As a hub for groundbreaking research and creativity, Princeton University’s campus is bustling with fresh and innovative ideas. Princeton Research Day is an annual opportunity for Princeton students, staff, faculty as well as the public to get an interactive look at a wide variety of research projects and creative endeavors from bright minds throughout campus.

Spend a few hours with Princeton’s early-career researchers, creators and artists at the May 11 in-person event at Frist Campus Center and learn about the eclectic range of topics and passions they’re pursuing. Presentations from previous years included using electricity to heal wounds faster, how YouTube gets you to pay attention to ads, climate change trends in Savannas and discovering how viruses evade our immune systems.

The event is suitable for anyone and everyone who has found themselves curious about what cutting-edge things are happening on Princeton’s campus.

This year’s event will feature a fresh batch of ideas from undergraduates, graduate students and postdocs spanning across disciplines, from environmental engineering to the Lewis Center for the Arts.

Each participant creates a three-minute video presentation describing their research or creative work in a way that is accessible and compelling to a non-specialist audience. Videos will be posted online on May 5 for public viewing and for review by a panel of judges.

On May 11, participants will present their exciting topics in an approachable format for interested people from outside of a given discipline. The event is free and open to the public.

The event will start 12 p.m. on the 100 level of Frist Campus Center with a Showcase offering an assortment of exhibits, posters and displays, as well as opportunities to talk to creators about their work.

“Being able to walk around and see all of the displays, and dig deeper into people’s topics and mingle is always really fun,” said graduate student Rolando Masís-Obando, who participated in 2022  and won the Orange and Black Presentation Award.

At 1:30 p.m. the event will move to the basement level for a Reception featuring cookies and beverages, followed at 2:30 p.m. by the Awards Celebration, where the top videos will receive awards ranging from $750-$1,500 and their creators will engage in an audience Q&A.

Here is the agenda for the May 11 event:

• 12 p.m. Showcase: Meet Princeton's early-career researchers and creators, who will explain their work in everyday language. Frist Campus Center, 100 Level
• 1:30 p.m. Reception: Connect with our researchers over cookies and beverages. Frist Gallery, Basement Level
• 2:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony: Watch and listen as our researchers discuss their research with University leaders, and find out who will win prizes and awards for their videos and presentations. Frist Multipurpose Room, Basement Level, and Livestreamed

Visit Princeton Research Day for information.

Princeton Research Day is a collaborative initiative between the offices of the Dean of the College, the Dean of the Graduate School, the Dean for Research and the Vice President for Campus Life, with support from the Dean of the Faculty and Office of the Provost.