KU students present research projects during 6th annual symposium

LAWRENCE -- More than 60 undergraduates at the University of Kansas will present their research projects at the sixth annual Undergraduate Research Symposium on Saturday, March 8, in the Kansas Union.

Many of the students are senior status, but one will graduate from a Lawrence high school in May and another is a freshman. Dominque Duncan attends high school andis a KU student in mathematics. In May, she will graduate Free State High School in Lawrence and will have completed nearly 100 hours at KU, including two graduate courses in mathematics. James Snow of Eudora is the only freshman presenter.

One student, Jarrad Mellard, biology senior from Perry, will present two research projects in poster sessions. He has researched the flexural stiffness of bee antennae and an experiment with competition among grassland plants.

Three projects involved teams of students -- six students researched workplace literacy in metropolitan Kansas City; three mathematics students prepared a statistical analysis of an elementary model for control of semiconductor etching; and two engineering students researched rocket systems development organizations.

Many undergraduate projects were funded by KU's long-running Undergraduate Research Award Program with funding from the state via KU Center for Research, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Provost's Office. Students with undergraduate research awards performed their research last spring or summer. Others at the symposium are presenting work for their senior honors thesis and a few were involved at an off-campus site.

Student researchers are listed here by their hometown. The listing includes the student's presentation code number, the title of their research project, their adviser's name and title; their level in school and major, their parents' names, when available, and their high school alma mater if available.

The presentation codes are: O = oral presentations and the number the order in which they will present; V= video presentations and P= poster presentations. For a full description of each student's project, use the code number as a reference to read the abstract online.

BARTON COUNTY
From Ellinwood
Adam Miles: O3; "A Study Of Workplace Literacy In The Kansas City Metropolitan Area;" senior majoring in political science; son of Mary Miles; graduate of Ellinwood High School. Adviser is Raymond Davis, associate professor of government.

CHEROKEE COUNTY
From Baxter Springs
Allyn Kaufmann: O16; "Silicon Oil Induced Aggregation Of Model Proteins: A Spectroscopic Analysis;" senior majoring in chemistry, son of Mike and Carolyn Kaufmann; Baxter Springs High School. Advisers are LaToya Jones, adjunct research professor in pharmaceutical chemistry, and C. Russell Middaugh, distinguished professor of pharmaceutical chemistry;

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Eudora
James Snow: O29; "Radio Detection Of Cherenkov Radiation From Cosmic Rays;" freshman majoring in geology, son of Michael and Willy Snow; graduate of Eudora High School. Adviser: Alice Bean, associate professor of physics and astronomy;

From Lawrence
Dan Atwater: P4; "Online Common Names Database For Hexacorallia;" senior majoring in organismal biology, son of Jane Atwater, Shawnee Mission East High School. Adviser: Daphne Fautin, professor in ecology and evolutionary biology.

Dominique Duncan: O2; "Quantitative Analysis And Prediction Of Epileptic Seizures;" special student, daughter of Bozenna Pasik-Duncan and Tyrone Duncan. In May, she will graduate Free State High School and will have completed nearly 100 hours at KU. Adviser: Bozenna Pasik-Duncan, professor of mathematics.

Toby Dougherty: O3; "A Study Of Workplace Literacy In The Kansas City Metropolitan Area;" senior majoring in political science; graduate Lucas High School. Adviser: Raymond Davis, associate professor of government.

Stephen Floor: O30; "Eccentricity Evolution Of Simulated Galaxy Clusters;" senior majoring in physics and in computer science; son of Mr. and Mrs. Erik Floor; GED. Adviser: Adrian Melott, professor of physics and astronomy.

Ventsislav Ivanov: O32; "Estimation And Queueing Networks;" junior majoring in mathematics and in computer science, son of Julian Ivanov Lawrence High School. Adviser: Bozenna Pasik-Duncan, professor of mathematics.

Andy Liu: P12; "Purification And X-Ray Crystalization Of Glycine N-Methyl Transferase;" senior majoring in biochemistry , son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Liu; graduate of Free State High School. Adviser: Fusao Takusagawa, professor of biochemistry.

Jill Tisdale: P31; "Study Of Light In Photography And Painting;" senior majoring in visual art education and in painting, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Tisdale; graduate of Lawrence High School. Adviser: Earl Iversen, chairperson of art and design.

Jonathan Tramba: O9; "Parc De La Villette: A Contemporary Urban Park Case Study;" fifth-year student majoring in architecture, son of James and Sandra Tramba; graduate of Lawrence High School. Adviser: Paola Sanguinetti, assistant professor of architecture.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY
From Holyrood
Sara Etchison: O10; "Individual Differences In Hope/Attachment Classifications;" junior majoring in psychology, daughter of Ron and Marilyn Etchison; graduate of Quivira Heights High School. Adviser: C. R. Snyder, distinguished professor of psychology.

HARVEY COUNTY
From Newton
Adam Gregg: O15; "The Design, Synthesis, And Biological Testing Of Non-Hormonal, Non-Steroidal, Reversible Male Contraceptives;" senior majoring in chemistry , son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Gregg; Newton High School. Adviser: Gunda Georg, distinguished professor of medicinal chemistry.

Rachel Regier: P18; "Synthesis And Evaluation Of Inhibitors Of Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase (PMNT);" junior majoring in biochemistry, daughter of Jerald and Donna Regier. Advisers: Gary Grunewald, chairperson of medicinal chemistry, and Mitchell Seim, graduate research assistant in medicinal chemistry.

JEFFERSON COUNTY
Perry
Jarad Mellard: P8; "Flexural Stiffness Of Bee Antennae;" senior majoring in biology (biodiversity, ecology and evolutionary biology), son of Daryl and Ellen Mellard; graduate of Perry-LeCompton High School. Adviser: Catherine Loudon, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

Jarad Mellard: P7; "Testing the Roles of Initial Conditions and Resource Supply on Community Assembly;" senior majoring in biology (biodiversity, ecology and evolutionary biology), son of Daryl and Ellen Mellard; Perry-LeCompton High School. Adviser: Bryan Foster, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood
David Tenny: P25; "Rocket Systems Development Organizations Design, Fabrication, And Testing Of Launch Vehicle Systems;" junior majoring in aerospace engineering, son of Len and Diane Knowles and a graduate of Blue Valley North High School. Adviser: Ray Taghavi, professor of aerospace engineering.

Steven Vodonick: P20; "Inhibitors Of Epinephrine Biosynthesis: Investigation Into The Sulfonamide Side Chain Of 3-Fluoromethyl-7-N-(Substitutated-Aminosylfonyl)-1,2,3,4- Tetrahydroisoquinolines:" senior majoring in biology (cellular), son of Mr. and Mrs. David Vodonick; graduate of Shawnee Missouri North High School. Adviser: Gary Grunewald, chair of medicinal chemistry, and F. Anthony Romero, graduate research assistant in medicinal chemistry.

From Lenexa
Alan M. Dibos: O25; "Where Can I Buy Those Beautifully Beaded Boron Bracelets? An Investigation Into The Growth Mechanism And Composition Of B-Si Alloyed Nanowires;" son of Heidi Dibos; graduate of Shawnee Mission South High School. Adviser: Judy Wu, associate professor of physics and astronomy; junior majoring in physics and in mathematics.

Baiju Gandhi: O21; "Development Of An Enviromentally Safe Baculovirus Pesticide;" senior majoring in biology (genetics) and in psychology , son of Sudhir S. Gandhi; graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. Adviser: Robert Weaver, professor of molecular biosciences.

Robert A. Zernickow: P25; "Rocket Systems Development Organizations Design, Fabrication, And Testing Of Launch Vehicle Systems;" senior majoring in aerospace engineering, son of Kent and Karen Zernickow and graduate of Shawnee Mission West High School. Adviser: Ray Taghavi, professor of aerospace engineering.

From Olathe
Jonna Armbruster : O14; "Semantic Neighbors In Speech Production;" senior majoring in cognitive psychology, daughter of Ron and Jackie Armbruster; Hutchinson High School graduate. Adviser: Michael Vitevitch, assistant professor in psychology.

Kyle Hamrick: V2; "Explorations In Film And Video;" senior majoring in theatre and film, son of Wesley and Elizabeth Hamrick; Olathe East High School. Adviser: Matt Jacobson, assistant professor of theatre and film.

Theresa LaFollette: O19; "Monitoring In Vivo Dissolution Of Naproxen In The Gastrointestinal Tract Of Male Sprauge-Dawley Rats;" senior majoring in chemical engineering, daughter of Rodney and Ann Lafollette; graduate of Olathe North High School. Advisers: Malonne Davies, adjunct research associate in Higuchi Biosciences Center, and Marylee Southard, associate professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.

Emily Payne: V1; "Frank O. Gehry And Natural American Architecture: A Lyrical Visual Comparison (Digital Video);" senior majoring in art history and design, daughter of James and Dayna Payne; graduate of Olathe South High School. Adviser: Pok Chi Lau, associate professor of design.

From Overland Park
Jessica Drees: P23; "Investigation Of The Dielectric Constant In Polar Ice;" junior majoring in geography and in environmental studies, daughter of Bill and Betty Drees; graduate of Blue Valley North High School. Adviser: Dave Besson, professor of physics and astronomy.

Nels Lindahl: O3; "A Study Of Workplace Literacy In The Kansas City Metropolitan Area;" senior majoring in political science and in psychology, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lindahl; Shawnee Mission South High School. Adviser: Raymond Davis, associate professor of government.

Molly Klinock: O3; "A Study Of Workplace Literacy: In The Kansas City Metropolitan Area;" senior majoring in accounting and in business administration and political science, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Klinock Shawnee Mission South High School. Adviser: Raymond Davis associate professor of government.

Joni Jorgensen: P24; "D0 Run Iib Hybrid Testing;" junior in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, daughter of William and Sandra Jorgensen; Shawnee Mission East High School. Adviser: Alice Bean, associate professor in physics and astronomy.

Patrick Land‡zuri: P19; "The Molecular Basis Of Preprotein Translocation In Chloroplasts By The Toc Complex;" senior majoring in art history and in psychology, son of Gabriel and Colleen Landazuri; graduate of Rockhurst High School. Adviser: Ernst Schšnbrunn, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry.

Felipe Rosso: P17; "Conformationally Constrained P-Heterocycles As Potential Mmp Inhibitors;" senior majoring in human biology , son of Fernando and Gloria Rosso; graduate of Blue Valley Northwest High School. Advisers: Paul Hanson, associate professor of chemistry, and Matthew McReynolds, graduate research associate in chemistry.

Kim A. Turner: O11; "The Links Between Knowing And Remembering In Young Children: The Role Of Leading Questioning;" senior majoring in psychology and in human development, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Turner; Olathe East High School graduate. Adviser: Andrea Greenhoot, assistant professor, psychology.

Imad Uddin: P28; "Object Based Visual Search;" senior majoring in cognitive psychology , son Sarrda Uddin; graduate of O'Fallon (Mo.) Township High School. Adviser: James Juola, professor of psychology.

From Prairie Village
Chris Delap: P30; "A Comparison Of Measures: A Look At TheNowicki-Strickland Locus Of Control Measure For Children And The Multidimensional Measure Of Children's Perceptions Of Control;" senior majoring in psychology and in human development, son of Lynda C. Delap; graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School. Adviser: Yo Jackson, associate professor of psychology.

From Shawnee
Seth Sheldon: P21; "Fabrication Of Carbon Electrodes Via Pyrolized Photoresist For Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis With Electrochemical Detection;" senior majoring in chemical engineering, son of Sam and Amy Scheldon; graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. Advisers: Susan Lunte, professor of pharmaceutical chemistry, and Marylee Southard, associate professor, chemical engineering.

From Spring Hill
Grant Nichols: P3; "Characterization Of Methylenelysine, A Modified Amino Acid, By Mass Spectrometry;" senior majoring in biology, son of Mr. and Mrs. Grant Nichols; graduate of Gardner High School. Adviser: Erik Floor, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Tonganoxie
John Daniels: O20; "Ftir Investigation Of Carbon Monoxide Adsorption On Platinum Supported On Cerium And Lanthanum Promoted Zirconia;" senior majoring in chemical engineering, son of Joseph and Marilyn Daniels; graduate of Tonganoxie High School. Adviser: Susan M. Stagg-Williams, assistant professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.

MCPHERSON COUNTY
From Galva
Ian Lewis: P27; "Simulation Of Random Variables, Stochastic Differential Equations, And A Finance Model;" junior majoring in engineering physics, in physics and in mathematics, son of Loretta Lewis; graduate of McPherson High School. Adviser: Bozenna Pasik-Duncan, professor of mathematics.

NEMAHA COUNTY
From Sabetha
Kelly Flentie: P1; "Functional Analysis Of The C-Terminal Tail Of Invasion Plasmid Antigen C (Ipac) From Shigella Flexneri;" senior majoring in microbiology, daughter of Robert and Nancy Flentie; graduate of Sabetha High School. Adviser: W. L. Picking, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

PAWNEE COUNTY
From Larned
Andrew Giessel: O17; "Automated Web-Based Protein Homology Modeling;" senior majoring in biochemistry and in computer sciences, son of Tom and Sheryl Giessel; graduate of Lawrence High School. Advisors: Mark Richter professor of biological sciences, and David Benson, associate professor of chemistry.

PRATT COUNTY
From Pratt
Kelly Thomas: P2; "Immunotoxin Therapy For B Cells Making Anti-Smd Antibodies;" senior majoring in biology (genetics), daughter of Mark and Sue Peachey; graduate of Pratt High School. Adviser: Dean Stetler, associate professor of molecular biology.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan
Cecilia Compton: P6; "Sex And Photosynthesis In Osage Orange;" junior majoring in biology (genetics) and in psychology, daughter of Daria Compton, graduate of Manhattan High School. Adviser: Craig Martin, chairperson, ecology and evolutionary biology;

SALINE COUNTY
From Salina
Jesse Atwell: P22; "Diffusion In A Granular Gas Of Non-Spherical Particles;" senior majoring in astronomy, son of Linda German and graduate of Bennington High School in Bennington; Adviser: Jeffrey Olafsen, associate professor of physics & astronomy.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Derby
Rebecca Evanhoe: P10; "Interference By Inorganic Suspended Solids In The Spectrophotometric Determination Of Total Phosphorus;" junior majoring in chemistry and in biochemistry, daughter of Charles A. Evanhoe; graduate of Derby High School. Adviser: Val H. Smith, associate professor of ecology, and evolutionary biology.

From Wichita
Ben Burgert: O22; "The Influence Of Epidermal Trichomes On Photosynthetic Gas Exchange In An Epiphytic;" senior majoring in biology, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Burgert; graduate of Wichita High School South Heights. Adviser: Craig Martin, chairperson of ecology & evolutionary biology.

Amy Lindsey: O31; "Statistical Analysis Of An Elementary Model For Control Of Semiconductor Etching;" senior majoring in chemistry and in mathematics, daughter of Janice Lindsey; Wichita High School West; Adviser: Bozenna Pasik-Duncan, professor of mathematics.

Kevin Kohlstedt: O27; "Stick-Slip Oscillations In A Thin, Rotating Drum;" senior majoring in engineering physics, son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Kohlstedt; Wichita High School Heights. Adviser: Jeffrey Olafsen, assistant professor of physics & astronomy.

Joshua E. Meyers: O6; "Simulation Of The Radio Ice Cerenkov Experiment (RICE);" senior majoring in mathematics and in physics, son of Evan and Jane Meyers; graduate of Wichita High School East. Adviser: Dave Besson, professor of physics and astronomy.

Katie Mitchell-Koch: P15; "Investigating Hydrogen Bonding Systems Using Computational Methods;" senior majoring in chemistry, daughter of Lawrence and Melanie Mitchell; graduate of Wichita High School East. Adviser: Ward Thompson, assistant professor of chemistry.

Wenjia Wang: P16; "Determination Of Diphenhydramine Delivery To The Skin And Muscle Following Intravenous Injection Utilizing In Vivo Microdialysis;" senior majoring in physics, daughter of Hankun Wang; graduate of Wichita High School East. Adviser: Craig Lunte, professor of chemistry.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Wakarusa
Jason Shea: O33; "On Identification And Simulation Of The Stochastic Heat Equation;" junior majoring in physics, son of Donald and Elaine Shea; graduate of Shawnee Heights High School. Adviser: Bozenna Pasik-Duncan, professor of mathematics.

SUMNER COUNTY
From Belle Plaine
Justin Ward: O24; "Applications Of Formal Language Theory And Grammar-Based Compression To Musical Structures;" senior majoring in English and in computer science, son of Alan Ward, graduate of Belle Plaine High School. Adviser: Perry Alexander, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City
Kate Hays: O3; "A Study Of Workplace Literacy: In The Kansas City Metropolitan Area:" senior majoring in political science and in history, daughter of Amy Hays; Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences; Adviser: Raymond Davis associate professor of government.

CALIFORNIA
From Fresno
Ashley Meagher: O4; "Analysis Of The Promoter Region Of Walleye Dermal Sarcoma Virus;" senior majoring in microbiology , daughter of David and Anita Meagher; graduate of Golden Senior High School. Adviser: Sandra Quackenbush, assistant professor, molecular biosciences.

FLORIDA
From Deerfield Beach
Stacy Greenbaum: "Competition Among Phonological Segments;" senior majoring in humanities and in psychology , son of Jack and Karen Greenbaum; Blue Valley High School. Adviser: Michael Vitevitch, assistant professor of psychology.

From Miami
Miguel Ramirez: P13; "Ring Opening Metathesis (ROMP) To Synthesis Of Cationic Oligomeric Gene Delivery Vehicles;" senior majoring in biology (genetics), graduate of St. Stephens Episcopal School in Austin. Adviser: Paul Hanson, associate professor of chemistry.

IOWA
Council Bluffs
Penny Higginbotham: P14; "Solid Phase Extraction Method For The Isolation Of Pharmaceuticals From Natural Water;" senior majoring in chemistry, daughter of Joanie Higginbotham; graduate of West Plains High School. Adviser: Cynthia Larive, associate professor of chemistry.

LOUISIANA
From Slidell
Danny Najera: P9; "An Investigation Of Seed Dispersal Of Trillium ovatum;" senior majoring in cellular biology and biology (biodiversity, ecology and evolutionary biology), son of Carlos and Diana Najera; graduate of Kent Meridian Senior High School. Adviser: Robert Hagen, research associate, Kansas Applied Remote Sensing.

MISSOURI
From Columbia
Naomi Smith: O34; "Statistical Analysis Of Coronary Heart Disease And Its Risk Factors;" senior majoring in mathematics, daughter of Randall Smith; graduate of Hickman High School, Columbia. Adviser: Bozenna Pasik-Duncan, professor of mathematics.

From Kansas City
Shane McCall: O8; "The Relation Of Environmental Beliefs And Practices In Conventional And Non-Conventional Farmers Near Lawrence, Ks.;" senior majoring in environmental studies and in sociology, son of Mary Jean McCall; graduate of Washburn Rural High School. Advisers: Joey Sprague, associate professor of sociology, and Soraya Cardenas, assistant professor of environmental studies.

From Richmond
Lindsay Hertzig: O31; "Statistical Analysis Of An Elementary Model For Control Of Semiconductor Etching;" senior majoring in mathematics and chemistry, daughter of Debra Hertzig; Richmond High School. Adviser: Bozenna Pasik-Duncan, professor of mathematics.

From St Louis
Elaine Ahillen: O31; "Statistical Analysis Of An Elementary Model For Control Of Semiconductor Etching;" senior in mathematics and in chemistry, daughter of Thomas and Catherine Ahillen; Cor Jesu Academy. Adviser: Bozenna Pasik-Duncan, professor of mathematics.

From Warrenton
Jamian "Jamie" Brent: 07; "Sovoreign Identity Of Chaucer's Wife Of Bath;" senior majoring in humanities and in English, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Brent; graduate of Warren County R-3 High School. Adviser: Mary Catherine Davidson, assistant professor of English.

NEBRASKA
From Omaha
Kevin Hinegardner: P32; "A Fusion Of Clay And Metal;" senior majoring in sculpture and in design, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Keller Omaha North High School. Adviser: David Vertacnik, associate professor of design.

NORTH DAKOTA
From Bismarck
Jacob King: "Hybrid Testing For D0 Run 2b;" junior majoring in mathematics and in physics, son of Robert and Donna King; graduate of St. Marys Central High School. Adviser: Alice Bean, associate professor of physics and astronomy.

From Colfax
Joseph Pull: O1; "British Opinion And The Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939;" senior majoring in history and in political science, son of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Pull; graduate of Richland High School in Colfax. Adviser: Victor Bailey, professor of history.

OKLAHOMA
From Norman
Sarah Feldt: O26; "Chaotic Orbits Near A Driven Hyperbola;" senior majoring in physics and in mathematics; daughter of Andy and Jan Feldt; Norman North High School. Adviser: Jeffrey S. Olafsen, assistant professor of physics & astronomy.

From Oklahoma City
Annie Palmer : 023; "Phylogenetic Relationships And The Evolution Of The Acre Clade Of Crassulaceae Inferred From Nuclear Ribosomal Its Sequence Data;" senior majoring in biology and in philosophy, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Griffin Palmer; graduate of Classen High School. Adviser: Mark Mort, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

OREGON
From Portland
Courtney J. Miller: O5; "Restructuring Manufactured Housing Design In Native American Communities;" fifth-year senior majoring in architecture, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Miller; graduate of Jesuit High School in Portland. Adviser: Raymond Pierotti, associate professor, ecology and evolutionary biology.

SOUTH DAKOTA
From Dakota Dunes
Ryan Schulze: P11; "An On-Line Database Of Cnidae: A Potential Resource For Taxonomic Determination In The Phylum Cnidaria;" A senior majoring in microbiology, son of Donald Schulze; graduate of Rochester Senior High School. dviser: Daphne Fautin, professor of ecology & evolutionary biology.

From Sioux Falls
Sarah Thimsen: P29; "A Psychological Analysis Of Voting Patterns Of United States Supreme Court Justices;" daughter of Gary and Grace Thimsen; graduate of Ogorman High School, Sioux Falls. Adviser: L. Wrightsman, professor of psychology; senior majoring in psychology.

TEXAS
From Castroville
Sumi Rao: O3; "A Study Of Workplace Literacy In The Kansas City Metropolitan Area;" senior majoring in political science, daughter of Ranjana Rao; Blue Valley Northwest High School. Adviser: Raymond Davis associate professor of government.

JAPAN
From Nara
Ryosuke Yamazaki: O18; "New Iron Compounds For Bleach Catalysts In Laundry Detergents;" senior majoring in chemistry, son of Ryoichi Yamazaki; graduate of high school in Asia. Adviser: Daryle Busch, distinguished professor of chemistry.

MALAYSIA
Shinying Chu: O12; "The Effects Of Phonotactic Probability On Speech Production;" adviser: senior majoring in psychology and in speech-language-hearing, daughter of Bing Yong Chu. Michael Vitevitch, assistant professor of psychology.