May 9, 2024
Division of Biology names most promising students
Thirteen students from biology, microbiology, and fisheries, wildlife, conservation, and environmental biology have been selected to receive the Division of Biology's 2023-2024 Most Promising Student Award.
Division of Biology faculty sponsor the Most Promising Student Award and consider it to be one of the greatest honors that can bestowed upon biology students at K-State. Students must be sophomores or juniors in one of the Division of Biology degree programs to qualify, and faculty members nominate students for the award. Grades, rigor of academic program, extracurricular activities, recommendations by faculty and performance in an interview were factors used to determine the award winners. The winners are an accomplished group of students, representing the breadth of biology in their interests.
The following students are recipients of the 2024 Division of Biology Most Promising Student Award:
Gabriela Beachey is a junior in fisheries, wildlife, conservation and environmental biology, fisheries ecology and management option, and minoring in gender, women, and sexuality studies from Olathe. She is a member of the Kansas student subunit of the American Fisheries Society. She works with Keith Gido, university distinguished professor of biology, on aquatic macroinvertebrates. Beachey is altruistic, well-organized and creative, and she enjoys developing study materials to share with her fellow students.
Sophia Benjamin is a senior majoring in microbiology, medical microbiology option, minoring in anthropology, and completing a certificate in global health, medicine and society, from Oak Creek, Colorado. Benjamin is a tutor for student athletes, and she was a tutor in biology's Human Body 1 course. She is a member of the pre-med, pre-physician assistant and anthropology clubs, and she was a volunteer at the Kansas Science Festival. She works as a certified clinical assistant at an orthopedic medicine clinic. Benjamin's mentors indicate that she is compassionate, dedicated and helpful. She plans on a career in medicine.
Ethan Christopher is a senior majoring in fisheries, wildlife, conservation, and environmental biology, fisheries ecology and management option, and minoring in entomology from Kansas City. Christopher has served as treasurer, vice president and president of the Kansas student subunit of the American Fisheries Society. He was a co-founder and has served as an officer of the Ecology Club. He managed the research aquariums of former K-State faculty member, Michi Tobler, and participates in fisheries field work with Keith Gido. Christopher's professors speak highly of his initiative, enthusiasm and professional involvement.
Gloria Gibler is a senior in biology, ecology and evolutionary biology option, minoring in chemistry and statistics from Goddard. She is a member of the University Honors Program. Gibler is an officer of the Ecology Club and a member of the Birding Club and student chapter of The Wildlife Society. She does research on winter bird survival with Alice Boyle; in this work, she is statistically analyzing and organizing large sets of data. Gibler's professors say she has a strong work ethic and brings maturity, enthusiasm and curiosity to her work.
Johannes Glymour is a junior majoring in biology, ecology and evolutionary biology option from Manhattan. Glymour is a member of the Kansas student subunit of the American Fisheries Society. He also belongs to the K-State Rugby Club. Glymour does research on using telemetry to track fish with Keith Gido, and enjoys learning new approaches to quantitative and statistical data analysis. Glymour's mentors indicate that he is reliable, focused and a quick learner, who is good at integrating feedback into his plans. He plans to pursue a research career.
Jazmin Graham is a senior majoring in biology, human biology option, and minoring in anthropology and chemistry from Bonner Springs. Graham has served as a biology mentor, a Well-CAT ambassador and a KAWSE Grow/Excite workshop leader. She was a founding member and serves as leader of the Multicultural Biology Club. She has a strong commitment to fostering inclusivity and strives to make students feel welcome and comfortable, particularly in her role as a residential assistant at K-State. Graham's professors describe her as driven, resilient, empathetic and impactful. She plans a career in dentistry.
Roberto Maldonado is a sophomore majoring in biology, human health biology option, with a secondary major in integrated health studies from Wichita. He is a biology ambassador, a biology mentor and a volunteer at Cats' Cupboard. Maldonado is a founding member and president of the Multicultural Biology Club. In this role, he has worked to strengthen involvement of underrepresented groups in Division of Biology activities. Maldonado is a dedicated and visionary leader who fosters a sense of belonging among his peers. He works in the research laboratory of Lydia Zeglin, associate professor of biology, where he is studying soil and its microbial components. He plans a career in medicine.
Grace Schieferecke is a senior majoring in microbiology, medical microbiology option, and minoring in chemistry from Eudora. Schieferecke is a member of the University Honors Program and a Kansas IDEA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence scholar. She will serve as president of the biology ambassadors in the coming year, and previously served as vice president. Schieferecke has been involved with research since her first semester at K-State and currently works with Jeba Jesudoss, assistant professor of parasitology, studying animal parasites in the College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a member of the pep band and has completed laboratorian training at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility. She has volunteered at clinics both in Lawrence and Manhattan. Schieferecke is dedicated and passionate about her work and plans to pursue a career in medicine and research.
Madelyn Seiler is a junior majoring in biology, human health biology option) with a secondary major in integrated health studies, and earning a global health, medicine, and society certificate from Hays. She is the current secretary and future recruitment chair for the biology ambassadors program and the president of the Microbiology Club. Seiler is a Kansas IDEA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence scholar, who is working with music faculty member Amy Rosine to study the effectiveness of music as a therapeutic tool for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Seiler is a committed and high-achieving student, who plans a career in medicine.
Emily Tolbert is a senior majoring in microbiology, general microbiology option, and minoring in horticulture from Newton. She is a member of the University Honors Program, a Developing Scholar and a Kansas IDEA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence scholar. She has served as an ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry. Tolbert works in the laboratory of Nicholas Wallace, associate professor of biology, where she is studying the relationship between human papilloma viruses and the innate immune system and has made several presentations of her work. Her mentors describe her as compassionate, detailed-oriented and curious. Tolbert was recently announced as the winner of K-State's university award for distinguished undergraduate student in research. She plans a career in research.
Trent Voth is a senior majoring in biology, human health option, and minoring in chemistry from Derby. He is a biology ambassador and biology mentor, and a member of the Human Body Club. Voth is performing research on tropical diseases in professor Jishu Shi's laboratory in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Coming in as a transfer student only one year ago, Voth has demonstrated excellence and drive in a short time. Voth is noted for being upbeat and motivated, as well as responsible, dedicated and hard-working. He plans to pursue a career in medicine.
Helen Winters is a junior majoring in biology, ecology and evolutionary biology option, and fisheries, wildlife, conservation and environmental biology, conservation biology option, and earning a certificate in geographic information systems from Bennington. She is a member of the University Honors Program. Winters is an officer of the K-State Wildlife Society student chapter and a future biology ambassador for 2024-2025. She does research with professor Loretta Johnson's group, studying the adaptation of the grass big bluestem to locations that vary in precipitation. It was recently announced that Winters is a winner of a nationally competitive Goldwater scholarship. She is an exceptional writer and an astute beginning scientist who plans a career in research.
Lexi Ziolo is a senior in microbiology, medical microbiology option, and biochemistry, medical track, minoring in chemistry from Tonganoxie. Ziolo is a member of the University Honors Program, pre-health ambassadors and the Pre-Medical Club. Ziolo does research with Anna Zolkiewska, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics, where she is studying the role of a mitochondrial protein in neutrophil differentiation. Ziolo also works as an emergency medical technician for Riley County, a job in which she is able to help people and has learned to stay calm in challenging situations. She is capable, always demonstrates willingness to learn new things, and is an excellent team player. Ziolo plans to pursue a career as a physician.
The faculty of the Division of Biology are delighted to award these outstanding students the Most Promising Student Award and look forward to their continued success in their respective fields.