Graduate students from across the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) gathered on April 18 for the College’s annual Graduate Student Research Forum, a signature event highlighting student scholarship, collaboration, and innovation.
Hosted each spring by CAHNR’s Office of Research and Graduate Education, the forum provides a platform for students to present their work, engage with peers and faculty, and further develop their research communication skills.
The day began with a welcome from Interim Associate Dean Ock Chun, followed by opening remarks from Interim Dean Kumar Venkitanarayanan. The program then featured a keynote address from Douglas Casa, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Kinesiology and CEO of the Korey Stringer Institute, whose talk focused on leadership, legacy, and advancing impact through research.
Following the keynote, graduate students presented their research through concurrent oral sessions held throughout the morning and afternoon in multiple classrooms across campus. These sessions reflected the breadth of CAHNR’s disciplines, with projects spanning agriculture, environmental science, human health, and beyond.
Midday, attendees gathered for a shared lunch, creating space for informal conversation and networking among students, faculty, and staff. The afternoon continued with a second round of concurrent presentations, offering additional opportunities for students to share findings, receive feedback, and connect across departments.
The Graduate Student Research Forum continues to serve as an important milestone in the academic year, reinforcing CAHNR’s commitment to advancing knowledge through interdisciplinary research while preparing graduate students to contribute meaningful solutions to real-world challenges.
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