Goldwater Foundation recognizes four Kansas State University students, undergraduate researchers
Thursday, April 6, 2017
MANHATTAN — Four Kansas State University students are receiving recognition from the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.
Vaithish Velazhahan, Manhattan, is a 2017 Goldwater scholar, and Molly Bassette, Atchison; Kyle Apley, Olsburg; and Kathlyn Tan Gomendoza, Wichita, are 2017 honorable mentions.
Established by Congress in 1986 to honor Sen. Barry M. Goldwater from Arizona, the scholarship is awarded to nearly 300 college students across the country every year. Awardees receive up to $7,500 annually for college-related expenses. All four Kansas State University students have active undergraduate research projects and intend to pursue careers in mathematics, science or engineering — a requirement of the scholarship.
"The Goldwater competition only allows each university to nominate up to four individuals to compete nationally," said Jim Hohenbary, director of the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships. "The fact that all four K-State nominees were recognized as either scholars or honorable mentions signals that we have great students getting great undergraduate research experiences with great faculty mentors."
Velazhahan, junior in microbiology, biochemistry and pre-medicine, is working with Kathrin Schrick, associate professor of biology, to research how dietary flavonoids in plants inhibit some human cancers. He also is researching the genetic factors that caused land plant evolution. Velazhahan is one of five students who represented Kansas State University at the Undergraduate Research Day at the Kansas Capitol in addition to multiple meetings and symposia.
Velazhahan is the founder and president of We Save, a global nonprofit organization; membership chair of the College of Arts and Sciences Ambassadors; and vice president for service of Chimes Junior Honorary Society. He also has served as vice president of Medicine Education and Development for Low Income Families Everywhere, or MEDLIFE, at K-State; ambassador for WellCAT and Lafene Health Center; social chair and selections committee member of Silver Key Sophomore Honorary Society; and ambassador for the University Honors program. He's volunteered for several community service organizations, including HandsOn Kansas State's alternative spring break, American Red Cross and the Flint Hills Breadbasket, and he is a certified emergency medical technician. In addition to the Goldwater Scholarship, his awards and honors include the K-State Academic Honors Scholarship, National Science Foundation Undergraduate Research Mentoring in Ecological Genomics Scholarship, National Institutes of Health Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence Scholarship, Johnson Cancer Center cancer research award, and an Asian and Pacific Islander American/United Health Foundation Scholarship. A graduate of Lisieux Matriculation Higher Secondary School in India, Velazhahan is the son of Rethinasamy Velazhahan and Subramanian Kalaivani, India.
Bassette, a junior in biology and biochemistry, has worked with Peying Fong, associate professor of anatomy and physiology, studying the regulation, structure and function of the CFTR gene. She has also been involved with and received funding for two Research Experience for Undergraduates programs: The Bridge to Research in Marine Sciences in 2015, for which she helped co-author a publication; and the Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship in 2016. In addition, she volunteers with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Bassette is currently or has been a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement, Blue Key Senior Honorary Society, Chimes Junior Honorary Society, K-State Student Alumni Board, Gamma Phi Beta sorority, Scholar Tours, Quest Freshman Honorary and the Guide to Personal Success Program. She also is a College of Arts and Sciences ambassador and volunteers with K-State's International Buddies. In addition to the Goldwater honorable mention, her awards include a Putnam Scholarship, June D. Sherrid Hull Scholarship, Brian Spooner Scholarship, Von Waaden Scholarship, Mike and Becky Goss International Program/Study Abroad Scholarship and Division of Biology Most Promising Student Award. A graduate of Jefferson County North High School, Bassette is the daughter of William and Rebecca Bassette.
Apley, a junior in chemistry, is working with Duy Hua, university distinguished professor of chemistry, on new polymer-stabilized nanoclusters to synthesize chiral molecules more effectively and that are less toxic than previous methods. During summer 2016, he participated in an undergraduate research program at the University of Kansas where he worked on antigen-specific immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Apley is technology chair and assistant new member educator for FarmHouse fraternity. He served as selections chair and service project leader for Silver Key Sophomore Honorary; membership coordinator and executive committee member for Food For Thought, a student group that dispels misconceptions of agriculture; and as a member of American Chemical Society. He has been a Phi Lambda Upsilon sophomore scholar, Phi Lambda Upsilon freshman scholar and a member of Silver Key Sophomore Honorary and Quest Freshman Honorary. In addition to the Goldwater honorable mention, Apley's awards include first place for undergraduate presentation at the American Chemical Society Midwest Regional Meeting, Neal Atkinson Junior Leadership Award, George and Linda Hawks Chemistry Scholarship, June D. Hull Sherrid Cancer Center Award and a Putnam Scholarship. A graduate of Blue Valley High School in Randolph, Apley is the son of Michael and Kathryn Apley.
Gomendoza, a junior in biology, is working with Lorena Passarelli, professor of biology and assistant director of the Division of Biology. As part of Kansas State University's Developing Scholars Program, Gomendoza is researching a gene considered essential in baculovirus, a virus that infects caterpillars and is used as a lab model for virus transmission.
Gomendoza is a member of the American Society of Microbiology and Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-health honor society. She is an ambassador for Kansas Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program and the university's pre-health program, where she also is a pre-health mentor. She has volunteered for the Red Cross Club, its 5K marketing committee and at the Grant and Norma Davis ChildLife Center at Via Christi Hospital. In addition to the Goldwater honorable mention, Gomendoza's honors and awards include SCTE-Sponsored Undergraduate Research Fellowship, James R. Coffman Award of Excellence, Kansas Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Scholarship, Johnson Cancer Center cancer research award, Putnam Scholarship, June Hull Sherrid Scholarship, Via Christi Partners in Caring Volunteer Scholarship, 2014-2017 semester honors from K-State and the Gallery for Peace and Justice Domestic Service Grant. A graduate of Trinity Academy in Wichita, Gomendoza is the daughter of Richard Gomendoza and Christine Tan.
Students interested in learning more about competing for future Goldwater awards or other scholarships can contact Jim Hohenbary at jimlth@k-state.edu.
