Sigma Xi Student Research Symposium 2019

Students from all College of Science and Mathematics majors presented the results of their undergraduate and graduate research at the 42nd annual Sigma Xi Student Scientific Research Symposium at Montclair State University on Saturday April 27, 2019. In previous recent years, the meeting had been held in conjunction with a university-wide student symposium, but the 2019 symposium represented a return to a CSAM-focused event.

The symposium was a success by every measure! More than 180 CSAM students presented the results of 100 unique research projects in oral and poster formats. Supported by a very strong turnout by the CSAM department faculty and staff, of whom many were the research mentors and advisors of the student presenters. Welcoming remarks were provided by Dr. Lora Billings, Professor of Mathematical Sciences and Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, and by Dr. John Gaynor, Professor of Biology and President of the Montclair State Sigma Xi chapter.

I think it’s important to hold events like these to encourage cross disciplinary communication. I find that I get my best ideas or modes of thought from other fields or industries. It was also great to be able to talk to some of my past professors and ask about progress on their research. I am starting a PhD program next fall at Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in biomedical science so this was a great opportunity for me to have before the end of my undergraduate career.

Students presented posters in two sessions throughout the Center for Environmental and Life Sciences building (CELS) with morning sunlight of the clear day radiating through the eastern windows of the atrium. An oral session was scheduled between the two poster sessions, with students presenting in the many digitally mediated teaching spaces of the CELS building. There was even a live research drone flight launched from the CELS patio!

The symposium concluded with a certificate ceremony. Participating students were presented with a formal certificate from the Montclair State University Sigma Xi chapter. Each student was individually recognized and congratulated by Dean Billings and Sigma Xi President Gaynor. Through their participation in this event, all students also became eligible to join Sigma Xi!

Thank you to all students who presented their work, and to all the faculty mentors who made the research experiences possible!