Digital Commons Network^™

A Gift Of Art And History, Stephanie Shreffler

Marian Library Blog Archive

The world's foremost collector of works by the Italian illustrator Ezio Anichini has donated his collection to the Marian Library, which featured the works in a 2022 exhibit.

Proceedings Of The 2025 Berry Summer Thesis Institute, University Of Dayton. University Honors Program, Dorian Borbonus, Nicholas J. Canfield, Triet M. Cao, Thomas Crossman, Jeffrey Huettemann, Aung Myat Khaung, Chase Kinder, Elizabeth Krahe, Anh Duc Nguyen, Quynh Anh Nguyen, Anna M. Petre, Kayden G. Rothery, Anna M. Schmitz, Rachel Zeller

Proceedings of the Berry Summer Thesis Institute (2013-Present)

Thanks to a gift from the Berry Family Foundation and the Berry family, the University Honors Program launched the Berry Summer Thesis Institute in 2012. The institute introduces students in the University Honors Program to intensive research, scholarship opportunities and professional development. Each student pursues a 12-week summer thesis research project under the guidance of a UD faculty mentor. This contains the product of the students' research.

A Study On Webassembly And Its Security, Thomas Crossman

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

This project studies WebAssembly, a binary language specification that enables non-native languages, such as C/C++ and Rust, to run efficiently on webpages, supporting complex tasks like gaming or data processing. It functions by translating a non-native language into a WebAssembly binary, which is natively supported by most browsers. Notably, WebAssembly uses a linear memory model, storing all non-code data in a single linear array. Unfortunately, this design compromises some security principles, introducing security risks and complications.

Our overall project goal is to investigate WebAssembly functionality, develop a test program, and address a critical security challenge to enhance the safety of …

Long-Term Degradation Of Natural-Fiber Coir Turf Reinforcement Mat Installed Along An Urban Stream In South Carolina, Kayden G. Rothery, Bob L. Lowe

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Nature-based (or “living”) solutions to shoreline restoration are attractive due to their positive contributions to ecosystem function and service provision in coastal and estuarine environments. However, non-biodegradable plastics are widely used in their implementation; for instance, plastic-based geotextile fabrics are used to stabilize soil and organic matter to prevent loss of sediment fill. Paradoxically, these polymer-based geotextiles intended to protect the estuarine environment are unintended sources of plastic pollution as they inevitably degrade over time. Consequently, there is significant interest in transitioning from synthetic polymer-based geotextiles to sustainable non-plastic alternatives. To begin addressing this compelling research opportunity, this project aims …

Ud In The News Aug. 17-22, University Of Dayton

News Releases

Local and regional media covered UD's first-year move-in. The Conversation, The National Desk, Newsweek, ESPN and PsyPost tapped faculty expertise or highlighted faculty research. A Columbus Dispatch story listed UD among the 'best colleges in Ohio.'

The German Press's Coverage Of The Bavarian Freikorps, Chase Kinder

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

The Freikorps (Free Corps) was a German paramilitary group that primarily consisted of former World War I soldiers who experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and continued their military combat by suppressing communist revolutions in Germany throughout the early Weimar Republic. My research investigates how the German press in Munich covered the Bavarian Freikorps’ swift removal of armed communists and their violence against German civilians during the suppression of the Bavarian Soviet Republic in May 1919. This news coverage influenced how a large portion of German civilians viewed and interacted with German veterans of World War I and the Freikorps after …

3d-Printable Hydrogel With Rapid Ambient Self-Healing, Anna M. Petre

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Inspired by nature, soft robots composed of compliant (“soft”) materials are well-suited for uncertain, dynamic tasks requiring safe interaction between a robot and its environment. Soft robots with the ability mend minor damage (e.g. perforations, tears) have been enabled by the rapid development of self-healing soft materials. Recently, one of these hydrogel materials (internally dubbed “BeckOHflex”) – made entirely from commercially available precursors – was developed with several appealing characteristics including rapid ambient self-healing, 3D printability on commercial machines, and competitive mechanical properties. However, the self-healing performance of BeckOHflex falls short of competitors that leverage custom-synthesized precursors. This project aims …

Co-Culture 3d Model For Breast Cancer, Anh Duc Nguyen

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

The ability to replicate the tumor microenvironment using 3D models have allowed researchers to study the tumors in vitro closer to their in vivo counterparts without the drawbacks of those models. The 3D co-culture model is an improved version of the 3D monoculture model, capable of replicating the tumor microenvironment, letting researchers study cancer response mechanism, tumor metastases, drug resistance, simulate cell-cell interactions, etc., in breast cancer. The models can be classified into four classes based on their formation method and content, all of which have different advantages and disadvantages.

Interdisciplinary English Language Arts And Tesol Education To Advance Academic Achievement Of Immigrant, Refugee, And Urban Students, Elizabeth G. Krahe

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

By 2043, the United States is projected to become an official “plurality” in which the non-Hispanic White alone population will comprise less than 50% of the nation’s total population (Devine and Ortman, 2014). Schools are reflecting this demographic shift as they are more diverse culturally and racially. Yet the teaching population remains predominantly White middle class females. Teachers need to find ways to engage with all of their students to promote excitement in the classroom to joyfully learn. Reading and writing are central to education and are naturally found in all subject areas to be tied to academic achievement.

This …

Heterogeneity Of Molecular Subtypes In Multifocal And Multicentric Breast Cancer, Anna M. Schmitz

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Multifocal and multicentric breast cancers (MMBC), commonly referred to as multiple synchronous ipsilateral breast cancers, are heterogeneous diseases. There is a high degree of diversity between and within the tumors of a MMBC-bearing patient. Tumor heterogeneity can describe multiple features, such as morphological and molecular profiles. Knowledge about a patient's tumor heterogeneity can be used to determine a prognosis and treatment plan. However, transferring our growing knowledge of heterogeneity in MMBC into a clinical setting remains a challenge due to the large degree of diversity between tumor microenvironments and the cancer cells that tumors are composed of. This review article …

Intelligent Motion Tracking: A Low-Cost Surveillance Framework Using Soc Devices And Sensor Fusion, Aung Myat Khaung, Nicholas Michael Stiffler

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

This thesis presents the design and implementation of a lightweight surveillance system capable of realtime motion detection, object tracking, and behavioral history reconstruction in controlled environments. The system uses System-on-Chip devices such as Raspberry Pi boards equipped with NOIR cameras, monocular cameras, and break-beam sensors that work together to detect and track single or multiple moving objects like colored balls. The prototype is validated in structured settings with the goal of eventual deployment in more dynamic environments, addressing the challenge of reliably tracking visually similar objects with minimal distinguishing features. The architecture integrates computer vision with sensor fusion by combining …

Crossroads Of Covid-19 And Alzheimer’S: Investigating Sars-Cov-2 Nsp6 And Orf7a In Amyloid-Β42 Toxicity, Jeffrey William Huettemann, Amit Singh

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) resulted in several hundred million contracted cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and a global pandemic. In some of these cases, previous neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), seemed to progress much more rapidly after the COVID-19 infection. Thus, we became interested in studying the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on prior neurological disease progressions.

To modulate this condition, we used Drosophila melanogaster as a genetic model system. We had previously developed the Alzheimer’s Disease Fly Model with expression of human amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42) peptide, which is responsible for extracellular Aβ-42 …

Evaluating The Environmental Determinants Of Tadpole Mouthpart Deformities, Nicholas J. Canfield

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Amphibians are among the most threatened group of animals on the planet, with over 40% of living species facing an extinction risk. These organisms are highly sensitive to environmental change due to their highly permeable skin and complex life cycle that exposes them to stressors in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Amphibian populations that are closely monitored can serve as valuable bioindicators of environmental health because they typically respond rapidly to habitat degradation, decreased water quality, and changes in climate. Tadpoles in particular may act as a “canary in a coal mine” for aquatic ecosystems because they easily develop anatomical …

Simulating Chemiluminescence Spectra Of Oh Radical Using Quantum Dynamical Simulations, Triet M. Cao

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Chemiluminescence is a phenomenon of light emission that occurs when molecules transition from an excited state to the ground state. This phenomenon is widely utilized in applications ranging from quantifying product yields in chemical reactions to biological imaging and atmospheric chemistry studies. It has also been used in many crucial applications in the scarce conditions of heat and electricity, such as light sources for astronomy discovery or deep-sea diving. A notable example of such reactions is combustion, where highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (OH) are products. These radicals exhibit a chemiluminescence spectrum because of the interaction between their ground state and …

A Mini Review On Rodent Models Of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Rachel Zeller

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder typically diagnosed at a young age. ASD symptoms include deficits in social behavior, repetitive and restrictive behaviors, anxiety, as well as alterations in sensory gating and sensitivity, learning, memory, and attention performance. Since ASD emerges from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, clinical treatment of these conditions presents with challenges. Being able to model behavioral and neurobiological aspects of this disorder at the preclinical level using rodents allows for further investigation of the pathophysiological basis of this disorder. This mini review will focus on selected genetic and pharmacological rodent models of …

Federated Boolean Matrix Factorization Using Integer Programming, Quynh Anh Nguyen, Ngoc Nguyen, Nhat Phan

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Identifying the underlying structural patterns in data and extracting meaningful insights is a key challenge in data analysis. One effective approach to this problem is matrix factorization (MF), which approximates large matrices with lower-dimensional representations, making it effective for uncovering hidden patterns. MF techniques are widely applicable across various domains, such as recommender systems, cancer genomics, system identification, clustering, and image processing. Despite their effectiveness, existing MF methods often struggle with computational constraints and convergence challenges when tackling large-scale, nonsmooth, and nonconvex optimization problems, which are common in real-world applications.

This project aims to explore both the theoretical understanding and …

Ud In The News Aug. 9-16, University Of Dayton

News Releases

The Canadian Press quoted a pair of faculty in a story about tariffs. Tom Skill wrote "AI-savvy college grads key. 5 things we need to do" for the Dayton Daily News. WDTN interviewed climate scientist Shuang-ye Wu about energy demand in Ohio.

Ud Among Nation's Best On The Princeton Review Lists, University Of Dayton

News Releases

Dreaming of a college with top-tier campus food, outstanding dorms, and students who are happy and passionate about their sports teams? According to The Princeton Review, the University of Dayton might just be your ideal choice.

In Memoriam: Perry Yaney, Professor Emeritus Of Physics, Dave Larsen

College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

Respected for "his dedication for and impact on optics research and education, and scientific outreach," Perry Yaney continued to advise and mentor graduate students after his retirement in 2004.

Ud In The News Aug. 1-8, University Of Dayton

News Releases

National outlets The Conversation, Our Sunday Visitor, School Business Now, Catholic World Report and prominent regional outlets Spectrum News 1 Los Angeles, The Washington Times, Chicago Catholic and Alabama Catholic Radio tapped UD faculty expertise.

In Memoriam: William Roberts, Professor Emeritus Of Theology, Dave Larsen

College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

Well known for his popular Christian marriage course, professor emeritus of theology William "Bill" Roberts taught at UD for 35 years.

Ud In The News July 26-Aug. 1, University Of Dayton

News Releases

Local media reported on UD's fundraising record, board and staff comings and goings, student research, and a new home for the Greater West Dayton Incubator. Christianity Today and news outlets in Canada tapped the expertise of sociologist Art Jipson.

Partition, Passport And The Documentary Life Of Belonging, Haimanti Roy

History Faculty Publications

As India and Pakistan emerged as two new nation-states after 1947, questions around nationality and citizenship animated official and public discourses. While there were constitutional and legal pronouncements to clarify these matters, this article suggests that particular documents governing mobility became central to how such issues were framed and understood. In particular, this article focuses on the Indian passport and similar documents of mobility control, such as the domicile certificate, permits, and so on, to examine how they worked singly and in conjunction to frame the documentary life of belonging. The article also focuses on particular mobile groups, Muslim minorities …

2025 Graduate Scholar Reflection: Austin Cruz, Austin Cruz

Marian Fellowships and Other Sponsored Research in the Marian Library

My dissertation examines Juan Diego’s nearly five-century-long journey to sainthood in the Catholic Church. Tracing this development requires sifting through a great number of sources on Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego, and simply tracking down the most pertinent sources can be a monumental endeavor. Thanks to the Marian Graduate Student Fellowship, I spent two weeks in the Marian Library in May 2025 poring through more than forty books and pamphlets and almost two hundred newspaper clippings related to Juan Diego available in the Marian Library’s collections. I will highlight a few remarkable items.

2025 Visiting Scholar Reflection: Jacob Phillips, Jacob Phillips

Marian Fellowships and Other Sponsored Research in the Marian Library

My interest in American Marian piety and theology in the United States began through stumbling upon some online resources over ten years ago when I was doing my Ph.D. For some light relief from my doctoral project, I began spending my spare time reading the work of various American Franciscan theologians, particularly Father Peter Damian Fehlner, O.F.M. Conv. (1931-2018). Mariologies like Fehlner’s were a world apart from my own scholarly formation in English academia and were thus a breath of fresh air, albeit sometimes a little intoxicating as well.

Building Momentum: Ud Civil Engineering Team Stands Out In 2025 Steel Bridge Challenge, University Of Dayton

Blog: The Dayton Engineer

The University of Dayton's American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Steel Bridge Team delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Student Steel Bridge Competition, held as part of the ASCE student symposium hosted at Michigan Technological University.

In Memoriam: Kevin Sorg, Faculty In Graphic Design, Shannon Miller

College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

Known for fostering an "environment that encouraged creativity," Kevin Sorg taught graphic design at UD for 12 years.

University Of Dayton Adds Seven Trustees, Welcomes New Board Chair, University Of Dayton

News Releases

The University of Dayton added seven highly accomplished members to its 2025-26 board of trustees, including significant contributors to its record-breaking "We Soar" campaign, senior business executives, a young legal standout and two Marianists with decades of service in the Society of Mary.

University Of Dayton Vice President For Advancement Chris Morrison To Retire In January 2026, University Of Dayton

News Releases

The University of Dayton today announced Chris Morrison '85, vice president for advancement, will retire Jan. 12, concluding 13 years of dedicated service and profound impact on the institution.

Ud Hosts Mandarin Chinese Summer Camp With $136k Nsa Startalk Grant, Dave Larsen

College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

Twenty U.S. high school and college students participated in the free residential summer camp, where they cultivated their Chinese language and cultural competencies.