College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) science legacy was on spectacular display last month at the Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research (ICUR) hosted by Boise State University. Several current CWI students presented the results of their research collaborations with university faculty from around the state. Topics were varied and ranged from biophysics to ecology to metagenomics. Whew, that’s sophisticated research! It’s also a testament to the rigor and standards used by CWI science faculty to prepare our students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities, careers in science and technology, and a future in the 21st Century. Another feather in CWI’s metaphorical cap came in the form of current student Marcus Emmen, a General Biology major, who was selected to present a three-minute lightning talk, one of only seven students from this year’s symposium to be so honored. Well done, Marcus!
In addition to these amazing undergraduates, over a dozen former Otters, and Bridges to Baccalaureate (B2B) Fellows, presented their research at ICUR this year. Examples of the pioneering work the B2B program connects students with can be viewed below.
In this, our final, year of the Southwestern B2B program, it’s great to look back and reflect on all the successes accomplished by these talented young scientists. It’s a tribute to the CWI faculty and staff who mentored and prepared these students for this moment. It is not trivial our students, through the B2B program, are participating in avant-garde research in the biomedical sciences. It is, in fact, quite an accomplishment, and I’m grateful for every faculty member, student-success coach, and student services team member who encouraged one of these students to take that first step and apply to the program.
Our current and former science students continue to impress and, more importantly, continue to make real contributions to the advancement of knowledge in Idaho and beyond. Congratulations to all Otters, current and former, on their ICUR presentations. We couldn’t be prouder of you!
