West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science Research Conference

The annual West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science (WMRUGS) Research Conference provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to present their own research to a large and supportive group of professional scientists. Attendees will also hear stimulating talks on current topics in biology, chemistry, computer sciences, environmental sciences, math, neuroscience, physics, psychology and more. The research conference includes a keynote speaker, research posters presented by undergraduate students, Graduate school recruiters/representatives will be on hand to discuss opportunities with their institutions and internship/employment recruiters will be available to discuss opportunities with their organizations.

All participants must register. No walk-in registrations will be accepted the day of the event. Registration begins on July 15, 2024. Please note the following deadlines:

• The deadline for speakers nominated by the WMRUGS Research Organizing Committee to register is October 11, 2024 at 5:00 pm EST
• The deadline for poster presenters to submit poster information is October 14, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST
• The deadline for those attendees not presenting posters or giving talks (i.e.. student attendees, faculty attendees, research mentors and family/friends of presenters) is October 28, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST

Recruiters

• The deadline for recruiters to register is October 21, 2024 a t 11:59 pm EST
• Conference/Fair Benefits:
• Reserves one (1) six-foot table in a highly visible location at the conference/fair
• Lunch for two recruiters
• Dedicated recruiter hours to interact with attendees
• A list of registrants that have expressed interest in graduate school, professional school, medical school, and internship/employment opportunities
• Recruiter / Representative information listed in the WMRUGS website and program
• Institutional / Organizational recognition during opening and closing remarks

Have questions on preparing for the 2024 WMRUGS Research Conference? Contact Michelle Love at [email protected].

Organizing Committee

Jennifer Hess, Ph.D. (Aquinas College)
Keith Grasman, Ph.D. (Calvin University)
Eric Nybo, Ph.D. (Ferris State University-College of Pharmacy)
Mark Staves, Ph.D. (Grand Valley State University)
Dwight Williams, Ph.D. (Kalamazoo College)
Kristin Dittenhafer-Reed, Ph.D. (Hope College)
Heidi Lempradl, Ph.D. (Van Andel Institute Graduate School)

Poster Dimensions: Tack boards will be utilized for the poster sessions. Tack board dimensions are 96” W x 48” H and there will be two poster presenters per board. Printed posters should be no larger than 48” W x 48” H. Push pins will be provided for your posters. DO NOT use poster puddy on the tack boards. Even-numbered posters will present from 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM. Odd-numbered posters will present from 1:15 PM – 2:30 PM. Posters are not judged. To present a poster at WMRUGS, presenters must satisfy the following two criteria:

1. Be currently enrolled in a science/research degree program as a:

• Community college student
• Undergraduate college student
• Formalized program for a post-baccalaureate student
• Terminal level master’s student
• Medical student

2. Have conducted research, used experimental methods and developed results in one of the following scientific disciplines:

• Astronomy
• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics
• Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Biomedical Sciences
• Biostatistics
• Biotechnology
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Chemistry
• Computational Biology
• Computer Science
• Ecology and Evolution
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Forensic Biology
• Geography
• Geology
• Immunology
• Mathematics
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biotechnology
• Neuroscience
• Nursing
• Pharmacology
• Physics
• Physiology
• Psychology

Looking for accommodations? Here are some close suggestions in the Downtown Grand Rapids area:

Amway Grand Plaza – Downtown Grand Rapids
187 Monroe Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Directions to Amway Grand Plaza: https://amwaygrand.com/contact/directions
Telephone: 616.774.2000  |  Email Address: [email protected]
Website: http://amwaygrand.com/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Lyon Street): 0.6 miles  |  15-minutes
Distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Pearl Street and Division Avenue): 0.6 miles  |  4-minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

JW Marriott – Downtown Grand Rapids
235 Louis Street, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Directions to JW Marriott: 42°57’55.7″N 85°40’25.2″W – Google Maps
Telephone: 616.242.1500
Website: http://ilovethejw.com/
Walking and Driving Distance
Distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Lyon Street): 0.6 miles  |  15-minutes
Distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Pearl Street and Division Avenue): 0.6 miles  |  4-minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

Homewood Suites – Downtown Grand Rapids
161 Ottawa Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to Homewood Suites
Telephone: 616.451.2300
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/grrdohw-homewood-suites-grand-rapids-downtown/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Lyon Street and Winchester Place)  |  0.4 miles  |  10-minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Pearl Street and Division Avenue)  |  0.4 miles  | 3-minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

City Flats Hotel – Downtown Grand Rapids
83 Monroe Center Street, NW
Grand Rapids MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to City Flats Hotel
Telephone: 844.550.2489  |  Contact Us: https://cityflatshotel.com/get-in-touch/
Website: https://cityflatshotel.com/location/grand-rapids/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Lyon Street and Winchester Place)  |  0.5 miles  |  13-minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Ionia Avenue and Crescent Street)  |  0.6 miles  |  3-minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

Holiday Inn – Downtown Grand Rapids
310 Pearl Street, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to the Holiday Inn
Telephone: 616.235.7611
Website: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/grand-rapids/grrpe/hoteldetail
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Pearl Street)  |  0.9 miles  |  21-minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Pearl Street)  |  0.8 miles  |  5-minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

Marriott Courtyard Plaza – Downtown Grand Rapids
11 Monroe Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Directions to Marriott Courtyard Plaza: 42°57’48.1″N 85°40’24.0″W – Google Maps
Telephone: 616.242.6000
Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/grrdt-courtyard-grand-rapids-downtown/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Pearl Street)  |  0.9 miles  |  21-minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Monroe Avenue and Michigan Street)  |  1.0 miles  |  6-minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

AC Hotel – Downtown Grand Rapids
50 Monroe Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Directions to the AC Hotel: 42°57’51.8″N 85°40’19.5″W – Google Maps
Telephone: 616.776.3200
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/grrar-ac-hotel-grand-rapids-downtown/overview/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Monroe Avenue and Lyon Street)  |  0.6 miles  |  16-minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Pearl Street and Division Avenue)  |  0.6 miles  |  4-minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

Hampton Inn & Suites – Downtown Grand Rapids
433 Dudley Place, NE
Grand Rapids, MI  49503
Click HERE for directions to Hampton Inn & Suites
Telephone: 616.456.2000   |  Email Address: [email protected]
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/grrdthx-hampton-suites-grand-rapids-downtown/
Walking and Driving Distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Michigan Street)  |  0.7 miles  |  16-minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Michigan Street)  |  0.6 miles  |  8-minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

Embassy Suites by Hilton – Downtown Grand Rapids
710 Monroe Avenue, NW
Grand Rapid, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to Embassy Suites by Hilton
Telephone: 616.512.5700
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/grrmaes-embassy-suites-grand-rapids-downtown/
Driving Distance
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Division Avenue)  |  0.9 miles  |  3-minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

2024 WMRUGS Parking and Getting to VAI (downloadable file)

FREE parking will be available the day of the conference for registered attendees and recruiters. WMRUGS Research Conference attendees and recruiters will park at the Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) parking ramp B and then walk north on Bostwick Avenue to Van Andel Institute (VAI). The parking ramp is south of VAI and is less than a five-minute walk to 333 Bostwick Avenue/Grand Rapids MI 49503. When entering parking ramp B, conference attendees will need to take a GRCC parking pass. There are seven levels and over 300 parking spaces available for conference attendees and recruiters.

Validated Parking Passes: Validated parking passes are available for pick up at the WMRUGS information table. Please pick up validated parking passes from the information desk during the lunch period from 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm or after the conference has ended at 3:30 pm.

Exit/Departure: Exit/Departure: When exiting the GRCC parking ramp B, follow the instructions at the parking gate for inserting the parking passes: Insert the entrance parking pass first and then the validated parking pass. The validated parking passes are only valid until 5:30 pm the day of the event.

If you need special accommodations for attending this event (i.e. parking or entering the building), contact Michelle Love at [email protected].