Last spring semester KJHK was interested in learning more about the research taking place on campus. Motivated by the belief that KU was frothing with interesting experiments, KJHK went looking for individuals who could inform the Lawrence community about their work. Luckily the Center for Undergraduate Research was nice enough to put KJHK in contact with a lot of their undergraduate award winners (UGRA) from the 2016 spring semester. So, Erick Oduniyi, our Applied Sciences Coordinator got a chance to sit down with four UGRA winners to learn more about their research projects.
Emily Binstock
Emily Binstock is a junior studying biochemistry and psychology at the university. The undergraduate research award winner is a generously kind and ambitious individual who so gently talks about her current research project: “Restoration of the Anti-Metastatic microRNA miR-29b to Breast Cancer Cells”, advised by Dr. Rebe
cca Marquez. Emily Binstock has been a undergraduate researcher since her freshman year, so she is fit to delve into the process of getting involved in research at KU. Additionally, Emily relays the impact of her current research project, going into depth about the technical and exciting process of deconstructing and constructing DNA.
Music: J Dilla – In Space
Shigeto – Saturn’s Return
Addison Schile:
Addison Schile is a senior studying chemical engineering and mathematics at the university. In his interview, Addison talked about his individual research process, family heritage, and hobbies. An unsurprisingly cool character, Addison details his research project: “Nonlinear Dynamics of Charged Push-Pull Polyenes through the Lens of Gaussian Statistics”, revealing the utility of theoretical chemistry. Addison will be heading off to University of California, Berkeley for the next academic year to pursue a PhD in chemistry.
Music: Knxwledge – Wngs
Shigeto – Saturn’s Return
Jenny Stern:
Animals, Animals, Animals. Jenny Stern, a senior studying ecology and evolutionary
biology cares a lot about animals and their respective patterns of behaviors. As an participate in the UkanTeach program, as well as, an undergraduate research award winner she is an interesting, highly considerate, and a charming individual. She delves into her passion for teaching, aquatic life, and her research project: “Recurrent Evolution of Venomous Spines in Cartilaginous Fishes”, which was advised under Dr. Leo Smith. Jenny is a Lawrence native and worked in the Biodiversity Institute as a researcher and assistant curator within the natural history museum. In fact, Erick got a chance to tour the lab she works in and speak with lab mate, Matthew Girard. Erick was able to receive an up close look at dissection and the diversity of aquatic animals.
Music: KFLETO – Uhhhh
Shigeto – Saturn’s Return
Austen McGuire
Busy senior Austen McGuire managed to squeeze in time to talk with KJHK about research at KU, specifically his current research project: “Attachment Security Priming as an Intervention to Reduce Symptomatology and Externalizing Problems among Children with Histories of Maltreatment and Neglect”, advised under Dr. Omri Gallath. Austen is studying Psychology at KU and cares a great amount about human attachments, particularly the various implications it has for adolescents who have experienced trauma. As a undergraduate research veteran he laments his process and the challenges of researching. After Austen graduates he will will be attending The University of Kansas to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Music: MF Doom – Coffin Nails
Shigeto – Saturn’s Return