Students win awards at national biomedical research conference for minority scientists

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas faculty, students and staff attended the 2012 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) last week in San Jose, Calif. There was a delegation of seven students, three faculty and four staff from KU attending the annual conference.

More than 2,000 students from across the country participated in the conference, and 1,800 students presented the results of research projects. Only 250 received ABRCMS travel awards to attend the conference, and 250 presentation awards were made for undergraduate and graduate student presentations.

Three of the students received ABRCMS travel awards to attend the conference, and two students received presentation awards. KU's Office for Diversity in Science Training and the KU McNair Program provided additional support for the KU students.

KU students attending the conference are listed below by hometown and are also identified by level in school and major. If the student received a travel scholarship, gave a presentation or won an award, that is also noted.

• Morgan Barham, of Philadelphia, is a nondegree graduate student at KU. Barham presented at the conference and attended with the support of an ABRCMS travel scholarship.

• Matthew Behymer, of Tonganoxie, is a senior in biochemistry at KU. Behymer attended this year's conference.

• Paulette Gonzalez, of Los Angeles, is a nondegree graduate student at KU. Gonzalez presented at the conference and attended with the support of an ABRCMS travel scholarship. Her presentation was recognized with a student presentation award.

• Myette Simpson, of Lawrence, is a sophomore in mechanical engineering at KU. Simpson attended this year's conference with the support of the KU McNair Scholars Program.

• Jesse Sundar, of Kemmerer, Wyo., is a nondegree graduate student at KU. Sundar presented at the conference and attended with the support of an ABRCMS travel scholarship. Sundar's presentation was recognized with a student presentation award.

• Maureen Wangare, of Olathe, is a senior in psychology at KU. Wangare presented at the conference and attended with the support of the KU McNair Scholars Program.

• John Wiggins III, of North Chesterfield, Va., is a nondegree graduate student at KU. Wiggins presented at the conference.