Research + Creative Experience Expo to highlight breadth of UK programs to undergrads

The third annual Research + Creative Experience Expo will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at the Gatton Student Center Social Staircase and Ballroom A. This biannual event introduces undergraduates to the diversity of research at the University of Kentucky, allowing students to network with research faculty and staff, and learn about mentored research opportunities.

Presented by the UK Office of Undergraduate Research, the event offers a variety of resources and information while bringing research mentors and programs seeking applicants together with interested students to learn about available opportunities. By pursuing mentored research, UK undergraduates can immerse themselves in projects to gain experiential hands-on learning that is translatable to real-world skills. Students can learn about the upcoming Summer 2023 fellowship cycles and how to prepare to become the strongest possible applicant.

“The expo showcases a bunch of different research opportunities from across the university,” said Gabija Ziemyte, a physics senior, member of the Lewis Honors College and current research ambassador. “Students can see what others in their major have been working on or investigate fields that they might have always been interested in and never got a chance to explore. Some principal investigators (PIs) will also be looking for students at the expo itself, and you can get in contact with potential advisors right there at the expo if you like the sound of their research.”

Students from all majors, backgrounds and skill levels are encouraged to attend and talk with faculty, graduate students and undergraduate research ambassadors to learn about available research opportunities.

“The expo is the perfect marketplace for students to try out internship ideas, meet future mentors and explore research opportunities available on campus," said Carol Street, director of UK Libraries Learning Lab. "I love being able to meet students to talk with them directly about our internships. Seeing students’ faces light up when they can see themselves in our internship program never fails to remind me how the right internship can change someone’s life.”

Learn more about the Research + Creative Experience Expo and view participating colleges and programs at https://our.uky.edu/expo.

Students seeking assistance with navigating the summer fellowship application process, such as completing a personal statement and writing an abstract or proposal, can visit the Events page on the OUR website.