KU, Haskell students to present research projects at 18th annual symposium


LAWRENCE — Research relating to cancer, developmental genetics, microbiology, behavior in model organisms, enzymes and proteins, soils and Native American communities will be among student research presented at the 18th annual University of Kansas-Haskell Indian Nations University Undergraduate Research Symposium. 

Thirty-two students will present posters of their science and engineering research from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 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, associate 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 (NIH) that support and give opportunities to underrepresented students to pursue research careers in biomedical and behavioral sciences, including: 500 Nations Bridge Collaboration: Haskell Indian Nations University / KU (Estela Gavosto, KU-PI, and Melissa Holder, Haskell-PI), the KU Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Program (Gavosto and Paul Hanson, co-PIs) and the KU Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (Gavosto and Gustavo Blanco, co-PIs).

Participants are listed below alphabetically.

Sumer Al-Ahdali is a sophomore at Haskell studying American Indian studies and social welfare. Al-Ahdali is in the Bridge Program and mentored by Nancy Jo Kepple, assistant professor of social welfare. Al-Ahdali is affiliated with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Tribe.

Marilyn Barragan, Olathe, is a senior at KU studying molecular, cellular & developmental biology. Barragan is in the IMSD program and mentored by Justin Blumenstiel, associate professor of ecology & evolutionary biology.

Jorge Berrios-Rivera, Aibonito, Puerto Rico, has a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences from the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey. Berrios-Rivera is in the PREP program and mentored by Ryan Altman, associate professor of medicinal chemistry.

Maya Bluitt, Lenexa, is a sophomore at KU studying behavioral neuroscience. Bluitt is in the IMSD program and mentored by Brian Ackley, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

Alejandra Carrillo, Overland Park, is a junior at KU studying applied behavioral science. Carrillo is in the IMSD program and mentored by David Jarmolowicz, assistant professor of applied behavioral science.

Emily Casteen, Topeka, is a junior at KU studying behavioral neuroscience. Casteen is a scholar in the IMSD program, and she is mentored by Stephen Ilardi, associate professor of psychology.

Analaura Cortez of San Marcos, California, is a senior at KU studying microbiology. Cortez is a scholar in the IMSD program and is mentored by Lynn Hancock, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

Deanna Diaz, Emporia, is a sophomore at KU studying chemical engineering. Diaz is in the IMSD program and mentored by Cory Berkland, professor of pharmaceutical chemistry.

Marissa Duckett, Oklahoma City, is a sophomore at KU studying microbiology. Duckett is in the IMSD program and mentored by Lynn Hancock, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

Sofia de la O, Wichita, is a senior at KU studying chemical engineering. De la O is in the IMSD program and mentored by Mark Shiflett, associate professor of chemical & petroleum engineering.

Andrew De Los Santos, Bushwick, New York, has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Maryland. De Los Santos is in the PREP program and mentored by Michael Clift, assistant professor of chemistry.

Vince Fiorentino, Somerville, New Jersey, is a senior at KU studying biochemistry. Fiorentino is in the IMSD program and mentored by Meredith Gillette, associate professor of pediatrics at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Susan Lunte, distinguished professor of chemistry, and Brian Ackley, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

Alix Fisk, Topeka, is a sophomore at KU studying public administration and applied behavioral science with a specialty in community health development. Fisk is in the IMSD program and mentored by Vincent Francisco, professor of applied behavioral science and Derek Reed, associate professor of applied behavioral science.

Byron Garcia, Miami, has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida International University. Garcia is in the PREP program and mentored by Adam Smith, assistant professor of pharmacology & toxicology.

Brianna Marsh, Wildwood, Missouri, is a junior at KU studying neuroscience. Marsh is in the IMSD program and mentored by Jonathan Brumberg, assistant professor of speech-language-hearing sciences.

Zalma Molina, Topeka, is a sophomore at KU studying petroleum engineering and geophysics. Molina is in the IMSD program and mentored by George Tsoflias, professor of geology.

Joshua Ng, Overland Park, is a sophomore at KU studying human biology with a concentration in psychology and Spanish. Ng is in the IMSD program and mentored by Michael Vitevitch, professor of psychology.

Abdoulie Njai, Wichita, has a bachelor’s degree in human biology from KU. Njai is in the PREP program and mentored by Gustavo Blanco, professor and Kathleen Osborn, chair, Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, KU Medical Center.

Erick Oduniyi, Wichita, is a senior at KU studying computer engineering. Oduniyi is in the IMSD program and mentored by Folashade Agusto, assistant professor of ecology & evolutionary biology.

Jacoby Robinson, Abilene, is a junior at KU studying biology. Robinson is in the IMSD program and mentored by P. Scott Hefty, professor of molecular biosciences.

Aldo Salazar, Lawrence, has a bachelor’s degree in industrial microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus. Salazar is in the PREP program and mentored by Joanna Slusky, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.

Sophia Sanchez, Derby, is a junior at KU studying psychology. Sanchez is in the IMSD program and mentored by Adam Smith, assistant professor of pharmacology & toxicology.

Sarah Schaefer, Overland Park, is a junior at KU studying chemical engineering. Schaefer is the IMSD program and mentored by Michael Wang, associate professor of pharmaceutical chemistry.

Christina Schoenrogge, St. Francis, has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from KU. Schoenrogge is in the PREP program and mentored by Daniel Tapia-Takaki, assistant professor of nuclear physics.

Arielle Swopes, Topeka, is a senior at KU studying behavioral neuroscience. Swopes is in the IMSD program and mentored by Adam Smith, assistant professor of pharmacology & toxicology.

Cay Thompson is a sophomore at Haskell studying environmental science. Thompson is in the Bridge Program and mentored by Amy Burgin, associate professor of environmental studies. Thompson is affiliated with the Cayuga Tribe.

Reginald Toussaint, Middletown, New York, has a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Stony Brook University. Toussaint is in the PREP program and mentored by Michael Wolfe, professor of medicinal chemistry.

Keylyn Turney is a sophomore at Haskell studying natural sciences. Turney is in the Bridge Program and mentored by David Jarmolowicz, assistant professor of applied behavioral science. Turney is affiliated with the Muscogee Creek Nation.

Lindsay Ussher, Lake Elsinore, California, is a senior at KU studying human biology. Ussher is in the IMSD program and mentored by Robert Ward, associate professor of molecular biosciences. 

Ariana Vidaña, Berwyn, Illinois, has a bachelor’s degree in education and social policy from Northwestern University. Vidana is in the PREP program and mentored by Kelsie Forbush, assistant professor of psychology.

 

Tue, 04/10/2018

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Ashley Urban

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