Schedule of Presentations & Exhibitions

Research and Creative Works Symposium

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April 16th, 2024

9:00am - 9:20am

Oral Presentations

Unraveling State Identity in the United States

While contemporary evidence suggests that state identity is weaker than national identity and grounded in apolitical associations, we nonetheless see variation across states in the average attachment of their respective citizens to the state-level community. But what explains this variation? Are some states better at creating community among their citizens than others, and if so, how? In this paper, we examine the state-level causes and correlates of state identity. Using the COVID States Project, a nationally representative survey that oversamples within states, we construct state identity distribution curves for each of the 50 states. While some states, like Utah and Nevada, have weaker average state identity among survey participants, others (Minnesota, Louisiana) show strong citizen attachment. We then test whether high state identity is correlated with state policies like civic education requirements, state features such as the presence of significant state landmarks, or a particular cultural history. We supplement this quantitative analysis with two case studies: one that demonstrates the power of racial and ethnic inclusion in developing a strong aggregate state identity, and another that focuses on the power of civic education as a means of instilling an attachment to one’s state of residence.

Presenters: Adrian Gonzalez ’25, Gerald Jones ’25

Location: Olin 110

Straight but Likes Anal? An Exploration into Stigma and Anal Sex in Heterosexual Relationships

It has been long thought that anal sex is a form of intercourse typically performed in homosexual relationships, and that rarely heterosexual relationships practice this form of intercourse. In reality, many heterosexual couples perform anal sex, although stigma arises around whether these acts are truly “straight.” In this presentation I aim to answer a question many straight women have asked, “is my boyfriend gay if he is into anal?” Addressing stigma, statistics, and motives reveal what could possibly answer this question. This project concludes that anal sex is normal in heterosexual relationships and that stigma around the act perpetuates unhealthy relationship practices. Reviews of statistics, feedback from women, and a case study of a woman who was in a heterosexual relationship that exclusively performed anal all help answer the questions regarding anal sex in heterosexual relationships in this project. In addition to answering why anal sex occurs in heterosexual relationships, this presentation also aims to fight against unhealthy stigma surrounding anal sex. This project was completed as a final project for the Southwestern Amsterdam program and focuses on cross cultural comparisons of anal sex as well.

Presenters: Ian Klepcyk ’24

Location: Olin 124

Feng Zikai’s Advocation of Unity within Shanghai through the Subtlety of Cartoons

This paper examines Feng Zikai’s use of minimal cartoons to critique colonial influence on Shanghai’s cultural identity, with the greater message to promote unity among its citizens. Analyzing the formal elements used in several of his cartoons, this paper demonstrates his perspective on foreign oppression and the necessity for Chinese citizens to cooperate with one another to bolster cultural self preservation. His use of everyday foreign objects and daily obstacles instilled by colonial powers is often featured in his cartoons. His ambition to discuss everyday colonial oppression became a large motivator as the subjects of his cartoons.There are many examples of where Feng Zikai used cartoons to encourage the public to work together and strengthen their communities, ultimately pursuing the goal of thwarting the underpinnings of the city’s colonial social infrastructure. His cartoons aim to uncover the systemic colonial oppression and he hoped that they would spread awareness of the unjust colonial control motivating Chinese citizens to work together to fight against the colonial status quo. Ultimately his cartoons set him in a position against the modernized city by representing the unity necessary among people to fight against the colonial undercurrents and to fundamentally take control of Shanghai from the foreign tyrants.

Presenters: David Salvania ’25

Location: Olin 113

9:00am - 9:20am

Panel Presentations

Engaging Students in Mathematics Through Stories: Original Mathematics-focussed Children’s Books

In this session, students in the Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary and Middle School will present and read math-focused children’s books they wrote. The presenters taught mathematics in local 1st-grade classrooms. These Southwestern University students wrote children’s books to engage and provide a context to support their students’ exploration of mathematical concepts in developmentally appropriate ways. A contextualized story makes learning math more inclusive and accessible. Each children’s book will be read aloud with the illustrations projected and they will discuss the response of their 1st-grade students.

Presenters: Terri Ray ’25

Location: Olin 105

9:00am - 10:00am

Poster Presentations

Bacterial Colonies Exhibiting Differentiating Morphologies

Bacteria are ubiquitous single-celled organisms, each species with its own unique genome and traits. Two unknown bacteria were recently isolated from soil collected from a local farm. The two organisms were originally isolated on MacConkey agar and were named “pie” and “flower” based on their unique colony morphologies. Various nutrient agars were used to grow the isolates, and interestingly, they exhibited differing colony morphologies on the different media. Colonies appeared glossy and smooth when grown on Luria-Bertani agar, but appeared dry with a 3-dimensional rugose morphology when grown on tryptic soy agar. Gram staining tests revealed that both bacteria are small Gram-negative rods. Various biochemical and molecular studies were conducted to identify the two species. Catalase, lactose fermentation, and motility tests were performed to classify the species further, and a PCR of the 16S rDNA region was conducted and sent for sequencing. Additional studies will be performed to understand how nutrients influence colony morphology.

Presenters: Vedant Polepally ’27, Robert Karcher ’27, Dante Medina ’27

Location: FJS Lobby

Rooting for Plant Biodiversity: Restoring Ski Slopes & Combating Climate Change

Climate change is negatively impacting the midwest of the United States by increasing temperatures and causing erratic precipitation patterns. If properly managed, ski resorts could promote native plant diversity, making alpine ecosystems more resilient to these changes. Our research investigated how plant composition of native species changed in one year following the addition of compost and native seeds at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado. Over time, these amendments could help reduce runoff from degraded soil and generally improve soil health, which would increase the biodiversity of plants already adapted to the conditions. To answer this question, in the summer of 2023 we surveyed the plant composition using the quadrat method on a ski slope one year after amendments of native seeds and compost were added. We found that in the seeded treatment plot, invasive species decreased from 58.6% to 32.7%, and in the seeded plus compost plots they decreased from 41.4% to 34.5% from 2022 to 2023. Overall, this research contributes to identifying successful restoration techniques and general climate change mitigation for ski resorts.

Presenters: Olivia Johnson ’26, Hailey Vickich ’25

Location: FJS Lobby

Analysis of Dominant Frequency of Calls for Texas Chirping Frogs, Eleutherodactylus Marnockii, and Eleutherodactylus Campi

Eleutherodactylus marnockii (cliff chirping frog) is native to the Edwards Plateau of Texas. Eleutherodactylus campi originally occurred in northern Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas but has recently expanded its range throughout east and north Texas and into Louisiana and Alabama. Eleutherodactylus marnockii could be of future conservation concern for (1) its small range, specific environmental needs, and potential future climate change; and (2) the recent invasion of its native territory by the related species E. campi. Research on E. campi and E. marnockii has been limited by their tendency to occupy inaccessible habitats and the difficulty in species identification. Our research focuses on determining if differences in calls of the two species can be used to identify the animals in the field. Using RavenPro software, we analyzed previously recorded calls from throughout the geographic range of each species and determined the dominant frequency of chirps. We found that the ranges of dominant frequencies of the two species were non-overlapping and statistically different. These findings suggest that the dominant frequency of chirps can be used to identify the frogs. Using their calls to differentiate between the species will enhance ecological and conservation research on these frogs.

Presenters: Olivia Forrest ’26

Location: FJS Lobby

Comparing the Reproductive Calling Periods of Texas Chirping Frogs: Eleutherodactylus Marnockii and Eleutherodactylus Campi

Eleutherodactylus campi and E. marnockii are two related species of chirping frogs traditionally found in south and central Texas. While E. marnockii has remained within its native range of the Edwards Plateau, E. campi has rapidly expanded from the Rio Grande Valley to occupy regions of east and north Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama. To learn more about the differences in biology between E. campi and E. marnockii, we are investigating their reproductive calling periods and the effect that environmental factors may have on calling patterns. We gathered data from iNaturalist and Texas Nature Trackers, as well as call survey data that we collected at two sites. We analyzed both the trends in calling periods for the two species and the weather factors present at the time of calling. Our results indicated that E. campi has a more even distribution of calls throughout the year, while E. marnockii calls more frequently in the spring than in the fall. Total number of animals calling was positively correlated with humidity and temperature for E. campi, while humidity was the only significant factor for E. marnockii. These data suggest that the reproductive biologies of the two species, while somewhat similar, are significantly different.

Presenters: Lydia Lee ’25

Location: FJS Lobby

Diet, Shell Drilling, and Population Density of Octopus insularis Around South Caicos

There is little literature about Octopus insularis for areas of its range around South Caicos, even for basic information on diet and distribution. This study used prey middens to analyze the diet of O. insularis, and found no variation by location. Despite inhabiting different locations, individuals are consuming roughly the same types of prey in the same amounts. This study also calculated the size of the survey locations, and in combination with sightings in the field, calculated a range of population densities for various locations around South Caicos. This provides a better understanding of the distribution of the species. O. insularis has been known to drill holes in shells to inject their prey with venom. Turbo castanea, also known as the Chestnut Turban, was one of the most commonly drilled shells in the middens collected. Drill holes were mapped out, and were concentrated on the upper spire of the shell. This indicates a high degree of intelligence and precision. This information helps create a baseline of prey middens and population density for O. insularis. It helps us better understand the way that O. insularis interacts with the ecosystem it inhabits and acts as a connection between different trophic levels.

Presenters: Emery Stobaugh ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

What’s in Your Chocolate? Extraction of Vanillin and Analysis of the Phenolic Content in Commercially-Available Cacao Pulp Products

Chocolate is a popular plant-based food derived from the Theobroma cacao tree that contains high concentrations of phenolic compounds, substances which are strong antioxidants with health-promoting properties in the human diet. Cacao pulp, or mucilage, is a white, fleshy substance found in cacao pods, but its phenolic content is not well understood compared to other cacao and chocolate products. We therefore extracted the phenolic compounds from two commercially-available cacao pulp products, and used the Folin-Ciocalteu method to determine their total phenolic contents. In addition, we sought to develop a better understanding of the additives used to produce a bar of chocolate. We performed a liquid-liquid extraction to isolate the phenolic compound vanillin, a major contributor to the antioxidant properties and signature flavor of vanilla and an additive to milk chocolate. The purified vanillin was characterized using infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This presentation will discuss the total phenolic content of cacao pulp and the qualitative analysis of vanillin, providing important insights into the overall antioxidant properties and phenolic levels found in various stages of the chocolate manufacturing process.

Presenters: Ashlyn Cadena ’27, Andres Garza ’27, Amanda Mejia ’27, Abigail Rust ’27

Location: FJS Lobby

Nintedanib as a Potential JAK3 Kinase Domain Inhibitor

The Janus Kinase (JAK) family is a family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases. These enzymes target downstream signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT). Dysregulation of this pathway has been found to be causal to several different types of cancer in humans, making it a target for therapeutic drugs and approaches. Current inhibitors are effective, but the target binding site is very conserved throughout the family, making specificity a difficult task. However, a small molecule named nintedanib has been shown to have nanomolar potency against certain kinases , including JAK3, making it a great potential inhibitor of the enzyme with potential therapeutic use. Here, we will synthesize nintedanib using a 7-step synthetic route. Once complete, we will test it to determine whether it is an effective inhibitor. If so, we aim to optimize its contact within the active site with additional modifications to increase specificity.

Presenters: Eyimofe (Mofe) Ariyo ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Investigating the Effect of Magnesium Stress on Diatom F710 Fluorescence

Diatoms are single celled organisms that help to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. They are known to produce an F710 state with red-shifted fluorescence when grown under stressful conditions. The Massey lab has shown that F710 fluorescence occurs in response to iron stress in addition to red light stress. We are interested in exploring how generalized this stress response is. I propose investigating magnesium deficiency as a stressor. Like iron, magnesium is a metal, but the difference lies in the fact that magnesium is an earth metal and iron is a transition metal. Magnesium is also known to be a central metal cofactor in chlorophyll which is a pigment diatoms use in light harvesting during photosynthesis. I will study the effect of magnesium deficiency on F710 fluorescence.

Presenters: Jodi Glenn-Millhouse ’25

Location: FJS Lobby

Comparison of Phenolic Composition and Flavonoid Content in Cacao Nibs Sourced from Different Origins

Comparison of phenolic composition and flavonoid content in cacao nibs sourced from different origins Samantha J. Hazen, Holly P. Lawson, and Emily D. Niemeyer As our culture’s focus on health increases, there has been a shift in the number of people interested in incorporating healthier foods into their diets. Cacao nibs, which are produced from beans harvested from the Theobroma cacao tree, have numerous nutritional benefits that make them an attractive alternative choice for health-conscious consumers. Cacao nibs are high in protein and other nutrients and like all chocolate products, they contain phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which are substances with known antioxidant properties. Despite the increasing availability and popularity of cacao nibs, few studies have examined how the region where the nibs are grown can affect their phenolic content and flavonoid levels. Therefore in the current study, nib samples were obtained from 10 different countries, were processed, and their phenolic compounds were extracted. The total phenolic contents (TPC) of the nib extracts were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and the total flavonoid concentrations were determined using a microplate-based colorimetric assay. This presentation will provide an overview of the TPC and flavonoid levels within a variety of cacao nibs, providing important information to understand the potential health benefits of nibs sourced from different origins.

Presenters: Samantha Hazen ’25

Location: FJS Lobby

Testing for DNA Damage Via Slot Blot Method

H-DNA is an alternative DNA structure to normal B-DNA. H-DNA sequences occur within the same areas as endogenous DNA damages that cause double strand breaks, leading to diseases such as cancer. We performed slot blot analysis with pBr322 plasmids to examine varying levels of endogenous DNA damage. Our experiments sought to refine methods necessary for detecting small levels of DNA damage through the use of primary and secondary antibodies. The overall goal of the project was to experimentally induce oxidative stress on non-modified plasmid and test the damages incurred against H-DNA forming modified plasmid. Plasmid was immobilized to a nitrocellulose membrane, blocked and exposed to primary and secondary antibodies. Afterwards fluorescent imaging was performed and quantitative analysis was carried out. Our methods found that the slot blot analysis was prone to varying levels of non-specific binding and background noise despite a plethora of blocking and washing steps. Persistent troubleshooting was able to minimize the present background noise but not to a degree necessary for proper data collection via this method.

Presenters: Brayden Jackson ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Gold(I) Catalyzed Synthesis of 1H-Isochromenes

This study presents a novel gold(I)-catalyzed synthesis of 1H-Isochromenes. Belonging to the broader class of biologically active molecules known as benzopyrans, 1H-Isochromenes and their isomers have demonstrated notable anticancer and antitumor properties alongside antifungal, antiproliferative and anti-platelet aggregation properties discovered in existing pharmaceuticals and natural compounds. Gold-catalyzed reactions entail the generation of stable cationic gold(I) complexes, producing a gold(I) carbene intermediate. Apart from their effective role in promising activities in synthesis and anti-cancer applications, the accessibility and affordability of this metal render it advantageous for the development of new drugs. The successful synthesis of 1H-Isochromene from cyclization of o-alkyl benzyl alcohols by gold catalysis is evident in this research. Both the 6-endo and 5-exo positions created a benzylic carbene, validating gold carbene and ancillary ligand effects in creation of products the isochromene and the benzopyran, dependent on the type of gold catalyst. An atom economical synthesis of the 1H-Isochromenes has been performed, isolated in yield up to 95%. This review aims to highlight the pharmacological potential of synthesizing this derivative. Future work is underway to elucidate a details mechanism and explore the catalytic process’s applicability to a broader range of substrates, including secondary and tertiary alcohols.

Presenters: Sophia Karim ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Novel Gold(I) Catalysis Synthesis of Benzofurans

The following study presents a novel gold(I) catalysis synthesis of 2-butylbenzofuran, a benzofuran derivative. Benzofuran is a fundamental structural unit found in a variety of biologically active natural products. Its derivatives possess properties such as antitumor, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. The wide array of medicinal properties inherited from the benzofuran scaffold gives ground for further research, such as its synthesis efficiency. Gold catalysis has been used for carbon-carbon bond formations due to its soft-acid property, allowing for stable complexes and ability to bind to form carbene intermediates. Coupled with the affordability and accessibility of this metal, it would be favorable for drug development. In this study, the precursor 2-(1-hexyn-1-yl)phenol will be synthesized to then undergo cyclization using gold(I) catalysis. Methods used in the synthesis of the precursor include a Sonogashira reaction followed by purification methods such as vacuum filtration and column chromatography. Yields from the Sonogashira reaction varied from 16.7% to 37%. These yields must be optimized and further investigated to observe the effectiveness of gold-catalysis, specifically 5% JohnPhos Au(MeCN)SbF6 in the potential cyclization of 2-(1-hexyn-1-yl)phenol which has previously been seen.

Presenters: Aron Ochoa-Diaz ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Isoquinolines

Isoquinolines are a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound that is a structural isomer of quinoline. It is found within many natural plant alkaloids and serves as a pre-pharmaceutical compound. This experiment focused on the synthesis of 3-Butyl-1(2H)-isoquinolinone from 2-Bromobenzamide via a two-step process involving Sonogashira cross-coupling followed by gold-catalyzed cyclization. The gold catalyst, (JohnPhos)Au(MeCN)SbF6, was used due to its cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Previous studies worked with starting materials containing cyanide that required a third step in the reaction to reduce the resulting nitrile. This study experimented with 2-Bromobenzamide since it contains an amide instead of a cyanide, to determine if the additional reduction step was not required. The Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction successfully replaced the Bromine with the additional carbon atoms however the cyclization reaction did not yield the desired product regardless of the solvent used. This research provides data on the efficiency of various stages within isoquinoline synthesis for future experiments.

Presenters: Yasmin Sebastiany ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Evaluating the Structure of Metal-Doped Ruthenium Oxides using Raman Spectroscopy

In the age where climate change is at the forefront of our current debates, many industries have tried to lower carbon emissions by finding different fuel resources. Hydrogen fuel is one of many renewable energies that is heavily researched. The production of hydrogen is expensive because the anode component of the electrolyzer is made of iridium oxides (IrO2). In previous studies, ruthenium oxides (RuO2) were found to be cheaper, and more active than Ir. However, IrO2 is more stable than RuO2. To increase the stability of RuO2, RuO2 will be doped with other metals (Ti, Ta, Nb, Zr). Raman spectroscopies were used to observe if doped-oxides (Ru0.87M0.13O2) change the structure of the pure-oxides (TiO2, RuO2). The spectroscopies indicated that the doped metals did not change the structure of RuO2. However, more structural (x-ray diffraction) and stability analyses are needed to optimize RuO¬2 for hydrogen production.

Presenters: Daniel Suh ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Titanium Mediated Synthesis of Cyclobutanones

Cyclobutanones are a group of organic compounds often used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, such as drugs intended for several variations of cancer treatment. However, due to the physical limitations of their chemical structure, they are notoriously difficult and costly to create. It was hypothesized that there is a more efficient method of synthesis with the use of transition metal catalysts. Focusing on gold as the catalyst, a promising synthesis pathway for the formation of cyclobutanones was observed. Successfully synthesizing cyclobutanone in a more efficient manner would allow the cost of advanced chemicals used in pharmaceutical production to lower, therefore lowering the cost of the medicine entirely. The yields and overall synthesis cost of the research done here, suggests that a more efficient production of cyclobutanones is possible.

Presenters: Natalie Zequeira ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

SNITCH: Southwestern’s Newest Innovation to Cultivate Honor

With the introduction of modern Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools that can assist students in assignments, ways to detect their use have become more prevalent. Unfortunately, AI tools are advancing faster than the technology to detect them, resulting in limited accuracy. Our Computer Science capstone project aims to address this with a new application. The application allows an assignment’s instructions to be uploaded via file or plain text which is used to create queries to several commonly used AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Gemini. The responses for each tool are used to create representative solutions that can be used in determining the degree that a student’s submission features the representative solutions. This will be done by leveraging Machine Learning techniques in order to determine the probability an AI tool was used in the student’s submission. A text-to-text comparison feature will also be available. Because both may be limited in accuracy, we also incorporated the ability to view various responses from commonly-used AI tools, allowing the instructor to make their own final determination.

Presenters: Caleb Highsmith ’24, Alejandro Medina ’24, Travis Raffferty ’24, Noah Zamarripa ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Evaluating an Earliest Deadline First Algorithm for a Dial-a-Ride Problem

Dial-a-Ride problems (DARP) are used to help find ways for scheduling vehicle routes to pick up an object or individual and transport it to another location. We focus on a specific DARP variant where the goal is to maximize the number of rides provided by their deadline using a single vehicle when all locations are equidistant. Some previously-studied approximation algorithms for similar DARP variants, including those that also focus on the uniform metric, are not applicable in this setting because they prioritize rides that provide greater value, while ours are of equal value, or would not respect the deadlines associated with requests. As such, we consider an Earliest Deadline First (EDF) algorithm that looks in ever-increasing time windows to find and serve requests with the soonest deadlines. Implementation of this algorithm allows us to investigate its performance compared to an optimal solution (OPT), obtained by brute force, on a variety of graphs.

Presenters: Alejandro Medina ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Cat Partners Scheduling Website

Cat Partners of Southwestern University is an official student organization that is dedicated to taking care of the cats that reside on the Southwestern University campus. Cat Partners provides cat food at various stations throughout campus and also provides medical care for the campus cats. Currently, the organization uses a Google Sheet to manage the feeding schedule for each station, where members write their names in the entries they’re covering. This system has several insufficiencies. It lacks consistent formatting, requires manual input on the end of the organizers to create new dates, and has no method of preventing external tampering. Our Computer Science capstone project aims to address these insufficiencies by replacing the system with a sophisticated web application. The web application will provide all the original features of the Google Sheet as well as additional features to improve user experience. In addition to creating an automated system that allows users to sign up for feeding slots, we aim to provide a way for users to be alerted about empty feeding slots, track notes about cat sightings, and create individual accounts. We anticipate this application will streamline the organization and data-collection aspects of Cat Partners’ feeder-related tasks.

Presenters: Jayden Beauchea ’24, Marlon Mata ’24, Yunhyeong Na ’24, Anna Wicker ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Course Scheduler for Department Chairs

Course scheduling is a laborious task that is subject to many fixed university requirements, but there are enough changing preferences that make it difficult to reuse schedules from prior years. This becomes a cumbersome task for department chairs who must undertake this task. However, while there are some changing components, many of the general and course requirements persist, such as course room requirements and time conflicts. By documenting these course and faculty restrictions, a Python tool has already been created that takes in CSV files of said constraints and generates a linear program that is then run through an existing tool for linear programming, PyGLPK to schedule the courses. While this tool is already usable from some, it is unintuitive to use and requires some programming knowledge to run. The goal of this Computer Science capstone project is to create a user-friendly web-based version of the scheduler so that more departments can utilize this tool to schedule their courses. This site will include intuitive interfaces to create CSV files, run the software tool, and display the generated schedule. In addition, faculty members will be given the option of altering a generated schedule, which can then be checked for feasibility.

Presenters: Yahya Hamdallah ’24, Mark Mueller ’24, Kate Nguyen ’24, Colby Sullivan ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

The Gym Program

The Corbin J. Robertson Center (Rob) is a gym located at Southwestern University dedicated towards strength and conditioning opportunities for students, staff, and faculty. Our mission in the Computer Science capstone project is to provide a web application that strengthens the experience for those who use the Rob. To do so, our web application will host an informational site about gym equipment, availability, and user progress. We want to be able to track common workout data, such as machine weights and repetitions, and include a data visualization feature to display this data over time. JavaScript and Svelte will be used as our main languages for development, and our database will be hosted with Firebase. These will be enhanced with extensions, packages, and other useful languages that will strengthen the user’s experience. This team expects users to be fully capable of creating accounts and exploring features on this web application by May of 2024. While the intention of our development is with an attention to the Rob, the design allows for scalability and adaptability to other settings such as gyms outside of Southwestern.

Presenters: Jedidiah Acevedo ’24, Kiefer Crowley ’24, Daniel Haley ’24, Clayton Nolen ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

User Interface for Tomato Root Systems

Our Computer Science capstone project is a user interface that allows users to upload scans of tomato root systems to view data pertaining to that system. The backend of the project was made by Dr. Arjun Chandrasekhar as a development in his and Dr. Magdalena Julkowska’s research. They are researching how different factors affect the Pareto optimality of these tomato root systems, and our user interface allows users to engage and interact with this research. Pareto optimality for these is essentially the most optimal way for the root to grow, the direction that maximizes both wiring cost and conduction delay. The Pareto front is a graph demonstrating this relationship. Beyond outside users, this interface will allow Dr. Julkowska to work closer with Dr. Chandrasekhar’s code and analyze results with a simple interface. Specifically, the user interface displays the Pareto front of Pareto optimal variations on the given root structure. It will have the ability to match each system to one of four types of optimal root systems. There will also be a way to look through each drawing of the Pareto optimal structure variation and it will display the actual root as drawn by a graph system.

Presenters: Joanna Lewis ’24, Zekkie McCormick ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Using Multi-Objective Quality Diversity to Evolve Complex Machines in Minecraft

The open world building aspect of Minecraft makes it a good base for generative Artificial Intelligence experimentation. Previously, small flying machines were created in Minecraft using Evolutionary Computation. Larger flying machines and more complex machines require more sophisticated techniques, such as multiobjective optimization via Multi-Objective MAP Elites (MOME). MOME is a multiobjective variant of MAP Elites, which stands for Multidimensional Archive of Phenotypic Elites. MAP Elites is a quality diversity algorithm in that it focuses on multiple diverse solutions to a problem rather than a single optimal solution. MOME encourages diverse solutions using an organized archive of cells with different properties, just like MAP Elites, but also prevents the loss of solutions that may only excel in one objective rather than several by storing a Pareto front in each cell. When using this technique we were able to get some interesting results which included larger flying machines, machines that blew up targets in unexpected ways, and multiple small flying machines that flew in different directions.

Presenters: Joanna Lewis ’24, Travis Rafferty ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Where Would Voting Mechanisms Have Beyoncé Perform?

Voting mechanisms can be used to make decisions in a wide variety of settings. In fact, these computational social choice decisions can be made by computers, obtaining preferences from voters, whether or not they realize they are participating. The voting mechanism used can greatly affect the results. For example, with a single winner the familiar plurality model selects the candidate who gets the most first-place votes, but that may not be the Condorcet winner, the candidate who wins the most head-to-head races. We investigate where voting mechanisms would have Beyoncé perform on a US tour. In this setting, the candidates are stadiums of a certain size, the voters are various distributions of fans, and venue preferences are determined by closest distance to a voter’s zip code. Furthermore, we use the multi-winner variant to see how the selected venues differ with the number of tour dates (i.e. distinct locations). We also consider if and when it would be beneficial for fans to be strategic, such as by entering a zip code other than their own on a web form collecting fan data.

Presenters: Okipriye Davies ’27, Jordan Emerson ’27, Camille James ’26, Johann Sarao ’27

Location: FJS Lobby

Mapable: An Accessible Travel Planning App

According to the WHO, 1/6th of the world has a disability with over 50% of them having difficulties travelling. Each year these travellers face significant obstacles due to the lack of centralised, reliable, and community-driven resources. This number is only growing year after year. While Studying abroad in Denmark last summer, I met two students from WashU in St. Louis and William & Mary who were just as interested in solving this problem as I am. Over the past year we have been working on our solution: an easy-to-use mobile app where users can read and write reviews based on their own experiences. These reviews are then used to populate an interactive and customizable map interface for users to explore, navigate, and discover places near them, all while easily deploying accessible resources on the way. By leveraging the collective knowledge of the community, our platform provides up-to-date and detailed insights into accessible transportation, accommodations, and places to visit worldwide. In doing so, we aspire to break down barriers and make the world more accessible for everyone, one journey at a time.

Presenters: Ceridwen Grady ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Southwestern University Health and Wellness Program Initiative

Employee wellness programs (EWPs) enhance workplace community and boost job satisfaction, healthy behaviors, and long-term employee health (Merrill et al., 2011; Goetzel et al., 2014). Successful EWPs have been found to cater to diverse employee backgrounds, promoting health importance and healthy habits (Goetzel et al., 2014; Castillo et al., 2019). This study aimed to educate Southwestern University staff on healthy lifestyle behaviors through interactive health education sessions. Three topics (Physical Activity, Low Back Care, and Diabetes Nutrition) were presented with a Pre-Assessment of Knowledge (P-AK1), a 20-minute researcher-led presentation over the topic, a Post-Assessment of Knowledge (P-AK2), and an interactive activity related to the topic. Recruitment was conducted via flyers, emails, and word of mouth. All recruitment efforts and sessions were delivered in Spanish and English. Significant knowledge score improvements were observed for Low Back Care (t(6) = 0.962, p <0.05) and Diabetes Nutrition (t(10) = 0.961, p <0.05), with medium to large effect sizes (Cohen’s d ranging from 0.768 to 1.360). Interviews highlighted timing barriers, topic interest, and suggestions for accessibility improvement. Overall, participants and staff recognized the value of Health Education Sessions, aligning with program initiatives to enhance health-related quality of life.

Presenters: Laura Carrasco Torres ’24, Taylor Hubbard ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

The Effects of Visuospatial Environment on Endurance Treadmill Running Performance, RPE, and Heart Rate

The psychobiological model of endurance exercise suggests that endurance exercise performance is determined primarily by perception of effort. Research has shown that inducing mental and physical fatigue affects rating of perceived exertion (RPE), ultimately affecting endurance performance. Limited literature exists on the effects of visuospatial environment, one that elicits thought processes involving visual and spatial awareness, on RPE. This study aimed to investigate the effect of visuospatial environment on endurance exercise performance, RPE, and heart rate (HR). 22 participants completed a self-paced 20-minute treadmill run in an open (treadmill in front of a window) and a closed (treadmill surrounded by privacy curtains) visuospatial environment. A randomized cross-over design was used and participants experienced both conditions. Measures included total distance traversed, RPE every 2 minutes, and HR every minute. Distance traversed was the same between groups (3.49 (0.51) km and 3.44 (0.60) km for open and closed conditions, respectively) with no differences between groups in RPE or HR (p > 0.05). Results suggest that the visuospatial environments did not affect endurance performance, RPE, or HR. Future studies should consider using other modes of exercise such as a stationary bike or non-motorized treadmill and limit unwanted visual stimuli.

Presenters: Matthew Bierwirth ’24, Barrett Knap ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Investigating the Protective Role of Blood Flow Restriction on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is frequently experienced 24-48 hours after novel exercise and can prevent people from further engaging in exercise. Minimizing DOMS might provide benefits in this case. Blood flow restriction (BFR) prior to ischemia has been shown to lessen tissue damage experienced, but it is unknown if BFR could decrease DOMS. This study examined the potential of blood flow restriction (BFR) prior to eccentric exercise in reducing DOMS among healthy adults. BFR was achieved by inflating a cuff to 50% of previously determined limb occlusion pressure, while the sham control had a cuff inflated to 10% of the limb occlusion pressure, with each participant undergoing 5 minutes of this treatment. 24 hours after BFR, participants performed eccentric bicep curls to induce muscle damage. Pain-pressure threshold (PPT) measurements were taken on the middle belly of each biceps brachii muscle with a force and acceleration sensor (Vernier Go Direct ) 24 hours prior and post exercise. Results showed no significant difference in PPT scores between BFR and control arms (F(1,10)=.021, p = .888), indicating BFR’s ineffectiveness in reducing DOMS. Despite prior indications, BFR did not demonstrate a protective effect on DOMS under these conditions. This study contributes valuable insights into DOMS management and BFR/ischemic preconditioning research.

Presenters: Emelee Duarte ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Cardiorespiratory Recovery Positions After Intense Exercise

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of body position, hands on head (HH) or hands on knees (HK), on HR, VO2 and VCO2 after intense exercise. METHODS: 17 regular exercisers underwent testing. Maximal HR was determined prior to 2 sets of four 30-second cycling intervals with ten seconds rest. HR, VO2, and VCO2 were measured. After the first set, participants rested in one recovery position for 3 minutes, and then performed the next set prior to the second position. RESULTS: After exercise, HR decreased more rapidly in the HK position (36.6%) than in the HH position (30.7 %) (p=0.002). With difference between position for VO2 (HH: 3.8 L/min; HK: 3.9 L/min; p=0.877) and VCO2 (HH: 4.3 L/min; HK: 4.6 L/min; p=0.177). CONCLUSION: HK caused the quickest HR recovery, but had no effect on respiratory data. HR recovery differences could be due to body position effects on stroke volume. These results indicate that the athlete may be able to return to play at a lower HR if they recover in the HK position. Findings from this study inform athletes about the optimal cardiorespiratory recovery positions.

Presenters: Hallie Mayfield ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

Beyond the Senses: Developing a Multi-sensory Board for Pediatric Occupational Therapy

A sensory board is a versatile therapeutic tool used to target different goals and can help patients beyond dysregulation of sensory processes. The sensory board at OT Connection in Pflugerville, previously was not used frequently but had great potential to aid in progress for patients with autism and sensory processing disorder, and benefit children in occupational therapy. PURPOSE: To improve the sensory board to provide pediatric occupational therapy clients with an alternative therapeutic tool to improve fine motor development, independence in self-care, dexterity skills, grasping positions, and hand eye coordination. METHODS: Occupational Therapists were interviewed to provide guidance on activities they would find beneficial on the board. Upon completion, pediatric clients used the updated board for six weeks. The therapists were then asked to complete a Google Form regarding the frequency of their use and the success of the board. RESULTS: Each occupational therapist (n= 5) reported an increase in the use of the sensory board in patients with Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder and other diagnoses. CONCLUSION: The revision to the sensory board resulted in an increase in use by therapists as well as an increase in client engagement when performing tasks or skills.

Presenters: Kate Quindara ’24

Location: FJS Lobby

9:00am - 10:00am

Chalk It Up!

Physics Club Sharing Information on STEM

Presenters: Sabrina Woodward ’25, Angel Rodriguez ’24

Location: Academic Mall/Flag Poles

Museum of Civilization

Drawing on Themes from Books

Presenters: Madeline Bollinger ’24, Ryan Tanner ’25, Jillian Clack ’25, Katherine Lunam ’24, Emma Jane Knigge ’24, Kathrynn Chown ’25, Zacharia Arifi ’24

Location: Academic Mall/Flag Poles

Lines of chalk

My Waterfront Lodge is a two-story white stucco home covering nine hundred square feet, including balconies with views of the water. The interior includes a kitchen, dining, and living room with an upstairs bedroom and bathroom fit for a couple or small family getaway for the weekend. This 6 week, 3 phase project consisted of a preliminary design, design development, and finally, complete presentation materials to an eighth and quarter inch scales. The program must achieve nine hundred total square feet, a multipurpose open space with a three hundred square foot transitional space, energy efficiency, social interaction, maintain a sense of open space, and produce a potential airbnb rental. With that, my site consists of numerous and various types of native trees, a small pond, and a driveway to the front entrance. My home features a concrete foundation, a lower floor cantilever balcony, an upper floor balcony with views directly from the bedroom, and by far my favorite part of the house, the clay barrel roof tile on one side of the roof and expanded metal mesh on the other side.

Presenters: Isa Wilson ’26

Location: Academic Mall/Flag Poles

Cat Garden

As a group of students who come from four different areas of study we all take part in the creative process. Carr, class of 2024, is looking forward to studying at New York University this fall further perusing their work in composition. Evans, class of 2024, will be graduating this spring after completing her capstone in ceramics with Paideia with Distinction. Hein, class of 2026, is not only an English major but a member of Southwestern’s Chorale group and the school paper, Megaphone. Vanderwalt, class of 2026, is studying abroad in Australia this fall to dive deeper into her degree in environment studies. Together we have bonded over our love for cats, thus the idea to create a cat garden came about. In this event the four of us will work to create a garden that is flourishing with life and tended to by cats. While humorous in nature the idea stems from our unique connections to nature and the commonalities between us as Southweatern students.

Presenters: Paige Evans ’24, Brayden Carr ’24, Zoe Hein ’26, Zoe VanDerVlugt ’26

Location: Academic Mall/Flag Poles

9:20am - 9:40am

Oral Presentations

Gestational Surrogacy and Party Politics in Europe

Gestational surrogacy has emerged as a hot button “moral issue” in Europe (Foret, Bolzonar, and Grundell 2021). With surrogacy illegal in most European democracies (exceptions include the United Kingdom and the Netherlands) (Cuddy 2018), families seeking this option often turn to surrogates living abroad where surrogacy is legal, in countries like Ukraine, Mexico, and the United States. Recent crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic (Kramer 2020; Prugger and Parafeniuk 2020) and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (Kale 2022; Rose 2022), have led to headlines about the plight of families unable to unite with their biological children born to surrogate mothers, fueling increasing debate about surrogacy.Academic research on surrogacy up to this point has largely been focused in the fields of law and feminist theory. The goal of this research project is to provide the first systematic examination of how Europe’s political parties approach this complicated issue, and to begin to answer important questions regarding surrogacy and party politics. This presentation will provide an overview of this project, as well as initial findings from Spain and Italy.

Presenters: Mercedes Chervony ’24, Stephen Gilby ’24

Location: Olin 110

Transformative Reflections: Unpacking Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’

The presentation will explore Kendrick Lamar’s seminal album “To Pimp a Butterfly,” a profound exploration of materialism, racism, oppression, and self-love within the backdrop of black culture in America. Lamar skillfully employs metaphors like the caterpillar, cocoon, and butterfly to illustrate the struggles of black individuals in a society rife with systemic injustices. Through a masterful fusion of hip-hop, jazz, funk, soul, and rock, Lamar creates a musical odyssey that resonates deeply, challenging societal norms and prompting introspection. We’ll delve into key tracks, dissecting their thematic significance and highlighting Lamar’s narrative prowess. Ultimately, “To Pimp a Butterfly” transcends musical boundaries to offer poignant insights into the human condition and the universal quest for freedom and authenticity. Join us as we unpack the layers of this timeless work of art and its call for collective empowerment and self-realization.

Presenters: Timothy Berlanga ’25

Location: Olin 113

An Analysis of the Relationship Between ADHD, Substance Use Disorder, and Stimulant Medication

This research focused on reviewing the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance use disorder (SUD), and stimulant medication interactions. When looking at studies that look at a correlation between these three topics, a pattern arises. The rate of developing SUD is significantly higher among people with ADHD than among people who do not have ADHD. Remaining undiagnosed during adolescence can significantly increase this risk. The SUD development risk is especially high in the female population with ADHD. This is because many women present inattentive ADHD, a more difficult type to diagnose. Prescribing stimulant medication to treat ADHD during a person’s adolescence was shown to decrease rates of SUD development. There is a possibility that the high correlation between ADHD and SUD in untreated individuals is due to people unknowingly self-medicating to treat their ADHD symptoms. Commonly abused substances target the same dopaminergic pathways as stimulant medications used to treat ADHD. Theoretically, this means that abuse of illicit drugs (e. G. d-amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine) can produce the same benefits as ADHD medication. Overall, increased focus should be placed on the neurological factors at play in the increased SUD development of people with ADHD.

Presenters: Katarina Wilson ’26

Location: Olin 124

9:40am - 10:00am

Oral Presentations

Getting Down and Dirty: Did a Viral Travel Ad Really Do It for the Danes?

This project explores the effect of the viral “Do It For Denmark” campaign. Spies Travel company encourages Danes to book a vacation, get romantic, and bring back some Danish babies. The advertisement suggests that couples could rescue Denmark by increasing its birth rate, which is necessary to support the aging population due to the structure of the welfare system. They offer promotional deals on booking trips, as well as a prize to those who can prove their child was conceived on one of these trips. Danish news sites suggest that this campaign did in fact cause a baby boom, however I predict that this increase in birth rate, if real, had been caused by other factors such as economic well-being or marriage rates, rather than a humorous travel ad. I will present an economic model of fertility rates that I have developed which will provide estimates for the true effect of this campaign, as well as a variety of other possible explanatory variables.

Presenters: Kathryn Altman ’24

Location: Olin 110

10:00am - 10:20am

Oral Presentations

A Comprehensive IPO Investment Strategy

This research will analyze historical initial public offering data from 2013- 2019. The model will look at over 1000 stock tickers. It will determine general trends and a best investment strategy taking into account various holding periods, durations of investment, and Offer vs Opening price. In addition, the project will calculate various risk adjusted return measures as a portfolio and broken down into industry specific results to compare to the benchmark. The paper will attempt to form a “flow chart” of investing decisions based on historical data trends to forecast future investment strategy. This forecast will then be tested on the following years IPO data and its return will be compared to the S&P 500 and analyzed as a viable investment strategy.

Presenters: Gage Bausman ’24

Location: Olin 110

New, True, and Deep History: Historiography of the Spanish-Aztec War and the Path to Reexamination

Since Hernán Cortés’s landfall on the American continent, Western sources have been used as the primary foundation for written histories of the Spanish-Aztec War more than five centuries later. In recent years, however, scholars have begun to cross-examine these sources with those that have been historically marginalized, including indigenous perspectives and non-written media. This presentation will reference three scholarly books on the Spanish-Aztec War published between 2018 and 2020 that claim uniqueness in the field of Latin American history. These books aim to depose a dramatic tale of truth, introduce new evidence, and dig past the limits of historiography—proving that the romanticized concept of the Spanish-Aztec War is being recognized and confronted. Drawing on their titles, “New, True, and Deep History: Historiography of the Spanish-Aztec War and the Path to Reexamination” will examine this historiographical movement and how scholars like Matthew Restall, Camila Townsend, and David M. Carballo have steered the future of Latin American history-telling toward one of thorough reexamination.

Presenters: Sara Shamaly ’25

Location: Olin 113

10:00am - 11:00am

Creative and Scientific Process Exhibitions

Tiered Paintings and the Perception of Color

In 2016 Denver artist Clint Eccher debuted a series of paintings that could switch between different images depending on how they were lit– he called this technique Tiered Paintings. For our S-STEM project, we have tried to deconstruct the artist’s process to understand how he was able to achieve this effect. In a Tiered Painting the image shifts and can change moods as the result of changing brightness and color. In some of these paintings, the LED colors highlight or hide different features that the viewer perceives, conveying multiple meanings depending on which areas are featured. As part of our project, we have experimented with multiple surfaces that contain painted images and an arrangement of colored LEDs that can be used to illuminate them. In our presentation, we will present the best combination of paints, surfaces, and lights that produce the most visually interesting images.

Presenters: Evan Collazo ’26

Location: FAB/Walzel

Tiered Paintings and the Perception of Color

Presenters: Kate Dennis ’27

Location: FAB/Walzel

The Tamarind Lithography Project

By discovering old techniques, artists garner new ideas to implement into the modern theories they are already exploring through mediums alike. As a faculty-led educational trip, Ava Drew, Thira Rose Schlegel, Grace Blitz, Hannah Chok, and Studio Arts Professor, Heidi Hogden, traveled to the world renowned Tamarind Institute, in Albuquerque, NM to learn about the ancient art of stone lithography in collaboration with fellow master printers in training. Tamarind Institute started in 1960 to embrace lithography in a world where other methods of graphic design were taking over. Prints are created by taking a large limestone slab, placing ink, touché, acid, and other chemicals to etch into the stone so ink can be applied on top where the stone acts like a large stamp. This time consuming process gone into creating multiple editions of a work tests an artist’s patience and care for the craft of their art. The legacy of Tamarind Institute and the rebirth of lithography continues to impact artists today through collaborative printing, research, and postback programs to become a master printer. Ava and Thira share the impact Tamarind had on them through two works they created that connect to the themes of their capstone exhibitions.

Presenters: Ava Drew ’24

Location: FAB/Walzel

Tiered Paintings and the Perception of Color

Presenters: Juliana Elizondo ’27

Location: FAB/Walzel

The Heidi Chronicles Scenery and Costume Design

This project is a culmination of students’ design research for costuming and scenery for the recent theatre department production of The Heidi Chronicles, presented to both the Southwestern and Georgetown community and seen by around 600 people.. They will share their design process, including period and character research. The nature of designing this show proved to challenge us as the play’s setting spanned over 20 years, involved 4 or more costumes per actor, and 12 different locations. This show was presented as a collaborative effort, working together with each other as well as multiple faculty members and guest artists to bring the director’s concept and world to life. They will demonstrate their designs and conceptual statements involved in creating the design.

Presenters: Bronwyn Fogarty ’24

Location: FAB/Walzel

Zooxanthellae and Aliivibrio Fischeri: An Affinity Analysis on the Macro Scale

With climate destabilization becoming an increased threat in the past years, Coral Reefs have an increased risk of bleaching due to factors such as rising ocean temperatures or ocean acidification. Due to the fragility of coral reef ecosystems, scientists have been discovering innovative ways to keep corals from bleaching. What we want to know is whether or not we can reverse coral bleaching. Foundational research has proved there is an attraction between Zooxanthellae, the symbiotic algae on corals; and Aliivibrio fischeri, a bioluminescent bacteria. This experiment will test whether there is still an attraction on the macroscopic scale. Involved in this experiment will be bleached coral from the Acropora genus, and we will be adding V. fischeri to a fish tank with the coral, testing whether or not there is an attraction on a larger scale. The research we are conducting will help us better understand the mechanisms for coral bleaching, and the relationship of Zooxanthellae, V. fischeri, and Acropora; and how we can save them in an increasingly hostile environment.

Presenters: Murphy Jacobie ’27

Location: FAB/Walzel

Tiered Paintings and the Perception of Color

Presenters: Alyanna Martinez ’26

Location: FAB/Walzel

The Heidi Chronicles Scenery and Costume Design

Presenters: Isabella Morrow ’24

Location: FAB/Walzel

Decoding the Guitar

For this exhibition, I would like to describe the process of learning a new instrument: the guitar. There are many components to learning the guitar, and each is like a separate “code”, or language, that one must decode and translate into music. It begins with reading sheet music and all the notes, numbers, and letters that come with it, but that is not where the codes end. Translating sheet music onto the guitar is a complicated process, at least at first. Not only that, but music itself has nuances that simply reading the sheet music will not reveal. I plan on creating a poster that highlights all the different approaches I have learned from Dr. Steve Kostelnik to figure out how to decode first the language of guitar, then the specific nuances involved in playing a song. I hope to also include an audio recording of a song that conveys stylistic and emotional dynamics that are necessary for translating the written “code” into an audible story.

Presenters: Eliana Sanger ’26

Location: FAB/Walzel

The Tamarind Lithography Project

Presenters: Thira Rose Schlegel ’24

Location: FAB/Walzel

Robotic Plant Growth System

The Southwestern University plant growth room in the Fondren-Jones Science Center is used for plant-based research. This room can be inadequate due to its poor ventilation and humidity. In response to this issue, we have built a robotic system that cares for plants and artificially controls specific variables. This system uses an Arduino microcontroller to water the plants when needed by monitoring the humidity of the soil and administering water at a designated humidity value. It additionally provides light to plants on a cycle of the user’s choosing. We originally created this system to see how these fundamental parts of plant growth can be controlled, and we have further developed our system for use in laboratory classes. Students in the General Chemistry II lab will test the robotic system that was created specifically for use in their yearly spinach-growing experiments. Students will be able to conduct their project without confounding variables and will be introduced to the Arduino code within the plant growth system, thus broadening the scope of their general education. We are looking into further research about recycled materials and our ability to employ these materials in future systems. We believe this project will provide many avenues for further plant-based research at Southwestern University.

Presenters: Annalina Slover ’26, Eliana Solis ’26, Carolyn Waldie ’26, Eliana Solis ’26, Isabella Saldivar ’26, Hallie Martinez ’26

Location: FAB/Walzel

Regaining Strength and Range of Motion in a Young Adult Male with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy Through Locomotor Training

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a condition attributed to some degree of brain damage that interferes with the ability of muscles to function normally (Krigger, 2006). There is limited understanding about the effects of physiotherapy on individuals with CP (Jeglinsky et al., 2010). Locomotor training has shown to improve independent walking with assistive devices in CP children (Day et al., 2004). PURPOSE: To design and trial a harness-assisted treadmill apparatus (HATA) to enhance flexibility, strength and comfortability while engaging in locomotor movement for an individual with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy (SQCP). METHODS: A 25-year-old male with SQCP engaged in 2 days a week of treadmill locomotor training with flexibility exercises and 2 days a week with strength and flexibility training. RESULTS: Pre measurements were significantly different than post in both the (R)foot strength (t(3), p=0.031), 55% improvement and (L)foot strength (t(3), p=0.019), 95% improvement. Range of motion of the joints also increased on each side of the body (R: 20% and L: 30%). Therefore, the combined training enhanced strength, flexibility, and comfort during locomotion. The HATA design could offer more accessible therapeutic options for CP individuals, potentially improving quality of life.

Presenters: Taylor Dean ’24, Madison Deitch ’25

Location: FAB/Walzel

Emotion in Mathematical Art

The nexus between the natural sciences and visual arts is becoming increasingly prominent in the public conscience. The goal of our project is to use mathematical concepts to evoke emotion through a series of paintings. Our first painting highlights the ever present Fibonacci’s spiral in a dark and foreboding piece, conveying sadness and isolation akin to the insignificance one might feel in the face of the vastness of the universe. The second painting represents a state of calm and peace through the sin and cos functions. The third painting creates a mood of passion and anger via linear function with varying depths and colors. The final painting models the ellipse in its circle form to convey feelings of happiness and joy. This series of paintings is a physical representation of the constant connection that exists between math and art with an overarching theme of human emotion. We hope that our series of paintings can surface both emotional feelings and curiosity from viewers that make them want to engage with the growing space that connects art and science.

Presenters: Sabrina Woodward ’25, Paige Chapman ’25

Location: FAB/Walzel

Framing Texas

The United States has a complex history marked by imperialism, colonialism, African enslavement, and Indigenous community destruction, which has shaped its current socio-political issues. Texas, prominent in this narrative, has an untold history centred on slave, immigrant, and minority exploitation. To challenge this narrative, our project aims to illuminate these silenced groups. Two quilts represent its core: Quilt A, vibrant with Texas’s shape, symbolizes the idealized state, while Quilt B, underneath, is monochrome, revealing the true, exploited history. Initially showcasing Quilt A reflects global and classroom glorification of Texas, while cutting it to unveil Quilt B, exposes the state’s grim past of colour exploitation. Without spotlighting the oppressed, we risk repeating past atrocities and perpetuating power abuse. This project aims to reveal hidden stories, sparking vital conversations about Texas’ reality.

Presenters: Aleena Khan ’24, Natasha Ndele ’24, Mia Santoscoy ’26, Daniela Echevarria ’24, Layla Sinno ’24, Eric Salinas ’25

Location: FAB/Walzel

The Mechanical Man

The Mechanical Man is an artistic piece that attempts to capture and represent the complex emotions and mechanisms that we experience on a daily basis. This is done through programming eye-catching movements with motors and sensors in the outline of a human body, then adding embellishments to better depict these ideas. These elements are interactive with the viewer through motion sensors, which will activate the mechanical movements displayed. This piece is meant to represent the things we have in common as people, from the complex functions in our body that go unnoticed to the emotional reactions that greatly influence us. It also represents the complexity of the human body, showing that we could never represent all emotions or processes, and the piece could never be the real thing.

Presenters: Angel Rodriguez ’24, Noor Nazeer ’24

Location: FAB/Walzel

Clicks in Time

In this artistic endeavor, the intention is to create two to three pieces of artwork that delve into concepts and techniques to be further explored in a ceramics and design capstone course. The central theme revolves around combining the technical intricacies of a music box, specifically the crankshaft mechanism, with the dramatic storytelling potential of marionettes. This fusion aims to juxtapose precision and meticulousness with theatrical and narrative elements, offering a captivating artistic experience. The chosen theme for this project is the representation of fleeting moments in life, epitomized by the symbolism of a baby bird and other moments with nature. Baby birds serve as a poignant metaphor for life’s transience, starting their journey in vulnerability and innocence, rapidly evolving, and eventually taking flight, mirroring life’s ephemeral nature. The decision to incorporate a music box’s crankshaft mechanism goes beyond aesthetics; it represents a deliberate exploration of the mechanical and technical aspects of art. Each turn of the crankshaft symbolizes the passage of time, akin to the ticking of a clock in our lives. Furthermore, the presentation of the puppet coming to life, akin to a short film, engages the audience in a unique and immersive manner. The plan is to construct the puppet from ceramics, while utilizing wood for the framework and 3D printing for the mechanics. The choice of setting for the puppet, whether in ceramics, mixed media, or a minimalist presentation, remains to be determined. This artistic journey promises to be an exploration of creativity, technical skill, and the profound resonance of fleeting moments in the human experience.

Presenters: Joanna Garcia Robles ’24

Location: FAB/Walzel

Zebrafish Immobilizing, Hindbrain Imaging, and Neuron Analyzing (Oh my!)

Our research aims to investigate the neurodevelopment of respiratory circuitry, using zebrafish as a model organism. Within the zebrafish hindbrain, facial branchiomotor neurons (FBMNs) innervate muscles involved in jaw, buccal cavity, and operculum movement, and therefore control the early rhythmic feeding and breathing behaviors present in larvae. The FBMNs typically migrate from one position to another during embryonic development, and we are interested in how disruptions to this migration impact respiratory circuit development. In one study, we are determining which time period of ethanol exposure post-fertilization would have the greatest effect on FBMN migration in zebrafish. In another study, we are investigating how abnormal FBMN migration impacts the axon pathfinding of T-reticular neurons, believed to be pre-synaptic to FBMNs. To accomplish these goals, we must first be proficient in laboratory procedures including exposing the fish to ethanol, immobilizing larval zebrafish in agarose, and imaging with a fluorescence microscope. Additionally, we must become familiar with ImageJ (FIJI) and the Simple Neurite Tracer (SNT) PlugIn, and develop rigorous ways to analyze the data we’re collecting. In this poster presentation, we share our experiences and future goals for this research project.

Presenters: Annika Tracy ’25 and Madison Almarez ’26

Location: FAB/Walzel

10:00am - 11:00am

Exhibitions

Accessibility Archive: (un)Seeing Difference

My exhibition is a continuation of my art history capstone research project, Accessibility Archive: Finding Sensory Equity in Olafur Eliasson’s Installations, which used Olafur Eliasson’s installations, Your rainbow panorama (2006-2011) and Sometimes an underground movement is an illuminated bridge (2020), as case studies of incredibly interactive and highly visual contemporary works to explore what happens to viewer experience when the visual sense is compromised. This exhibition aims to take my research findings and translate them into the tangible world through painting and sculpture, displayed to critically engage with conversations of accessibility. The exhibition will put the viewer in the shoes of disabled viewers of art through manipulating perspective and the senses to help viewers experience some of the common difficulties experienced by disabled viewers, creating a bridge between these experiences and awareness for much needed change in the display of art. An interactive activity will be provided at the end of the viewing allowing for viewers to catalogue their experiences, feelings, and thoughts on the exhibition and to experiment themselves with how to solve some of these accessibility challenges.

Presenters: Ceridwen Grady ’24

Location: FAB/Walzel

Greek Mythology - Facing Medusa

This project is an activity linked to the FYS symposium Cultural Masks: Festivals, Tribalism and Identity. I will be exploring Greek Mythology; Medusa fierce, feminine, composed. Medusa is often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evil, her persona making it easy to deter danger. Medusa pursued by Poseidon in a temple of Athena is then cursed, leaving her with snakes for hair and a deathly gaze. Medusa is portrayed in various ways, beautiful to all or yet the opposite. However there is one thing true; her gaze is powerful and uncompromisingly dangerous.

Presenters: Hannah Quick ’27, Nadia Rodriguez ’27, Isabella Smith ’27

Location: FAB/Walzel

Waterfront Lodge

Presenters: Tauryn Alexander ’26, Olivia Bakke ’25, Samuel Hutchinson ’26, Andrew Morse ’24, Katherine Vlasek ’25, Ashley Zuppichini ’26

Location: FAB/Walzel

10:20am - 10:40am

Oral Presentations

Identity Development of the Kabyle

This paper examines the discursive definitions and expressions of diasporic Franco-Kabyle (Algerian Berber) identities, reprioritizing the personal experiences of myself and other diaspora members above the academically favored focus on broader sociopolitical movements. I employ assemblage theory to argue the existence of a multidimensional fracture of a centuries-enforced and articulated Kabyle identity within intensifying racial discourses in contemporary France. Positing the colonial circumstances and pre/post-colonial rhetorical positioning, I highlight the hegemonic actors and properties crucial in the creation of an essentialized, autochthonous Franco-Kabyle identity. I then explore a new “post-Kabyle” identity as a form of counter-hegemonic pushback from 2nd-generation and marginalized Franco-Kabyles. The conditions leading to this identity stem from the disconnect those in the diaspora feel from the experiences and perspectives of their kin. I demonstrate how the identity is articulated through community interactions and further engagement in notably French post-colonial discourses with new pan-Maghrebi lenses of thought. Through four months of ethnographic research in Paris, France, I argue for post-Kabyle self-determination from its position born in the crossfire of French racial politics as praxis for its resolution.

Presenters: Zacharia Arifi ’24

Location: Olin 105

I’m Just a Girl: The Sex Wage Gap

The sex-wage gap is a phenomenon that identifies that there is a difference in the median earnings for women when compared to men. My project will be covering what variables contribute to this wage gap, and the long term effects of it. The questions I pose to this issue are the following: 1) What is the difference in a women’s vs. a man’s return on education? 2) How much more negatively impacted is someone’s wage if they are both female and non-white? 3) Observing two age groups overtime, how much has enrollment increased over time for women both white and non-white? Also to be observed between the age groups, how much further apart does the gap between men and women become as people age?

Presenters: Katya Piekarski ’24

Location: Olin 110

Beyond Borders and Into the Stars: Exploring Motivations and the Shaping of National Identities in the Space Race

Our motivations and identity are shaped by what we experience, and we are still experiencing many of the effects of the Cold War. We must understand where these sentiments originate in order to understand how they will develop. In my research, I specifically examine the motivations of the space race from the perspective of both the United States and the Soviet Union. I also examine the ways that national identity was shaped by different moments of the space race, focusing on the Apollo 11 moon landing. I examine congressional remarks and newspapers to be able to understand this issue through both a personal and political lens. I was able to discover that despite outward discussions of peace in space, the United States still worked towards goals of maintaining prestige in international scenes. I found that by examining the space race, I was able to better understand the political and personal motivations of both nations in their competition with each other in many different aspects of the Cold War. I found that while the space race is not the largest part of the Cold War, it heavily contributed to nationalistic ideas that can still be found today.

Presenters: Allison Trammell ’24

Location: Olin 113

10:40am - 11:00am

Oral Presentations

Más allá de la pantalla: Analizando las representaciones mediáticas de las experiencias de hispanohablantes de herencia en el aula de español

Esta investigación analiza las representaciones en los medios de comunicación de las experiencias de aprendizaje académico del español en los Estados Unidos a través de diferentes plataformas como el cine, la televisión y las redes sociales, y mediante entrevistas sociolingüísticas que abordan la experiencia personal de los hispanohablantes en el aula. Al examinar las representaciones ficticias de aulas de español de secundaria, el estudio busca descubrir las ideologías lingüísticas subyacentes incorporadas en estas representaciones de medios y experiencias en el aula. Investiga cuáles experiencias se representan y cuáles faltan, para echar luz sobre el impacto de la representación de medios en la identidad social y cultural de los hablantes de herencia de español. A través del análisis cualitativo y las entrevistas, la investigación explora cómo resuenan las representaciones de medios con los hablantes de herencia en español y los aprendices de segundo idioma, comparando y contrastando las reflexiones de cada grupo. Este estudio echa luz sobre la compleja interacción entre las representaciones de medios, las experiencias de aprendizaje de idiomas y la formación de identidad, contribuyendo a una comprensión más profunda de las dinámicas socioculturales que rodean la educación del español en los Estados Unidos.

Presenters: Harper Kingsland ’24, Ella Stewart ’24

Location: Olin 113

Accessibility Archive: Finding Sensory Equity in Olafur Eliasson’s Installations

My research uses Olafur Eliasson’s installations, Your rainbow panorama (2006-2011) and Sometimes an underground movement is an illuminated bridge (2020), as case studies of incredibly interactive and highly visual contemporary works to explore what happens to viewer experience when the visual sense is compromised. I further aim to provide a new framework for how art historical analysis can bridge the created sensory experience gap and move towards a space of sensory equity in the display of objects. Through visual and semiotic analysis I am able to identify key visual elements of an artwork which are then translated into other sensory methods of display to more closely preserve the visual experience through non-visual means. Cross analysis with disability studies and economic theory then allows for the identification of accessibility recommendations and incentives for their inclusion in cultural institutions at an organisational and governmental level. My initial findings are that the creation of multi-sensory models, utilising technology to add textural, temperature, and movement elements, and visitor engagement tools are feasible and helpful solutions to this problem. Through these means, a new level of immersion can be achieved for visually impaired visitors and for the gallery as a whole.

Presenters: Ceridwen Grady ’24

Location: Olin 110

11:00am - 11:20am

Oral Presentations

Whiteness in Chile

As Chileans follow white ideals of progress, modernity, and white standards of beauty to stay worthy and relevant in relation to the global north, they also use these ideals to maintain and differentiate the ‘white’elite from the lower classes in Chile. Whiteness in Chile is not only about one’s skin color but also about a performance that imitates Western behaviors and aspirations. This research takes place in my hometown of Santiago, Chile where I conducted ethnographic research through participant observation. I noted how everyday practices of the white elite reproduced racial attitudes that maintain upper class identity as white mestizos while also retaining membership to the collective Chilean identity. This paper builds upon existing literature about whiteness, race, and social class in Chile and Latin America. It brings to the fore the social network that whiteness creates and complicates for Chileans. Popular understanding of social inequality and racial exclusion–specifically with respect to recent Haitian immigration–is obscured as is the case in Latin America more broadly.

Presenters: Constanza Cameron ’24

Location: Olin 105

Explorando el trabajo de los intérpretes legales en Texas: Percepciones, desafíos, y prácticas

El propósito de este trabajo es explorar el campo de la interpretación legal, en particular los intérpretes de español/inglés en el estado de Texas. El estudio presente intenta contribuir a las investigaciones sobre la interpretación legal por darles una voz a los intérpretes legales. Por medio de entrevistas con intérpretes legales en el estado de Texas, este estudio explora las percepciones diferentes de los intérpretes en su trabajo y lo que ellos piensan que es una interpretación buena. Además, analiza el impacto de las diferentes variedades lingüísticas del español en el proceso de interpretación y el efecto del uso de un intérprete legal en la corte. Adicionalmente, examina el lado performativo del acto de interpretación, en cuanto a la representación de las emociones y estilos de habla de la persona para la cual están interpretando. Los resultados de este estudio pueden contribuir a la comprensión de no solo la profesión de interpretación legal, sino también las personas a las que se están interpretando.

Presenters: Sydney O’Connell ’25, James Vaquero ’25

Location: Olin 113

The Making of a Monster: Roman Emperors and Projections of Madness

When asked to imagine a monster, the minds of many people flash to colorful creatures with strange bodies and deadly tendencies. This is all well and good, but monster theory is an expansive and growing subfield of communications that analyzes the place of these figures among society and how they represent the dark underside of our cultural values and systems. The monster becomes an embodiment of cultural fears, and society must do what it can to slay it and fight back against them. Much like a monstrous figure cannot be separated from its cultural and temporal context, neither can historical record. In the case of this research, specific Roman emperors will be used as case studies to examine these phenomena and how they applied to ancient society even at the highest level. This paper explores the extent to which madness and monstrosity came from the emperors themselves, and how much was projected onto them by political rivals and the public eye.

Presenters: Marley Sensenderfer ’25

Location: Olin 110

11:00am - 11:30am

Performances

Scene and Duet from Norma, by Bellini

Gaul, 50 B.C.E. In a forest at night, Oroveso, King of the Sicambi, leads the druids and warriors in a prayer for revenge against the conquering Romans. After they have left, the Roman proconsul Pollione admits to his friend Flavio that he no longer loves the high priestess Norma, Oroveso’s daughter, with whom he has two children. He has fallen in love with a young novice priestess, Adalgisa, who returns his love. Flavio warns him against Norma’s anger. The druids assemble, and Norma prays to the moon goddess for peace. She tells her people that as soon as the moment for their uprising against the conquerors arrives, she herself will lead the revolt. At the same time, she realizes that she could never harm Pollione. The scene starts when the grove is deserted, Adalgisa stays and asks her Gods for strength to resist Pollione. Pollione comes and finds her crying and urges her to flee with him to Rome. She eventually agrees to renounce her vows.

Presenters: Makenna Palacio ’24

Location: FAB/Caldwell Carvey

11:20am - 11:40am

Oral Presentations

Motivaciones e influencias en el aprendizaje universitaria del español

Este trabajo de investigación explora las motivaciones que impulsan a los individuos a seguir estudiando español en la universidad y examina el impacto de sus experiencias previas en el aprendizaje de idiomas. El estudio investiga si la participación en programas de inmersión o de lengua dual influye en la probabilidad de continuar estudiando español. A través de entrevistas sociolingüísticas, se recogen datos de estudiantes universitarios bilingües en español e inglés. Se pregunta a los participantes sobre sus antecedentes académicos, sus experiencias con la enseñanza del español antes de la universidad y sus motivaciones para seguir cursos de español. El estudio también profundiza en la integración de la educación cultural en el aprendizaje del español. El análisis de los datos recogidos y de los trabajos realizados previamente en este campo trata de descubrir patrones y factores que influyen en la decisión de los individuos de estudiar español, incluyendo aspectos demográficos, oportunidades educativas y creencias personales sobre el bilingüismo. Esta investigación contribuye a una comprensión más profunda de las motivaciones y la retención en el aprendizaje de idiomas, con implicaciones para las prácticas de enseñanza de idiomas.

Presenters: Francesca Abbruzzese ’25, Juan Macias ’24, Greta Nelson ’25, Lauren Plowman ’24

Location: Olin 113

An Analysis of Race and Ethnicity in BL Manga

Through the international spread of Japanese pop culture such as anime and manga, it is only natural that a variety of global representations would appear in these graphic mediums which people consume and then reproduce. One niche that has been exported alongside them would be BL otherwise known as Boy’s Love, a genre that focuses on the romantic relationships between males that is often created by and for a predominately female audience. It is not uncommon for characters within this genre to hail from locations outside of Japan, however there is a particular lens that foreign bodies are viewed in that warrants analysis. Characters with darker skin tones are uncommon in BL manga and their invisibility is vastly understudied. The representation that does exist within the genre is composed of harmful stereotypes that are also present in Japanese perspectives of dark skin. I explore the relationship between these representations and Japanese racial ideology through ethnographic research, autoethnographic reflections, virtual ethnography, and discourse analysis of BL manga.

Presenters: Kamora Millan ’24

Location: Olin 105

Scythians and Mnemohistory

Scythia remains a relevant subject in conversations about empire, especially through the course of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Using mnemohistory, this project explores the ways ancient historians, namely Herodotus, Diodorus, and Justinus, along with a modern historian, Christopher Beckwith invoke Scythia to make statements about the characteristics of empires. Herodotus, informed both by traditions about the Persian empire and by his own experience under the Athenian empire, invokes Scythia as a space fundamentally opposed to empire, epitomized to Herodotus by Persia, because its people hold their customs as their highest ruler, and as such, in this memory, Scythians become defenders of freedom par excellence. Diodorus, living as a provincial, non-citizen under Rome during its fraught transition between republic and empire, invokes Scythia as holding a hegemony over its neighbors that is tantamount to collective slavery. Justinus, who lived in the Roman empire, invokes Scythia as an exemplary proto-empire. Lastly, Beckwith invokes Scythia as the first major empire, responsible, like, he writes, other empires, for its transmission of major cultural innovations. In essence, each historian engages in the tradition of adapting cultural memory to render their understanding of empire. This mnemohistory contextualizes modern forms of nationalism and empire.

Presenters: Owen Steinle ’24

Location: Olin 110

11:30am - 12:00pm

Performances

Devising Project

For this years devising project, we are exploring the concept of regret and why we experience it as human beings. What do we regret in life? Why do regret the decisions that we have made in the past? How do we recover from them? Are you happy now? These are just a handful of questions we want to answer. To do this, we have been interviewing people of different backgrounds, ages and experiences and asked them the question “If you could go back in time and change a decision you made, what would it be?” From there, we will create a theatrical performance with songs, readings and other forms of entertainment based off the answers we received. We hope that this project will help us further understand what makes us feel regretful of our past, hopefully creating some connections between the stories we have heard and with a live audience.

Presenters: Faith Madsen ’24, Piper Swisher ’26, Connor Bustos ’26, Emma Hoover ’27, Emilio Martinez ’27

Location: FAB/Caldwell Carvey

11:40am - 12:00pm

Oral Presentations

The Political Spectrum of Choice: Predictors of Americans’ Opinions on Abortion

Abortion has always been a controversial subject, but the current dissidence and the severity of legislative policy are a uniquely modern issue. Abortion laws are being passed left and right across the United States of America at an unprecedented rate. While there has been research conducted on this topic in recent years, there is insufficient research published regarding the accelerated progression of abortion politics in the past couple of years. Using a bivariate analysis of data compiled from the General Social Survey (2021), I find a moderately strong association between political orientation and opinions on abortion such that those who identify as more conservative are less likely to support abortion in any context than those who are not conservative. While these findings are consistent with previously published research, they provide an updated analysis of the effects of political orientation on opinions about abortion.

Presenters: Emily Dimiceli ’25

Location: Olin 105

1:00pm - 1:20pm

Oral Presentations

Metal Complexation and Oxide Encapsulation for Enhancement of Direct Syngas Production from Reactive Carbon Capture Solutions

Using electrochemistry to reduce CO2 in bicarbonate solutions for carbon capture is a new and promising approach to creating carbon fuel sources for the sake of a net zero emission environment. However, the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and electrode instability (due to solution impurities) are the largest problems faced when trying to optimize this process. In our work we show that using silver (Ag) encapsulated in titanium dioxide (TiO2) as our electrocatalyst coupled with chelating agent ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) can improve the selectivity and longevity of the catalyst for bicarbonate electrolysis. The TiO2 coating was found to reduce HER and increase faradaic efficiency when compared to unencapsulated silver catalyst. In the presence of EDTA the CO production was stabilized after 3 hours when 5ppm Fe (III) impurities were added, and without EDTA in the same conditions the electrode was quickly ineffective. We display for the first time the use of TiO2 encapsulation for the purpose of increasing selective abilities of the H2:CO ratio while also protecting the electrocatalyst from impurities that will lead to decay in open carbon capture systems.

Presenters: Nathaniel Blake ’24

Location: FJS 100

Long-Term Concurrent Exercise Training Adaptations in Middle-Aged Adults

Among middle-aged adults, lack of time is often cited as the reason they do not meet the guidelines. PURPOSE: Design a program with minimal exercise time (180 minutes/week) and track middle-aged adults’ changes in cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal health over 16 weeks of training. METHODS: Sedentary adults between the ages of 30 and 55 were recruited for this pilot study. Participants completed a training program of 4 days per week of structured workouts for 16 weeks. Cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness were assessed at baseline and after 16 weeks of training.RESULTS: Participants’ (n = 12, M/F = 6/6, 41.7± 6.6 years) baseline VO2 peak and TTE (30.6 ± 4.8 ml*kg-1 min-1 and 360 ± 136 seconds) significantly improved after 16 weeks of training (34.1 ± 7.3 ml*kg-1 min-1 and 745 ± 445 seconds). Upper body dynamic strength measures increased by 23%, and lower body dynamic strength measures increased by 55% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Four days per week of concurrent exercise training for 16 weeks equally split in duration between resistance training and endurance training improves both cardiorespiratory fitness and neuromuscular strength.

Presenters: Zachary Moon ’24

Location: FJS 402

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Poster Presentations

Building Expectations: Children’s and Adults’ Reasoning About What They Should Expect

We plan to examine adults’ and children’s (aged 4 to 10 years) beliefs about what we should expect based on the likelihood of an outcome occurring (anticipated N = 200). Participants will be told six scenarios (e.g., expectations about winning a raffle) and the likelihood of certain outcomes occurring (i.e., likely, unlikely, or uncertain). Then, we will ask them what someone should expect in these scenarios. We hypothesize that 6- to 10-year-olds and adults will judge that someone should think positively when the likelihood of a positive outcome is high and negatively when the likelihood of a positive outcome is low. When a positive outcome is uncertain, we anticipate that 6- to 10-year-olds and adults will judge that it’s best to have low expectations. Lastly, we expect that 4- to 5-year-olds will believe that people should think positively regardless of the likelihood of a positive outcome. We plan to run a 4 (age: 4/5s, 6/7s, 8/10s, adults) x 3 (likelihood: likely, unlikely, uncertain) mixed effects logistic regression on negative thoughts (low expectations) with random intercepts for scenario and participant. We also plan to explore how participants explain their expectations and if they spontaneously mention emotional well-being. Keywords: Children, Expectations, Emotions, OptimismN = 200We hope to answer the question: do people think having low expectations is worth it?

Presenters: Paige Chapman ’24, Tessa Elizondo ’24, Jessica Metcalf ’25, Mara Strohl ’25

Location: MCC Bishops

A Man’s Guide to a Woman: For the Curious Teen

During my time studying abroad in Amsterdam, I learned that there is a significantdisparity between Dutch sex education and American sex education. This shortcoming in the American education system has contributed to the lack of understanding men have for women and the female anatomy, and high STI rates. In fact, the U.S. has some of the highest STI rates in the developed world. To combat this, I constructed an infographic to educate American teenage males on healthy relationships, the female anatomy, birth control, sex myths, and the female orgasm. Although my infographic is by no means enough to fully educate someone on sex, it is a digestible and informative piece that provides insight into what most males in the U.S. do not know. Research that supports this claim is the orgasm gap between American males and females. It is important to reduce misconceptions about sex and promote safe sex practices to keep the population safe, healthy, and happy!

Presenters: Mara Strohl ’25

Location: MCC Bishops

The Disconnect Between Reasoning and Experience: How Actual versus Expected Wait Time Influences Children’s and Adults’ Emotions and Preferences

This study investigates children’s (aged 4-10 years) and adults’ (current N = 84) experience and reasoning of how expectations shape affect (i.e., preferences and emotions). Specifically, we are interested in whether expected wait time influences how people feel about their actual wait time. Participants were asked to wait 5-6 minutes (low expectations), 1 minute (high expectations), or 2-3 minutes (expected). After receiving a treat in 3 minutes regardless of condition, participants reported their affect regarding the treat, wait time, overall lab experience, and imagined wait time with alternate expectations. Participants used two 6-point scales for preferences and emotions (from “dislike a lot/very bad” to “like a lot/very good”). A 4 (Question Type: Treat, Wait-time, Overall Experience, Alternative Expectation) x 3 (Condition: Low Expectations, High Expectations, Expected) x 2 (Age: Children, Adults) repeated measures ANOVA on affect ratings resulted in a significant 3-way interaction. Of interest, when children in the expected condition imagined having low expectations, they judged they would have felt worse, whereas adults reasoned that low expectations would lead to feeling better. These results may provide insight into developmental differences in how prior expectations shape future thoughts and emotions, with implications for children’s emotion regulation strategies.Keywords: Waiting, expectations, preferences, emotions, age differences.

Presenters: Tessa Elizondo ’24, Jessica Metcalf ’25, Paige Chapman ’24, Mara Strohl ’25

Location: MCC Bishops

Developing the Self-Perceived Parental Effort Scale (SPES)

Our goal was to create and validate a scale of self-perceived parental effort: an individual’s perception of how much time, resources, and energy they devote to their offspring. An objective measure of parental effort would be difficult to standardize and is distinct from the purpose of this scale, which is to reflect an individual’s perceptions and beliefs about how much effort they are allocating. In the first study, participants (N = 55) responded to six open-ended questions to collect potential items that reflect parental effort (e.g., fulfilling parts, sacrifices or contributions for offspring, difficult parenting tasks, fun parenting tasks, how one impacts a child’s development). The data collected was then categorized and refined to 120 items. A new sample of parents (N = 600) will rate each item on the degree to which they engage in that type of parenting effort. We will perform an exploratory factor analysis to determine the initial factor structure and eliminate excess items, to form the Parental Effort Scale. Our goal is to create a relatively brief scale that demonstrates high validity and reliability, that could be used with a variety of parents (e.g., mothers, stepfathers) across many research domains in psychology and beyond.

Presenters: Lainey Gutierrez ’25, Jaxson Haynes ’25, Maryn Medlock ’25, Cassidy Reynolds ’25, Lauren Sanders ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

Sterilization and the Twentieth Century

The history of sterilization goes back many years, but my primary focus is going to be on the history of sterilization within the twentieth century. This was a global phenomenon that was practiced as the idea of eugenics began to spread more and more throughout different countries and regions. This idea that certain women should not bare the right to be able to have children, because the population would be corrupted was more and more normalized. This idea of eugenics spreading created a bigger issue of women, specifically women of color, losing the rights to their own bodies. The after affects of this concept being spread throughout the world sparked a new feminist movement that is still prevalent today. The reproductive justice movement is still a fight that is going on today in the twenty first century. My goal is prove that for years now women’s bodies have been in control others, mainly men. I also want to learn how this has affected more women of color from different backgrounds and regions

Presenters: Savanna Frieze ’25

Location: MCC Bishops

Sweet Soul Music: Memphis Soul and the Civil Rights Movement

I am submitting a zine I created in my History of the Civil Rights Movement course that pertains to the question, how did Memphis Soul music inspire Civil Rights activists and help those outside the movement understand the need for Civil Rights for all? To answer this, I compiled research from two books and several academic articles and organized them into an imaginative zine. I found that two types of music were most prevalent within this genre during this period: Protest Anthems and Recording Artist Blues. Through this categorization, I was able to identify several artists that featured activism within their music, whether literally or figuratively. Lastly, I explained Memphis Soul’s historical and cultural significance for Black Americans, especially during the Civil Rights Movement. In conclusion, I found that Memphis Soul musicians called for change by singing about activism, discrimination, inner turmoils, women’s rights, and rest as resistance. In all these ways, artists during this time connected with audiences, Black or white, under a bluesy guise to help foster Black power and encourage unity in America.

Presenters: Laurel Mulkey ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

A Sexologist’s Guide to Sex and Sexy Things

I am submitting a zine I created for the SU Amsterdam Study Abroad program using Canva. This class’s focus was on sexuality and culture in the Netherlands. As a way to continue my education on sexuality and how it is taught, I chose to focus my zine on the field of Sexology. This was important to me as we learned that the Netherlands values sex education and begins implementing sex ed as early as primary school. This contrasts the US where sex is vaguely discussed in school, if not at all, and the information fails to encompass all aspects of sex, opting to prioritize abstinence instead. As such, I hope my zine is informative to people of all ages, especially those who never received a helpful sex education in school. In crafting this zine, I combined blog posts from a licensed sexologist along with psychological, sociological, and medical research in a creative way to educate viewers on matters such as the benefits of sex, types of contraceptives, and tips for having better sex. Overall, my zine concludes with the acknowledgment that while sex may not be for everyone, it should be understood by everyone.

Presenters: Laurel Mulkey ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

Early Life Insecurities and Later Life Struggles: The Role of Borderline Personality Traits

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a psychological disorder characterized by trait-based instability and impulsivity manifested in extreme problems with identity and relationships. These traits produce a variety of negative consequences for individuals, those close to them, and society. For example, those diagnosed with the disorder are three times more likely to have a criminal record and suffer from self harming behaviors (Wertz et al., 2020) than controls. The aim of this study is to examine the correlates of BPD traits in a non-clinical sample of college students. We believe that experiencing socio economic difficulties and insecure parental attachments in childhood will positively correlate with students’ struggles with gender confusion and academic performance, and that borderline traits, particularly identify dysfunction, will mediate these correlations. Data collection was recently completed producing a sample of 99 undergraduate students. The proposed model will be tested with multiple regression techniques and the complete results will be presented and discussed.

Presenters: Madeline Bollinger ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

Testing the Tingles: The Physiological Effects of ASMR

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a psychological and physiological phenomenon triggered by sensory stimulation that elicits tingling and relaxation, while also activating sympathetic arousal. ASMR has been shown to increase galvanic skin response (GSR) and decrease heart rate (HR). Our project compared these physiological effects between participants randomly assigned to either an ASMR video or control video condition. In this study, participants watched either five different ASMR trigger videos with audio or control videos with no audio, containing landscape photos. The participants rated how relaxing, pleasant, or exciting the video was, and GSR and HR biometrics were collected throughout. Results showed that while both ASMR and control videos lowered HR, GSR stayed relatively stable for the ASMR condition, but tended to increase in the control condition. Participants in the ASMR group reported significantly more ‘chills’ than those in the control group, showing that the ASMR videos elicited a greater ASMR ‘chill’ phenomenon. These findings conflict previous research, which has shown that ASMR increases GSR. The present study found that watching ASMR videos did not increase GSR, but the control videos did. This could be due to the discomfort of the experimental environment, and possibly control videos that were too similar to the ASMR videos.

Presenters: Mila Fisher ’24, Madeleine Gitmann ’26

Location: MCC Bishops

The Sexy Side of Ozempic: Possible Effects of Semaglutide on Sexual Functioning

We tested the potential impact effects of semaglutide (Ozempic) on sexual functioning in aging Long-Evans rats. Ozempic is a medication prescribed to diabetic adults in order to regulate blood sugar, additionally the medication can cause significant weight loss. Diabetes is a known cause of sexual dysfunction in men causing erectile dysfunction and infertility to slow sperm metabolism (Hassan, 1993). Studies have found promising results in semaglutide intervention for male infertility caused by diabetes or other factors such as age, specifically results that indicate testosterone increases after administration. Our study focuses on semaglutide’s possible intervention in sexual dysfunction caused by age; in rodent models, male testosterone levels will decrease by 50% by the age of 2 (Kaler & Neaves, 1981). 10 Long-Evans rats aged at 1 yr old, were assigned to one of 2 groups, either the semaglutide treatment group (60 μg/ml/kg dissolved in a vehicle of 6% DMSO and 94% sterile physiological saline; Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, St. Louis, MO; n = 5) or the vehicle group (6% DMSO and 94% saline 1 ml/kg; n=5). 96 hours after drug treatment, each rat was tested for sexual behavior and testosterone levels. Inconsistent with our hypothesis, results from mating tests revealed that semaglutide administration in aging male rats had no impact on sexual behavior. We did see significant weight loss in the semaglutide treatment group over a 96 hr period. Unlike previous studies into male rats with sexual dysfunction, we found that non-diabetic, aging male rats did not experience effects in sexual functioning due to semaglutide. These findings suggest that semaglutide may not be an appropriate intervention in sexual dysfunction that is caused by aging. Further research should be done into semaglutide intervention for sexual dysfunction caused by diabetes or obesity, and its potentials in larger samples.

Presenters: Ian Klepcyk ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

Identifying Predictors of the Psychological Benefits of Travel

To explore the benefits of travel, the present study sought to identify the factors that predict positive post-trip outcomes. Specifically, we used a 15-minute online survey to explore how individuals perceive and are impacted by their travel experiences. Our sample consisted of 223 frequent travelers from the U.S. who reported on a recent trip, answering questions about their background (e.g., age, race/ethnicity, gender, education, income), trip characteristics (e.g., destination, setting, trip length), their reasons for travel, the activities they engaged in during the trip, and how they felt about the trip afterward (such as how satisfied they were and how restored they felt). Interestingly, none of the demographic characteristics were related to perceived trip outcomes. Trip characteristics, however, were a factor: Longer trips were more satisfying than shorter trips, and trips to international (vs. domestic) locations were more satisfying and felt more restorative. Additionally, both the trip reasons and the activities people engaged in also predicted trip outcomes. Not surprisingly, people who refrained from working during their trip felt more satisfied and more restored afterward.

Presenters: Megan Muskara ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

Application of Theory: Victim Services Unit at The Georgetown Police Department

This presentation delves into exploring psychological principles and theories within the Victim Services Unit of the Georgetown Police Department, as observed during an academic internship in the fall semester of 2023. The unit specializes in crisis intervention, criminal justice support, personal safety planning, and providing resources and referrals for crime victims. The compassionate environment fostered by the Victim Services Unit allows victims to navigate their trauma without judgment, utilizing various resources. My primary responsibilities during this internship included analyzing daily incident reports to identify potential crime victims and determine the most suitable resources for them. Subsequently, I also engaged in calling victims and attending essential meetings, such as Sexual Assault/Domestic Abuse Response Team meetings (SART/DART) and Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings at the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center. Additionally, accompanying the Victim Services team on calls provided me with firsthand exposure to various criminal incidents. This internship facilitated connections between observed scenarios and psychological theories, including cognitive editing, Goffman’s stigma theory, attachment theory, power and control, social learning theory, and behavioral genetics of aggression. This exploration underscores the practical application of psychological principles in a real-world setting dedicated to supporting and aiding crime victims.

Presenters: Andrea Rubio ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

Dueling Depictions: Zhang Zhixin and the Politics of Femininity in Chinese Scar Art

A somewhat niche figure in Western knowledge of the Cultural Revolution, Zhang Zhixin was posthumously an essential propaganda symbol in Deng Xiaoping’s efforts to appease the Chinese populace during the Boluan Fanzheng period in the 1980s. The post-Mao reconstruction of Chinese society spawned the Scar Art movement, in which artists reckoned with the brutal reality of the repressive period through their work. As a famous martyr, Zhang Zhixin was a frequent muse in Cultural Revolution-themed artworks. However, beyond serving as a propaganda tool and symbol of resistance, she was also a figure on which post-Mao Chinese gender politics was projected. Mao’s state feminist policy and the creation of de-gendered and desexualized “Iron Women” have been well documented in contemporary studies of Chinese feminist history. However, few connections have been made between the emergence of neo-traditionalist positions on gender roles under Deng and the depiction of women in Scar Art by male artists. By recounting the history of women’s gender roles and practices from early 20th century China to the modern day, I will illustrate the tumultuous transformation of women’s gender in China and an ensuing discourse reflected in two Scar Art pieces: which aspects of femininity- modesty or eroticism- constituted an ideal, traditional Chinese woman?

Presenters: Natalie Davis ’26

Location: MCC Bishops

Reviving the Past: A MidWestern Zhou Jade Pendant and its Neolithic References

This presentation consists of a case study of a Mid-Western Zhou carved jade pendant(10th-9th centuries BCE) of two human faces in profile atop intricately carved birds anddragons. This study focuses on this work because it is representative of jades of thisperiod that were modern productions that referred back to Neolithic jades. This pendantis unusual because very few jades up to this point integrated human faces. The recyclingand collecting of Neolithic jades and their designs within Middle Western Zhou issomething very few scholars have studied, and therefore I am hoping to shed light onthe potential implications of Middle Western Zhou elites engaging with the past. I willshow that this new trend of neoclassicism in the Mid-Western Zhou can be linked to newattempts to assert status by nobles who were becoming increasingly independent overthe course of the Western Zhou.

Presenters: Kate Medlock ’25

Location: MCC Bishops

Tent Theater’s Final Curtain Call: The Rise and Fall of Tent Theatre

This paper traces the trajectory of tent theater, exploring its meteoric rise and eventual decline within the realm of entertainment. Beginning with its humble origins as a portable stage for traveling troupes, tent theater flourished into a vibrant medium that transcended geographical boundaries, captivating audiences with its intimacy and immediacy. The rise of tent theater paralleled societal shifts, serving as a mirror to the values and aspirations of its time. Its heyday saw the convergence of diverse talents, from playwrights to performers, and technicians, each contributing to its allure and cultural significance. Yet, like all artistic phenomena, tent theater was not immune to change. The advent of new technologies, shifting audience preferences, and economic pressures precipitated its decline. I will be examining the enduring legacy of this short-lived art form, exploring how its essence continues to resonate in contemporary theatrical practices. By illuminating the rise and fall of tent theater, this study offers valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between art, society, and cultural evolution.

Presenters: Kyle Bussone-Peterson ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

The Curtains of Accuracy

Vaudevillian entertainment is known for being stereotypical, inaccurate, and avoidant in its portrayal of mental illness. In this project, I will be exploring different themes of Vaudevillian theatre to comparatively study performances from prior to the 1920’s compared to staged performances written post 2000 to look at the portrayal of mental illness. I am looking at the progress made in performing stories surrounding topics of mental illness since the early 1900’s as an integral factor of the authenticity surrounding theatrical performance today. Evidence presented will include articles describing components and themes of these portrayals, and performances that deal with topics surrounding mental health. I was interested in studying harmful stereotypes perpetuated through the Vaudevillian era and the evolution of stigmas surrounding mental health through today. I would like to increase my ability to recognize these inaccuracies and look at how they have been combatted recently with true representation in theatrical portrayal.

Presenters: Bronwyn Fogarty ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

The Creation of “The Middle Man” in Theatre

Vaudevillian Theatre is one of the first theatrical vessels to harbor business tactics to grow its general outreach. Theatre is an ever-adapting industry, but utilizing traditional business practices and ideals can aid in allowing theatres and individual shows to grow. I am looking into the relationship between theatre and business, specifically, into how casting directors, producers, and agents have been implemented into the equation and the ripple effect it caused. Theatre is known for its creative spirit that knows no bounds, so what happens when the new goal is to attract audiences and finances rather than to make art? Is there a world where the two can co-exist effectively? These middle agents created a focus on standardizing theatre based on audience reaction, location, and the variance of acts. The introduction of these middle agents created a huge launching pad for modern theatre as we know it today, but created many qualms during its presence in the Vaudvillian era.

Presenters: Katherine Lunam ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

Song, Sex, and Savagery: The Boss ladies of the late 80s

At the center of American theatre beats the heart of vaudeville: a whimsical wonder that offered an escape from the economic hardships that plagued the early 20th century. Vocal ability, athletic agility, and comedic hilarity captured audiences of the lower and middle class, offering an opportunity for entertainment that allowed for lighthearted laughter in the midst of the trying circumstances. While the previously mentioned acts certainly held the audience’s attention, it was the effervescent ladies of vaudeville that truly brought life (and patrons) to the show. Vaudevillian stars including Mae West, Fanny Brice, Lillian Russel, Sophie Tucker and dozens of other endlessly talented (and hilarious) women stood in front of the working class of America and offered an escape from factory houses and grungy living conditions through song, sex, and savagery. Publicly painted to be “one step below angles and several steps above men”, these vaudevillian ladies were, at the time, the richest independent women in the country. This poster examines the role and impact that vaudevillian women of the late 1800s and early 1900s had on show business and analyzes how they defied the traps of gender norms to rise to financial independence despite working for a sexist industry.

Presenters: Faith Madsen ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

The History and Evolution of Stage Elements from Vaudeville to Contemporary Theatres

This poster delves into the artistry of vaudeville’s iconic stage elements, tracing the evolution of concealed wings and meticulously crafted drops over time. It not only showcases historical roots but also highlights how contemporary theaters embrace and reinvent these vaudevillian techniques. For example, vaudeville’s ingenious use of backdrops to swiftly shift between diverse acts resonates in the seamless transitions seen in today’s performances. Focusing on the deliberate integration of vaudevillian stage elements in modern designs, it pays tribute to the enduring impact of vaudeville, revealing a dynamic fusion of tradition and innovation that shapes and elevates the immersive experiences of today’s theatrical performances.

Presenters: Isabella Morrow ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

The Evolution of Comedy: From the 19th Century to the Present

This review examines the evolution of comedy from the late 19th century at the rise of Vaudeville theatre to comedic performances of the 21st century. Comedy is a genre of performance meant to be entertaining and humorous to their audiences. Many believe the origins of comedy to be in Ancient Greek Theatre, but one of the most influential styles of theatre originated in 1880. The 1880s saw the rise of vaudeville theatre with popular artists like Buster Keaton, Harry Houdini, and Moms Mabely. This rise in variety show comedy was eventually made obsolete by the low prices of new cinema in the 1930s. However, vaudeville did not die, it just evolved. Many vaudeville performance artists took their talents to Hollywood which inspired great actors for the screen leading to many comedic movies and the birth of the American sitcom. These sitcoms took the physical comedic techniques of vaudeville and adapted them for the average American household. These sitcoms evolved, adapted, and gave rise to the comedic TV, film, and theatre we have today.

Presenters: Bethani Pedraza ’25

Location: MCC Bishops

Paradox and Continuity in Shakespeare’s Sexist Comedy

Given the rise in ethical questions surrounding adaptations, I focused my research on one of the most adapted authors of all time, William Shakspeare. In my capstone paper I analyzed Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew and the modern adaptation of it, 10 Things I Hate About You through a feminist lens. I answered the question: how should we understand Shakespeare in adaptation? I found that natural shifts in the feminist common culture overtime result in conflicted, contradictory, and heterogeneous responses to Taming of the Shrew. Additionally, the 10 Things I Hate About You adaptation perpetuates, revives, and popularizes 16th century sexist current common culture.

Presenters: Adelaide Armen ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

Banned Books: Courting Controversy in the Classroom

Over the summer of 2023, I worked with Dr. Cleere to conduct research in the field of banned books which culminated both in the creation of the syllabus for the Banned Books course, and a deeper understanding of the importance of literature. The research itself consisted of the reading of twenty-five different books that were banned for various reasons, and in differing time periods as well. After reading each book, these reasons for, and instances of banning were researched in addition to general information about the book or author that was also relevant. Through these processes, the set of twenty-five books was narrowed down to nine for the class syllabus, but perhaps more importantly, several common themes were identified that connected nearly all of the banned books. While this project will examine all of these patterns in more detail, the principal goal, or idea behind the banning of books was the suppression of non-normative identities. With this specter lurking behind banned books uncovered, the wide-reaching implications of prohibitions on literature can begin to be unraveled, and understood more clearly.

Presenters: Nick Baylor ’25

Location: MCC Bishops

Healthcare Shadowing Internship - St. David’s Georgetown

I had a great opportunity to shadow at St. David’s Georgetown Hospital during the Fall 2023 semester, where I observed different professionals, such as physicians, surgeons, technicians, speech language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, and registered nurses. The hospital’s mission is to provide exceptional care to every patient every day with a spirit of warmth, friendliness and personal pride; I was able to witness excellence in healthcare first-hand. My objectives for this internship included reflecting on my values and prior knowledge I gained from my major-specific courses and making connections to them. This experience involved “fly on the wall” observations of interesting procedures, and it gave me valuable insight into the challenges faced by health professionals and the rigor of a job in healthcare. I rotated through different departments such as Radiology, Women’s Services, Emergency, Surgery, Outpatient Surgery, Endoscopy, Laboratory, Rehab, and the ICU. It was exciting to learn how departments in a hospital never work in isolation but collaborate for overall patient care/treatments. It was inspiring to see all the hospital staff display compassion, integrity and respect. This internship was fantastic and solidified my career choice to be a health professional.

Presenters: Atharva Upakare ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

Go Greek: Unearthing The Disciplinary Mechanisms in Sororities That Reproduce White Femininity

This exploration delves into the intricate disciplinary mechanisms inherent in Greek Life, unveiling a symbiotic relationship between white supremacy and patriarchy that actively reproduces and sustains a narrow conception of white femininity—drawing on the insights of Sandra Bartky, Maria Lugones, Charles Mills, and Audre Lorde. This paper contends that Greek organizations employ covert disciplinary mechanisms to perpetuate the reproduction of white feminine subjects. The argument is contextualized through engagement with additional philosophical dialogues to fortify the presented evidence. They emphasize the need for intersectionality to see the truth of society fully. The paper draws on empirical and firsthand experiences to illustrate how Greek institutions, through disciplinary practices, actively contribute to replicating white thought, concurrently erasing racial identity. The examination reveals how racial and class biases are sustained within Greek organizations, compelling members towards conformity. The aim is to expose how these institutions inherently reproduce white subjects, incapable of serving individuals outside the norm of white femininity. The conclusion is that rectifying these disciplinary mechanisms is necessary in order to dismantle such organizations and establish alternative organizations equipped to cater to the diverse needs of all members—an inclusive and equitable future.

Presenters: Mia Martinez ’24

Location: MCC Bishops

The 1950s Beat Movement as a Temporary Autonomous Zone

The temporary autonomous zone (TAZ) developed by Hakim Bey describes fleeting moments of freedom brought on spontaneously that exist in space, time, or imagination. Bey’s structure of the TAZ describes a moment of self-ruling and freedom, persuades insurgency over revolution, and includes tendencies of the ‘net’ and ‘web’ where information and communication flows. When the TAZ is recognized, it disappears and relocates, sometimes in a different capacity. The purpose of my project is to examine the applicability of Bey’s structure and theory to the 1940s-1960s Beat Movement. The Beat Movement involved writers, artists, and musicians living in areas of San Francisco, Greenwich Village, and Los Angeles. The group was heavily inspired by French Existentialism. They wanted to avoid materialism and instead engage in heightened sensory awareness through drugs, jazz, sexual liberation, and Buddhism. Members of the Beat Movement were going against the grain, and engaging with thought and action in a structure that is much like the TAZ. Their spontaneity and emphasis on personal freedom led the way for other social movements like the 1970s hippies and still affects our ideas today. Ultimately, Bey’s theory gives a deeper understanding of a complex social movement, proving good application.

Presenters: Lillian Metzler ’27

Location: MCC Bishops

1:20pm - 1:40pm

Oral Presentations

Does Rinsing Out Your Mouth With a Carbohydrate Drink Before Exercising, as well as Oral vs. Nasal Breathing Have an Effect on the RER?

The Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) is a commonly used indicator of the body’s metabolism in exercise studies. The RER is defined as the ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed and is used to estimate carbohydrate and fat oxidation in the body. An RER of 0.7 is indicative of fat breakdown with an RER of 1.0 indicative of high rates of carbohydrate metabolism. During steady-state exercise, the RER is thought to be a reliable indicator of whole-body metabolic demand, however, the introduction of carbohydrates to the mouth might have an immediate effect on the RER, affecting the reliability of using the RER as a measure of exercise metabolism. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if a carbohydrate sports drink mouth rinse during steady-state (SS) exercise, as well as oral vs. nasal breathing affects the RER values. METHODS: 33 participants (14 male, 19 female) went through four trials (mask/water, mask/sports drink, mouthpiece/water, mouthpiece/sports drink) in random order after a short 5-10 minute warm-up. During each trial, the participants were asked to thoroughly rinse their mouths with either water or a sports drink and walk on the treadmill at steady-state exercise for 5 minutes with either the mask or mouthpiece. Heart rate (HR), RPE, and RER were measured throughout the trials. Average steady-state RER was compared between groups and timepoints using a 2-way ANOVA with significant differences determined when p < 0.05. RESULTS: RER of the sports drink trials was significantly higher than the RER of the water trials (F(1,32) = 30.042, p < 0.001). The results also suggest that the RER of the mouthpiece (oral) trials was significantly higher than the facemask (nasal) trials (F(1,32) = 44.479, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study found that rinsing your mouth with a carbohydrate sports drink before steady-state exercise significantly increased the RER value. It also found that breathing orally significantly increased RER values compared to breathing nasally. This indicates that in some circumstances, RER might not be a reliable indicator of whole-body metabolism.

Presenters: Jacob Clemons ’24

Location: FJS 402

Synthesizing Novel Biomaterial Inks and Their Significant Bioprinting Parameters

Macromolecular therapeutics have the potential to provide paradigm-shifting treatment for neurological diseases; however, these therapeutics still face setbacks due to the selectivity of the blood-brain barrier. Our lab seeks to study the delivery of these therapeutics through nanoparticle-laden hydrogels that mimic the brain parenchyma. To enhance mechanical stability and chemical tunability, we encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles in hydrogels consisting of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA), and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEDGA). The hydrogels were prepared by synthesizing each polymer in our lab and lyophilizing the modified material. The polymers were rehydrated in a phosphate-buffered saline solution and combined at a weight percentage of 10, 2, 1–5, and 5 wt%, respectively. A simple design of experiments (DOE) was performed to determine the printability of the hydrogel. We tested several factors and combinations of factors, including needle length, pressure, speed, and temperature/material type. “Wood-pile” lattices were printed, and the pore size was assessed using an ImageJ algorithm, which allowed us to determine the fidelity of the printed construct. We plan to evaluate how the addition of nanoparticles impacts the rheological properties of the final hydrogel and finally to employ this in a model with glioblastoma cells to evaluate its therapeutic potential.

Presenters: Noor Nazeer ’24

Location: FJS 100

1:40pm - 2:00pm

Oral Presentations

Development of Monovalent and Bivalent Inhibitors for Bromodomain-Containing Proteins as a Potential Treatment Method for Alcoholic Hepatitis

Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is an inflammatory liver disease caused by alcohol abuse. The inflammatory pathway is hypothesized to be under epigenetic regulation driven by post-translational modifications that normally promote cell growth. With chronic alcohol exposure, this pathway becomes dysregulated and causes cell disease and death. BET proteins (BRD2, 3, 4, and T) are epigenetic “reader” proteins that have two N-terminal bromodomains (D1 and D2) that recognize and bind to acetylated lysine residues in transcription factors and histones. These interactions lead to the inflammation seen in AH. Small-molecule inhibitor 10t was synthesized to inhibit this interaction. 10t was found to have a unique binding selectivity, binding to all BET D1 Domains and BRD4 D2. However, its clinical potential is limited due to its toxicity. In this project, bivalent analogs of 10t were designed to selectively target both the BRD4 D1 and D2 domains with improved selectivity profiles. Multiple reaction conditions and linkers were tested. Once the bivalent analogs are obtained, they will be tested for selectivity, potency, and toxicity and then sent to the Mayo Clinic to determine overall efficacy in AH.

Presenters: Jihan Schepmann ’24

Location: FJS 100

2:00pm - 2:20pm

Oral Presentations

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Isoquinolines Chelsey C. Southwell1, Mike Gesinski1, 2 1. Chemistry and Biochemistry, Southwestern University, TX, United States 2. Chemistry, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI, United States

Isoquinolines are valuable heterocyclic motifs commonly found in biologically active molecules, such as vasodilator agents, antibiotic candidates, and antispasmodic drugs. A gold catalyst, which is cost effective, nontoxic, and resists redox reactions, was chosen to develop a more efficient synthesis of isoquinolines with high atom economy via a gold catalyzed cyclization. The success and optimization of this reaction and synthetic scheme will increase the production efficiency of pharmaceuticals containing isoquinolines. A Sonogashira cross-coupling on 2-iodobenzonitrile and a reduction of a nitrile to an amine synthesized the starting material for the cyclization. The isoquinoline was successfully synthesized and determined to exclusively proceed through a selective 6-endo-dig cyclization due to the stability of a benzylic carbocation intermediate. The cyclization produced a major byproduct, an N-oxide, which was identified, and the synthetic scheme was modified to prevent its formation by utilizing the freeze-pump-thaw method and through the addition of tert-butyloxycarbonyl and tosyl protecting groups. The protections were optimized, and the subsequent gold cyclization achieved high yields without the formation of the N-oxide. Current work is underway to optimize the deprotection of the isoquinoline with both protecting groups and to expand the scope of the reaction towards secondary and tertiary nucleophiles.

Presenters: Chelsey Southwell ’24

Location: FJS 100

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Career Catalyst

Abbey Archer’s Writing and Editing Experience

Hi! My name is Abbey Archer. I am a writer with a passion for sharing interesting things about the world that would otherwise go unnoticed. This past summer, I was an intern at The Williamson County Sun. I was then hired as a Reporter and have continued to write profiles that showcase the stories of interesting people and businesses in Williamson County. My most successful story is about the restaurant Dale’s Essenhaus, a restaurant out in Walburg. This article received 60,000 impressions on Facebook, making it the Sun’s second most-viewed article. The article is has been submitted to the Texas Press Association’s feature competition. I am also an Associate Editor for Kindred Characters, a literary journal that is partnered with Lark and Owl Booksellers. I have worked with Chestnut Publishing on two of their Amazon-Bestselling books. I was a contributing writer for their guided journal book Effective Immediately and an editor for their essay book Transitions. I would like to continue to do editing in the future in addition to my writing. As for my role on Southwestern campus, I am an English major with a concentration in film. I also have minors in Communications and Psychology. I am graduating in May.

Presenters: Abbey Archer ’24

Location: Prothro Lobby

Ceridwen Grady - Reflection

I am graduating in May with a BA in Art History and Business, incredible creativity, team-orientation, and adaptability. Some highlights of my experience include studying and interning abroad for 7 months in Denmark, becoming a King Creativity Scholar, and starting my own company in the tech and travel industries. I have a love for research and enjoy working in positions that challenge me with new puzzles everyday.

Presenters: Ceridwen Grady ’24

Location: Prothro Lobby

Elena Clark - Reflection

I am currently a senior, with a major in Sociology and a minor in Race and Ethnicity Studies. In my time at Southwestern, I have gotten the opportunity to present at the Research and Creative Works Symposium and recently presented my senior capstone paper at the Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting. I am very passionate about community engagement and have prior work experience with non-profit organizations, including Corazón Ministries, The Reflect Organization, and Cross Trails Ministry.

Presenters: Elena Clark ’24

Location: Prothro Lobby

Healthcare Shadowing Internship - St. David’s Georgetown

Presenters: Atharva Upakare ’24

Location: Prothro Lobby

My Adventure Abroad in Jordan and Italy as a Psychology Major

I am a Psychology Major and a Communication studies and Theatre minor. I just recently went to Jordan to study Psychology and Italy to study communication studies. However, in return, I got to experience all three of my areas of focus educationally. I have been able to connect what I learned from being in completely different environments, including social and political settings, to not only my education here at Southwestern but my life and capabilities in general. I was able to do research while abroad as well as work with a non-profit helping refugees in Lebanon. I want to continue exploring areas of work where I can openly connect my interest in Psychology with my knowledge of communication studies, theatre, and the extra classes I got the opportunity to take at Southwestern. I have always been interested and able to see the overlap between many individual topics that do not seem to fit. This interest has been amplified through taking my Paideia Seminar class and I would like to be able to share my observations with others.

Presenters: Layla Sinno ’24

Location: Prothro Lobby

What Would Dani Do? (A Common Question Among Mortals)

I am currently a senior at Southwestern University, completing an undergraduate degree in Business with an interest in the medical field, digital/social media marketing, or anything sales/marketing related! Couple things you should know about me is that I’m the closest thing you’ll find to a sponge. I’m always curious and hungry to learn and know more about not only myself but others as well. Being able to speak more than one language has benefitted me greatly and through my experience working with people from different backgrounds and cultures has helped me evolve as a person. What these differences and situations have shown me is how to read a room and adapt.

Presenters: Dani Guandique ’24

Location: Prothro Lobby

2:20pm - 2:40pm

Oral Presentations

The Investigation on Antimetastatic Properties in Narcissus Tazetta: Narciclasine Solubility And Apoptosis-Resistant Cancers

Narciclasine, an isocarbostyril alkaloid from the Narcissus tazetta flower, exhibits promising antitumor activity against apoptosis-resistant cancers. However, its low yield and poor water solubility limit its potential. This study aimed to improve narciclasine yield and introduce water solubility through dicarboxylic acid attachment. Narciclasine was extracted from Narcissus tazetta bulbs and purified through column chromatography. Dicarboxylic acid attachment was achieved via an acetonide protection-deprotection strategy, with succinic acid as the initial model. The final product was characterized by NMR and mass spectrometry. Narciclasine was successfully extracted with a yield of 72.7%. Dicarboxylic acid attachment to narciclasine was confirmed. However, the yield of the succinic acid-modified product was 45%. Potential product loss due to rubber septum interactions was suspected. This study demonstrates the feasibility of attaching dicarboxylic acids to narciclasine, potentially enhancing its water solubility. While narciclasine extraction was successful, yield optimization and alternative solvent/reagent exploration are recommended for further development. Future work includes testing different dicarboxylic acids (e.g., adipic acid) and evaluating their impact on solubility using UV-visible spectroscopy.

Presenters: James Yun ’24

Location: FJS 100

2:40pm - 3:00pm

Oral Presentations

Effects of Medium White light and Red Light on Energy Transfer in Different Strains of Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Diatoms, single-celled photosynthetic algae, convert light energy into chemical energy through light-harvesting antennas, fucoxanthin-chlorophyll protein (FCP) complexes. These complexes surround the Photosystem II (PSII), a fused antenna-reaction center complex. By absorbing excitations and transferring them from the light-harvesting antenna to the photosynthetic reaction center, where charge separation occurs, diatoms convert light energy into chemical energy. From previous literature, the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum (P. tricornutum) exhibits a fluorescence peak of 710 nm when grown under red light irradiance. We hypothesize that when P. tricornutum is grown under stressful conditions such as red light or medium-intensity white light, the transfer of light-harvesting energy from the FCP to PSII will differ among different ecotypes of P. tricornutum, which are native to different geographical locations.Using steady state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopies we monitored the spectral features and dynamics of the 710 nm fluorescent state after growth under red light (40 μmol m2s-1) and medium intensity white light (40 μmol m2s-1) in six different ecotypes of P. tricornutum. We observe different weighting between the 680 nm and F710 emission features among different ecotypes. The ecotype Pt9, grown under similar conditions, does not exhibit F710 emission (Figure 1). The presence of the 710 nm fluorescent state may emerge as a crucial indicator of diatoms’ adaptive responses to stress.

Presenters: Meghana Nittala ’24

Location: FJS 100

3:00pm - 3:20pm

Oral Presentations

Effects of Iron Stress on Light-Harvesting Dynamics in the Diatom Phaeodactylum Tricornutum

Diatoms are found in marine environments worldwide and are responsible for 20% of primary production which includes carbon fixation. We conducted experiments on the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum ecotype Pt1, collected off the coast of Blackpool, England. Under typical growth conditions diatoms fluoresce at 680 nm; however, previous research has shown that when P. tricornutum is grown under light stress, a fluorescence peak at 710 nm is induced, known as the F710 state. Our experiments investigate whether F710 emission is a generalized stress response, and how F710 fits into the overall light-harvesting energy transfer scheme in P. tricornutum. We cultured Pt1 under a range of iron conditions (0.1 - 11.7 μM Fe3+) and conducted steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence experiments to observe the effects of iron stress on F710 emission. We observe fluorescence emission from the F710 state under iron stress, indicating that F710 is not a specifically red-light stress response (Figure 1). Fluorescence lifetime experiments provide insight into the energy transfer dynamics. At lower iron concentrations, our data reveal energy transfer from 680 nm into the F710 state. Studying diatom light harvesting under lower iron concentrations could further expand our understanding of how diatoms adapt to external stressors.

Presenters: Sanjana Nittala ’24

Location: FJS 100