It's a wrap! Week of Research and Innovation sparks conversation across the UO

April 13, 2026
Students stand around a table in conversation with UO president John Karl Scholz.
UO President Karl Scholz learns about fluorescing carbon nanohoop research in the Ramesh Jasti Lab at the event "Research Takeover: Celebrating Undergraduate Research Opportunities”. Photo Credit: Kelley Christensen
By Geri Richmond
Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation

Last week we celebrated the University of Oregon's Week of Research and Innovation. It was with delight that we brought together faculty, staff, students, and postdocs from across our campuses to recognize excellence in research, scholarship, and discovery across every UO school and college.

Two women and a man stand around a table in conversation with each other, smiles on their faces. They are holding pens and bingo cards.
Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Geri Richmond interacts with students during the graduate student mingle bingo event. Photo Credit: Kelley Christensen

Events included a science communication showcase and photo contest, a research takeover to help undergraduate students find research opportunities, and the kickoff for a new globally focused podcast. We brought people together for an innovation event, work-in-progress talks, and a special lecture by MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellow and 24th US Poet Laureate, Ada Limón. There were tours of our core facilities, networking and training opportunities, and graduate students connected with each other over mingle bingo.

It was so energizing to see the full force of our creative endeavors on display. It’s the act of putting our heads together in collaboration that is the soul of the research and innovation enterprise. The weeklong celebration served as a welcome reminder that despite challenges and adversity, this community is passionate, curious, and forward-thinking.

Thank you for joining us on the research journey!