KU News Release

April 22, 2009
Contact: Mark Daly, University Honors Program, (785) 864-4225.

More than 100 KU undergraduates to present research at April 25 symposium

LAWRENCE — More than 100 undergraduates at the University of Kansas will present research on topics ranging from contagious yawning in orangutans to recycling plastic at the 12th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium starting at noon Saturday, April 25, in the Kansas Union.

The symposium is organized and sponsored by the University Honors Program and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies. Steven Warren, vice provost for research and graduate studies, will welcome the participants and guests to the symposium.

The impressive breadth of symposium topics includes projects from various academic departments at KU. A sampling of the undergraduate presentations by topic:

— Where do your tomatoes come from? Clarice Amorim of Recife, Brazil, a senior in anthropology, examines cultural factors that permit modern slavery in U.S. tomato fields.

— Aerobic exercise boosts reasoning powers in older adults. RaeAnn Anderson of Circleville, a senior in psychology and gerontology, analyzed 23 studies and found the results bolster the hypothesis that aerobic exercise has a positive effect on cognition in older adults.

— Text messaging while driving. Stephanie Atwood of Topeka, a junior in psychology, surveyed more than 130 students to learn about their views and habits regarding text messaging and driving.

— Uses of the Spanish language in representing Latinos in mainstream American media. Katey Basye of Hays, a senior majoring in English, compares treatment of Spanish, and therefore Latinos, in the novel “Highway Moon, the television show “Ugly Betty” and the movie “Nacho Libre.”

— Recyling seems to be a good thing, but the impact of recycling plastics on the environment has not been studied much. Laura Foster of Ferguson, Mo., a senior in architecture, compares manufacturing processes of both recycled and nonrecycled plastics.

— Public health officials know Chlamydia trachomatis is the most widespread sexually transmitted bacterial disease in the United States, but scientists have yet to determine how the bacteria causes disease. Julia Gutkin of Overland Park, a senior in molecular biosciences, looks at cell proteins for clues.

— Michelle Obama’s roles and persona. Katherine Huseman of Salina, a senior in communication studies, reviewed Obama’s life experiences and family history, which includes slavery, to discover the first lady’s persona.

— Contagious yawning once was thought to be a specifically human phenomenon, but researchers now have identified contagious yawning in chimpanzees and dogs. Katharine Sangha of Overland Park, a senior in anthropology, studied similar behavior in orangutans at the Topeka Zoo and recommends more study.

— Fossil teeth from mosasaurs, giant marine lizards that once swam in seas that covered what is now Kansas, can tell researchers about the animal’s habits and habitat. Rebecca Totten of Wamego, a senior in geology, has done a geochemical analysis of mosasaur teeth originally collected in western Kansas rock.

— Can tart cherry juice help soothe sore muscles? Many of the compounds found in tart cherries have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties similar to vitamins, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Greg Wallace of Lawrence, a senior in sport sciences, is working with a group of female athletes to determine the effects of tart cherry juice on muscle inflammation induced by intense exercise.

A banquet at the Dole Institute of Politics on west campus will follow the symposium. Gary McClelland, a KU alumnus and professor of psychology at University of Colorado-Boulder, will give the keynote address “Everything I Needed to Know I Learned First Semester at KU.”

Gift certificates to the KU Bookstores will be given for the most outstanding student presentations.

Dave Besson, professor physics and astronomy, will receive the 2009 Barbara Schowen Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award.

For more information, visit www.honors.ku.edu/research/symposium.shtml.

The student researchers are listed below by hometown, title of project, faculty adviser, level in school, major(s), parents’ names and high schools.

ANDERSON COUNTY
From Garnett 66032
Richard Z. Robinson, “Visualization and Study of Three and Four Dimensional Quasicrystals”; Estela Gavosto, associate chair of mathematics; senior in mathematics; son of Richard and Jerry Robinson; Anderson County High School.

BUTLER COUNTY
From Andover 67002
Tyler Patrick Conrad, “Cosmic Ray Simulation”; Dave Besson, professor of physics and astronomy; junior in engineering and physics, son of Alan and Laurie Conrad; Andover Central High School.

COFFEY COUNTY
From Le Roy 66857
Sabrina Coreen Gregersen, “High Levels of Attachment Security and Negative Life Events”;  Omri Gillath, assistant professor of psychology; senior in biology; daughter of David and Teresa Gregersen; Le Roy High School.

COWLEY COUNTY
From Winfield 67156
Erin Aili Birney: “La carne masticada de los cuerpos homosexuales en Lulú”; Jorge Perez, assistant professor of Spanish and Portuguese; senior in English and Spanish; daughter of Donald and Susan Birney; Winfield High School.

DONIPHAN COUNTY
From Highland 66035
Elijah Kirk Dunn, “Software to Write Firmware”; Michael Murray, associate professor of physics and astronomy; freshman in physics; son of Matthew and Laurel Dunn; Doniphan West High School.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66044
Shylo Ann Bundy, “Killing the Angel in the House: The Works of Virginia Woolf”; Mary Klayder, University Honors Lecturer in English; senior in English; Lawrence High School.

Alexander J. Krejci, “Gas Phase Emissions from a Diesel Generator Using Biodiesel Blends”; Edward Peltier, assistant professor civil, environmental and architectural engineering; senior in physics; son of Jerry and Kelly Krejci; Olathe Northwest High School.

Gina Christine Lorenz, “Identity Politics in Contemporary France”; Diane Fourny, associate professor of French and Italian; senior in music; daughter of Sue and Tom Lorenz; Lawrence High School.

Robert Reifort Wiggin, ”Structural Characterization of the Epsilon Subunit of ATP Synthase”; Audrey Lamb, assistant professor of molecular biosciences; senior in biochemistry; Shawnee Mission West High School.

From Lawrence 66046
Brenna Mae Tompson Daldorph, “Poeta”; Madison Davis Lacy, associate professor of theatre and film; senior in French, daughter of Brian Daldorph and Sandra Issa; Lawrence High School.

Gregory Williams Wallace, “The Effect of Tart Cherry Juice on Exercise Induced Markers of Inflammation”; Phil Gallagher, assistant professor of health, sport and exercise sciences; senior in sport sciences; Gage Park High School, Chicago, Ill.

From Lawrence 66047
Kevin Changhun Song, “Probing Lipid Molecule Orientation Using a Dye Molecule in Membranes: Insights from comparative molecular dynamics simulations”; Wonpil Im, assistant professor of molecular biosciences; sophomore in chemical engineering; Lawrence Free State High School.

From Lawrence 66049
John Robert Giles, “Ecological Niche Modeling of Plague Transmission across Madagascar”; A. Townsend Peterson, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; senior in biology.

ELLIS COUNTY
From Hays 67601
Kathryn Marie Basye, “Communicating Latinos: How the Spanish language is being used to represent Latinos in mainstream American media”; Marta Caminero-Santangelo, associate professor of English; senior in English; daughter of Bruce and Mary Basye; Hays High School.

Rachel L. Debes, “Modeling Dynamics of Viral Infection: Combining Within-Host Structure with Cellular Immune Response”; Maria Orive, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; senior in mathematics; daughter of Ken and Debbie Debes; Hays High School.

JACKSON COUNTY
From Circleville 66416
RaeAnn E. Anderson, “Neuropsychological Assessment of Cognitive Gains Associated with Exercise in Older Adults”; David Kevin Johnson, assistant professor of psychology and gerontology; senior in psychology; daughter of David and Sara Anderson; Jackson Heights High School.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From De Soto 66018
Jacob Reed Longaker, “Federalism and Gay-Rights: The Case for Same-Sex Unions in Brazil”; Gary Reich, associate professor of political science; senior in political science; son of Rodney and Donna Longaker; De Soto High School.

From Leawood 66209
Molly M. McGraw, “Cloning and Characterization of Blowhole, a Gene Required for Dorsal Closure and Tracheal Maturation in ‘Drosophila’ ”; Robert Ward, assistant professor of molecular biosciences; junior in biology; daughter of Tom and Marie McGraw; Notre Dame De Sion, Kansas City, Mo.

From Leawood 66224
William Edward Pass, “Home Range Light Orientation in the House Mouse, ‘Mus musculus’ ”; Rudolf Jander, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; senior in biology; son of Kevin and Julie Pass; Blue Valley West High School, Stilwell.

From Lenexa 66215
Erin Marie Fauss, “Learning a Novel Alphabet”; Greg Simpson, professor of psychology; senior in psychology; daughter of Teri and Bill Fauss; Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park.

Hannah Marie Langley, “Learning a Novel Alphabet”; Greg Simpson, professor of psychology; freshman in psychology; daughter of Pamela Glenn and Tom Langley; Shawnee Mission West High School.

David William Owens, “The Complications of Resistance and Collaboration in Wartime Czechoslovakia”; Sheyda Jahanbani, assistant professor of history; senior in history; son of Mark Owens and Susan Owens; Shawnee Mission West High School.

Noelle Elise Radford, “Learning a Novel Alphabet”; Greg Simpson, professor of psychology; senior in pre-medicine; daughter of Peter and Christine Radford; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.

From Lenexa 66215 and Shawnee 66217
Brette Alexandra Davenport, “Learning a Novel Alphabet”; Greg Simpson, professor of psychology; senior in psychology; daughter of Gaylen Davenport of Lenexa and Leslie Courtney of Shawnee; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.

From Lenexa 66216
Justin Tyler Lynn, “Sex and Subordination: What is the Appeal of the Forceful Submission Fantasy?”; Patricia Hawley, associate professor of psychology; senior in applied behavioral science; son of Scott and Cindy Lynn; Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park.

From Mission 66202
Zane Ali Jaafar, “Potential Role of CT584 as the Needle Tip Protein of the Type Three Secretion System in ‘Chlamydia trachomatis’ ”;  Scott Hefty, assistant professor of molecular biosciences; senior in microbiology; son of Laurie and Mahmoud Jaafar; Shawnee Mission North High School.

From Mission Woods 66205
Andreas Teschner Graf, “West German Deutschlandpolitik and German Unification”; Ronald Francisco, professor of political science; senior in Germanic languages and literatures; son of William Graf; Shawnee Mission East High School.

From Olathe 66061
Patrick D. McGurk, “Protein Kinase ‘C. orthologs’ Implicated in Axon Pathfinding in ‘C. elegans’ ”; Erik Lundquist, associate professor of molecular biosciences; senior in microbiology; son of Harold and Ellen McGurk; Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park.

From Olathe 66062
Amanda Nicole Green, “Removal of the Endocrine Disrupting Compound EE2 in Bench-Scale Reactors as a Function of SRT”; Belinda Sturm, assistant professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering; junior in civil engineering; son of Lynn Green; Olathe South High School.

Yvonne Nyakio Kamau, “Analysis of the Temporal Expression of CT009 in ‘Chlamydia trachomatis’ ”; Scott Hefty, assistant professor of molecular biosciences; junior in biochemistry; daughter of Godfrey Kamau; Olathe North High School.

Ali Nabavizadeh, “A Possible Role of the Predentary Bone in Ornithischian Dinosaurs”; Larry Martin, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; senior in biology; son of Vahid and Shohreh Nabavizadeh; Olathe East High School.

Brian James Sanderson, “Sex Ratio Bias Among Recombinant Inbred Lines of ‘Drosophila simulans’ and ‘D. sechellia’ ”; Jennifer Gleason, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; senior in biology; son of James and Therese Sanderson; Olathe East High School.

Sarah A. Tanner, “Furthering Research in Cancer: The creation of a cell line overexpressing MMP-2”; Blake Peterson, the Regents Distinguished Professor of Medicinal Chemistry; senior in biology; Olathe South High School.

Muhammed Nazar Younis, “Mallacca Storage”; Kapila Silva, assistant professor of architecture and urban planning; senior in the professional master’s of architecture program; son of Nazek Younis; Olathe South High School.

From Olathe 66062 and Kansas City, Kan. 66106
Kyle M. Lang, “What Drives the Relationship between Political Affiliation and Perception of Racism? A Mediation Analysis”; Glenn Adams, associate professor of psychology; senior in psychology; son of Lori Lang of Olathe and Scott Lang of Kansas City, Kan.

From Overland Park 66209
Kerry Kathleen Prout, “Program Evaluation of a Pediatric Oncology Camp for Patients and Siblings”; Michael Roberts, professor of applied behavioral science; senior in psychology; daughter of William and Rhoda Prout; Blue Valley North High School.

Katharine Kaur Sangha, “Contagious Yawning in Orangutans at the Topeka Zoo”; David Frayer, professor of anthropology; senior in anthropology; daughter of Jangbir and Sandra Sangha; Blue Valley North High School.

From Overland Park 66210
Julia Lenette Gutkin, “The Effect of Clathrin Heavy Chain and Abl Kinase Knockdown in HeLa S3 Cells upon ‘Chlamydia trachomatis’ Infection”; Scott Hefty, assistant professor of molecular biosciences; senior in microbiology; daughter of Leonid and Galina Gutkin; Blue Valley North High School.

Thomas Steele Reynolds, “Predicting Aggregation Potential of Protein/Excipient Systems”; Kyle Camarda, associate professor of chemistry and petroleum engineering; junior in chemical engineering; son of Terri Reynolds; Olathe East High School.

From Overland Park 66212
Kyle David Axton, “Zero Degree Calorimeters Radiation Containment Sarcophagus”; Michael Murray, associate professor of physics and astronomy; senior in physics; Manhattan High School.

From Overland Park 66213
Zachary Josef Abramovitz, “The Suprahistoricity of Roger Martin du Gard’s ‘Les Thibault’ ”; Janet Sharistanian, associate professor of English; senior in English; son of Morris and Sara Abramovitz; Olathe East High School.

Brandon J. Dekosky, “Agarose and (Poly)ethylene Glycol Interpenetrating Network Hydrogels for Cartilage Defect Repair”; Michael Detamore, assistant professor of chemistry and petroleum engineering; senior in chemical engineering; son of Deborah Dekosky; Blue Valley Northwest High School.

Kjersten Alicia Feyerherm, “Examining the Competition-Cooperation Dynamic in the Human Services Field”; Kelly LeRoux, assistant professor of public administration; senior in public administration; Salina High School South.

From Overland Park 66214
Alex Ilten, “Agropolis: ‘A Lung for Malacca’ ”; Kapila Silva, assistant professor of architecture and urban planning; senior in the professional master’s of architecture program; son of Joel and Teresa Ilten; Shawnee Mission South High School.

From Prairie Village 66208
Marek Daniel Brzozowski, “Efforts Towards the Design and Synthesis of Linear Sulfonamide Derivatives: Potential Inhibitors of Anthrax Protective Antigen”; Paul Hanson, professor of chemistry; senior in biochemistry; son of Brian and Katherine Brzozowski; Shawnee Mission East High School.

From Roeland Park 66205
Kate Marie Mallula, “Colliding Worldviews: Re-evaluating the Thuggee in Colonial India”; Tony Rosenthal, associate professor of history; senior in history; daughter of Catherine Creed and Isaac Mallula; Shawnee Mission East High School.

From Shawnee 66203
Shelbi L. Russell, “The Taxonomic Status of the Enigmatic Elasmobranch Tapeworm ‘Tenia narinari’ and an Investigation of Its Mode of Attachment”; Kirsten Jensen, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; senior in biology; daughter of Ben and Cathy Russell; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.

From Shawnee 66218
Brittany Elayne Hill, “Neandertal versus Modern Human: A Look at Skeletal Traits”; David Frayer, professor of anthropology; senior in anthropology; daughter of  Sherri Hill; Moanalua High School, Honolulu, Hawaii.

From Shawnee 66226
Monica Ann McHenry, “Do Wealthier Cities Benefit by Creating Nonprofit Economic Development Corporations?”; Kelly LeRoux, assistant professor of public administration; senior in developmental psychology; Bishop Ward High School, Kansas City, Kan.

KINGMAN COUNTY
From Cunningham 67035
Derek Michael Setter, “The Role of exc-9 in Maintaining the Shape of Single-cell Tubules in ‘C. elegans’ ”; Matthew Buechner, associate professor of molecular biosciences; senior in biology; son of Christopher Setter; Cunningham High School.

MARION COUNTY
From Hillsboro 67063
Emily Julianna Arnold, “Remote-Sensing Radar Integration for Flight Tests on a DC-8”; Richard Hale, associate professor of aerospace engineering; senior in aerospace engineering,; daughter of Don and Gayla Ratzlaff; Hillsboro High School.

MIAMI COUNTY
From Paola 66071
Jay Justin Middleton, “Machiavellianism, Emotional Intelligence and Resource Control Theory”; Patricia Hawley, associate professor of psychology; senior in communication studies; son of Sandra Hinson.

NEOSHO COUNTY
From Chanute 66720
Austin Lea Oder, “Effects of Dialect on Vowel Acoustics and Intelligibility”; Sarah Hargus Ferguson, assistant professor speech-language-hearing; senior in speech-language-hearing; daughter of James and Jackie Oder; Chanute Senior High School.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY
From St. George 66535
Mark L. Stockham, “Radio Detection of EAS in Siberia”; Dave Besson, professor of physics and astronomy; senior in astronomy; son of  Steven and Marcia Stockham; Manhattan High School.

From Wamego 66547
Rebecca Lynn Totten, “Mosasaur Lifestyles: Using Stable Isotopes to Study the Behavior of Extinct Marine Lizards”; Luis Gonzalez, associate professor of geology, and Larry Martin, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; senior in geology; daughter of Matthew Totten; Fontainebleau High School, Mandeville La.

RENO COUNTY
From Hutchinson 67501
Casey Evan Gee, “Purification and Characterization of Bacterioferritin B from Pseudomonas Aeruginosa”; Mario Rivera, professor of chemistry; junior in chemistry; son of Rick and Ann Gee; Buhler High School.

From Hutchinson 67502
Christopher Eugene Smith, “Design of Biazulenic Bridges Fitted with Isocyanide Alligator Clips for Molecular Electronics”; Misha Barybin, associate professor of chemistry; senior in chemistry; son of Rodney and Roxanne Smith; Buhler High School.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66502
Christopher Blake Martin, “Study of Cosmic Rays for Heavy Stable Charged Particle Analysis at the Compact Muon Solenoid Experiment”; Alice Bean, professor of physics and astronomy; junior in mathematics; son of Randal and Susan Martin; Manhattan High School.

From Manhattan 66503
Andrea Lynne Peterson, “Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Effect of Prime Minister Koizumi’s visits to the Yasukuni Shrine on Sino-Japanese Trade”; John Kennedy, assistant professor of political science; junior in East Asian languages and cultures; daughter of Dallas and Susan Peterson; Manhattan High School.

Katherine Eileen Wetzel, “Knowledge, Breeding and the Marriage Plot: Professionalization of Education in the Novels of Anne and Charlotte Bronte”; Dorice Elliott, associate professor of English, and Mary Klayder, lecturer in English; senior in English; daughter of Mark and Rita Wetzel; Manhattan High School.

RUSSELL COUNTY
From Russell 67665
Miles L. Detrixhe, “Monopole Detection with the ANITA Experiment”; Dave Besson, professor of physics and astronomy; junior in mechanical engineering; son of Gene and Mary Detrixhe; Russell High School.

SALINE COUNTY
From Salina 67401
Steven James Groene, “The Questionable Vérité of Créolité in French Guiana”; Samira Sayeh, assisant professor of French and Italian; senior in African and African-American studies; son of Greg and Anna Groene; Salina High School South.

Thomas C. Hardy, “Satire, Romance and Revolution”; Thomas Lorenz, associate chair of English; senior in English; son of Randall and Saralyn Hardy; Salina High School Central.

Katherine Anne Huseman, “An Ontological View of Michelle Obama’s Communicative Behaviors in Diverse Role Situations”; Dorothy Pennington, associate professor of communication studies; senior in communication studies; daughter of Bob Huseman and Roberta Huseman; Salina High School Central.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Clearwater 67026
Jessica G. Snyder, “Measuring Neutron Flow with an Upgrade of the CMS Zero Degree Calorimeter”; Michael Murray, associate professor of physics and astronomy; senior in engineering and physics and astronomy; daughter of Mike Snyder; Clearwater High School.

From Goddard 67052
Emilie Ruthanne Mainz: “Separation Optimization of Dynorphin A (1-17) Metabolites by Conventional Capillary Electrophoresis”; Susan Lunte, the Ralph N. Adams Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry; junior in  biochemistry; daughter of Eric and Barbara Mainz; Andale High School.

From Haysville 67060
Sophia Kaska, “Determining the role of the conserved lysine residue in LTQ formation and protein folding of HLOXL2”; Minae Mure, assistant professor of chemistry; senior in biochemistry; daughter of Tek and Sarah Kaska; Derby High School.

From Wichita 67207
Hollie M. Dawson, “Differences in Autobiographical Memory Content as Related to Abuse History and Psychopathology”; Andrea Greenhoot, associate professor of psychology; senior in psychology; daughter of Mark and Sherri Dawson; Wichita High School East.

From Wichita 67209
Rohit Subramanian Venkatasubban, “Implementing International Financial Reporting Standards Across the Accounting Curriculum”; Susan Scholz, associate professor of accounting; senior in College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; son of Chittur and Rema Venkatasubban; Goddard Senior High School.

From Wichita 67212
Sarah Fettke, “Mental Disability in Literature: Attempting to give a voice to the voiceless”; Marta Caminero-Santangelo, associate professor English; senior in  English, daughter of Robert and Angelia Fettke; Wichita High School Northwest.

Andrew J. Oberthaler, “The Role of Cumulus Congestus in the Tropical Western Pacific”; David Mechem, assistant professor of geography; senior in atmospheric science; son of Peter and Diane Oberthaler; Maize High School.

From Wichita 67216
Megan M. Maksimowicz, “Impact of Grazing on Fluxes over a Grassland”; Nathaniel Brunsell, assistant professor of geography; senior in atmospheric science; daughter of John and Sheila Maksimowicz; Campus High School.

From Wichita 67228
Bradley Mohon Papineau, “From Boom to Bust: Oil Price Fundamentals and Bubbles and their Effect on the Oil Industry”; George Bittlingmayer, the Wagnon Distinguished Professor of Finance; senior in finance; son of William Papineau; Andover High School.

From Wichita 67230
Jason Thomas Stevens, “Mapping SuH6, a Gene That Affects RNAi in ‘C. elegans’ ”; Lisa Timmons, associate professor of molecular biosciences; junior in biology; son of Laurie and James Stevens; Andover Central High School.

From Wichita 67235
Kristen Michele Cowan, “Feminist critiques of mainstream globalization literature illuminate the gendered nature of the global economy”; Joey Sprague, professor of sociology; senior in sociology; daughter of Michele Crisler; Goddard Senior High School.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66605
Earl Holmes Brooks, “John Coltrane: The Man Behind The Horn”; Maryemma Graham, professor of English; senior in American studies; son of Earl and Vanessa Brooks; Highland Park High School.

From Topeka 66605 and 66610
Jamie Lyn Wenke, “Improving the Stability of Recombinant Growth Hormone with Engineered Glycosylation and Glycosidase Trimming of Glycans”; Heather Desaire, associate professor of chemistry; senior in chemistry; daughter of Corwyn Wenke (66605) and Sonya Purling (66610); Washburn Rural High School.

From Topeka 66610
Stephanie Marie Atwood, “The Prevalence and Frequency of Text Messaging While Driving”; Paul Atchley, associate professor of psychology; junior in psychology; daughter of Jennie and Mike Atwood; Topeka High School.

William R. Burns, “Meridian UAS Avionics”; Mark Ewing, associate professor of aerospace engineering; senior in aerospace engineering; son of Michael and Elizabeth Burns.

Stephen Sai Folmsbee, “Cell-Cycle Effects of Etoposide on Topoisomerase-II and SUMO”; Yoshiaki Azuma, assistant professor of molecular biosciences; senior in biochemistry; son of Nobuko and Mark Folmsbee; Topeka High School.

From Topeka 66614
Jennifer Marie Kongs, “Community Food Security: The Potential for Lawrence, Kan.”; Shannon O’Lear, associate professor of geography and environmental studies; senior in environmental studies; daughter of Michael and LeeAnne Kongs; Hayden High School.

Heather M. Wurtz, “Analysis of Rising Rates of Cesarean Procedures and Contributing Factors: Influences, Information, and Modern Perceptions of Birth (A Local Study)”; John Janzen, professor of anthropology; senior in anthropology; daughter of Tim and Karen Wurtz; Hayden High School.

From Wakarusa 66546
Rebecca Kate Reed, “Influence of Visual Speech Information on the Perception of Foreign Accented Speech”; Ed Auer, assistant professor of speech-language-hearing; senior in human biology; daughter of Myron and Carol Reed; Shawnee Heights Sr. High School, Tecumseh.

SUMNER COUNTY
From Oxford 67119
Drew R. Fowler, “Calling the Shots: Analyzing Power and Satisfaction Within Best Friendships”; Patricia Hawley, associate professor of psychology; senior in  psychology, son of Cynthia Hofmeier; Derby High School,

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66104
Donald William Millsap, “Determining Fits for Biodiversity Data”; Adrian Melott, professor of physics and astronomy; senior in astronomy; son of Sandy Millsap; Platte County R-III High School.

Leandrea Renee Wilson, “Genetics of Female Mate Choice of ‘Drosophila sechillia’ and ‘D. simulans’ ”; Jennifer Gleason, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; sophomore in human biology; daughter of LeAnn Suber; Sumner Academy of Arts and Science.

From Kansas City 66106 and Olathe
Kyle M. Lang. SEE JOHNSON COUNTY

From Kansas City 66109
Philip Robert Adam, “Measurement of Deoxycholate-Induced Changes in the Distal Domain of ‘Shigella’ Invasion Plasmid Antigen D (IpaD)”; William Picking, professor of molecular biosciences; senior in microbiology; son of Robert and Renee Adam; Piper High School.

ILLINOIS  
From Bartlett 60103
Paige M. Blair, “Gender Authority and Defiance-Lawrence High School Hip-Hop Club”; Sherrie Tucker, associate professor American studies; senior in American studies; daughter of Linda Blair; Bartlett High School.

From Lisle 60532
Matthew John Marsaglia, “Change We Can Believe In, Literally: Intertextuality's Potential Influence on American Literatures, Industry and Policy”; Maryemma Graham, professor English; sophomore in English; son of Mark and Christie Marsaglia; Naperville North High School.

LOUISIANA
From Mandeville 70448
Sara Pauline Edwards, “Looking at Glaze Chemistry”; Dave Vertacnik, associate professor of design; senior in design; daughter of Nancy Lawrence; Fontainebleau High School.

MINNESOTA
From Plymouth 55446
Heidi JoAnn LeSage, “Performance and Monitoring of the Compact Muon Solenoid Zero Degree Calorimeters”; Michael Murray, associate professor of physics and astronomy; junior in chemistry; daughter of Kim Nesbitt and Michael LeSage; Wayzata High School.

MISSOURI
From California 65018
Hilary Reeder Bybee, “Significant Places in the Crossroads District During the First Fridays Event”; Kapila Silva, assistant professor of architecture and urban planning; senior in the professional master’s of architecture program; Jefferson City High School.

From Ferguson 63135
Laura N. Foster, “The Ecological Impact of Recycled Plastic Surface Materials”; Kapila Silva, assistant professor of architecture and urban planning; senior in architecture; daughter of Darrel and Jan Foster; McCluer High School, Florissant.

From Kansas City 64111
Christopher James Reine, “Acculturation and its Effects on Parenting Behaviors of African-American Parents”; Yo Jackson, associate professor of psychology; senior in psychology; son of Camille Reine; Lincoln College Prep.

From Liberty 64068
Jacquelyn K. Murdock, “Social and Environmental Implications of the Agro industrial Sugarcane Production in Brazil”; John Chris Brown, professor of environmental studies; sophomore in environmental studies; daughter of Stephen and Sharon Murdock; Liberty High School.

From St. Louis 63119
Nicholas Andrew Reed, “Space and Presentations”; Kapila Silva, assistant professor of architecture and urban planning; senior in architecture; son of Robert and Carlyn Reed; Lutheran High School.

From St. Louis 63129
Andrew V. Schaeperkoetter, “Effects of Density Variations in the Upper Atmosphere on Satellite Trajectories”; Craig McLaughlin, assistant professor of aerospace engineering; senior in aerospace engineering; son of Vernon and Kathleen Schaeperkoetter; St. Louis University High School.

NEBRASKA
From Lincoln 68506
Sierra Marie Falter, “Change in Affect as a Function of Stress and Activity: Monitoring Daily Life with a Daily Mood Diary”; Todd Little, professor of psychology; senior in psychology; daughter of Barry and Nancy Falter; Lincoln East Jr-Sr High School.

From Lincoln 68512
Samantha E. McLeese, “Molecular Product Design for Ionic Liquids with Refrigerant Gases”; Kyle Camarda, associate professor of chemistry and petroleum engineering; senior in chemical engineering; daughter of Jody and Doug McLeese; Lincoln Southeast High School.

From Omaha 68127
William P. Pflug: “Development of an Analytical Method to Determine Stability and Control Derivatives for a Yak-54 Model Aircraft”; Shahriar Keshmiri, assistant professor of aerospace engineering; senior in aerospace engineering; son of Thomas and Dorothy Pflug; Millard South High School.

OKLAHOMA
From Stillwater 74074
Logan Michael Nickels: “MRC-5 v. A-549 Viability”; Rathnam Chaguturu, senior scientist in biomedical services; junior in biochemistry; son of Steven and Martha Nickels; Stillwater High School.

UTAH
From Sandy 84093
Vanessa A. Copple, “The Significance of Latin Inscriptions in Modern Architecture”; Emma Scioli, assistant professor of classics; junior in classical antiquity; daughter of Kennis Wessel and Susan Copple; West High School, Salt Lake City.

BRAZIL
From Recife
Clarice Fernandes da Cunha Loureiro Amorim, “Where do your tomatoes come from? An Exploration of Modern-day Slavery in American Fields”; Brent Metz, assistant professor of anthropology; senior in anthropology; daughter of Rogerio Caldas Loureiro Amorim.

GHANA
From Accra
Akwasi Nti-Addae, “Discrimination Against Minority-Owned Firms and Black-Owned Firms in the Small Business Credit Market”; Elizabeth Asiedu, associate professor of economics; senior in economics; son of Augustine Nti-Addae.

KENYA
From Nairobi
Angela Ndhuya Oguna, “Data Collection in a Rail-based Cargo Monitoring Sensor Network”; Gary Minden, professor of electrical engineering and computer science; junior in electrical engineering.

MACEDONIA
From Skopje
Sandra Ristovska, “Film Viewing and the Construction of Social Memory”; Donald Stull, professor of anthropology; senior in theatre and film.

NIGERIA
From Lagos
Faith Ighoyivwi, “The Genetics of Male Mate Choice in ‘Drosophila simulans’ and ‘D. sechellia’ ”; Jennifer Gleason, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; senior in biology; daughter of Mercy Ighoyivwi.

RUSSIA FEDERATION
From Petrozavodsk
Sarra-Valentina Klimberg, “Efforts Towards the Design and Synthesis of Linear Sulfonamide Derivatives: Potential Inhibitors of Anthrax Protective Antigen”; Paul Hanson, professor of chemistry; senior in chemistry; daughter of Sergei Vasylievich Klimberg.

TAIWAN
From Taipei
Lee-Wen Lien, “Spoken Word Recognition by Adults Learning English as a Second Language”; Holly Storkel, associate professor speech-language-hearing, and Junko Maekawa, post-doctoral researcher in the Bureau of Child Research; senior in speech-language-hearing; daughter of Chin-Chu Yeh Shattuck-Saint; Mary’s School, Faribault, Minn.

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