Westchester Undergraduate Research Conference (WURC)

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WURC

The Westchester Undergraduate Research Conference (WURC), sponsored by Manhattanville College and Mercy University, provides opportunities for undergraduate students to present their research--as platform (oral) or poster presentations--on topics in the social behavioral, business, health and/or natural sciences, the liberal arts, or education studies.

Projects submitted must be original and involve scholarly research. They need not be completely finished; ongoing projects and pilot studies will be accepted. Students must be working with a faculty mentor who oversees the project. The selection process will determine whether a student presents in platform or poster format.  Judging will not take place at the conference.

WURC-students

The conference began as a small intra-collegiate student research symposium at Mercy University in 2011, with seed money allocated through a Research Infrastructure in Minority Serving Institutions NIH grant. In 2012 the event was opened to all Westchester and New York City colleges, with Manhattanville College soon joining as a dedicated partner in hosting and promoting a regional forum for undergraduate students from any discipline to present their research. The event has grown to host students from well over a dozen local area colleges and close to a hundred student presenters. The event has included keynote speakers, such as associate professor of philosophy and healthcare ethics Dr. Dien Ho (Love in the Time of Antibiotic Resistance), forensic archaeologist Scott C. Warnasch (Who was the Woman in the Iron Coffin?), Mercy University Provost Dr. José Herrera (Undergraduate Research as a Driver to Improve ‘Learning Fitness Levels’ within Educational Landscapes), Higgins Professor of Microbiology & Immunology Dr. Vincent Racaniello (A Career Among Viruses), and neuroscientist Dr. Sally A. Marik (APP: double agent? The physiological role for amyloid precursor protein).

WURC-students

If you have questions regarding the conference please contact Kimberly Rapoza, PhD at krapoza@mercy.edu.