July 24, 2018
McNair Scholars to share summer research presentations
On Wednesday, July 25, the McNair Scholars Program at K-State will conclude its summer research internship with presentations by 14 scholars. Community members and K-State faculty, staff, students and alumni are invited. The event will be from noon to 4:30 p.m. in 13 Leasure Hall.
The scholars started working on their projects this past spring under the guidance of selected faculty mentors. The summer research internship began on June 4 and involved intensive work with mentors and weekly meetings with McNair staff to monitor their progress. The scholars also spent five hours a week in a seminar preparing them to take the Graduate Records Examination, a standardized test required for admittance to most graduate programs. Scholars receive stipends to support their participation in the summer internship.
The following McNair Scholars will give presentations:
- 12:15 p.m. — Donald "D.J." Lawrence, Junction City, mentored by Michael Flynn, associate professor of political science.
- 12:30 p.m. — Kayla Davis, Derby, mentored by Stefan Bossmann, professor of chemistry.
- 12:45 p.m. — Ramona Weber, Hanover, mentored by David Poole, professor of kinesiology.
- 1 p.m. — Brooke Wark, Colby, mentored by Jennifer Francois, assistant professor of family studies and human services.
- 1:15 — Nicholas Gonzalez, Topeka, mentored by Jeffrey Smith, associate professor of geography.
- 1:45 — Savannah Winkler, Hutchinson, mentored by Anne Phillips, professor of English.
- 2 p.m. — Brianna Salgado, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, mentored by Kate KuKanich, associate professor of clinical sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
- 2:15 p.m. — Abena Wallace, Naples, Florida, mentored by Sara Luly, associate professor of modern languages.
- 2:30 p.m. — Erick Saenz, Liberal, mentored by William Hsu, professor of computer science.
- 2:45 p.m. — Michael Molloy, El Dorado, California, mentored by Trevor Durbin, assistant professor of anthropology, and Audrey Joslin, assistant professor of geography.
- 3:15 p.m. — Scott Millar, Manhattan, mentored by Briana Goff, professor of family studies and human services.
- 3:30 p.m. — Adelina Parral, Liberal, mentored by Craig Brown, instructor of communication studies.
- 3:45 p.m. — Kennith McLoud, Wichita, mentored by Gurpreet Singh, associate professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering, and Santanu Mukherjee, postdoctoral associate in mechanical engineering.
- 4 p.m. — Cierra Roubicek, Kearney, Nebraska, mentored by Cassandra Jones, associate professor of animal sciences and industry.
A total of 17 students conducted research this summer, including three who are unable to attend the presentations:
- Marissa Komp, Clearwater, mentored by Butch KuKanich, professor of anatomy and physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Charday Long, Abilene, mentored by Charles Pickens, assistant professor of psychological sciences.
- Loan Tang, Garden City, mentored by Richard Rosenkranz, associate professor of food, nutrition, dietetics and health, and Sara Rosenkranz, assistant professor of food, nutrition, dietetics and health.
The McNair staff also recognizes the contributions from the following K-State librarians who assisted the scholars:
- Laura Bonella, associate professor
- Melia Fritch, associate professor
- Adriana Gonzalez, associate professor
- Dan Ireton, associate professor
- Sara K. Kearns, associate professor
- Cindy Logan, associate professor
- Livia Olsen, associate professor
- Carol Sevin, assistant professor
- Kendra Spahr, assistant professor
- Ellen Urton, associate professor
Special thanks to librarians Dan Ireton, Carol Sevin, Kendra Spahr, and Melia Fritch for their additional support with research seminars and coordinating the partnership.
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is administrated by the Federal Department of Education and authorized by Congress to prepare academically talented undergraduates for success in graduate studies. To be eligible, students must be income limited and in the first generation from their families to complete a bachelor's degree, and/or from an ethnic group underrepresented in graduate study. The goal of the program is to increase the number of people from these groups holding graduate degrees and serving in the ranks of faculty and researchers.
The McNair Scholars Program is currently recruiting new participants and will continue to do so until all available openings are filled. Students with an interest in graduate study are encouraged to apply. Faculty and staff who know of potential candidates should contact the McNair office.