Applications Now Open for Undergraduates to Apply to Present at ACC Meeting of the Minds

Each year, a group of five undergraduate students from Syracuse University join students from the 14 other Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) institutions to showcase their research or creative work at the ACC Meeting of the Minds (MoM) conference. This year’s conference is the 14th annual and will be held from Friday, March 24, through Sunday, March 26, at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The 2021 MoM participants with SOURCE assistant director Odette Marie Rodriguez. From left to right: Daniel Nagle, Camila Tirado, Odette Marie Rodriguez, David Williams, Maggie Sardino and Michael “MP” Geiss

Students interested in attending this year’s conference need to apply by Wednesday, Jan. 25. All travel, lodging and meal expenses are funded for student presenters.

“The Meeting of the Minds Conference is a unique opportunity for undergraduate researchers to meet and connect with passionate students from across all ACC schools,” says Odette Marie Rodriguez, assistant director of the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE). “Students not only have the opportunity to share their own original research and receive valuable feedback, but they will also have the chance to collaborate with students and faculty during a fast-paced and energetic weekend filled with presentations and lectures on new and innovative work happening across disciplines. The SOURCE is honored to be able to support exceptional student researchers in this remarkable opportunity.”

To apply, students submit an application and need to identify a faculty member mentor who will need to complete a recommendation on their behalf. It is important to note that both the recommendation and application are due Thursday, Jan. 19.

A panel of Syracuse University faculty members and staff select the presenters based on the academic quality of the project, clarity of expression in the proposal, completeness of research/creative project, independence of the project and potential impact of the conference participation to help the student achieve their goals.

Daniel Nagle ’23, who is studying sport analytics in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, participated in MoM last year and found it a valuable academic experience.

Daniel Nagel presented on “Optimization of Formula 1 Driver Pairs.”

“I enjoyed being able to see research from a vast range of fields that I have no exposure or expertise in,” says Nagle, who presented on “Optimization of Formula 1 Driver Pairs.” “The Syracuse University staff prepared all of us to have strong presentations and specifically gave me very helpful feedback, which benefitted my honors presentation later in the spring.”

Other research and presentations last year included “Screening for Organic Micropollutants in Septic-Impacted Groundwater and Drinking Water Supplies on Long Island” by MP Geiss ‘23; “A Blueprint for Re-renewal: The Future of Public Housing” by Maggie Sardino ‘23; “Understanding the interaction between secondary cell wall biosynthesis and abiotic stress” by Camila Tirado ‘23 and “Transforming Education: A Digital Toolkit for Student Success” by David Williams ‘22. 

For more information about the 2023 MoM Conference, contact Kate Hanson, director of the SOURCE, at khanso01@syr.edu or visit the SOURCE website.