Three College of Human Ecology graduate students were among 10 representing Kansas State University at the 12th Capitol Graduate Research Summit in February 2015. All are researching Kansas-related topics.
Kavitha Penugonda, doctoral student in human nutrition, received two $500 scholarships for “Iron bioavailability of sorghum, cowpea, corn and soybean fortified blended foods.” Her faculty mentor is Brian Lindshield, associate professor of human nutrition. One scholarship was from BioKansas. The other from the K-State graduate school.
Also presenting were::
• Curtis Maughan, doctoral student in human nutrition, for “Unsafe behaviors observed in consumers when cooking poultry and eggs.” His faculty mentor is Edgar Chambers IV, university distinguished professor of human nutrition.
• Shelby Magnuson, master’s student in human nutrition, for “Flavor of raw pecan cultivars grown in Kansas.” Her faculty mentor is Kadri Koppel, assistant professor of human nutrition.
Selections were based on their research presentations at Research and the State, sponsored by the Graduate Student Council, the Graduate School, the office of the president and the office of the provost. Research and the State involved 37 participants from five colleges and 15 departments. Each winner received a $250 scholarship.
The annual statewide summit for Kansas legislators featured current research of graduate students at K-State, the University of Kansas, the University of Kansas Medical Center, Wichita State University, Fort Hays State University and Pittsburg State University. A university professor and an industry representative udged the poster and student presentations.