Source: James Hohenbary, 785-532-6904, jimlth@k-state.edu
Photos available. Download at http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/apr11/hicks.jpg;
http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/apr11/satterlee.jpg;
http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/apr11/tran.jpg;
http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/apr11/tummons.jpg
News release prepared by: Jennifer Torline, 785-532-0847, jtorline@k-state.edu

Friday, April 15, 2011

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION CHOOSES FOUR K-STATE STUDENTS, TWO ALUMNAE FOR PRESTIGIOUS GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

MANHATTAN -- Four Kansas State University students and two recent alumnae have received 2011 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. The award recognizes outstanding students who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

K-State's four student fellows are Jeffrey Hicks, Emporia; Emily Tummons, Leawood; Andrew Satterlee, Overland Park; and Angela Tran, Prairie Village. Recent alumnae who received the fellowship include 2008 graduate Emily Mangus, Manhattan; and 2009 graduate Lindsay Ahalt, Jefferson, Md.

"We're thrilled with the success of our K-State students and alumnae as National Science Foundation Graduate Research fellows," said K-State President Kirk Schulz. "Their hard work and dedication to research shows why they are deserving of this award. As we aim to become a top 50 public research university by 2025, research opportunities for graduate students will grow and our students can continue to earn recognition."

Each National Science Foundation student fellow receives more than $120,000 given over three years, which includes a yearly $30,000 stipend and $10,500 in lieu of tuition and fees.

"Only 2,000 students were chosen to receive graduate research fellowships this year among more than 12,000 students who applied," said K-State Provost and Senior Vice President April Mason. “Having multiple K-State students and alumni among the selected fellows is a wonderful achievement. We are proud of our students and look forward to seeing them succeed in their graduate studies and beyond."

"The NSF Graduate Fellowship seeks to make a major investment in future leaders in the engineering, mathematical and scientific fields, and these K-State students and alumnae are great examples of that future leadership potential," said James Hohenbary, K-State assistant dean for nationally competitive scholarships. "During their time at K-State they have pursued academic excellence, sought out undergraduate research experiences and involved themselves with meaningful campus activities. They set a great example for students thinking about how to get the most out of their time at K-State."

Hicks is a doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering. He graduated magna cum laude from K-State in 2010, with bachelor's degrees in mathematics and physics and a minor in music. His research focuses on fluid mechanics, with an emphasis on cavitation. Hicks graduated from Emporia High School in 2006 and is the son of Thomas and Janet Hicks, Emporia.

Tummons is a senior in biological systems engineering and is graduating in May. As an undergraduate she has been researching the population decline of the Yosemite toad. Tummons received a 2010 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, a national scholarship for students in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering. She is a member of the K-State chapters of Golden Key international honor society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Phi Kappa Phi honor society, Tau Beta Pi national engineering society and Alpha Epsilon honorary society for biological and agricultural engineers. She is also a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and is the first vice president of the K-State chapter of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. She plans to attend Michigan State University in the fall, where she has received a University Distinguished Fellowship to pursue a doctoral degree in environmental engineering with a focus on membrane separations for water purification. Tummons graduated from St. Teresa's Academy in 2007 and is the daughter of Philip and Louann Tummons, Leawood.

Satterlee is a senior in chemical engineering with a secondary major in biological engineering and a minor in biology. He is graduating in May. As an undergraduate he is researching a new development for boron neutron capture cancer therapy. Satterlee was named an honorable mention for the 2010 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, a national scholarship for students in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering. He is a member of the K-State Proud advisory board, the K-State Student Alumni Board and Ichthus Campus Ministry. He is also a member of the K-State chapters of Mortar Board national senior honor society and Tau Beta Pi national engineering society. He has received K-State's Foundation and Kassebaum scholarships through the Kansas State University Foundation and a K-State Extraordinary Student Award. He will attend the University of North Carolina to study biomedical engineering. Satterlee graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School in 2006 and is the son of George and Susan Satterlee, Overland Park.

Tran is a graduate student in agronomy. She graduated summa cum laude from K-State in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in agronomy. Her current research focuses on evaluating the effect of eastern red cedar encroachment on tall grass prairie-derived soils. Tran is an assistant coach with the K-State Soil Judging Team, and was a member of the two national championship teams in the National Soil Judging Contest. She received a Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award in 2010 for her research on the effects of moisture and drying conditions on extractable potassium. Tran graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School in 2006 and is the daughter of Linh Lam, Prairie Village.

Mangus is a 2008 K-State summa cum laude graduate in biological and agricultural engineering. She is studying bioengineering at the University of Kansas. She received an honorable mention for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship last year. Mangus graduated from Manhattan High School in 2004 and is the daughter of Terry and Claire Beck, Manhattan.

Ahalt is a 2009 K-State graduate in anthropology, biology, microbiology and premedicine. She is studying medical anthropology at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. She graduated from Brunswick High School in Brunswick, Md., in 2001.