K-State Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research-SDUR

25/04/2025

Dr. Rensing had a great time at Water Wednesday with the Kansas Water Institute learning about innovative ways to recycle wastewater and address water scarcity challenges in western Kansas. Our team is looking forward to developing more opportunities for undergraduates to research and advance these initiatives.

21/04/2025

Wonderful profile of Abbey Griffin, who was one of the recipients of the Undergraduate Research Amplification Project (URAP) grant (funded by K-State Student Governing Association) this academic year. Abbey used the URAP funds to support her senior capstone project, which involved cross-disciplinary chorographical research exploring concepts from her dance and nutrition and health classes. After debuting “The Way That It Is” at K-State’s annual Winter Dance Concert in November, the K-State senior took her performance to an adjudicated concert as part of the American College Dance Association Festival at the University of Oklahoma in January. Overall, Griffin’s research experiences have been deeply rewarding and underscore the complex relationships between mental health, physical well-being and pursuit of perfection, she said.
“This has allowed me to find new ways of processing information and expressing thoughts and emotions,” she said. “I hope this project can influence people to look toward movement as a healthy habit while also highlighting the effects on the body caused by stress and outward influences.” Link to the full profile in the comments K-State College of Health and Human Sciences K-State College of Arts and Sciences K-State School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

18/04/2025

What if we could develop on-demand 3D printing for custom-fitted prosthetics and other medical devices?
Xania Cobian, a junior industrial and manufacturing systems engineering major and a Developing Scholar, is excited to develop these applications in Dr. Zhang’s lab. Dr. Zhang received more than $300,000 in grant funding from the National Science Foundation’s Division of Undergraduate Education to develop a new engineering course focused on the emerging health care field of point-of-care additive manufacturing, which uses a 3D model to create physical objects based on medical imaging data at the place of patient care.
Check out the full article in the latest issue of SEEK Magazine. Link in comments. K-State Engineering Developing Scholars Program Staley School of Leadership

17/04/2025

14/04/2025

Let the countdown begin!--The campus-wide undergraduate research symposium is almost here--Tuesday afternoon, April 15. There will be two poster sessions in the Union Ballroom from 1-3pm (with a brief presentation of awards at 2:30pm) and 4-6pm. We will have an undergraduate research resource fair from 3-4pm in the Union courtyard. See you there!

11/04/2025

Congratulations to Vaithish Velazhahan who was just awarded the 2025 Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship to pursue an MD in Medicine at Stanford University! Vaithish was born in Manhattan and attended K-State where he found his passion for research in Dr. Schrick’s lab Division of Biology at Kansas State University Kansas State University Johnson Cancer Research Center K-State College of Arts and Sciences
During his time at K-State, Vaithish was also incredibly involved in many leadership and service programs in the Staley School of Leadership. He founded WE SAVE, a nonprofit organization in India that promotes preventative health awareness and develops technology to connect doctors with underprivileged patients. Vaithish is also a Goldwater Scholar, Gates Cambridge Scholar, and a Knight-Hennessy Scholar.

09/04/2025

Applied learning experiences deepen students' learning, connect them to community, and provide real-world application of the skills they need to be prepared for life after K-State. Erin Frenk describes her journey as an undergraduate researcher, her mentor, and how the work guided her toward her passion.

Give to K-State Applied Learning Experiences so students like Erin can keep working toward their goals and ultimately, be better-prepared for their work in our communities. Link in comments.

The Staley School of Leadership at Kansas State University

09/04/2025

Erin Frenk is a phenomenal researcher and last year’s Goldwater Scholar!

The Staley School of Leadership at Kansas State University

07/04/2025

What can the white-footed mouse’s presence on the Konza tell us about zoonotic disease risks for humans? Fantastic profile of Sam Speck’s undergraduate research in Division of Biology at Kansas State University K-State College of Arts and Sciences. Sam was selected for Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol this semester and he received an SDUR travel award to present his research this summer at the American Society of Mammalogists' annual conference in Purdue, Indiana. Sam exemplifies the power of undergraduate research as applied learning:
"K-State is uniquely situated to provide hands-on research experiences because it prioritizes faculty and teachers who are invested in connecting students to these career-building opportunities," Speck said. "I've had so many of those here, and it's helped me build a resume that is going to set me apart as I pursue my dream."
Staley School of Leadership
Link in comments

03/04/2025

How can we build resilient infrastructure to help communities in Kansas prepare for extreme weather and other challenges? Dr. Rensing is in Garden City, attending the EPSCoR ARISE Symposium, where researchers and community members are presenting on their work.

01/04/2025

Congratulations to Lillianna Lamagna, recipient of the 2025 University Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Student in Research!

27/03/2025

Excitement is building for the Symposium on April 15! Students worked on their poster designs with the help of Dr. Kohn and the today.

26/03/2025

Do you represent a unit on campus that offers undergraduate research opportunities? Reserve a table at the Undergraduate Research Resource Fair on April 15 from 3-4pm!

25/03/2025

Are you an arts, humanities, or social science major working on your poster for the symposium? Join us for bagels, coffee, and design tips at the Chapman Center for Rural Studies on Thursday, March 27, 10:45am-noon.