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Pima Community College to Showcase Undergrad Research at May 3 Symposium

PCC Alumni Nikki Reck to Give Keynote on Mount Graham Red Squirrels

TUCSON, AZ – Pima Community College will host the 16th annual Arizona Undergraduate Student Research Symposium on Friday, May 3, at its West Campus, featuring a diverse array of student-led research projects from across the state.

  • What: Pima Community College 16th annual Arizona Undergraduate Student Research Symposium
  • When: 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., May 3
  • Where: Library at West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Road
  • Details: Free; register at https://bit.ly/2025-AZURS by May 1 (for planning)

This year’s keynote speaker is Nikki Lynne Reck, a Pima graduate and current Master of Science candidate in Wildlife Conservation at the University of Arizona's School of Natural Resources and the Environment. Reck will present her research on the endangered Mount Graham Red Squirrel, focusing on whether these isolated animals exhibit unique vocal traits compared to other, more genetically diverse red squirrel populations.

She encourages Pima students to pursue research opportunities.

"Reach out to faculty members and share your research interests with them,” Reck advises. “Faculty often know about opportunities suited to students' passions and skills. My first internship came from my Pima mentor and instructor, Paula Nasiatka. That experience inspired me to actively pursue additional research opportunities."

Reck's early work included an internship through the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, where she supported the U.S. Forest Service's Fossil Creek Comprehensive River Management Plan by collecting and identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates to assess water quality. Since transferring to UArizona, she has investigated the impact of noise on banner-tailed kangaroo rats, studied desert plants' responses to drought, monitored fish populations, and helped confirm the rediscovery of Arizona gray squirrels in the Santa Catalina Mountains.

The Arizona Undergraduate Student Research Symposium showcases original research by undergraduate students from across Arizona in a variety of disciplines—including archaeology, engineering, fashion, and veterans' issues. Presentations are made through posters and oral sessions and are evaluated by a panel of judges who provide constructive feedback on the quality, organization, and relevance of the research.

All presentations are evaluated by a panel that provides feedback about the rigor of the research, the organization and professionalism of the presentation, and the interest and importance of the subject matter.

The event is sponsored by Pima Student Life and the PCC Library System. See last year’s event: https://sites.google.com/view/azsymposiumhome 

Contact:

Justin Kree
Director Media Relations
520-710-7170 (cell)
jkree@pima.edu 

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