CSU Student Research Competition

Students showcasing work and information to passing people

The California State University Systemwide Student Research Competition is an annual event that brings together scholars from the 23 campuses of our California State University system. The competition showcases undergraduate and graduate research, scholarship, and creative works by recognizing outstanding student accomplishments. Undergraduate and graduate student participants from all disciplines are judged by experts for their oral presentations and written narratives. Students who compete in the CSU Student Research Competition can win monetary prizes for first place and second place recognition in their session.

The 39th Annual Student Research Competition will be hosted by Cal Poly Humboldt April 25-26 2025.

CSUN is pleased to share that one student won first place during the competition! The student’s name is below:

Gerbert Funes
Undergraduate Student
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Peter Bishay

The CSUN Team
Thank you to all the students who represented CSUN at this year’s event. We are proud of your hard work and your willingness to present the campus.

David De La Torre
Graduate Student
Department of Mathematics
Faculty Advisor: Meng Che Ho

Gerbert Funes
Undergraduate Student
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Peter Bishay

Hannah Merges
Graduate Student
Department of Biology
Dr. Nyssa Silbiger

Iveta Velazquez
Graduate Student
Department of Social Work

  • The nomination process for CSUN students to participate in the 2025 CSU Statewide Research Competition is now open! 
  • The competition is open to both graduate and undergraduate students
  • Only completed works/projects will be considered; if your work/project will not be completed by mid-March 2025 (including analysis), please do not apply for the 2025 competition. 
  • The competition will be held at Cal Poly Humboldt on April, 25-26 2025. All participants are required to attend the two-day in-person event.

  • Submit your application form HERE.
  • Upload your 3-minute video of you presenting your work. The link to upload the video is provided at the end of the application form.
  • Once all applications are received, the review committee will select the team of students to represent CSUN in the competition.

There are 10 categories in which students will be placed for the competition; they are:

The 10 disciplinary categories are: 

  • Behavioral, Social Sciences and Public Administration 
  • Biological and Agricultural Sciences 
  • Business, Economics and Hospitality Management 
  • Creative Arts and Design 
  • Education 
  • Engineering and Computer Science 
  • Health, Nutrition and Clinical Sciences 
  • Humanities and Letters 
  • Interdisciplinary 
  • Physical and Mathematical Sciences 

 
Each entry (oral presentation plus written summary) will be judged on the following: 

  • Clarity of purpose 
  • Appropriateness of methodology 
  • Interpretation of results 
  • Value of the research or creative activity 
  • Ability of the presenter to articulate the research or creative activity 
  • Organization of the material presented 
  • Presenter’s ability to address questions from the jury and general audience

The competition components include:

  1. A 1-2 page, double spaced narrative plus up to 3 pages of ancillary material (due mid-March 2025)
  2. A 10-minute oral presentation during the competition followed by a Q&A from the session judges and audience members.

CSUN’s campus coordinator for the competition is Dr. Elizabeth Sussman-Dabach, professor of Nutrition and CSUNposium Director. Please feel free to contact Dr. Sussman-Dabach with any questions you may have.