USU's Science Unwrapped Kicks Off 'Celebrate Undergrad Research' Series, Friday, Jan. 24
Biologist Jessica Habashi describes collaborative bird-window collision research at USU Brigham City at free, family friendly STEM outreach event. USU President Elizabeth Cantwell delivers the series' opening welcome during USU's Year of Undergraduate Research.
By Mary-Ann Muffoletto |
Biologist Jessica Habashi will be the featured speaker at Science Unwrapped on Jan. 24. The event will kick off Science Unwrapped's Celebrate Undergrad Research series during the university’s Year of Undergraduate Research.
Who can do science and where do scientists get their ideas? The answer to the first part of that question, according to Utah State University biologist Jessica Habashi, is “everyone.” Her answer to the second part of that question is “everywhere and from places you might not expect.”
Habashi, principal lecturer in the Department of Biology at USU Brigham City, presents “Stepping Up to Science: How Pursuing Research Expands Horizons” at USU’s Science Unwrapped public outreach program Friday, Jan. 24. Her talk begins at 7 p.m. in the Emert Auditorium, Room ESLC 130, of the Eccles Science Learning Center. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.
Habashi’s talk kicks off Science Unwrapped’s new spring 2025 series “Celebrate Undergrad Research,” which is presented in conjunction with Utah State’s 2025 Year of Undergraduate Research. USU President Elizabeth Cantwell will deliver the opening welcome address for the series. Science Unwrapped was initiated by USU’s College of Science in 2009.
“We’re so excited to have Dr. Habashi and President Cantwell join us as we begin a series highlighting undergraduate research,” says Brynja Kohler, Science Unwrapped chair, associate dean in the College of Science and professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. “Getting involved in research, where one asks big questions and learns how scientists pursue knowledge, is a pivotal step in scientific discovery.”
A champion of undergraduate research at USU Brigham City and throughout Utah State’s statewide system, Habashi learned of a real-world problem on her campus: Bird-window collisions. She saw the phenomenon not only as a challenge to be investigated but as a meaningful research experience for students. At Science Unwrapped, Habashi will describe how she, her students and staff employees in Brigham City developed the research idea into collaborative learning opportunities.
Hands-on learning activities led by USU student groups and community volunteers, along with refreshments, follow Habashi’s presentation. In addition, this spring’s series will feature research posters by USU undergraduates.
Habashi’s talk will be video-recorded and posted on the Science Unwrapped website within a week of the in-person event.
The Celebrate Undergrad Research series schedule is:
- Friday, Jan. 24 – “Stepping Up to Science: How Pursuing Research Expands Horizons, USU biologist Jessica Habashi
- Friday, Feb. 21 – “Terrific, Terrible Lizards: The Age of Dinosaurs and Beyond in Eastern Utah,” USU paleontologist Josh Lively
- Friday, March 21 – “Blinded by scEYEnce,” USU biological engineers Elizabeth Vargis and Sophia Hessami
- Friday, April 11 – “Untangling Knot Theory,” USU mathematicians Matt Young and Seth Porter
Directions and parking information are available on the program’s website.
For more information, call 435-797-3517, visit the Science Unwrapped website or view the ‘Science Unwrapped at USU’ Facebook page.
WRITER
Mary-Ann Muffoletto
Public Relations Specialist
College of Science
435-797-3517
maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu
CONTACT
Brynja Kohler
Science Unwrapped Chair; Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Services
College of Science
435-797-2826
brynja.kohler@usu.edu
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Research 965stories STEM 227stories Undergraduate Research 167storiesSHARE
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