51�鱨վ

By Kelsey Kendall

51�鱨վ will host its inaugural Knowledge & Creativity Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 17 in Chartway Arena, bringing together faculty, medical students and undergraduate researchers from diverse disciplines to highlight the power of collaboration and curiosity coming out of both the main and medical campuses.

The expo will feature research from students, faculty and community partners — including more than 30 faculty teams and nearly 100 undergraduate and medical students. 

“The inaugural Knowledge & Creativity Expo will showcase the expertise and ingenuity within the 51�鱨վ community and serves as an opportunity to explore, learn and network,” said Brian Payne, Ph.D., interim provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “I’m thrilled to see our students, faculty and community partners come together across disciplines to highlight the incredible work Monarchs have accomplished.”

Replacing the former Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, this year’s expo marks the first of its kind since the formation of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at 51�鱨վ.

Attendees will be able to view poster and hands-on presentations of innovative research alongside original artworks and performances. There will be creative works, presentations and interactive research labs for attendees to learn from and engage with research spanning various disciplines.

“The Knowledge & Creativity Expo offers the 51�鱨վ community a view of how undergraduate students can get involved in innovative and cutting-edge research at the University,” said Orlando Ayala, Ph.D., director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. “We are excited to see how these students were able to participate in these experiential learning opportunities, gaining hands-on experience in research and showing their mastery within their fields of study.”

Collaboratively sponsored by Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at old Dominion University, Perry Honors College, Division of Academic Affairs and the Office of Undergraduate Research.

“The Knowledge & Creativity Expo is an illustration of our forward focused innovation. Extending the Perry Honors College’s 15-year history of hosting the Undergraduate Research Symposium, the expo showcases our contributions as an Integrated R1 institution characterized by interdisciplinary innovation and collaboration”, explained Shuntay Tarver, Ph.D., interim dean of the Perry Honors College. “A team of campuswide stakeholders designed the inaugural Expo as a demonstration of some of our most cutting-edge research, and innovative creative works to provide an opportunity for us to explore, engage and network. 51�鱨վ is a place for innovators and creators, and event is an opportunity to share our contributions across our integrated university community.”

Learn more about the Knowledge & Creativity Expo on the 51�鱨վ website here.