For three days in August, University of Nevada, Reno students, faculty and staff shared research, learned new skills and met experts from Nevada and beyond.
Held Aug. 10-12 in the Joe Crowley Student Union, Data & Discovery combined the third annual Data Science Conference, Wolf Pack Discoveries | Undergraduate Student Research Symposium, faculty workshops, student development sessions and networking events.
The event connected researchers and students with colleagues and research support teams from across the University.
Juli Petereit, director of the University’s Nevada Bioinformatics Center and lead organizer of the Data Science Conference, welcomed participants to the first two days of programmnig.
“Whether you're looking to learn something new, discover the exciting data science research happening across campus, connect with colleagues, explore collaborations, or simply spend two engaging days with our research community, we are happy you joined us,” Petereit said.
Research & Innovation created Data & Discovery to connect people from different fields and roles. Attendees moved among talks, workshops, poster sessions and resource exhibits, where they met colleagues and learned about University research support.
The first two days focused on how researchers use artificial intelligence, analytics and data to solve problems. Workshops covered Python, cloud analytics, data engineering and intelligent automation. Keynote and featured speakers discussed computer vision, AI, data storytelling and health care. Faculty lightning talks showed how University researchers use data science in fields beyond computing.
In his keynote, James Elder, professor and York Research Chair in Human and Computer Vision at York University, used object-shape perception research to show how computer vision methods can apply to other fields.
James H. Elder, Ph.D., professor and York research chair in human and computer vision, York University, delivered the keynote presentation: Human and Computer Vision in the Age of AI.Conversations continued between sessions. Breakfasts, themed lunches, poster presentations and research support exhibits helped attendees find resources and meet potential collaborators.
While the first two days focused on data science and emerging technologies, the final day highlighted the next generation of researchers during Wolf Pack Discoveries.
“This, as I always say, is my favorite event of the year,” Josh Baker, associate vice president for research and Nevada INBRE principal investigator, said as he opened the symposium. “I just am so inspired by all of you, the students, the faculty and everybody who was involved in putting this event together, and especially this year with representation around the state.”
Students from Nevada System of Higher Education institutions presented more than 50 projects in health sciences, engineering, environmental science and other fields.
University of Nevada, Reno student Callie Hayes presented research from her summer project.
“I spent this summer in New Mexico looking to see if microorganisms found in the soil could naturally produce antibiotics to antibiotic-resistant bacteria,” Hayes said.
Awards recognized outstanding student presentations and posters, while the inaugural Undergraduate Research Mentor Award honored Sarah Mitchell, associate professor of human development and family science in the College of Education and Human Development, for her commitment to supporting student researchers.
“Dr. Mitchell hosts an inclusive lab that values every voice in the research process,” a student nomination said. “As a supportive mentor, she empowers her students to ask bold questions as they explore and build projects as independent researchers. Her guidance prepares undergraduate and graduate students for a lifetime of leadership.”
Data & Discovery gave participants a broader view of research across the University and Nevada. Organizers will use feedback from the event to plan future University research programs.
Data & Discovery was made possible through Nevada INBRE, with support from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences under grant GM103440.
2026 Wolf Pack Discoveries Award Recipients
- People's Choice Award: Omar Rodriguez Valadez, Nevada State University
- Discovery Award: Angeline Rios, University of Nevada, Reno
- Best Poster Design Award: Melanie Zelaya, University of Nevada, Reno
- Best Data Visualization Award: Katia Gutierrez Perez, University of Nevada, Reno
- Undergraduate Research Mentor Award: Sarah Mitchell, College of Education and Human Development, University of Nevada, Reno
