CUR Holds 2008 Posters on the Hill Event

Newswise — Nearly eighty college students from across the nation will visit Capitol Hill today to share impressive and varied research projects, which were supported by federal funds, with Members of Congress, their peers, federal agency representatives and others. The Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR) will welcome these students—chosen from hundreds of applicants—at their annual "Posters on the Hill" event.

The event allows lawmakers and federal agencies an opportunity to see what findings and innovations investments in young researchers can yield. CUR executive director Nancy Hensel explains, "Undergraduate research experiences provide students with a conceptual understanding of their disciplines that stretches beyond the classroom. Their work cultivates critical thinking and problem solving skills that transcend disciplinary learning." Lawmakers, industry, educators and others have been calling for federal policies and programs that produce young people with critical thinking and problem solving skills, making this event particularly timely and relevant. The students' research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies, as well as state, local and private sector entities. Students selected to represent their research represent not only four-year institutions but also Community Colleges and exemplify the important work being done by undergraduates.

Manuel Alingog, Hector-Eduardo Mendoza-Solano and Chona May dela Cruz from Southwestern College will be telling lawmakers about Mid-Infrared Spectral Characterization of Volume Holographic Gratings and Nanofabrication of Optical Structures. Hailing from the University of North Carolina at Ashville, Jennifer Gray delved into the history and details of the Second Exemplar of Henry of Ghent's Quodlibet IV and the manuscript's progression over time. Amanda Liesch from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls will be at the event to discuss her research on visual soil structure in three different organic matter treatments. Other students will be presenting similarly diverse and impressive projects that highlight the importance of research opportunities for undergraduates.

"This event is an important opportunity for lawmakers to see how federal programs and dollars make a real difference for these young people and feed interest in research. It has never been more important to cultivate and encourage an interest among young people in research and give them an opportunity to show off the results," said Hensel.

The event will take place in B338-B340 in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill from 5:30 through 7:30pm.

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) supports faculty development for high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. Nearly 500 institutions and 3000 individuals belong to CUR. CUR believes that the best way to capture student interest and create enthusiasm for a discipline is through research in close collaboration with faculty members.