Over 100 Alvernia students present research at annual HECBC conference
Annual event brings together five Berks County colleges to highlight student research
Over 100 ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû¾«Æ·¸£Àû students presented their research at the Higher Education Council of Berks County (HECBC) Undergraduate Research and Creativity Conference, held Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the PLEX.
Sponsored by the HECBC, the annual conference brings together five institutions of higher education in Berks County: ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû¾«Æ·¸£Àû, Albright College, Kutztown University, Penn State Berks, and Reading Area Community College. The 2026 theme, Minds in Motion: Research, Reflection, and Insight, highlights the importance of innovation and critical thinking across disciplines.
"HECBC reflects what is best about higher education in Berks County, with students pursuing substantive research and creative work, faculty investing in student growth, and institutions working together to create opportunities," said Chair of John R. Post School of Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Joseph Mahoney, Ph.D. "I am proud to have played a role in supporting a conference that gives undergraduate students a regional platform for their research, creativity, and scholarship."
The conference provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to showcase their research and creative accomplishments while engaging with peers, faculty, and the community. It is open to students from all disciplines seeking to share their work and insights in a collaborative, professional environment.
"Being surrounded by so many driven individuals and engaging in scientific discussions across a wide range of age groups brought a deeper sense of meaning and community to my work," said senior biology major Owen Weiss. "Over the past 7 months, I have been working to uncover microorganisms that produce novel antibiotics against safe ESKAPE strains, with the goal of aiding in the fight against AMR (antimicrobial resistance). Thank you to Dr. Jamie Becker, Kevin Burns, and the ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû¾«Æ·¸£Àû lab staff for facilitating this project and their unwavering support throughout."
By working alongside a faculty mentor, students used critical thinking skills, gathered data, and formed evidence-based conclusions to develop their research projects. This experience allowed students to gain professional insights and form connections to prepare for their futures in their field.
"The HECBC Conference was a great opportunity to share our research with others after working on it since August," said 5th-year occupational therapy major Karlee Smith. "We were able to present our topic, answer questions, and engage in scholarly discussions with people in attendance. It was also interesting hearing from fellow graduate students about their research topics."