Kansas University this week announced the two undergrads who will be the first Beckman Scholars, a program to foster undergraduate research.

They are Michael Cory, Wichita, and Aidan Dmitriev, Lawrence.

Funded by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, the 15-month Beckman Scholars Program offers participants a chance to be “immersed in the scientific community” through research, mentoring, collaboration and practicing communication skills, according to KU.

Each Beckman Scholar receives a total of $21,000 via stipend and travel and supply funds for the course of the program. The scholars’ mentors each receive $5,000.

Cory attended Andover High School before attending the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science at Fort Hays State University for his junior and senior years of high school. His current research project involves studying E. coli. His Beckman Scholars mentor will be John Karanicolas, KU professor of molecular biosciences.

Dmitriev graduated from Lawrence’s Free State High School. He plans to research chlamydia trachomatis proteins with unknown functions in hopes of better understanding chlamydia and developing improved treatment strategies. His mentor will be Scott Hefty, associate professor of molecular biosciences.