By Zach Thomas
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Where can you see up-to-date research on aspirin's effect on cancer, a bacteriological study of public restrooms and a belly dancer?
On the UA Mall at the third annual Student Showcase. The interdisciplinary event features 135 projects by undergraduate and graduate students tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Participants will compete for cash awards totalling $7,000.
"It comes off as a science fair, but I'm looking for it to be as varied as I can get it," said Gaurav Parnami, MCB senior and director of this year's showcase. "I want to see these projects in action."
Sponsored by Associated Students and the Graduate and Professional Student Council, the showcase brings together research-oriented presentations from across the spectrum.
"It looks like it's going to be a lot of fun," said Dan Anderson, an Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering senior and showcase participant. He designed his solar-powered pool skimmer as a senior engineering project
Parnami also stressed that by public display, showcase participants will be able to see their own work in a different light.
"You get to look at your own project in a bigger scope," said Parnami, a showcase participant last year. "It goes from micro to macro in a sense."
Projects will be judged by committees of faculty, students and members of the local community.
U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe, UA President Pacheco, ASUA President Ben Driggs and GPSC President Melanie Ayers will all speak at the event.
Participant Marilyn Bailey, a sociology senior, hoped the showcase's broad range of topics would allow more people to see her own project on organ donation awareness.
"It's going to have a lot of different exhibits," she said.
Showcase categories include Visual and Performing Arts, Architecture and Design, Humanities, Literature and Languages, Social Sciences and Education, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Engineering and Agriculture and Applied Sciences.
For more information, call showcase director Gaurav Parnami at 621-2782.