CSUSB celebrates the annual Research Week from April 7-11, showcasing the research and scholarly achievements of faculty and students across all disciplines. Hosted by the Office of Student Research (OSR), in collaboration with academic research and graduate studies, the event provides a unique opportunity to explore the wide range of research and creative activities happening at CSUSB.

A highlight of the week is the 14th annual Meeting of the Minds Student Research Symposium, taking place on April 10 from 10:20 a.m.-6 p.m. The symposium will highlight the scholarly and creative accomplishments of CSUSB graduate and undergraduate students. Held at the Santos Manuel Student Union North and the Center for Global Intelligence, the event will feature over 250 oral and poster presentations, as well as art exhibits.

The Meeting of the Minds Student Research Symposium, free and open to the public, helps students refine their presentation skills while showcasing their research. Participants with the best oral and poster presentations will receive award certificates and recognition at the OSR Recognition Reception.

The 2025 Research Week events include:

Eighth annual Principal Investigator Recognition Reception: Tuesday, April 8, 4-6 p.m., San Manuel Student Union South (SMSU) Events Center.

The annual event will honor and celebrate the successes of CSUSB faculty and staff who engaged in extramural grant activities by submitting proposals and receiving grant awards in the past year. The theme of this year’s event, “Guiding Lights of Research,” reflects our continued commitment to sponsored programs, which bring the resources to support extraordinary research of CSUSB faculty and provide funding for many services, benefiting students and the local community. Please note the event is invitation only. For questions, contact Jessica Carrillo at Jessica.carrilo@csusb.edu

Grad Slam: Wednesday, April 9, 5-7 p.m., San Manuel Student Union South Theater. 

Join the Office of Graduate Studies for the university-wide Grad Slam. Watch as CSUSB students present their timely and thought-provoking graduate work. The catch is they have to do it in three minutes or less to a non-expert audience and a panel of community judges. The winners will be awarded prize money and move on to the CSU system-wide competition. Learn more by visiting the Office of Graduate Studies website. For questions, contact Megan Kinnally at megan.kinnally@csusb.edu.

Mellon Mays Special Keynote Address: “The War at Home: Politics of the Black Left during the Neoliberal Turn” by Broderick Dunlap: Wednesday, April 9, noon-1:30 p.m., online via Zoom.

Join the Office of Student Research for a compelling keynote address by Broderick Dunlap on the evolution of radical and progressive political movements during the 1980s — a pivotal era marked by the neoliberal shift that emphasized individualism over community and market solutions over collective action. This talk will delve into how these movements provided a voice for the often-ignored concerns of poor and working-class African Americans, challenging the narratives that have long obscured the root causes of racial and economic injustices. “The War at Home” offers a critical reexamination of Black political activism in the 1980s and its lasting significance in today's social movements. For questions or special accommodations, please contact the Office of Student Research at osr@csusb.edu. RSVP to attend.

14th annual Meeting of the Minds Student Research Symposium: Thursday, April 10, 10:20 a.m.-6 p.m., San Manuel Student Union North and Center for Global Intelligence (CGI Rooms 111-115).

At the Meeting of the Minds Student Research Symposium, CSUSB graduate and undergraduate students have the opportunity to showcase their research and creative activities through oral, poster, and creative presentations. For information and questions, contact the Office of Student Research at osr@csusb.edu or visit the event webpage. RSVP to attend on Coyote Connection.

Meeting of the Minds Student Research Symposium Keynote Speaker, Lúa López Perez, “BLOOMING: My Journey from Spain to the U.S. Preserving Biodiversity,” Thursday, April 10, noon-1:20 p.m., San Manuel Student Union North Conference Center (in person and online via Zoom).

Lúa López Perez, assistant professor in the biology department, is an evolutionary ecologist focused on understanding how surrounding ecological environments have evolutionary consequences on species. During her talk, she will walk attendees through her scientific journey from Spain, passing through several European countries to the U.S. — always focused on preserving our natural environment and species biodiversity that are threatened by environmental changes associated to human activities. At CSUSB, López combines her teaching and research interests while working with students. Providing research opportunities for students and communicating with potential future scientists has been a major motivation in her professional journey. This seminar will showcase multiple examples on how students have helped shape her research agenda. Free lunch will be provided for those who attend in-person (while supplies last). For questions, contact the Office of Student Research at osr@csusb.edu. RSVP to attend.  

California Semiconductor Workforce Innovation for Tomorrow Symposium (calSWIFT): Friday, April 11, 8:30 a.m.-4:20 p.m., Santos Manuel Student Union South and Center for Global Innovation (CGI).

Building an accelerated workforce supply chain for emerging technologies requires collaboration and partnerships among education, industry and government to rapidly train and educate workers for the evolving semiconductor industry across the U.S. Join us for a conversation on workforce development in the quantum age. For information and questions, contact the Office of Student Research at osr@csusb.edu or visit the event webpage. RSVP to attend.

OSR Recognition and Awards Luncheon: Thursday, April 17, noon-1 p.m., Visual Arts patio.
This OSR Recognition and Awards Luncheon is held to honor faculty who mentor students and acknowledge the students for their achievements in research and creative activities. For questions, contact the Office of Student Research at
osr@csusb.edu.