KU students win awards at Capitol Graduate Research Summit
LAWRENCE — Two graduate students from the University of Kansas received awards at the 16th annual Capitol Graduate Research Summit. James Lafikes, doctoral student in civil engineering, received a research award from the Office of Graduate Studies, and Zoe Dimond, doctoral student in microbiology, received a research award from BioKansas.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and members of the Kansas House of Representatives and Senate attended the Feb. 26 Research Summit in the Capitol, featuring research presentations by graduate students from KU, KU Medical Center, Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University.
Following the research presentations, awards were presented to two graduate students from each university campus. One award was funded by the participating university, and the second award was funded by BioKansas.
BioKansas was founded in 2004 by the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute and the state of Kansas to meet the need to unify Kansas' bioscience industry, academic research institutions and economic development organizations. Its goals are to enhance the business and research climate as well as work with leaders across the state to attract and retain bioscience talent, companies and funding.
The Capitol Graduate Research Summit was founded by graduate students from Kansas universities to expose the state government and education officials, as well as the general public, to the quality of graduate research performed in the state of Kansas. At the event, graduate students give research presentations to communicate the benefits and effects their research has on Kansas and its citizens.