Staff

Director (VACANT)
Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry
Developing Scholars Program
Phone: 785-532-5864
Email: ourci@ksu.edu

Stephanie Wacker

Program Coordinator
Email: swacker@ksu.edu

Stephanie is the Program Coordinator for the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry (OURCI) and the K-State Office for the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering (KAWSE). Manhattan, KS is her hometown. She completed a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s in Marketing with a minor in Women’s Studies from Kansas State University. She is passionate about social justice and supporting students.

Maria Portillo

Graduate Assistant
Phone: 785-532-1097
Email: mportil@ksu.edu

Maria is a graduate assistant for the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry and Developing Scholars program. She is originally from Austin, TX. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at St. Edward's University and has experience being a research assistant in labs at the U of Texas at Austin. She is currently pursuing her masters degree in Couple and Family Therapy and is passionate about social justice.

Shiseido Robinson

Graduate Assistant
Email: shiseido@ksu.edu

Shiseido is a graduate research assistant for the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry and Kansas Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (KS-LSAMP) program. Shiseido is originally from New York. She is a master's student in industrial engineering at Kansas State University. Her research interests focus on microfabrication, additive manufacturing, and graphene scalable technology. Shiseido holds an associates of science degree with honors from Garden City Community College and a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering with a minor in business from Kansas State University. She enjoys listening to music, cars, and painting.

Anita Cortez

Director Emerita
Email: cortez@ksu.edu

Anita is director emerita and the founder of the Developing Scholars Program and the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry at Kansas State University. She initiated Students Promoting the Advancement of Research at K-State (SPARK) Week and the OURCI Research and Travel Awards for undergraduates as well as the University Distinguished Faculty Award for Mentoring of Undergraduates in Research and the University Distinguished Undergraduate Student in Research Award.