Reception to honor students and their faculty in NIH science programs
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LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Office of Diversity in Science Training will host its sixth annual Welcome Reception, which honors students and faculty mentors at KU and Haskell Indian Nations University participating in 2012-2013 programs funded by the National Institutes of Health to encourage underserved students to pursue careers in biomedical science.
The reception will take place at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, in the Bruckmiller Room of the Adams Alumni Center. All KU faculty and staff are invited to attend to support the participants and mentors of these programs. A brief program will begin at 4:30 p.m.
The director of KU's Office for Diversity in Science Training, James Orr, will recognize 50 students who are returning and newly selected participants in five NIH-supported programs at KU and Haskell: Bridges to the Baccalaureate, Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD), Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA), Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) and Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE).
Estela Gavosto, associate director of the Office for Diversity in Science Training, will announce the 2012 faculty mentor of the year. The mentor of the year is nominated by ODST students who worked in a research lab under the mentorship of the faculty member. This award was established in 2006 to recognize exceptional faculty mentors who engage students in research in their labs and make the success of these training programs possible.
More information on Office for Diversity in Science Training programs can be found online.
Participants are listed below by hometown, university, tribal affiliations (if applicable), major, NIH program and faculty mentor.
Brook Bayless, of Topeka, is a sophomore at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Bayless is part of Bridge working with Helen Alexander, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. Bayless is affiliated with the Cherokee Tribe.
Tyler Berry of Sapulpa, Okla., is a junior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Berry is part of Bridge working with Holly Storkel, associate professor of speech-language-hearing. Berry is affiliated with the Cherokee Tribe.
Corey Leroy, of Lawrence, is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Leroy is part of Bridge working with Audrey Lamb, associate professor of molecular biosciences. Leroy is affiliated with the Northern Ponca Tribe.
Nikolai Nez, of Lawrence, is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying medical laboratory science. Nez is part of Bridge working with Matthew Buechner, associate professor of molecular biosciences. Nez is affiliated with the Navajo Tribe.
Jessica Rodriguez, of Richland, Wash., is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Rodriguez is part of Bridge working with Jorge Soberon, professor-senior scientist of ecology & evolutionary biology. Rodriguez is affiliated with the Laguna Pueblo Tribe.
Jacob Stops, of Billings, Mont., is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying molecular biology. Stops is part of Bridge working with Liang Xu, associate professor of molecular biosciences. Stops is affiliated with the Crow Tribe.
Justin Washington, of Lawrence, is a freshman at Haskell Indian Nations University studying natural science. Washington is part of the Bridge Program. Washington is affiliated with the Eastern Shoshone Tribe.
Frank Wolfe, of Lee's Summit, Mo., is a junior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying natural science. Wolfe is part of Bridge working with Roberto De Guzman, associate professor of molecular biosciences. Wolfe is affiliated with the Omaha Tribe.
Lauren Beesley, of Overland Park, is a senior at KU studying mathematics (Statistics). Beesley is part of IMSD, working with Helen Alexander, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
Matthew Behymer, of Tonganoxie, is a senior at tKU studying biochemistry. Behymer is part of IMSD working with Teruna Siahaan, professor of pharmaceutical chemistry.
Eugene Cody, of Scottsdale, Ariz., is a senior at KU studying mathematics. Cody is part of IMSD working with Hongguo Xu, professor of mathematics. Cody is affiliated with the Hopi Tribe.
Kimberly Cole, of Wichita, is a sophomore at KU studying chemical & petroleum engineering. Cole is part of IMSD working with Lorin Maletsky, associate professor of mechanical engineering.
Lauren Crandon, of Lawrence, is a senior at KU studying chemical & petroleum engineering. Crandon is part of IMSD working with Susan Williams, associate professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.
Carlos Fernandez, of Overland Park, is a junior at KU studying mechanical engineering. Fernandez is part of IMSD working with Lingjia Liu, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science.
Marcus Florez, of Bel Aire, is a junior at KU studying biochemistry. Florez is part of IMSD working with Elias Michaelis, Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology.
Alexander Fondaw, of Wichita, is a junior at KU studying biochemistry. Fondaw is part of IMSD working with John Karanicolas, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.
Jordan Koch, of Lawrence, is a junior at KU studying mathematics. Koch is part of IMSD working with Mark Holder, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
Devin Lasley, of Wellington, is a senior at KU studying pre-sport science/community health. Lasley is part of IMSD working with Susan Egan, professor of molecular biosciences. Lasley is affiliated with the Cherokee/Kickapoo/ Sac & Fox Tribes.
Isaac Nzuki, of Olathe, is a senior at KU studying human biology. Nzuki is part of IMSD working with Claudia Dozier, assistant professor of applied behavioral science.
Alexa Roy is a sophomore at KU studying biology (neurobiology). Roy is part of IMSD working with Audrey Lamb, associate professor of molecular biosciences.
Kayla Sale, of Olathe, is a junior at KU studying biology and mathematics. Sale is part of IMSD working with Joy Ward, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
Joshua Selbe, of Fort Scott, is a senior at KU studying microbiology. Selbe is part of IMSD working with Robert Moyle, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, and Elias Michaelis, professor of pharmacology and toxicology. Selbe is affiliated with the Cherokee Tribe.
Chelsea Steel, of Gladstone, Mo., is a senior at KU studying biology. Steel is part of IMSD working with Brian Ackley, assistant professor of molecular biosciences. Steel is affiliated with the Sioux Tribe.
Marvin Wes Stops, of Billings, Mont., is a senior at KU studying community health. Stops is part of IMSD working with Kyle Camarda, associate professor of chemical and petroleum engineering. Stops is affiliated with the Crow Tribe.
Rodolfo Torres-Gavosto, of Lawrence, is a senior at KU studying chemistry. Torres-Gavosto is part of IMSD working with Cindy Berrie, associate professor of chemistry.
Christopher Trezza, of Smithtown, N.Y., is a senior at KU studying microbiology. Trezza is part of IMSD working with Matthew Buechner, associate professor of molecular biosciences.
Carlos Villeda of Round Lake, Ill., is a senior at KU studying mathematics and mechanical engineering. Villeda is part of IMSD working with Estela Gavosto, associate professor of mathematics.
Maureen Wangare, of Olathe, is a senior at KU studying psychology. Wangare is part of IMSD working with Yo Jackson, associate professor of applied behavioral science and psychology.
Crisandra Wilkie, of Salem, Ore., is a senior at KU studying biology (cell biology). Wilkie is part of IMSD working with Teruna Siahaan, professor of pharmaceutical chemistry. Wilkie is affiliated with the Turtle Mountain Band of Cheppewa Tribe.
Julia Yang, of Manhattan, is a junior at KU studying biology and environmental studies. Yang is part of IMSD working with Kelly Kindscher, professor-senior scientist of Kansas Biological Survey.
Safiyyah Forbes is a postdoc at KU with a Ph.D. in chemistry. Forbes is part of IRACDA working with Blake Peterson, Distinguished Professor of Medicinal Chemistry.
Vanessa Koelling is a postdoc at KU with a Ph.D. in biology. Koelling is part of IRACDA working with Joy Ward, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
Juliana Medeiros is a postdoc at KU with a Ph.D. in genetics. Medeiros is part of IRACDA working with John Kelly, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
Dyan Morgan is a postdoc at KU with a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology. Morgan is part of IRACDA working with Erik Lundquist, professor of molecular biosciences.
Tashina Azure has a bachelor of arts in American Indian studies from KU. Azure is part of PREP working with Stephen Fawcett, professor of applied behavioral science.
Morgan Barham, of Philadelphia, has a bachelor of science in biology from KU. Barham is part of PREP working with Stephen Benedict, professor of molecular biosciences.
Kimberly Box, of Wichita, has a bachelor of science in biology (genetics) from KU. Box is part of PREP working with Justin Blumenstiel, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
Paulette Gonzalez, of Los Angeles, has a bachelor of science in biology from KU. Gonzalez is part of PREP working with Rafe Brown, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
Kena Senegal of Lake Charles, La., has a bachelor of science in chemistry from KU. Senegal is part of PREP working with Liang Tang, associate professor of molecular biosciences.
Sarena Senegal of Lake Charles, La., has a bachelor of science in chemistry (biochemistry) from KU. Senegal is part of PREP working with Tomas Prisinzano, professor of medicinal chemistry.
Jesse Sundar, of Kemmerer, Wyo., has a bachelor of science in nuclear engineering from KU. Sundar is part of PREP working with Elizabeth Friis, associate professor of mechanical engineering.
John Wiggins of North Chesterfield, Va., has a bachelor of science in biochemistry from KU. Wiggins is part of PREP working with Elias Michaelis, Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology.
Maureen Connolly of Kansas City, Mo., is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Connolly is part of RISE working with Xingong Li, associate professor of geography. Connolly is affiliated with the Campo Kumeyaay Tribe.
Joshua Cunningham, of Coffeyville, is a junior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Cunningham is part of RISE working with Caroline Chaboo, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. Cunningham is affiliated with the Cherokee Tribe.
Bryn Fragua of Jemez Pueblo, N.M., is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Fragua is part of RISE working with Kelly Kindscher, professor-senior scientist for the Environmental Studies Program. Fragua is affiliated with the Jemez Pueblo Tribe.
Cale Pete of Garnderville, Nev., is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Pete is part of RISE working Kirsten Jensen, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary Biology. Pete is affiliated with the Washoe Tribe.
Allyson Prue, of Lawrence, is a junior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Prue is part of RISE working with Kelly Kindscher, professor-senior scientist for the Environmental Studies Program. Prue is affiliated with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.
Alejandra Rodriguez, of Martin, S.D., is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Rodriguez is part of RISE working with Lena Hileman, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. Rodriguez is affiliated with the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
Ashley Stiffarm, of Grain Valley, Mo., is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Stiffarm is part of RISE working with Lena Hileman, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. Stiffarm is affiliated with the Gros Ventre Tribe.
Menzie Yezak, of Bremond, Texas, is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying natural science. Yezak is part of RISE working with Jerry DeNoylles, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. Yezak is affiliated with the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe.