UNK Alumna Earns Prestigious Midwest Graduate Thesis Award

Sunanda Rajput is the first University of Nebraska at Kearney student to receive the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools/ProQuest Distinguished Master's Thesis Award.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:07pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph in warm, muted tones depicting a laboratory setting with scientific equipment and glassware, conveying the atmosphere of academic research.Rajput's award-winning research on peanut allergies highlights the depth of graduate-level work being done at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.Kearney Today

University of Nebraska at Kearney alumna Sunanda Rajput has been named the 2026 recipient of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools/ProQuest Distinguished Master's Thesis Award in biological and life sciences. Rajput, an international student from India, earned her master's degree in biology from UNK in 2024 and is now a second-year medical student at William Carey University.

Why it matters

Rajput's award-winning thesis research on immune responses to peanut allergies in mice helps explain why females are more likely to develop peanut allergies, which can lead to more personalized treatment approaches. Her success also highlights the strength of UNK's biology program and the opportunities it provides for graduate student research.

The details

For her master's thesis, Rajput focused on examining how sex hormones influence allergic reactions to peanuts. Her research, conducted under the direction of UNK associate professor Joe Dolence, suggests two immune cells may be communicating in a way not previously observed. Rajput published her work in academic journals and presented at local and national conferences, including UNK's Student Research Day, where she earned multiple honors.

  • Rajput earned her master's degree in biology from UNK in spring 2024.
  • She was named the 2026 recipient of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools/ProQuest Distinguished Master's Thesis Award.

The players

Sunanda Rajput

A University of Nebraska at Kearney alumna who earned a master's degree in biology in 2024 and is now a second-year medical student at William Carey University.

Joe Dolence

An associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney who served as the director of Rajput's master's thesis research.

Megan Adkins

The interim dean of Graduate Studies and Academic Innovation at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools

An affiliate of the Council of Graduate Schools that consists of more than 130 colleges and universities across the Midwest, including many large research institutions.

William Carey University

The college of osteopathic medicine where Rajput is currently a second-year medical student.

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What they’re saying

“I couldn't believe my thesis received such a prestigious award. I truly believe receiving this award highlights and represents the core strength of the UNK biology program and the mentorship it offers for students.”

— Sunanda Rajput, UNK Alumna

“We are incredibly proud of Sunanda and the work she accomplished during her time as a biology student at UNK. Her success reflects the strength of our students and demonstrates that UNK graduates can compete at the highest levels of research.”

— Megan Adkins, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies and Academic Innovation, University of Nebraska at Kearney

“When I saw her data suggesting two immune cells might be communicating in way we hadn't seen before, I knew she was onto something really special.”

— Joe Dolence, Associate Professor, University of Nebraska at Kearney

What’s next

Rajput hopes to bridge the gap between patient education and scientific research in her future medical career.

The takeaway

Sunanda Rajput's award-winning thesis research and her acceptance into a prestigious medical program demonstrate the strength of the University of Nebraska at Kearney's biology program and the opportunities it provides for graduate students to conduct meaningful, impactful work.