West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science Research Conference

Registration for the 2024 WMRUGS Research Conference has ended. No walk-in registration will be accepted the day of the 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.

View the full 2024 WMRUGS Research Conference program ➔

Have questions on preparing for the 2024 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)
Tim Triche, Ph.D. (Van Andel Institute)

WEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL UNDERGRADUATE SCIENCE RESEARCH CONFERENCE  |  SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2024  |  8:00 AM – 3:30 PM  |  DOORS OPEN AT 7:45 AM
New this Year: Graduate School Panel Discussion and Station for Professional Headshots

Giveaway: At the conclusion/welcome remarks a drawing will be held for a giveaway to a student poster presenter and/or student speaker. Eligible participants must be present to win! See details and eligibility under the “Giveaway” tab

Note: Concurrent events and times for poster sessions, recruiter fair, graduate school panel discussion and station for professional headshots

Undergraduate Student Speakers

INTERNSHIP & EMPLOYMENT RECRUITERS/REPRESENTATIVES

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE

Website and Application Link: https://www.vai.org/internships
Undergraduate Internship Application Period: December 1, 2024-February 1, 2025

Van Andel Institute
333 Bostwick Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Michelle Love, Program Administrator

Email Address: [email protected] | Telephone Number: 616-234-5708
Van Andel Institute recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:30 AM-2:30 PM

GRADUATE SCHOOL, MEDICAL SCHOOL AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL RECRUITERS/REPRESENTATIVES

CALVIN UNIVERSITY

Website: https://online.calvin.edu/programs/mph-master-of-public-health/
Application Deadline: Rolling AdmissionApplication Link: https://admissions.calvin.edu/apply/

Master of Public Health Online Program
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Dr. Julie Yonker, Public Health Department Chair

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone Number: 616-526-6106

Robin Wait, Manager of Graduate Studies

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone: Number 616-526-6106

Calvin University Master of Public Health recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 AM-3:30 PM

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY – COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

Website: https://www.ferris.edu/pharmacy
Priority Application Deadline: November 1, 2024
Regular Application Deadline: June 1, 2025

Application Link: To apply, visit https://www.ferris.edu/pharmacy/admissions/apply.htm
Or scan the QR Code below the Ferris logo to access application link

Ferris State University – College of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Building
220 Ferris Drive
Big Rapids, MI 49307

Dr. Stephen Durst, Dean-College of Pharmacy

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone Number: 231-591-2254

Thomas Dowling, PharmD, PhD, Assistant Dean for Research

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone: Number 616-643-1139

Dane Shiltz, Dane Shiltz, PharmD, BCPS, Associate Professor

Email Address: [email protected]

Ferris State University – College of Pharmacy recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 AM-3:30 PM

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

Website: https://www.gvsu.edu/psm/
Priority Deadline: December 1, 2024
Application Link: https://www.gvsu.edu/admissions/

Grand Valley State University
618C LV Eberhard Center
301 Fulton Street W
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

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

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone Number: 616-331-6297
Grand Valley State University recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 AM-2:30 PM

INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Website: https://medicine.iu.edu/graduate-degrees/phd/indianapolis
Priority Deadline: December 1, 2024  | Final Deadline: December 31, 2024
Application Link: https://go.iu.edu/ApplyIBMG

Indiana University School of Medicine
635 N. Barnhill Drive  |  Room  207
Indianapolis, IN 46202

Britney Hieser, Assistant Director

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone Number: 317-274-3441
Indiana University School of Medicine recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 AM-2:30 PM

PURDUE UNIVERSITY – INTERDISCIPLINARY LIFE SCIENCE PROGRAM (PULSe)

Website: https://www.purdue.edu/academics/ogsps/pulse/
Application Deadline: December 1, 2024
Application Link: https://gradapply.purdue.edu/apply/

Interdisciplinary Life Science Program (PULSe)
Purdue University
155 S. Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47909

Lindsey Springer, Lead Graduate Program Specialist

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone Number: 765-496-9667
Purdue University – Interdisciplinary Life Science Program recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 AM-2:30 PM

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN COLLEGE OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE ARTS

Website: https://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/prospective-students/graduate.html
Application Deadline: Varies – earliest is December 1st

MS/PhD Deadlines vary by department  
Application Link: https://rackham.umich.edu/admissions/applying/

University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
500 South State Street
Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1382

Kate Foster, LSA Graduate Education Program Manager

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone Number: 734-647-9420

U of M LSA recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 AM-2:30 PM

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN MEDICAL SCHOOL PROGRAM IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Website: https://medschool.umich.edu/programs-admissions/
Application Deadline: December 1, 2024
Application Link: https://rackham.umich.edu/admissions/applying/  

University of Michigan Medical School Program in Biomedical Sciences
1135 Catherine Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Jen Wloszek,  PhD Candidate

Biomedical Sciences-Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone Number: 734-647-7005
University of Michigan Medical School Program in Biomedical Science recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 AM-2:30 PM

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Website: https://sph.umich.edu/
Application Deadline: MPH/MHSA: Priority Deadline is December 1, 2024
International Student Deadline is January 15, 2025
Final Deadline for Domestic Apps is May 15, 2025

MS/PhD Deadlines vary by department
Application Link: https://sph.umich.edu/admissions/applications-deadlines.html

University of Michigan School of Public Health
1415 Washington Heights
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Lauren Ward, Doctoral Candidate – Environmental Health Sciences

Email Address: [email protected]

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE GRADUATE SCHOOL

Website: https://www.vai.org/graduate-school
Application Deadline: December 1, 2024
Application Link: https://www.vai.org/graduate-school/admissions

Van Andel Institute Graduate School
333 Bostwick Avenue, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Christy Mayo, Director of Enrollment and Records

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone Number: 616-234-5722
Van Andel Institute Graduate School recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 AM-3:00 PM

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS – ROY AND DIANA VAGELOS DIVISION OF BIOLOGY AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Website: https://dbbs.wustl.edu/
Application Deadline: December 1, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST
Application Link: https://dbbs.wustl.edu/admissions/application-requirements/

Washington University in St. Louis
Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences
660 South Euclid Avenue
MSC 8226-0013-04
St. Louis, MO 63110

Mike Jones, Director of Community Engagement & Co-Curricular Education

Email Address: [email protected] 

WashU recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 AM-3:30 PM.

Note: Admissions Recruiter Alexis Crowell will be attending another conference on November 2, 2024. However, she will be available via email to answer any questions about the Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences. Alexis Crowell, Admissions Recruiter: [email protected]

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY

Website: https://physiology.med.wayne.edu/  
Doctoral Program Application Deadline: January 15, 2025 for Fellowship Eligibility
Master’s Program Application Deadline: Rolling Deadline
Application Link: https://physiology.med.wayne.edu/grad-program

Wayne State University
Room 5374 Scott Hall
540 E Canfield
Detroit, MI 48201

Charles Chung, Associate Professor  |  Department of Physiology

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone Number: 313-577-1540

Mariana Angoa-Perez, Assistant Professor  |  Department of Physiology

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone Number: 313-577-5240         

Wayne State University recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:30 AM-2:30 PM.

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Website: https://wmich.edu/grad
Application Deadline: Revolving
Application Link: https://wmich.edu/grad/apply

Western Michigan University
1903 W. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Dr. Malia Roberts, Senior Director of Graduate Enrollment

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone Number: 269-387-8212

Tony Dennis, Director of Graduate Student Recruitment and Retention

Email Address: [email protected]  |  Telephone Number: 269-387-8214
Western Michigan University recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 AM-3:30 PM

This year the WMRUGS Research Conference Organizing Committee will give a MacBook Air away to an eligible student poster presenter or student speaker!

Eligibility and Exclusions

Students Eligibility for Giveaway:

• Registered student poster presenters and undergraduate student speakers are automatically entered and eligible for the giveaway including:
• Student principal presenting authors and student co-presenting authors
• VAI student research interns that are student principal presenting authors and student co-presenting authors (seasonal/summer/guest students)
  • 2024 Summer Internship Program (interns and guest students)
  • Academic school year 2024-2025 (interns and guest students)
• Student speakers nominated by the WMRUGS Research Conference Organizing Committee from Aquinas College, Calvin College, Ferris State University-College of Pharmacy, Hope College and Kalamazoo College

Exceptions, Exclusions and Ineligible Participants:

• Students that submitted late posters (after submission deadline) will not be entered in the giveaway
• The following registrants are ineligible:
• Student attendees-not presenting
• Faculty
• University/College administrators
• Family/Friends of student poster presenters or student speakers
• VAI/VARI/VAEI employees – with the exception of VAI student research interns (seasonal/summer/guest students)
• VAI/VARI/VAI contact employees
• VAI Graduate School Ph.D. Candidates
• Recruiters or Representatives
• Sponsors
• WMRUGS Research Conference Organizing Committee Members

Rules

• No walk-in registrants or attendees will be accepted the day of the conference
• No walk-in student poster presenters will be accepted the day of the conference
• Winner must be present at the time of the drawing for the giveaway
• Recipient must provide identification including driver’s license or university/college student ID
• Recipient must fill out a W9 tax form
• A copy of the recipient ID and completed W9 tax form will be forwarded on to the VAI Finance Department

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 10:00 AM – 11:15 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:

Hyatt Place Grand Rapids-Downtown
140 Ottawa Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to Hyatt Place Grand Rapids-Downtown
Telephone: 616.984.1200
Website: https://www.hyattplacegrandrapidsdowntown.com/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Lyon Street NW and Division Avenue)  |  0.4 miles  | 10 minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Ionia Ave NW and Crescent Street)  |  0.5 miles  |  3 minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids-Downtown
11 Monroe NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids-Downtown
Telephone: 616.242.6618
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/grrdt-courtyard-grand-rapids-downtown/overview/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Monroe Avenue NW and Lyon Street NW)  |  0.7 miles  | 18 minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Monroe Avenue NW and Michigan Street NW)  |  0.8 miles  | 4 minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

Amway Grand Plaza – Downtown Grand Rapids
187 Monroe Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to Amway Grand Plaza
Telephone: 616.774.2000  |  Email Address: [email protected]
Website: http://amwaygrand.com/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Lyon Street): 0.6 miles  | 15 minutes
Distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Pearl Street and Division Avenue): 0.6 miles  | 4 minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

JW Marriott – Downtown Grand Rapids
235 Louis Street, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to JW Marriott – Downtown Grand Rapids
Telephone: 616.242.1500
Website: http://ilovethejw.com/
Walking and Driving Distance
Distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Lyon Street): 0.6 miles  |  15 minutes
Distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Pearl Street and Division Avenue): 0.6 miles  | 4 minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

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/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Lyon Street and Winchester Place)  |  0.4 miles  | 10 minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Pearl Street and Division Avenue)  |  0.4 miles  | 3 minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

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/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Lyon Street and Winchester Place)  |  0.5 miles  | 13 minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Ionia Avenue and Crescent Street)  |  0.6 miles  |  3 minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

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
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Pearl Street)  |  0.9 miles  | 21 minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Pearl Street)  |  0.8 miles  |  5 minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

Marriott Courtyard Plaza – Downtown Grand Rapids
11 Monroe Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to Marriott Courtyard Plaza – Downtown Grand Rapids
Telephone: 616.242.6000
Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/grrdt-courtyard-grand-rapids-downtown/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Pearl Street)  |  0.9 miles  | 21 minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Monroe Avenue and Michigan Street)  |  1.0 miles  | 6 minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

AC Hotel – Downtown Grand Rapids
50 Monroe Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to AC Hotel – Downtown Grand Rapids
Telephone: 616.776.3200
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/grrar-ac-hotel-grand-rapids-downtown/overview/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Monroe Avenue and Lyon Street)  |  0.6 miles  | 16 minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Pearl Street and Division Avenue)  |  0.6 miles  | 4 minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

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/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Michigan Street)  |  0.7 miles  | 16 minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Michigan Street)  |  0.6 miles  |  8 minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

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/
Driving Distance
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Division Avenue)  |  0.9 miles  |  3 minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

2024 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].