Faculty Honors
Susan Brown, biology, received a Higuchi-KU Endowment Research Achievement Award which annually recognizes outstanding accomplishment in research by four faculty members at Kansas Board of Regents universities. Dr. Brown was honored for her work in developing a model system for genetic and molecular studies on the red flour beetle. read more
Stephen Keith Chapes, biology, received the highest honor of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research. Dr. Chapes studies the impact of space flight and gravity on the immune system. read more
Ruth Welti, biology, was spotlighted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest scientific society. She is one of 20 K-State AAAS fellows. read more
Stefan Rothenburg, biology, was appointed to the editorial board of the top-ranked Journal of Virology. read more
Kathrin Schrick, biology, and team’s publication in the August issue of BMC Biology was recommended by the Faculty of 1000 for special significance in its field. The Faculty of 1000 is an international group of biomedical scientists that designate new research articles for potential high impact. read more
Rob Denell, our center’s director and a university distinguished professor of biology, was honored for 40 years of service to the State of Kansas. read more
Patents
A patent was awarded to K-State for research conducted by Duy Hua, chemistry; Annelise Nguyen, toxicology; and Dolores Takemoto, biochemistry (emeritus). They developed synthetic compounds, called quinolines, that can restart communication between cells if those communication channels have closed due to a disease. It could potentially be used for treating cancer. read more
Susan Sun, grain science and bio- and agro-engineering, and team developed a hydrogel that was issued a patent. The jelly-like substance may be used for biomedical applications ranging from cell culture and drug delivery (including anticancer drugs) to repairing and replacing tissue, organs and cartilage. read more
Sherry Fleming, biology, and John Tomich, biochemistry, received a patent for their use of a peptide that prevents tissue damage. The work could lead to new ways to treat both tissue damaged by heart attack or stroke, and cancer. read more
Grants
Katie Heinrich, kinesiology, was awarded a $2.52 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to test the effects of high-intensity functional training on changes in body composition, health and fitness as compared to usual Army physical readiness training. read more
Roman Ganta, diagnostic medicine & pathobiology, received another $1.8 million from the National Institutes of Health to continue studying the genetic makeup of the tick-borne, disease-causing bacterium Ehrlichia chaffeensis. He plans to develop vaccines. read more
Scientific Publications
Michael Kanost, biochemistry & molecular biophysics, and team discovered a genetic mechanism that helps compromise pest insects’ immune systems. The study was published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. read more
Brian Geisbrecht, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, published an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S. His team discovered a family of proteins that could lead to better treatments for Staphylococcus aureus, a pathogenic bacterium that causes life-threatening infections. read more
Feature Stories
Mary Lynn Higginbotham, oncology (College of Veterinary Medicine), was the source for a story on cancer in pets. read Cancer prevalent in pets but treatable
Gary Conrad, biology (emeritus), was featured in a story by the K-State Foundation about involving students in research. read Thinking like a scientist: The case for hands-on experience
Student Achievements
Prashant Wani, PhD candidate in biochemistry & molecular biophysics working in Dr. Jeroen Roelofs‘ biology lab, received a $1,500 scholarship from the local Sunflower Pilot Club.
Kavitha Penugonda, doctoral student in Dr. Brian Lindshield‘s lab in human nutrition, was chosen to represent K-State at the Capitol Graduate Research Summit in 2015. read more
Veterinary student Michael Porta, mentored by Dr. Annelise Nguyen, received a $4,000 stipend from the Morris Animal Foundation for research he did last summer on the effect of an anticancer drug on canine mammary carcinoma cells. read more
Robert Breeden, senior in biology and pre-medicine working in Dr. Michael Herman‘s lab in biology, was one of four students nominated by the university for Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. read more