Undergraduates Highlight Findings

The Impact of Latino Immigration on Native Communities.

Experimental Factors in Phonetic Perception.

Research subjects like those are most commonly explored by graduate students, but the above projects and others were actually conducted by undergraduate students.

More than 70 undergraduate students presented their findings from their original research projects this weekend to students, faculty and members of the community.

The research findings were unveiled during the third annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research, which took place Friday afternoon in the Graham Memorial building.

Freshmen through seniors represented departments ranging from chemistry and medical science to psychology and economics with poster displays, oral presentations and performances.

Patricia Pukkila, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, said the research symposium serves two distinct purposes for students.

"From a student perspective, the symposium helps you synthesize what you've done and also communicate your findings to your peers," Pukkila said.

Pukkila said the research projects were mostly conducted in various science departments like chemistry and biology but that she is happy many other disciplines were featured.

"All research starts with an idea -- it is facilitated by a creative act and shaped by discipline," Pukkila said. "It is important that disciplines not normally recognized for research, such as social sciences and dramatic art, get this opportunity to show their work."

Senior Ryan Newton, who gave a 10-minute presentation on her project, titled "Charming Our Migrants in Fortress Europe: Understanding the Changing Role of Migration in Morocco's Economic and Development Strategy," said providing the opportunity for undergraduates to pursue research is important.

"Now I have a lot of experience going into graduate school as far as research and design goes," said Newton, an international studies major. "This has prepared me to tackle more research in the future."

For her project, Newton spent last summer in Morocco studying the impact of immigration on economic development and interviewing people who were preparing to migrate.

Newton said professors and school officials should encourage all undergraduates to attempt some kind of research.

"I think it is the University's responsibility to inform students about research possibilities and encourage their individual work," she said.

"It is really important to get students involved because it's a step ahead for the future."

Pukkila said research projects, like the ones featured in the symposium, help add to a well-rounded education.

"Here we try to offer the best possible education, and it's an education that focuses primarily on what's known," Pukkila said.

"But if one has only focused on knowledge and not investigation, a fundamental element to education is missing."

Newton said research done during undergraduate years significantly helps students in the future.

"All students who do research early receive a greater understanding about theoretical debates in their fields," she said.

"I am so glad they have this symposium because it encourages others to do research and re-encourages those who conduct research."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.