Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol

Each year, Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol brings together up to 40 undergraduate students from the state’s eight public four-year universities to showcase their original research projects at the Kansas State Capitol. This exciting event highlights the incredible opportunities students have to work side-by-side with faculty mentors on real-world research that makes a difference on campus and across the state.

During the event, students present their work in a poster session, where they share their findings and personal research journeys with state legislators, elected officials, and other guests. These projects span a wide variety of fields—such as health, agriculture, education, energy, environment, and more, with a special focus on topics that matter to the people of Kansas.

The event proudly demonstrates how higher education helps prepare thoughtful, skilled citizens who are ready to support the growth and well-being of Kansas communities and its economy. Each university may select up to five outstanding projects to represent their institution.

2026 Event

The Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol will take place 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, in the second floor rotunda.

Applications are open and due by midnight, Monday, Jan. 26.

Honoring past presenters

• 2025
  • Lauren Apprill, senior, "Developing the next superfoods: protein interactions in vegetables leading to increased cancer prevention for Kansans," mentored by Kathrin Schrick, Ph.D.
  • Will Dodderidge, senior, "An Overview of Kansas States Collection of 20th Century Pottery From Mexico," mentored by Lauren Ritterbush, Ph.D.
  • Andrew Navarro, senior, "Gendered Pathways: In Pursuit of Local Elected Office," mentored by Chardie Baird, Ph.D., Ethan Bernick, Ph.D., Brianne Heidbreder, Ph.D.
  • Sam Speck, junior, "Impacts of contemporary mammalian species turnover across the central Great Plains," mentored by Andrew G. Hope, Ph.D.
  • Isaac Steiner, junior, "New Materials for Optoelectronics: Faster, Better, Stronger," mentored by James Edgar, Ph.D.
• 2024

  

  The 2024 presenters pictured from left:

  • Helen Winters, sophomore, “Form and Function of Dominant Prairie Grass Across Climate Gradients: Identifying Climate-adapted Populations for Restoration and Conservation,” mentored by Dr. Loretta Johnson
  • Kalea Nippert, senior, “Is extreme fire the key to reversing grassland loss due to woody encroachment? A test in the tallgrass prairie,” mentored by Zak Ratajczak
  • Ellienne Warnes, senior, “Exercise Improves Cognitive Performance and Increases Hippocampal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Expression in Female Autism Spectrum Disorder Modeled Rats,” mentored by Bethany Plakke
  • Cassidy Hartig, senior, “The Middle of Everywhere: One Kansas Effigy’s Storied Past and Present,” mentored by Dr. Lisa Tatonetti
  • Grace Schieferecke, junior, “Molecular Analysis of Benzimidazole Resistance in Hookworms in Kansas Dogs,” mentored by Dr. Jeba Jesudoss Chelladurai
• 2023
  • Hursen Adjovi - junior in Computer Science, will present "Biometric Property of Muzzle in Deep Neural Network-based Cattle Identification". Hursen is mentored by William Hsu, professor in Computer and Information Science.
  • Eden Brockman - senior in Journalism and Mass Communications, will present "Political Polarization Among Generation Z in Kansas". Eden is mentored by Andrew Smith, Professor of Practice in the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication.
  • Kian Fogarty - sophomore in Human Health Biology, will present "Do Ecotypes of Big Bluestem Grass Grow Better When Matched With Their Local Soil Microbes?". Kian is mentored by Loretta Johnson, professor in the Division of Biology.
  • Chanae Parker - senior in Animal Science and Industry, will present "Understanding Skeletal Muscle Metabolism as a Means to Improve Livestock Feed Efficiency". Chanae is mentored by Morgan Zumbaugh, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science and Industry.
  • Susie Wilkinson - senior in Psychology, will present "Defendant Counterclaim Importance in the Perceptions of Judges IPV Ruling". Susie is mentored by Laura Brannon, professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences.
• 2020
  
  
  The 2020 presenters pictured from left: Leonardo Garrido (Electrica Engineering, Jerica Garcia (Kinesiology), Olivia Harrison (Animal Science), Abigail Kamke (Microbiology) and Cesar Aparicio (Chemistry)