News


Fri, 05/09/2025

KU celebrates undergraduate research, announces presentation winners

More than 130 undergraduate students participated in the 28th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, which featured Jayhawks' original mentored scholarship as well as artists’ talks and creative displays from many disciplines.
Wed, 05/07/2025

KU announces new 2025-2026 Self Memorial Scholars

Twenty students have been selected to receive the merit-based University of Kansas Madison and Lila Self Memorial Scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year, awarded to outstanding Jayhawks who will be transitioning into their first year of a master’s or doctoral program at KU.
Wed, 05/07/2025

KU faculty honored as 2025 Kemper Fellows for Teaching Excellence

Five KU faculty members were honored with the William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence award, recognizing their commitment and contributions to teaching excellence on KU Lawrence’s campus during the spring 2025 semester.
Tue, 05/06/2025

KU Biology Students receive Spring 2025 Scholarships and Awards

The Undergraduate Biology Program awarded nearly $35,000 in awards and scholarships to students in Spring 2025.
Thu, 05/01/2025

KU students honored with Tradition of Excellence Award

Ten University of Kansas students received the 2025 Tradition of Excellence Award for their leadership on the Lawrence campus. The award is presented annually by the KU Alumni Association and the Student Alumni Network.
Wed, 04/30/2025

Molecular Biosciences Undergraduates Presented their Research Posters

Over 60 undergrads from Molecular Biosciences majoring in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and MCDB gave poster presentations of their research at the 28th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Wed, 04/30/2025

Research Published on Metacognitive Mapping and Implementation of Better Teaching Practices

A recently published paper highlights students’ struggles with higher order cognitive skills in differing course formats and how teaching practices can be altered to better serve student needs.
Mon, 04/28/2025

Undergraduate Biology Student Researcher: Kai Smith

A Q&A with Kai Smith! Kai is currently a junior majoring in biochemistry with a minor in astrobiology. He is mentored by Elisabeth Anne Crossfield Mills in Physics and Astronomy.
Mon, 04/28/2025

KU announces new 2025-2029 Self Graduate Fellows

Twenty doctoral students have been selected to receive the University of Kansas’ prestigious Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship for the 2025-2026 academic year. This is the largest cohort in the program's history. The total value of the four-year doctoral fellowship exceeds $225,000.
Tue, 04/22/2025

Hybrid research symposium planned for Undergraduate Research Week

The Center for Undergraduate Research at the University of Kansas is hosting online and in-person research presentations through April 25 to celebrate Undergraduate Research Week, featuring the work of more than 150 Jayhawks.
Tue, 04/15/2025

KU Biology Student Earns the Congressional Award Gold Medal

Mahith S. has earned a Congressional Award Gold Medal through tireless effort in voluntary public service and personal development.
Fri, 04/11/2025

KU undergraduates Kyra Schrock and Ian Shire receive Courtwright Awards

Two University of Kansas students who earned Undergraduate Research Awards are the recipients of the Courtwright Award for Undergraduate Research Excellence for spring 2025 through KU’s Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships.
Wed, 04/09/2025

Junior from Shawnee is KU’s 80th Barry M. Goldwater Scholar

The only students eligible for nomination are sophomore- and junior-level students with outstanding academic records, significant research experience and high potential for careers in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering. Alexa Magstadt is majoring in molecular, cellular & developmental biology and minoring in Spanish.
Wed, 04/09/2025

Two KU juniors to compete for Astronaut Scholarships

Two outstanding University of Kansas undergraduates are representing KU in the Astronaut Scholarship program. The six surviving members of the Mercury 7 mission founded the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) in 1984 to encourage students to pursue scientific endeavors to keep the U.S. on the leading edge of technology.
Mon, 02/24/2025

KU students to present at Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol

Undergraduate researchers from the University of Kansas Lawrence and Medical Center campuses will present their research projects Feb. 26 as part of Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol.
Fri, 02/21/2025

University announces December, January Employees of the Month

The University of Kansas has honored outstanding employees on the Lawrence campus for months of December 2024 and January 2025.
Mon, 02/17/2025

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Welcomes Jennifer Johnson to Faculty

Assistant Professor of Plant Ecophysiology joins the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and will be conducting research on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence.
Tue, 02/11/2025

University of Kansas announces fall 2024 honor roll

More than 8,900 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the fall 2024 semester.
Fri, 02/07/2025

KU nominates 4 students for Goldwater Scholarship

Four University of Kansas honors students who have been actively involved in undergraduate research during their university careers are competing for Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships, regarded as the premier undergraduate award to encourage excellence in science, engineering and mathematics.
Fri, 02/07/2025

Jayhawks named semifinalists for student Fulbright awards

Six University of Kansas students and alumni have advanced to the semifinalist round for Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards, which will provide funding to study, conduct research or teach English abroad for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Fri, 01/31/2025

Eight faculty members awarded Research-Intensive Course Grants for spring 2025

In an effort to provide research opportunities to more students, eight faculty members will work with the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships this spring to redesign portions of their courses to include a larger research or creative component.
Fri, 01/31/2025

Two KU researchers chosen for prestigious early-career presidential award

Two KU professors — Anthony Fehr, associate professor of molecular biosciences, and Gibum Kwon, associate professor of mechanical engineering — were recently chosen for the PECASE Award, the highest honor given by the U.S. government to early-career researchers who show great potential for leading scientific advancements in the 21st century.
Mon, 01/27/2025

49 KU students receive Undergraduate Research Awards for spring

This spring, 49 University of Kansas students received an Undergraduate Research Award (UGRA) from the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships. UGRA recipients are awarded a $1,000 scholarship as they work on mentored research and creative projects.
Tue, 01/07/2025

$2.5M grant will support nature-based study of pathogen resistance in perennial crop systems

A new five-year, $2.5 million grant will support a KU-led project exploring alternative routes to pathogen resistance in a potential perennial oilseed crop, silflower (Silphium integrifolium). The project is funded through the federal program on Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases.
Mon, 12/09/2024

KU professors implement alternative teaching method in biology classrooms

A new article on teaching methods has been published by two University of Kansas professors with the Undergraduate Biology Program.
Mon, 11/25/2024

Molecular Biosciences Welcomes Coral Y. Zhou to Faculty

Assistant professor joins the Department of Molecular Biosciences and aims to conduct research in 3D genome organization in the context of embryogenesis, evolution and human health.
Thu, 11/21/2024

KU Alumni Association honors students, alumnus with 2024 Homecoming awards

Four Jayhawks were recognized during halftime of the University of Kansas-Houston football game Oct. 19 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, concluding a week of festivities for KU’s 112th Homecoming.
Tue, 11/19/2024

Molecular Biosciences Welcomes Allie Graham to Faculty

Assistant Professor of Genomics joins the Department of Molecular Biosciences and aims to conduct research on the extreme selective genetic constraint imposed by low-oxygen environments, across vertebrate (birds, mammals, fish) and invertebrate (crustaceans, insects) systems.
Thu, 10/17/2024

Design-Zyme, KU collaboration results in $3 million SBIR award for Lyme disease vaccine development

The woods can be a place of adventure and beauty, a peaceful escape for a walk. But among the leaves and grass, the threat of ticks can turn a hike into a health-altering encounter with Lyme disease. A recent $3 million Small Business Innovation Research award will fund the research and development of a vaccine to stop Lyme disease in its tracks.
Tue, 10/08/2024

$1.5M grant will create global macro-network of plant-fungal research

A new project led by the University of Kansas will bring together scientists throughout the world who study the interactions between plants and microscopic fungi. A $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation will support the creation of a global transdisciplinary network to address the grand challenges within the realm of plant-fungal interactions.

Media Contacts

Maria Losito

Undergraduate Biology