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Transformations

Students and faculty gathering to discuss poster presentations

Transformations: A Student Research and Creativity Conference

Events Scheduled for April 30 & May 1, 2026

Thursday, April 30 Sperry Center, room 104

Keynote Address delivered by the recipient of the 2026 Dr. Peter DiNardo ’68 and Judith Waring Outstanding Achievement in Research 

Awardee: Dr. Andrea Dávalos, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences

Title:   Don’t Jump to Conclusions: We Know Less About Invasions than we Think

Bio:  Dr. Andrea Dávalos is an associate professor in the Biological Sciences Department. At her lab, Dávalos studies the ecological impacts of invasive species and potential options to manage them, including biocontrol. She is investigating jumping worm impacts within the framework of multiple stressors, such as deer browse or invasive plant competition. She is also exploring current assumptions about jumping worm spread by tracing their expansion from known introduction points in urban parks.

Dávalos grew up in the mountains of Ecuador and studied biology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador before receiving her PhD at Cornell University. She also worked in sustainable harvest management in Ecuadorian rainforests and consulted on Ecuadorian conservation lands before arriving at SUNY Cortland in 2016.

Friday, May 1

Student presentations: 

Talks: 

Posters:

Resources

Templates are available to help you create your poster.

To print your posters for the conference, please fill out this form from Print Services.

Digital Commons:  Transformations Collection

 If you wish to share your completed poster or presentation slides online in the Digital Commons repository (managed by Memorial Library), please submit your work here:   Digital Commons Repository

Please make sure you have your faculty advisor's permission, as well as the permission of any co-presenters! Participation is voluntary. 

Please contact [email protected] with any questions!

Schedule at a glance: 2025 Information

Transformations 2025 Schedule At a Glance (PDF)

Presentation handbook: 

Transformations 2025 Presentation Handbook (PDF)

Moderator Forms: Moderator Evaluation Form 2025 (DOC)

If you have any questions, please contact Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office at 607-753-4312 or email [email protected].

About Transformations

In 2012, a new emphasis on student research led to a name change to Transformations: A Student Research and Creativity Conference. It is through the process of research and creative activity that we make discoveries that produce new knowledge and understandings that transform our disciplines. The world around us can be transformed through meaningful applications of this new knowledge, and we can transform students’ lives by providing them with opportunities to participate in original research and creative projects.

A highlight of the academic year, this event focuses on student research, which is defined as an original investigation or creative activity through the primary efforts of a student or group of students. The work should show problem-solving skills and demonstrate new conceptual outcomes. We are encouraged and invigorated by the increasing level of student research that we are seeing and understand that it is only possible through the ongoing efforts of faculty who provide leadership and mentoring.

Generally, the event begins with a keynote address that is followed by presentations and poster sessions. In addition to attendance by members of the campus community, invitations are extended to area high schools, our elected representatives and to the Cortland community at large.

Support for Transformations has been provided by the President's Office and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Office. Special thanks to the Student Alumni Association for providing volunteers.

Transformations Committee

  • Christopher Badurek, Geography
  • Martine Barnaby, Art and Art History
  • Laura Eierman, Biological Sciences
  • Lily Liang, Sociology and Anthropology
  • Jeremy Jimenez, Foundations and Social Advocacy
  • Bruce Mattingly, Arts and Sciences (Chair)
  • Erin Morris, Sport Management 
  • Jason Parks, Kinesiology
  • Kimberly Rombach, Childhood/Early Childhood Education
  • Meghan VanDeuson, Arts and Sciences
  • Alexandra Vizgaitis, Psychology
  • Hilary Wong, Memorial Library

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