Division of Biology Undergraduate Awards

2021 - Maggie Malmberg

Maggie Malmberg Malmberg joined the Division of Biology in fall 2017 and excelled in every aspect of academic and community life at K-State. One professor described her as a "stellar student" and "bright star." Malmberg's personal traits included responsibility, determination, humility, compassion, and kindness. Malmberg participated in research and did volunteer work on and off campus. She served as the director of alumni relations for Blue Key senior honorary and was very active with the Cats' Cupboard.

Malmberg served as a lead teaching assistant in Human Body I for three semesters. As a teaching assistant, Malmberg was known for the outstanding help she provided and for her consistently positive attitude. She was generous with her time and was always willing to meet with students, to help them study and to provide feedback on assignments. She maintained the course website, developed animated study content to help students, and led weekly study sessions.

Malmberg served as president, vice president of outreach, and secretary of the Kansas State University Student Foundation, which raises money and provides scholarships to students in need. In this role, she aided in execution of K-State Proud, which, as of 2021, had raised more than $1.36 million to help more than 800 students continue their education.

Malmberg went on to attend medical school at the University of Kansas.

2020 - Alexa Wilden

Alexa Wilden Wilden joined the Division of Biology in fall 2016 and excelled in every aspect of academic and community life at K-State. Two of her professors described her as a "powerhouse" and "superstar," respectively. Wilden was one of those rare individuals who combined true talent with unfaltering focus and effort. Wilden served in leadership roles within the K-State Pre-Med Club and Pre-Health Ambassadors, was active in research, did volunteer work on and off campus, was part of the Symphony Orchestra, completed more than 40 hours of shadowing as part of her preparation for medical school, worked for a year as an undergraduate practicum for two biology courses, and worked with the Division of Biology during Orientation and Enrollment for three summers in a row, helping first-year students as they joined biology.

She showed a great desire to learn and help others with their learning. During her time at K-State, Wilden was able to complete two peer-reviewed publications — including one with first authorship — from her research, and designed an MCAT prep course that she lead through UFM Community Learning Center.

But the things that you cannot see on paper are the ones that made Wilden truly special. Wilden was organized, focused, motivated and had a great passion for learning and sharing her knowledge with others. She was a critical thinker, and she was able to draw from her past learning experiences to get a grasp of the situations facing her, and to develop a comprehensive understanding of the subjects she was evaluating.

Wilden's leadership and compassion were unparalleled, both in her role as a practicum for microbiology and cell biology and as an undergraduate research assistant in Stella Y. Lee's lab. Wilden was invaluable in mentoring and assisting other undergraduates, from training them in learning laboratory techniques, to helping them with their understanding of biological subjects, to developing good study habits. One good example of these was how, without being prompted, Wilden developed a whole semester study schedule for cell biology (BIOL 541) students, which outlined a reading schedule, when to review material, when to do the online assignments, and daily questions to practice their knowledge.

Wilden served as the president of the Pre-Health Ambassadors, as well as vice president of the Pre-Health Honor Society. In both cases, Wilden led their efforts to reach out and connect to the pre-med student population and spearheaded initiatives and programs to prepare the student members not only for their undergraduate degree, but also for how to successfully apply and interview for admission to a medical school program.

Wilden was accepted into multiple prestigious programs for the 2020 school year and choose to attend UT Southwestern Medical School.

2019 - Hallie Lucas & Fawaaz Naeem

In 2019, two outstanding graduating seniors were recipients of the H.H. Haymaker Award for Excellence, Hallie Lucas and Fawwaz Naeem.

Hallie Lucas Lucas pursued a major in biology, secondary major in natural resources and environmental sciences, and a minor in economics. Having a breadth of research experience through the Division of Biology and the departments of economics and English, Lucas presented at both local and regional conferences. She was an active ambassador for K-State through leading the Student Alumni Board and served as a campus resource for international students, while also being involved in service activities in the community. She received numerous academic awards, including that of Rhodes Scholar nominee. Postgraduation, Lucas attended Stanford University and earned her master's degree in international policy.

Fawaaz Naeem Naeem pursued biology and pre-medicine, and was also involved in research throughout his undergraduate career. He presented his work at several conferences, including the national Drosophila conference in Dallas. In addition to research, Naeem was involved in numerous service and mentoring activities both on campus and in the community through leadership in the Pre-Health Ambassadors, tutoring at the Academic Achievement Center, and guiding incoming biology students through orientation and enrollment. He received numerous awards for his academic achievements and for research, including the K-INBRE Award. Postgraduation, Naeem went on to attend Ohio State University in pursuit of his doctorate in biochemistry.

2018 - Vaithish Velazhahan

The 2018 recipient of the H.H. Haymaker Award for Excellence was Vaithish Velazhahan, senior in microbiology, medical biochemistry and pre-medicine, and University Honors Program member. Velazhahan had extensive research experience and won numerous awards presenting at regional and national conferences. In addition, he was heavily involved in leadership and service roles in organizations at Kansas State University and within the Manhattan community. He received honors for academics, research, service, and leadership, including being named a Goldwater scholar in 2017 and a Gates Cambridge Scholar in 2018, the first student at K-State to do so. Velazhahan went on to attend Cambridge University in pursuit of his doctorate.

2017 - Adam Schieferecke

Adam J. Schieferecke, 2017 recipient of the H.H. Haymaker Award for Excellence, pursued a joint Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in microbiology, with minors in chemistry, genomics and biotechnology. Schieferecke had extensive research experience, published in peer-reviewed journals, and presented his research at local and national conferences, for which he won several awards. He was involved in the K-State and statewide community, and was an advocate for science education in settings from high schools to the Kansas State Capitol. In addition to his many accomplishments at K-State, Schieferecke was a national Barry Goldwater Scholarship winner, and was also nominated by K-State for the 2017 Harry S. Truman Scholarship. Schieferecke went on to attend University of California-Berkeley in pursuit of his doctorate.

2016 - Erika Peters

Erika Peters received the 2016 H.H. Haymaker Award for Excellence. Peters majored in microbiology with a pre-medicine track and participated in the University Honors Program. One of Peters’ professors noted her ability to balance differing activities – she performed in the KSU Marching Band as a section leader, was a College of Arts and Sciences Ambassador, participated on the Human Body cadaver team, and was chair of Cats for the Clinic which led fundraising for the Flint Hills Community Clinic. Peters was also heavily involved in research and participated in many poster presentations, receiving one of the top awards at the annual K-INBRE Symposium and having her poster highlighted in a special session at the national NIH-sponsored NISBRE conference in Washington, D.C., a considerable honor for an undergraduate. Peters graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2020.

Before 2016

2015 - Jordan E. Parker (Topeka - Biology B.S. / Pre-Medicine Track / Secondary Major in Gerontology)

2015 - Canaan K. Coker (Shawnee, KS - Biology B.S. / Pre-Medicine Track / Secondary Major in Gerontology / Minors in Leadership Studies & Spanish)

2014 - Graciela L. Orozco (Kanopolis, KS – Biology B.S. /Biomedical Systems Engineering)

2013 - KaraJo Sprigg (Norton, KS - Biology B.S. / Pre-Medicine Track)

2012 - Whitley Jackson (Lawrence, KS – Biology B.S. / Spanish B.A. / Pre-Medicine Track / Secondary Major in Gerontology)

2011 - Rebecca Martin (McPherson, KS – Biology B.S.) & Theresa Barke (Lebanon, KY – Biology B.S.)

2010 - Diana Hylton

2009 - Nathan Harms

2008 - Jenna Kennedy

2007- Bridget McGuire & Erica Cain

2006 - Caleb Knepper & Philip Brinkley

2005 - Jessica Engler

2004 - Sarah Meyer

2003 - Elizabeth Richardson

2002 - Jane Titterington

2001 - Dustin Petrik

2000 - Teresa Sweat & Sarah Glaser

1999 - Tristan Kimbrell

1998 - Wendy Reeves

1997 - Jennifer Brisson

1996 - Jon Beckman

1995 - Scott Rottinghaus

1994 - Robert Anderson

1993 - Signe Balch

1992 - Jean Sonnenfield

1991 - Laura Ward

1990 - Beth Stronach & Darrel Loder

1989 - Jolanta Jacobs

1988 - Kayla Hagman

1987 - Daniel Roeder

1986 Kara Cundy

1985 - Donna Fox & Mitch Faddis

1984 - Keith Sumner

1983 - Anthony J. Kummer

1982 - Richard D. Frederick & Melanie S. Keyser

1981 - William D. Buck

1980 - Kathy R. Gromer

1979 Elaine C. Hefty

1978 - Dana J. Komarek

1977 - Mark D. Carlson

1976 - Patricia A. Wiltz, Franklin C. Rohwer & Terry Z. Riley

1975 - Randy D. Rodgers, Billie M. Moats & Eric C. Larsen

Past Awardees

H.H. Haymaker Award Winners

2021 - Maggie Malmberg

2020 - Alexa Wilden

2019 - Hallie Lucas & Fawaaz Naeem

2018 - Vaithish Velazhahan

2017 - Adam Schieferecke

2016 - Erika Peters

Before 2016

Most Promising Student Award Winners

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011