Student Researchers Explore Opportunities at Conferences with Starr Travel Grants

Meredith Prince (’25) presents her research on “Los nombres del hollín en el español de España” at the Spanish Linguistics in North Carolina Conference in Greenville, N.C. Meredith attended the conference after receiving a Starr Travel Grant.

By Aditi Samavedy, Fellow in the Office of the Dean of the College

It was a typical North Carolina winter day in February when Meredith Prince found herself presenting her research on “Los nombres del hollín en el español de España” at the Spanish Linguistics in North Carolina Conference. Located in Greenville, N.C., this conference gave Meredith an opportunity not many undergraduates can experience: presenting research at a national conference.

As a senior majoring in Spanish, Meredith found that not only was the experience personally fulfilling for the work she has been conducting with Dr. César Gutiérrez, Associate Professor of Spanish, but it also allowed her to interact with a plethora of driven scholars like herself who were eager to discuss the field of linguistics research happening across the Southeast. After the conference concluded, she reflected, “Attending the SLISE/SLINKI conference allowed me to meet a wonderful group of like-minded scholars who are equally passionate about Spanish linguistics research — a topic that isn’t widespread at Wake Forest. It was inspiring to see all of the completed and ongoing work in the field, and this conference certainly expanded my knowledge of Spanish linguistics to a new level.” 

Meredith attended  SLISE/SLINKI  with the help of the Starr Travel Grant, initially established by a gift from the C.V. Foundation and awarded through the URECA Center. A unique opportunity for Wake Forest undergraduate students conducting research, the Starr Travel Grant supports student travel so they can present their research at regional, national, and even international conferences.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, 30 students, including Meredith, were supported to attend academic conferences from Baltimore, M.D., to Atlanta, GA.

The Starr Travel Grant also supported Cosmo Zhao, a junior Engineering major who worked with Dr. Lauren Lowman, Associate Professor of Engineering. After attending the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference in Washington, D.C., and presenting his research titled “A Design-Centric Approach to Improving the Precision and Consistency of Fog Measurements for Enhanced Environmental Monitoring,” he said, “This grant didn’t just help with financial costs—it provided me with access to an environment that was previously out of reach, allowing me to grow, learn, and contribute in ways I never thought possible. I deeply appreciate the donors who make opportunities like this available to students like me, and I will carry the knowledge and experiences gained at AGU with me as I continue my research.”

These travel grants provide students the opportunity to present research and connect with others in their area of interest without the financial burden attached to attending conferences. With each application approved, the Starr Travel Grant provides any student, regardless of background, with the possibility to participate in a unique and beneficial experience.

Exploring research on a level far beyond the classroom can expand students’ knowledge on the subject and clarify avenues they might want to pursue in the future. Aleyna Schuett, a senior Engineering major, worked with Dr. Saami Yazdani, Professor of Engineering. After being awarded the Starr Travel Grant, Aleyna attended the Biomedical Engineering Society Conference in Baltimore, M.D.,  and presented her research titled “ Ex Vivo Analysis of Balloon Expandable Stent Fracture within a Peripheral-Simulating Bioreactor System.”

Aleyna said, “Going into this conference, I knew I wanted to attend graduate school. At the end of it, I was able to ascertain where I wanted to go and the degree I wanted to pursue thanks to the plethora of universities that attended the conference.” 

The meaningful connections made at these conferences last long after the keynotes and presentations conclude, and the potential networking opportunities for students’ future careers are immeasurable.

Mario Ficalora, a sophomore HES major, worked with Dr. Christa Colyer, Professor of Chemistry. He then attended the Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS) Conference in Atlanta, G.A.., where he presented his research titled “Carbon Dots Made From Serotonin as Selective Sensors for Serotonin.” Mario said that this opportunity was essential in “opening countless doors for networking and fostering meaningful connections with students and faculty from various institutions.” 

The Starr Grant creates memorable and intellectually stimulating experiences for students interested in potentially exploring a research career. These opportunities can lead to meaningful work with graduate mentors and even future publications. The possibilities are endless.

Students who are interested in applying for a Starr Travel Grant should visit the URECA website.