On March 6 and 7, the University of North Florida hosted the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC) for the fourth time, including the inaugural conference in 2011.<\/p>\n
This year, more than 930 Florida undergraduate students presented their research, according to the UNF Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), Judith Ochrietor.<\/p>\n
Student Opportunities<\/p>\n
As one of the largest research conferences in the country, FURC gives all undergraduate researchers in Florida a chance to showcase their findings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ochrietor explained that the conference also provides networking and recruitment opportunities for students.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents present posters of their research, network with other students from across the state and graduate recruiters from across the country, and attend professional development workshops,\u201d Ochrietor said.<\/p>\n
The 2026 event, cohosted by OUR and the Florida Undergraduate Research Association (FURA), is greatly beneficial to students all over the state, according to Ochrietor.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are excited to welcome students and their mentors to our beautiful campus,\u201d Ochrietor said. \u201cIt is an incredibly supportive environment where students meet new friends and make lasting memories.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Senior and biology major Thomas Laura, who has spent the past two years conducting research on a critically endangered cactus species, presented his research at two FURC conferences.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy research examines the effects of different substrates (e.g., sand and peat) and salinity on the growth and development of this species, Consolea corallicola,\u201d Laura said.<\/p>\n
Having attended the FURC 2025 at the University of South Florida last February, Laura accredited it as an \u201cincredible experience\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had the opportunity to meet graduate school recruiters, learn about programs at other universities, present my own research, and participate in hands-on workshops offered during the conference,\u201d Laura said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Laura noted that UNF expands on this conference and provides great opportunities for undergraduate students to gain research experience through the OUR\u2019s faculty mentorship and on-campus workshops.<\/p>\n
Student research can be viewed at the FURC 2026 conference program.<\/a><\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n