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K-State Today

April 28, 2023

Division of Biology names most promising students

Submitted by Nancy Thompson

Twelve sophomores and juniors in biology, microbiology, and fisheries, wildlife, conservation, and environmental biology will receive the Division of Biology's 2022-2023 Most Promising Student Awards.

Faculty nominated students for the award. Grades, rigor of academic program, extracurricular activities, recommendations by faculty, and performance in an interview were factors used to determine the award winners. Division of Biology faculty sponsor the Most Promising Student Award and consider it to be one of the greatest honors bestowed upon biology students at K-State. The winners are an accomplished group of students, representing the breadth of biology in their interests.

The following students are recipients of the 2023 Division of Biology Most Promising Student Award:

Michael Bartkoski is a junior majoring in microbiology, medical microbiology option, and biochemistry, medical track, from Lenexa. He is a member of the University Honors Program. Bartkoski is the president of the College of Arts and Sciences Ambassadors and has been successful at increasing the group's membership. Bartkoski also serves as a mentor to freshman biology students. He works in the research laboratory of Pankaj Baral, investigating host defenses against a fungal pathogen. Bartkoski's mentors say he is dedicated, hard-working and able to empower others to achieve a shared goal.

Emily Burnett is a sophomore in fisheries, wildlife, conservation, and environmental biology, environmental biology option, and environmental science from Overland Park. She works with Walter Dodds in the Division of Biology on bison and cattle effects on riparian vegetation and stream sediments. Burnett serves as a mentor to first-year biology students. She will chair the Biology Ambassadors' public relations and social media committee in the upcoming year. Burnett's professors say she is a hard worker who is upbeat and excellent at working with people.

Luke Carney is a junior from Andover in fisheries, wildlife, conservation and environmental biology, wildlife ecology and management option. He is earning a certificate in geographic information systems. Carney is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who is conducting research with Brian McCornack in the entomology department and Andrew Hope in the Division of Biology. With the Hope group, he has prepared specimens for research and education. Professors say Carney is mature, organized, disciplined, and has an excellent sense of humor. He is looking forward to continuing his research on small mammals.

Hailey Casey is a junior in biology, human health biology option, and integrated health studies minoring in Spanish from Hays. She works in Katsura Asano's lab in the Division of Biology, where she has demonstrated that she is a quick learner and a highly motivated researcher. Casey has served in leadership roles in the sign language club and is a volunteer with Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice. She is participating in the University of Kansas School of Medicine Scholars in Rural Health program, which assures admission to medical school for scholars who successfully complete the program.

Jordyn Coonrod is a junior in biology, human health option, from Ellsworth. Coonrod has been a mentor for freshman biology majors through the Division of Biology's mentoring program. She enjoys music and serves as president of K-State's Audacity A Cappella group. Coonrod's professors describe her as thoughtful, reliable, and focused. She is a University of Kansas School of Medicine Scholar in Rural Health and plans to pursue a career in family medicine.

Victoria Droge is a junior in microbiology, medical microbiology option, and biological systems engineering from Manhattan. She performs microbiology research with Revathi Govind in the Division of Biology. Droge is recruitment chair of the Biology Ambassadors and is also an ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry. She is a member of the Engineering Leadership and Innovation Program, which offers experience in business and leadership. Professors say Droge is a self-starter who is organized, highly motivated, and passionate about her planned career in industry research.

Dylan Feist is a junior in microbiology, medical microbiology option, and biochemistry, medical track, from Lenexa. He works in the research laboratory of Erika Geisbrecht in the biochemistry and molecular biophysics department. He is a College of Arts and Sciences Ambassador. Feist is also a certified nurse assistant who works as a patient care assistant in the floating nurses' pool of the University of Kansas Health Care System. Feist's professors say that he is bright, curious, committed and eager to learn. He plans to pursue a career that combines research and medicine.

Kian Fogarty is a sophomore in biology, human health option, from Olathe. He works in Loretta Johnson's research group, investigating effects of the soil microbiome on the grass, big bluestem. This spring he presented his work at Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol in Topeka. Fogarty is a volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Habitat for Humanity. His professors say he is intellectually curious, collaborative and hard-working. Fogarty plans to combine medicine and research in his career.

Alexa Heseltine is a sophomore in microbiology, medical microbiology option, minoring in gender, women, and sexuality studies and earning a global health, medicine, and society certificate from Derby. She is a member of the University Honors Program. Heseltine is president-elect of the Biology Ambassadors and chair of the ambassador's committee on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She works in the research group of Jishu Shi in the anatomy and physiology department and with Justin Kastner in the diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department. Heseltine's professors say she is intellectually curious and a self-starter. She was recently awarded a Chapman scholarship for the upcoming year. Heseltine is interested in pursuing a career in public health.

Abby Schmidt is a junior in fisheries, wildlife, conservation, and environmental biology, environmental biology option, with a secondary major in natural resources and environmental science from Shawnee. Schmidt is a natural leader who works with the Division of Biology's mentoring program to mentor first-year students. She is co-founder and vice-president of the ecology club. Schmidt contributes to grassland ecology research on the Konza Prairie, working with the group of Zak Ratajczak. Schmidt's professors describe her as independent, reliable and upbeat.

Klara Stevermer is a junior in biology, ecology and evolutionary biology option, minoring in Spanish from Shawnee. She is performing research with Zak Ratajczak, investigating bison wallows as aquatic habitats. Stevermer is flexible and learns quickly. She is a member of the ecology club and the Lions club. She is interested in a career in ecology or conservation.

Will Sydzyik is a junior in biology, human health option, minoring in business from Lenexa. He is a College of Arts and Sciences Ambassador and serves as communications chair for that group. Sydzyik is investigating genetics and cell biology in Anna Zinovyeva's lab in biology. According to professors, he is independent, resourceful and excellent at critical thinking. Sydzyik recently won an award for his poster presentation at the Kansas IDEA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence symposium. He is planning to pursue a career in medicine.