Four K-State students nominated by university for 2007 Goldwater Scholarship competition

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Source: Jim Hohenbary, 785-532-6904
News release prepared by: Sara Shellenberger, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Friday, February 16, 2007

FOUR K-STATE STUDENTS NOMINATED BY UNIVERSITY FOR 2007 GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University students Mike Reppert, Manhattan, Ashley Wheeler, Manhattan, Emily Voigt, McPherson, and Jennifer Buseman, Overland Park, are the university's nominees for the 2007 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.

The Goldwater scholarship competition is for students who major in science, mathematics or engineering and plan a career in research. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 annually for a student's final one or two years of undergraduate studies. To be eligible, students must have at least a 3.0 grade point average. They also must complete four mini-essays and write a longer essay about a significant area of research in their field of study.

Reppert is a junior in chemistry, biochemistry and mathematics. He is conducting undergraduate research focused on photosynthetic reactions under K-State's Ryszard Jankowiak, professor of chemistry, and Nhan Dang, a K-State research associate. Reppert has been recognized as a National Merit Scholar, received the Phi Lambda Upsilon award for academic performance as a sophomore and is a member of both Phi Eta Sigma and Golden Key honor societies. He is a Presidential Scholar. He served as a peer minister for the Baptist Campus Center, is a member of the K-State Juggling Club and has received a black belt in kung fu. Reppert is the son of Jay and Sue Reppert, Manhattan.

Wheeler, a senior in mathematics and physics, is performing undergraduate research related to testing various cosmological models with Bharat Ratra, K-State physics professor, and undergraduate mathematics research on the differential topology of pendulum motion under Ricardo Castano-Bernard, K-State assistant professor of mathematics. Wheeler is a Memorial Scholarship winner, has been recognized as a McNair Scholar and has participated in a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates, where she constructed a small radio telescope under the guidance of Tim Bolton, K-State physics professor. She has been involved with Scholars Assisting Scholars, the S. Thomas Parker Math Competition, Mathematical Competition in Modeling, Pi Mu Epsilon mathematics honor society, Physics Club and KSDB-FM, K-State's student radio station. A 2003 graduate of Junction City High School, Wheeler is the daughter of Scott and Ramona Seymour, Columbia, S.C.

Voigt, a senior in chemical engineering with a minor in German, conducted research at Pennsylvania State University on transgenic protein production in plant cells in summer 2005 and again in 2006 on algae biofuels.

This semester, Voigt has begun research in biofuels production under Keith Hohn and John Schlup, K-State chemical engineering professors. Voigt is the editor and cataloguer-elect for Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honor society, and secretary and public relations coordinator for Mentors for International Experiences. She is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Engineering Ambassadors, Society of Women Engineers, The Navigators and Women Mentoring Women. Voigt was a Clare Boothe Luce Scholar in 2005 and also has been a Putnam Scholar. She is a member of Omega Chi Epsilon, Golden Key and Phi Kappa Phi honoraries. Voigt studied abroad in Giessen, Germany, during summer 2006. A 2004 graduate of Smoky Valley High School in Lindsborg, Voigt is the daughter of Richard and Mary Voigt.

Buseman, a senior in microbiology and premedicine, with a minor in Spanish, is currently analyzing mechanisms that control cell polarity in several different nematodes under Michael Herman, K-State associate professor of biology. She has conducted undergraduate research in the Tribolium genetics lab under Robin Denell, university distinguished professor of biology, and has researched cell fate pathways in nematodes during summer 2006 through a summer undergraduate research fellowship at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She has been recognized as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Research Scholar, a June D. Hull Sherrid Cancer Research Scholar and a K-State Foundation Scholar. She is a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta premed honor society. Buseman served as team captain for Up 'Til Dawn, was a member of the K-State Marching Band for two years and has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Manhattan. A 2004 graduate of Blue Valley Northwest High School, Buseman is the daughter of Randy and Cheryl Buseman.