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Organizers for the 2025 Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference (MassURC) have announced that Catherine Buell, Fitchburg State University professor of mathematics and coordinator of the Honors Program, will be the keynote speaker at the 31st annual conference to be held at the UMass Amherst campus Friday, April 18.

The conference will kick off at 9:15 a.m. at the Campus Center Marriott Center, located on the 11th floor, with Buell’s keynote presentation, “Let 2 + 3 = 3: Continuing Scholarship through Redefining Your Field and Finding Your People,” which celebrates interdisciplinary research by showcasing collaborative math-related projects across sciences and humanities that encourage scholars to remain flexible, passionate and open to reimagining their fields.

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Buell’s research crosses a broad spectrum from pure mathematics, applied mathematics and math education to ethics, also exploring mathematics role in a just society and its role across disciplines.

Hosted by Commonwealth Honors College at UMass Amherst, the daylong conference serves to broaden the understanding of research, showcasing investigations into more than 60 subject areas, including biochemistry, history, architecture, marketing, fine arts and sociology. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to engage and connect with fellow students representing 28 two- and four-year degree public higher education institutions across the commonwealth.

“Research is the spark, lighting the spirit of discovery in undergraduate students. It empowers them to actively create knowledge,” says Mari Castañeda, dean of the Commonwealth Honors College. “By diving into research, today’s undergraduates are developing the vision and courage to face the unprecedented challenges to science happening in the U.S. Their determination will ultimately prevail and help our country reshape industries, tackle global crises, and innovate to solve challenges facing our society in the future.”

This year, a total of approximately 700 projects will be presented by student researchers throughout the day in 45-minute sessions using hardcopy poster formats displayed in the lower level of the Campus Center, where they can exchange knowledge and interact with peers, faculty and guests.

More information and important dates are available on the MassURC website or by contacting Meredith Feltus, director of community relations and strategic impact for Commonwealth Honors College, at [email protected].

The MassURC is supported by Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the State Universities of Massachusetts Council of Presidents and the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges.