13 students receive Undergraduate Research Awards


LAWRENCE — This summer, 13 KU students will receive Undergraduate Research Awards (UGRAs). The recipients receive a $1,000 scholarship for support as they work on mentored research and creative projects. 

“These students are gaining hands-on experience and building a network of contacts in their discipline,” said John Augusto, assistant vice provost. “We see that the UGRA experience energizes students academically and opens doors they might not have thought to knock on.”

Students apply for UGRAs by writing a four-page proposal under the guidance of a research 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 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. 

The call for proposals for the spring 2017 competition will come out in the fall. More information is available on the Center for Undergraduate Research website.

Students receiving awards for the summer of 2016 are listed below in alphabetical order along with their level in school, hometown, major, project title, mentor, and mentor's department:

Evan Barnes, a junior from Lawrence majoring in exercise science: “Epigenetics and the Alterations in DNA Methylation Following Marine Corps Martial Arts Training,” mentored by Philip Gallagher, health, sport, and exercise sciences

Crystal Bradshaw, a junior from Jetmore majoring in English: creative writing: “George: A Generational Journey,” mentored by Maryemma Graham and Mary Klayder, English

Adebayo Braimah, a senior from Liberal majoring in chemistry: “Determination of Dye-Protein Interaction,” mentored by Carey Johnson, chemistry

Jacob Chamberlin, a junior from Wichita majoring in psychology: “The Influence of High School Athletes’ Perceptions of the Motivational Climate on Athletic Identity and Academic Endeavors,” mentored by Mary Fry, health, sport, and exercise sciences

Austin Flohrschutz, a senior from Topeka majoring in behavioral neuroscience: “Effects of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation over the Prefrontal Cortex on a Flexible Thinking Task as Measured by Electroencephalography,” mentored by Evangelia Chrysikou, psychology

Karynn Glover, a junior from Olathe majoring in psychology: “Helping WIN (Women’s Intersport Network of Kansas City) Provide a Winning Environment for Girls in their Summer Sport Camps,” mentored by Mary Fry, health, sport & exercise sciences

John-Paul Hurley, a senior from Parsons majoring in film & media studies, creative writing: “Circadian Rhythm,” mentored by Kij Johnson, English

Joshua Macy, a junior from Wichita majoring in physics & astronomy: “Development of the HiCal Prototype Weather Balloon,” mentored by Dave Besson, physics & astronomy

Cale Morrow, a junior from Dodge City majoring in theatre: “KU Sketch Comedy Show,” mentored by Jane Barnette, theatre

Nina Nganga, a junior from Nairobi, Kenya, majoring in human biology: “Maternal Depletion Syndrome in Karamoja Women in North East Uganda,” mentored by Sandra Gray, anthropology

Cameron Pratte, a senior from Lawrence majoring in visual art: “The Narrative in Our Homes,” mentored by Yoonmi Nam, visual art

Claire Tracy, a junior from Overland Park majoring in ecology & evolutionary biology: “Testing the Malaysian Biogeographic Crossroads Hypothesis,” mentored by Rafe Brown, ecology & evolutionary bology and Biodiversity Institute

Zach Wood, a freshman from Eureka, Missouri, majoring in chemical engineering: “A Remarkably Sensitive Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Approach To Quantifying Electronic Characteristics of Isocyanide Ligands,” mentored by Mikhail Barybin, chemistry.

Wed, 06/15/2016

author

Dyan Morgan

Media Contacts

Dyan Morgan

Center for Undergraduate Research

785-864-5735