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Summer Program for Undergraduate Research

spur

Scientific Research Matters

MVNU's Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) exists to allow MVNU students the opportunity to conduct faculty-mentored scientific research. This is important because undergraduate research is a high-impact practice that not only contributes to learning but also student retention, graduation rates, and acceptance into graduate and professional programs.

SPUR requires students to complete 8 weeks of faculty-mentored research, submit a summary report, present a poster during MVNU's Homecoming activities, and present orally during MVNU's spring symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creative Works (sURC).

2022 -- First Summer of Research

In its inaugural year, six faculty members in biology, chemistry, computer science, physics and engineering conducted research with 12 students.

Projects included investigations of:

  • A design of a sensor for assessing human brain motion during concussive events
  • Freshwater aquatic insects
  • Factors affecting membrane permeability
  • Degradation and corrosion processes of zirconia
  • Automatic generation of reaction networks on metal nanoparticles
  • Improvements in computer-based identification of obstructed images
Students presented their research and findings at Homecoming and during the spring symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creative Works. Some students even presented their work at professional conferences in their fields!

2023 -- Demand for Research Doubles

Our students were excited to participate in SPUR. In fact, this year we had over twice as many applications as 2022!

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