D. Medical Scientist Training Program. He is conducting research at the U-M Cancer Center on pancreatic cancer.
U-M students who currently are enrolled in the program will give poster presentations beginning at 3:15 p.m. as well undergraduate research program directors from around the country. A reception will follow the presentations.
