MTSU’s Undergraduate Research Center hosts Nov. 7 open house, showcases student research

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s Undergraduate Research Center is hosting its seventh annual Fall Research and Creative Activity Open House from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, for undergraduate students to showcase their research projects and to attract students interested in conducting their own research to the center.

The event will be located in the Undergraduate Research Center’s new office space in the Miller Education Center on the third floor in suite 3500, 503 E. Bell St. Tours of the new space will be given at the event.

Middle Tennessee State University animation students and their professor pose with their animation project poster at the MTSU Undergraduate Research Center’s sixth annual Open House on Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Science Building on campus. Standing, from left, are Bailey Holland, Lance Harbour, Drew Lacey, animation professor Corey Reece, Seth Savage, Elvis Hertado, Natalie Rapier and Emma Gresham. Kneeling, from left, are Sean Kangas, Zachary Legaux, Andy Belcher, Audrey Roberts, and Josh Mahan. (MTSU photo by Stephanie Wagner) — In this 2023 file photo, Middle Tennessee State University animation students and their professor pose with their animation project poster at the MTSU Undergraduate Research Center’s sixth annual Open House at the Science Building on campus. Standing, from left, are Bailey Holland, Lance Harbour, Drew Lacey, animation professor Corey Reece, Seth Savage, Elvis Hertado, Natalie Rapier and Emma Gresham. Kneeling, from left, are Sean Kangas, Zachary Legaux, Andy Belcher, Audrey Roberts, and Josh Mahan. (MTSU photo by Stephanie Wagner)

Dr. Jamie Burriss

“We are excited to invite students and faculty to join us for our annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Open House,” said Jamie Burriss, center director. “This informal poster session showcases research and creative projects from a variety of academic disciplines including psychology, economics, dance, biology, English, education, animation, geoscience, health and human performance, music and many more.”

All students are encouraged to attend this event to learn more about the center, see the significance of undergraduate research firsthand and experience diverse research poster presentations.

Garrett Tonos, senior recording industry student at Middle Tennessee State University, presents his project about creating music with the sounds of nature at the Undergraduate Research Center’s open house event on Nov. 3, 2022, at the Science Building on campus. (MTSU photo by Stephanie Wagner) — In this 2022 file photo, Garrett Tonos, senior recording industry student at Middle Tennessee State University, presents his project about creating music with the sounds of nature at the Undergraduate Research Center’s open house event at the Science Building on campus. (MTSU photo by Stephanie Wagner)

“I believe there is a common misconception that research is only for a ‘select group of individuals’ like students with perfect grades, upperclassman, STEM majors or students who already have research experience. These are all false,” Burriss said.

“Our goal in the URC is to help all students — freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors from every major — get involved in research,” she continued.

Students are given the opportunity to engage with current researchers to ask questions and learn more about their projects as well as discovering the Student Organization for the Advancement of Research, better known as SOAR, from current members.

SOAR members will “highlight upcoming workshops, social events and presentation opportunities” offered by the center, Burriss said. Free Spooky’s Pizza will be given to all attendees.

“The URC team offers several great resources to help students get involved in research, such as our ‘Student Research Guide’ or ‘Lab and Research Groups Directory,’” Burriss said. “Our peer mentors are eager to provide guidance and advice for those who might be interested but unsure where to start in their research journey.”

In this 2023 file photo, Alexis Shumate, Middle Tennessee State University psychology major and undergraduate researcher, presents her reading work at the university’s sixth annual Open House on Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Science Building on campus. (MTSU photo by Stephanie Wagner)

Spring and summer Undergraduate Research Experience and Creative Activity grants, also known as URECA grants, will also be discussed to teach students the potential financial benefit of conducting research projects as well as the travel and conference opportunities arranged by the center each year.

Awards range from $500 for beginners to $3,000 for experienced MTSU student researchers. The deadline for Spring 2025 grant applications is 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30. To learn more about the grants, click here.

Middle Tennessee State University speech language pathology seniors Garrick McGee, left, Autumn Hubbard, center, and Alden McGinnis present their project about language acquisition at the Undergraduate Research Center’s open house event on Nov. 3, 2022, at the Science Building on campus. (MTSU photo by Stephanie Wagner) — In this 2022 file photo, Middle Tennessee State University speech language pathology seniors Garrick McGee, left, Autumn Hubbard, center, and Alden McGinnis present their project about language acquisition at the Undergraduate Research Center’s open house event at the Science Building on campus. (MTSU photo by Stephanie Wagner)

To sign up as an attendee, click here. For the program of presenters, click here.

“The Open House is a great opportunity to learn more about our amazing student research community, meet some of our most dedicated faculty mentors and ask questions about our research and creative activity grants,” Burriss said.

To learn more about the Undergraduate Research Center and its services, visit https://urc.mtsu.edu.

— Maddy Williams (Maddy.Williams@mtsu.edu)