Eastern Student Elizabeth Del Buono Presents at NCUR Conference in Tennessee

2017 Apr 24

A record number 23 students from Eastern Connecticut State University presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in Memphis, TN, this April. Three students had two presentations, bringing the total number of presentations from Eastern to 26.

Among the presenters was Elizabeth Del Buono '17 of Southington who majors in Biology. Del Buono's poster presentation was titled "An Investigation of Odd-Skipped Genes in C. Elegans and was conducted under the guidance of biology professor Amy Groth.

"I've been working on this project since Spring 2015 and my my advisor, Dr. Groth, has been an amazing mentor both in the lab and in my life," said Del Buono. "I've stuck with this project because I wanted to understand my understanding of genetics. Dr. Groth has pushed me to do my best and has held me to a high standard while maintaining an encouraging attitude. I am thankful to work with someone like her."

"Learning to conduct research is a major component of a liberal arts education. That is why Eastern is committed to supporting our undergraduate students so that they can conduct research and present it at regional and national conferences," said Elsa Nunez, president of Eastern Connecticut State University. "To know that every Eastern student's proposal was accepted at this year's National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Tennessee is a testament to the support students receive from our faculty.

"The fact that Eastern had more student representatives at the NCUR conference than any other college or university in Connecticut says we are serious about giving as many of our students opportunities to conduct meaningful, scholarly research as possible," continued Nunez. "We know that undergraduates at larger institutions don't get these opportunities, but we also know that students who are engaged in applied learning activities such as research projects get better grades and graduate at higher rates. That is why Eastern is committed to expanding and enhancing this component of our liberal arts education."

Professor Carlos Escoto, undergraduate research and creative activity coordinator at Eastern, chaperoned students on the NCUR trip. "The students got a lot out of the conference," he said. "The trip had a great sense of comradery and students showed up to support one another."

NCUR was established in 1987 and is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity in all fields of study.