Three K-State students win 2007 Goldwater Sccholarships worth up to $15,000

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Source: Jim Hohenbary, 785-532-6904, jimlth@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Cheryl May, 785-532-6415, may@k-state.edu

Friday, March 23, 2007

THREE K-STATE STUDENTS WIN 2007 GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIPS WORTH UP TO $15,000

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University students Mike Reppert, Manhattan, Emily Voigt, McPherson, and Jennifer Buseman, Overland Park, are among 317 students nationally to win 2007 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships. They were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,110 mathematics, science and engineering students nominated by the faculties of their colleges and universities. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 annually for a student's final one or two years of undergraduate studies.

K-State President Jon Wefald congratulated K-State's newest Goldwater scholars. "I am delighted that three of our brightest students have won Goldwater scholarships this year. Congratulations to them and to their faculty mentors. Thanks to our very involved and supportive faculty, K-State students have excellent opportunities to pursue undergraduate research. All our Goldwater winners this year plan to continue in school to the doctorate level and these opportunities for undergraduate research give them a head start on their future careers."

K-State students have won 60 Goldwater Scholarships, making K-State first in the nation among state universities. Among all universities, public and private, K-State is tied for third place with Duke. Princeton has 65 and Harvard has 64 Goldwater scholars. The Goldwater scholarship is for students who major in science, mathematics or engineering and plan a career in research.

Reppert is majoring in chemistry/biochemistry. His career goal is to earn a Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry and to work at a university where he would conduct research on fundamental physical and chemical principles as they apply to biological systems.

Buseman, a microbiology major, plans to earn an M.D./Ph.D. in biology. Her career goal is to conduct translational cancer research investigating the molecular basis for potential cures for cancer and bringing those technologies to the bedside in clinical trials.

Chemical engineering major Emily A. Voigt plans to earn a Ph.D. in chemical/biological engineering. Her goal is to work at a university and to conduct research in biofuels and teach.

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. At K-State he has been awarded the Presidential Scholarship, the William and Melissa Harold Memorial Scholarship, the Dow K-State Alumni Association Scholarship, the Travis W. Miller Memorial Scholarship, the Jack and Betsy Lambert Scholarship and the College of Arts and Sciences Excellence Scholarship. 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.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 received a McDonald's Restaurant KRE scholarship, the Gordon and Joyce Goering Engineering Scholarship, a K-State Alumni Association license plate scholarship, an engineering scholarship, Phillips Petroleum Company Chemical Engineering Scholarship and the Steyer Chemical Engineering Scholarship. 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 also has received a Hilda and E. E. Meyer Scholarship and a College of Arts and Sciences Excellence Scholarship. 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.