Seven Students awarded Undergraduate Research Awards

Seven students from Molecular Biosciences were among the 57 University of Kansas students to receive an Undergraduate Research Award (UGRA) from the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships. UGRA recipients are awarded a $1,000 scholarship as they work on mentored research and creative projects.

Tatum Aikin, senior in microbiology; “The Effect of PTPN22 Allelic Variation on Macrophage Phenotype and Function,” mentored by Robin Orozco, molecular biosciences. 

Meghan Arias, senior in microbiology; “Determining Whether PARP14 Impairs HSV-1 Replication in a Strain-Specific Manner,” mentored by David Davido, molecular biosciences.

Owen Dalton, junior in microbiology; “Measuring Potential Sensory Tradeoff Using Endocranial Casts in Peromyscus Maniculatus,” mentored by Allie Graham, molecular biosciences. 

Carly Gagnon, senior in biochemistry; “The Mechanisms of Tumor Growth Inhibition by Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Induction in a Clinically Relevant Colorectal Cancer Model,” mentored by Kristi Neufeld, molecular biology. 

Kelsea Kilmer, senior in microbiology; “Exploring Mitogenomic and Physiological Influences on Mitochondrial Density,” mentored by Emily Beck, molecular biosciences. 

Udita Shah, senior in molecular, cellular & developmental biology; “Characterizing the Translation Accessory Factor EF-G1B in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biological Function and Role in Antibiotic Resistance,” mentored by Josie Chandler, molecular biosciences. 

Laia Terencia Hernandez, senior in biochemistry; “The Role of Adenomatous Polyposis Coli in Reactive Oxygen Species-induced DNA Damage Response,” mentored by Kristi Neufeld, molecular biosciences.