MARC Scholars

Gabe Effiong

Gabe Effiong, of Dallas TX, is a senior at KU majoring in bioinformatics. Gabe is mentored by Dr. John Kelly, professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Gabe studies the genetic and morphological effect of induced polyploidy on previously infertile mimulus hybrids. 

Lawrence James-Osundu

Lawrence James-Osondu, of Fate Texas, is a junior majoring in behavioral neuroscience. Lawrence is mentored by Dr. Glenn Adams and Dr. Stephen Ilardi, professors in the Department of Psychology. Lawrence studies the social well-being of Ghanaian populations; Lawrence also seeks to understand the etiology of depression and form treatments through cognitive neuroscience. 

Ginny Ke

Ginny Ge, of Hays KS, is a senior at KU majoring in interdisciplinary computing with an emphasis in chemistry. Ginny is mentored by Dr. Prajnaparamita Dhar, professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. Ginny’s MARC research investigates the surface activity of polysorbate -based surfactants as excipients in drug formulations. 

Seth Pua

Seth Pua, of Lawrence Kansas, is a senior majoring in math. Seth is mentored by Dr. Maria Orive and Dr. Folashade Agusto, professors in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Seth’s research focuses on creating a recursion equation for the analysis of a Plant-Host Fungal-Pathogen Model.  

Larissa Rockenbach 

Larissa Rockenbach, of Lincoln NE, is a sophomore majoring in biochemistry. Larissa is mentored by Dr. Allie Graham, professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences. Larissa’s research focuses on studying deer mice in different altitude environments, specifically their olfactory receptors. 

Kate Rosa 

Kate Rosa, of Emporia Kansas and member of the Sicangu Lakota nation, is a senior majoring in molecular biology. Kate is mentored by Dr. Robin Orozco, professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences. Kate’s research focuses on elucidating the role of autoimmune associated allele PTPN22 in natural killer cell development.

Emmanuel Saama                   

Emmanuel Saama, of Overland Park Kansas, is a junior majoring in chemistry. Emmanuel is mentored by Dr. Kristi Neufeld, professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences. Emmanuel's research determines the role of APC in chemokines to oppose colonic inflammation. 

Anjali Singh

Anjali Singh, of Wichita Kansas, is a senior majoring in human biology and women, gender, and sexuality studies. Anjali is mentored by Dr. Anthony Fehr, professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences. Anjali researches the interplay between the host innate immune system and coronavirus virus infections.

Lucian Sours

Lucian Sours, of Pittsburgh Kansas, is a junior majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology. Lucian is mentored by Dr. Paulyn Cartwright, Director of the Office for Diversity in Science Training and professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Lucian’s research focuses on the characterization of opsins in an early diverging animal lineage. 

Maya Welcher

Maya Welcher, of Topeka KS, is a sophomore majoring in ecology, evolution, and organismal biology. Maya is mentored by Dr. Paulyn Cartwright, Director of the Office for Diversity in Science Training and professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Maya's research focuses on gene knockdown methods in colonial hydrozoans.

Danielle Williams

Danielle Williams, of Wyandotte KS, is a senior at KU majoring in microbiology with a minor in environmental studies. Danielle is mentored by Dr. Rosana Ferreira, assistant professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences. Danielle's research focuses on understanding the characterization of c.acnes and certain staph strains through polymicrobial biolfilms.