Kansas State University

K-State graduate students to present research at the state Capitol in Topeka

Submitted by Michael Sellman

Ten graduate students are heading to the Capitol Building on Thursday, March 21, to showcase their research to state legislators and the public. These graduate students will represent K-State at the 21st annual Capitol Graduate Research Summit along with graduate students from other Kansas Regents institutions. The presenting students were chosen as winners for their outstanding presentations during the Research and the State poster forum in October 2023.

The summit will take place on the first floor of the capitol rotunda. Students will present their research posters from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. while interacting with state legislators and the public.

The Capitol Graduate Research Summit is an annual research showcase coordinated by K-State in partnership with Emporia State University, Fort Hayes State University, Pittsburg State University, the University of Kansas, the University of Kansas Medical Center and Wichita State University.

The following K-State graduate students will share their research posters at the 2024 summit:

• Amirsalar Bagheri, doctoral student in chemical engineering, "Application of artificial intelligence in optimizing green ammonia production."
• Andrea Salazar, doctoral student in entomology, "Reducing tick populations through prescribed burning."
• Adi Siegmann, master's student in human development and family science, "Couple and Family Therapy Demographic predictors and mental health outcomes of therapy attendance."
• Fidelis Onwuagba, master's student in geology, "Uranium in groundwater and its potentials as a natural contaminant in the Cherokee Basin, Southeastern Kansas."
• Holly Ellis, master's student in architecture, "Redefining traditional long-term care senior living residences through accessible resource implementation to promote healthier seniors."
• Jaymi Peterson, doctoral student in food, nutrition, dietetics and health, "Effects of PH and wet cooking on sorghum starch digestibility, phenolic profile, and cell bioactivity."
• Manivannan Selladurai, doctoral student in grain science, "Silica dusts for grain protection: a sustainable alternative to chemical insecticides."
• Ramona Weber, doctoral student in health and human sciences specializing in kinesiology, "Effect of dietary nitrate supplementation on tumor oxygenation."
• Reza Nematirad, doctoral student in electrical and computer engineering, "Designing an optimal photovoltaic system with peak demand reduction."
• Savannah Stewart, doctoral student in food science, "Efficacy of commercially available sanitizers on experimentally inoculated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. Coli) biolfilms."

Visit the Capitol Graduate Research Summit website for more information. Questions about the summit may be directed to Megan Miller, Graduate School assistant director of student success, at mmmiller@k-state.edu.