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Show THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 69 JOURNAL MESSAGE In recent years, undergraduate research and creative work has become an essential component of a university educa-tion. The University of Utah has long been at the forefront, boasting many excellent programs and an infinite number of opportunities for our students. Our excellent faculty, top notch facilities and Research I status allow our students to be an integral part of the cutting edge process of discovery. It is our mission that every student at the U enjoys the rich experience of research or creative work, which not only supports class work but also provides the necessary expe-rience for graduate school and the post undergraduate career. As years pass I've advised and assisted hundreds of stu-dents. I'm continually amazed at the brilliance and excitement a research or creative experience can generate. Although the majority of my work is with students I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to our talented and dedicated faculty without whose hard work and commitment none of this would be possible. Your knowledge, time and encouragement are the greatest contributors to the success of our students. I would also like to thank ARUP Research and Development Directors Mark Astill and Harry Hill M.D. for collaborating with UROP, giving undergradu-ates the opportunity to work with the outstanding scientists in ARUP laboratories. I cannot express the joy each spring to hear from student after student sharing the news of acceptance to medical school, law school and other graduate programs. 2009 was especially meaningful, as many of my students achieved dreams once thought impossible. Safia Ahmed, with whom I'd worked with since a freshman, realized a life long dream with her acceptance to the Mayo Clinic Medical School. Patrick Reimherr was named the Harry S. Truman Scholar for 2009. Tori Ballif will attend Stanford Law School while Katie Miller will attend Stanford Medical School this fall. Many former UROP students will attend the University of Utah Medical School. These are but a few, in a long list of students who achieved graduate school goals this year. I am so very proud of each and every one of them. Many students take the time to come and thank me for helping them achieve their goals. It's a humbling experience and I take great pleasure to provide students the tools for such future success. I'd like to recognize the many, many students across campus that presented their research at discipline specific, professional conferences and campus -wide presentation events this year. In January 2009, 26 students traveled to the Utah State Legislature (represented in this journal) to present research to legislators from their districts and 33 students gave oral and poster presentations at the 3nd annual Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research (UCUR) February 20th at Westminster College. The University of Utah Undergraduate Research Symposium sponsored by The Ruth Eleanor Bamberger and John Ernest Bamberger Foundation, March 31st reflected over 170 presentations from every college on campus. One of the greatest highlights of the year is the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. The conference was held April 16 - 18, 2009 at the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse. The University of Utah was well represented with 24 students presenting research with 2200 undergraduates from 400 colleges and universi-ties around the country. Our students did an excellent job representing the U at this prestigious conference. I've received a number of inquiries from around the country on the high caliber of research presented at this conference. It's an honor to work with these brilliant young men and women and I look forward to another exciting and rewarding year. This year I must bid a fond farewell to my mentor, colleague and dear friend Robert McDermott, staff scientist at the Center for High Performance Computing. Robert and I worked closely for eight years on the Research Posters on the Hill event for the legislature. Thank you Robert for all the hard work, attention to detail, dedication to students, and for putting up with me. Each and every event was successful because of your willingness to collaborate with everyone involved. You will be greatly missed. Enjoy your retirement. You deserve it! I would like to dedicate the 2009 Research Posters on the Hill section of this journal to you. Jill Baeder Assistant Director, UROP |