2023 West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science Research Conference

The annual West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science (WMRUGS) Research Conference provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to present their own research to a large and supportive group of professional scientists. Attendees will also hear stimulating talks on current topics in biology, chemistry, computer sciences, environmental sciences, math, neuroscience, physics, psychology and more. The research conference includes a keynote speaker, research posters presented by undergraduate students, Graduate school recruiters/representatives will be on hand to discuss opportunities with their institutions and internship/employment recruiters will be available to discuss opportunities with their organizations.

2023 WMRUGS Research Conference (downloadable file)

The deadline for attendees, speakers giving scientific talks, poster presenters and recruiters has passed. No walk-in registration or walk-in attendees will be accepted the day of the event. If you need to register online via Eventbrite as a late attendee or a recruiter, please email Michelle Love and the WMRUGS Research Conference Organizing Committee at [email protected].

Have questions on preparing for the 2023 WMRUGS Research Conference? Contact Michelle Love at [email protected].

Organizing Committee

Jennifer Hess, Ph.D. (Aquinas College)
Keith Grasman, Ph.D. (Calvin University)
Eric Nybo, Ph.D. (Ferris State University-College of Pharmacy)
Mark Staves, Ph.D. (Grand Valley State University)
Dwight Williams, Ph.D. (Kalamazoo College)
Kristin Dittenhafer-Reed, Ph.D. (Hope College)
Heidi Lempradl, Ph.D. (Van Andel Institute Graduate School)

Recruiter Conference/Fair Benefits

• Reserves one (1) six-foot table in a highly visible location at the conference/fair
• Lunch for two recruiters
• Dedicated recruiter hours to interact with attendees
• A list of registrants that have expressed interest in graduate school, professional school, medical school, and internship/employment opportunities
• Recruiter / Representative information listed in the WMRUGS website and program
• Institutional / Organizational recognition during opening and closing remarks

Internship & Employment Recruiters/Representatives

Gentex Corporation

Website: http://www.gentex.com

Chris Pollack, Talent Acquisition Specialist

Zach Erno, Research and Development Manager

Kurtis Geerlings, Director of Research & Development

Availability on Saturday, November 4, 2023: 8:00 AM-3:00 PM
Application Process
Application Deadline: There are rolling job opportunities as positions become available
Careers Website: https://gentex.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Gentex

Michigan State Police

Website: https://mspjobs.michigan.gov/

Kristin Schelling, Biology Technical Leader

Holly McDermitt, Departmental Analyst

Availability on Saturday, November 4, 2023: 8:15 AM-3:30 PM
Application Process:
Application Deadline: Continuous / Revolving
Application Link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/michigan/MSP

Van Andel Institute

Website: https://www.vai.org/graduate-school/research-internships/?tabUrl=research-internships

Michelle Love, Administrative Assistant and Summer Internship Program Coordinator

Availability on Saturday, November 4, 2023: 8:00 AM–2:30 PM
Application Process:
Undergraduate: 2024 Summer Internship Program Application Process: December 1, 2023 – February 1, 2024
Medical: 2024 Summer Internship Program Application Process: December 1, 2023 – March 1, 2024
Application Link Available December 1, 2023: https://vai.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/VAICareers

University Recruiters/Representatives

Ferris State University College of Pharmacy

Website: https://www.ferris.edu/pharmacy

Dr. Stephen Durst, Dean-College of Pharmacy

Dr. Eric Nybo, Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry-Pharmaceutical Science

Availability on Saturday, November 4, 2023: 8:00 AM-3:30 PM
Application Process
Preferred Application Deadline: October 1, 2023  |  Regular Application Deadline: June 1, 2024
Application Link: https://www.ferris.edu/pharmacy/admissions/apply.htm

Grand Valley State University

Website: https://www.gvsu.edu/psm/

Anirudh Chowdhary, Director of the Professional Science Master’s Program

Availability on Saturday, November 4, 2023: 8:15 AM-2:30 PM
Application Process
Application Deadline: December 1, 2023
Application Link: https://www.gvsu.edu/admissions/

Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis

Website: https://go.iu.edu/IBMG

Britney Hieser, Admissions Counselor

Availability on Saturday, November 4, 2023: 8:15 AM-3:30 PM
Application Process:
Application Deadline: Revolving
Application Link: https://go.iu.edu/ApplyIBMG

Purdue University

Website: https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/pulse/

Lindsey Springer, Lead Graduate Program Specialist

Availability on Saturday, November 4, 2023: 8:15 AM-3:30 PM
Application Process:
Application Deadline: December 1, 2023
Application Link: https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/pulse/admission.htm

University of Michigan | Program in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS) | Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Website: https://ogps.med.umich.edu/

Laura Samuelson, Graduate Enrollment Coordinator

Patrick Shrader, Graduate Enrollment Manager

Availability on Saturday, November 4, 2023: 8:15 AM-3:30 PM
Application Process:
Application Deadline: December 1, 2023
Application Link: https://medicine.umich.edu/medschool/education/phd-programs/about-pibs

Van Andel Institute Graduate School

Website: https://www.vai.org/graduate-school/

Christy Mayo, Director of Enrollment and Records

Availability on Saturday, November 4, 2023: 8:15 AM-3:00 PM
Application Process:
Application Deadline: December 1, 2023
Application Link: https://www.vai.org/graduate-school/admissions/

Wayne State University

Website: https://physiology.med.wayne.edu/grad-program

Charles Chung, Associate Professor of Physiology

Christine Cupps, Academic Service Officer

Availability on Saturday, November 4, 2023: 8:00 AM-3:00 PM
Application Process:
Application Deadline: PhD with Fellowship Support: January 15, 2024; MS and other: Rolling
Application Link: https://physiology.med.wayne.edu/grad-program

Western Michigan University

Website: https://wmich.edu/grad

Malia Roberts, Senior Director of Graduate Enrollment

Availability on Saturday, November 4, 2023: 8:15 AM-3:00 PM
Application Process:
Application Deadline: Revolving
Application Link: https://wmich.edu/grad/apply

Thank you to our incredible 2023 sponsors!

New This Year / Poster Dimensions: Tack boards will be utilized for the poster sessions. Tack board dimensions are 96” W x 48” H and there will be two poster presenters per board. Printed posters should be no larger than 48” W x 48” H. Push pins will be provided for your posters. DO NOT use poster puddy on the tack boards. Even-numbered posters will present from 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM. Odd-numbered posters will present from 1:15 PM – 2:30 PM. Posters are not judged. To present a poster at WMRUGS, presenters must satisfy the following two criteria:

1. Be currently enrolled in a science/research degree program as a:

• • Community college student
  • Undergraduate college student
  • Formalized program for a post-baccalaureate student
  • Terminal level master’s student
  • Medical student

2. Have conducted research, used experimental methods and developed results in one of the following scientific disciplines:

• •  Astronomy
  • Biochemistry
  • Bioinformatics
  • Biology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Biostatistics
  • Biotechnology
  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computational Biology
  • Computer Science
  • Ecology and Evolution
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Science
  • Forensic Biology
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Immunology
  • Mathematics
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biotechnology
  • Neuroscience
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacology
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Psychology

Looking for accommodations? Here are some close suggestions in the Downtown Grand Rapids area:

Amway Grand Plaza – Downtown Grand Rapids
187 Monroe Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Directions to Amway Grand Plaza: https://amwaygrand.com/contact/directions
Telephone: 616.774.2000  |  Email Address: [email protected]
Website: http://amwaygrand.com/
Distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via car): 0.5 miles  |  3-minutes

JW Marriott – Downtown Grand Rapids
235 Louis Street, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Directions to JW Marriott: 42°57’55.7″N 85°40’25.2″W – Google Maps
Telephone: 616.242.1500
Website: http://ilovethejw.com/
Distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via car): 0.7 miles  |  4-minutes

Homewood Suites – Downtown Grand Rapids
161 Ottawa Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to Homewood Suites
Telephone: 616.451.2300
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/grrdohw-homewood-suites-grand-rapids-downtown/
Driving distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via car) 0.5 miles  | 2-minutes
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute: 0.5 miles  |  8-minutes

City Flats Hotel – Downtown Grand Rapids
83 Monroe Center Street, NW
Grand Rapids MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to City Flats Hotel
Telephone: 844.550.2489  |  Contact Us: https://cityflatshotel.com/get-in-touch/
Website: https://cityflatshotel.com/location/grand-rapids/
Distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via car): 0.60 miles  |  3-minutes

Holiday Inn – Downtown Grand Rapids
310 Pearl Street, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to the Holiday Inn
Telephone: 616.235.7611
Website: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/grand-rapids/grrpe/hoteldetail
Distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via car): 0.8 miles  |  4-minutes

Marriott Courtyard Plaza – Downtown Grand Rapids
11 Monroe Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Directions to Marriott Courtyard Plaza: 42°57’48.1″N 85°40’24.0″W – Google Maps
Telephone: 616.242.6000
Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/grrdt-courtyard-grand-rapids-downtown/
Distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via car): 0.8 miles  |  4-minutes

AC Hotel – Downtown Grand Rapids
50 Monroe Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Directions to the AC Hotel: 42°57’51.8″N 85°40’19.5″W – Google Maps
Telephone: 616.776.3200
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/grrar-ac-hotel-grand-rapids-downtown/overview/
Distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via car): 0.7 miles  |  4-minutes

Hampton Inn & Suites – Downtown Grand Rapids
433 Dudley Place, NE
Grand Rapids, MI  49503
Click HERE for directions to Hampton Inn & Suites
Telephone: 616.456.2000   |  Email Address: [email protected]
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/grrdthx-hampton-suites-grand-rapids-downtown/
Driving distance to and from Van Andel Institute:  0.7 miles  |  3-minutes
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute: 0.7 miles  |  14-minutes

Embassy Suites by Hilton – Downtown Grand Rapids
710 Monroe Avenue, NW
Grand Rapid, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to Embassy Suites by Hilton
Telephone: 616.512.5700
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/grrmaes-embassy-suites-grand-rapids-downtown/
Distance to and from Van Andel Institute: 0.7 miles  |  3-minutes

2023 WMRUGS Parking and Getting to VAI (downloadable file)

FREE parking will be available the day of the conference for registered attendees and recruiters. WMRUGS Research Conference attendees and recruiters will park at the Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) parking ramp B and then walk north on Bostwick Avenue to Van Andel Institute (VAI). The parking ramp is south of VAI and is less than a five-minute walk to 333 Bostwick Avenue/Grand Rapids MI 49503. When entering parking ramp B, conference attendees will need to take a GRCC parking pass. There are seven levels and over 300 parking spaces available for conference attendees and recruiters.

Validated Parking Passes: Validated parking passes are available for pick up at the WMRUGS information table. Please pick up validated parking passes from the information desk during the lunch period from 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm or after the conference has ended at 3:30 pm.

Exit/Departure: Exit/Departure: When exiting the GRCC parking ramp B, follow the instructions at the parking gate for inserting the parking passes: Insert the entrance parking pass first and then the validated parking pass. The validated parking passes are only valid until 5:30 pm the day of the event.

If you need special accommodations for attending this event (i.e. parking or entering the building), contact Michelle Love at [email protected].