Welcome to Gustavus Adolphus College’s Student Stories Series!
National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) Presenter
Major: Exercise Physiology
Minor: Chemistry
How did you get the opportunity/experience? What steps did you take to achieve this?
I applied to NCUR with the Health and Exercise Science research I had completed last semester, and had my abstract accepted in January 2026! For this I spent a whole semester completing research on the effects of positive affirmations on sprinting performance, followed by writing and editing a research abstract that highlighted the importance of my work. After having my research accepted by the conference, I worked to create a thorough research poster and script for my presentation in Richmond, VA!
Tell us more about your accomplishment (include title, role, location, program, etc.)
The Harvard Undergraduate World Pre-Health Conference is a nationally recognized, student-led conference hosted at Harvard University that brings together undergraduate students, health professionals, researchers, and educators from across the world. The conference focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to health, including clinical practice, public health, research, ethics, and health policy. As a participant, I will attend keynote lectures, panel discussions, skill-building workshops, and networking sessions led by physicians, nurses, researchers, and public-health leaders. These sessions emphasize professional development, exposure to diverse health career pathways, and current issues in global and community health. My responsibilities include active engagement in conference programming, participation in professional networking opportunities, and reflection on how the content applies to nursing practice, research, and future leadership in healthcare.
Who were some of the people who helped you most at Gustavus to get this opportunity? What did you learn from them?
Stephanie Otto helped me so much during all phases of my research process. She was a huge help in helping me create a thorough and memorable research abstract for my application to NCUR!
How did the Engaged Learning Funds help you be able to complete this experience?
Without the Engaged Learning Fund, I would not have been able to travel for this experience, so I am so grateful to the Center for Career Development for aiding with my application!
