News from the Office of Connected Learning
Category: Research and Creative Projects for Undergrads
Making the most of a second chance
For Thomas Purchas, returning to the University of Washington Bothell was more than a second chance. It became the start of a journey shaped by research, mentorship and discovery. After taking an econometrics course with Dr. Xiahua (Anny) Wei, he was encouraged to pursue an independent research project through the UW Bothell Summer Research Award,...
June 30, 2026
Students honored for civic engagement
Two UW Bothell students are being recognized for turning leadership into meaningful action on campus and beyond. Aamena Ellithy and Alondra Guzman were named the 2026 recipients of the Chancellor’s Student Civic Leadership Awards, an honor that celebrates students who address important community issues through service, advocacy and social impact. Ellithy, a Law, Economics &...
June 18, 2026
Discovery gives insight into black holes
UW Bothell researchers helped contribute to a major astronomy discovery: the fastest ultraviolet outflow ever observed from a supermassive black hole. The discovery focuses on a distant quasar called J2318, which is producing a powerful wind moving at nearly 30% of the speed of light. The finding helps scientists better understand how energy from black...
June 5, 2026
Honorees announced for 2026 undergraduate research recognition awards
The University of Washington Population Health Initiative has announced the 27 students receiving 2026 Population Health Recognition Awards in conjunction with the Undergraduate Research Symposium. The awardees represent UW Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma, with 22 student-led projects recognized for their relevance to population health, innovation and presentation. Congratulations to this year’s awardees for their outstanding...
May 25, 2026
2026 Student Academic Showcase celebrates learning, collaboration and achievement
The 2026 Student Academic Showcase brought together students, faculty, staff, and community partners to celebrate learning, research, creativity, and collaboration across UW Bothell and its surrounding communities. As a campus-wide event, the Showcase highlights the many ways students engaged with academic inquiry, community partnerships, and innovative projects while providing opportunities to share their work with...
May 21, 2026
Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Awards
Dr. Charlie Collins, associate professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences at UW Bothell, has received a 2026 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award. Each year, UW Undergraduate Research Symposium presenters are invited to nominate mentors who have made a meaningful impact on their undergraduate research experience. This year’s awardees are recognized for outstanding...
May 19, 2026
UW Bothell students’ immersive ‘schooling’ searches for struggling kokanee salmon
UW Bothell students and alumni are helping track the return of Lake Sammamish kokanee salmon, a small native fish population that was once thought to be nearly extinct. On a cold April night, student researchers worked alongside Dr. Jeff Jensen in Jacobs Creek, setting traps and monitoring the waters for kokanee fry. After winter flooding...
May 18, 2026
Assessing Bird-Window Collisions at UW Bothell: A Campus Research Initiative by Salina Nasir
When I began my research as an undergraduate this summer, I joined the Bird Window Collision Prevention project, lead by Dr. Ursula Valdez and Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, at UW Bothell because I wanted to do something to impact my campus in some way. I learned about this opportunity through the Biology Club, but I applied because I wanted...
April 17, 2026
Books Beyond Words: Designing Visual Tools for Inclusive Learning by Max Simpson
This summer I devoted my time on a good variety of tasks, all relating to the building of an interactive library for the Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement (CoSEE) under my mentor Maddie Iem, the CoSEE Project Manager. My work first involved researching the values CoSEE sets out to embody in their design work. My research...
April 16, 2026
STEM undergraduates showcase research and capstones
At the winter 2026 STEM Symposium, University of Washington Bothell students showcased research and capstone projects across fields like computer science, biology and engineering. The event highlighted how students apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges through presentations and hands-on projects. From developing a health-tracking app designed for older adults to researching innovative cancer treatments using...
April 2, 2026
