Global Scholars to present research April 11

LAWRENCE — Encompassing a wide range of topics from around the world, 10 University of Kansas seniors will present their internationally focused research at the Global Scholars Research Symposium on April 11.

The event is the culmination of the Global Scholars program, which provides intercultural learning opportunities and faculty-mentored research experiences for highly motivated students with an interest in international studies.

The public is invited to attend this year’s symposium at 4 p.m. April 11 at the Beren Petroleum Conference Center in Slawson Hall. A reception will follow the presentations.

The symposium showcases the seniors’ research on a diverse set of topics, including the role of plastic in ’80s-era South Korean art, racial disparities in the outcomes of melanoma patients, how identity shapes perceptions of and experiences in Tokyo’s square-shaped gay bar district Shinjuku Ni-chōme, and the use of the lactoferrin protein in preventing vaginal E. coli infections during pregnancy and childbirth.

Most of the seniors presenting are members of the 2022 cohort of Global Scholars. As sophomores the students were selected for their demonstrated interest in global and international studies and potential for continued high academic achievement and leadership. As part of the program, students participated in the semester-long seminar course Music and Migration, taught by Ketty Wong, associate professor of ethnomusicology.

 “These students have worked hard to develop their research projects, and I can’t wait to see them present this compelling research to the public,” said Elizabeth MacGonagle, director of the program and associate professor of history and African and African-American studies.

The following are the Global Scholar students who will be presenting:

Sivani Badrivenkata, a pharmacy major, is mentored by Michael Hageman, Valentino J. Stella Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy. Her research presentation is “Bad Bugs: Overview of Antimicrobial Resistance and a Deep Dive into Preventing Vaginal E. coli Infections During Pregnancy and Childbirth Using Lactoferrin Protein.” Badrivenkata is from Lawrence, and her parents are Dayakar Badri and Haarisa Valasa.

Blake Bruno, an accounting major, is mentored by Maya Stiller, associate professor of Korean art and visual culture. Her research presentation is “Plastic: How It Affected Korean Art in the 1980s.” Bruno is from Topeka, and her parents are Tom and Shawna Bruno.

Dorothy Haggard, a chemical engineering major, is mentored by Adela Rambi Cardones, tenured professor and chief of the Division of Dermatology. Her research presentation is “A SEER Analysis of Variance in Melanoma Patient Outcomes Based on Race and Ethnicity.” Haggard is from Topeka, and her parents are Kelly and Calla Haggard.

Samuel Harder, an aerospace engineering and mathematics major, is mentored by Shawn Keshmiri, Spahr Professor of Aerospace Engineering. His research presentation is “Dynamic Modelling of sUAS.” Harder is from Wichita, and his parents are Scott and Stephanie Harder.

Rachael Lawler, a triple major in history, global & international studies and French, is mentored by Brian Lagotte, assistant teaching professor and director of undergraduate studies in the Center for Global & International Studies. Her research presentation is “Modesty and Modernity: A Study on French Modest Fashion Brands.” Lawler is from Overland Park, and her parents are Kristen and Thomas Lawler.

Preston Means, a triple major in psychology, sociology and political science, is mentored by Akiko Takeyama, professor of women, gender & sexuality studies and director for the Center for East Asian Studies. His research presentation is “Japan’s Queer Escape: An Examination of Shinjuku Ni-Chōme’s Spatial Exceptionalism.” Means is from Wichita, and his parents are Nic Means and Tonya Renner.

Kaitlyn Moore, a secondary English education major, is mentored by David Mai, assistant professor of film & media studies. Her research presentation is “The Globalization of Anime and Manga.” Moore is from Lyndon, and her parents are Sheri and Jonathan Moore.

Gustavo Moreira, an electrical engineering major, is mentored by Rongqing Hui, professor of electrical engineering & computer science. His research presentation is “Advancing Lidar Technology: Researching the Potential of Self-Homodyne Coherent Systems.” Moreira is from Olathe, and his parents are Sonia and Ricardo Moreira.

Diana Nguyen, a psychology major, is mentored by Glenn Adams, professor of psychology. Her presentation is on “The Role of American and Ethnic Identity in Asian Americans’ Immigration Support.” Nguyen is from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and her parents are Khoi Nguyen and Thuyen Nguyen.

Aalana Scherl, a political science and philosophy major, is mentored by Philip Duncan, associate teaching professor of linguistics. Her research presentation is “Cross Analysis of English and Patois in Wh-the-hell Syntactic Construction.” Scherl was born in Jamaica and moved to Lawrence in 2017. Her parent is Shaun Graham-Dawson.