Purpose

IRIS: Integrating Research in Science, an innovative student-led conference, aims to celebrate interdisciplinary interactions by bringing together the realms of STEM and STEM-related fields. This one-day conference for undergraduates will allow students to promote their research, to network among professors and peers, and to prepare for their academic and professional careers by attending expert panels. By participating in IRIS, students engage in a collaborative environment that harbors values in creating a strong sense of community. Moreover, by bringing many departments and students with different interests together, students will explore new ideas within a diverse range of fields and be able to delve into the rich progress cross-disciplinary interactions have to offer. We wish for attendees to open their mind and break the barriers that margin STEM fields.

​Keynote Speaker 2024

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​Dr. Keriayn Smith

Associate Professor at School of Data Science and Society, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
  • MSQM, Data Analytics, Duke University
  • Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Georgia
M.Phil., Philosophy, The University of the West Indies
B.S., Biochemistry, The University of the West Indies

Sifting Through Junk: Can AI/Machine Learning
Help us Determine What Matters?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized biology and biomedical scientific discovery by enhancing the efficiency of research. Machine Learning (ML), a subset of AI, has already been used to characterize DNA/RNA sequence and to identify disease-related genes. Additionally, ML is being used to predict interactions and structures for biomolecules, which informs drug design and development. Such advancements are rapidly transforming research and development by reducing trial-and-error experimentation and accelerating discovery processes. My research program leverages ML to characterize vast regions of understudied genomic sequence and its output. By understanding these technologies, researchers such as myself are unlocking new insights into biological systems, leading to deeper understanding of biological processes and more precise and personalized treatments for disease. Since AI/ML has significant implications for scientific innovation, human health, and the economy, ultimately, the goal of this seminar is to stimulate discussions on the use of AI/ML to address some of biology's most complex challenges.
Conference Schedule
  • CHECK IN, McMichael Lounge 1st Floor
    • Coffee/Light Snacks!​
8:20 AM - 9:00 AM​
  • KEYNOTE SPEAKER, McMichael Room 115
    • ​Sifting Through Junk: Can AI/Machine Learning Help Us Determine What Matters? w/ Dr. Keriayn Smith  
  • Group Photo Session, McMichael Lounge
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

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10:00 AM - 10:05 AM
  • Coffee Break, 1st Floor Innovation Hall
10:05 AM - 10:30 AM
  • ORAL PRESENTATIONS, Innovation Hall Rooms 205 and 201
    • ​BLOCK A (10:30 AM - 10:45 AM) 
    • BLOCK B (10:50 AM - 11:05 AM)
    • BLOCK C (11:10 AM - 11:25 AM)
10:30 AM - 11:25 AM
  • LUNCH, 1st Floor Innovation Hall
​11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
  • POSTER PRESENTATIONS, 2nd Floor Innovation Hall
​12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
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  • Coffee Break, 1st Floor Innovation Hall
​1:15 PM - 1:30 PM
  • PANEL SESSIONS, McMichael 115
​​1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
For more day-of information like directions, presenters, and more, visit the conference page.
Funding acknowledgements
The 2024 IRIS conference is supported by NSF Grant DMS-2151990 , and by the Wake Forest University Student Activity Fee (SAF).