Seventy-two undergraduates present summer research
LAWRENCE — Each summer, undergraduate students from around the world join current University of Kansas students in conducting research with campus faculty. Seventy-two of these students presented their research last month at the KU Summer Undergraduate Research Poster Session at The Commons.
“We were especially pleased by the large turnout from the KU community of faculty, students and staff for the event this year,” said John Augusto, director of KU’s Center for Undergraduate Research. “Students learn the most when they have the chance to engage in scholarly conversation about their projects and our campus community provided that learning opportunity.”
Presenters included students taking part in the following programs:
- Beckman Scholars Program
- Brazilian Scientific Mobility Program (BSMP)
- Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE) Scholars Program
- McNair Scholars Program
- National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Programs, sponsored by the following units:
- Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS)
- Department of Chemistry
- National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Program sponsored by CReSIS
- Office for Diversity in Science Training programs:
- 500 Nations Bridge Program with Haskell Indian Nations University
- Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Program
- Undergraduate Research Award recipients
The poster session was co-sponsored by the Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE) Scholars Program and KU’s Center for Undergraduate Research. Students who presented their work are listed below, along with their hometown, home institution, project title, faculty mentor and department:
Sumer Al-Ahdali, Denver, Haskell Indian Nations University; “Examining Resilience within Indigenous Transition-Age Foster Youth,” Nancy Jo Kepple, social welfare.
Joao Pedro Alves de Carvalho Fortunato, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, Federal University of Pernambuco; “Use of Headed Bars as Shear Reinforcement,” David Darwin, civil, environmental & architectural engineering.
Kyle Apley, Olsburg, Kansas State University; “Synthesis of Dextran-based Soluble Antigen Arrays for Antigen-Specific Autoimmune Therapy,” Jian Qian, pharmaceutical chemistry.
Evan Barnes, Lawrence, KU; “Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Does Not Cause Global DNA Methylation Changes in Female Marines,” Philip Gallagher, health, sport & exercise sciences.
Ashley Bennett, Baldwin City, KU; “A Study on the Girls in Tech Program and STEM Career Interest,” Karin Chang, Center for Educational Opportunity Programs.
Sandra Bertram Grant, Bentonville, Arkansas, KU; “The Impact of Released Prejudice on Mood,” Christian Crandall, psychology.
Reginald Black Elk, The Black Hills, South Dakota, Haskell Indian Nations University; “Indigenous Approaches to Environmental Knowledge,” Mary Kate Dennis, social welfare.
Crystal Bradshaw, Jetmore, KU; “George: A Generational Journey,” Maryemma Graham, Mary Klayder and Laura Moriarty, English.
Kathryn Brewer, Overland Park, KU; “Assessing the Post-Translational Modification of PvdJ Module 2 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,” Audrey Lamb, molecular biosciences.
Alicia Brown, Page, Arizona, Haskell Indian Nations University; “Effects of Pramipexole on Rats’ Delay Discounting,” Marco Bortolato, pharmacology & toxicology.
Jacob Chamberlin, Wichita, KU; “The Influence of High School Athletes’ Perceptions of the Motivational Climate on Athletic Identity and Academic Endeavors,” Mary Fry, health, sport & exercise sciences.
Joan Cheng, Brooklyn, New York, Emory University; “Effect of β-Naphthoflavone (βNF) on Induction of CYP1A1 in HepG2 Cells,” Michael Wang, pharmaceutical chemistry.
Cedric Clark, Kansas City, Kansas, KU; “Inducing Favorable Interface Amino Acid Interactions to Encourage Specific Folding of Outer Membrane Proteins,” Joanna Slusky, molecular biosciences and computational biology.
Collin Clay, Edmond, Oklahoma, KU; “Synthesis of Novel Electrophilic Probes: Reactivity Profiling with Sultams, Sulfonamides and Known Drugs,” Paul Hanson, chemistry.
Maria Davies, Lawrence, KU; “Nos Están Matando [They are Killing Us]: Feminist Movements’ Influence in Argentina and Chile,” Brian Lagotte, global & international studies.
Cara Davis, Wichita, KU; “Production of a Human Cytochrome P450 Enzyme and Interaction with a Promising Cancer Therapeutic,” Emily Scott, medicinal chemistry.
Christian Davis, Midland City, Alabama, Huntingdon College; “Development of a Microchip Electrophoresis Method for Monitoring ATP and its Metabolites in Biological Samples,” Susan Lunte, chemisty.
Madeline Dekarske, Agnes Scott College; “Applying a New Amination Method for the Efficient Synthesis of Calothrixin B,” Michael Clift, chemistry.
Aidan Dmitriev, Lakewood, New York, KU; “Structural Proteomics in Chlamydia trachomatis,” Scott Hefty, molecular biosciences.
Ryan Downing, Wichita, KU; “In Vivo Biomechanics of Osteoarthritis in the Trapeziometacarpal Joint,” Ken Fischer, mechanical engineering.
Audrey Evans, North Liberty, Iowa, KU; “Implementation of Power Divider for 2-18-GHz Vivaldi Antenna Array,” Stephen Yan, Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets, electrical engineering & computer science.
Vince Fiorentino, Somerville, New Jersey, KU; “Analysis of the Endogenous AmiAcid Neurotransmitter GABA in unc-25 mutant C. elegans via Capillary Electrophoresis with Laser Induced Fluorescence Detection,” Susan Lunte, chemistry.
Will Fleming, Leawood, KU; “Delay Discounting on the Miskitu Coast,” David Jarmolowicz, applied behavioral science.
Julia Caroline Freire Sovierzoski, Curitiba, Paraná, The Federal University of Technology - Paraná; “Understanding Host-Guest Dynamics of Supramolecular Assemblies Relevant to Potential Applications in Catalysis,” Ward Thompson, chemistry.
Tayla Frizell, Belzoni, Mississippi, Mississippi Valley State University; “The Impact of STEM Outreach in Low Income Schools and Communities,” Linda Hayden, Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets.
Karynn Glover, Olathe, KU; “Helping WIN (Women's Intersport Network of City) Provide a Winning Environment for Girls in their Summer Sport Camps,” Mary Fry, health, sport and exercise sciences.
Ricardo Gonzalez, Bel Aire, KU; “Synthesis Of A Cyclic Peptide ADTC5 To Enhance In Vivo Brain Delivery Of Drugs,” Teruna Siahaan, pharmaceutical chemistry.
Warren Griffin, Boston, Haskell Indian Nations University; “Gone But Why?: Absenteeism Among American Indian/Alaska Native Males at Tribal Colleges and Universities,” Juliana Carlson, social welfare.
Luanne Hale, Northglenn, Colorado, KU; “Delayed Reward Value in Animal Models of Obesity,” David Jarmolowicz, applied behavioral sciences.
Terri Harvey, Overland Park, KU; “Depression and Society: American Values of Individualism and Materialism,” Tracey LaPierre, sociology.
Joselyn Hathaway, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Elizabeth City State University; “The Impact of STEM Outreach in Low Income Schools and Communities,” Linda Hayden, Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets.
Ruthann Hicks, Nixon, Nevada, Haskell Indian Nations University; “Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Services to Native American Communities in Kansas,” Matthew Gillispie, pediatrics.
Kenton Hicks, Chicago, Wabash College; “Electron-Rich Organometallics: Featuring Multiple Isocyanoazulene Ligands Terminated with Thiol Anchoring Groups,” Misha Barybin, chemistry.
Julie Hopkins, De Soto, University of Saint Mary; “Synthesis of New Rhodium Catalysts for Mechanistic Investigation of Dihydrogen Evolution,” James Blakemore, chemistry.
Aquib Jamil, Overland Park, KU; “The Evolution of the p53 DNA Damage Response in Drosophila,” Justin Blumenstiel, ecology & evolutionary biology.
Jazmine Jefferson, Lawrence, KU; “Study of Z→μμ Decay and Muon Detection Efficiency,” Philip Baringer, physics & astronomy.
Suwoo Kim, Overland Park, KU; “Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Gangliosides in Homogenous POPC Cell Membrane,” Wonpil Im, molecular biosciences.
Kelsey Kurek, Wichita, KU; “Investigating the Regulon of an RNPP Transcription Factor in Enterococcus faecalis,” Lynn Hancock, molecular biosciences.
Cameron Liss, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Roosevelt University; “Quantifying the Electron Transfer Properties of Organic Molecular Rectifiers,” Marco Caricato, chemistry.
Michael Long, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, KU; “Using CRISPR in Drosophila virilis to Understand the Role of the DNA Damage Response in Hybrid Dysgenesis,” Justin Blumenstiel, ecology & evolutionary biology.
Joseph Loomis, Pratt, KU; “Determination of Whole-Brain Dopamine Content in Chemotherapy-Exposed Zebrafish via Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry,” Michael Johnson, chemistry
Nicholas Love, Overland Park, KU; “Synthesis of Cell-Permeable Fluorescent Sensors of Reactive Species Involved in Cellular Stress,” Blake Peterson, medicinal chemistry.
Michael Lu, Hatillo, Puerto Rico, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez; “Carboxamide-Directed Nucleophilic Addition of Aryloxides to Cyclopropenes,” Michael Rubin, chemistry.
Annie Lynn, Overland Park, KU; “Engineering Capsomers of Hepatitis C for Vaccine Development via Coexpression with Shigella Bacteriophage Sf6 Capsid Protein,” Liang Tang, molecular biosciences.
Kenneth Marincin, Aurora, Colorado, Metropolitan State University of Denver; “Fluorescence Anisotropy Decay of FMN in LOV domains from Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii,” Carey Johnson, chemistry.
Justin Mehojah, Lawrence, KU; “Ewsa Inhibits TP53-Mutation Dependent Tumorigenesis in Zebrafish,” Mizuki Azuma, molecular biosciences.
Megan Metz, Prairie Village, KU; “Image Processing Techniques and the Role of Temperature in Antarctic Firn Stratigraphic Internal Layering,” David Braaten, Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets.
Nina Nganga, Nairobi, Kenya, KU; “Maternal Depletion Syndrome in Karimojong Women in North East Uganda,” Sandra Gray, anthropology.
Kate Nicastri, Yorktown Heights, New York, The College of the Holy Cross; “Progress Toward the Total Synthesis of (+)-Cryptofolione and Development of Natural Product Analogues,” Paul Hanson, chemistry.
Fergal O'Donnell, Longford, Ireland, Dublin City University; “Investigating the Role of Carnosine in Superoxide Production in RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells,” Susan Lunte, chemistry.
Kyle Rampetsreiter, Lee's Summit, Missouri, KU; “Characterization of Gel-MA Network as a Drug Carrier for Angiogenic Growth Factors,” Arghya Paul, chemical & petroleum engineering.
Gregory "Adam" Reeves, Pleasant Hill, Missouri, KU; “Patterns of Transposable Element Expression in Heads During Drosophila Aging,” Stuart Macdonald, molecular biosciences.
Lindsey Robinson, Prairie Village, Haskell Indian Nations University; “The Reflection of Self Image when sharing Traumatic Memories through the Looking-Glass Lens,” Andrea Greenhoot, psychology.
Leandro Rodrigues Borelli, Goiania, Goias, The State of Goias Federal University; “Factors Contributing to Reproductive Success in Zaprionus indianus,” Jennifer Gleason, ecology & evolutionary biology.
Toni Rufledt, Weston, Wisconsin, KU; “Alcoholism and Social Class,” Monica Biernat, psychology.
Robert Sagastume, Honduras, Missouri, KU; “Case Study: House Bill #2003- Limited Access to Education and Violation to Human Rights,” Melinda Lewis, social welfare.
Dominic Schenone, Etna, California, University of California - Santa Cruz; “LigandHoles: Validation of Protein-Ligand Models from Virtual Screening,” John Karanicolas, computational biology and molecular biosciences.
Kelly Schwinghamer, Hartford, Emporia State University; “Trivalent Polio Vaccine Formulation for Stability in Dried State,” David Volkin, pharmaceutical chemistry.
Levi Sedlock, Lawrence, KU; “Compiling Bed Topography Data Along a Central Flowline of Helheim Glacier,” Leigh Stearns, geology, Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets.
Yurim Seo, Irvine, California, Stanford University; “Conjugating Hyaluronic Acid to Toll-like Receptor Agonists for the Development of New Vaccine Adjuvants,” Laird Forrest, pharmaceutical chemistry.
Ryan Skaar, Story City, Iowa, Simpson College; “Towards the Purification of MxiK, an Essential Component of the Shigella Type III Secretion System,” William Picking, pharmaceutical chemistry.
Betina Sodre de Oliveira Rodrigues, KU; “Analysis of Earthquakes in Sumner County, South Central Kansas,” George Tsoflias, geology.
Jordan Sprick, Hiawatha, KU; “Synthetic Aperture Radar Simulator,” John Paden, electrical engineering & computer science, Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets.
Chase Stucky, Moundridge, Bethel College; “Neurochemical Measurements of Chemotherapy-Treated Zebrafish,” Michael Johnson, chemistry.
Brandon Tomas, Wichita, KU; “Dehydrogenase Sensor Building Upon Nanoparticle Embedded Conductive Nanowires,” Candan Tamerler, chemical & petroleum engineering.
Christina Tran, Overland Park, KU; “Investigation of the Role of the Runx Gene in Regeneration in the Sea Anemone Nematostella vectensis,” Paulyn Cartwright, ecology and evolutionary biology.
Latoya Tsosie, Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico, Haskell Indian Nations University; “The Role of EGL-5 in the Development of the D-Type GABAergic Motor Neuron in Caenorhabditis elegans,” Brian Ackley, molecular biosciences.
Joseph Vincent, Shawnee, KU; “Beamforming Sensitivity of Airborne Distributed Arrays to Flight Tracking and Vehicle Dynamics,” Emily Arnold, aerospace engineering.
Daniel Whedon, Winchester, KU; “Intrapersonal Beliefs About Sexual Assault,” Ruth Atchley, psychology.
Zach Wood, Eureka, Missouri, KU; “A Remarkably Sensitive C NMR Approach to Quantifying Donor/Acceptor Characteristics of Isocyanide Ligands,” Misha Barybin, chemistry.
Amy Zheng, Lawrence, KU; “Particulate Flow Simulation for a Liver-on-a-Chip Device and Experimental Validation,” Michael Wang, pharmaceutical chemistry.