The 2026 ICUNJ Undergraduate Research Symposium hosted 54 student research projects at Bell Works in Holmdel on Monday, March 23rd. Student topics covered a range of interests and issues challenging healthcare, expanding technology, and impacting the environment. Bell Works in Holmdel – a site recognized as a place of innovation and discovery – set the stage for dialogues among students, faculty and industry representatives that extended beyond project presentations to exploring career goals and aspirations.
The Symposium allows students to utilize their research as a starting point for building presentation, interviewing and networking skills. Over the course of several hours, students interview with multiple judges sharing their findings, demonstrating their understanding of a topic in the larger world, and promoting the lab and technical skills gained. The judges provide feedback to helps students identify areas for communication skills development – presentation, use of resource materials, and responding to inquiries.
ICUNJ begins each Symposium by offering a short program of insights, information and experiences to enhance career exploration, search, and expectations. This year, Jodi Murnick – a private coach helping students successfully transition from college to career – shared four pillars for building a strong network. Attending a private university in New Jersey offers students the opportunity to build close relationships with their faculty and professors. Introducing the pillars provided students with practical and achievable steps to help connect to professional who share common interests while spanning industries, economics and fields of study.
By the end of the day, students gain a sense of self-confidence for speaking with new audiences of varied knowledge in their field. Top performers are recognized for their proficiencies in several categories from research ownership to overall presentation. ICUNJ applauds the participation of all the student participants who demonstrated curiosity in pursuing a topic and courage in presenting their findings.
Over 60 undergraduate students from the 13 independent colleges and universities in New Jersey participated in the Symposium. Many were joined by faculty sponsors who supported their work from the onset and contributed by serving as judges for students from other institutions.
We are grateful for the support of our sponsors, scholarship providers, and companies who offer the time and expertise of their professionals during the Symposium. Without their combined contributions, the Symposium would not be possible and the benefits that offer assets for a life-time would not be realized. Thank you.
