Unique opportunities await Freshman Research Scholars

Friday, August 12, 2016

OSU undergrads awarded $171,000 in Wentz Research Grants

 

A group of incoming Oklahoma State University freshmen will begin this fall semester in traditional classes, but will also design and conduct their own cutting-edge research after being awarded $1,000 scholarships in the Freshman Research Scholars (FRS) program. The 60 freshman scholars will pursue hands-on introductions to basic research ethics and methodology guided by some of the most innovative faculty on campus.

“My year with Dr. Tamara Mix was incredible. She was such an amazing mentor,” said 2015-16 FRS Emily Bjorklund, an English major from Sacramento, California. “Her attention to detail and deadlines kept me accountable and helped me grow as a student. I have learned so much while working in her lab.”

OSU understands that students who graduate without a significant research experience have not taken full advantage of all that a comprehensive research university offers. This introduction is an important part of a broader initiative to increase undergraduate research in all fields of study—not just the laboratory sciences. This year’s Freshman Research Scholars represent 28 majors from all undergraduate colleges.

With pioneering undergraduate research programs, such as the Wentz and Niblack programs, OSU offers many opportunities for students to continue research beyond their freshman year. Whether interested in making a career of research or investigating scholarly or scientific questions, students pursuing research have unique opportunities to work with faculty mentors.

“I learned that I can make a difference, and that through hard work on my own and with others I can find solutions that are truly valuable,” said 2015-16 FRS Andrew Knepler from Frisco, Texas, who is studying chemical engineering. “Contributing like that excites and inspires me, and without this program I may have never been able to discover that.”

For more information about the Freshman Research Scholars program and other OSU undergraduate research opportunities, contact The Henry Bellmon Office of Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research at 334 Student Union, Stillwater, OK 74078, 405-744-7313, jessica.roark@okstate.edu, or visit http://okstate.edu/scholars.

2016-17 Freshman Research Scholars listed by hometowns:

Oklahoma

Buffalo

Max Cosby, Plant and Soil Sciences

 

Choctaw

Abigail Peterson, Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation

 

Clayton

Gage Clark, Civil Engineering

 

Comanche

Hailey Williams, Art

 

Duncan

Jordan Allison, Biochemistry

Matthew Corley, Undeclared

 

Edmond

Kristen Ball, Secondary Education

Connor Begansky, Electrical Engineering

Maggie Jones, Nutritional Sciences

William Linihan, Electrical Engineering

Rachel Terry, Biological Sciences and Psychology

 

Enid

Layne Kisling, Biosystems Engineering

 

Glencoe

Susan Weckler, Industrial Engineering and Management

 

Lawton

Lauren Guthridge, Music

 

Minco

Nathan Herndon, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

 

Norman

Skylar Horn, Elementary Education

 

Oklahoma City

Katherine Metzinger, Nutritional Sciences

Kali Roberson, Zoology

Jennifer Swinton, Biological Science

 

Owasso

Mandy Brace, Animal Science

Ayla Chartier, Psychology

Jieni Wang, Accounting

 

Piedmont

Ashley Moore, Finance

 

Stillwater

Adrienne Blakey, Plant and Soil Sciences

Blaine Hughes, Aerospace Administration and Operations

Hadley Reuter, Management Information Systems

 

Talala

Braden Kellogg, Civil Engineering

 

Tulsa

Ellie Fate, Elementary Education

Emily Nunan, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

 

Yukon

Robyn Hennigh, Marketing

 

Arkansas

Cabot

Sydney Spillane, Civil Engineering

 

Fort Smith

Olivia Davis, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

 

Hackett

Matthew Miller, Plant and Soil Sciences

 

Rogers

Kennedi Faber, Nutritional Sciences

 

Colorado

Highlands Ranch

Addison Hellier, Architectural Engineering

 

Kansas

Olathe

Baylee Lawson, Biological Science

 

Missouri

Kansas City

Jordan Cowger, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

 

Parkville

Lexi Cart, Animal Science; Spanish

 

Springfield

Audra Metz, Chemical Engineering

 

South Carolina

Greenville

Alexander Dunbar, Aerospace Administration and Operations

 

Texas

Arlington

Nicholas Pushee, Finance

 

Borger

Aaron Madden, Civil Engineering

 

Fort Worth

Mindi Bracy, Animal Science

Andrew Fritz, Aerospace Engineering; Mechanical Engineering

 

Grapevine

Shazia Qasim, Finance

 

Greenville

Cole Mulkey, Finance

 

Hickory Creek

Jessica Brown, Animal Science

 

Katy

Jacee McCoy, Biochemistry

 

Lantana

Joshua Kasitz, Undeclared

 

Plano

Sarah Johnson, Design, Housing and Merchandising

 

Prosper

Taryn Blackstock, Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation

Madison Whaley, Microbiology, Cell and Molecular Biology

 

Round Rock

Caroline Perren, Agribusiness

 

Wichita Falls

Kayla Beaman, Design, Housing and Merchandising