Miami University students gathered in The Shriver Center Wednesday to show off their research at Miami’s 18 annual Undergraduate Research Forum.

Hundreds of students presented at the forum, covering topics that included psychology, education, breast cancer and stem cells.

According to Undergraduate Research Director and Assistant to the Associate Provost Martha Weber, there are nearly 2,000 students involved in undergraduate research at Miami.

“They find different ways of getting involved in undergraduate research,” Weber said.

According to Weber, there are different ways to get involved with research, such as Miami’s First Year Research Experience (FYRE) program, opportunities within the Honors Program, the Summer Scholars Program and the College of Arts and Science Dean’s Scholars Program.

Through working on research projects with faculty advisors, Weber said students can gain a valuable learning experience.

“The students are learning to become a researcher by working with a researcher,” Weber said.

Chair of the Board of Trustees Donald Crain attended the forum and said it is one of his favorite Miami events to attend.

“It’s very impressive,” Crain said. “It’s a wonderful way for students to display their work and what they’ve learned in a competitive forum. It makes me feel really happy that we’re providing these opportunities and producing these kinds of results.”

Senior psychology major Jennifer Lehman presented her research about the effects of different types of regret. Lehman said her experience with research is extremely valuable considering her major.

“For psychology it’s very important for getting experience for grad school,” Lehman said.

Senior geology major Mindy Homan said she got involved with research when some geology graduate students needed a field assistant and she volunteered. Homan said she’s been able to work out in the field in Utah during the summers and her research experience earned her an internship.

“I got to learn what it means to be a geology major, what you do in the field,” Homan said. “I really think undergraduate research is something anyone should do. Honestly, you learn so much.”

Senior Bryan Ross said his research experience started out as a résumé-builder, but said he later became very interested in research. Ross’ research dealt with testing ways to see how genes turn on in smooth muscle.

Ross said his research has given him the chance to “contribute back to the science field.”

“Being in a lab, I’ve become as close to an expert as I ever thought I would have been,” Ross said.