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SURF students present at the Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium

The summer research season culminated this week at the annual summer undergraduate research symposium in Goodwin Hall. All undergraduates conducting research this summer were invited to present their projects in a poster format.  More than 110 presenters shared their amazing summer research projects in poster and oral sessions.

Erika Joseck, a junior Animal and Poultry Sciences major at Virginia Tech, was a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow (SURF) in the Hopkins lab.  Mentored by graduate student Jennifer Wagner, Erika investigated how incubation temperature affected the quality of ornamental traits in male zebra finches. She presented a poster of her summer research at the symposium.

Arden Blumenthal, a junior Biochemistry and Biology double major, studied the reproductive ecology of a new species of leach that has been found on the eastern hellbender. As a summer SURF student, Arden worked closely with Dr. Bill Hopkins on her project.

The Fralin SURF program is a 10-week training program designed to give motivated Virginia Tech undergraduates the opportunity to engage in full time research and related professional development activities that mirror graduate training. The goal is to offer students experiences that will help them determine if they want to pursue a career in research while they develop skills for graduate school. The program includes weekly research and professional development seminars, periodic social events, and a final symposium during which students will present their research. More information about the program can be found here.

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