Anthropology alum Jordan Thomas ’16 is 2025 National Book Award Finalist
Jordan Thomas, a 2016 anthropology graduate, has been named a 2025 National Book Award finalist in nonfiction for his book, When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World. Thomas is an anthropologist and former Los Padres “Hotshot” wildland firefighter. His book traces the historical, ecological and sociological factors fueling California’s increasingly catastrophic wildfires, woven through the story of one brutal fire season on the crew. He is currently a Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Biochemistry and microbiology alum Vaithish Velazhahan ’18 receives Soros Fellowship for medical school
Vaithish Velazhahan, a 2018 graduate in medical biochemistry and microbiology, recently received a 2025 Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for outstanding immigrants and children of immigrants who are pursuing graduate school in the U.S. The recipients were selected from among 2,600 applicants for their potential to make significant contributions to the U.S. They’ll receive up to $90,000 in funding over two years.
After graduating from K-State, Velazhahan earned a Ph.D. in biological science (structural biology) as a Gates Cambridge Scholar at the University of Cambridge. He is currently pursuing an M.D. at Stanford University with aspirations to practice as a physician-scientist and develop novel therapies for intractable fungal diseases.
While at K-State, Velazhahan did research with Kathrin Schrick, biology, on how dietary flavonoids could help prevent cancer.
Passionate about global health access, Velazhahan has worked with MEDLIFE in Peru and Ecuador and founded the nonprofit We Save in India, which develops technology to connect doctors with underserved patients.