Nine undergraduate physics students from UNI had the unique experience of presenting original research and engaging with some of the brightest minds in science at the American Physical Society Global Physics Summit in Denver, Colorado, during the spring 2026 semester.

Hear from Physics major Addison Cunningham, who attended the conference, on what she learned from the experience.

What was your biggest takeaway from attending the APS Global Physics Summit? The biggest takeaway I had from the APS Global Physics Summit was being able to see so many bright minds at work. It was a super unique experience, and I've never been around so many other people with similar interests and fields of work as me.

How did it feel to present your research at a national/international conference? In presenting my research at a national conference, I felt honored to be able to represent my college and community, as well as proud that I was able to present my work alongside so many other amazing scientists!

Can you briefly describe your research project in simple terms? In simple terms, my project involves modeling stochastic simulations of RAD51 assembly on a DNA lattice, which is essential for DNA repair in cancer research. 

What was the most exciting or memorable moment from the trip? The most memorable part of the trip was being able to hear a talk from the 2025 Physics Nobel Prize winners. 

Did attending the conference change how you think about your future career or graduate school plans? How? Attending this conference has made me think about my future because it has inspired me to continue my work and attend grad school.

What was it like interacting with professional physicists or students from other universities? Interacting with other professional physicists and students from other universities was exciting because we were able to hear about the work they were doing, as well as network and connect with people from around the world.

How did UNI prepare you for an experience like this? UNI has prepared me very well for this experience because, through my summer research program at UNI, I was able to practice presenting multiple times to peers and colleagues. 

What would you say to a prospective student considering studying physics at UNI? To a prospective student considering studying physics at UNI, I would say that there are so many opportunities to connect with other scientists and conduct research as an undergrad, which is not always offered so early at other universities. The small class sizes also offer an amazing opportunity to get to know your peers and professors!

Why do you think opportunities like this are important for undergraduate students? I think opportunities like this are important for undergraduate students because it gives an idea of what scientists are working on in the workforce, as well as it can prepare you for grad school. 

What are your future goals? How has UNI helped prepare you for them? My future goal would be to get my PhD in biophysics or a related medical field. UNI has prepared me for my goals by allowing me to conduct biophysics research and collaborate with other universities, as well as present my work at conferences like the APS Global Physics Summit!