THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2003
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN =3A
Research scholarships bring in money, experience
By Amy Potter apotter@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
For Katie Mitchell, Wichita senior, research is a lifestyle. Mitchell was able to use a scholarship to see whether that lifestyle fit her.
Mitchell was one of five students from the University of Kansas' Lawrence campus to relieve a scholarship in Spring 2002 through the Kansas Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network.
"Research is like a job, but you don't have set hours," Mitchell said. "You work on a project until it's done, and you put in as much time as you can."
With her scholarship, Mitchell performed research in chemistry in Spring and Summer 2002.
Mitchell said the opportunity had helped her decide what to focus on in graduate school and apply principals she learned in
the classroom.
One of the main goals of the network is to recruit undergraduate science students for careers in biomedical research. Robert Hanzlik, campus coordinator for the network, plans to give out eight scholarships to science students on the Lawrence campus for research this year.
Hanzlik said letting students feel the excitement of working in a lab was one of the best ways to teach them.
Students can earn up to $4,500 for research in areas such as biology and chemistry at the University. A faculty member assists each student.
The U.S. National Institutes of Health provides an $8 million grant for the network, said Joan Hunt, senior associate dean of research and graduate education in the School of Medicine. The program is operating on nine campuses and eight universities across Kansas.
The NIH recognized the need to make Kansas and 23 other states more competitive in biomedical research, Hanzlik said. The NIH observed that a majority of grant dollars were concentrated on the east and west coasts of the country where there was a higher population density.
After the program's first year and five months, Hunt and her colleagues are just now examining the outcomes. Many of the students from last year's program
are now in doctoral training programs or medical school.
"A rough look makes me think it's probably going to be helpful," Hunt said.
The application deadline for this year's scholarships is due Feb. 3.
For more information, go to the program's Web site,
http://www.pharmku.edu/kbri2003/
— Edited by Brandon Gay
Rehearsals begin for Rock Chalk Revue
By Jessica Palimenio
jpalimenio@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
With Rock Chalk Revue coming up, participants are starting to rehearse.
The five groups began rehearsals Friday, working to perfect their singing and dancing routines in five weeks.
Last year's event raised $50,000 for the United Way of Douglas County. This year's participants are working to make it just as profitable.
Each group is contractually obligated to complete 50 hours of rehearsal time before the show opens on March 6.
"It's hard work, but it's fun learning the dances with the girls," said Adam Argetsinger, Wichita freshman and Pi Kappa Phi member.
Each of the five groups are required to rehearse an hour each night during the week and an hour and a half on the weekends.
"It's a really big choreography time for everyone," said Michael Rodriguez. Rock Chalk executive producer and Lambda Chi Alpha member.
All participants will get one day off for the Missouri basketball game in early February, but they have to reschedule the missed hours on their own time Allen said.
With such a short amount of time to practice, the rehearsals must be structured to accomplish each group's goal, which is to put on a great show.
"We learn one dance a week and we have five total. That puts us up to the weekend before the show," said Sarah Morrison, Leawood senior and Delta DeltaDelta member.
It is Morrison's first year to direct in the final production, and she said she couldn't wait to see everything come together on stage.
Dress rehearsals will start March 3 at the Lied Center, and the show will run through that weekend.
Tickets for the show will be available at the Student Union Activities box office on the fourth floor of the Kansas Union at the beginning of February.
Scott Reynolds/Kansan
Edited by Julie Jantzer and Amber Byarlay
Kyle Padden, Lawrence freshman, and Jess Eystad, La Crosse, Wis., junior, practice for the annual Rock Chalk Revue. The show will be performed March 6, 7 and 8.
By Nikki Overfelt
novelfelt@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
In the mission statement of the University of Kansas Medical Center, research is listed as one of the its primary functions.
Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., awarded the Med Center two research grants, totaling more than $652.000.
The National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases awarded the Med Center $324,683 to continue researching kidney diseases, urology and hematology.
Dale Abrahamson, chairman and professor of the departmem of anatomy and ceil biology, is the principal investigator of the kidney research project.
Abrahamson hopes his study will lead to answers on preventing kidney failure. He said the goal is to understand how the filtering system in the kidney develops and maintains itself.
When this filtration barrier becomes damaged, Abrahamson
sand, valuable proteins are lost
That can lead to kidnerval failure.
Abrahamson said this was the 18th year for this research project, and the new grant would renew it for five more years. Working on the project with Abrahamson are one graduate student, one post-doctoral student and three other researchers.
Joan Hunt, senior associate dean for research and graduate education, said the kidney research program at the Med Center was strong, especially with Abrahamson at the helm.
"He is regarded as one of the top investigators of kidney development in the United States," she said.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke also awarded a grant for $327,750 to the Med Center to begin clinical research on neurological disorders.
Douglas Wright, assistant professor of anatomy and cell biology will oversee this research grant.
Hunt said Wright's leadership in the study was remarkable for a new faculty member.
— Edited by Melissa Hermreck
51
4
13