By: Sophia O’Brien

School of Biological Sciences hosted a very rewarding Research Night on Thursday, October 5th. Research Night was an opportunity for faculty and undergraduate students to come together to find shared research interests. The night included five faculty presentations as well as free pizza and mingling between faculty and undergrads. The faculty who presented was Dave Evans, Erica Crespi, Joanna Kelly, Jesse Brunner, and Wes Dowd.

Undergraduate research experience is a priority at SBS as a R1 PAC 12 research school. Students were interested in learning how to get started in research labs and the first steps that need to be taken.

“Undergraduates contribute immensely to my research programs looking at how the environment affects early development. Having undergrads in my research lab benefits myself, but also the students because it helps teach them how to think critically. I have had many undergrad students as co-authors on my papers and then go off and do great things,” said Dr. Crespi.

Since the first Research Night had such a successful turnout of about 50 students, there will be another Research Night sometime in the near future. It will be bigger with more faculty lab presentations, and different research opportunities.