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31 KU, Haskell students in NIH science programs to attend Sept. 10 reception
LAWRENCE — Thirty-one students from the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University interested in biomedical science careers have been invited to attend a welcome reception hosted by KU’s Office of Diversity in Science Training.
The reception will take place at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Kansas Room in the Kansas Union. Those attending are students and mentors who are participating in 2008-09 programs funded by the National Institutes of Health that encourage minority students to pursue careers in biomedical science by supporting undergraduate research activities.
The 31 students are new participants in one of the five NIH programs at KU and Haskell: Bridges to the Baccalaureate, Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity, Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award, Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program and Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement.
Current and former participants from the five programs will be recognized by James Orr, director of the Office for Diversity in Science Training.
“The goal of these programs is to provide educational and research opportunities for students who seek to attend graduate school and enter careers in biomedical research,” Orr said. “We are pleased to partner with Haskell in providing support for KU and Haskell students in the sciences.”
For more information, visit the Office for Diversity in Science Training Web site, www2.ku.edu/~odst/.
New participants are listed below by hometown, university, tribal affiliations (if applicable), major, NIH program and faculty mentor. KU students are also listed with their parents’ names and high schools, when available.
Key to program abbreviations:
Bridge = Bridges to the Baccalaureate,
IMSD = Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity,
IRACDA = Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award
PREP = Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program
RISE = Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement
Haskell Indian Nations University participants are:
Elaina Bazarra, White Mountain Apache from Palmdale, Calif.; biology; Bridge mentor: Richard Robert Saunders, senior scientist, KU Bureau of Child Research.
William Bennett, Cherokee/Creek from Vian, Okla.; environmental science; RISE mentor: Susan Williams, KU associate professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.
Devin Call, Cherokee from Tulsa, Okla.; natural sciences; Bridge mentor: to be assigned.
Zulando Curley, Navajo from Lawrence; human biology; Bridge mentor: Stevin Gehrke, KU professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.
Tatum Davis, Navajo from Kayenta, Ariz.; environmental science; Bridge mentor: Susan Williams, KU associate professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.
Pemecewan Fleuker, Menominee from Lawrence; natural sciences; Bridge mentor: Thomas Armstrong, KU professor emeritus of physics and astronomy
Erica Lind, Cherokee from Tulsa, Okla.; natural sciences; Bridge mentor: Michael Detamore, KU assistant professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.
Sierra Seward, Standing Rock Sioux from Flandreau, S.D.; liberal arts; Bridge mentor: Estela Gavosto, KU associate chair of mathematics.
Audrey Yellowhorse, Navajo from Kirtland, N.M.; natural sciences; Bridge mentor: John Kelly, KU associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
Participants from KU are:
DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66046
William Joe Rivie Gilbert, Mississippi Choctaw, nondegree-seeking engineering graduate student; spring 2008 bachelor’s degree in natural sciences from Haskell Indian Nations University; PREP mentor: Stevin Gehrke, professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.
Katrina Chervart McClure, Muskogee (Creek)/Seminole; senior in environmental studies; Lutheran High School, Rockford, Ill.; IMSD mentor: Bryan Foster, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
From Lawrence 66047
Johnie J. Gallagher, nondegree-seeking graduate student in biology; Manhattan High School, Manhattan, Kan.; bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from KU, fall 2007; PREP mentor: Brian Ackley, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.
Anthony Intong Pokphanh, Cherokee; sophomore in chemical engineering; son of Roberta and May Pokphanh; Lawrence High School; IMSD mentor: Kyle Camarda, associate professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.
ELLIS COUNTY
From Hays 67601
Rachel L. Debes, senior in mathematics; daughter of Ken and Debbie Debes; Hays High School; IMSD mentor: Maria Orive, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
JOHNSON COUNTY
From Mission 66202
Zane Ali Jaafar, senior in microbiology; son of Laurie and Mahmoud Jaafar; Shawnee Mission North High School, Overland Park; IMSD mentor: Scott Hefty, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.
From Olathe 66062
Yvonne Nyakio Kamau, junior in biochemistry preparing to study medicine; daughter of Godfrey Kamau; Olathe North High School; IMSD mentor: Russ Middaugh, the Takeru and Aya Higuchi Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
NEMAHA COUNTY
From Bern 66408
Karanda Jean Hildebrand, senior in human biology; daughter of Kenneth and Karla Hildebrand; Bern High School; IMSD mentor: Brian Ackley, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.
SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67218
Emily Jean McCulley, junior in biology and psychology preparing to study medicine; daughter of Rex McCulley; Northeast Magnet School; IMSD mentor: Craig Martin, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
From Wichita 67226
Eric U. Iheme, senior in human biology preparing to study medicine; son of Doug and Franca Iheme; Wichita High School Heights; IMSD mentor: Joseph Steinmetz, University Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biosciences and Psychology and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
From Wichita 67230
Preston L. Alltizer, senior in microbiology preparing to study medicine; son of Richard Alltizer; Andover Central High School; IMSD mentor: Kristi Neufeld, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.
SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66604
Katherine A. Waugh, Chickasaw/Cherokee; senior in microbiology and Spanish preparing to study medicine; daughter of C. West Jr. and Shirley Waugh; Topeka West High School; IMSD mentor: Audrey Lamb, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.
From Topeka 66616
Richard Aaron Martinez, nondegree-seeking student in educational psychology and research; son of Kirsten Martinez; Topeka High School; bachelor’s degrees in psychology and American studies from KU, spring 2008; PREP mentor: Omri Gillath, assistant professor of psychology.
WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66109
Daniel J. Barrera, senior in biochemistry and biology preparing to study medicine; son of Henry and Teresa Couchman; Piper High School, Kansas City, Kan.; IMSD mentor: Paul Hanson, professor of chemistry and medicinal chemistry.
COLORADO
From Littleton 80127
Joanne Hoang, senior in biology (genetics) preparing to study medicine; daughter of Doug Hoang; Dakota Ridge High School; IMSD mentor: Michael Detamore, assistant professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.
ILLINOIS
From Carlinville 62626
Cassandra Delores LaMar, Cherokee; senior in biology preparing to study medicine; daughter of Edward and Cynthia LaMar; Carlinville High School; IMSD mentor: Bill Picking, professor of molecular biosciences.
From Chicago 60647
Cierra Christin Martinez, nondegree-seeking graduate student in biology; spring 2008 bachelor’s degree in biology from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago; PREP mentor: Lena Hileman, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
MASSACHUSETTS
From Brockton 02301
Francois Herve Jean-Charles, nondegree-seeking undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and nondegree-seeking graduate student in pharmacy; spring 2008 bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst; PREP mentor: Susan Lunte, the Ralph N. Adams Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
MISSOURI
From Oak Grove 64075
Faith Ighoyivwi, senior in cell biology preparing to study medicine; IMSD mentor: Jennifer Gleason, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
NEW MEXICO
From Fruitland 87416
Becky A. Begay, Navajo; nondegree-seeking graduate student in biology; spring 2001 associate’s degree and spring 2006 bachelor’s degree in environmental science, both from Haskell Indian Nations University; PREP mentor: Helen Alexander, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
RHODE ISLAND
From Manville 02838
Samusi Adediran, nondegree-seeking graduate student in microbiology; spring 2008 bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Rhode Island College, Providence; PREP mentor: Sunil David, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry.
TEXAS
From Lancaster 75134
Sha’Ray Lanicea Butler, senior in human biology; daughter of Raymond and Sonia Butler; Lancaster E. Robertson High School; IMSD mentor: Philip Gallagher, assistant professor of health, sport and exercise sciences.
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