20th Annual West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science Research Conference

Celebrating the 20th anniversary, 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 speakers, poster presenters and attendees must register for the conference | No walk-in registrations will be accepted

Speaker and Poster Presenters

• Speaker and poster presenter deadline: Noon/12:00 p.m. EST on Monday, Oct.19, 2026
• Speakers and poster presenters include:
  • Student speakers nominated by the WMRUGS Research Conference Organizing Committee giving scientific talks | Only select the student speaker option if you are an undergraduate student nominated by a committee member from the following organizing institutions: Aquinas College, Calvin University, Ferris State University-College of Pharmacy, Grand Valley State University, Hope College and Kalamazoo College.
  • Student poster presenters including principal presenter (submitting abstract/poster title) and co-principal presenter | Please get approval from your research mentor before registering as either a principal presenter (submitting abstract/poster title) and co-principal presenter. Please also review the details under the Poster & Eligibility tab before registering as a poster presenter.

Attendee Registration

• Attendee deadline: Noon/12:00 p.m. EST on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026
• Attendees include:
  • Student attendees not presenting or speaking
  • Faculty/administrative attendees
  • Research mentors
  • Family/friends of student poster presenters or student speakers
  • Event volunteers (VAI Graduate School Students and VAI Employees)

Recruiter Registration

• Recruiter deadline: Noon/12:00 p.m. EST on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026
• Please send your high resolution organizational/institutional logo to Michelle Love at [email protected] before Noon/12:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

WMRUGS Research Conference Organizing Committee Members

Keith Grasman, Ph.D. – Calvin University
Jennifer Hess, Ph.D. – Aquinas College
Eric Nybo, Ph.D. – Ferris State University – College of Pharmacy
Kristin Reed, Ph.D. – Hope College
Mark Staves, Ph.D. – Grand Valley State University
Tim Triche, Ph.D. – Van Andel Institute / Van Andel Institute Graduate School
Dwight Williams, Ph.D. – Kalamazoo College

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 pickup at the WMRUGS information table.

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 p.m. 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].

Please get approval from your research mentor before registering as either a principal presenter (submitting abstract) and co-principal presenter. Please also review the details below on posters and eligibility before registering for the conference.

Abstracts and poster titles: Only the principal presenting author-student will have access to submit the poster title and abstract. Please check with your faculty advisor and/or research mentor before registering to ensure that you are to register as the principal presenting author-student, and you are to submit the poster title and abstract. Poster titles should be no longer than 125 characters (including spaces), and abstracts should not exceed 1000 characters (including spaces). Due to space limitations at Van Andel Institute, the maximum number of posters is 145.

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 per side (total of four posters 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 10:00 – 11:15 a.m. Odd-numbered posters will present from 1:15 – 2:30 p.m. 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:

Hyatt Place Grand Rapids-Downtown
140 Ottawa Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to Hyatt Place Grand Rapids-Downtown
Telephone: 616.984.1200
Website: hyattplacegrandrapidsdowntown.com/
Walking and driving distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Lyon Street NW and Division Avenue) | 0.4 miles | 10 minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Ionia Ave NW and Crescent Street) | 0.5 miles | 3 minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids-Downtown
11 Monroe NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids-Downtown
Telephone: 616.242.6618
Website: marriott.com/en-us/hotels/grrdt-courtyard-grand-rapids-downtown/overview/
Walking and driving distance
Walking distance to and from Van Andel Institute (via Monroe Avenue NW and Lyon Street NW) | 0.7 miles | 18 minutes
Driving distance to and from Ramp B/Grand Rapids Community College (via Monroe Avenue NW and Michigan Street NW) | 0.8 miles | 4 minutes
From the parking ramp, it is a 2–3-minute walk north to Van Andel Institute

Amway Grand Plaza – Downtown Grand Rapids
187 Monroe Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Click HERE for directions to Amway Grand Plaza
Telephone: 616.774.2000 | Email address: [email protected]
Website: 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
Click HERE for directions to JW Marriott – Downtown Grand Rapids
Telephone: 616.242.1500
Website: 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: 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: cityflatshotel.com/get-in-touch/
Website: 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: 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
Click HERE for directions to Marriott Courtyard Plaza – Downtown Grand Rapids
Telephone: 616.242.6000
Website: 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
Click HERE for directions to AC Hotel – Downtown Grand Rapids
Telephone: 616.776.3200
Website: 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: 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: 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

For more information on a sponsorship, please contact Michelle Love at [email protected].

Internship & Employment Recruiters/Representatives

Van Andel Institute

Informational Website and Online Application: https://www.vai.org/ug-internships
Research Fellowship Application Period: Dec. 1, 2026-Feb. 1, 2027
Van Andel Institute recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Educational Recruiters/Representatives

Grand Valley State University Cell and Molecular Biology Department

Informational Website: https://www.gvsu.edu/cmb
Online Application: https://apply.gvsu.edu/portal/gr_app
Application Deadline: To be assured of admission consideration, GVSU recommends submitting your application and all supporting documents one to two months before the semester you wish to enter
Grand Valley State University Cell and Molecular Biology Department recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Indiana University Medical School

Informational Website: https://iu.edu
Online Application: https://admissions.graduate.iu.edu/apply/
Application Deadline: Nov. 1, 2026
Indiana University Medical School recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Informational Website: https://publichealth.jhu.edu
Online Application: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/offices-and-services/office-of-admissions-services/how-to-apply/application-deadlines
Application Deadlines: Various | Visit Admissions application deadline website above
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Informational Website: https://humanmedicine.msu.edu
Online Application: https://chmadmissions.msu.edu
Application Deadlines: See list below:
Regular MD AMCAS Application Deadline: Oct. 15, 2026
Regular MD Secondary Application Deadline: Nov. 30, 2026
MD/PhD AMCAS Application Deadline: Sep. 1, 2026
MD/PhD Secondary Application Deadline: Oct.1, 2026
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

University of Michigan Medical School
Program in Biomedical Sciences

Informational Website: https://medschool.umich.edu/programs-admissions/phd-programs
Online Application: https://shibboleth-idp.collegenet.com/idp/profile/SAML2/Redirect/SSO?execution=e1s1
Application Deadline: Dec. 1, 2026
University of Michigan-Program in Biomedical Sciences recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

University of Michigan School of Public Health

Informational Website and Online Application: https://sph.umich.edu
Application Deadline: Varies by program | Visit https://sph.umich.edu/admissions/applications-deadlines.html for program deadline dates
University of Michigan School of Public Health recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Van Andel Institute Graduate School

Informational Website: https://www.vai.org/graduate-school
Online Application: https://www.vai.org/graduate-school/admissions
Application Deadline: Dec. 1, 2026
Van Andel Institute Graduate School recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Western Michigan University Graduate College

Informational Website: https://wmich.edu/grad
Online Application: https://wmich.edu/grad/apply
Application Deadlines: Visit https://wmich.edu/grad/program-allprograms for deadline dates
Western Michigan University-Graduate College recruiters/representatives will be available from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine

Informational Website: https://wmed.edu
Online Application: https://wmed.edu/app
Application Deadline: Nov. 15, 2026
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine recruiters/representatives will be available from 10:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Join us for the 20th Annual West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science (WMRUGS) Research Conference on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Van Andel Institute (VAI). This dynamic event unites students and faculty for a day of discovery and networking. Students will present their research through poster sessions, connecting with peers, faculty, and research scientists while expanding their professional networks. Attendees can look forward to engaging scientific talks on a range of topics, including biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and physics. Additionally, graduate, professional, and medical school recruiters will be present to discuss educational opportunities, and internship and employment recruiters will be available to explore career prospects. Recruiters will be available from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

As you and your admissions team and/or talent acquisition team make recruiting plans, we hope you will consider joining us for this year’s conference/fair. The recruiter registration fee is $150.00. Further below are the details including benefits of attending the conference/fair. If you are unable to attend, please forward me the contact information of your colleagues that would be interested in participating in this year’s conference/fair. You are also welcome to forward this email message on to your colleagues.

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 Research Conference website and program
• Institutional / Organizational recognition during opening and closing remarks

Michelle Love, Program Administrator | Questions: [email protected]

Recruiter registration