Description
The Annual Stupka Symposium is entirely organized and run by the undergraduate students in the Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology areas of study. This event was the inspiration of Robert John Stupka III, an undergraduate student majoring in biochemistry at Iowa State University. Rob believed in the power of research allowing extraordinary to be possible and strived to connect students and faculty for the purpose of scientific investigation. Rob tragically lost his life in the fall of 2005 before he was able to see the first symposium and the result of his work. In 2006, the undergraduate symposium was dedicated to Rob and this annual event now bears his name in tribute. The symposium works to promote student-professor interactions and facilitates opportunities for students to learn how to thrive in the academic and professional communities. Keynote speakers from around the nation are brought in to share while their knowledge and passion for the sciences. Undergraduate students who show exemplary research and a rigorous drive for success present their research during the symposium. The poster session is open for all wishing to present and share their studies. The event is open to all who share in the curiosity and wonder of science and research.
Affiliations
This organization has no affiliations.
Constitution / Tier
Membership Information
| Student Members |
12 |
| ISU Members |
3 |
| Non-ISU Members |
0 |
| Allowed Members |
Any undergraduate who has an interest and passion in biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology is welcome to join the Stupka Symposium. We seek individuals passionate in helping organize our Symposium. Most members are biochemistry majors; biology, genetics, and microbiology majors have also contributed to Stupka over the years. All are welcome! |
| Allowed Officers |
Any officer who is a recognized ISU undergraduate student is eligible to be an officer. |
| Membership Qualifications |
There are no qualifications for becoming a member. To be an officer of the club, you are required to attend the majority of the weekly meetings (especially in the spring semester). |
| Membership Restrictions |
There are no restrictions to becoming a member. |
| Elections/Selection |
Elections occur annually in the spring and are decided by a anonymous majority vote. |
| Meetings |
Meetings occur every other Wednesday in the Fall Semester (exact schedule TBD; usually NOT on the week of Labor Day) from 6:00-7:00pm and every week at the same time in the Spring semester. We meet more frequently in the Spring due to the proximity of the approaching Symposium in April every year. |
Description of Regular Meetings/Activities
| The Stupka Symposium Organization is a group of individuals who meet weekly to help organize an annual symposium that takes place in April in the Molecular Biology Building. We discuss weekly to discuss funding, merchandise, coordinating speaker travel and logistics, making programs and flyers, etc. Our meetings are normally about an hour long but can be up to 2 hours long in the spring occasionally. |
Description of Special Events
| Our special event is the annual symposium we hold in the spring. The Stupka Symposium is held generally the first or second week of April every year. All activities generally encompass 1.5 days (Thursday night and all of Friday). We host a number of guest, alumni, and student speakers and have food catered throughout the day and during the poster session. |