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K-State Today

July 14, 2021

McNair Scholars present summer research

Submitted by Cheryl Rauh

On Wednesday, July 21, the McNair Scholars Program at K-State will conclude its summer research internship with presentations by 17 scholars. Community members and K-State faculty, staff, students and alumni are invited. The event will be from noon until 5 p.m. in 1078 Business Building or guests can attend via Zoom.

Seventeen scholars started working on their projects this past spring under the guidance of selected faculty mentors. The summer research internship began on June 1 and involved intensive work with mentors and weekly meetings with McNair staff to monitor their progress. The scholars also spent five hours a week in a seminar preparing them for graduate-level writing and taking the Graduate Records Examination, a standardized test required for admittance to most graduate programs. Scholars receive stipends to support their participation in the summer internship.

The presentation schedule is as follows:

  • 12:15 p.m. — Daniel Hemphill, horticulture, mentored by Ruth Welti, Ph.D., biology. 
  • 12:30 p.m. — Jesus Gonzalez-Morales, biomedical engineering, mentored by Ryan Rafferty, Ph.D., chemistry
  • 12:45 p.m. — Emily Wright, human development and family science, mentored by Amber Vennum, Ph.D., applied human sciences.
  • 1 p.m. — Bailey Britton, English and mass communication (journalism), mentored by Lisa Tatonetti, Ph.D., English.
  • 1:15 p.m. — Dewey Leierer, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, mentored by Brenda Oppert, Ph.D., entomology.
  • 1:30 p.m. — Thai Lopez, English, mentored by Doris Carroll, Ph.D., special education, counseling, and student affairs.
  • 1:45 p.m. — Daijah Jones, psychology, mentored by Barbara L. Pitts, Ph.D., psychology.
  • 2 p.m. — Alejandra Gonzalez, finance, mentored by HanNa Lim, Ph.D., personal financial planning.
  • 2:15 p.m. — Sergio De Peña, human development and family science, mentored by Joyce Baptist, Ph.D., applied human sciences.
  • 2:45 p.m. — Louie Cabrera, microbiology, mentored by Ho-Leung Ng, Ph.D., biochemistry and molecular biophysics.
  • 3 p.m. — India Barnett, biomedical engineering, mentored by Punit Prakash, Ph.D., electrical and computer engineering.
  • 3:15 p.m. — Nhic Aponte, computer science, mentored by George Amariucai, Ph.D., computer science.
  • 3:30 p.m. — Ivan Bueso, animal sciences and industry, mentored by Dale Blasi, Ph.D., and A.J. Tarpoff, D.V.M., animal sciences and industry.
  • 3:45 p.m. — Lilly Maina, French and social work, mentored by Kevin Steinmetz, Ph.D., sociology.
  • 4 p.m. — Jared Medina, mechanical engineering, mentored by Byron Jones, Ph.D., mechanical and nuclear engineering.
  • 4:15 p.m. — Katie Rodriguez, Psychology, mentored by Michi Tobler, Ph.D., Biology.
  • 4:30 p.m. — Tommy Herrera, fishery, wildlife, and conservation biology, mentored by Andrew Hope, Ph.D., biology.

The McNair staff also recognizes the contributions from the following K—State librarians who assisted the Scholars:

  • Dan Ireton, M.L.S., associate professor.
  • Sara K. Kearns, Ph.D. and M.L.S., professor.
  • Cindy Logan, M.S. and M.L.S., associate professor.
  • Livia Olsen, M.S., associate professor.
  • Carol Sevin, M.L.I.S., assistant professor.
  • Kendra Spahr, M.L.I.S., assistant professor.
  • Ellen Urton, M.S., associate professor.

Special thanks to librarians Dan Ireton and Carol Sevin for coordinating the partnership.

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is administrated by the Federal Department of Education and authorized by Congress to prepare academically talented undergraduates for success in graduate studies. To be eligible, students must be income-limited and in the first generation to complete a bachelor’s degree, and/or from a group underrepresented in graduate study. The goal of the program is to increase the diversity of those holding graduate degrees and serving in the ranks of faculty and researchers.

The McNair Scholars Program is currently recruiting new participants and will continue to do so until all available openings are filled. Priority applications are due Sept. 22. Students with an interest in graduate study are encouraged to apply. Faculty and staff who know of potential candidates should contact the McNair office. For more information, see the program website.