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 17th annual University of Kansas-Haskell Indian Nations University Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Thirty-seven students will present posters of their science and engineering research from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, in Tecumseh Hall at Haskell Indian Nations University.

The Office for Diversity in Science Training (ODST) is led by Estela Gavosto, 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 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 (Gavosto, KU-PI, and Melissa Holder, Haskell-PI); the KU Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Program (Gavosto and KUs James Orr, co-PIs) and the KU Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (Gavosto and Orr).

Participants are listed below alphabetically.

SumerAl-Ahdali is a freshman at Haskell Indian Nations University studying American Indian studies/social welfare. Al-Ahdali is a scholar in the Bridge Program, and she is mentored by Nancy Jo Kepple, assistant professor of social welfare. Al-Ahdali is affiliated with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Tribe.

Carrie Albers, of Smolan, is a senior at KU studying chemical engineering. Albers is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and she is mentored by Laurence Weatherley, professor of chemical engineering.

Reginald Black Elk is a sophomore at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Black Elk is a scholar in the Bridge Program, and he is mentored by Mary Kate Dennis, assistant professor of social welfare. Black Elk is affiliated with the Lakota Tribe.

Alicia Brown is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Brown is a scholar in the Bridge Program, and she is mentored by David Jarmolowicz, assistant professor of applied behavioral science; Brian Ackley, associate professor of molecular biosciences, and Marco Bortolato, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology. Brown is affiliated with the Dine tribe.

Verodia Charlestin is from Gainsville, Florida. Charlestin is a scholar in the PREP Program, and she is mentored by Teruna Siahaan, professor of pharmaceutical chemistry.

Cedric Clark II, of Kansas City, Kansas, is a senior at KU studying biochemistry. Clark is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and he is mentored by Joanna Slusky, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.

Sofia de la O, of Bel Aire, is a junior at KU studying chemical engineering. De la O is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and she is mentored by Prajnaparamita Dhar, associate professor of chemical & petroleum engineering.

Marissa Duckett of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a freshman at KU studying microbiology. Duckett is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and she is mentored by Fola Agusto, assistant professor of ecology & evolutionary biology.

Cori Fain is from Roeland Park. Fain is a scholar in the PREP Program, and she is mentored by Danny Welch, professor of cancer biology at KU Medical Center.

Vince Fiorentino, of Somerville, New Jersey, is a junior at KU studying biochemistry. Fiorentino is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and he is mentored by Susan Lunte, distinguished professor of chemistry, and Brian Ackley, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

Ricardo Gonzalez, of Wichita, is a senior at KU studying chemical engineering. Gonzalez is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and he is mentored by Teruna Siahaan, professor of pharmaceutical chemistry.

Warren Griffin is a sophomore at Haskell Indian Nations University studying American Indian studies. Griffin is a scholar in the Bridge Program, and he is mentored by Mary Kate Dennis, assistant professor of social welfare, and Juliana Carlson, assistant professor of social welfare. Griffin is affiliated with the Yupik tribe.

Luanne Hale, of Northglenn, Colorado, is a senior at KU studying applied behavioral science. Hale is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and she is mentored by Adam Smith, assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology. Hale is affiliated with the Navajo Tribe.

Ruthann Mariah Hicks is a sophomore at Haskell Indian Nations University studying American Indian studies. Hicks is a scholar in the Bridge Program, and she is mentored by Matthew Gillispie, associate professor of speech, language & hearing. Hicks is affiliated with the Pyramid Lake Paiute tribe.

Jazmine Jefferson, of Lawrence, is a sophomore at KU studying physics. Jefferson is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and she is mentored by Philip Baringer, professor of physics & astronomy. Jefferson is affiliated with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribe.

Blake Johnson of Holdenville, Oklahoma, is a student at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science.

Nicole Lama is from Celebration, Florida. Lama is a scholar in the PREP Program, and she is mentored by Christian Ray, assistant professor of molecular biosciences and Center for Computational Biology.

Michael Long, of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, is a senior at KU studying human biology. Long is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and he is mentored by Justin Blumenstiel, associate professor of ecology & evolutionary biology.

Brianna Marsh, of Wildwood, Missouri, is a sophomore at KU studying neuroscience. Marsh is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and she is mentored by Jackob Moskovitz, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology.

Nicholas Martinez, of Lawrence, is a senior at KU studying biochemistry. Martinez is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and he is mentored by Audrey Lamb, professor of molecular biosciences.

Katherin Morales, of Emporia, is a junior at KU studying behavioral neuroscience and psychology. Morales is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and she is mentored by Chris Gamblin, professor of molecular biosciences, and Brian Ackley, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

Erick Oduniyi, of Wichita, is a junior at KU studying computer engineering. Oduniyi is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and he is mentored by Nicole Beckage, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science.

Noah Prichard, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is a student at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science.

Carolina Santiago-Robles is from Guayama, Puerto Rico. Santiago-Robles is a scholar in the PREP Program, and she is mentored by Eduardo Rosa-Molinar, professor of pharmacology and toxicology.

Sarah Schaefer, of Overland Park, is a sophomore at KU studying chemical engineering. Schaefer is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and she is mentored by Michael Wang, associate professor of pharmaceutical chemistry.

Cheyenne Sun Eagle is from Corpus Christi, Texas. Sun Eagle is a scholar in the PREP Program, and she is mentored by Stephen Egbert, professor of geography and atmospheric science. Sun Eagle is affiliated with the Pawnee tribe.

Arielle Swopes, of Topeka, is a junior at KU studying behavioral neuroscience. Swopes is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and she is mentored by Adam Smith, assistant professor of pharmacology and to
xicology.

Latoya Tsosie is a sophomore at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Tsosie is a scholar in the Bridge Program, and she is mentored by Brian Ackley, associate professor of molecular biosciences. Tsosie is affiliated with the Dine tribe.

Lennel Camuy Vlez is from Hatillo, Puerto Rico. Camuy Vlez is a scholar in the PREP Program, and he is mentored by Josephine Chandler, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.

Shelby Williams, of Elko, Nevada, is a student at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science.

Kayla Wilson, of Olathe, is a junior at KU studying biology. Wilson is a scholar in the IMSD Program, and she is mentored by Robert Ward, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

Jamie Yazzie, of Shonto, Arizona, is a student at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Yazzie is affiliated with the Navajo tribe.

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KU, Haskell students to present research projects at 17th annual ... - KU Today