Natural Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium
The Natural Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the BRC Event Space.
As part of the Russell Shearn Moody Pathway to Research, this annual event highlights the incredible research contributions of our undergraduate researchers through judged poster presentations.
The poster sessions provide a platform for sharing innovative research, at any stage, with the Natural Sciences community. In these one-hour sessions, presenters will have the opportunity to be evaluated by attendees and receive feedback on their presentations. Posters that achieve excellence in research and presentation will be recognized, and the top poster in each thematic area will receive a cash prize. Research mentor approval is required.
NSURS 2026 Schedule
A Full Day of Undergraduate Research & Discovery
9:00am Breakfast & Registration
9:45–10:45am Poster Session I
11:00–11:45am Breakout Session I
11:45am Lunch
12:15–1:15pm Poster Session II
1:30–2:15pm Breakout Session II
2:30–3:30pm Poster Session III
3:45–4:30pm Science in a Flash Finals & Awards
Register to present at NSURS 2026
Sign up on the NSURS Registration Page before March 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. You will be asked to submit a project title, abstract and contact information for your research mentor.
You will also be asked to choose a thematic area that best fits your research presentation:
Posters at NSURS 2026 are organized by thematic area:
Patterns and Origins in Nature. Understanding the fundamental workings of nature and mathematics. Includes fundamental research in physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, neuroscience and other fields.
Materials from the Fundamental to the Complex. Developing the knowledge and tools to enable the design and creation of new materials. Includes materials research in chemistry, physics, biology and other fields.
The Earth: Geology, Ecology and Environment. Pursuing solutions to global grand challenges through a convergence of Earth science and ecosystem perspectives. Includes research in earth science, ecology, environmental science, behavioral neuroscience, public health and other fields.
Cancer: Biology, Prevention and Therapy. Addressing the scourge of cancer in all its complexity. Includes research in biology, chemistry, public health, physics and other fields.
Human Development, Health, Performance and Disease. Understanding the functions of the body when well and when not. Seeking solutions through therapy and prevention. Includes research in health sciences, biology, sports medicine and exercise physiology, neuroscience and other fields.
Visit our Presentation Guidelines and Workshops and FAQs page for additional information, and please message us at nsurs@rice.edu if you have any questions.