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.

SPEAKER, POSTER PRESENTERS AND ATTENDEE REGISTRATION
Registration begins Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. New for 2025: All registered conference attendees will be required to sign in upon arrival using VAI’s Security Services system. Please bring a printed copy of your registration form, including the QR code, to the conference.

• All speakers, poster presenters and attendees must register for the conference | No walk-in registrations will be accepted
  • Speaker and poster presenter deadline: Noon/12:00 pm EST on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025
    • 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) and co-principal presenter | 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 under the Poster & Eligibility tab before registering as a poster presenter.
      • Attendee deadline: Noon/12:00 pm EST on Monday, Nov. 3
        • Attendees include:
          • Student attendees not presenting or speaking
          • Faculty/administrative attendees
          • Research mentors
          • Family/friends of student poster presenters or student speakers
• Recruiter registration
  • Recruiter deadline: Noon/12:00 pm EST on Mon., Oct. 20

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.

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 10:00 – 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

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 – 1:15 p.m. or after the conference has ended at 3:30 p.m.

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].

Thank you for your interest in becoming a sponsor of the 2025 WMRUGS Research Conference. For commitment forms and invoice requests, please contact Michelle Love at [email protected].

INTERNSHIP & EMPLOYMENT RECRUITERS/REPRESENTATIVES

Van Andel Institute

Website and application: vai.org/internships
Student Research Fellowship application period: Dec. 1, 2025 – Feb. 2, 2026

Location:
Van Andel Institute
333 Bostwick Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Michelle Love, VAI Graduate School Program Administrator
Email address: [email protected] | Telephone number: 616.234.5708
Van Andel Institute recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

GRADUATE SCHOOL, MEDICAL SCHOOL AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL RECRUITERS/REPRESENTATIVES

University of Michigan Medical School-Molecular and Cellular Pathology Graduate Program

Website: pathology.med.umich.edu/phd-program
Application: pathology.med.umich.edu/phd-program/prospective-students
Application deadline: Dec. 1

Location:
University of Michigan Medical School-Molecular and Cellular Pathology Graduate Program
Office: NI6A11 300 300 North Ingalls Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5416

Dr. Jean-Francois Raul, Associate Professor – UM MCP Graduate Program
Email address: [email protected] | Telephone number: 734.764.6975
University of Michigan Medical School Molecular and Cellular Pathology Graduate Program recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

University of Michigan Medical School Program in Biomedical Sciences

Website: medschool.umich.edu/programs-admissions/phd-programs
Application: www.applyweb.com/cgi-bin/app?s=umgrad
Application deadline: Dec. 1

Location:
University of Michigan Medical School Program in Biomedical Sciences
2960 Taubman Health Sciences
1135 Catherine Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Jen Wloszek, Student Outreach Rep – Current Ph.D. Trainee
Email address: [email protected] | Telephone number: 734.615.1581
Patrick Schrader, Graduate Enrollment Program Manager
Email address: [email protected] | Telephone number: 734.615.1581
University of Michigan Medical School Program in Biomedical Science recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

University of Michigan School of Public Health

Website: sph.umich.edu
Application: sph.umich.edu/admissions/mph-mhsa-application-checklist.html
Application deadlines:
– Priority deadline (all): Dec. 1
– Final MPH/MHSA deadline: May 15, 2026
– M.S./Ph.D. final deadlines: Vary by department | Visit the website for final deadline dates

Location:
University of Michigan School of Public Health
1415 Washington Heights
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Lynn Douglass, Graduate Recruitment Lead
Email address: [email protected]
University of Michigan School of Public Health recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Van Andel Institute Graduate School

Website: vai.org/graduate-school/
Application deadline: Dec. 1

Location:
Van Andel Institute Graduate School
333 Bostwick Avenue, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Christy Mayo, VAI Graduate School Director of Enrollment and Records
Email address: [email protected] | Telephone number: 616.234.5722
Van Andel Institute Graduate School recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Western Michigan University

Website and application: wmich.edu/grad
Application deadline: Continual

Location:
Western Michigan University
1903 W. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Dr. Malia Roberts, Senior Director of Graduate Enrollment
Email address: [email protected] | Telephone number: 269.387.8212
Western Michigan University recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.