15 students receive Undergraduate Research Awards for fall
LAWRENCE — This fall, 15 KU students will receive Undergraduate Research Awards, which provide $1,000 to support mentored projects.
“These students are taking full advantage of the opportunities available to them at KU,” said John Augusto, director of the Center for Undergraduate Research. “They have learned concepts and techniques in class and are now applying what they’ve learned to their UGRA projects.”
Students apply for UGRAs by writing a four-page research proposal under the guidance of a mentor. Faculty reviewers evaluate the applications based on the merit of the applicant's proposal, the applicant's academic record,and a recommendation letter from the mentor.
The UGRA competition is coordinated by the Center for Undergraduate Research and funded by a partnership among the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Office of Research, Undergraduate Studies and the Office of the Provost.
Students interested in applying for spring 2016 UGRAs can find more information and apply on the Center for Undergraduate Research website.
The recipients:
Cameron Arnold, a sophomore from Topeka majoring in petroleum engineering: “Measuring Rheological Properties of CO2 Foam for Hydraulic Fracturing Applications,” mentored by Reza Barati, chemical & petroleum engineering.
Eric Eisenbarth, a junior from Lenexa majoring in chemical engineering: “Analysis of LaSrCoO3 Co-Impregnated with δ-Alumina’s Catalytic Abilities within a Simulated Lean NOx Trap,” mentored by Susan Williams, chemical & petroleum engineering.
Mackenzie Johnson, a junior from Olathe majoring in biology: “Clonal Interference: The Effect of Clonal Reproductive History in Asexual Populations on the Rate of Evolution,” mentored by Maria Orive, ecology & evolutionary biology.
Joshua Marple, a senior from Auburn majoring in computer science: “An Alternative Eye Tracking System,” mentored by Jonathan Brumberg, speech-language-hearing.
Justin Massey, a junior from Overland Park majoring in biochemistry: “Protein-Protein Interactions Using the Bacterial Two Hybrid System to Support Biological Function in Chlamydia,” mentored by P. Scott Hefty, molecular biosciences.
Hannah Morrow, a junior from Skiatook, Oklahoma, majoring in behavioral neuroscience: “The Effects of Motor Engagement on Semantic Retrieval for Flexible Object Use,” mentored by Evangelia Chrysikou, psychology.
Addison Schile, a junior from Topeka majoring in chemical engineering: “Understanding Breakdowns of Linear Response Theory in Liquids,” mentored by Ward Thompson, chemistry.
Marah Schlingensiepen, a junior from Topeka majoring in public administration and religious studies: “Prisoner Perceptions of Justice,” mentored by Shannon Portillo, public affairs and administration.
Keeleigh Smith, a junior from Wichita majoring in applied behavioral science: “The Effects of Audio Type on Workplace Productivity,” mentored by Florence DiGennaro Reed, applied behavioral science.
Sean Turner, a junior from Richmond, Virginia, majoring in visual art: “Public Installation as a Way to Create Contemplation and Question Language,” mentored by Tanya Hartman, visual art.
Eileen Vander Velden, a junior from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, majoring in speech-language-hearing: sciences & disorders: “Better Ear for Better Speech Understanding in Noise,” mentored by Kostas Kokkinakis, speech-language-hearing: sciences & disorders.
Sara Ventura, a senior from Lawrence majoring in psychology and photography: “Compensating for the Threat of Sexual Assault: Social Identification Processes Predict How Women Respond to Threats to Their Personal Control Stemming from Rates of Sexual Assault,” mentored by Ludwin Molina, psychology.
Nadia Vossoughi, a junior from Lawrence majoring in sociology and psychology: “A Look At Tehrangeles,” mentored by Nathaniel Freiburger, sociology.
Brett Wagner, a junior from Overland Park majoring in civil engineering with environmental emphasis: “Granular Sludge Treatment in Wastewater Sequencing Batch Reactors,” mentored by Belinda Sturm, civil, environmental and architectural engineering.
Abbey Whisler, a junior from Hutchinson majoring in geography: “A Cross Disciplinary Visualization of the Impacts of Sea Level Rise on U.S. Coastlines,” mentored by Xingong Li, geography.