[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Ian_Burgess.jpg” caption=”Ian Burgess, a summer student in the Department of Chemistry, spoke at the USRA reception on June 25. Photo by Martin Wissenz.”]Some of their project titles are multi-syllabic mouthfuls that would suggest — at first glance — the research pursuits of post-doctoral students. But the group of keen and committed students celebrated at Monday's reception in Convocation Hall are all undergraduates and recipients of an award that pays them to pursue their research interests for 16 weeks this summer.

There are more than 140 students who received an Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) this year, involved in research projects that range from building a better car to building a better cornea.

The USRAs provide each student with $5,000 and, under the supervision of a faculty advisor, they have the opportunity to explore possible career opportunities in a research environment, investigate and learn more about an area of research that interests them, enhance their academic experiences and prepare for work at the graduate level.

Danielle Major and Michael Hill will be pursuing graduate studies in Toronto after completing their USRA projects. Major, under the supervision of psychologist Louis Schmidt, is exploring the underlying physiology of shyness and social anxiety in children, particular those with selective mutism.

“I am going to York in the fall to take clinical psychology — the work that I'm doing with Dr. Schmidt is so relevant to the career I want to pursue,” says Major.

Hill, who's heading to U of T for medical school, echoes that sentiment, and while he's leaning towards community medicine, the USRA has opened the door to working with Dr. Gerry Moran to explore how MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can be used to detect and classify leukemia.

More than 85 undergraduates and faculty advisors attended the reception, representing every Faculty and every year of undergrad study. The USRAs are sponsored by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Faculties of Social Sciences, Humanities and Business, and the Office of the Vice-President, Research and International Affairs.

While some students will be leaving the University to pursue their postgraduate dreams, there are several students who will be staying at McMaster, dovetailing their USRA research experience with the postgraduate options offered here.

For those still enrolled in undergraduate programs, they can use awards such as the USRA to enrich their undergraduate experience and in the fall, will also be able to log onto a new website that will detail all of undergraduate research opportunities at McMaster University.

Acting vice-president of research & international affairs, Allison Sekuler, notes that the USRA is one of many award opportunities that undergraduates can access and, coupled with information about other research-based pursuits on campus, represents a significant undergraduate resource.

“Here at McMaster, we provide students with unique educational opportunities, highlighted by inquiry, problem-based learning and immersive research experience,” says Sekuler. “We believe the best way to learn is by doing. The launch of the Office of Undergraduate Research @ McMaster (OURMac) and the OURMac website will highlight these opportunities, give information about upcoming research events and give us a chance to celebrate the experiences and achievements of students — such as these USRA recipients.”

Fred A. Hall, associate-vice president academic, noted that the USRA awardees “are what it's all about. We are a research intensive, student-centred university and these students are proof of how best to bridge education and research. They each bring something unique to their work and to the University that is exciting and inspiring. As faculty members, this is what we strive for — they are what makes the difference.”

The projects that are currently underway will garner research results that will be displayed at the next USRA poster session, Jan. 15, 2008 in the MUSC marketplace.