Digital Commons Network^™

Colorful Proteins: Engineering A Palette Of Novel Chromoprotein Variants, Blake Olson, Anna Bowman, Kyler Fullmer, Joel Griffitts

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

2nd Place - Poster Design

• Chromoproteins (CP) are naturally occurring proteins originating from corals or other marine invertebrates that exhibit colors determined by their chromophore region.1
• CPs have applications as biosensors, teaching tools, and agar art; therefore, there is a need for a wide variety of CPs.2
• Hypothesis: Editing amino acid residues around the chromophore will change the chromophore’s conformation, leading to a change in color.

Collegiate Basketball Athletes' Achilles Tendon Echogenicity Decreases Over A Season With No Difference In Size, Colton Glissmeyer, Malorie Wilwand, Camille Nguyen, Michael Davie, A. Wayne Johnson

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

3rd Place - Open House Presentation

• The Achilles tendon (AT) enables movements essential to athletes.
• Early AT injury indicators include increased cross-sectional area (CSA), thickening, and decreased echogenicity.
• This study investigated the change in AT CSA, thickness, and echogenicity in collegiate basketball athletes across one season.

Cholesterol‑Containing Membranes Decrease The Helicity Of The Snare Protein Snap‑25, Christopher E. Hunt Jr., Jason T. Carlson, Michael B. Connell, Fatima D. Dagohoy, Mike Sumison, Jonathan Madsen, Chase M. Tingen, Azer E. White, Tanner M. Blocker, Dixon J. Woodbury

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Neurotransmitter release in neurons requires membrane fusion between synaptic vesicles and the presynaptic membrane. Lipids in both membranes merge through the action of SNARE proteins including SNAP-25. Changes in SNAP-25 structure or lipid composition likely modify this process. SNAP-25 has two isoforms, SNAP-25A (25A) and SNAP-25B (25B), the expression patterns of these isoforms vary throughout different brain regions and neuronal developmental stages. In vivo SNAP-25 anchors to the presynaptic membrane via attachment of palmitic acid to at least one of the four cysteines. Here we show mixing SNAP-25 (not palmitoylated) with liposomes alters both protein structure and lipid properties. Using …

C-Fms Expresses In Early Progenitor Cells & Myeloid-Lineage Leukocytes Based On Analyzing Lineage Markers And Mapping On Ly6c X Cd31 Plots In Bone Marrow, Jane Lundgren, Kelly Amsden, Evan Boesl, Victoria Hall, Emily Shakespear, Pam Van Ry, Sandra Hope

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

The Mafia mouse model expresses the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in cells that utilize the macrophage-specific c-fms promoter. The c-fms promoter controls expression of receptor for Colony Stimulating Factor 1. We hypothesize that this promotor may be utilized in bone marrow progenitor cells in addition to the mature cell expression already known in macrophage lineage cells. For this study, bone marrow cells were analyzed by flow cytometry for the expression of c-fms, early progenitor markers, and lineage-specific markers. Expression was also mapped on a Ly6CxCD31 plot, which has been used to distinguish cells based on developmental stage and lineage. This …

Cd6-Knockout Car-T Cells Display Enhanced Cytotoxicity Against Lymphoma Cell Line, Annie Larson, Alka Gaur, Nate Neyman, Collin Mickelson, K. Scott Weber

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are genetically engineered T cells that target surface antigens on cancer cells, showing remarkable effectiveness in treating blood cancers [1]. However, CAR-T cells are currently not effective in treating solid tumors, as the tumor microenvironment poses physical and metabolic barriers to effective CAR-T cell function. A notable strategy for increasing CAR-T cell cytotoxicity in a tumor microenvironment is knocking out or overexpressing some genes of the T cell.

Reducing The Cost Of Muscle Volume Research, Jacob Green, Josh Vandenakker, Malorie Wilwand, Micahel Davie, Steven D. Arnold, A. Wayne Johnson

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Honorable Mention - Open House Presentation

PROBLEM: Current MRI segmentation options consist of manual segmentation, requiring up to 6 hours per subject, or using segmentation companies that charge about 400$ per MRI.

The 'Thing Itself': Virginia Woolf's Materialism, Kathryn Andronowitz

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

No abstract provided.

Cover And Front Matter

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

No abstract provided.

The Faith Crisis As Death: Grief In Gerard Manley Hopkins's "Terrible Sonnets", Kaden Nelson

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

No abstract provided.

The "Family Of Things": Mary Oliver, Anthropomorphism, And Conflicting Approaches To Spirituality In Nature, Sophie West

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

No abstract provided.

The Bower Of Bliss As An Allegory For Ireland, Katherine Ries

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

No abstract provided.

Objective Conditioning Via Latent-Factor Modeling, Kalman-Smoothing, And Hidden Markov Clustering: An Application To Empirical Asset Pricing, Melanie R. Neller

Theses and Dissertations

Empirical asset pricing relies heavily on conditioning sets--industry groupings, size buckets, valuation screens, and other researcher-defined partitions--to structure cross-sectional tests and portfolio construction. While intuitive, such partitions risk blending heterogeneous firms, masking latent exposures, and introducing omitted-variable bias. This thesis develops an objective, mathematically grounded conditioning pipeline that replaces subjective groupings with latent-factor extraction, Kalman-based data techniques, and probabilistic clustering via Gaussian hidden Markov models (HMMs). Using CRSP monthly returns, the framework stabilizes noisy return data, extracts systematic structure through principal component analysis (PCA), identifies homogeneous stock cohorts through HMM clustering, and models regime persistence using Markov transition matrices. These …

Full Issue

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

No abstract provided.

The Metamodern Aesthetic As Reconciliatory Theology In Gilead, Henry Purser

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

No abstract provided.

Electrochemical Sensors And Processes In Molten Salts: Chlorine Production, Electroanalytical Chemistry, And Thin-Layer Electrodes, Tyler Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Molten salt electrochemistry has historically played a substantial role in the metallurgical industry, and this trend is only accelerating in areas of green steel, direct ore processing, and rare-earth processing. In addition, the recent surge of interest in molten salt nuclear reactors has provided an additional application for molten salt electrochemical processes, including the reprocessing of used nuclear fuels and the development of electrochemical sensors for nuclear applications. In this work, the development of a chloride volatility separation process for used nuclear fuel is advanced; electroanalytical methods are improved for identifying and quantifying unknown analytes with and without the presence …

An Appalachian Expression Of Rootedness: Exploring Rootedness In The Writings Of Simone Weil And Wendell Berry, Luke Bratton

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

No abstract provided.

Fire Scarring Does Not Significantly Impact Conifer Growth Response To Forest Fires In Utah, Connor B. Biser, Russell Torgersen, Otto Degroff, Steve Petersen

Student Works

BYU Wildfire Symposium 2026 - First Place Research Application, People's Choice Award

Wildfires are an increasingly prevalent disturbance in forests in the western United States, and play an essential role in ecosystem function. Micro-variations in fire dynamics and intensity can leave individual trees with varying levels of damage. We hypothesized that trees with fire-scars would suffer a growth depression directly following the disturbance. Core samples were taken for dendrochronological analysis from 185 conifers at 29 points, representing 11 fires from 6 years. Our findings showed a growth depression in the first year following the fire, with no significant difference between …

De Aquí Y De Allá: Exchanging Language And Visual Culture In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Chloë M. Robinson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examines graphic design in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) as a site of cultural hybridity, shaped by transnational histories and bilingual practice. It explores how Mexican and Anglo design markers intersect and are negotiated in daily life through analysis of 2,180 visual artifacts, interviews with ten local creatives, and a survey of fifty residents. Historical research traces influences like nineteenth-century wood type and rótulo signage to contemporary advertising. Interviews reveal that local creatives navigate hybrid identities through code-switching, bilingual fluency, and borderlands experiences. Survey results show that participants’ language preferences predict how they categorize and rank typographic …

Silicosis Evaluation Among Native Spanish-Speaking Workers: An Exploratory Pilot Survey Of Occupational Medicine Providers, Caroline Olsen

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhalation of respirable silica particles. Silicosis is usually characterized by high occupational exposure to silica in industries like mining, sandblasting, construction, and stone fabrication. Recent research showing increasing rates of silicosis among native Spanish-speaking workers demonstrates the need for improved silicosis diagnosis and patient education. While research has been done to understand the epidemiological distribution of silicosis and native Spanish-speaking workers, there has been limited research evaluating occupational medicine providers’ clinical practices related to the diagnosis of silicosis among this population.

This exploratory pilot study evaluated occupational medicine providers’ experiences related to silicosis …

Generalizing Networks To Address Data Imbalance For Facial Action Unit Recognition, Andrew W. Sumsion

Theses and Dissertations

Facial action unit (AU) recognition is used in a variety of downstream applications, including sign language translation, dementia detection, pain detection, and other high-impact tasks that require understanding facial motion. Although AU recognition is a well-established field, a number of unresolved issues remain. An initial problem is the need to improve overall performance on the benchmark datasets, as measured by the average F1 score. Also, the performance across all individual AUs, not just the average F1 score, needs to be increased. Recently, the field has shifted its attention towards ensuring that AU recognition models generalize beyond the distributions represented in …

Tusqh: Topological Control Of Volume-Fraction Meshes Near Small Features And Dirty Geometry, Brian Reese Shawcroft

Theses and Dissertations

This work develops a framework to create meshes with user-specified homology from potentially dirty geometry by coupling background grids, persistent homology, and a generalization of volume fractions. For a mesh with fixed grid size, the topology of the output mesh changes predictably and monotonically as its volume-fraction threshold decreases. Topological anti-aliasing methods are introduced to resolve pinch points and disconnected regions that are artifacts of user choice of grid size and orientation, making the output meshes suitable for downstream processes including analysis. The methodology is demonstrated on geographical, mechanical, and graphics models in two-dimensions (2D) and three-dimensions (3D) using a …

Within Sacred Walls: Cloister Architecture And The Virgin Mary As The Hortus Conclusus In 14th- And 15th-Century Italian Art, Catherine Howard

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The practice of cloistering allows women to exist in spaces dedicated to meditation and religious devotion. The physical nature of the cloister, which involves walls separating these religious women from the world, maintains a distinction between the cloister as spiritual and the world as secular.

One of the many titles of the Virgin Mary is the hortus conclusus, or “walled garden.” This metaphor is intended to emphasize her spiritual separation from the sins of the world, as well as her perpetual virginity. Artistic depictions of the Virgin in this role, particularly from Italy in the 14th and 15th centuries, often …

The Capitol’S Punishment: A Disability Theory Reading And Analysis Of The Hunger Games Series, Brynne Farnsworth

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper analyzes how disability is treated in The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Through a close analysis of the variety of perspectives on disability, Collins presents the Capitol as having an othering, dehumanizing approach to disability, while District Thirteen makes some accommodations but ultimately reveals itself to have a similar point of view as the Capitol. While not perfect, the perspective of the Districts prevails through its approach of empathy and connection and implies a hope for a society that draws on those connections over divisions. Collins also overarchingly promotes hope for those with disabilities throughout the series …

The Story Of Belonging: A Rhetorical Analysis Of Transformative Storytelling As A Catalyst For Belonging, Kennedy Kleinman

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines how transformative storytelling functions as a catalyst for belonging within institutional contexts, focusing on Brigham Young University (BYU). While institutions increasingly prioritize belonging through policies and programs, many students continue to experience isolation, loneliness, and belonging uncertainty. This project argues that storytelling addresses this gap by providing students with opportunities to participate in their own belonging and contribute to feelings of belonging for other students. This study analyzes student stories developed in structured workshops and shared at BYU campus StorySLAM events. Stories are evaluated for their use of four rhetorical tactics: counter-narrative, bridge-building between ingroups and outgroups, …

Strategic Parallels: How Historic Military Tactics Inform Modern Business Strategy, Eli S. Nelson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The field of business strategy emerged out of military strategy during the mid- twentieth century. Despite this shared DNA, the connection between the two fields has been limited to broad conceptual comparisons and abstract motivational framing. No prior research has paired a specific military history case with a specific modern business case to analyze the parallels between these disciplines in detail.

This research addresses that gap by comparing the German Blitzkrieg campaign during the 1940 invasion of France and the transformation of Ryanair in the early 1990s. Despite being separated by fifty years and operating in completely different domains, the …

Flight Of The Gods: Charting The Terra Incognita Of Belief Through Dragon Literature, Alanna Hess

Undergraduate Honors Theses

“Flight of the Gods” is a fantasy short story that portrays a religious relationship between humans and dragons to explore themes of religious questioning. In doing so, “Flight of the Gods” unites with modern dragon literature by adapting the dragon motif to address real-world issues. Drawing from research on falcons and falconry, the dragons in this short story exhibit a complex relationship with their human counterparts that emphasizes themes of religious doubt and the complexity of belief. The thesis begins with a critical introduction discussing these topics and then presents the short story.

The Mediterranean Diet As A Protective Factor Against Tobacco-Induced Lung Cancer: Insights From The Italian Population, Morgan V. Roundy

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and the third among women in Italy, representing a major public health concern. This ecological, cross-sectional study examined and analyzed regional patterns of smoking prevalence, Mediterranean diet adherence, and age-adjusted lung cancer incidence across Italy, stratified by sex, using publicly available regional and macro-regional data and accounting for age structure and air quality. Smoking prevalence and lung cancer incidence were higher among males than females nationwide, although regional lung cancer patterns did not consistently mirror smoking prevalence, particularly among females. High adherence to the Mediterranean diet was low across …

Spatiotemporal Patterns Of Occupancy By Pygmy Rabbits (Sylvilagus Idahoensis), Kevin A. Royal, Brock R. Mcmillan, Kimberly A. Hersey, Steven L. Petersen, Randy T. Larsen

Student Works

The pygmy rabbit (Sylvilagus idahoensis) is a species of conservation concern that has declined due to fragmentation and loss of essential habitat, primarily sagebrush-steppe. Pygmy rabbits are currently under review for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and consequently require a clearer understanding of current distribution and patterns of occurrence in big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) habitats. From 2024 to 2025, we surveyed for pygmy rabbits using remote cameras at several historically occupied sites in Utah, USA, to understand patterns of activity and occupancy. We also compared current estimates of occupancy to historical data collected approximately 20 years ago. …

Using Machine Learning And Predictive Modeling To Understand Water Use By Pinyon Jays (Gymnorhinus Cyanocephalus) In Utah, Audrey H. Biser, Randy T. Larsen, Steven L. Petersen, Sam B. St. Clair

Student Works

Pinyon jays (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) are flocking corvids native to arid and semi-arid habitats of the western United States. Pinyon jays are declining throughout their range, leading to heightened interest in implementing conservation efforts. However, very little is known about pinyon jays in Utah, and no studies have been conducted anywhere throughout their range on their relationship to water. As drought conditions intensify due to climate change, water availability is declining; this may contribute to pinyon jays’ decline. Based on camera traps placed throughout western Utah, we used a machine learning model to identify water sources used by pinyon jays. We …

Full Issue

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.