Welcome to the Summer Undergrad Research Community!

This webpage provides relevant information about Joint Events, links to resources and videos, and more.

General Info about Joint Events

Time for all three events: 4 – 5:30PM

To all attendees:  Please sign-in upon arrival!

#1:  Wednesday, June 5th:  Welcome Networking Event & Ice Cream Social

  • Location: 233AB HUB
  • Following an introductory presentation and fun interactive networking activity, the famous PSU Berkey Creamery ice cream will be served. (Alternative edibles will be provided for those with food restrictions.)

#2:  Wednesday, June 26th: Exploring Career Pathway Trajectories

  • Location: 233AB HUB
  • Pursuing STEM degrees has the potential to open many doors! Attendees will hear examples of unique career trajectories, learn about the reasons behind them, and consider which possibilities resonate with them as options in their own future!
  • Panelists will be available to engage with groups and individuals during discussion and networking activities.
  • Pizza will be served following the interactive discussions.  (Appropriate alternatives will be provided for those with dietary restrictions.)
  • Panelists: (click here for a PDF containing details and their contact info)
    • Dr. Sarah Boehm
    • Dr. Ash Idrisy
    • Sonya Miller
    • Dr. Cindy Reed
    • Dr. Max Wetherington

#3:  Wednesday, July 17th: Science Communication Workshop with Michael Alley

  • Location: 101 Thomas Building
  • Attendees will learn highly regarded techniques and effective approaches for clearly communicating their summer research findings via the Symposium poster session and program presentations.
  • All attendees should prepare for this workshop by reviewing the links provided below!

Science Communication Workshop

Presenter:  Michael Alley – Engineering Communications Teaching Professor  (Click to read bio)

Pre-workshop Assignment – View the following three short films:

        1. Sample Research Talk to Broad Audience (3:01)
        2. Organizing a Research Paper (2:45)
        3. Why PowerPoint’s Defaults Are Weak (5:01)

Joint Program Sponsors

The Penn State MRSEC, also called the Center for Nanoscale Science, is a large interdisciplinary materials science research center funded by the National Science Foundation’s Materials Research Science & Engineering Centers (MRSEC) program.

PPG Industries has been a longstanding industry partnership with Penn State’s Materials Research Institute.  PPG is a global team of more than 50,000 innovators, achievers, and partners united by the single belief that their paints, coatings, and specialty materials enrich lives.

Participating Programs List & Contact Information

2024 Program Contacts Sheet – .pdf

Contact Kristin Dreyer (kad4@psu.edu) with questions regarding joint events.