Research Expo offers research connections for UK undergrads

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Photo provided by OUR.
Photo by OUR.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 6, 2024) — The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) will host the 4th biannual Research + Creative Experience Expo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 9, at the Gatton Student Center Social Staircase.

With more than 30 programs participating, the Research + Creative Experience Expo offers students an important opportunity to network and connect with faculty and staff representing the wide diversity of research conducted at UK and learn about both volunteer and funded mentored research opportunities.

“The goal of the Research + Creative Experience Expo is to introduce undergraduates to the diversity of research conducted at UK,” said Chad Risko, Ph.D., faculty director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. “We hope this will be an influential networking opportunity, not only for UK undergraduates as they can immerse themselves in the extraordinary opportunities that the university has to offer, but also for the multitude of research programs that provide distinctive experiential learning activities.”

The event offers a variety of resources and information and brings research mentors and programs seeking applicants together with interested students. By pursuing mentored research, UK undergraduates can immerse themselves in projects to gain experiential “hands-on” learning that is translatable to real-world skills.

“The Research + Creative Experience Expo is a great way to see how much research is happening at the University of Kentucky,” said Connor Stuart, a neuroscience major, Lewis Honors College member and current research ambassador. “Attending the Expo is a great way to connect with faculty conducting research in an area that interests you. There’s so much to see, from science and technology to art and music.”

Students from all majors, backgrounds and skill levels are encouraged to attend and talk with faculty, graduate students and undergraduate research ambassadors to learn about available research experiences.

Students are encouraged to review the list of colleges, departments and research centers attending the Research + Creative Experience Expo online here.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.