KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Forty-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 sponsored by KU’s Office of Diversity in Science Training.

The reception will take place at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Kansas Room in the Kansas Union. Those attending are students and their faculty mentors who are participating in 2009-10 programs funded by the National Institutes of Health that encourage minority students to pursue careers in biomedical science by supporting undergraduate research activities.

The 41 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.

The Office for Diversity in Science Training’s director, James Orr, and associate director, Estela Gavosto, will recognize current and former participants from the five programs.

Faculty from both universities will make brief remarks: Fred Rodriguez, interim associate vice provost for diversity and equity at KU; Greg Simpson, interim dean of KU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Dan Wildcat, vice president for academic affairs at Haskell; and Carole Tomlinson, chair of Haskell’s Department of Natural Sciences.

In addition, student representatives of three programs will speak: Onyinye Magdalen Obiefule, a non-degree seeking student in chemical engineering at KU from Lawrence, with the PREP program; Karanda Jean Hildebrand, a KU senior in biology from Bern, with the IMSD program; and Charley Lewis, Haskell student with the Bridges program.

Student participants are listed below by hometown, university, tribal affiliations (if applicable), major, NIH program and faculty mentor (when assigned). KU students also are listed with their parents’ names and high schools, when available.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Baldwin City 66006
Ashley Tucker, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Haskell natural sciences major; Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program; James Orr, professor of molecular biosciences.

From Lawrence 66044
Terra Katchina Lubin, KU senior in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Lawrence High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; John K. Kelly, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

Zulando Curley, Navajo, Haskell natural sciences major; Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program, Stevin Gehrke, professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.

From Lawrence 66046
Tara Hammer, Cherokee, Haskell natural sciences major; Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program; Don Huggins, senior scientist at the Kansas Biological Survey.

William Joe Rivie Gilbert, Mississippi Choctaw, KU nondegree-seeking student in engineering; bachelor’s degree Haskell Indian Nations University; Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program; Stevin Gehrke, professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.

Katrina Chervart McClure, Muskogee Creek, Seminole, KU senior in environmental studies; Lutheran High School in Rockford Ill.; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; John K. Kelly, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, and Helen Alexander, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

From Lawrence 66047
Onyinye Magdalen Obiefule, KU nondegree-seeking student in chemical engineering, daughter of Theo and Carolyn Obiefule; Lawrence High School; Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program.

Anthony Intong Pokphanh, Cherokee, KU junior in chemical engineering, son of Roberta and May Pokphanh; Lawrence High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; Kyle Camarda, associate professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.

From Lawrence 66049
Francois Herve Jean-Charles, KU nondegree-seeking student; bachelor's degree University of Massachusetts-Amherst; Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program; Susan Lunte, distinguished professor of chemistry.

Rodolfo Matias Torres-Gavosto, KU freshman in chemistry, son of Estela Gavosto and Rodolfo Torres; Lawrence Free State High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; Cindy Berrie, associate professor of chemistry.

Amanda Ashley Pierce, KU senior in biology and human biology, daughter of Kerry and Mary Lou Pierce; Lawrence Free State High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; Jennifer Gleason, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

ELLIS COUNTY
From Ellis 67637
Kelsy Danae Kinderknecht, KU junior in French and mathematics, daughter of Tim Kinderknecht and Rhonda Kinderknecht; Ellis High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66209
Molly M. McGraw, Chickasaw, KU senior in biology, daughter of Tom and Marie McGraw; Notre Dame De Sion in Kansas City Mo.; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; Robert E. Ward, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.

From Olathe 66062
Yvonne Nyakio Kamau, KU senior in biochemistry, daughter of Godfrey Kamau; Olathe North High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity.

From Overland Park 66209
Kenneth Kazuya Livengood, Cherokee, KU senior in chemical engineering, son of Mark and Yoriko Livengood; Blue Valley North High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; Aaron Scurto, assistant professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.

From Prairie Village 66208
Akosua Kernizan, KU junior in biology and linguistics, daughter of Sheila and Carl Kernizan; Shawnee Mission East High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; T. Chris Gamblin, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Leavenworth 66048
Hilary S. Kelly, Cherokee and Choctaw, KU senior in biochemistry and geology; Shawnee Mission West High School in Overland Park; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; J.F. Devlin, associate professor of geology.

MIAMI COUNTY
From Paola 66071
Timothy Paul Day, KU senior in microbiology, son of Kenneth and Linda Day; Spring Hill High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; Sunil David, associate professor of medicinal chemistry.

NEMAHA COUNTY
From Bern 66408
Karanda Jean Hildebrand, KU senior in biology, daughter of Kenneth and Karla Hildebrand; Bern High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; Brian Ackley, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67206
Taylor Williams, Creek, Haskell liberal arts major; Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program; Truman Gamblin, associate professor of molecular biosciences.

From Wichita 67209 and 67212
Alexandria Michelle Hammork, KU sophomore preparing to study medicine, daughter of David Leach and Ha Leach; Goddard Senior High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity.

From Wichita 67214
Elisa Renee Rosales, KU sophomore in mathematics, daughter of Cindy and Lawrence Rosales; Wichita High School North; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; Maria Orive, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

From Wichita 67226
Eric U. Iheme, KU senior in human biology, son of Doug and Franca Iheme; Wichita High School Heights; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; James Orr, professor of molecular biosciences.

From Wichita 67235
Kimberly Simone Box, KU sophomore in biology, daughter of Bradford and Andrea Box; Goddard Senior High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Rossville 66533
Marc T. Roth, Cherokee, KU junior in biochemistry, son of Gary and Tina Roth; Rossville High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; Kristi Neufeld, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.

SEWARD COUNTY
From Liberal 67901
Areli Monarrez, KU nondegree-seeking student in biology, bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University; Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program; Kristi Neufeld, assistant professor of molecular biosciences.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66104
Leandrea Renee Wilson, KU sophomore in human biology, daughter of LeAnn Suber; Sumner Academy of Arts and Science; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; Jennifer Gleason, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

ARIZONA
From Flagstaff 86004
Nicole Nebitsi, Navajo, Haskell environmental science major; Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program; Lena Hileman, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

From Tuba City 86405
Tenille Begay, Navajo, Haskell natural sciences major; Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program; J.F. Devlin, associate professor of geology.

From Winslow 86047
Russell Thomas, Navajo, Haskell natural sciences major; Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program; Stevin Gehrke, professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.

CALIFORNIA
From Benton 93512
Charley Lewis, Navajo and Paiute, Haskell environmental science major; Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program; Joy Ward, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

From Palmdale 93551
Elaina Barraza, White Mountain Apache, Haskell natural sciences major; Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program; Elias Michaelis, professor of pharmacology and toxicology.

MICHIGAN
From Detroit 48203
Chandler Williams, Muscogee Creek, Haskell natural sciences and environmental science major; Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program; Philip Gallagher, assistant professor of health, sport and exercise science.

NEW MEXICO
From Kirtland 87417
Matthew Ryan Frank, Navajo, KU nondegree-seeking student in biology; bachelor’s degree from Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colo.; Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program; Thomas Prisinzano, associate professor of medicinal chemistry.

NEBRASKA
From Madrid 69150
Phillip A. Regier Jr., KU senior in mathematics, son of Dori Regier; Wheatland Schools; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; Estela Gavosto, associate chair of mathematics.

OKLAHOMA
From Locust Grove 74352
Danny Rowland, Cherokee, Haskell environmental science major; Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program; Jerry deNoyelles, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

From Tahlequah 74464
Amanda Rogers, Cherokee, Haskell liberal arts major; Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program; Omri Gillath, assistant professor of psychology.

From Vian 74962
William Henry Bennett, Creek and Cherokee, KU nondegree-seeking student in engineering; Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program; Susan Williams, associate professor of chemical and petroleum engineering.

SOUTH CAROLINA
From Taylors 29687
Paul Michael Calnon, KU senior in mathematics, son of Dan and Guin Calnon; Bob Jones Academy in Greenville, S.C.; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity; Estela Gavosto, associate chair of mathematics.

TENNESSEE
From Castalian Springs 37031
Michelle Amarin Metzger, Lumbee, KU sophomore in biology, daughter of Mary Metzger; Great Bend High School; Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity.

WISCONSIN
From Brookfield 53045
Bernadette Joann Goudreau, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, KU nondegree-seeking student in biology; bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.; Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program, Blake Peterson, Regents Distinguished Professor of Medicinal Chemistry.

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