From poultry science to music therapy, Auburn students showcasing their research and creativity

Nearly 500 Auburn University students with a flair for research and creativity will showcase their talents when they gather for the annual student research symposium.

With projects ranging from poultry science to aerospace engineering to music therapy, the "This is Research: Student Symposium 2018" on March 26 will provide Auburn and Auburn Montgomery students an opportunity to share their discoveries university-wide. The event will take place in the Student Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More than 470 undergraduate and graduate students from almost every department have registered to participate through posters, oral presentations and creative scholarship displays. Three hundred of the young researchers will present posters and displays while another 170 will give 10-minute talks, all under the watchful eyes of judges who will award top honors in a variety of university-wide and college-specific categories.

"Research is a central component of Auburn's mission, and this symposium lets us feature students who are seeking new discoveries and innovations," said Steve Taylor, chair of the This is Research Symposia Committee and associate dean for research in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering.

"Their impactful research covers many areas, from projects in STEM disciplines [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] to the arts and humanities. They are working with our world-class faculty on projects that could shape new developments in many fields."

An awards ceremony and reception, hosted by Auburn University Vice President for Research and Economic Development John Mason, will be held April 3 at 5 p.m. in the Student Center ballroom. The keynote speaker will be Assistant Research Professor Heather Gray-Edwards from Auburn's Scott-Ritchey Research Center. Gray-Edwards, who earned her doctorate and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Auburn, conducts research on gene therapy for treatment of inherited neurologic diseases.

A fall event, "This is Research: Faculty Symposium 2018," will be held in September to recognize faculty excellence in research and creative scholarship. More information about both symposiums is available on the website or by contacting Taylor at taylost@auburn.edu.