13 students receive Undergraduate Research Awards for summer

LAWRENCE — This summer, 13 University of Kansas students will receive Undergraduate Research Awards, which come with $1,000 scholarships as recipients work on mentored research and creative projects.

“Every day across campus, KU undergraduates work with their faculty mentors to accomplish truly impressive feats of research and creativity,” said Alison Olcott, director of the Center for Undergraduate Research and associate professor of geology. “We are pleased that we can help support these students in their efforts to gain further expertise in their chosen fields.”

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 from the mentor.

The Center for Undergraduate Research will begin taking applications for the Spring 2020 UGRA competition during the fall semester.  More information can be found online. 

Students receiving awards for the summer of 2019 are listed below in alphabetical order along with academic level, hometown, project title, mentor and mentor’s department:

Kasra Alizadeh, a junior from Mashhad, Khorasan, Iran: “Evaluating the Role of Translational Efficiency in Synaptogenesis in Caenorhabditis Elegans,” mentored by Brian Ackley, molecular biosciences.

Kiara Clark, a junior from Lawrence: “How African Americans Perceive Mental Health Care,” mentored by Tamara Baker, psychology.

Priscilla Flores-Ascencio, a junior from Lawrence: “Estrogen Receptor Alpha Involvement in THP-1 Macrophage Derived M2 Polarization,” mentored by Jenny Robinson, chemical engineering.

Lauren Jennings, a junior from Dardenne Prairie, Missouri: “Analysis of Axin1 in Destruction Complex Localization Following Wnt Ligand Presentation,” mentored by Kristi Neufeld, molecular biosciences.

Kirsten Kent, a senior from Lake Lotawana, Missouri: “The Effect of the Aurora B Kinase Pathway in Colorectal Cancer,” mentored by Dan Dixon, molecular biosciences.

Payton Leiker, a senior from Topeka: “E. Faecalis Cell Wall Polysaccharides and Their Relevance to Biofilm Physiology,” mentored by Lynn Hancock, molecular biosciences.

Hollie Mullin, a senior from Overland Park: “Differences in Experiencing the Speech-to-Song Illusion as a Function of Age,” mentored by Micheal Vitevitch, psychology.

Michelle Oboro, a senior from Olathe: “Stigma and Attitudes Surrounding the Intersection of African American Women, Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse,” mentored by Carl Lejuez, Office of the Provost and psychology.

Manjit Pant, a junior from Leawood: “Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis for Maximum Synthesis of Nano-Materials,” mentored by Lin Liu, mechanical engineering.

Leonor Ramos-Salamanca, a senior from Johnson: “Exposure to Violence, Coping and Academic Achievement Within the Latinx Population,” mentored by Omar Gudino, psychology.

Mathew Reinhold, a senior from Leavenworth: “Language Attitudes and Gender on the Miskitu Coast,” mentored by Laura Herlihy, Latin American & Caribbean studies.

Juliette Rishell, a senior from Lawrence: “After the Party; Roman Floor Mosaics,” mentored by Marie-Alice L'Heureux, architecture.

Jonah Stiel, a junior from Topeka: “Understanding the Role of Steric Bulk in Catalysts for Reduction of Carbon Dioxide,” mentored by James Blakemore, chemistry.