The 32nd Annual Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference will be hosted by Ferrum College on April 3, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM. Undergraduate students from colleges and universities across the Southern Appalachian region are invited to present their research in a collegial and engaging setting among fellow scholars and faculty mentors. The one-day event will feature oral presentations, poster sessions, and a closing reception for all participants and guests.
Originally established as the Southeastern Undergraduate Research Conference, the Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference (BRURC) has a long tradition of providing an accessible and encouraging forum for undergraduate scholarship. Many of the participating institutions are members of the Appalachian College Association (ACA)—a consortium of 33 private liberal arts colleges located throughout Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. While the conference often rotates among ACA member schools, BRURC welcomes submissions from undergraduate researchers from all institutions.
The 2026 conference at Ferrum College continues this proud legacy, offering students an opportunity to share their scholarly work, strengthen their presentation skills, and build meaningful academic connections across disciplines.
General registration will be accepted up to the day of the conference. Refunds will not be given after March 13, 2026. A form for bulk institutional registrations paid by a central office can be requested from the Office of Academic Affairs at officeofacademicaffairs@ferrum.edu.
Abstracts are due by March 6, 2026.
Presentation sessions at the 32nd Annual Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference will be grouped by discipline, allowing students to share their work among peers with related academic interests. Each presentation type provides an opportunity to develop professional communication skills, gain feedback, and engage with faculty and students from across the Southern Appalachian region.
There are three types of presentations at this year’s conference:
Oral presentations will be organized by discipline. Each researcher will present using PowerPoint or other visual aids, speaking for approximately 12 minutes, followed by 3 minutes for audience questions. Presenters should arrive early to test their technology and are expected to dress in professional or business attire appropriate for a formal academic setting.
Poster presentations consist of a large-format poster (typically 30″ x 40″) mounted on an easel. Presenters should plan to stand with their poster for an hour-long session, engaging with attendees and answering questions about their research. Multiple posters will be displayed during each session, often representing a range of disciplines. It is recommended that students prepare a brief “elevator speech” (about 1–2 minutes) to summarize their project clearly and succinctly. A designated poster area will be available for these sessions.
Technology demonstrations highlight interactive or applied projects, such as robotics, drones, engineering prototypes, computer programs, or other STEM innovations. Because demonstrations may include hands-on or interactive components, these sessions will last two hours. Presenters will be provided with indoor or outdoor space, tables, and access to electricity as requested. Team members are welcome to rotate responsibilities during the session to attend other presentations.
Undergraduate students from all institutions are invited to participate. To be considered for presentation, please submit an abstract of 250 words or fewer describing your project, methodology, and key findings.
Abstracts are due by March 6, 2026.
Further details on submission procedures and registration will be provided soon.
Caitlin graduated from Ferrum College in 2020 with a B.S. in Pre-Professional Health Sciences: Pre-Med and a B.S. in Chemistry & Biology. She then obtained her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2025. She is now an emergency medicine resident at LewisGale Medical Center in Salem, Virginia. She married Jacob Blaukovitch in 2022, added their firstborn son, Oscar Mayer, in 2023, their first human son, Sammy, in April 2025, and they are expecting a daughter in August 2026.
Jacob graduated from Ferrum College in 2021 with a B.S. in Biology, a B.S. in Chemistry, and a B.S. in Pre-Professional Health Sciences: Pre-Med with a minor in One Health. Following this, he went on to graduate with a M.A. in Medical Science: Molecular Medicine in 2022. Currently, he is a Ph.D. Candidate in Translational Biology, Medicine, & Health at Virginia Tech working with Dr. Nicholas Rider, D.O., in the Computational Human Immunology Lab & Innovation Hub (CHILI). His dissertation work focuses on understanding the impact of rurality on Primary Immune Disorders using a mixed methods approach.
Undergraduate researchers are often encouraged to identify a “dream project” early in their research careers. However, most successful research careers are built not on a single grand idea, but through mentorship and intentional skill development. This talk showcases undergraduate research as an opportunity to acquire new tools, rather than as a final destination. We will explore how early research experiences, whether highly aligned with long-term interests or not, provide essential skills, conceptual frameworks, and professional habits that will help lead to success. Attendees will learn practical strategies for choosing feasible projects, working effectively with mentors, and leveraging every opportunity to build a versatile research toolbox that supports their long-term goals.
Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference
Date: April 3, 2026
Location: Blue Ridge Mountain Room
10:00 – 10:30 AM | Registration & Check-In
10:30 – 10:45 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks
10:45 – 11:30 AM | Plenary Speaker
11:30 – 11:45 AM | Break
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM | Poster Session
12:45 – 1:45 PM | Lunch Break
1:45 – 3:15 PM | Oral Presentations (Concurrent Sessions)
3:15 – 3:30 PM | Break / Judges Deliberation
3:30 – 4:30 PM | Awards & Closing Remarks
Click or scan the QR code to view the full schedule, presenter locations, and abstracts for each presentation.
