Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Symposium

A campus-wide colloquium of significant contributions to academia.

The goal of the symposium is to showcase the outstanding quality and diversity of research at AQ by providing students with the opportunity to put into practice and demonstrate the depth of their research skills with those outside of their disciplines. The symposium is also designed to demonstrate the importance of research and scholarship within our community via formal presentations, recitals, writings, poster sessions and art exhibits.

To submit a project for the Fall 2023 Symposium, use the link in the Undergraduate Student Research group on MyAQ.

View 2023 Symposium Research   View 2022 Symposium Research   View 2021 Symposium Research   View 2020 Symposium Research   View 2019 Symposium Research   View 2018 Symposium Research   View 2017 Symposium Research   View 2015 Symposium Research

Biology and Health Sciences

Ernesto Lopez, Alyssa Detweiler
Faculty Advisor: Dr. L. Rob Peters
Characterization and Cloning of Scavenger Receptor B-1 in Aiptasia 

There has been a huge concern for the health of coral reefs due to massive bleaching events and at the rate it is going we won’t be able to save the oceans backbone. As its own species, corals are part of a very special symbiosis relationship with dinoflagellate photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae. Since corals are on a fast decay in numbers, Exaiptasia pallida has been used as a model system to try and understand certain molecular pathways that can be applied to the understanding of coral symbiosis as well. We are targeting the Scavenger Receptor B-1 (SRB1) gene that is a multiligand receptor protein and participates in phagocytosis of algal cells in Aiptasia. The goal is to amplify the entire gene sequence which is estimated to be 2,326 bps using PCR, gel electrophoresis, and specific designed primers. We were able to successfully amplify the first half of the gene sequence which is 1,218 bps and identified conserved motifs on the amino acid sequence that are consistent with SRB1 sequences found in other species. Future studies consist of amplifying the second half of the gene and cloning the entire gene through the use of plasmids. The goal is to also be able to publish an annotated SRB1 gene sequence for others to pursue similar interest in this field.

MacKenzie Morris
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Flaherty
Honey and Wound Healing, Applications to Veterinary Medicine

Wounds can have many causes, both deliberate, such as surgical incisions, and unexpected, such as bite wounds or lacerations. Wound healing is a complex process that can be further complicated by many different factors: wound location, cause, severity, as well as infection. In veterinary medicine, wounds are often noticed after they have already become infected. Antibiotics are an obvious treatment option for wounds and wound infections, but the overuse of these medications has led to the rise of antibiotic resistance and pathogens that are resistant to multiple drugs. Antibiotics can be expensive or difficult to gain access to throughout much of the world, especially during times of crisis. Honey has been used as a wound treatment for thousands of years. There are hundreds of types of honey, but only a few have been characterized for clinical use. Honey contains various components that contribute to its antimicrobial properties, including glucose oxidase (GOx), methylglyoxal (MGO), bee defensin-1, and a low pH. The antibacterial factors present in honey work well against various types of bacteria on their own and in combination with other factors. Honey has proven to be a safe and accessible alternative wound treatment option when usual treatments are unavailable.

Noah Reilly
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Flaherty
Molecular Mechanisms Behind Infant Sepsis 

Infant sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by a dysregulated immune response to infection during the early stages of life. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind infant sepsis is vital for improving diagnostic strategies, therapeutic interventions, and overall patient outcomes. This review explores the intricacies of the molecular mechanisms that lead to the pathogenesis of infant sepsis, focusing on key aspects such as the recognition of microbial patterns by pattern recognition receptors, the activation of innate immune responses, and the subsequent modulation of inflammatory signaling pathways. The role of genetic predispositions, epigenetic modifications, and the maturation of the neonatal immune system in influencing susceptibility to sepsis is also discussed. A comprehensive understanding of these molecular mechanisms provides insights into potential biomarkers for early detection, as well as novel therapeutic targets for the development of targeted interventions aimed to mitigate the devastating impact of infant sepsis on neonatal health. Further research in this field holds the promise of advancing our ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat infant sepsis.

Darrien Roberts
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Flaherty
A Comparison of Natural and Synthetic Opioids

Opioids are medical prescription drugs used for pain relief. Opioids can be divided into three groups that classify how they are manufactured. Naturally derived opioids are referred to as opiates and include common narcotics such as Morphine. The other groups are synthetic and semi-synthetic. All opioids have been shown to have negative effects including sedation, respiratory depression, and addiction. This project will show research conducted to compare these three classifications of opioids to determine whether any differences amongst these listed groups could affect associated addiction rates.

Ashley Snyder
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Flaherty
Saffron in the treatment of cancer 

Cancer is a deadly disease and is characterized by the formation of tumors. Common forms of treatments are often harmful to the healthy cells around the tumor, causing many adverse side effects. Natural remedies have been researched as a safer alternative in the treatment of cancer. One of these remedies is the spice, saffron. Saffron contains multiple active ingredients including safranal, crocin, and crocetin. All three of these components show anti-cancer properties but crocetin has been proven most effective. The mechanism by which crocetin kills tumors is by inducing apoptosis and working as an antioxidant against reactive oxygen species. Crocetin also has shown synergistic properties with different chemotherapy drugs. The future of cancer treatment could be this natural remedy as it is nontoxic to healthy cells, has anti-cancer properties, and amplifies the results of chemotherapy drugs.

---

History

Madeline Campbell
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Chad Gunnoe
Managing Our Mother: A Historical Comparison of Medieval and Modern approval of Marian Devotion

This project builds on the framework and conclusions established in The Vatican and the Virgin: Medieval Apparitions and the Construction of Catholic Identity which investigated the development of the relationship between Marian Apparitions, Catholic identity, and the ecclesiastical hierarchy within the Roman Catholic Church in the late medieval and early-modern periods. This research explores that relational matrix to compare the efficacy of the approval structure within the Church between the medieval to modern periods. The Vatican has reconciled the paradoxical crux of Catholic Identity as both universal and local since the Council of Trent. Marian apparitions, as first established in the Catholic Reformation have been a vehicle through which the Church can define what it is to be Catholic and leverage certain devotional practices by approval from Church authorities. In the modern era, however, the Church’s established system of approval is thwarted, as the sweeping popularity of certain apparitions challenge the functional system that mitigates the two poles of catholic identity: here and everywhere, changing the nature of the Church’s relationship with Marian apparitions and their devotees. Because of the internet, apparitions have an alternative to authentication via popular approval rather than approval through the Church’s hierarchy.

Mary Grace Green
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jason Duncan
In the Missiles’ Shadow: The Cuban Understanding of the Crisis in 1962

Despite the extensive research that has been dedicated to studying the Cuban Missile Crisis, there is a definite lack of study dedicated to the Cuban perspective and understanding of the event. This project was dedicated to illuminating the overlooked point of views in the Cuban Missile Crisis: Fidel Castro’s, his government’s, and ordinary Cubans’. Through extensive reading of both primary and secondary sources, an analysis of the Crisis from the Cuban understanding led to three primary conclusions. Firstly, the causes of the Missile Crisis stem from the historical relationship between the United States and Cuba. Secondly, the Crisis was an issue of sovereignty (not just mythological confrontation between capitalism and communism). Lastly, the end result found that the Cuban perspective of the Crisis was that Castro cemented his power in Cuba. As part of an increase in research about the Crisis, this project utilized previously underused Cuban documents and Cuban scholars in order to discuss the popular portrayal of Cuba’s role within the Crisis, as well as its legacy and lasting impact of the Crisis on Cuba.

---

Neurology

Carissa Matthews
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Andrew Tidball, University of Michigan
VANGL2 Mutations in in vitro Neurulation and Reversed Apicobasal Polarity Using Brain Organoids 

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are strongly linked to planar cell polarity (PCP) genes, including VANGL2. NTDs result from incomplete neurulation - the transition from neural plate to neural tube. To explore neurulation in vitro, we utilized self-organizing single rosette cortical brain organoids (SOSR-COs). SOSR-COs were differentiated from an induced pluripotent stem cell control line (iPSC) with VANGL2 homozygous missense knockin of a mutation (p.R353C) found in a human anencephalic fetus and an isogenic control iPSC line. Using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy, we observed no quantifiable structural differences between wild type and mutant SOSR-COs. Although inconclusive, these findings aid in our understanding of the genetic contribution of PCP genes in NTDs and enable us to further categorize their effects on fetal development. Apicobasal polarity is also necessary for proper neural tube formation. Inadvertently, we discovered that SOSR-COs reverse apicobasal polarity when exposed to fetal bovine serum (FBS). We found this effect was additionally caused by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a bioactive lipid found in FBS. Eversion occurred at and above the concentration present in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Mouse knockouts of the LPA-producing enzyme autotaxin (ENPP2) and LPA receptor, LPAR1, show LPA signaling is essential for neural tube closure and brain formation.

---

Psychology

Shireen Bolis, Hannah Rau
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Meador
The Relationship Between the Mental Health of College-Aged Adults (18-27) and Screen Time on Social Media

Social media has become a staple in many adults' lives but since it is so new, there is still not a full understanding of how it affects people's mental health. For instance, according to Bettmann and colleagues (2020), in 2005 only 12.5% of young adults used social media compared to now, where around 90% of young adults use social media. In addition, over one quarter of college students have been said to spend at least six hours of time on social media each week. In past research, there have been discrepancies between studies’ results. According to Tang and colleagues (2021), the impact of screen time on the mental health of young people is minuscule. However, another study conducted by Neophytou and colleagues (2019) found that increased screen time was associated with increased severity of mental health problems and increased the risk of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional disorders in young adults. Our aim in researching the relationship between social media, screen time, and mental health is to assist in closing the gap in the current research. Furthermore, we intend to learn if using social media excessively has any adverse effects on people's mental health.

Courtney Hardin, Kimberly Flaherty, Anna Castle
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Meador
Family Dynamics: How family structure relates to the college transition

The transition into college can oftentimes be intimidating. Some feel their independence is adequate enough to help them navigate the college experience; meanwhile, others are the exact opposite and feel underprepared and overwhelmed. This study focuses on how family structure affects the college transition and one's ability to be independent. To explore this topic further we conducted a google survey covering a variety of demographics and potential adverse childhood experiences.

Jayce Lyons, Kimberly Darish, Charlee Vollmer
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Meador
The Role of a Classroom Environment: A Study on Behavior and Academic Performance in K-12 Students 

Many studies show that in an alternative classroom environment, K-12 students succeed more so than in a traditional classroom environment. The goal of this study is to gain more insight into how alternative and traditional classroom environments can affect students' behaviors and academic performances. There will be an email sent out to school educators in order to receive permission to survey them. There will then be an anonymous Google form survey sent out to the educators that will include questions regarding their classroom environments and their personal experiences and observations of students' behavior and academic performance. The survey will include an informed consent form and will remain anonymous unless they choose to participate in the $20 Amazon gift card drawing. To be entered into this drawing, participants will have the option to enter their email on the last question of the survey. All of the participants who choose to provide their name for the gift card will be entered into a random generator online, and one winner will be chosen. This winner will be notified by email and the gift card will also be delivered by email.

Madison O'Dell, Hannah Wubben, Joshua Hernandez
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Meador
College Students Eating Habits

Eating problems are highly prevalent among young adults (Mathias et al., 2020). These problems are especially prevalent in athletes. Research suggests men have become increasingly concerned about their bodies with respect to both thinness and muscularity, and these concerns are associated with behavioral and psychological consequences that differ from women (Grossboard et al., 2013). Female athletes have also been found to restrict their diets, which can lead to eating disorders. In addition to factors related to the sports environment, adolescent athletes are subject to changes caused by the maturation process. Therefore, the same factors may have different effects on eating disorder risk among adolescent and adult athletes (Boroweic, et al., 2023). Many studies have indicated that when young adults transition to college their eating habits change. College students are especially at an increased risk of eating disorders and food addiction. As you transition from high school to college, you may experience greater perceived stress levels, contributing to overweight and obesity by altering dietary behaviors and metabolism (Choi, 2020).

Diana Rockstad
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Julie Schatz-Stevens
Overcoming Adversity Study 

Current research suggests that exposure to family violence is something that many individuals face. A consistent body of findings also highlight the powerful link between early abuse and psychological, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Our project, the Overcoming Adversity Study, will use a qualitative approach to investigate individuals’ early adverse childhood experiences. We will be conducting 2-3 semi-structured interviews to explore participants' childhood trauma, early parental caregiving, relationships with family, current intimate relationship behaviors and emotional and social adjustment. We intend to analyze the themes that arise from the interview data to better understand how early adverse experiences are perceived and responded to by parents. Additionally, sibling abuse has been identified as the most common form of family violence and is often accepted as normal sibling behaviors. For this reason, we will also be exploring participants' experiences with sibling behaviors, particularly physical and verbal aggression. This study aims to fill a significant gap in the area of family violence to increase awareness, promote prevention of childhood adversity, and facilitate supportive programs for at-risk families and victims of family violence.

Marli Wollet, Sawyer Haisma
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Meador
Examining the Influence of social media on Body image of Young Adults 

The goal of our research is to understand how social media influences how college-aged students and young adults (ages 19-27) view themselves within body image standards. A survey is created on Google Forms for college-aged students to gain more knowledge of the effects social media has on one's perception of themselves, as well as their diet, weight, and other factors. The questions are evaluated by Likert scale and short response questions.

---

World Languages

Nicole Bertone
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stéphane Bédère
Immigration of Italians in New York

The biggest population of immigrants in New York is those from Italy. There is a whole section of the city where Italians made homes and grew a beautiful community: Little Italy. The city, after the Italians came, was forever changed and blended with the Italian culture. New York now had Italian music, architecture, art, style, food, commemorations, and much more. But, on the other hand, Italians had to face so many struggles and adversities in order to live in New York and integrate with the existing society. This research aims to find out the struggles and the changes that this immigration took both on the American and Italian population.

Abigail Davis
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stéphane Bédère
Algerian Immigration in France: 1954-1980

France’s colonial history with Algeria helped to create a substantial increase in immigration between the two countries in the middle to latter half of the twentieth century. This increase has ramifications on an economic, social, and cultural scale still seen today. Ramifications include cultural and social apathy, a growth in legislation pertaining to Algerian immigration status, and a long-lasting, unstable political relationship between the two countries. Through census data, political documentation and legislation, population statistics, U.N. Refugee and Immigration statistics, and primary documents by Algerians, Pieds-noirs, and the French, this research explores the history and importance of Algerian immigration to France between the years of 1954 and 1980.