NAU–Yuma Lumberjacks make Student Research Symposium debut
On Tuesday, March 26, the NAU–Yuma community convened at the AWC Schoening Center for its inaugural Student Research Symposium.
The event featured presentations by over 150 students from a variety of subject areas, including nursing, social work, engineering, and more. Presenters displayed poster boards with their research projects and helped attendees consume the information.
NAU–Yuma Campus Executive Officer and Associate Vice President Dr. Michael Sabath told the Yuma Sun that the institution hopes to make the symposium “an annual affair.”
“It’s our debut, and we hope to make it an annual affair. It really is the first time we’ve moved to extend the university’s research mission to our students in Yuma, so we’re really hoping that it encourages our students and gives them a source of encouragement to go on in higher education and in different career paths,” he shared.
During his opening remarks, Sabath added that the event is “intended to engage students in the research mission of the university and provide students with an opportunity to share and showcase their ideas, discovery, and scholarly creativity.”
Emma White, a mechanical engineering student who participated in the Student Research Symposium, discussed the opportunity.
“I think it’s really cool to be here, and it’s great that it’s the first one. We’re getting more involved with research and bringing more things to Yuma. A lot of our programs are pretty small, so getting them out there and getting more people involved is nice,” she told the Yuma Sun.
With the event lasting from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., there were plenty of opportunities for community members to pour in and get a look at what the local NAU–Yuma Lumberjacks have been researching.
By Nick Fenley, Sun Staff Writer