
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821, scarr@unm.edu
March 7, 2006
3rd Annual UNM Celebration of Undergraduate Research Symposium is April 12
Undergraduate researchers invited to show their stuff; deadline to register is March 31
The University of New Mexico 's PROFOUND ( Program of Research Opportunities FOr UNDergraduates) office will showcase undergraduate research at its 3rd Annual UNM Celebration of Undergraduate Research Symposium on Wednesday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Student Union Building Ballrooms.
“UNM's faculty members have mentored undergraduate research students who have gone on to achieve wonderful things and obtain positions of great responsibility in industry, government and in academia,” said Rob Duncan, associate dean, College of Arts and Sciences and professor in the physics and astronomy department. “Our celebration will feature many of these success stories.”
In addition to the research presentations, the event will feature a keynote address by John Solenberger, a distinguished UNM alumnus who has achieved outstanding professional recognition for his work at the DuPont Corporation in Delaware .
Students can register online to participate in the Celebration on the PROFOUND Web site at: www.unm.edu/~profound/. The registration deadline is March 31. The research symposium is intended to feature research conducted in any discipline by any undergraduate and any department at UNM. Undergraduate students from main or branch campuses are welcomed and encouraged to apply. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top student posters at 2 p.m. in the ballrooms.
First prize winners in each of the four divisions -- biological sciences, humanities, engineering and social sciences -- will also be eligible to present their work at the 'Posters on the Hill' program on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. It is sponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) and viewed by members of Congress and other federal government personnel and the general public. PROFOUND will pay the winning student and mentor's travel costs to attend this event in Washington, D.C., if selected by the CUR.
Last year, Gwyn Sprouls, who took top student honors in the biological sciences category at the 2nd Annual UNM Celebration of Undergraduate Research Symposium, won the opportunity to present her research at the 'Posters on the Hill' program. Her research studied the biomechanics of speech impairment through oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.
For the first time this year, students will also be able to apply for research funding. “ PROFOUND has had three years of groundbreaking program development,” said Theresa López, PROFOUND program coordinator. “ This year, we are again breaking ground in the form of research stipends awarded through the program.” PROFOUND will begin accepting applications in April from students who are not funded by grant money. More information will be available on the PROFOUND website in early April.
The mission of the PROFOUND office is to serve as a comprehensive program at UNM to advance undergraduate research university wide. It was established in 2003 by five UNM administrative offices including: Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Dean of the School of Engineering ; the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs; the Vice President for Research and Economic Development; and Vice President for Student Affairs.
For more information contact Theresa López at (505) 277-0528 or via e-mail at: tlopez@unm.edu.
The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.
www.unm.edu