KU senior receives Courtwright Award for Undergraduate Research Excellence


Thu, 01/23/2025

author

Sam Schwartz and Erin Wolfram

LAWRENCE — A University of Kansas student who is researching the theory that active galactic nuclei (AGNs) can significantly influence galaxy morphology is the summer/fall 2024 recipient of the Courtwright Award for Undergraduate Research Excellence through KU’s Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships.

Christian Argueta
Christian Argueta

Christian Argueta is a senior in physics & astronomy from Garden City. He is mentored by Allison Kirkpatrick, associate professor in physics & astronomy. 

“Active galactic nuclei, or AGN, are incredibly energetic regions located at the centers of some galaxies. Powered by supermassive black holes, they can have significant effects on their host galaxies,” Argueta said. “My project aims to explore the theory that AGNs can significantly influence galaxy morphology. This will shed light on how these energetic regions may shape the structural evolution of their host galaxies.”

"Christian's work is helping to shed new light on how the supermassive black holes found in the hearts of all galaxies grow to their substantial size,” Kirkpatrick said. “He is using cutting-edge, beautiful images from NASA's flagship mission, the James Webb Space Telescope. His project is a testament to the substantial impact undergraduates have on scientific research."

A poster titled “Black Holes and Blueprints: AGN as Galaxy Architects” about his research was presented at the 2024 Mid-America Regional Astrophysics Conference.

The Courtwright Award for Undergraduate Research Excellence was established at KU Endowment in 2020 through the contributions of David (class of 1974) and Chris Courtwright (class of 1983). The Courtwright Award seeks to recognize undergraduate students with majors in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences whose research and creative work stand to make meaningful contributions to their fields of study.

Courtwright Award finalists are selected from applications for the Undergraduate Research Awards each semester. This is the eighth iteration of this award.
Other summer/fall 2024 finalists

  • Jenna Barnes, senior in molecular, cellular & developmental biology from Olathe, "Changing How Immune Cells Communicate: Understanding the Common Allelic Variant of PTPN22's Impact on Cytokine Production and Signaling," mentored by Robin Orozco, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.
  • Levi Cromwell, senior in history and classical humanities from McPherson, "Quixote in the Classroom: KU's Integrated Humanities Program," mentored by Jonathan Hagel, assistant teaching professor in history.
  • Raina Fair, sophomore in chemistry from Lawrence, "Validating and Expanding an Approach for Quantitative Tuning of the Electrochemical Profile of the 6, 6'-Biazulenic Framework," mentored by Mikhail Barybin, professor in chemistry.
  • Alicia Pham, sophomore in ecology, evolutionary & organismal biology from Overland Park, "Sensation and Keystone Fruits: An Experimental Examination of Lizard Foraging in the Gobi Desert," mentored by Deborah Smith, professor in ecology, evolutionary & organismal biology.

Thu, 01/23/2025

author

Sam Schwartz and Erin Wolfram

Media Contacts

Erin Wolfram

Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships