Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference

🌟 MassURC 2026 — what a day! Thank you to everyone who presented, sponsored, and showed up. The energy was unreal. 🎉

Swipe through to relive the highlights! Follow the link for access to all the official photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCQYJw

Photos by: Lily Attias-Inzano, Grace Chai, Sierra Dale, Austin Lee, Ha Nguyen, Theo Nims

Kick off MassURC 2026 with Dr. Reena Randhir as she explores The Power of Scientific Thinking 🔬✨

From embracing failure to finding confidence through curiosity, her keynote highlights how science isn’t just what we study—it’s how we grow. Read more: https://www.umass.edu/honors/news/mass-urc-keynote-preview-2026

And don't forget to join us April 17 at 9:15 a.m. on the 11th floor of the Campus Center and start the day inspired. See you tomorrow! ✨

Article by: Leila Metres
Graphic by: Martina García Raya Radonic

✨ Meet Francis Padilla, a student at UMass Amherst majoring in applied math and mechanical engineering! What is Francis looking forward to the most?

"I’m looking forward to seeing the work of other UMass students and what they brought to their fields. I’m excited to share the fun projects I’ve worked on as well. I’ve never presented before, so MassURC will be good practice! This will be a good experience to highlight my first year at UMass and in research." 🔬

What kind of research are you interested in exploring at MassURC? Take a look at our searchable poster schedule to plan your day: https://honorspaths.honors.umass.edu/massurc/home/schedule_by_name

See you on Friday! ✨

✨ Meet Olivia McClurken, a public health sciences major at UMass Amherst! Her research, “Preventing Heat-Related Maternal and Fetal Health Complications: Public Health Interventions for a Warming Climate,” examines how extreme heat can impact pregnancy outcomes. Using the PERIE framework, Olivia proposes solutions like prenatal counseling, heat alerts, and improved clinical guidance to help reduce preventable risks for mothers and babies. 🤰🌡️🌍

Interested in learning more? Stop by MassURC next Friday to see Olivia’s presentation and discover more incredible student research by checking out our searchable poster schedule: https://honorspaths.honors.umass.edu/massurc/home/schedule_by_name ✨

Headed to MassURC 2026? Maximize your day with these quick tips!

✅ Connect with presenters at all six poster sessions
🎤 Practice your research pitch—it’s your time to shine!
🧘‍♀️ Take breaks (dining halls, decompression room & more!)
🎙️ Don’t miss the keynote with Associate Professor Reena Randhir at 9:15 a.m.!

✨ Meet Thalia Barden, an interior design and architecture major at UMass Dartmouth! Thalia’s research is titled: “New Bedford Children's Museum and Coffee Shop.”

Thalia’s project explores caregiver isolation and proposes a creative model designed to support children and their caregivers through community, connection, and education on the South Coast of Massachusetts.

We’re just 2 weeks away from MassURC! Get ready to be inspired by innovative undergraduate research like Thalia’s! 🧠✨