NCUR 2019 at Kennesaw State – Day 3

KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 13, 2019

Get caught up on conference action

Kennesaw State University is hosting the 2019 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). This live blog takes a look inside the conference that brings more than 4,600 participants to the KSU campus. For more from the conference, take a look at the NCUR Day 1 Live Blog and NCUR Day 2 Live Blog.

4/13/19, 1:30 p.m.

Worn-out attendees have shared research, met new friends and strengthened their network over the last three days. A big thank you to all of the student researchers and faculty for making the trek to Kennesaw State and allowing us to share a little of our Southern hospitality. It's a wrap at Kennesaw State for NCUR 2019!

4/13/19, 1:25 p.m.

As NCUR 2019 comes to an end, take a look at some highlights from the final day of the conference:

4/13/19, 12:15 p.m.

K.C. Martin, principal program manager of plans and roadmaps for Skunk Works, the mobility directorate of Lockheed Martin, gave the final NCUR plenary session.

“We don’t try to fail, but we do fail a lot,” Martin said. His organization is responsible for developing and building some of the world’s most innovative airplanes, including the stealth fighter and the X-35. “Going faster is how we are going to move forward in the future.”

“Failures taught us more than any success we had. We learned so much from those mistakes, but we are now leading the world in supersonic research,” Martin added.

And his final note to NCUR participants: The best idea will always win.

4/13/19, 10:50 a.m.

Rachael Cundey is a sophomore at Georgia College. This chemistry student's research focuses on a treatment for Alzheimers. Rachel says that ultimately she wants to pursue an M.D.-Ph.D.

4/13/19, 10:45 a.m.

Sometimes, last-minute advice from your faculty advisor is essential.

4/13/19, 10:34 a.m.

Kennesaw State University chemistry major Erin Cureau jokes and says that the key to a great poster is the title. "The harder it is for people to understand, the more likely they are to come up to you and ask you about your research." Erin is a senior and says that she has found her passion. She plans to continue her career as a researcher.

4/13/19, 10:26 a.m.

Jordyn Upton of Northern Arizona University is sharing her research on wombats with a group of students. Jordan has enjoyed the variety of events at NCUR and found the petting zoo to be a great place to lessen stress.

4/13/19, 10:19 a.m.

Makenzie Postma, a senior from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, is a first-time NCUR attendee. A biology and Spanish major with a minor in psychology, Makenzie said that what makes NCUR different from other conferences is the focus on students engaging with students about their research. After graduation, Makenzie will be joining AmeriCorps.

4/13/19, 10:15 a.m.

University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh scholar Khaila Miles-Semons shares her research on the history of sisterhood between black and white women. Khaila says that what she has enjoyed most about her NCUR experience has been exchanging ideas with other students who share her research interests. Noting that it's snowing at home, Khaila also said that she's enjoying the warmer Georgia weather.

4/13/19, 10:10 a.m.

Pontian Adogamhe of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, center, had plenty of support during his oral presentation on malaria severity in Ugandan children. This is Adogamhe's first dive into medical research, but his second time at NCUR.

4/13/19, 9:54 a.m.

Fourth-year Georgia Tech student Sarah Blust is participating in her first NCUR. The Michigan native plans to stay at Georgia Tech for a few months after graduation to further her research before she begins a job at Procter & Gamble.

4/13/19, 9:48 a.m.

Student scholars engage in a conversation around Jenna Wasarhelyi from Susquehanna University. Her research focuses on the effect parent attachment and parenting styles has on where students decide to go to college.

4/13/19, 9:44 a.m.

Head chef Brian Jones sets up for lunch on the Campus Green – the final meal at NCUR.

4/13/19, 9:40 a.m.

Poster presentations are still a popular place to be for NCUR attendees.

4/13/19, 9:16 a.m.

Ashley Jones of Northern Arizona University has conducted research for most of her undergraduate years, and when she met Courtney Cameron of the University of Georgia, also doing research in the agriculture field, they instantly bonded. This is their first time at NCUR. "Everyone is just so curious about research," said Jones. Cameron, who has been doing research since high school, added that her NCUR experience is "like having a giant support group."

4/13/19, 8:45 a.m.

"I didn't realize how tough the questions from people would be about my research," said Aldo Montes-Sanchez of the University of California - Merced, who worked on the John Muir Geotourism app. "I haven't traveled outside of my state much, and I have enjoyed seeing the different projects from all different places. This conference is fascinating!"

4/13/19, 8:40 a.m.

Benjamin Foreman from Albright College in Reading, Pa. got the morning started with his presentation mapping the consumer profile of the recreational fishing industry.