The National Conference of Undergraduate Research (NCUR), is one of the largest research conventions of its kind, bringing in more than 4,000 undergraduate researchers worldwide. This year, Northern Arizona University’s College of Health and Human Services proudly sent almost 30 public health students and alumni to Richmond, Virginia to present their work at the convention. NCUR serves to promote undergraduate research and provide students with the opportunity for professional development, networking, and higher learning.
NCUR is a trailblazing interdisciplinary collaboration of students around the world, highlighting student research in innovation and socially impactful studies. Students attend with their mentors to present through poster sessions and oral presentations. Students work on projects that are important and impactful to them, and their passion shines through in their work.
For many students, this conference was their first opportunity to present on a national scale. We sat down for a Q & A with public health undergraduate student and presenter Ellie Paez, to learn more about the experience.
Paez worked in a lab here at NAU to conduct research with her mentor, Olivia Lindley, to study disparities in therapy service access for children with autism. Paez said one of the most valuable parts of attending the conference was exposure to studies outside her own field.
What did you learn, personally, and or professionally by participating in the conference?
I learned a lot about research from disciplines I’m unfamiliar with in an academic sense, like philosophy, arts and design, education, and sociology. I also gave an oral presentation on my research, so it was really helpful to learn how that functions in case I ever do an oral presentation at a future conference.
Faculty members also reflected on the experience. We turned to Health Sciences Associate Teaching Professor, Kristen Konkel, who helped make this trip possible.
Why is it valuable for undergrads in public health to participate in research?
As an undergrad, participating in research opens up new career pathways and gives students desirable and transferrable skills. Students get to enhance their skills in grant-writing, collaboration, designing evidence-based health interventions, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting findings to peers, stakeholders, and the general public. Participating in national research conferences gives students the confidence to build their ideas and keep reaching towards their research goals.
What is your favorite part about this program?
My favorite part is watching all of our students’ hard work pay off! Seeing them practice, present, and finish proud of themselves and each other is a very rewarding part of this experience.
For both students and faculty, NCUR is more than a conference, but a chance to see the fruits of their hard work sprout into new confidence, collaboration, and professional growth.
Contributed by: Emma Johnson | June 1, 2026 | Original Post