WSU, OU, UM, and MSU graduate students and postdocs will showcase research at annual symposium

two women chatting in front of research poster
Scholars present their research at the 2020 Graduate Research Symposium.

The Graduate School will host its 12th annual Graduate Research Symposium (GRS) from March 8-10, 2022. The event will take place virtually on Whova and will run each day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

For the first time, neighboring institutions have been invited to participate. Scholars from Oakland University, the University of Michigan, and Michigan State University will present their research alongside graduate students and postdoctoral scholars across disciplines from Wayne State University. 

“The GRS is the only forum that brings together scholars from all the programs across campus,” said Todd Leff, Ph.D., associate dean of student career development at the Graduate School. “It is a truly unique opportunity to experience the breadth of research and creative activities being pursued at the university.”

This is the second year the GRS has been offered in a virtual format, allowing for a wider slate of programming and neighboring and sister institutions from around the globe to tune in. Last March, more than 150 researchers presented to 500 viewers from 24 universities and 11 countries on five continents. 

This year, themes span issues surrounding COVID-19, urban social disparities, the climate crisis and environmental sustainability. 

“The topics are timely,” said Gibson Kirui, a graduate ambassador and Ph.D. candidate in inorganic chemistry who will present at the GRS. “This is a great moment for me and other researchers to showcase our work and discoveries on a platform with an international audience. It is even more exciting that I’ll be able to connect and share that platform with scholars from neighboring institutions.”


LISTEN: Dean Amanda Bryant-Friedrich featured on The Patriot to talk about the 2022 Graduate Research Symposium


Tuesday, March 8 kicks off with platform presentations on COVID-19 and related topics, followed by poster presentations. Wednesday, topics include sustainability and health; diversity, equity and inclusion. The event wraps up Thursday with the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition where participants present their research in a compelling oration of three minutes or less, followed by presentations on the arts and communications, then finally an award ceremony. Monetary awards will be granted to winners of the poster presentations and 3MT.

The GRS is free to attend and open to the public. Undergraduates are encouraged to attend to see the wide array of research that is possible through graduate school.

For an in-depth look at the event schedule, registration and more information, visit the Graduate School website.

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