Undergraduate Research Symposium

2025 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

Have you spent your summer in a lab and made a unique discovery? Will your critical analysis lead to positive social change? Gained some important insights out in the field that you want to showcase? Share your accomplishments at The Students’ Union Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS).

Awards will be announced online during Research Week, November 17 to 21, 2025. Winners will receive an invitation to an award presentation event to be held on November 19, 2025.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

URS applications are now closed. Be sure to attend the Poster Symposium, where researchers will be presenting their work, on Research Week, November 19-20, 2025.

RESEARCH WEEK EVENTS

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

WINNERS LIST – 2025

Alphabetical by AWARD TITLE (click here)
- Award for Innovative Impact in Physical Wellbeing by Diversified Staffing
  Winner: Maleka Haider
  Abstract Title: Navigating the Intersection of Life History and Chronic Illness: Exploring Lived Experiences of PCOS
- Community Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy Award
  Winner: Falah Sheikh
  Abstract Title: Explainable Lightweight Models for Early Alzheimer’s Detection Using MRI Scans
- Cumming School of Medicine Award
  Winner: Samantha Chow
  Abstract Title: Ankle-Foot Orthoses and Ankle Kinematics in Adults with Cerebral Palsy
- Faculty of Arts Award
  Winner: Andrea Jimenez
  Abstract Title: Bring the Outdoors in, Take the Learning out: Situating Learning Within Nature to Promote Well-Being, Nature Connection, and Indigenous Knowledges
- Faculty of Kinesiology award
  Winner: Jasmine Sun
  Abstract Title: A RE-AIM Evaluation of a Community Dance Program for Individuals Living with and Beyond Cancer
- Faculty of Nursing Award
  Winner: Jasjot Ghatore
  Abstract Title: Firefighter mental health and psychological wellbeing at work
- Faculty of Science Award
  Winner: Valeria Bascop
  The Acute Effects of Phytocannabinoids (THC and CBD) on Postictal Hypoxia
- Faculty of Science Award
  Winner: Alexandra Dvorak
  RNAi optimization for ferritin knockdown in Colorado potato beetles
- Faculty of Science Award
  Winner: Leah Basanov
  Optimizing De Novo Antibody Sequencing via Mass Spectrometry for CAR T Cell Therapy
- Faculty of Science Award
  Winner: Kushnoor Baidwan
  Branching Out: Assessing Side Branch Patency of a Bioresorbable Stent in a Rabbit Model
- Faculty of Science Award
  Winner: Benjamin Chew
  ML-based Prediction of Antibiotic Resistance in Gram-Negative Bloodstream Pathogens From Whole-Genome Sequencing
- Faculty of Science Award
  Winner: Zoe Watson
  Reconstructing Lipid Topography in Brain Tissue via LC-MS and Miniaturized Sampling
- Future Alumni Community Impact Award
  Winner: Huria Jalalzai
  Abstract Title: Academic Freedom: Experience of Racialized Students and Faculty at the University of Calgary
- GSA Future Innovator Award
  Winner: Michael Messier
  Abstract Title: Automated, On-site Fall Risk Assessment in Older Adults
- GSA Future Innovator Award
  Winner: Kyle Morin
  Abstract Title: Screening Combinations of Approved Anti-Seizure Drugs on Dravet Patient-Derived Brain Organoid Models using Bioenergetics and Calcium Imaging
- Office of the Vice President Research
  Winner: Assadullah Popal
  Abstract Title: Targeting ERK Pathway Dysregulation in Fragile X Syndrome Mouse Models Using MEK Inhibition
- Office of the Vice President Research
  Winner: Alex Tam
  Abstract Title: Ghost Myocytes and their Impact on Post-Infarct Cardiac Remodelling
- Office of the Vice President Research
  Winner: Rajpreet Ranhawa
  Abstract Title: Understanding the Role of Cholesterol in Modulating Prion Protein Metabolism, Misfolding, and Cellular Susceptibility of Prion Infection
- Office of the Vice President Research
  Winner: Aliyah Rasheed
  Abstract Title: Investigating Mitotic Checkpoint Function by Genetics Epistasis in Fission Yeast
- Office of the Vice Provost (Libraries and Cultural Resources) Award
  Winner: Abby Marsh
  Abstract Title: Parent Technoference and Child Internalizing and Externalizing Problems: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Office of the Vice Provost (Libraries and Cultural Resources) Award
  Winner: Eric Hess
  Abstract Title: Using Machine Learning to Infer Interparticle Interactions
- President’s Award for Research
  Winner: Hannah Kim
  Abstract Title: Developing New Glyco-Biomarkers for Immunotherapy Response in Lung Cancer
- Schulich School of Engineering
  Winner: Nabeel Khan
  Abstract Title: Design and Optimization of the Intelligent Dynamics and Control Lab’s Uncrewed Aerial Manipulator Test Rig
- Schulich School of Engineering
  Winner: Lamar Hamid
  Abstract Title: Mapping Digital Pedagogies in Futuristic Engineering Education: A Scoping Review of Soft Skills and Entrepreneurial Competence Development
- SU Sustainability Award
  Winner: Shahvez Asif
  Abstract Title: Exploring Carbon Quantum Dots: Multifunctional Nanomaterials for Smarter and Sustainable Packaging
- SU Sustainability Award
  Winner: Roro Zarrouk
  Abstract Title: Modernizing the Prevention of Recidivism in Youth and Young Adults
- Vice-Provost Teaching and Learning Award
  Winner: Oceanna Liu
  Abstract Title: Quantifying Orexin Inputs to the Intergeniculate Leaflet

WINNERS LIST – 2024

Alphabetical by AWARD TITLE (click here)
- Community Mental Health and Well-being Strategy Award
  Winner: Renee Pi
  Abstract Title: SibsHear: Exploring Autism’s Impact on Siblings
- Cumming School of Medicine Award
  Winner: Demitra Selimos
  Abstract Title: The Effect of Metformin on Disease Progression and Cerebral Perfusion in an Experimental Model of Multiple Sclerosis
- Faculty of Arts Award
  Winner: Shafaq Batool
  Abstract Title: Structural Changes of the Hippocampus in Astronauts Following a Spaceflight to the International Space Station
- Faculty of Kinesiology Award
  Winner: Shadan Al-Saket
  Abstract Title: Investigating the force-time curves of single leg vertical jumps after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery
- Faculty of Nursing Impact Award
  Winner: Sarah Sass
  Abstract Title: The Exploring Mental Health Barriers in the Emergency Room (EMBER) study
- Faculty of Science Award
  Winner: Elaine Xiao Wen Liang
  Abstract Title: Localization of Epileptic Zones in Focal Epilepsy Patients Using Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations
- Faculty of Science Award
  Winner: Fatima Debek
  Abstract Title: Assessment of Metal Biocorrosion Potential of High Salinity Sulfate-Reducing Cultures
- Faculty of Science Award
  Winner: Omar Ahmad Khan
  Abstract Title: The Effects of Matching Human and Animal Avatars with Various Locomotion Methods in VR
- Faculty of Science Award
  Winner: Zoe Christine Watson
  Abstract Title: High Resolution Mapping of Brain Lipid Distributions in Neurodegeneration
- Faculty of Science Award
  Winner: Priyanshu Giri
  Abstract Title: Comparison of Active Stand and Head-Up Tilt Tests for the Diagnosis of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- Faculty of Science Award
  Winner: Katie Moyes
  Abstract Title: Association between strongyle parasite infections and overwinter survival in Sable Island feral horses
- Future Alumni Community Impact Award
  Winner: Oyindamola Obigbesan
  Abstract Title: Review of HIV Transmission Risk Through Breastfeeding
- GSA Future Innovator Award
  Winner: Vidhi Desai
  Abstract Title: Microbiome on Fire: Wildfire Smoke Exposure is Associated with the Infant Gut Microbiome
- GSA Future Innovator Award
  Winner: Talia Turner
  Abstract Title: Molecular Detection and Bioinformatic Analysis of a Novel Species of Rickettsia Endosymbiont in Aedes aegypti Mosquito
- ii’taa’poh’to’p Indigenous Strategy Award
  Winner: Aidan Bender
  Abstract Title: Biodiversity Below Zero: Photosynthetic Eukaryotes of the Canadian Arctic
- ii’taa’poh’to’p Indigenous Strategy Award
  Winner: Jenna Himer
  Abstract Title: Exploring (Re)Connection with Métis Young Adults
- Inclusive Excellence in Research and Innovation Award
  Winner: Sandra Amin
  Abstract Title: Investigating relationships between students’ workload perception, stress, wellbeing, and learning environment of a of a flipped classroom
- Inclusive Excellence in Research and Innovation Award
  Winner: Riley Ngo
  Abstract Title: Toward optimizing ATG dosing: Search for ideal ATG exposure
- Inclusive Excellence in Research and Innovation Award
  Winner: Gabby Barber
  Abstract Title: Queer Life in Contemporary Rural Alberta
- Office of the Vice President Research Award
  Winner: Rana Abdalrahman
  Abstract Title: Post-Stroke Psychiatric Outcomes in Young Adults
- Office of the Vice President Research Award
  Winner: Connor Lang
  Abstract Title: Pestering PINK1: Pain in a Genetic Knockout Rat Model for Parkinson’s Disease
- Office of the Vice President Research Award
  Winner: Mindy Kim
  Abstract Title: Investigating the role of foxA2 and spondin1b in spinal cord development
- Office of the Vice President Research Award
  Winner: Elbert Tom
  Abstract Title: Exploring Visuospatial Neglect in Stroke Survivors: A VR-based Dual-tasking Study
- Office of the Vice Provost (Libraries and Cultural Resources) Award
  Winner: Cindy Hong
  Abstract Title: Caregiver Sensitivity and Child Developmental Outcomes: An Umbrella Review
- Office of the Vice Provost (Libraries and Cultural Resources) Award
  Winner: Stella Duncan
  Abstract Title: Using Polygenic Risk Scores to Validate Clinical Diagnoses of Psychiatric Disorders
- President’s Award for Research Excellence
  Winner: Allison Yang
  Abstract Title: Investigating spatial cognition of mice in disrupted sleep cycles
  Vice-Provost Teaching and Learning Award, Program in Undergraduate Research Excellence Experience Award (PURE)
- Winner: Ozhaughn Henry
  Abstract Title: Evaluating Legal Impact: How laws shape social norms and behavior
- Vice-Provost Teaching and Learning Award, Program in Undergraduate Research Excellence Experience Award (PURE)
  Winner: Armaan Singh
  Abstract Title: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Confounding Factors Influencing the Six-Minute Walk Test in Healthy Subjects Using the Ambulosono Wearable Sensor
- SU Sustainability Award
  Winner: Stavan Pritesh Patel
  Abstract Title: Nanopore-Lipid Vesicle Integration in a DNA Nanoscale Biosensor for Early Neurodegenerative Disease Detection
- SU Sustainability Award
  Winner: Thomas Wood
  Abstract Title: Biodegradation of naphthenic acids in oil-sands process affected water
- Schulich School of Engineering Award
  Winner: Suprova Hoque
  Abstract Title: Engaging the Digital Learner: A scoping review of digital technologies and integrated dynamic teaching approaches in engineering education
- Werklund School of Education Award
  Winner: Cathrine Keeler
  Abstract Title: Assessing the impacts of digital media on classroom literacy practices

URS 2024 RECAP

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