University of Wisconsin–Superior students recently participated in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), held April 7–9 in Pittsburgh. The annual event promotes undergraduate research, scholarship and creative work in all academic fields, bringing together students from across the country.

Presenting a Wide Range of Research

This year’s UW-Superior participants presented projects spanning the sciences, humanities and arts. Most students shared their work through poster sessions, with one oral presentation by Usman Ahmad.

Student presenters and research topics included:

Usman Ahmad – External Debt and Economic Growth: A Cross-Country Analysis on South Asia

Tasneem Aidabi – Mathematical Analysis of Kaleidoscopes in at Least Two Dimensions

Erkhemtugs Bayar-Ochir – Wireless Personal Pulse Oximeter with Bluetooth

Hailie Evans – One Condemning Decision: Reader-Perpetuated Trauma and Misrepresentation of Helen of Troy and Chaucer’s Criseyde

Rose French – Investigation of Bioactive Compounds Derived from Cinnamon and Vanilla

Addison Holck – Synthesis of Eugenol Derivatives and Evaluation of Their Bioactivity

Elysabeth Lough – Relationship Between Big Five Traits and Movie Genre Preferences

Elroee Sirak – Hailu Real-Time Solar-Event Calculation Device

A Platform for Discovery and Dialogue

NCUR provides students with opportunities to present in a variety of formats – including oral presentations, posters, visual art and performing arts – while encouraging cross-disciplinary exploration.

“The most important aspect of NCUR is how it showcases research as a vital skill for both career and civic readiness,” said Ilsa Hoeschen, senior partnerships officer and director of the Link Center. “Our students represent UW-Superior with pride, curiosity and confidence. It’s truly a celebration of their hard work and a glimpse into the impact they’ll make beyond campus.”

Student Experience: Learning Beyond the Classroom

For Evans, a senior from Proctor, Minnesota, double majoring in English and writing, the experience was both intellectually rewarding and personally meaningful.

“The days fly by and leave you exhausted after hours of thinking, learning, conversing, standing, and wandering the city,” she said. “It’s also an amazing opportunity to connect with people who genuinely care about the ‘why’ of your research. You always find someone who wants to dig deeper with you, and it’s fascinating to discover connections between your work and others’.”

Conversations That Matter

Evans emphasized how the conference broadened her academic perspective by exposing her to fields she doesn’t typically engage with in her coursework.

“I most enjoyed getting to talk to other people about their projects,” she said. “Everyone at this conference is equally passionate about their research and their reasons for their research. There are amazing things happening in fields that I don’t exposure to on a day-to-day basis. The conference allowed me to have one-on-one conversations with other researchers, which helped me understand their projects and explore how those ideas might grow in the future.”

Looking Ahead: Building Skills for the Future

Beyond showcasing research, NCUR offers valuable career development and networking opportunities. Students meet peers and faculty from across the country, explore graduate programs and professional pathways and hone their presentation and communication skills.

“It’s a great conference for meeting other passionate students and having thoughtful, interdisciplinary conversations,” Evans added. “You leave with a deeper appreciation for other fields and fresh inspiration for your own academic journey.”

About NCUR

Hosted annually at rotating universities, the National Conference on Undergraduate Research fosters a national community of scholars. The event promotes excellence in student research and offers a unique opportunity to celebrate undergraduate achievement across all disciplines – from biomedical sciences and engineering to fine arts and social sciences.