Students Showcase Research at Conferences

This year alone nearly 100 students are attending, and in some cases presenting, at scholarly events across the nation.

Washington College students are making their mark on the national stage this year, presenting groundbreaking research and gaining invaluable experience at prestigious conferences across the country. This surge in student participation highlights the College’s commitment to providing high-impact experiential learning and fostering close mentorship relationships between students and faculty. 

One notable example is Zheng Lu ‘26, a physics major in the 3-2 engineering program, who will present his research next week at the American Physical Society (APS) Global Summit in Anaheim, California. Lu’s work, conducted under the guidance of Assistant Physics Professor Suyog Shrestha, focuses on analyzing data from the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, a cutting-edge project searching for new physical laws. His presentation at the APS Global Summit, one of the largest gatherings of physicists worldwide, represents a significant achievement for an undergraduate student. 

"Zheng's particular task was to compare various simulations and get an estimate of variations across these simulations," explained Shrestha. His results were presented in the ALTAS collaboration’s analysis meetings and will eventually form a part of the publication of their findings. Shrestha enjoyed working with Lu, praising his ability to meticulously follow instructions and hold in-depth discussion, as well as his ability to lead research and solve problems independently. 

“Zheng is curious, motivated, intelligent, diligent, and persistent,” said Shrestha. “Over the course of a few terms, he has truly matured as a researcher. Contributing to particle physics research—which requires years of training—is not easy for an undergraduate student, but Zheng’s case shows that with some guidance, an undergrad can make meaningful contribution to a collaborative global effort.” 

Lu’s journey began with a John S. Toll Research Fellowship in spring 2024, which allowed him to delve into this complex research. Notably, Shrestha received an award from the American Physical Society, part of which will support Lu’s travel. Lu has also applied for the highly competitive US-ATLAS SUPER fellowship, with results expected at the end of the month. If selected, he would be the third Washington College student since 2023 to receive this prestigious award. 

“Doing research was awesome. I learn a lot from the research,” Lu said, “about particle physics and coding languages, how research projects work, how to work with other people, and how to present my research to other people.”  

A Dedication to Experiential Learning 

Lu’s experience is just one example of the robust student conference participation across various departments at Washington College. This month, the psychology department sent its entire faculty and 30 students to the Eastern Psychological Association meeting in New York City. The chemistry department will be sending students to the American Chemical Society National Meeting in San Diego, where Audrey MacNair ‘26, a student working with Assistant Professor of Chemistry Jeremy Bard, will present her research. The Washington College Rose O’Neill Literary House will send staff and a dozen students to the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference in Los Angeles, where they will showcase the College’s literary publications. Additionally, departments such as business, history, and political science actively engage students in national conferences, including the Center for the Study of the Presidency Student Symposium, the American Historical Association conference, and the Public Leadership Education Network. 

“Washington College is where students work alongside faculty to solve real-world problems. This is an expectation and not just a possibility,” said Kiho Kim, provost and dean of the College. “These experiences not only enhance their academic development but also prepare them for future success.”  

Beyond academic departments, student groups like the Writers' Union, Brown Advisory, and Model UN also participate in conferences and competitions. Additionally, honor societies such as Phi Alpha Theta and department-specific clubs provide further avenues for students to present their work and network with professionals in their respective fields. 

The high volume of student conference attendance underscores Washington College’s commitment to fostering a close-knit academic community where students work closely with faculty mentors and gain valuable hands-on experience. This dedication to experiential learning empowers students to excel in their chosen fields and make significant contributions to their disciplines.  

To learn more about the opportunities open to students to learn and grow their skill sets outside the classroom visit our Experiential Learning webpage.  

- Dominique Ellis Falcon