Seven students receive Kansas Biological Survey Student Research Awards for 2024
LAWRENCE — The Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research at the University of Kansas has awarded $7,500 in funding this spring for student research to be conducted this year. Seven students will receive assistance through the research center’s 2024 Student Research Awards.
The students’ work covers subjects such as the impact of dry periods in microbial nitrogen processes in streams; influences on wildflower diversity in a quarter-century tallgrass prairie restoration; and planning prescribed burning using drones. During the 2024-2025 academic year, each student will present their research during one of the center’s Friday Ecology Seminars.
The Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research houses a diverse group of ecological research and remote sensing/GIS programs. It also manages the 3,200-acre KU Field Station, a resource for study in the sciences, arts, humanities and professional schools.
“The research these students are doing is exciting, and we’re pleased to provide funding,” said Bryan Foster, who chairs the awards committee. Foster is a KU professor of ecology & evolutionary biology, a senior scientist at the research center and director of the KU Field Station.
The individual awards and their recipients are listed below. Each award is funded through KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU.
The Director’s Award provides support for research conducted by a graduate student. Sarah Flynn, Burlington, Kentucky, doctoral student in ecology & evolutionary biology, was awarded $1,500 in funding for her project, “How do no-flow periods impact microbial N processing in non-perennial streams?” Her adviser is Amy Burgin, professor of ecology & evolutionary biology and a senior scientist at the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research.
The Kenneth B. Armitage Award provides support for research conducted by an undergraduate or graduate student at the KU Field Station. Annalise Guthrie, Kansas City, Missouri, doctoral student in ecology & evolutionary biology, was awarded $1,000 in funding for her project, “Topographical controls on forest productivity as a response to climate.” Her adviser is Sharon Billings, University Distinguished Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Dean’s Professor and a senior scientist at the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research.
The W. Dean Kettle Conservation Award provides support for research conducted by an undergraduate or graduate student at the KU Field Station in the area of natural resource conservation. David Weiss, Burlington, Vermont, doctoral student in geography, was awarded $1,000 in funding for his project, “Investigating the utility of NEON hyperspectral imagery for KUFS tree canopy classification.” His advisers are Jude Kastens, associate research professor at the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research, and Xingong Li, professor of geography & atmospheric science.
The Mari F. Pesek Award provides support for research conducted by a graduate student at the KU Field Station. Zhenghao Lin, Haining, Zhejiang Province, China, doctoral student in electrical engineering & computer science, was awarded $1,000 in funding for his project, “Safe and smart prescribed burning and planning using sUAS.” His adviser is Haiyang Chao, associate professor of aerospace engineering.
Three students received funding through the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research Awards, which provide support for research conducted by either undergraduate or graduate students. These students, listed below, were awarded $1,000 each.
Kayla Clouse, Farmington Hills, Michigan, doctoral student in ecology & evolutionary biology, was awarded funding for travel to give her presentation, “Maternal parent drives responsiveness to nitrogen-fixing consortium in maize.” Her adviser is Maggie Wagner, assistant professor of ecology & evolutionary biology and an assistant scientist at the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research.
Lydia Regier, Lincoln, Nebraska, doctoral student in ecology & evolutionary biology, was awarded funding for her project, “Increasing forb diversity in a 26-year-old tallgrass prairie restoration: the influence of disturbance, propagule addition, and fungal pathogens on community assembly.” Her adviser is Sara Baer, director of the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research and professor of ecology & evolutionary biology.
Yufan Zhou, doctoral student in ecology & evolutionary biology from Urumqi, Xinjiang Province, China, was awarded funding for his project, “The temporal development of plant-soil feedback in perennials and annuals.” His advisers are Maggie Wagner, assistant professor of ecology & evolutionary biology and an assistant scientist at the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research, and Jim Bever, Foundation Distinguished Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and a senior scientist at the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research.