college mcp-logo-header-white mcpherson

McPherson Student Wins Top Place in State Research Competition

Nathan Finch, senior biochemistry major at McPherson College, took first place in the Kansas Academy of Sciences meeting in Hays, Kansas on Saturday April 8, 2017. Finch, a native of Lindsborg, won the undergraduate research competition with his presentation, “The Effect of pH on Gossypol Inhibition of Rabbit Muscle Lactate Dehydrogenase.”

Finch works as an EMT in McPherson and decided to go back to school to finish medical school prerequisites. Finch spent two years researching, developing and executing experiments as part of his senior capstone project at the college.

“My research topic was important to me. However, experiencing the research process first hand has helped me interpret and access others’ research. That’s what matters,” said Finch.

After graduating next month, Finch will start at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

Over 100 guests attended the conference with a majority of the students competing from the larger universities across the state. McPherson College sent eleven students from the Natural Sciences Department.

Dr. Allan Ayella, associate professor of biology co-authored the paper. “Nathan Finch’s win at the Kansas Academy of Science meeting is a testament both to his resolve as a hardworking, detail-oriented student and to the academic rigor in the Natural Science program at McPherson College. We strive for excellence in the sciences, and it is nice to get that recognition from time to time.”