In an era where opinion is often mistaken for fact, a group of KU doctoral students turned podcast producers are on a quest to…
Sam Glaser seeks to better understand coronavirus protein
Sam Glaser wanted to chart his own course at KU. As a student in the College, he was able to do just that by creating his own major. Recognizing the need for a pre-medicine-specific concentration within the physics B.S. program, Sam reached out to program directors across the country and began mapping out a plan for the new concentration area.
In the College, Sam has kept a busy schedule with hands-on research projects as well. During the Summer of 2019, he worked in a pulmonary immunology lab, where he gained exposure to medical research. Soon after, he joined another research lab which was a coronavirus virology lab. And in Fall 2020, he was selected as one of eight KU students to receive an Undergraduate Research Award.
Meet Sam and learn more about how he created his own major, the most valuable parts of his experience, and the KU College mentors who helped him along the way.
Mason Hussong’s love of languages leads to adventures around the world
Mason Hussong’s passion for language goes back to high school, where he spent four years studying Latin. After learning about KU’s nationally renowned Slavic…
Abigail Vegter investigates religion, politics and gun ownership in America
Religion and politics in America can be messy, divisive, and contentious, certainly. But, as Abigail Vegter points out, the topics are anything but boring.…
Alex Pang seeks to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education
From the day of his college visit in 2017, Alex Pang knew he wanted to be a Jayhawk. “I wanted to attend a university…
Myra Dotzel uses lessons in visual art to solve problems in STEM
There’s a common stereotype that those who are creatively gifted are naturally bound to pursue arts and the humanities, while students skilled in math…
Camila Ordóñez Vargas launches campaign to support Colombian community during the pandemic
When Camila Ordóñez Vargas, a political science and economics double-major, traveled to spend spring break with her family in her home country of Colombia,…
Jayhawks flock to Iowa ahead of 2020 caucuses
Two months before the spread of COVID-19 became the center of collective national attention in the U.S., political rivals across the ideological spectrum journeyed…
College senior Sara Carlsen reflects on social media research, internships, and possibilities at KU
Where do you turn for inspiration? Sometimes taking a look back at where you were a few years ago and the progress you’ve made…
NSF grant helps first-year PhD student research low-income communities and nonprofits
In the School of Public Affairs and Administration, students from every background are shaped into exceptional leaders for public service who provide solutions to…
Non-profit internship takes Aristote G-Atata from Lawrence to Tokyo
An internship can help you build professional skills and apply lessons you’ve learned as a student outside of the classroom, and even around the…
Daphne Lin finds connections between healthcare and humanities
From the time KU senior Daphne Lin arrived on the Hill, she had med school in mind. As any medical professional is sure to…
Lights, camera, action: Ishan Parikh releases his third feature film ‘Ego’
Steven Spielberg released his first full-length film at the age of 25. Hitchcock made his debut at 26. Ishan Parikh, a film & media…
Lilah Wilder goes to Washington as a Department of State intern
If you’ve been keeping up with headlines, you’ve probably noticed that stories involving diplomacy have been dominating the news cycle recently. As a Public…
Starting a dialogue: Jeff Thompson and Thomas Angel tackle health issues with new podcast
Issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and male relationships can make for sensitive topics of conversation for some, but two nontraditional students in the KU…
Avary Kolasinski applies variational mesh adaptation to improve solution approximations
The opportunities and applications that can stem from subjects like Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing seem to be endless in a world where technology…
Poetry assignment reminds Fengxue Zhang of her childhood in China, helps her find home in the College
Fengxue Zhang, a junior from Hays, is studying economics, political science, and creative writing. After moving to the United States from China as a…
James Coll utilizes drone technology to quantify the state and trends of the water cycle
Water is all around us, and there’s a lot of it. More than 2.7 million miles of streams and rivers exist in the U.S.…
Courtland Triplett seeks to do good through government
Growing up in Kansas City, Courtland Triplett always knew he wanted to bring positive change to the world but struggled to find the right…
An Sasala expands the way humans conceptualize bodies in relation to technology
How are social norms about gender and sexuality perpetuated through portrayals of robots and other digital entities in sci-fi storytelling? What can these treatments…
On her road to med school, English & Biology major Nidhi Patel makes discoveries at KU and abroad
As a freshman biology major, Nidhi Patel began her KU journey with a path in mind. What she didn’t anticipate, however, was that she…
Pegah Naemi examines critical multiculturalism and its influence on social justice
Hometown: Santa Monica, CA What are your research interests and why did you choose them? Was there a moment when you decided this is…
Aroog Khaliq examines human nature through writing, psychology, and medicine
Where are you from? And why did you decide to come to KU? My hometown is Overland Park, KS. I really ended up at…
Sam Henkin Explores Concepts of Security, Violence, and Social Justice
What are your research interests and why did you choose them? Was there a moment when you decided this is what you wanted to…
Sarah Wright: Depth of Field
Where are you from? And why did you decide to come to KU? I’m from Overland Park, Kansas. I decided to come to KU…
Nathan Bowman: Taking center stage
Program of study and year: 3rd year Ph.D. Student in Theatre Hometown: Kansas City, MO What are your research interests and why did you…
I am the Heart of KU: Chemists with Chemistry
What is the formula that catalyzes bright sparks to win fountains of scholarships and discoveries that make our world a better place to live?…
People and places at the heart of Karen Campbell’s KU experience
Meeting Mary Klayder in 2009 inspired then high schooler Karen Campbell to come to the University of Kansas – it’s a decision that sparked…
History grad student lands two prestigious fellowships for research in Lithuania
Program of study and year: History doctoral program, starting my fourth year Hometown: Mountain Home, Arkansas What are your research interests and why did you…
Global ecologist finds balance with Hindi classes
What are your research interests and why did you choose them? I have two overlapping sets of interests. As a researcher, I’m interested in…
English classes are perfect prep for aspiring physician
There are some things that you just know you will always love doing. These passions shape your choices in college, and lead you to…
Zoya Khan is dedicated to building inclusive communities
It’s hard to believe that Zoya Khan hasn’t been involved in politics all of her life. Since arriving at KU she’s served as a…
Taking digital back to the ancient world
Describe your research in a few sentences that we can all understand: My current research pertains to the similes which Vergil employs to…
Triple major combo leads to research project that improves lives
Majors: Law & Society, Applied Behavioral Science, and Spanish Describe your research in a few sentences that we can all understand: My project looks…
Zachary Kelsay: researcher and problem solver
Majors: Global and International Studies and History Describe your research in a few sentences that we can all understand: What did you learn by…
After a decade away, Caleb returns to complete KU degree
Why did you choose your majors and minors? I have, from a very early age, been interested in politics and history. I was a…
Combining majors helps this video-maker succeed
Freshman Sam Blaufuss makes the best of two worlds by combining classes from the KU School of Journalism and the College. As a double-major in strategic…
Nila Khan: Taking the Pre-Med Track
Why did you choose your majors and minors? I am currently a pre-med student and I picked my majors and minors to help better…
Listening To The Radio Can Change Your Life
Listening to the radio can change your life. You’re driving in your car, bopping along to your favorite songs, when an advert interjects telling you…
Bio Meets Business: A Peek into Grace Proett’s KU Life
Why did you choose your majors and minors? I chose Biology as my major with hopes of a career in a medical field so that…
Exploring Biodiversity: Benedictus Freeman’s Story
Name: Benedictus Freeman Term: 2nd year Ph.D. student Department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Advisor: A. Townsend Peterson Research interests: Conservation biology, distributional ecology,…
Natasha LaGrega: Prepping for Med School in the College
Why did you choose your majors and minors? I am currently pursuing a B.A. in Biochemistry with a minor in Psychology on a pre-med…
Alex Olsen’s internship inspires her own production
Hometown: Rogers, Arkansas Major(s): Dance major, psychology minor Internship title and organization: Production Intern at the American Dance Festival What were your responsibilities during your internship? As…
Mentoring & Music: Julia Ogle
Why did you choose your majors and minors? I chose to major in applied behavioral science because my therapist in high school helped me…
Chance Maginness’ story: passion plus experience equals change
When Chance Maginness graduated high school, he did something that no one from Westmoreland, Kansas, had done in four years: he went to the…
Be A Jayhawk: Tiara Floyd
Why did you choose your majors and minors? I chose my major and minors because I feel like I can best understand the world…
Emily Hoy studies in Senegal
Hometown: Windsor, Ontario Major(s)/Minor(s): African and African American Studies, French minor Where did you study abroad? Dakar, Senegal Why did you choose to study abroad? I chose…
Sana Cheema’s passions for people, public service and medicine intersect
Sana Cheema is always alert for those eureka moments, when a new passion emerges that demands attention. This open-minded can-do attitude means that when…
Kyle Ta gains global perspective interning in Spain
Hometown: Wichita, Kansas Majors: B.A. Biology, minor Philosophy Internship title and organization: Atlantis Project Fellowship, Hospital Shadowing in Spain What were your responsibilities during your internship? …
Rachel Heitmann, Friend of Planet Earth
Hometown: Hebron, Nebraska Majors: Environmental Studies major, Spanish minor Internship title and organization: Summer intern for ‘The Land Institute’ in Salina, Kansas What were your responsibilities…
Lisa Martin balances it all to complete KU degree online
Lisa Martin is a wife, mother, full-time employee and non-traditional student completing her degree with the flexibility of the KU College Online. Here’s Lisa’s story.…
Leader and language learner: Mattie Bieberly prepares for government career
Mattie Bieberly is a dreamer with dedication, a compassionate Jayhawk who works hard to ensure that she’s ready to give everything to help others.…
Tyan Fairbank, biologist and social media guru
Major: B.S. biology (Molecular, Cellular and Develeopmental Biology), pre-med track What would you tell your freshman self? I transferred to KU sophomore year and…
Ella Richards, a Jayhawk dedicated to helping people
Majors: Women, gender and sexuality studies major and psychology, business and human sexuality minors. Hometown: Topeka, Kansas What has been your favorite class at KU? And…
Cody Boston mixes film major with DJing
Recent KU film and media studies grad Cody Boston found his home and purpose at KJHK, KU’s student-run radio station. As KJHK’s Multimedia Director,…
McKenzie Cory, scientist, artist & zoo intern
Combining classes in photography, sign language, biology & anthropology, junior McKenzie Cory takes full advantage of all the variety the College and KU has to…
Rebecca Rumptz interns at Department of State
A career in the US army sparked Rebecca Rumptz’s passion for international diplomacy. A desire to learn more led her to KU.
Carson Vickroy, the World’s Fastest Weatherman
“Take advantage of all the opportunities that you have, while you can.” That’s the advice of self-proclaimed “weather nerd” and aspiring broadcast meteorologist Carson…
Savannah Pine broadens horizons
Savannah Pine lives and breathes history. It’s a passion that has directed her days since she arrived at KU, and she dreams of working…
Korbin Painter follows many paths through history
Speaking to Korbin Painter, you are instantly struck by his love for learning about the past. He’s curious about how and why people lived, and…