K-INBRE alumni
Nicole Harris
B.S. Biology, Spring 2005 Mentor: Dr. Tim Burnett
I am getting ready to start my second year of medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. However, before starting medical school and after ESU I got my Masters degree in Biomedical Sciences from KCUMB. The experience through the KINBRE program allowed me to explore a whole new world of research that I had previously been unaware of. It prepared me to not only conduct my own primary research, which is rare as an undergrad, but it also prepared me for my thesis while getting my masters degree. It has sparked my interest to not only follow my dream to become a doctor, but also how I can incorporate research into that. I had a wonderful expierence through the KINBRE program and think it is a great oppurtunity for any student. (Submitted August 2007)
Tom Resch
B.S Chemistry; Spring 2004 Mentor: Dr. Mike Keck
I had the opportunity to conduct my undergraduate research under Dr. Michael Keck, a fantastic professor and advisor, who not only guided my research but also influenced my original decision to become a chemistry major. The skills and experience that I gained while doing undergraduate research not only prepared me for future research but also gave me an appreciation of the challenges and difficulties associated with scientific research. Now as a medical student I feel that I have a much better understanding of how some of our current medical knowledge was obtained. Furthermore, I am much more likely to consider doing laboratory research while concurrently working as a medical doctor in the future. (Submitted August 2007)
Sarah DeDonder (née Schul)
B.S Biology; Spring 2004 Mentor: Dr. Lee Sudlow
I am currently working on Master's in Pathobiology at Kansas State University in the Diagnostic Medicine/Pathiobiology Department. My current project involves using the technique of transmission electron microscopy to analyze the morphological differences that occur in vertebrates and invertebrates infected with Ehrlichia chaffeensis.
Prior to receiving the KBRIN grant I was unsure of what I wanted to do post-graduation. Receiving the grant gave me the opportunity to conduct my own research and help me decide my career path. It also gave me the chance to present my own research. After a year of researching I decided to apply to graduate school to work towards a Masters in Pathobiology. Overall receiving this grant helped give me gain the motivation to further my knowledge in the research field by working towards a graduate degree. (Submitted January 2006)
Cody Snyder
B.S. Biology; Fall 2003 Mentor: Dr. Tim Burnett
M.S. Biology Spring 2005
Undergraduate research has helped me to explore the ideas of being in the lab, and helped to give me valuable experience that I would not have otherwise had. (Submitted January 2006)
Jeri Howard (néeToepfer)
B.S. Biology Spring 2003 Mentor: Dr. Scott Crupper M.S. Biology Spring 2005
I'm working at Intervet, Inc which is a portion of Akzo Nobel. We're a veterinary pharmaceutical company. Our facility focuses on large animals (livestock) (cows, pigs and horses). We also have a companion animal facility in Delaware which focuses on dogs, cats, birds etc. I'm a lab technician.
As for K-BRIN helping me, it gave me the ability to get into a lab sooner which enabled me to learn more techniques and expand my research abilities. The additional techniques I learned made me more marketable because I had a larger variety of skills. K-BRIN also helped with networking and knowing where resources were available. (Submitted January 2006)
Seth Vernon
B.A Chemistry; Spring 2004 Mentor: Dr. Mike Keck
Research in chemistry gave me a greater appreciation for all those who do bench research; it's tough, tedious, and often frustrating. It also helped me better understand the basic sciences we were taught during the first year of medical school. I was familiar with many of the methods and techniques we discussed in biochemistry and histology. (Submitted August 2007)
Daphne Mayes (née Jones)
B.S. Biology; Summer 2006 Mentor: Dr. Lynnette Sievert
"My involvement in the KINBRE program with Dr. Sievert served as an important foundation for the following years as a Peace Corps Master’s International graduate student through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (M.S. Natural Resources, December 2011). For this program I created and conducted an independent research project in Zambia and wrote a booklet serving as an educational tool focusing on pollinator conservation, entitled “Pollinators in Africa: Understanding is the First Step to Protecting. Working in Dr. Sievert's lab was an extraordinary experience that encouraged a hands-on approach to investigating biology." (Submitted December 2011)