The semesterly Undergraduate Showcase is an opportunity for UH Mānoa undergraduate students to present the results of their mentored research and creative work projects to their peers, faculty, and the general public. UROP partners with the Honors Program to hold these events during each Fall and Spring semester to provide opportunities for undergraduates to practice their presentation skills and solicit feedback on their projects.

The Spring 2025 Undergraduate Showcase was held in person at Kuykendall Hall and over Zoom on May 9, 2025 and featured 109 students (85 students as individual presenters and 24 students in 8 groups) giving 92 oral presentations and 8 students delivering 8 poster presentations. Of these, 52 of the oral presentations (57 percent) were UROP-funded projects. Presentations included “Quantifying Atmospheric Deposition of Microplastics in Urban and Suburban O‘ahu” by Ian Chung; “The Effects on Maturation from Incarceration before the Age of Twenty-Five” by Kohana Pham; and “Flows: Intersecting Currents of Queer Feminism” by David-Alexander Williamson.

UROP Project funding recipient Liua Le‘iato (Marine Biology major) presented her project, “Effects of Sunscreen Chemical Octocrylene on Coral Fertilization and Settlement,” and said, “Presenting at the Undergraduate Showcase was an incredibly valuable learning experience. It pushed me to refine how I communicate scientific ideas to a broader audience, including people who may not be familiar with marine biology or coral research. I learned how to simplify complex information without losing the significance of my work, and how to highlight the real-world implication, like the impact of sunscreen chemicals on coral reefs. Engaging with attendees and answering questions helped me see my project from different perspectives and think critically about future directions. It was also empowering to share the hard work my mentor and I put into this research and see genuine interest from others. Overall, the experience strengthened my science communication skills, boosted my confidence, and reminded me how important it is to make research accessible and relevant beyond the lab.”

See the full program here.