It would be an understatement, I think, to say that the last few months have been an unexpected challenge. From the COVID-19 pandemic to the racial injustice sparking civil unrest across the country, the headlines that have dominated my newsfeed since the start of 2020 seem more the products of a fever dream than reality (murder hornets, anyone?). However, despite the tumult that has transpired thus far, I am continually inspired by my fellow students’ commitment to educating themselves – for their own benefit and for the betterment of society. This edition of the Oregon Undergraduate Research Journal highlights six research papers written by students who exemplify this desire to learn, grow, and share their findings.
