Nathan Undergraduate Research Experience Award

2025-2026 recipient

Trey Smoot

Senior in mechanical and nuclear engineering

Research area: Developing a liver lobule on a chip, which is a micro-scale model that replicates the structure and function of the liver using multiple human cell types. By combining BioMEMS technology with dielectrophoresis (DEP), the chip will allow precise cell patterning to realistically simulate liver tissue. This chip has the potential to improve drug testing, disease studies, and personalized medicine by more accurately predicting liver function.

Award information

Through a fund provided by Raj and Diana Nathan, the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering is able to offer an annual research experience award for a K-State engineering undergraduate student at the junior or senior level. The purpose of the award is to provide a meaningful research experience for the recipient. The funds are designated to support the activities of the selected student and may be paid to the student as an hourly student wage. The award may be used over a period of one year from the date of the award. The funds may not be used to support work on a funded project or for other activities in which they would otherwise be paid. The award should be used for an independent project or an expansion of a funded research project.

Each academic department may submit one proposal limited to a two-page form and a one-page letter from the faculty research adviser. The selection process within the department is at the discretion of the department head. A fully engaged faculty member to supervise the student’s experience is very important and the department head when recommending a proposal should consider this.

View the nomination form (docx).

Questions should be sent to ergp@k-state.edu.

View past recipients