Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference

The Mission

The Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference (SIRC) provides an opportunity for students from a wide variety of majors and disciplines to present their research and creative works, receive meaningful feedback, and develop scholarly community. SIRC is a great opportunity for students at all levels of their academic career to gain practice speaking and presenting as well as experience a conference environment in a relaxed, friendly setting while learning about the wealth of research in our community.

About the Conference

SIRC is organized by Gonzaga University and Whitworth University, alternating between campuses each year. This celebration of primarily undergraduate research is open to all students in the Spokane area and costs nothing to attend. Students can choose to present a poster, deliver an oral presentation, or exhibit their creative work.

Although this event primarily supports undergraduate research, SIRC provides a venue for all students in our community to celebrate their research as well. This conference is open to the public. We look forward to seeing you at SIRC! 

SIRC 2026 will be hosted by Whitworth University on April 25th, 2026.

Award Winners from SIRC 2026

Best Poster

• Emma Rose, Gonzaga University, "C7 La barrera linguistica del sistema de salad para los hispanohablantes en EEUU"
• Kassidy Espinosa, Gonzaga University, "A20 How Viruses Grant Superpowers to Their Hosts: Investigating Prophage-Dependent Immunity in Cluster F Phages Through Genetic Engineering of the Immunity Repressor Gene"
• Alexa Cach, Whitworth University, "Strengthening Occupational Therapy in Maternal Health: Pathways for Skill Development and Practice Integration"

People's Choice Best Oral Presentation

• Daniel Arinez, WSU, "The Economic and Geopolitical implications of Turkey’s Rise as a Producer of Affordable Military Drones in the Global Arms Trade"
• William Henke, Whitworth University, "The Use of Violent Language in the Quotidian"

People's Choice Best Poster Presentation

• Amy Howlett, Katie Manson, Gonzaga University, "Investigating TOR Signaling Through Experimental Evolution of Caffeine-tolerant S. cerevisiae"
• Alli Willmarth, Matthew Jorgensen, Gonzaga University, "Wildfire's Impact on Water Treatment" 
• Daniel Arinez, WSU, "The VTuber Market Case Study - Hololive Production as a Business" 
• Finley Knellhorne, Gonzaga University, "House of Ilium: The Past, The Present, and Other Epic Cycles"