May 10, 2021 Students’ Research Projects Lauded in 2021 EURēCA Competition
In spring 2021, students at the College of Architecture and Design took part in an annual competition that showcases UT students’ research and creative activities in collaboration with faculty mentors. The 2021 EURēCA (Exhibit of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement) event held by the UT Office of Undergraduate Research was held virtually on April 19 where our students earned multiple awards.
At the event, UT undergraduates presented poster displays and exhibits of their research projects and creative activities. University-wide, students presented more than 350 posters and exhibits this year.
In all, 39 students in the College of Architecture and Design participated with 34 submissions and earned 17 awards, including five awards from the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.
From the School of Architecture, Brian Nachtrab, a May graduate, was both a first-place college-level winner and the recipient of a Gold Award from OURF for his research titled, “A Nation is a Machine for Capital.” Nachtrab’s faculty mentor was Assoc. Professor Jennifer Akerman.
Third-year student Katie Pennington, led by faculty mentor Assoc. Professor Brian Ambroziak, earned second place at the college-level and a Silver Award from OURF for her research, “Territorial Parallax: An agricultural paradigm.”
Other college-level winners from the School of Architecture include these:
- Third place: Zachary Orig with faculty mentor Jennifer Ackerman
- Award of merit: Kari Essary and Aubrey Bader with faculty mentor Andrew Madl
- Award of merit: Nicolas Van Son with faculty mentor Maged Guerguis
- Award of merit: Maggie Redding with faculty mentor Jennifer Akerman
Additionally, Akerman received an OURF Faculty Award for her commitment to mentoring undergraduate researchers.
From the School of Design, Professor Cary Staples mentored these winners:
- Cadie Chapelle, a 3rd -year student, earned an OURF Gold Award and a college-level first place for her research, “Escaping the Herbaceous.”
- Third-year student Doty Riley won an OURF Bronze and first place college-level award for her research “Plant Personalities.”
- Third-year student Madeleine Smith won a first place college-level award for her research “Exploration of Campus Environments.”
The School of Design’s Merit Award winners also mentored by Staples are these:
- Samantha Huang
- Allie Torres-Lopez
- Anna Gorman
Posters were judged based on exhibit content, display, narration, questions and answers and authenticity. Judges for the competition were distinguished professionals practicing in the fields of architecture, interior architecture and graphic design.
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