Several UC Davis students garner awards at statewide research symposium
UC Davis students earned two awards and multiple special merit and honorable mentions at the National Science Foundation California Alliance for Maximizing Potential’s 2026 CAMP Symposium at UC Irvine on Feb. 20 and 21.
The symposium was a two-part presentation experience. In January, students provided virtual video presentations and also met with a panel of UC faculty judges. Awards in Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Computer and Information Sciences, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences were announced at the symposium’s poster session.
Four UC Davis students recognized
Kelsey Stallard, a physics major, and Lidia Wolday, a statistics major, earned Thermo Fisher Awards and each received $2,500.
Nadya Berber, a neurobiology, physiology and behavior major, and Stallard earned two of the five special merit awards.
Camille Carvahlo, an animal science major, and Wolday received honorable mention recognitions.
Lolita Adkins, administrative director of undergraduate research programs for the Undergraduate Research Center, manages CAMP and several other UC Davis undergraduate research programs. She advises the UC Davis CAMP Research Scholars over the course of the program.
“The level of preparation and professionalism our students demonstrated rivaled that of seasoned researchers. Recognition at this level by UC faculty judges and administrators further affirms our scholars as emerging leaders in their fields,” Atkins said. “The two-part format elevated the symposium experience and gave students the chance not only to present their work, but to defend it, refine it and shine.”
Where research begins for many
The Undergraduate Research Center offers several funded programs that introduce undergraduates to research in a variety of fields while providing mentorship. Students from all four colleges — College of Letters and Science, College of Biological Sciences, College of Engineering and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences — actively participate in events and workshops throughout the year. UC Davis faculty and graduate students mentor hundreds of students through these programs.
The Undergraduate Research Center is a unit of UC Davis Undergraduate Education.
Learn more about Stallard and Wolday, featured in stories from the College of Letters and Science.