Students present cutting-edge research in Topeka

Nine WSU graduate students will present cutting-edge research in medical advances, aerospace technology and key social issues that affect the daily life of Kansas citizens at the 14th Annual Capitol Graduate Research Summit (CGRS) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today (Friday, March 10) on the second floor of the rotunda in the State Capitol Building in Topeka.

CGRS is an opportunity for legislators and the general public to learn about research being conducted to benefit Kansas by graduate students from WSU, University of Kansas, KU Medical Center, Kansas State University, Emporia State University, Pittsburgh State University and Fort Hays State University. The projects are adjudicated and cash awards are given to the most outstanding research.

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has signed a proclamation declaring March 10 as Graduate Research Day.

The Wichita State students presenting at CGRS are:

Mahmood al Bashir, Ph.D. candidate in mechanical engineering, presenting improvements in the design of drug-eluting (medicine-dispensing) stents to reduce the occurrence of restenosis or thrombosis. Faculty advisor: Rajeev Nair

Dan Clifford, Ph.D. in psychology, presenting a community-based initiative to help veterans and emergency first responders to reduce or eliminate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Faculty advisor: Greg Meissen

Kelsay Gardiepy, master's candidate in the Elliott School of Communication, presenting a media analysis of the Feb. 25, 2016, shooting at Excel Industries in Hesston, which points toward ways rural communities can better support themselves in maintaining identity and culture in the face of national scrutiny. Faculty advisor: Deborah Ballard-Reisch

Mostafa Hasan, Ph.D. candidate in industrial and manufacturing engineering, presenting an improved decision-making algorithm for choosing treatments for breast cancer. Faculty advisor: Esra Büyüktahtakιn Toy

Alicia Keow, master's candidate in electrical engineering, presenting an improved mechanism for storing solar energy, suitable for single households to implement. Faculty advisor: Zheng Chen

Lipilekha Mukherjee, master's candidate in biology, presenting research into biomarkers that can indicate the presence of ovarian cancer at an earlier stage than is now detectable. Faculty advisor: William Hendry

Erin Sawyers, candidate for master's of physician assistant, presenting an analysis of lunch and snack guidelines used by Kansas public elementary schools, in an effort to determine best practices to avoid childhood obesity. Faculty advisor: Michelle Wallace

Akshay Reddy Tummala, Ph.D. candidate in aerospace engineering, presenting propulsion and control technologies for low-cost cube satellites (weighing 3-22 lb.) that can potentially contribute to precision agriculture. Faculty advisor: Atri Dutta

Mercy Umeri, master's candidate in public administration, presenting an analysis of Wichita's formal and informal public transportation systems, which will help decision makers seek solutions to improve Wichita's transit options. Faculty advisor: Kriz Ken

For more information about CGRS, or to read their abstracts go to http://www.wichita.edu/cgrs