Student Research Opportunities
Research Day at the Capitol
General Information
The prestigious event is sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Oklahoma Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (OK EPSCoR), and the National Science Foundation. The event's objective is to showcase the outstanding undergraduate research being conducted at Oklahoma’s colleges and universities in the areas of science (including social science), technology, engineering, and mathematics. Oklahoma State University is allowed to send four undergraduates to this event.
Research Day at the Capitol encompasses multiple activities. One afternoon in late March, students’ posters and oral presentations are individually judged at a location in Oklahoma City. The next morning, students share their research during a poster exhibit at the State Capitol Building and meet with legislators; poster competition winners are also announced during an awards ceremony.
Eligiblility
- The student must be a legal resident of Oklahoma.
- The student must be enrolled as an undergraduate at Oklahoma State University for the entirety of the academic year.
- The student’s research must have originated from and been conducted at Oklahoma State University in the fields of science (including social science), technology, engineering, or mathematics.
- Priority will be given to students with prior experience presenting a poster at a research conference or symposium (can be internal to OSU or at a professional conference).
- The student MUST attend all sessions indicated below. Waivers will not be granted; make-up dates will
not be scheduled.
- Informational Training Session via video - View by early January.
- Poster and Oral Presentation Judging Session - half day (afternoon) in mid-March at a location in Oklahoma City
- Research Day at the Capitol Activities - half day (morning); held the day following the poster judging. Student posters are on exhibit in the State Capitol Rotunda, students meet with legislators and Capitol guests, and poster competition winners are announced during an awards ceremony.
Application Process
The OSU Vice President for Research issues a call for applications in mid-August. Applications are due in mid-October and consist of the following materials: 1) on-line application form; 2) abstract describing the research project; and 3) faculty mentor's statement of commitment. Students are notified regarding their selection in mid-November. As noted above, Oklahoma State University is allowed to send four undergraduates to the event.
OSU's 2024 Student Represenatives
We are now accepting nominations/applications for 2024 Research Day at the Capitol. Applications will only be accepted via the online nomination form; applications are due Friday, October 14 at 11:59 pm. For additional information, please refer to the full guidelines here.
OSU's 2023 Student Representatives
Congratulations to the undergraduate students who represented OSU at the 2023 Research Day at the Capitol.
- Omar Abouzahr, “Analyzing and Improving the Frangibility of Various Unmanned Aerial Systems for Urban Operations”, from Stillwater, OK and advised by Dr. Jamey Jacob, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Jacob Lieberman, “Antifungal Activity of Novel Macrocycle Derivatives on Cryptococcus neoformans”, from Tulsa, OK and advised by Dr. Karen Wozniak, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
- Ella Moffet, “Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Oklahoma Exceeds the National Average”, from Woodward, OK and advised by Dr. Ashlea Braun, Nutritional Sciences
- Rabeca Richardson, “Projecting Mechanical Treatment Outcomes on Invasive Grass to Improve Control Efficiency”, from Yukon, OK and advised by Dr. Bo, Zhang, Integrative Biology