Wentz research scholars honored with awards

Thirty-eight Wentz Scholars were recognized for their undergraduate research in front of family, friends, faculty and staff in the Student Union Ballroom at Oklahoma State University on Friday, April 19.

A poster browse session was followed by a short presentation on the importance of research and the history of the Wentz program, whichhas stimulated collaborative efforts  between OSU students and faculty, leading to many national scholarships and awards, impressive graduate school appointments, and job offers. The prestigious scholarship provides $4,500 per year to each student for graduate study or national competitions. 

OSU President Burns Hargis opened the presentation speaking on the Wentz Research Program and its strong history at OSU. Hargis also recalled the life of Lew Wentz, his giving spirit and love of serving others.

“For the past two decades, Wentz research projects and leadership awards have set the stage for those applying for graduate school, competing for major scholarships, and landing great jobs,” said Robert Graalman, director of Scholar Development. “The Wentz program has changed many lives and given OSU a reputation for outstanding undergraduate program–locally, regionally, and nationally.”

This year’s “Student Perspective” speaker was OSU graduate Cortney Timmons Cowley. Cowley has been named the first recipient of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers’ Roger R. and Laura M. Yoerger Preprofessional Engineer of the Year Award for 2009. Having won the Udall and Truman Scholarships, Cowley is one of the most decorated students in OSU history. She spoke on how undergraduate research creates a sense of fearlessness within in a student. “Discovering yourself is an important part of the research process,” said Cowley.

Josh Damron, Niblack award winner and Wentz Scholar, made an impromptu speech on the importance of research. “The Wentz program is a great vehicle to explore your curiosities,” said Damron.

Each scholar worked alongside a mentor and outlined a research project that could be completed within a year. Judges for this year’s browse session were Craig Satterfield, Graduate Office, and Scott Wise of SSI Development and former Goldwater Scholar.

Two display winners were recognized: Ashlee Keenum of Edmond on “Using Multilayer Nanoparticles for Ophthalmic Drug  Delivery and Ariel Leff of Tulsa on “Clay Brick Containers for Bio-Sand Filters.”

Graalman also recognized the national award winning students present at the event: Ariel Leff, Udall Scholar; Logan Scott, Wise Fellowship Scholar; Scott Wise, Goldwater Scholar; Jared Wittington, Henry Clay Scholarship Recipient; and Rosa Yorks, Goldwater Scholar.

Pictures from the event available here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ostatenews/sets/72157633305067318/

The Wentz Project Scholars

Name; College & Major, Awarded Project

Kelsie Brooks; Microbiology/Molecular Biology, “Contribution of G Protein Forms to Replication of Respiratory Syncytial Virus”

Christopher Brown; Zoology/NREM, “Habitat Selection of Wintering Red-trailed Hawks in the Osage Plains”

Nick Cain; Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, “Synthesis of Substituted Rings for New Drugs”

Alyson Colin; Chemistry, “Next Generation Molecular Sensors”

Collin Craige; Biosystems Engineering, “Hydrological Impacts of Transitioning Land Use to Bioenergy Crop Production”

David Criswell; BioSystems & Agricultural Engineering, “Flume Experiments to Determine the Erosion of Gravel Streambank Soils”

Kayla Davis; Biochemistry, “Num 1 Protein Interactions with SUMO-Targeted Ubiquitin Ligases”

Tabitha Fleming; Psychology, “Factors Influencing the Sibling Relationship in Families with Autism”

Ben Haack; Botany, “Resolving Relationships in Sonoran Desert Milkweeds Using Nuclear Genes”

Kaitlin Haase; Natural Resource Ecology & Managment, “Interpreting Plant-Soil-Microbial Processes to Benefit Bioenergy Production”

Michael Hale; Microbiology, “Zebra Mussel Molluscide Project”

Kalan Holbrook; BioSystems & Agricultural Engineering, “Feasibility of CNG Cooperatives in Oklahoma”

Colin Jackson; Microbiology/Molecular Genetics, “Microbial Lignin Degradation: Isolation of Lignin Degrading Bacteria”

Hannah James; Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, “Identification of Bioenergy-related QTLs in Sweet Sorghum Using SSR Markers”

Ashlee Keenum; Chemical Engineering, “Using Multilayer Nanoparticles for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery”

Monic Kreymer; International Business, “Intercultural Sensitivity Gained From Study Abroad Experiences”

Shana Lancaster; Natural Resource Ecology & Management, “Novel weapons: Do invasive grasses produce allelopathic chemicals to inhibit native grass establishment, growth, and reproduction”

Ariel Leff; Mechanical Engineering, “Clay Brick Containers for Bio-Sand Filters”

Brian Livesay; Plant & Soil Services, “Profit Analysis of Insect-Resistant Corn”

Amanda Mathias; Animal Science, “Alleviation of Pain Associated with Disbudding of Calves Using Ethyl Alcohol”

Kathryn Matthews; Animal Science, “Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in manure-Treated Soil”

Jessica Miner; Psychology, “Predictors of ADHD From Infant Attention Measures”

Sarah Myers; Animal Science, “Natural Dietary Factors to Enhance Immunity and Disease Resistance”

Andrew Noel; Mathematics, “Relating Quark Mixing and Mass Hierarchy”

Madison O’Meara; Psychology, “The Role of Self-Esteem on Functions of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury”

Katelyn Parsons; Agricultural Communications/Animal Science, “Analyzing Twitter Use During the 2012 Farm Bill Debate”

Kristen Perry; Civil Engineering, “Effects of Pollutants on Bio-sand Water Filters”

Rachel Rice; Microbiology/Biochemistry, “Effects of Signaling Mutants on Prespore/Prestalk Development in D. discoideum”

Kevin Roehm; CEAT, “Examining Porcine Adipose Tissue for Use as a Tissue Scaffold”

Sara Simpson; Human Development & Family Science, “Sex Differences in Factors Associated with Depressive Symptomology”

Carrie Tillett; Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, “The Function of INI1 in SWI/SNF”

Kylie Volk; Biology, “White-tailed Deer as a Reservoir for the Hepatitis E Virus”

Shannon Watson; Agricultural Economics/Agricultural Communications, “Agricultural and Nutritional Analysis for Wellington Orphanage in Sierra Leone”

Dominic Wick; Plant & Soil Science, “Sustainable Alternatives to Corn Silage”

Lindsey Williams; Chemical Engineering, “Immune Cell Trafficking in a Tissue Equivalent Respiratory Model”

Jeffery Williams; Animal Science, Continuation of 2011-2012 Wentz: “Regulation of GPCR34 gene expression in granulosa cells of cattle”

Nathan Woody; Aerospace Engineering, “Feasibility of the Power Profile Airfoil in Future Transport Aircraft”