Fifty-eight incoming Oklahoma State University freshmen representing 31 majors will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to pursue an early, hands-on introduction to university-level research in the Freshman Research Scholars Program (FRS).

The program, which was recently recognized for excellence by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, offers students a unique first look at academic inquiry through cutting-edge research that's guided by innovative faculty.

"My mentor personally taught me several new research techniques and is always willing to take the time to help me better understand my topic and let me fully participate in research without babying me," said Sydnee Homeyer, a biochemistry scholar.

In the fall, students participate in orientation courses related to their majors that are taught by experienced faculty researchers. As a capstone to the FRS experience, students will share the results of their research at a peer-level colloquium in the spring.

"By elevating their education with research, these undergraduates distinguish themselves as leaders capable of contributing to the community in ways that coursework alone cannot," said Tim O'Neil, program director. "And upon graduation, former FRS students have been admitted to elite graduate and professional programs at the University of Cambridge and Carnegie Mellon among others."

This early introduction is an important part of a broader initiative to increase undergraduate research in all fields of study—not just the laboratory sciences, explained O'Neil.

With robust, nationally-recognized undergraduate research programs, such as the Lew Wentz Research Program ($4,500 scholarships for up to 50 students annually) and the Niblack Research Scholars ($8,000 scholarships for up to 12 students annually), OSU offers many opportunities for students of all majors and classifications to continue their research beyond the first year. Through these programs, former participants in FRS were awarded over $120,000 in research funding for the current academic year.

"I have known for a long time that I want to do research," said Zek Cochran, a microbiology and molecular genetics scholar. "When I learned that I had the chance to do research my freshman year, I jumped at the opportunity."

For more information about the Freshman Research Scholars program and other undergraduate research opportunities at Oklahoma State University, please contact The Henry Bellmon Office of Scholar Development and Recognition at 334 Student Union, Stillwater, OK 74078, 405-744-7313, schdev@okstate.edu or visit us online at http://scholardevelopment.okstate.edu.

The Freshman Research Scholars are listed below by their hometowns.

OKLAHOMA

BARTLESVILLE

Kelsea Hull, Mathematics

Sreeram Krishnan, Chemical Engineering

Alexandria Spriggs, Biomedical Engineering

Cameron Villines, Chemical Engineering

BRISTOW

Alexander Hall, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

BROKEN ARROW

Mallory Cole, Biology

Christiane Ley, Biosystems Engineering

Rachel Nichols, Management

Joseph Stanley, Aerospace Engineering

CHOCTAW

Baylor Morris, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

CLAREMORE

Irene Davis, Microbiology, Cell and Molecular Biology

Rebecca Walters, Communication Sciences and Disorders

CUSHING

Mariah Burris, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

EDMOND

Nicholas Foster, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Austin Warner, Mathematics

ENID

Ryan Hall, Education

GARBER

Elise Amundson, Accounting

LAWTON

Ryan Miller, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Hailie Snyder, Biosystems Engineering

MANNFORD

Macy Gleason, Secondary Education

MIAMI

Kyle Morisset, Mathematics

MUSKOGEE

Courtney Daniel, Biochemistry

MUSTANG

Jessica LeGrange, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

NEWALLA

Bailey Betz, Economics and Finance

OKLAHOMA CITY

Jonathan Ballew, Computer Engineering

Sean Walsh, Hotel and Restaurant Administration

Tate Roberson, Aerospace Engineering

OWASSO

Logan Kunka, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

SAPULPA

April Bullard-Bollinger, Microbiology, Cell and Molecular Biology

SHAWNEE

Samantha Grider, Animal Science

SKIATOOK

Nicole Turvey, Microbiology, Cell and Molecular Biology

STILLWATER

Asaph Matheus Barbosa, Civil Engineering

TULSA

Allison Lawson, Biological Science

WASHINGTON

Ashton Walton, Chemical Engineering

KANSAS

LENEXA

Connor Rockrohr, Economics and Finance

OVERLAND PARK

Stephen Fenton, Chemical Engineering

MINNESOTA

HOWARD LAKE

Ashley Simenson, Spanish

MISSOURI

CARTHAGE

William Shaffer, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

LEE'S SUMMIT

Kevin Adams, International Business and Finance

NEW JERSEY

WANTAGE

Victoria Litterio, Human Nutrition

TEXAS

ARLINGTON

Chelsea Garner, Chemical Engineering

BARTONVILLE

Jason Egan, Entomology

CROWELL

Bailey Whitman, Industrial Engineering and Management

FLOWERMOUND

Garrett Dennis, Health Education and Promotion

HOUSTON

Sara Koehler, Animal Science

KELLER

Kayla Barnes, Hotel and Restaurant Administration

MCKINNEY

Lauren Bellatti, Strategic Communications

Melissa Dandy, Zoology

Kristi Dillon, Animal Science

MELISSA

Haley Billings, Human Nutrition

PLANO

Amanda Morton, Interior Design

ROCKWALL

Julia Sealock, Biochemistry

SAN ANTONIO

Alexis Gliedt, Animal Science

Morgan Gray, Political Science

INDIA

MAHARASHTRA

Shubham Kumbhar, Chemical Engineering

By Kaitlin Loyd