FHSU University Relations
Sixteen students, eight faculty members, and three administrators from Fort Hays State University traveled to Manhattan for the 23rd annual Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE) Symposium, held on January 17-19. This event, led by the University of Kansas Medical Center, aims to prepare and inspire promising students for careers in bioscience.
FHSU participants, along with those of nine other institutions in Kansas and Oklahoma, presented their research through oral and poster presentations over the course of the event.
The following faculty and students from FHSU participated in the event:
Dr. Maggi Braasch-Turi
Colson Browning – Salina
Hannah Nimmo – Wolfe City, Texas
Dr. James Balthazor
Griffin Davies – Holton
Braden Allphin – Topeka
Dr. Tara Phelps-Durr
Kelly Chen – Wichita
Claire Shippy – Hays
Yue Fan – China
Hazel Frans – Overland Park
Cadee Haugsness – Topeka
Dr. Ifelayo Adefuye
Kwesi Taylor – Ghana
Dr. Michael Gruenstaeudl
Gregory Smith – Bellingham, Washington
Louisa Acquah – Ghana
KAMS Alumni and current FHSU biology major Hazel Frans was one of ten presenters selected for the Award of Excellence at the 2025 K-INBRE Symposium for her poster entitled “Impact of CRISPR-induced mutations on Arabidopsis thaliana gene APETALA3 sites AP3-3 and AP3-5.” Held at the InterContinental Hotel in Kansas City, Frans’s poster was judged on appearance, content, oral presentation, and relevance.
"Attending my first K-INBRE Symposium was an incredible experience,” Frans said. “I had the opportunity to connect with talented scientists from Kansas and Oklahoma, explore career paths through the Undergraduate Career Panel, and engage in insightful discussions on biomedical research. Presenting my work during the poster sessions was exciting, and the highlight of the conference was receiving an Award of Excellence for my presentation."
About K-INBRE:
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 www.k-inbre.org.