Undergraduate Research Symposium

SD EPSCoR hosts an annual research symposium to highlight undergraduate research in South Dakota.

Undergraduate STEM students, faculty and industry experts from institutions across the state will gather in person 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, at the Best Western PLUS Ramkota Hotel (3200 W Maple St) in Sioux Falls to participate in the 2023 tenth annual SD EPSCoR Undergraduate Research Symposium.

The symposium will bring together undergraduate students involved in the NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 project and other National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs in South Dakota to give their required research presentations.

This annual event provides students the experience of participating in a real scientific meeting that includes a poster session, professional development and numerous opportunities for networking. The symposium also promotes South Dakota’s graduate programs and STEM employment opportunities.

View the agenda.

New! View the Event Booklet.

Students

• Students should first register using this form.
• Abstract (see requirements, below) and lunch conversation table choices (deadline of Friday, July 14)

Audience

• Non-students (advisors, family, friends) should register using this form.

Requirements for Abstracts

• 300 words or fewer
• Contain the context and background information necessary to frame your research.
• Explain the goals of your research. Tell the audience why it is important and relevant.
• Briefly describe the research methods used.
• Add a description of your results along with any relevant data that your audience needs.
• End with a summary of the implications of the study.

Easels and poster boards will be provided for posters. To ensure your poster fits on our boards, please limit poster size to 3’ x 4’ (36” x 48”), landscape orientation. You must print and bring your poster with you.

Lodging

Call 1-605-336-0650 to ask for the SD EPSCoR block of rooms at our Sioux Falls location to get the state rate (for reimbursement). Reserve ASAP. Students: If you require lodging in Sioux Falls, please check with your research advisor first.

• Best Western PLUS Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls (3200 W Maple St, Sioux Falls; 605-336-0650) Continental breakfast, indoor and outdoor pools, and a fitness center

About the Undergraduate Research Symposium

The SD EPSCoR Undergraduate Research Symposium was established in 2014. It brings together undergraduate students participating in South Dakota’s National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) programs and the REU components of the state’s NASA and DOE EPSCoR and NIH EPSCoR-like programs.

The REU programs provide STEM undergraduate students with the opportunity to participate in a ten-week research experience where they conduct research under the guidance of university faculty. These experiences provide students with the opportunity to gain real-life independent research experience, strengthen their presentation skills, network with other student and faculty researchers, learn about the opportunities for graduate fellowship support from NSF and other federal agencies and learn more about South Dakota’s graduate programs.

The Undergraduate Research Symposium is hosted annually by SD EPSCoR. It is the outgrowth of an idea initially proposed by Dr. Mike West (South Dakota School of Mines and Technology). Since it was first convened, it has grown to include more than 250 attendees and 150 student research presentations.

The 2022 ninth annual SD EPSCoR Undergraduate Research Symposium was Thursday, July 28, at Club 71 on the South Dakota State University campus.

• Agenda
• Booklet with schedule for posters, with the “a” or “p” (for a.m. and p.m.) after the poster number.

Video of Group 1 — Chemistry
	
Video of Group 2 — Computational Analysis
 	
Video of Group 3 — Astrobiology
 	
Video of Group 4 — Education
 	 	
Video of Group 6 — Pharmaceutical and Health