KANSAS CITY, KANSAS Eighteen undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students were honored for their scientific research presentations at the 15th annual Kansas IDeA (Institutional Development Awards) Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE) symposium last month in Manhattan, Kansas.

The annual symposium is part of the K-INBRE initiative to identify and recruit promising university students into careers in biomedical research in Kansas. Led by the University of Kansas Medical Center, 10 campuses in Kansas and Oklahoma participate in the collaborative network.

Developing and recruiting biomedical researchers in Kansas is a priority for the K-INBRE program, said Doug Wright, principal investigator for K-INBRE and professor and director of graduate studies in anatomy and cell biology at KU Medical Center. With this program we strive to keep the biosciences in Kansas growing and thriving.

Students work in research laboratories or in their communities alongside scientist mentors to develop research projects. These projects give students early hands-on experience in laboratory or field research practice to better inform their future career choices in the biosciences. Overall, more than 140 research posters were accepted for presentation at the symposium in a new digital poster format.

The annual K-INBRE Symposium brings together the network of students, faculty and staff from KU Medical Center, Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Haskell Indian Nations University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, KU, Washburn University and Wichita State University as well as Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma.

The following students, listed by campus, received cash prizes for their oral and poster presentations:

University of Kansas Lawrence campus

University of Kansas Medical Center

Fort Hays State University

Kansas State University

Langston University, Langston Okla.

Washburn University

Wichita State University

K-INBRE is a multi-disciplinary network designed to inspire undergraduates to pursue careers in biomedical research, enhance research capacity through faculty development and retention and expand the biomedical research infrastructure connecting several academic institutions. More information about the program can be found at http://www.k-inbre.org.

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Kansas, Oklahoma students honored for research in biosciences - KU Today