Kansas State University

MANHATTAN – Thirty-three undergraduate and graduate students have earned honors for their research posters and presentations at the 18th annual K-State Research Forum.

The forum took place on Wednesday, March 27, and included oral presentations and poster presentations from more than 89 graduate students and 18 undergraduate students from across disciplines. Research topics included engineering, math, physical sciences, agricultural sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, humanities and education, among other topics.

"We are proud of all students who participated in the forum and we appreciate them sharing their research, scholarly and creative activities with the K-State community," said Carol Shanklin, dean of the Graduate School. "The students who were recognized demonstrated the excellence in research and scholarly achievements."

The forum is sponsored by the Graduate School, the Graduate Student Council, and the offices of the president and provost.

This year, Dow AgroSciences sponsored scholarships for winners in the agricultural sciences oral and poster sessions. Jeffrey Rosichan, the company's senior new technology leader, presented the scholarship awards to recognize student's research achievements. After the awards ceremony, Rosichan led a networking session with students interested in careers in the agricultural sciences industry.

The university chapter of Sigma Xi, the scientific research association, sponsored a first-place award for the interdisciplinary oral session. Carolyn Ferguson, associate professor of biology and president of the university chapter, presented the scholarship award and invitation to the annual Sigma Xi award banquet on Monday, April 8.

Winners at the K-State Research Forum include:

Elyse Buckley, master's student in grain science and industry, Chanute, third place in graduate student agricultural sciences poster session; Kelsie Doty, senior in apparel, textiles and interior design, Council Grove, third place in undergraduate student oral presentation session; Chelsea Corkins, masters student in biological and agricultural engineering, Hutchinson, second place in graduate student engineering, mathematics and physical sciences oral presentation session one; Patricia Barros-Gomes, doctoral student in marriage and family therapy, Junction City, second place in graduate student social sciences, humanities and education poster session; and Kim Larson, master's student in agronomy, Leonardville, first place in graduate student agricultural sciences poster session.

From Manhattan: Emily Archer Slone, doctoral student in microbiology, first place in graduate student biological sciences oral presentation session one; Erin Monfort-Nelson, master's student in apparel, textiles and interior design, second place in graduate student social sciences, humanities and education oral presentation session; Daniel Ramirez-Caro, master's student in geology, first place in graduate student engineering, mathematics and physical sciences oral presentation session two; Sofia Sabates, junior in biology, first place in undergraduate student poster presentation session; and Sean Tomlinson, doctoral student in chemical engineering, first place in graduate student engineering, mathematics and physical sciences poster session.

Brandon Pfannenstiel, junior in microbiology, Olathe, third place in undergraduate student poster presentation session; Terrahn Wall, senior in biology and pre-pharmacy, Olathe, second place in undergraduate student oral presentation session; Sherry Haller, doctoral student in microbiology, Topeka, second place in graduate student biological sciences oral presentation session two; and Sophia Ford, senior in geology, Wilson, second place in undergraduate student poster presentation session.

From out of state:

Emily Mashie, senior in animal sciences and industry, Elkins, Ark., first place in undergraduate student oral presentation session; Kaley Oldani, master's student in civil engineering, Dublin, Calif., second place in graduate student engineering, mathematics and physical sciences poster session; Sarah Flynn, master's student in landscape architecture, Colorado Springs, Colo., third place in graduate student social sciences, humanities and education poster session; Kindsey Myers, master's student in agronomy, Brownsville, Ind., first place in graduate student agricultural sciences oral presentation session; Taylor Wadian, doctoral student in psychology, Fayette, Iowa, first place in graduate student social sciences, humanities and education oral presentation session; Brent Christenson, master's student in agronomy, Rochester, Minn., third place in graduate student agricultural sciences oral presentation session; Kevin Rooney, doctoral student in environmental design and planning, Kansas City, Mo., second place in graduate student interdisciplinary oral presentation session; and Josh Putman, master's student in agronomy, Lyons, N.Y., second place in graduate student agricultural sciences poster session.

From out of country:

Damien Downes, doctoral student in plant pathology, Australia, first place in graduate student biological sciences oral presentation session two.

From China: Xiaojiao Sun, doctoral student in chemical engineering, first place in graduate student engineering, mathematics and physical sciences oral presentation session one; Kai Yuan, doctoral student in animal sciences and industry, second place in graduate student biological sciences oral presentation session one; and Rui Zhuang, doctoral student in computer sciences, third place in graduate student engineering, mathematics and physical sciences oral presentation session one.

From India: Dinesh Erram, doctoral student in entomology, second place in graduate student biological sciences poster session; Sankar Sasidharan, masters student in geology, third place in graduate student interdisciplinary oral presentation session; and Prashant Wani, doctoral student in biochemistry, first place in graduate student biological sciences poster session.

Vahid Rahmani, doctoral student in biological and agriculture engineering, Iran, first place in graduate student interdisciplinary oral presentation session; Naomi Ohta, master's student in biomedical sciences, Japan, third place in graduate student biological sciences poster session; Pabodha Galgamuwa, master's student in horticulture, Sri Lanka, first place in graduate student social sciences, humanities and education poster session; and Ximena Cibils Stewart, master's student in entomology, Uruguay, second place in graduate student agricultural sciences oral presentation session.