West Virginia Universitys Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences is preparing for its annual Graduate Student Research Conference Thursday, April 19, from 8:15 a.m.3:45 p.m. in the Towers Blue and Gold rooms of the Evansdale Residential Complex.

The Davis College Graduate Student Research Conference is a unique opportunity to recognize the many research accomplishments of our talented graduate students and to enhance their professional development,said Joe Moritz, assistant professor in the Davis Colleges Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences and one of the events organizers.

Graduate students in the Davis College will have the opportunity to present research conducted as part of theses or dissertations, or representing their efforts on projects conducted in collaboration with faculty members.

Thirty-two posters will be on display, representing subjects ranging from beaver dams to digital soil mapping. Sixteen presentations will cover topics such as gene sequencing, the economics of pollution and feed additives.

This is an excellent opportunity to enhance the professional development of graduate students by exposing them to a conference-like setting,Moritz said.The event helps students hone their presentation skills and enhances their ability to communicate findings.

Papers by masters candidates will be presented from 8:20-11 a.m., with doctoral students presenting papers from noon2:40 p.m. Posters will be displayed for the duration of the day, and authors of posters will be on hand from 8:15 a.m.noon to answer questions from attendees.

The event is free and open to the public.