Why Rabin's a Hawk to Watch:

By Joel Mathis 

Our graduates are not only scientists but leaders in the lab, classroom and across the campus. Some found their passions early in life, while others discovered it after trying other things. These Jayhawks combine their science degrees with language skills, understandings of politics and international relations, and whatever else they need to prepare for a variety of careers beyond KU.  They win national awards. And they leave KU ready to take on the world in medicine, humanitarian relief, academia and environmental conservation.

Chris Brown is a professor of environmental studies and geography 

Growing up in a town of less than 150 people tends to leave an impression on a person.  Emily Lenherr’s experience was such a positive one, she planned her future around returning to it. Lenherr, a senior from Windom, is a neurobiology major on her way to the University of Kansas Medical School in the fall. She’ll be part of the Scholars in Rural Health and Kansas Medical Student Loan programs with the plan of returning to her rural roots as a doctor. Lenherr has always been fascinated by the brain and the way biology affects illness. She fell in love with KU after visiting campus on a high school Junior Day, and then fell hard for neurobiology, for its vastness and mystery. Lenherr plans to use that mystery to shed light on mental health in rural Kansas communities.

One week into her first desk job, avid hiker and outdoorsman Rachael Boothe knew that she wanted to trade in her computer screen for fresh air and scenic views. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in management information systems, Rachael spent her days coding in a cube. But during a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, she found her true calling when she met two members of the forest service and jokingly asked how they got their jobs.

After applying to a number of universities across the United States, Nazirah Mohd decided to attend KU for the great research programs, friendly atmosphere and the iconic Jayhawk mascot. Mohd, currently a sophomore, spent her freshman year at an international college in her home country of Malaysia before coming to KU as a petroleum engineering major and geology minor. 

“The reason I chose petroleum engineering as my major and geology as my minor is because they're like a twin,” Mohd said. “Having a minor in geology will really help me to distinguish myself from other candidates.” 

Last year, Forbes magazine proclaimed “That 'Useless' Liberal Arts Degree Has Become Tech's Hottest Ticket.” Increasingly, reports show that creative thinking has become just as valuable as engineering skills in the industry, and for the former, more tech employers are seeking out liberal arts and sciences graduates. Brad Garlinghouse, a KU alumnus who is a veteran of the tech sector, has put his liberal arts and sciences background to use for two decades in Silicon Valley. And he’s building a talent pipeline from KU to California to encourage other Jayhawks to join the tech industry.

As diversity continues to be an important issue on our campus, it’s also a significant issue nationally – especially in STEM fields. Alumna Anita Csoma was recently recognized among 100 Inspiring Women in STEM by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine for not only her work in the field, but her dedication to inspiring and encouraging a new generation of young women to consider careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). After earning her Ph.D. in geology from KU, Anita worked with major oil companies ConocoPhillips and Shell. We were able to hear more from Anita about the award, her work style and her training as a violinist! 

2015 was a big year for Alina Zheng; in the same year that she celebrated her sweet 16, she also earned a bachelor’s degree from KU. Alina said she was able to accelerate through education from a young age, and with Advanced Placement credits and careful planning she was able to graduate from KU in just two and half years. She was honored at the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences undergraduate recognition ceremony on Dec. 13 and was greeted on stage by her father Charlie Zheng, KU professor of aerospace engineering. We asked Alina about her favorite KU memories and her childhood dream of becoming president. 

Major: Political science, minors in mathematics and economics

High in the mountains just outside Santiago, Chile, a group of scientists are looking toward the sky, capturing information about every corner of our universe. Led by KU alumnus Stuartt Corder, astronomers at ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) have been able to uncover never-before-seen features of space. Recently, they’ve captured the clearest picture ever taken of planet formation around an infant star. The revolutionary image shows in great detail the planet-forming disk surrounding HL Tau, a sun-like star located approximately 450 light-years from Earth in the constellation Taurus. It shows concentric rings that suggest planet formation is already occurring around this young star.