Rice University drew more than 400 of the nation’s brightest undergraduate researchers to its campus Nov. 8-10 for the 16th annual Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium (GCURS). The three-day event offers students a rare opportunity to give professional research presentations and receive constructive feedback, marking a significant step in their academic journeys.
Since its inception in 2008, GCURS has established itself as a premier platform for emerging talent in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) along with economics and psychology. This year, participants hailed from 39 states and nine countries. Unlike traditional poster sessions, GCURS emphasizes oral presentations, allowing students to deliver formal 12-minute talks to faculty and peers. This distinctive format helps students hone public speaking skills and prepares them for future academic roles while fostering a collaborative exchange of ideas. Rice’s commitment to hosting GCURS supports emerging researchers and aligns with its strategic vision of promoting premier educational programs.
“Every student gets the podium to share their research,” said Seiichi Matsuda, GCURS organizer and dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies at Rice. “For most, it is their first national or international presentation. It can be scary to give your first talk, but GCURS is built to make that experience positive. Everyone is supportive.”
The 2024 symposium’s group of speakers and mentors included 90 recipients of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, an annual award that recognizes pioneering STEM undergraduates in the United States. John Mateja, president of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship Foundation, praised the event’s impact.
“The networking I observed throughout the symposium will benefit all participants throughout their careers,” Mateja said. “The leadership of Rice’s administration and faculty and the Goldwater Scholar community are to be commended for making this possible. We look forward to a continuing relationship.”
The event’s multidisciplinary format facilitates an exchange of ideas with students presenting to a focused, supportive audience of faculty and peers, creating a collaborative environment.
“Rice’s faculty is deeply invested in GCURS’s success,” Matsuda said. “Many are giving up their weekends to attend because they derive great satisfaction from mentoring young researchers. For years, Rice Nobel Prize-winning chemist Robert Curl sat in the front row, asking thoughtful questions.”
Rice has made the symposium financially accessible, subsidizing attendance costs and ensuring qualified students can participate regardless of financial constraints.
“I was touched that they were willing to accommodate me financially,” said Madalyn Gragg, a Goldwater Scholar and applied physics and mechanical engineering major at Oregon State University. “That is a huge barrier to going to conferences.”
For Drew Rowell, a chemistry major at the University of Southern Mississippi, the symposium offered more than a platform for presenting research. “It is nice to interact with our peers from all over the country,” Rowell said. “I’ve met people from different disciplines, and it’s great to be around people who love science.”
Houston’s vibrant scientific and medical communities enhance the symposium’s appeal, exposing students to the wealth of resources and opportunities in Rice’s intellectual and research landscape.
“Houston has immense strengths in engineering and the medical enterprise,” Matsuda said, adding that many students leave GCURS with a new appreciation for the research environment at Rice.
The weekend also included an informational session on graduate school applications, helping young researchers take the next steps in their academic journeys.