02/16/22 

HAYS, Kan. – The 2022 Kansas Undergraduate Research Days event is set for March 1-3 in an online format.

Undergraduate students from the four-year public universities in the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) – including five from Fort Hays State University – are working on 40 different projects.

The event is free and can be viewed at https://symposium.foragerone.com/kansas-undergraduate-research-days any time between 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, and midnight Thursday, March 3.

Dawn Tallchief, the coordinator of this year’s event, said that Undergraduate Research Days showcases undergraduate research in Kansas, providing a forum for undergraduates from across Kansas to present their research to our state legislators and other guests visiting the website. Tallchief is assistant director for Student Programs with the Center for Undergraduate Research at the University of Kansas, this year’s sponsor of the annual research days event.

The Kansas Undergraduate Research Days website will feature posters and accompanying student videos describing the research projects. Visitors will be able to comment and post questions for the student presenters. Students, faculty, KBOR members, state lawmakers, and the public from across the state are invited to participate. The event is intended to raise awareness of research being conducted by undergraduate students and to highlight the transformational educational opportunities available to students at each KBOR university. 

FHSU student research participants, in alphabetical order, are:

Titilayo Egbebi will present “Hidden Curriculum of an Outdoor School.” Titilayo is a senior from Bethel Park, Pa., who is majoring in teacher education. Dr. Matthew Clay, assistant professor of teacher education, served as the faculty research sponsor.

Jersey Garoutte will present “Fundamental Frequency Resetting in Persons with Parkinson’s Disease.” Jersey is a sophomore from Pueblo, Colo., who is majoring in communication sciences and disorders. Dr. Qiang Li, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders, served as the faculty research sponsor.

Jenna Howard will present “Microbial Isolation and DNA Analysis of Turner Hall Woods’ Natural Hydrocarbon Seep on the Island of Barbados.” Jenna is a senior from WaKeeney who is majoring in geosciences. Dr. Jeanne Sumrall, instructor of geosciences, served as the faculty research sponsor. Michael Shinkle and Micayla Gutierrez, biology, will serve as co-presenters.

Haley Pfeifer will present “All-Atom Simulations Uncover Structural and Dynamical Differences Between Full-length Human and Chicken STING in Membrane Systems.” Haley is a sophomore from Great Bend who is a student with the Kansas Academy of Math and Sciences. Dr. Masakatsu Watanabe, assistant professor of chemistry, served as the faculty research sponsor. Lyly Le, chemistry, will serve as a co-presenter. 

Megan Shepard will present “Rural Disparities in Intimate Partner Violence Services - A Review of Current Literature.” Megan is a junior from Kinsley who is majoring in sociology. Dr. Ziwei Qi, assistant professor of criminal justice, served as the faculty research sponsor.