U.Va.’s College Science Scholars To Present Research in Oct. 17 Symposium

Eleven of the University of Virginia’s most promising young scientists will present their research Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. in Gilmer Hall, room 141.

The College Science Scholars Fall Research Symposium will feature oral presentations by six students, and poster presentations from five others, on topics in biology, environmental sciences, chemistry and astronomy, such as using luminescence to detect lead concentration in water.

Refreshments will be served at the free public event.

The College Science Scholars program, created in 2003 by the College of Arts & Sciences, gives a small group of select undergraduates direct access to U.Va.’s top math and science laboratory research faculty and facilities.

Selected during admission to the University or after the first year of undergraduate studies, the scholars work closely with a faculty mentor and adviser in their fields of interest, putting them on the fast track to doing laboratory research as part of a U.Va. research lab or group. All scholars are expected to be part of a research lab team by the end of their second year, and may join a team as early as their first semester.

The annual Fall Research Symposium showcases the scholars’ research.

The scholars are expected to major in one of the nine science or math majors available in the College: astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental sciences, mathematics, physics, psychology and statistics.

The program has graduated about 120 students since 2003, and there are currently 91 scholars, including 21 new first-year students, said Karen Schmidt, an associate professor of psychology and program co-director along with Howie Epstein, an associate professor of environmental sciences, and Jim Demas, a professor of chemistry. In May 2102, almost 80 percent of all students in the program reported receiving an honor, award or fellowship while at U.Va.

First-year scholars take a special two-semester seminar class where they meet internationally renowned science and math faculty, hear talks on issues at the forefront of science and tour state-of-the-art research laboratories.