The Office of Undergraduate Research is pleased to announce Range: Undergraduate Research Journal (2025, issue 2) is now available. The journal illuminates the importance of mentoring and undergraduate research, as described by Dr. Annie Fukushima, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies in the introduction of the issue “Introduction: Looking Back to Move Forward with Mentors.” This issue features 117 contributions from across the disciplines: College of Architecture & Planning, College of Education, John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, College of Health, College of Humanities, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, College of Mines & Earth Sciences, College of Nursing, College of Science, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, and College of Social Work.
Subject: Research on Capitol Hill
Date: February 26, 2026
Location: Utah State Capitol Rotunda
Description:
The Office of Government Relations, the Office of Undergraduate Research and The Office of the Vice President for Research, are thrilled to announce the annual collaboration featuring undergraduate research from University of Utah and Utah State University, “Research on Capitol Hill.” This annual event showcases undergraduate researchers presenting cutting edge research with poster presentations to Utah State legislators and the community. The event is open to the public: Thursday, February 26 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm in the State Capitol Rotunda. For an overview of the 2026 presenters: Research on Capital Hill (ROCH).
Subject: Undergraduate Research Prizes and Awards
Description: The Office of Undergraduate Research is pleased to announce 2026 research prizes and awards: The Charles H. Monson Essay Prize and the Valadi N. Venkatesan Research Award.
The Charles H. Monson Essay Prize honors Charles H. Monson Jr., a distinguished member of the University Philosophy Department from 1958 to 1974. Professor Monson earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Utah and received his Ph.D. from Cornell University. During his years at the University, he served as chair of the Philosophy Department and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. He received the University’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 1970. In his honor, an annual prize is awarded to an undergraduate who writes an outstanding paper on a subject having to do with “Social Change”.
The Valadi N. Venkatesan Research Award recognizes undergraduate researchers who demonstrate performance of research focused on or substantially involving real-world problems. This award is made possible thanks to the generous donation of Dr. Valadi N. Venkatesan, an alumnus of the University of Utah’s John and Marcia Price College of Engineering. Current University of Utah undergraduate students who are active in undergraduate research can apply with priority being given to research in the following disciplines: Science, Arts & Humanities (including Economics, Business), Social Sciences, Engineering, Energy & Environment, and Medicine.
Deadline for prizes and awards: March 1, 2026. Any currently enrolled undergraduate with a faculty mentor is eligible to submit.
Prizes and awards are recognized at the annual OUR Award Ceremony including the above, the Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award, the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award, and undergraduate research scholarship recipients.
