Nine undergraduate physics students from UNI recently had the unique experience of presenting original research and engaging with some of the brightest minds in physics at the American Physical Society Global Physics Summit in Denver, Colorado.

Accompanied by faculty members Pavel Lukashev and Maniya Maleki, the students shared their work through both poster and oral presentations, gaining valuable experience typically reserved for graduate-level researchers at larger institutions.

“This is exactly the kind of high-impact experience we strive to provide our students,” said Lukashev. “Our undergraduates are not just learning physics in the classroom – they’re actively contributing to the field and engaging with the global scientific community.”

The American Physical Society summit brought together physicists from around the world, offering UNI students the chance to attend cutting-edge sessions, network with researchers and professionals, and listen to lectures from Nobel Laureates about the future of science.

Presenting their work at such a prestigious conference was both exciting and transformative for the students who attended.

“Presenting research at a global conference means getting to meet people from all over the country and the world who are interested in your research,” said physics student Connor Cunningham. “Opportunities like attending large conferences are important for undergraduate students because they allow students to gain an understanding of what physics looks like outside of your institution. At the beginning of your undergraduate studies, your knowledge of the expanse of physics is limited. Attending these conferences helps you widen that knowledge and find what you want to pursue after you graduate.”

Clare Wright, another student who attended the conference, had previously presented her work on campus through the UNI Summer Undergraduate Research Program, but says she appreciated the chance to bring it to the international stage.

“It felt super rewarding and validating to present my work at an international conference,” she said. “My group members and I put a lot of time and work into our project, so it was rewarding to get to expose what we found with others. [The conference is] also a great chance to network with other students and professionals in physics and to be exposed to other projects and ideas that further your passion.”

Paul Shand, head of the UNI Department of Physics, says he’s proud to see students representing UNI at conferences such as these.

“When I see our students presenting at large professional conferences in distant cities, I am suffused with pride,” he said. “These undergraduates are no longer just students; they are professionals. Professionals who carry the UNI and UNI Physics banners with competence, confidence, and a deep sense of assurance. We are blessed to have such amazing students and I am very grateful to have played a small role in providing these experiences for them.”

Experiences like this are what set UNI apart – giving undergraduate students the chance to engage deeply in research, present on national and international stages, and build connections that shape their future careers.

“Undergraduate research has been the centerpiece of the UNI Physics program for decades,” Lukashev said. “Our department has always believed that classroom instruction and involvement in research are integral to a complete undergraduate education in physics, and attending major international conferences is consistent with this philosophy. Our students are gaining a great deal of experience with learning new concepts and generating new ideas from conference sessions and talking to other attendees. These opportunities for enrichment and workplace preparation are plentiful at UNI Physics, and distinguishes us from many other institutions.”

For these nine students, the trip to Denver was more than just a conference – it was a defining moment in their academic journey, and a powerful example of what’s possible at UNI.

This trip was made possible through funding from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and UNI’s Intercollegiate Academics Fund (IAF), reinforcing the university’s commitment to providing accessible, high-impact opportunities for students.