University of Kansas Madison and Lila Self Graduate Programs

Connor Sullivan (2025-2029 Self Graduate Fellow pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer Science at The University of Kansas) presented at CPS-IoT Week in Saint-Malo, France during the 32nd IEEE Real-Time and Embedded Technology and Applications Symposium (RTAS). His talk, "Per-Bank Memory Bandwidth Regulation for Predictable and Performant Real-Time Systems," discussed his current research findings, and the associated work won the Best Student Paper Award.

Kip Nielsen (2022-2026 Self Graduate Fellow pursuing a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science) presented at the European Geosciences Union’s General Assembly in Vienna, Austria. His poster was on “The Sensitivity of Machine Learning Configuration for Predicting Temperature Profiles in the Planetary Boundary Layer”.

Introducing the 2026-2027 Self Memorial Scholars!

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KU announces new 2026-2027 Self Memorial Scholars Twenty-one students have been selected to receive the University of Kansas Madison and Lila Self Memorial Scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year. The award is given to outstanding seniors from KU who will be transitioning into their first year of a master’s or doctoral program at KU in the fa...

Macie Proctor-Roser (2024-2028 Self Graduate Fellow pursuing a Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences at the University of Kansas) presented at the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) Annual Meeting in Boston, MA, during the CD4+ T cell and B cell Mediated Immunity against Viruses Symposia. Her talk, “Ptpn22 Restricts Antiviral B cell Response by Modulating BCR Signaling,” discussed her current research findings.

Introducing the 2026-2030 Self Graduate Fellows!

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KU announces 2026-2030 Self Graduate Fellows In fall 2026, the fellowship reaches 67 total current fellows, making it the largest fellowship size ever in the program’s history.

We hope to see you tomorrow at the 2026 Self Graduate Fellowship Symposium Presentation! Join us for Dr. Poppy Crum's presentation, "The Human Dimensions of AI: Balancing Innovations and Humanity in a Digital Era." The presentation is free and open to the public!

Carrie Lewis-Merritt (2023-2027 Self Graduate Fellow), pursuing a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science at The University of Kansas, virtually attended the 37th American Meteorological Society Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology. Though she opted for virtual attendance this year, she was able to present her work and give a talk on her newly published paper titled "Regional Variability of Moist Thermodynamics and Energy Associated with Transient Changes in Easterly Waves.” In addition to promoting her research and learning about other related work in the tropical waves session, Carrie also enjoyed attending other talks in sessions on machine learning in tropical convection.

Rene Sabala (2025-2029 Self Graduate Fellow pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at The University of Kansas) presented at the 2026 American Chemical Society National Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. His poster, "Effect of intramolecular S-H●●●O=C hydrogen bonding on the Hammett parameter of the mercapto substituent," highlighted his work in investigating discrepancies in existing Hammett parameters and refining them by using linear free energy relationships.

Kayla Whatley (2024-2028 Self Graduate Fellow pursing a Ph.D. In Bioengineering at The University of Kansas) presented at the Gordon Research Conference for Craniofacial Morphogenesis and Tissue Regeneration. Her talk, "Preliminary Finite Element Model of Hinge Region Contraction in Palatal Shelf Elevation," discussed her current research findings.

Please join us for the 2026 Self Graduate Fellowship Symposium Lecture featuring Dr. Poppy Crum. Her presentation, "The Human Dimensions of AI: Balancing Innovations and Humanity in a Digital Era" is FREE and open to the public. We hope to see you there!