What's cool about being a NURD? Undergraduate research conference showcases significant student contributions

More than 240 students from 39 different colleges will flock to the University of New England’s Biddeford Campus to present their work at the Northeast Undergraduate Research and Development Symposium (NURDS) on March 7–8, 2015.

Initially funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), NURDS affords students the opportunity to share their independent research in front of an audience before submitting it to publications. Although NURDS originally focused on science, technology, engineering and math disciplines, students in the humanities and social sciences were also invited to participate.

This year’s highly anticipated keynote speaker is Randy Olson, a marine scientist-turned Hollywood filmmaker and author. He will present work from his most recent book on science communication and will run a workshop for students on effective presentation and storytelling.

Markus Frederich, Ph.D., associate professor of Marine Science at UNE, faculty advisor for NURDS says, “At UNE, our students are encouraged to pursue active research as part of their academic education. The NURDS conference provides an outlet for them to become real scientists and present their work, which often is truly innovative science, in front of an audience of peers.“

NURDS 2015 is supported by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). The Suffolk University Undergraduate Affiliate Network of ASBMB will sponsor the society’s undergraduate regional meeting at NURDS and will award up to four travel awards worth $500 to the national ASBMB meeting.