Nine Jayhawks receive Undergraduate Research Awards for summer
LAWRENCE — This summer, nine University of Kansas students will receive an Undergraduate Research Award (UGRA). UGRA recipients are awarded a $1,000 scholarship as they work on mentored research and creative projects.
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 and a recommendation from the mentor.
“These students work closely with their mentors to explore novel ideas in different disciplines across campus,” said Alison Olcott, director of the Center for Undergraduate Research. “Through their projects, these students are able to make important contributions to their fields of study and learn to use the tools of their disciplines in the process of research.”
This fall, the competition for Spring 2023 UGRAs will open. Online guidance and individual advising appointments are available to help students prepare strong applications. More information can be found on the center's website.
Students receiving awards for summer 2022 are listed below in alphabetical order along with year in school, hometown, project title, mentor and mentor’s department:
Liz Arends, senior from Edwards, Illinois, “Developing Activity Assays for Cholesterol Ester Regulatory Enzymes in Primary Microglial Cell Culture Using Mass Spectrometry,” mentored by Meredith Hartley, assistant professor of chemistry.
Adam Baruth, sophomore from De Soto, “Low-Cost Quadcopter UAS Design for NIR based Autonomous Fire Boundary Following,” mentored by Haiyang Chao, associate professor of aerospace engineering.
Mackenzie Bravence, junior from Overland Park, “Improving the Quality of Vocalizations in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” mentored by Jena McDaniel, postdoctoral researcher, Life Span Institute.
Johnny Dinh-Phan, senior from Overland Park, “The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Upon the LGBTQ+/Migrant Communities in Paris,” mentored by Paul Scott, associate professor of French, Francophone & Italian studies.
Emma Dorst, junior from Colorado Springs, Colorado, "Shrouded," mentored by Troy Colby, lecturer in design.
Martel Ellis, senior from Overland Park, “MAMP Comparison Between Hybrid and Inbred Maize Genotypes,” mentored by Maggie Wagner, assistant professor of ecology & evolutionary biology and assistant scientist with the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research.
Charlie Johnson, sophomore from Lawrence, “Is the Druze a Sect of Islam? — A Systematic Literature Review,” mentored by Rami Zeedan, assistant professor of Jewish studies.
Rachell Orce, a junior from Manhattan, “Investigating Right-Wing Extremism in Former East Germany,” mentored by Andrea Meyertholen, assistant professor of German studies.
Neel Patel, a senior from Leawood, “Near-Memory Acceleration of Layer-5 Network Protocols,” mentored by Mohammad Alia, assistant professor of electrical engineering & computer science.