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.

The registration deadline for the 2025 WMRUGS Research Conference has ended. No walk-in registration or walk-in attendees will be accepted the day of the conference. For questions regarding the conference, contact Michelle Love at [email protected].

2025 WMRUGS Program (downloadable file)

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

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 to our incredible 2025 sponsors!

INTERNSHIP & EMPLOYMENT RECRUITERS/REPRESENTATIVES

Gentex Corporation

Informational Website: http://www.gentex.com 
Online Application: https://gentex.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Gentex

• Online Application Period: There are rolling job opportunities as positions become available
  Please contact Daniel Quintanilla via email ([email protected]) regarding student opportunities with Gentex Corporation.

Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing

Informational Website: https://www.grandriverasepticmfg.com/
Online Application: https://www.grandriverasepticmfg.com/careers/

• Online Application Deadline: Summer internship opportunities will be finalized in early 2026 and will be advertised at the GVSU Career Fair in Feb. and on Handshake.
• For all other jobs, we keep postings up to date and the deadline is revolving.
  Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Stem Greenhouse

Informational Website and Online Application: https://stemgreenhouse.org/
Undergraduate Internship Online Application Period: Rolling

• Online Application and Process: Please visit our booth to learn more about the internship application process through the City of Grand Rapids/GRow1000
  STEM Greenhouse recruiters/representatives will be available from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Informational Website: https://www.fishersci.com/us/en/home.html
Online Application: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en
Application Deadline: Deadlines are dependent on the role applied for

• Please check the website for details, as job postings are regularly added
  Thermo Fisher Scientific recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Van Andel Institute

Informational Website and Online Application: https://www.vai.org/ug-internships 

• Research Fellowship Application Period: Dec. 1, 2025-Feb. 2, 2026
  Van Andel Institute recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

INTERNSHIP & EMPLOYMENT RECRUITERS/REPRESENTATIVES

Ferris State University – College of Pharmacy

Informational Website: https://www.ferris.edu/pharmacy
Online Application: https://www.ferris.edu/pharmacy/admissions/apply.htm

• Priority Online Application Deadline: Nov. 1, 2025
• Regular Online Application Deadline: June 1, 2026
  Ferris State University-College of Pharmacy recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Grand Rapids Community College

Informational Website: https://www.grcc.edu/
Online Application: https://www.grcc.edu/students-resources/admissions-enrollment/apply-grcc

• Summer classes begin May 4, 2026
  Grand Rapids Community College recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Grand Valley State University-Cell and Molecular Biology

Informational Website: https://www.gvsu.edu/cmb/
Online Application: https://apply.gvsu.edu/portal/gr_app

• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Deadline for fall semester start is Feb. 1, international, and April 1, domestic. Deadline for the winter semester start is Sept. 1, international, and Nov. 1, domestic.
• The $30 non-refundable application fee is waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU.
  Grand Valley State University recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Indiana University School of Medicine, Biomedical Grad Programs

Informational Website: https://medicine.iu.edu/graduate-degrees/phd/indianapolis
Online Application: https://go.iu.edu/ApplyIBMG
Application Deadlines

• Priority: Nov. 1, 2025
• Final Deadline: Dec. 1, 2025
  Indiana University School of Medicine recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Meharry Medical College

Informational Website: https://meharrysogs.org/ 
Online Application: https://meharrysogs.org/students-fellows/admissions/application-deadlines-and-requirements/
Application Deadlines:

• Dec. 15, 2025 Ph.D. Priority Deadline
• April 30, 2026 MHS Deadline
  Meharry Medical College recruiters/representatives will be available from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Michigan State University-College of Human Medicine

Informational Website: https://humanmedicine.msu.edu/
Online Application: https://chmadmissions.msu.edu/
Application Deadlines:

• Traditional M.D. Primary Application Deadline: Oct. 15
• Traditional M.D. Secondary Application Deadline: Nov. 15
• M.D./Ph.D. Primary Application Deadline: Sept. 1
• M.D./Ph.D. Secondary Application Deadline: Oct. 1

Michigan State University-College of Human Medicine recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

The Ohio State University-Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Programs

Informational Website: https://gradsch.osu.edu/interdisciplinary-graduate-programs
Online Application: https://gpadmissions.osu.edu/programs/programs.aspx

• Application Deadline: Dec. 3, 2025
  The Ohio State University- Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Programs recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Purdue University-Interdisciplinary Life Science Program

Informational Website: https://www.purdue.edu/academics/ogsps/pulse/
Online Application: https://gradapply.purdue.edu/apply/

• Application Deadline: Dec. 1, 2025
  Purdue University Interdisciplinary Life Science Program recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

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

Informational Website: https://www.pathology.med.umich.edu/phd-program
Online Application: https://www.pathology.med.umich.edu/phd-program/prospective-students

• Application Deadline: Dec. 1, 2025
  University of Michigan Medical School Molecular and Cellular Pathology Graduate Program recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00-10:00 a.m. and then 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

University of Michigan-Program In Biomedical Sciences Medical School

Informational Website: https://medschool.umich.edu/programs-admissions/phd-programs
Online Application: https://www.applyweb.com/cgi-bin/app?s=umgrad

• Application Deadline: Dec. 1, 2025
  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

Informational Website: https://sph.umich.edu/
Online Application: https://sph.umich.edu/admissions/mph-mhsa-application-checklist.html
Application Deadlines:

• Priority Deadline (all): Dec. 1
• Final MPH/MHSA Deadline: May 15
• M.S./Ph.D. Final Deadlines: Vary by Department | Visit the website for final deadline dates
  University of Michigan Public Health recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 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, 2025
  Van Andel Institute Graduate School recruiters/representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Western Michigan University

Informational Website and Online Application: https://wmich.edu/grad

• Application Deadline: Continual
  Western Michigan University representatives will be available from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.