WCSU will host the 2026 Sigma Xi¹ Northeastern Region Research Symposium and Competition on Saturday, April 18.  The conference highlights student research. The Symposium theme is “The Interdisciplinary Nature of Research.”

This conference provides valuable opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students, and professionals, to showcase their research/scholarly work.  We anticipate student and faculty participation from community colleges and universities throughout the New England states, New Jersey and New York.  A select number of outstanding high school projects are also being considered for poster presentation.

The conference is run in the same manner as a professional science conference. Student posters will be judged and each will be eligible to win the Sigma Xi Award. Participation also promotes student interaction with their peers from other institutions, as well as their interaction with faculty mentors from other universities, and scientists and engineers from the private sector.

The registration site for the Symposium is now open and includes reduced pre-registration rates until January 30. Abstract submission is also open and will close in March. Registration includes breakfast and boxed lunch, and a special break session for students to meet Keynote Speakers Dr. Dustin Rubenstein and Dr. Katerina Trepekli. Register at www.wcsu.edu/sigma-xi/2026-northeast-region-research-symposium-and-competition/.

The Symposium will include three keynote speakers* who will convey the importance of interdisciplinary reasoning in research and innovation.

*Dustin Rubenstein Ph.D., Sigma Xi Distinguish Lecturer, Thomas Hunt Morgan Professor of Conservation Biology, Columbia University,

*Matthew Tracy, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh Johnstown, recipient of the 2025 Rudy Ruggles Interdisciplinary Research Award,

*Katerina Trepekli, Ph.D., Environmental Scientist & Advisor, Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Greece, Visiting WCSU Scholar

¹Sigma Xi is the honor society of research scientists and engineers. It is an international multidisciplinary group whose programs and activities promote the health of the scientific enterprise, reward excellence in scientific research and encourage a sense of companionship and cooperation among scientists in all fields.  For more information, please visit https://www.sigmaxi.org/.