Students show vitality of undergrad research (and Research Paper)

By Emily Posner '04

Undergraduate research at Cornell is thriving. That was the clear message from three recent campus events that gave students the opportunity to present their expertise in everything from Cuban drumming to the craving for chocolate.

The 19th annual Cornell Undergraduate Research Board (CURB) Spring Forum was held Sunday, April 25, in the Kennedy Hall atrium. CURB is a student organization that fosters academic excellence by promoting undergraduate research at Cornell.

The program consisted of an oral session with 10 presenters, a poster session with 35 presenters and a keynote talk by Steven Strogatz, Cornell professor of theoretical and applied mathematics and author of the recent book Sync. "We are all here today because we have the same disease," Strogatz told the audience. "That disease is an appreciation for the thrill of research. I urge you to fall in love with your research."

Research presentations included "Ecology as Art: An Exploration in Urban Ecologies," by Anna Johansen '04, and "Chocolate Cravings in American and Spanish Individuals: Biological and Cultural Influences," by Jamie Osman '05.

Laurel Southard, director of undergraduate research in the Office of Undergraduate Biology, received the Marilyn Emmons Williams Award for her significant contributions to undergraduate research at Cornell.

Rachel Hutt '05, one of the student poster presenters representing all seven Cornell colleges, said, "This is a great opportunity to see the wide variety of research that goes on outside of my major and college."

At a poster session on April 17, 60 seniors in the Cornell Presidential Research Scholars (CPRS) program presented their research in the Biotechnology Building atrium. The CPRS program encourages students to conduct research throughout their undergraduate career by providing them with up to $10,000 in support.

"The poster session gives seniors a chance to showcase all the hard work they have put into their research," explained program director Beth Reynolds. "It is also a chance for prospective students to learn more about the scholarship program."

"The CPRS program was really a door-opener for me," said Alaina Steck '04. "Without it, I wouldn't have engaged in research so early or so intently."

Brian Kwoba '04, presented his research on "Rumba," an indigenous musical art form that consists of singing, dancing and drumming. With CPRS funding, he traveled to Cuba to conduct interviews, take drum lessons and observe musical performances. At the session, Kwoba gave advice to younger students: "Given that college is primarily a time to discover yourself, your research process should be directed at doing just that."

Said Neil Mittelman, an incoming freshman, "Now, I am really looking forward to starting my own research when I arrive at Cornell."

On Friday, April 23, about 200 students, faculty and parents were on the second floor of Mann Library to celebrate the second anniversary of The Research Paper: Cornell's Undergraduate Research Magazine. Also present were the student researchers featured in the journal's fifth issue, edited and written by 80 staff members. "I was surprised that so many people read our magazine," said Ali Wadsworth '06, coordinator of the journal's newly launched Web site (http://www.rso.cornell.edu/research). "I really look forward to watching the magazine's success grow even further now."

"The concept of The Research Paper is unique," explained design editor Peter Flynn '04. "It gives undergraduates a great feeling to be in the spotlight for their research and to participate in writing about other undergraduates who do exciting work."

Said managing editor Jack Cognetta '06, "This event successfully upheld our mission and vision to humanize research and unite the Cornell research community through this magazine."

Emily Posner is founder and editor-in-chief of The Research Paper.