Spring 2024 marks Dominican’s ninth . This annual event is open to all members of the University and the greater community. The conference kicks off with an inspiring keynote address followed by live music, compelling scholarship, and much more. Throughout the conference, students deliver oral and poster presentations, gallery exhibitions, and live performances to students, staff, faculty, and community members.
Creating signature work and presenting it to an audience is part of every student’s Dominican Experience. It deepens learning and underlines the value of their work.
Non-Dominican associated parties are welcome to attend this year's in-person conference. Oral presentations will also be available to view online. For more information regarding our COVID-19 policies, please visit our Campus Health and Safety page.
2024 Keynote Speaker
Diara Spain, PhD, she/her
Professor of Biology, Department Chair
School of Health and Natural Sciences
Diara considers herself a functional morphologist, interested in the interactions of form (anatomy) and function (physiology). Echinoderms and crustaceans are her favorite groups of organisms. Previously, she examined the links between locomotion and dermal morphology in sea cucumbers (Phylum Echinodermata, Order Holothuroidea). Currently, she is mentoring students in undergraduate research projects investigating the impact of increased ocean acidification on the exoskeleton of crabs (Subphylum Crustacea).
Science education including curricular development is another area of interest. Diara has developed courses for science majors courses and science courses for non-science majors. She has projects on communication skills for science majors, and the use of reflections in science research courses. Additionally, she has worked with undergraduate students to write a case study on ocean acidification. This case study was used to teach non-science majors in an environmental science course.
Diara has a PhD in Biology from the University of North Carolina. Her research interests include ocean acidification, locomotion and science communication.
