Research Symposium

Submission Deadline: Feb. 22, 2019 (deadline passed).

To present oral or poster presentations: Faculty and students must submit a short research, scholarly or creative paper (2-3 pages) to the 15^th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium. Submissions that do not follow the formatting guidelines closely will not be reviewed. The deadline to submit papers was Feb. 22, 2019. Late submissions will not be reviewed. Research, scholarly and creative papers from all disciplines are welcomed and can report on completed projects or work in progress. Papers that speak only to forthcoming or intended work are not permitted.

Papers will be reviewed by an inter-university panel (the symposium Program Committee). Papers that successfully make it through the review process will be accepted as oral presentations or poster presentations. Contributing authors can indicate their preference for oral or poster presentations, but may be asked by the Program Committee to change their preference so that presentations can be better grouped into specialized sessions. Student authors are eligible for awards (judging rubrics: oral and poster).

To submit a paper, you must complete the online application and attach your 2-3 page submission:

• Online Application Form (deadline passed)
• Formatting Guidelines for Paper

2019 Keynote Address:

GLOBAL TURTLE CONSERVATION: A world where research, technology & community meet.

Dr. Brian Horne
Wildlife Conservation Society

After completing his PhD at Ohio University on the developmental biology of Neotropical freshwater turtles in Meso-America, Dr. Horne was a postdoctoral fellow at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research investigating endangered freshwater turtles and tortoises in South and Southeast Asia. As a lifelong turtle biologist, Dr. Horne has conducted field research on six of the seven continents and has lived in Mexico and India. As a past co-chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Turtle Specialist Group, he twice co-authored the report on the Top 25 Most Endangered Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises (2011 and 2018). He was also the editor for the book “Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for Next Ten Years” in 2012. In addition, Dr. Horne has widely published on topics ranging from parasitology to endocrinology and has wildlife photographs appearing in numerous books, magazines, and on-line resources. Dr. Horne currently serves as the Wildlife Conservation Society's coordinator for freshwater turtle and tortoise conservation and oversees their recovery projects for the world’s most endangered chelonians.

Registration:
Thank you for your interest in the 15th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium. Registration for the event is now open and will close on April 2, 2019.

Walk-ins are welcome at the event, provided that they report to the registration desk (Sansbury Campus Life Center, Second Floor Lobby) and sign in for the event.

High School Groups:
Junior- and senior-level high school students who intend to pursue higher education are invited to attend the Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium. This is a wonderful opportunity for junior and senior high school students to be exposed to several different fields of research and also interact with university faculty and students throughout the Upstate.

If your high school would like to participate, please contact the High School Participation Chair on the Program Committee: Cherie Pressley or at 864-503-5730.

Program Overview

Register Now  

Full Program:
To be announced spring 2019.
The Full Program Schedule.

Symposium Campus Map:

The USC Upstate Campus Map for the Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium will be available in spring 2019. Buildings with events and sessions are highlighted in red. Parking lots available for attendees are highlighted in yellow.

A highlight of our symposium is that the event is free to all, which helps make the event accessible to students, faculty and community members from near and far. Thus, the daylong event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors (see below). Such support is greatly appreciated and essential for the advancement of academic research in the Upstate. Students involved in faculty-mentored research enter the work-force with an enhanced skill set, including better problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork skills in their field of study. Since many students who are educated in the Upstate of South Carolina stay in the area, support of academic research has a direct and positive impact on the Upstate.

14th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

April 13, 2018

The 14th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium was held on the USC Upstate campus. Over 300 participants attended the event. Participants, presenters and co-authors represented 28 colleges and universities (i.e., Campbell University, Claflin University, Clemson University, Converse College, Francis Marion University, Furman University, Greenville Technical College, Hollins University, Lander University, Limestone College, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Medical University of South Carolina, Newberry College, North Greenville University, Presbyterian College, Sherman College of Chiropractic, Southern Wesleyan University, Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg Methodist College, State University of New York, University of Georgia, University of North Carolina Asheville, University of South Carolina Columbia, University of South Carolina Salkehatchie, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, University of South Carolina Upstate, Wake Forest University, and Wofford College). In addition, many local high school students, community organizations and community members participated in the event.

• 2018 Sponsors and the Symposium Program Committee
Keynote Address by Janisse Ray
• Janisse Ray's Biography
• Keynote Address: Hope in a Time of Transformation
• Medical School Workshop - Roadmap to Medical School
• Writing Workshop
• Lecture-Recital: A Modern, Rock Arrangement of Franz Schubert’s Erlkönig - Nolan Stolz Rock Orchestra
• Proceedings
  
• Pictures
• Student Awards
  

13th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

April 14, 2017

The 13th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium was held on the USC Upstate campus. Roughly 400 participants attended the event. Participants, presenters and co-authors represented 23 colleges and universities (i.e., Claflin University, Converse College, Florida Institute of Technology, Francis Marion University, Furman University, Gardner-Webb University, Greenville Technical College, Lander University, Limestone College, Midlands Technical College, North Greenville University, Presbyterian College, Sherman College of Chiropractic, Southern Wesleyan University, Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg Methodist College, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, USC Aiken, USC Columbia, USC Upstate, and Wofford College) and many local community members.  

• 2017 Sponsors and the Symposium Program Committee
• Keynote Address by Dr. James Porter
  • Dr. Porter's Biography
  • Keynote Address: The Environmental Legacy of War: Human and Environmental Health Concerns on Vieques, Puerto Rico
• Vocal Looping Workshop - Just Alliance
• Proceedings
• Pictures
• Student Awards

12th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

April 8, 2016

The 12th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium was held on the USC Upstate campus. Over 300 participants attended the event. Participants, presenters and co-authors represented 23 colleges and universities (i.e., Ashville-Buncombe Technical College, Claflin University, Converse College, Gardner-Webb University, Georgia Southern University, Greenville Technical College, Lander University, Limestone College, North Greenville University, Presbyterian College, Sherman College of Chiropractic, Southern Wesleyan University, Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg Methodist College, Stetson University, Trinity Washington University, University of California Berkeley, University of Georgia, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, USC Columbia, USC Salkehatchie, USC Upstate, and Wofford College) and many local community members (e.g.,Cryovac, Ethos Combatives, Greenville Hospital System, Greenville Zoo, Kerley Construction, Patewood Memorial Hospital, Piedmont Audubon Society, South Carolina Department of Commerce, Spartanburg Regional Health System, Spartanburg Public Library, Taylor’s Fire Department, and Tryon Garden Club).  

• 2016 Sponsors and the Symposium Program Committee
• Keynote Address by Dr. Tyrone Hayes
  • Dr. Hayes' Biography
  • Keynote Address: From Silent Spring to Silent Night: A Tale of Toads and Men
    *Please note: Recording begins with talk already in progress
• Proceedings
• Pictures
• Student Awards
  

11th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

April 17, 2015

Our 11th symposium was hosted on USC Upstate's campus. Participants, presenters and co-authors represented 18 colleges and universities (i.e., Clemson University, College of Charleston, Converse College, Greenville Technical College, Lander University, Limestone College, North Greenville University, Presbyterian College, Sherman College of Chiropractic, Southern Wesleyan University, Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg Methodist College, University of Iringa - Africa, The University of South Carolina, The University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville,The University of South Carolina Upstate,  Virginia Tech, and Wofford College), the USC Upstate Scholars Academy, 4 middle/high schools (i.e.,Chapman High School, Landrum High School, Landrum Middle School, and D. R. Hill Middle School), RL Spencer Communications, Swofford Career Center, Spartanburg Area Conservancy, Spartanburg County Public Library, and the Spartanburg Regional Hospital System. The links below will take you to highlights of the event:

• 2015 sponsors
• Keynote Address by Dr. William A. Hopkins
  • Dr. Hopkins' Biography
  • Keynote Address: Never Grow Up: Snot Otters, Blood Suckers and A Smattering of Humble Advice for Aspiring Scholars
• Proceedings
• Student Awards

10th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

April 18, 2014

Our 10th symposium was hosted on USC Upstate’s campus and we had a record year, with over 300 participants attending the event. Participants, presenters and co-authors represented 19 colleges and universities (i.e., Coker College,  College of Charleston, Converse College, Furman University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Greenville Technical College, Lander University, Limestone College, Medical University of South Carolina, North Greenville University, Sherman College of Chiropractic, Southern Wesleyan University, Southwest Louisiana University, Southwest University of Science and Technology-China, Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg Methodist College, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, University of South Carolina Upstate, and Wofford College), the USC Upstate Scholars Academy, 4 high schools (i.e., Boiling Springs, Byrnes, Chester, and Dorman), the Daniel Morgan Technology Center, the Greenville Hospital System, the Spartanburg Area Conservancy, and the Spartanburg Public Library. The links below will take you to highlights of the event:

• 2014 sponsors
• Keynote Address by Dr. Louis Guillette
  • Dr. Guillette’s Biography
  • Keynote Address: The Fragile Fetus – Sentinel Species and Environmental Health
• Proceedings
• Pictures
• Student Awards

9th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

April 19, 2013 

Participants, presenters and co-authors represented 17 colleges and universities (i.e., Converse College, College of Charleston, Davidson College, Francis Marion University, Greenville Technical College, Lander University, Limestone College, North Greenville University, Presbyterian College, Sherman College of Chiropractic, Southern Wesleyan University, Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg Methodist College, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, University of South Carolina Upstate, University of Tulsa and Wofford College), the SC Department of Natural Resources, Spartanburg Day School and Dorman High School. The links below will take you to highlights of the event: 

• 2013 Sponsors
• Keynote Address by Dr. Terence Farrell 
  • Dr. Terence Farrell's Biography
  • Keynote Address Summary: Undergraduate Research: Lessons Learned from Students and Rattlesnakes
  • Pictures from the Field Trip with Dr. Farrell to the Silverbluff Audubon Center

• Proceedings
• Pictures
• Student Awards
  

8th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

April 20, 2012

• Keynote Address by Dr. Thomas Moore
• Proceedings

7th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

April 15, 2011

• Keynote Address by Dr. Nancy Trun
• Proceedings
• Pictures

6th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

March 26, 2010

• Keynote Address by Mr. Gary Hyman
• Proceedings
• Pictures

5th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

March 27, 2009

• Keynote Addresses by Mayor William Barnet III and Dr. Jay Moskowitz
• Proceedings
• Pictures

4th Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

April 11, 2008

• Keynote Speakers:
  • Dr. John Stockwell
  • Mr. Ingo Angermeier
  • Dr. Rosemarie Booze
  • Dr. Michael Dorcas
• Proceedings
• Pictures

3rd Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

April 6, 2007

• Keynote Address by Dr. Charles Glassick
• Proceedings
• Pictures

2nd Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

2006

• Proceedings

1st Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium

2005

• Proceedings

Members of the Program and Organizing Committee for the Annual South Carolina Upstate Research Symposium work diligently to ensure a well-organized event of high-quality presentation sessions that are anchored by prominent keynote speakers. The committee members include:

Dr. Melissa Pilgrim, Symposium Chair
Professor of Biology 
Director of Research  
USC Upstate

Dr. Caleb Arrington
Professor of Chemistry 
Wofford College

Dr. Kathleen Brady
CEO of Community Research Group
Community Research Group

Dr. Jeff Cook
Professor of History 
North Greenville University

Dr. Lee Edwards
Academic Program Director, Biology 
Greenville Technical College

Dr. Mary Jane Farmer
Professor of Psychology 
Spartanburg Methodist College

Dr. Latha Gearheart
Professor of Chemistry 
Physical Chemistry Department Chair 
Presbyterian College  

Dr. Megan Haggard
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Francis Marion University

Dr. Randall Harris
Assistant Professor of Biology   
Claflin University

Dr. Pengju George Luo
Professor, Dean of Basic Sciences
Director of Research
Sherman College of Chiropractic

Dr. Brandon Kinley
Department Chair, Science                                                  
Spartanburg Community College 

Elaine Marshall
Director of Sponsored Awards 
USC Upstate

Dr. Tamara McGovern
Associate Professor of Biology 
Limestone College

Cherie Pressley, High School Participation Chair
Regional Workforce Adviser 
SC Department of Commerce                                                  
USC Upstate

Dr. David A. Slimmer
Dean, College of Science and Mathematics 
Professor of Physics 
Lander University

Dr. Bill Wright
Clinical Associate Professor, Physiology 
University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville