Students from Indiana University's regional campuses presented their research at the Indiana Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis on March 26. Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana UniversityIndiana University’s impact extends across the state — a world of research, artistic innovation and economic opportunity that is happening on regional IU campuses throughout the state.

Students from multiple IU campuses showcased their work during the Regionals at the Rotunda event March 26 at the Indiana Statehouse.

Lawmakers and other stakeholders learned about research being conducted by students from IU's regional campuses at Regionals at the Rotunda. Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana University“We’re all together almost 18,000 students strong,” said Ken Iwama, IU vice president for regional campuses and online education. “We collectively contribute over $1 billion in economic impact to the state and to our communities. Each regional campus has its own personality, history and uniqueness.”

Students and faculty from IU South Bend, IU Kokomo, IU East, IU Northwest and IU Southeast were present in the Statehouse rotunda to showcase the distinctive and impactful research happening on their campuses. That includes studying the origin of embryo-egg size correlation in the snapping turtle; a first-year seminar research project investigating the effects of ecological management on the IU Northwest campus; and studying which pain intervention methods reduce opioid use and increase patient satisfaction.

“These types of exercises are invaluable in that they teach students to think critically, to take the knowledge that they learn in the classroom and apply these to novel situations, which is what they are going to be doing in their careers,” said Michael Finkler, a physiology professor at IU Kokomo.