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K-State Today Student Edition

March 1, 2012

Generation next: 47 undergraduates selected to work on cancer research projects

Submitted by Communications and Marketing

The Johnson Cancer Research Center at Kansas State University is giving 47 undergraduate students the chance to conduct cancer research projects.

The center's Cancer Research Award program promotes undergraduate participation in laboratory research and encourages students to consider careers in cancer research and medicine.

"We are enlisting a new generation of cancer researchers and medical workers, and helping train them to do scientific research," said Rob Denell, center director and a university distinguished professor of biology.

The award program, which is open to K-State undergraduate students interested in doing cancer-relevant research, provides $1,000 awards to up to 50 students a year, and $1,000 per student, for research expenses, to their faculty mentors.

Students applied for the awards in the fall by co-writing research proposals with faculty mentors affiliated with the center. The winners conduct their research in the mentors' laboratories during the spring semester.

"These are outstanding students working closely with faculty on real research projects, and some will undoubtedly go on to be top scientists and physicians," Denell said.

The students will be recognized Friday, March 2, at a banquet attended by their families, center supporters and university faculty and administrators.

The center also provides other undergraduate scholarships and support for graduate student and faculty research and training. All of these programs are funded through private gifts.

The center is committed to furthering the understanding of cancer by funding cancer research and supporting higher education, training, and public outreach. More information is available at http://www.cancer.k-state.edu or by calling 785-532-6705.

Cancer research award winners are:

Victoria Davidson, senior in microbiology, Alta Vista; Jesse Fitzpatrick, senior in geography, Atchison; Katie George, senior in public health nutrition and dietetics, Clyde; Logan Wark, senior in biology, Colby; Scott Jones, senior in biology, psychology and premedicine, Derby.

From Dodge City: Nallely Barron-Garcia, senior in microbiology and premedicine; Phuoc "Van" Bui, senior in microbiology and premedicine; and Pamela Maynez, senior in chemistry and premedicine.

Kristina Bigelow, senior in chemistry and premedicine, Elsmore; Sterling Braun, senior in microbiology and premedicine, Fort Scott; Jimmie Stewart, senior in biology and premedicine, Garden City.

From Greater Kansas City: Jessica Long, senior in chemical engineering, Lenexa; Jared Kevern, senior in biochemistry and premedicine, and Terrahn Wall, junior in biology and pre-pharmacy, both from Olathe; Joshua Beyer, senior in microbiology and premedicine, Geoffrey DiGiacinto, senior in microbiology and premedicine, Emma Faulkner, junior in animal sciences and industry, John Nail, sophomore in biochemistry, Jamie Oatman, senior in life sciences and pre-chiropractic medicine, Christopher Richards, senior in microbiology, and Charles Roach, senior in biology and premedicine, all from Overland Park; Marlena Birkel, sophomore in microbiology, biochemistry and modern languages, Prairie Village; and Josh Kiene, senior in life sciences and pre-dentistry, Shawnee.

From Hutchinson: Morgan Armbruster, senior in microbiology and pre-medicine; James Arpin, sophomore in biology and pre-medicine; and Chloe Noll, senior in psychology.

Stephanie Jacquez, senior in food science and industry, Liberal; Allison McKiearnan, junior in animal sciences and industry, Louisburg.

From Manhattan: Leonie Bossmann, senior in biology and anthropology; Jymie Graham, senior in biology and pre-dentistry; Jacob Hull, senior in biochemistry; Faddy Khamis, junior in biology and premedicine; Alexandria Leach, senior in microbiology, animal sciences and industry and pre-veterinary medicine; David Miles, senior in biology and premedicine; Kelley Nelson, senior in public health nutrition; Alexander Noblett, senior in chemistry and premedicine; Bryanna Pockrandt, senior in geography; Neema Prakash, sophomore in biology and pre-nursing; and Preston Stephens, senior in biology, anthropology and premedicine.

Rachel Nichols, senior in microbiology and premedicine, Mount Hope; Rachael Ott, junior in biochemistry and premedicine, Mulvane; Christopher Larson, senior in biochemistry and chemistry, Oberlin; Luke Wenger, senior in microbiology, Topeka; and Angela Grommet, junior in chemistry, Wichita.

From out of state: Sarah Schreiber, junior in biology and secondary education, Centennial, Colo.; and David Villanueva, senior in biology and premedicine, Baytown, Texas.

From out of country: Xiaoyu Su, senior in biology, China.