Unique research presented in an easy-to-digest format.

It’s the annual Graduate Interdisciplinary Forum (IDF), and you can attend for free.

This year’s IDF event takes place May 5 starting at 8 a.m., in the Robert W. Plaster Student Union (PSU) Ballroom.

Find out what the best and brightest of Missouri State’s graduate students have to offer.

“You get to see the fruits of many different fields of research,” said former IDF presenter Zach Wilson. “This can range anywhere from physics, sports, psychology and much more.”

Key details

• What: 25th annual Graduate Interdisciplinary Forum
• When: 8 a.m., May 5, 2018
• Where: Robert W. Plaster Student Union (PSU) Ballroom
• Who: Graduate students presenting their research and creative works to an audience from the campus and surrounding community.
• Admission: Free to attend

Reasons to go

“As it is one-on-one, (presenters) can give a personalized presentation and make the experience very engaging.”

You’ll learn about graduate students’ research and creative works across many disciplines.

For many, it’s the culmination of months — and even years — spent focused on topics they’re passionate about.

Presentations range from oral, poster to performance-style.

You don’t need expertise in any field to attend.

Each presenter knows they’ll have a mixed audience. That means minimal jargon and clear explanations.

You can even interact with presenters.

“These are always fun because the researchers sometimes get very passionate about their research projects and can go into depth about the importance of their research,” Wilson said.

Competitive juices

For graduate students, the IDF means research on a competitive level. Professors and professionals from varied fields evaluate each presentation.

The best presentations receive awards.

Last year’s winning presentations included:

Oral

• Prabhat Shrestha, Project Management: “Chaos Theory-Inspired Evolutionary Method to Refine Imperfect Sensor Data For Data-Driven Construction Simulation”
• Dylan Maag, Biology: “First season results on the spatial ecology and habitat selection of pygmy rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius) in Southwestern Missouri”

Poster

• Erica Lord, Communication Sciences and Disorders: “An Analysis of Word Retrieval Deficits Across Three Discourses Genres in Aging Populations”
• Kim Koch, Psychology: “College student success: Conquering stereotyped expectations with perceived social support”

“IDF prepares future scientists and professionals how to interact with the public and transfer information effectively, which is a skill that is especially paramount in today’s political climate,” Wilson said.

Wilson’s presentation at the IDF covered thermal cracking of biodiesel compounds for more conventional fuels. He’s earned awards and accolades for his ongoing research.