Welcome to the 2024 Undergraduate Research and Fine Arts (URFA) Conference home page!
URFA, formally known as the Phi Kappa Phi Student Research and Fine Arts Conference, is an opportunity for all undergraduate students of Augusta University to showcase their scholarly and artistic endeavors. The conference is jointly sponsored by CURS, Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, and the Summerville Interdisciplinary Research Office.
The conference program is available as a Special Issue of the Arsenal, Augusta University's Premiere Undergraduate Research Journal.
URFA 2025 Abstract Acceptance Window: January 7 - February 3, 2025
SAVE THE DATE: April 2, 2025.
Congratulations to the 2024 URFA Student Research Awardees!!
|
Category |
Student Name |
Research Project |
|
Interdisciplinary Science A |
Haley Gilbert |
Do compression garments influence oxygen consumption and heart rate during a submaximal endurance run? |
|
Interdisciplinary Science B |
Joshua Hale |
Isolating deuterium isotopes via quantum filtering |
|
Smart City Environmental Applications |
Cameron Cunningham |
Making trash smarter |
|
Modern Drug Discovery |
Holden Dinkins & Julio Chavez |
New hybrids based on curcumin as potential therapeutics for cancer |
|
Society & Science |
David Timmerman |
Visual and information theoretic analysis of musical notes and composition |
|
Humanities |
Colin Owen |
Dissecting the function of female sexuality in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight |
|
4x4 |
Charmi Patel |
Feasibility of the adapted OTA go exercise program in dementia |
|
Poster Session A |
Manuela Guzman Zabala |
Traumatic brain injury suppresses RBC-mediated brain oxygenation and cerebral circulation |
|
Poster Session B |
Roshelle Outlaw |
Expression profiles of copper transport proteins in the hippocampus and cortex models for Alzheimer’s Diseases and Type 2 diabetes |
|
Best Overall Poster |
Manuela Guzman Zabala |
Traumatic brain injury suppresses RBC-mediated brain oxygenation and cerebral circulation |
|
Best Overall Oral Session |
David Timmerman |
Visual and information theoretic analysis of musical notes and composition |
Thank you to our incredible volunteers consisting of Augusta University faculty, staff, and community members. This conference's success is a reflection of the time, energy, and commitment you have to our undergraduate students. Thank you!
Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (CURS)
Summerville Campus
706-729-2094
When is the 2025 URFA Conference?
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 from ~10:30 am to ~6:00 pm.
How can I present at the URFA Conference?
CURS will put out a Call for Abstracts in early January. There are five presentation types: poster presentation, oral presentation, visual arts showcase, performance art showcase, and 4x4 Research Pitch Competition. All abstracts be approved by your faculty mentor prior to submission.
What is the poster presentation?
Undergraduate researchers can present their work in the form of a research posters. Students display their work in a session ranging from 50-75 minutes. Presenters will answer questions and present their work to conference attendees during this time. A moderator will be available for questions and assistance. The poster session is judged. **Posters can be no larger than 32x36 inches.**
What is the oral presentation?
Undergraduate researchers can present their work in the form of an oral presentation. Typically there are 3-5 presentations per session. Oral presentations are typically 10-12 minutes with built in time for questions. A moderator will introduce each student and ensure the session runs on time. The oral presentations are judged.
What is the 4x4 presentation?
Undergraduate researchers can present their work in the form of the 4x4 presentation. Students must effectively explain their research to an interdisciplinary audience in 4 minutes utilizing 4 slides. The slides should be incredibly visual, with a limit of 20 words on the 4 slides. A moderator will introduce each student and ensure presentations fall within the time limit. The 4x4 is judged.
What is the Performance Showcase?
The Performance Showcase is an opportunity for students to share musical, dance, theatrical performances with the AU community. Special equipment/ location needs must be shared in the Abstract Submission. Performers will be expected to provide a 2-4 minute introduction to the piece including how the piece was generated, it's preparation, and significance.
What is the Visual Arts Showcase?
The Visual Arts Showcase is an opportunity for students to share artwork of paintings, sculpture, photography, printing and short films. Artists will be expected to provide a 2-4 minute introduction to the piece including how the piece was generated, it's preparation, and significance. If you have questions about presentation or set up options, please contact CURS.
How will I know if my research is accepted to the conference?
All accepted students will receive a letter of acceptance by email. This letter will explain all requirements for presenters and will include a schedule of presentations.
Can undergraduate students who are not enrolled at AU present?
At this time, presenters are limited to Augusta University undergraduates or graduates within the last 6 months. Other students, family members and community members are welcome to attend the event.
Can graduate students of AU participate?
Students who graduated from AU with a Bachelor’s degree in the recent fall term (the most recent December commencement) are welcome to present with approval from their mentor. Students who are current AU graduate students should look into the Graduate Research Day. Graduate students ARE eligible for judging or moderating the URFA sessions. Questions should be submitted to CURS @augusta.edu.
Are there prizes for participation?
Yes! Each session will have a certificate awarded to the top presentation author(s). Additionally, there will be cash prizes for the Best Poster, Oral, and 4x4 Showdown Presentations.
Does it cost to participate in URFA?
No. There are no registration fees to participate in URFA.
Will CURS print my poster for the conference?
Unfortunately, no we do not have the resources to print all the posters for URFA. Each presenter is responsible for printing their own poster prior to the conference. We can recommend University Copy and Print Center and the Center for Instruction and Innovation as on campus printing options. **Posters can be no larger than 32x36 inches.**
Does my 4x4 presentation need to be sent to CURS or on a flash drive?
The 4x4 presentations will be emailed to CURS@augusta.edu or submitted to a shared box folder.
Can I present in the 4x4, oral, and poster presentation?
Only if the research/scholarship being presented is different from each other. A separate submission must be made for each presentation type.
Can my research group present as a team?
Yes. If your research group includes three people, all three students can present in the oral and poster presentation. However, the 4x4 is an individual presentation.
Can I choose my session?
The URFA Conference is intentionally interdisciplinary and welcomes participation from all disciplines. This means that scheduling is a detailed and complex process. We cannot accommodate personal schedules. Faculty, Mentors and Students should all be sure to plan ahead so that you can attend the full conference and support students engaging in co-curricular research.
Printing Options:
Class Attendance Assignments:
Faculty may download and use these mini assignments for classes attending the conference. Feel free to use or modify questions to fit the objectives of your course. If you add questions or assignments, please share with CURS!
