Digital Commons Network^™

Microbial Opsins: The Potential For Neurodegenerative Therapies, Maia Estrella Huebner

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Optogenetics is a new field utilizing light to manipulate cells. The produced symptoms mimic those of classic hibernation performed by many mammalian species, supporting the term “artificial hibernation”. Hibernation experienced by animals allows the organisms to maintain cell latency. These tools can be developed by applying novel techniques to laboratory mammals. Introducing stem-cell derived model organs to these kinds of studies may provide more insight on how optogenetics could advance medical therapies for neurodegenerative disorders.

This literature review analyzes the research completed in the biochemical origin of microbial opsins and their function. The channelrhodopsins (ChRs) from the microorganism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii …

Injury Reduction Training Programs For Dancers, Amanda L. Steiner

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The most common dance injuries are those that come from overuse usually in the ankle, leg, foot, and lower back (Common Dance Injuries and Prevention Tips, Johns Hopkins Medicine). Since dancers are very active, especially at the collegiate level, injury reduction is critical to have in a dancers training program. Collegiate dancers who undergo dance conditioning training at least twice a week specific in strengthening their joints and balance may experience significant increase in strength and a decrease in injuries over the course of a semester, compared to when they did not have dance conditioning. At the University of Montana, …

Application Of The Fast Marching Method To The Reconstruction Of Greenland Ice Sheet Retreat Across The Early Holocene Period, Ryan M. Fleetwood

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

As the Greenland Ice Sheet retreats, it has become an increasingly large contributor to global sea level rise. As such, it has become important to study the geologic past of Greenland to understand the projected acceleration of mass loss, and where the ice sheet is heading in the future. In this research, we utilize the PaleoGrIS database, which contains 12 contours at 500-1000 year intervals, ranging between 14,000 years ago and 6,500 years ago. The contours were constructed by a team at the University of Sheffield using geochronological methods, mainly terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure and radiocarbon dating. These methods …

Montana Assault Resource Index, Storytelling & Education (Mt A.R.I.S.E.): Breaking Barriers To Disclosure Of Sexual Violence In The Lgbtq+ Community, Olivia G. Donohue, Kate Bick, Cana Odegaard, Emma Hixson

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This project aims to address the unique needs of LEGBTQ+ survivors of sexual violence, through the enhancement of social support and resource accessibility for this marginalized group, particularly reaching those in rural settings like Montana. Existing literature highlights significant failures to understand the intersectional vulnerabilities and resilience factors impacting recovery and outcomes among LGBTQ+ individuals. Often, studies neglect specific subgroups, including transgender individuals, bisexual persons, and nonbinary survivors, and do not implement comprehensive, intersectional frameworks that capture the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. In rural areas, LGBTQ+ individuals face systemic issues, such as restricted access to supportive healthcare, social …

The Ethics Of Animal Rights And Zoos, Jamie L. Tucker Crockett

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

In my essay, I will be diving into the controversial issue of Animal containment, focusing on zoos in the United States. I will be taking this opportunity to establish a new way of thinking about the argument which states the pros of zoos outweigh the negative effects they have on the animals who live there. Neither side of the argument has a malicious intention towards harming animals. Instead, each side shows a different approach to what it is to properly care, and respect for animal rights. Those arguing in support of zoos commonly reference arguments dating back to Aristotle. However, …

Rent, Stress, And Student Success In Missoula, Alysa Curry, Halston Witt, Aidan Rasmussen, Sadie Arnold, Tristan Clifford

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This research examines the impact of the rental housing market in Missoula, Montana, on the well-being of undergraduate students at the University of Montana and Missoula College. As rental prices rise and housing options become increasingly limited, students are encountering significant challenges in securing affordable housing. This has a direct effect on their financial stability, mental health, and overall life satisfaction. This study aims to better understand these challenges by surveying students about their current housing situations, financial stress, and mental health concerns. The survey results will provide insights into the specific factors contributing to housing difficulties and their broader …

Implementing Studio-Style Learning In Geographic Information System And Cartography Education, Ryan M. Fleetwood

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

As the professional world evolves, the higher-education sector needs to improve classroom experiences to prepare students for the modern workforce. Higher education traditionally utilizes the lecture as a primary teaching strategy; however, modern pedagogical research suggests active learning-based classrooms improve student engagement, participation, and learning. Studio-style course design, a research-based instructional practice first implemented in Physics and Calculus courses, aims to provide students a place to apply knowledge and practice skills through a collaborative and hands-on environment. Applications of GIS, an upper-division geographic information systems (GIS) course at the University of Montana, has traditionally employed lectures and step-by-step instructional labs …

Perpetrator Induced Distress: Prevalence, Event Characteristics And Outcomes In Civilian Samples, Chris Dums, Olathe Antonio

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Limited research exists on the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of perpetration induced potentially traumatic events (PTEs) in the general population. In the present study, participants from two samples (N=735) described a distressing event that was caused by their own actions, and completed outcomes measuring perpetration induced distress (PID), anxiety, depression, existential concerns, and symptoms of PTSD and complex PTSD. 56.6% of participants identified a distressing event that they perceived to be caused by their own actions. Deductive coding categorized responses by 4 previously identified themes: physical harm (25.2%), interpersonal conflict/betrayal (52.4%), violation of internal standards (20.0%), and violation of external …

Bridging The Gap: The Effects Of Intergroup Contact On Emotions And Lgbtiq+ History Knowledge Among Cisgender Heterosexual Individuals, Lauren N. Schulte

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Research has shown that intergroup contact between cisgender, heterosexual and LGBTIQ+ individuals is associated with a deeper understanding of struggles around LGBTIQ+ experiences. Individuals with LGBTIQ+ identifying friends are more likely to report higher levels of allyship, engage in LGBTIQ+-affirming behaviors, hold positive attitudes toward LGBTIQ+ individuals, and have increased sensitivity to LGBTIQ+ perspectives. These data come from a survey examining LGBTIQ+ historical trauma, including students of all sexual and gender identities at the University of Montana and University of Nevada-Reno (n=462). These analyses examine factors related to one’s understanding of LGBTIQ+ experiences, hypothesizing that greater numbers of LGBTIQ+ individuals …

The Impact Of Thc On People In Recovery, April Jackson-Andal

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

In Montana, on January 1, 2022, cannabis became legal for recreational use. This policy has been adopted in several other states as well. The impact of THC on recovery has not been widely researched and, therefore, not fully understood. Addiction clinics are responsible for supporting individuals through their recovery journey, and probation offices are meant to uphold those on probation to their regulations. Therefore, professionals working in these agencies may have insight into how THC impacts recovery. In 2024, I quantitatively surveyed professionals (n=13) working in addiction clinics or probation and parole offices in Helena, MT, on their perspectives of …

Accuracy Evaluation Of Modern Methods Of Motion Capture, Sara Trotchie, Rachel Barney, Taylor Garst, Sarah Krout, Samantha Yeats

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Purpose: The assessment of limb movement trajectories and joint ranges of motion (ROM) are critical components in diagnosing and treating movement deficits and injuries. Recent advances in the field of automated image analysis permit the identification of joint center locations using markerless anatomical detection. We evaluated the accuracy of a virtual reality system and synchronized web cameras against a research-grade system.

Methods: Subject volunteers (n=31, m=14 f=17, age=21.2±3.2) completed a series of three scripted movement sequences, which were displayed to the subject using a custom virtual reality platform. The scripted sequences were designed to replicate the joint ROM and balance …

Embodied Self-Remembering; Toward A Personal Movement Philosophy, Nicholas Greenlund

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The possibility examined in this project is the expansion of human consciousness through Inner work. This “Inner work” integrates the insights of Buddhist psychology, Integral psychology, Enneagram philosophy, and Somatic practices for the expansion of conscious potential in and through the cultivation of compassionate understanding. By observing and identifying the conditions that reinforce a reactive state of being, a choice emerges to remain or grow a capacity of responsiveness. This process is through the body’s sensory presence, the heart’s courage to love, and the mind’s construction of Self. The subjective exploration of the interconnected body-mind integrates the complex study of …

Chronic Refractory Cough And Anxiety: Neural Pathways, Mackenzie Erin Majors

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Chronic refractory cough (CRC) is a cough that persists for at least eight weeks following

completion of treatment for sickness. This is often due to increased interoception,

which is the ability to perceive internal sensations in the body, both physical and emotional.

People experiencing CRC are often left feeling anxious and isolated. Several parts of the human

brain serve both anxiety and cough. With similar neural pathways, anxiety could be a precursor

for CRC. My review compares and contrasts the neural pathways of anxiety and cough, as well

as highlights the work of interoception in these disorders and how behavioral …

Estimating Snow Water Equivalent From The Montana Mesonet, Ryan M. Fleetwood

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

As the severity and frequency of drought increases, it has become increasingly important to monitor factors that drive watersheds. In the Rocky Mountain West, snowpack is an important hydrologic input that feeds water supply and agriculture downstream. A greater understanding of snowpack distribution throughout headwater states, such as Montana, allows informed management of irrigation, drought, and flooding. The Montana Mesonet, which is currently comprised of 178 stations across the State of Montana, is one tool that allows the effective monitoring of meteorological and hydrological variables across the State. Current Montana Mesonet stations are only equipped with snow depth sensors. This …

Restoring Rattlesnake Creek: Using Citizen Science To Assess The Ecological And Morphological Impacts Of Small Dam Removal, Bethany Blakey

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

As dam removals increase in frequency across the U.S., most research has focused on the impact of larger dam removals, despite the removal of small dams being much more common. Given the hundreds of small dams in Montana, this research uses citizen science data collected over seven years spanning before and after a 2020 small dam removal in Rattlesnake Creek, Montana, to investigate impact on stream ecology and morphology. We analyzed pebble count grain size distributions and aquatic macroinvertebrate biotic indices from 2017 to 2023 to assess changes in sediment transport and macroinvertebrate population as well as evaluating the efficacy …

Using Analytical Ultracentrifugation To Characterize Ric8:Gαi Protein Binding, Ephraim Neils Mortenson

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a target of 35% of FDA-approved drugs and play a major role in cellular communication. GPCRs activate various Gα proteins, such as Gαi, which activate downstream effector proteins and result in intracellular signaling. Ric-8A is a molecular chaperone protein required for Gαi biogenesis and has cytosolic guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity. Understanding proteins which regulate GPCR pathways, like Ric-8A, may reveal novel therapeutic targets in G-protein signaling.

As an undergraduate volunteer in the Analytical Ultracentrifugation (AUC) core, my goal is to use AUC to characterize the binding behavior of Gαi and Ric-8A, independently verify association …

Bronze And Bulletin Boards: Indigenous Language In Formal And Informal Campus Space, Adria Capozzoli

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

What histories and lives are acknowledged in officially sanctioned institutional memorials and place-names? In recent years, academic institutions in the United States and other Anglophone nations have installed a significant amount of Indigenous-language signage on their campuses. Administrators at the University of Montana have installed a number of signs in Indigenous languages, including an intended new "centerpiece" monument at the Oval due to be installed in 2025. Also in 2025, UM is simultaneously finalizing installation of an expensive three-meter-tall sign at a new "gateway" to campus. This project seeks to inquire where, and in what contexts, acknowledgement of Indigenous languages …

Find Your Fit: Supporting Individuals Experiencing Neurodivergence Through Post-Higher Education Career Transitions, Julia Brink, Faith Marshall, Allison Webster, Kalei Smith, Maya Franscella, Ava Heintzelman, Rosie Sterk, Sophia Boughey

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Individuals experiencing neurodivergence often face unique challenges when transitioning from higher education to the workforce, such as barriers in self-advocacy, workplace accommodations, and professional communication. Despite growing awareness, career readiness resources tailored to their needs and learning styles remain limited both locally and globally. This study seeks to answer the question: “How might communities ensure that people who experience neurodivergence are more successful in the workforce?” To address this question, this study examines the development, implementation, and evaluation of an eight-week neurodiversity-specific career readiness course aimed at addressing gaps in employment support for individuals experiencing neurodivergence in the University of …

Recreation Repair Reimagined, Luca Welle, Koson Verkler, Sam Garza, Fraser Ormiston

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Textile waste, including that produced by the outdoor industry, is a huge environmental and social problem. An incomprehensible number of items are discarded each year, many of which end up contributing to pollution across the globe. Some of this equipment is costly, both in terms of the externalities of production and disposal and the price tag consumers see, the latter of which poses an issue of accessibility to many people. We have worked to address these challenges by facilitating an opportunity as well as a space in which people can repair and repurpose worn gear and textiles so as to …

Montana Kaimin, April 24, 2025, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Significant Montana Cases, Lauren Halverson, Lauryn Lamp, Collin Stetzner

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Future Of The Discovery Doctrine: One View From Outside Indian Country, Blake A. Watson

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

Reclaiming Self-Government: State Preemption And Original Meaning Of The Montana Constitution’S Local Government Provisions, Zarchary M. Krumm

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

Montana Kaimin, April 10, 2025, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Montana Kaimin, April 3, 2025, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Documents From The April 2, 2025 Meeting Of The Associated Students Of The University Of Montana (Asum)., Associated Students Of The University Of Montana

Senate Meeting Agendas and Minutes, 2007-Present

Minutes and agenda from the April 2, 2025 Meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM).

Collaborative Research Report: Building Home Care Worker Capacity, Luke Santore, Catherine Ipsen, Stephen Mccall, Jiyeon Kim, Genna M. Mashinchi

Employment

RTC:Rural and PHI researchers examine the rising demand for home-based care and ways to increase the workforce and retain home care workers through worker-supportive policies such as increased wages and healthcare insurance.

Bylaws Of The Associated Students Of The University Of Montana As Of March 4, 2025, University Of Montana--Missoula. Associated Students

ASUM Governing Documents, 2019-present

Bylaws of the Associated Students of the University of Montana as of SB32-24/25: Resolution Amending Article V, Section 5 of ASUM Bylaws. This resolution passed during the February 26, 2025 ASUM Senate Meeting during a Roll Call Vote 18-0-0.

Can Belief Be Compelled? Evidence From Salem, Stewart Justman

Global Humanities and Religions Faculty Publications

In his Letter Concerning Toleration Locke argues forcefully that belief cannot be compelled under any circumstances. I put this proposition to the test by examining false confessions extracted during the Salem witch-hunt only three years after Locke’s letter was translated into English. Evidence in the Salem records—in particular, a deposition signed by six accused witches—establishes that a number of confessors believed their own false narratives at the time they offered them. Of great psychological interest, these cases give us a sense of what the Salem hysteria felt like to those engulfed by it. They also invalidate Locke’s claim that belief …

Reflections From Lived Experience: Disability And Public Libraries, Jeff Gutierrez

Independent Living and Community Participation

Summary of an interactive conference session that captured the views of rural Center for Independent Living (CIL) staff and consumers on the intersection of disability and public libraries in rural areas.