KU, Haskell students to present research projects at 15th annual symposium

LAWRENCE — Research relating to cancer, genetics, medicinal plants, and social relationships will be among student research presented at the 15th annual University of Kansas-Haskell Indian Nations University Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Forty students will present posters of their science and engineering research from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, in Tecumseh Hall at Haskell Indian Nations University.

The Office for Diversity in Science Training (ODST) is led by Estela Gavosto, director, and James Orr, past director. The symposium presenters include undergraduate and graduate-level students from both universities supported by the Office for Diversity in Science Training. They are scholars in programs funded by the National Institutes of Health that support and give opportunities to underrepresented students to pursue research careers in biomedical and behavioral sciences, including the 500 Nations Bridge Collaboration, Haskell, KU, the KU Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Program and the KU Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program.

Participants are listed below by hometown, university, tribal affiliations (if applicable), major, NIH program and faculty mentor.

Justin Bauswell, of Kansas City, Kansas, is a junior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Bauswell is a scholar in the Bridge Program, and he is mentored by Chris Gamblin, associate professor of molecular biosciences. Bauswell is affiliated with the Cherokee Nations Tribe.

Thaius Boyd, of Lawrence, is a sophomore at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Boyd is a scholar in the Bridge program, and he is mentored by Wonpil Im, associate professor of molecular biosciences. Boyd is affiliated with the Dine Tribe.

Chelsea Burgess, of Winslow, Arizona, is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Burgess is a scholar in the Bridge program, and she is mentored by Leo Smith, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. Burgess is affiliated with the Comanche Tribe.

Jacob Dixon, of Vernonia, Oregon, is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Dixon is a scholar in the Bridge program, and he is mentored by Andrew Short, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. Dixon is affiliated with the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma.

Corey Leroy, of Reelsville, Indiana, is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Leroy is a scholar in the Bridge program, and she is mentored by Chuck Haines, faculty member at Haskell Indian Nations University. Leroy is affiliated with the Northern Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.

Jacob Stops, of Billings, Montana, is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying molecular biology. Stops is a scholar in the Bridge program, and he is mentored by Liang Xu, associate professor of molecular biosciences. Stops is affiliated with the Crow Tribe.

Carrie Albers, of Smolan, is a sophomore at KU studying chemical engineering. Albers is a scholar in the IMSD program, and she is mentored by Teruna Siahaan, professor of pharmaceutical chemistry.

Taylor Broadhead, of Topeka, is a senior at KU studying ecology and evolutionary biology. Broadhead is a scholar in the IMSD program, and she is mentored by Rafe Brown, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. Broadhead is affiliated with the Cherokee Tribe.

Cedric Clark II, of Kansas City, Kansas, is a sophomore at KU studying biochemistry. Clark is a scholar in the IMSD program, and he is mentored by Joy Ward, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

Kimberly Cole, of Wichita, is a senior at KU studying chemical and petroleum engineering. Cole is a scholar in the IMSD program, and she is mentored by Prajna Dhar, assistant professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.

Eder Davila-Contreras, of Lawrence, is a junior at KU studying biochemistry. Davila-Contreras is a scholar in the IMSD program, and he is mentored by Wonpil Im, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

Carlos Fernandez, of Overland Park, is a senior at KU studying mechanical engineering. Fernandez is a scholar in the IMSD program, and he is mentored by Maria Orive, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

Vince Fiorentino, of Somerville, New Jersey, is a freshman at KU studying biochemistry. Fiorentino is a scholar in the IMSD program, and he is mentored by Susan Lunte, distinguished professor of chemistry.

Marcus Florez, of Bel Aire, is a senior at KU studying biochemistry. Florez is a scholar in the IMSD program, and he is mentored by Elias Michaelis, professor of pharmacology and toxicology.

Ricardo Gonzalez, of Wichita, is a sophomore at KU studying chemical and biomedical engineering. Gonzalez is a scholar in the IMSD program, and he is mentored by Susan Lunte, distinguished professor of chemistry.

Luanne Hale, of Northglenn, Colorado, is a senior at KU studying applied behavioral science. Hale is a scholar in the IMSD program, and she is mentored by David Jarmolowicz, assistant professor of applied behavioral science. Hale is affiliated with the Navajo Tribe.

Hebron Kelecha, of Gardner, is a sophomore at KU studying biochemistry. Kelecha is a scholar in the IMSD program, and she is mentored by Marco Bortolato, assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology.

Monica Ketchum, of Leawood, is a sophomore at KU studying chemical engineering. Ketchum is a scholar in the IMSD program, and she is mentored by Prajna Dhar, assistant professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.

Jordan Koch, of Lawrence, is a senior at KU studying mathematics and economics. Koch is a scholar in the IMSD program, and she is mentored by Mark Holder, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

Andrea Livingston, of Wichita, is a sophomore at KU studying chemical engineering. Livingston is a scholar in the IMSD program, and she is mentored by Cory Berkland, professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.

Alex Matlock, of Pflugerville, Texas, is a senior at KU studying biology. Matlock is a scholar in the IMSD program, and he is mentored by Robert Ward, associate professor of molecular biology.

Ruben Medina, of San Antonio, is a senior at KU studying community health. Medina is a scholar in the IMSD program, and he is mentored by Mary Fry, associate professor of health, sport and exercise science.

Eva Mohr, of Wichita, is a junior at KU studying mechanical engineering. Mohr is a scholar in the IMSD program, and she is mentored by Laird Forrest, associate professor of pharmaceutical chemistry.

Alexa Roy, of Shawnee, is a senior at KU studying biology (neurobiology). Roy is a scholar in the IMSD program, and she is mentored by Liang Xu, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

Kayla Sale, of Olathe, is a senior at KU studying biology and mathematics. Sale is a scholar in the IMSD program, and she is mentored by Perry Alexander, professor of electrical engineering and computer science.

Julia Santos, of Holcomb, is a freshman at KU studying biology. Santos is a scholar in the IMSD program.

Kayla Wilson, of Olathe, is a sophomore at KU studying biology. Wilson is a scholar in the IMSD program, and she is mentored by Robert Ward, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

Brent Cook, of Scottsdale, Arizona, has bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and physics from the University of Arizona. Cook is a scholar in the PREP program, and he is mentored by Judy Wu, distinguished professor of physics and astronomy.

Adolfo Ivan Gomez Delgado, of Oakland, California, has a bachelor’s degree in integrative biology. Gomez Delgado is a scholar in the PREP program, and he is mentored by Rafe Brown, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

Dianarys Hernandez-Aquino, of San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, has a bachelor’s degree in medical microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo. Hernandez-Aquino is a scholar in the PREP program, and she is mentored by Yoshiaki Azuma, associate professor of molecular biology.

Aleah LaToyia Henderson, of Homer, Louisiana, has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Dillard University. Henderson is a scholar in the PREP program, and she is mentored by Joy Ward, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

Scott LaBrie, of Sacramento, California, has a bachelor’s degree in  environmental science from Haskell Indian Nations University. LaBrie is a scholar in the PREP program, and he is mentored by Scott Hefty, associate professor of molecular biosciences. LaBrie is affiliated with the Cherokee Nations tribe.

Matthew Medina, of Espanola, New Mexico, has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of New Mexico. Medina is a scholar in the PREP program, and he is mentored by Jennifer Roberts, associate professor of geology.

Tom Salazar, of West Palm Beach, Florida, has a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the University of Miami. Salazar is a scholar in the PREP program, and he is mentored by Jonathan Brumberg, assistant professor of speech, language and hearing.

Marvin Wes Stops, of Billings, Montana, has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Haskell Indian Nations University. Stops is a scholar in the PREP program, and he is mentored by Cory Berkland, professor of chemical and petroleum engineering. Stops is affiliated with the Crow Tribe.