The first weekend of February 2012, UC LEADS (University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees) Undergraduate Research Program students from each University of California campus traveled to UC San Diego to attend the annual UC LEADS Symposium. They had a common goal of presenting poster presentations about their research and participating in seminars such as "Leadership That Matters in Science".

The conference had the support of many constituents. Members of the UC LEADS Campus Coordinators and the UC LEADS Executive Steering Committee all played a vital role in the symposium's success. The late winter day was filled with poster sessions that were judged by UC faculty and workshops from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, as well as a couple about Leadership Activity and UC Roundtable Recruitment.

Five UC Davis undergraduates joined 78 other UC LEADS students in attendance at the symposium and presented on research topics. "The students at the conference showed enthusiasm and pride in presenting their research," said Hector Cuevas, UC LEADS Statewide Director and Director of Outreach, Recruitment and Retention in the UC Davis Office of Graduate Studies.

UC LEADS students were also able to hear from three speakers who are previous STEM students. Seth Cohen, Ph.D., Lisa L. Gough, Ph.D. and Lina C. Patino, Ph.D. spoke on a variety of topics of interest to STEM students. The overall theme of the talks was the importance leadership in science fields, especially as students underrepresented groups.

Steven Beckwith, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies in the UC Office of the President, was present and spoke about his satisfaction with the work presented at the symposium.

"The talent and seriousness of students was impressive," said Cuevas. "They presented themselves as professionals, scientists, scholars and future leaders." Which, ideally demonstrated the symposium's theme of true "leadership".