11 K-State students named 2007 Howard Hughes Medical Institute undergraduate research scholars

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Sources: Beth Montelone, 785-532-6900, bethmont@k-state.edu;
and Larry Williams, 785-532-5718, larryw@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Beth Bohn, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Monday, March 12, 2007

11 K-STATE STUDENTS NAMED 2007 HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARS

MANHATTAN -- Eleven students at Kansas State University will have the opportunity to conduct research as K-State's 2007 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Research Scholars.

As scholars, each student receives a $3,500 award and $500 for research-related travel. During the next year, the students are expected to put in about 450 hours in their research. Each scholar will work along side a faculty mentor, who receives $2,000 for supplies and other lab-related expenses.

The students were selected by a faculty committee from K-State's Division of Biology. The elite research program was created by a $1.6 million grant to the university by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for improving the quality of undergraduate biology education at K-State. This is the final round of scholars selected through the five-year grant to K-State.

"The 2007 scholars have an average grade point average of 3.88 and their average composite ACT score is 28.8, which is in the 95th percentile nationally," said Beth Montelone, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of biology.

K-State's 2007 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Research Scholars and their faculty mentors are:

Olga Martinez, junior in biology, Dodge City, with Lorena Passarelli, assistant professor of biology.

From Greater Kansas City: Will Poulson, sophomore in biology, Leawood, with Tonia Von Ohlen, assistant professor of biology; Ryan Gallagher, freshman in microbiology, Olathe, with Keith Chapes, professor of biology; Jacob Willis, freshman in biology, Overland Park, with Craig Harms, associate professor of kinesiology; Kyle Crow, sophomore in biology, Shawnee, with J.P. Perchellet, professor of biology; and Matthew McGowan, freshman in biology, Shawnee, with Keith Chapes, professor of biology.

From Manhattan: Mark McHaney, freshman in biology, with Mark Weiss, professor of anatomy and physiology, and Maureen Ty, sophomore in microbiology, with Lynn Hancock, assistant professor of biology.

Jennifer Stegman, sophomore in biochemistry, Salina, with Ted Morgan, assistant professor of biology; Diana Hylton, sophomore in nutritional sciences, Tecumseh, with Sherry Fleming, assistant professor of biology; and Aubrey Bamford, sophomore in pre-health professions program, Wichita, with Laura Armbrust, associate professor of clinical sciences.