The University of Texas at El Paso is celebrating two students who made online presentations during the Texas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol this week. Kenji Santacruz, a senior electrical engineering major, and Jacob Hooper, a senior biological sciences major, are the 10th and 11th students to represent UTEP since the biennial event began in 2011.
According to UTEP, Santacruz’s project titled “Tracking Renewable Energy Consumption in an Electricity Market,” aims to give electricity consumers the ability to know exactly how much of their power is supplied by renewable energy resources and to evaluate their level of environmental sustainability.
“I think that energy and renewable energy, and how to track it, is incredibly important,” Santacruz told UTEP. “Especially now with the energy issues Texas has faced in recent days.”
Hooper’s project, titled “Creating A Small Device, A Microfluidic Chip That Uses Small Amounts of DNA To Identify and Isolate Cancer Cells,” aims to find a new way to detect cancer, especially lung cancer, in earlier stages of its progression. Hooper told UTEP the opportunity to present his work is an excellent example of the importance of undergraduate research for students.
“You’re always going to need the skills you learn,” Hooper said. “The critical thinking and the discipline it takes to actually run an experiment are invaluable assets.”
More than 60 research projects by undergraduate students represented more than 30 academic and health-related institutions across Texas, including public and private or independent universities and colleges. The Undergraduate Research Day is organized by the Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors (CPUPC) and Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, Inc. (ICUT).
Texas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol is designed to showcase the experiences of undergraduate students engaged in research for Texas legislators and the public through high-quality poster presentations. Student presenters also have the opportunity to discuss their work individually with the state legislators who represent their districts.
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