Digital Commons Network^™

Wolbachia Incidence And Prevalence In Montane Lepidoptera, Anna Imes

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Animal hosts associate with endosymbiotic microbes that live inside their cells. Maternally transmitted Wolbachia bacteria are the most common endosymbionts, associating with about half of all insect species. Most Wolbachia form facultative associations with their hosts (i.e., the hosts do not require Wolbachia). In most systems, it remains unknown how common Wolbachia are within host populations and the extent to which their prevalence varies through time and space. Here, I fill this gap in knowledge by quantifying the incidence and prevalence of Wolbachia in a community of understudied montane moths. We conducted field sampling of divergent moth species every …

What Is The Association Between Fbf-1 Mutant Function And P-Granule Localization In C. Elegans Germlines?, Camille K. Spencer, Gabriella Weiss

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Stem cells are essential to tissue maintenance through differentiation and proliferation to generate new cells, FBF homologs are key regulatory proteins that control their meiotic entry.

In the Voronina Lab, we use the germ-lines of Caenorhabditis elegans to study how germ-cell RNA regulators like FBF-1 impact the substructure of P-granules, specialized germ-granules within the germline cytoplasm that preserve germline identity. The localization of these granules is generally conserved among species, but the importance of the specific substructure is unknown.

Recent developments suggest that FBF-1 facilitates epigenetic small-RNA inheritance associated with p-granules, and functional differences can be observed in mutated strains …

Herbicide Effects On Soil Seed Banks, Blake Roeslein, Abby Mcmurty, Bryan Endress

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Title: Herbicide effects on soil seed banks

Co-authors: Blake Roeslein, Abby McMurtry, Bryan Endress, Akasha Faist

Invasive annual grasses are a major driver of grassland degradation globally. In perennial grasslands, invasion can heavily impact biodiversity including potential changes to the soil seed banks. Seed banks, the living seeds stored in the upper soil column, play an important role in healthy systems. To reduce negative invasion outcomes, whether in the seed bank or aboveground vegetation, pre-emergent herbicides are a commonly used tool for land managers. Pre-emergent herbicides work by targeting seeds as they emerge from the soil. Our study asks what …

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 …

Standardizing Vocalization Types Of Black-Billed Cuckoos, Emily M. Feiling

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Vocalization patterns in black-billed cuckoos (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) remain understudied. This project aims to standardize their vocalization types by identifying and categorizing distinct call types, along with key spectral features such as frequency, duration, and entropy, to create a consistent vocal repertoire for the species. A bird’s vocal repertoire refers to the full collection of sounds it produces, including both songs and calls.

I analyzed existing audio recordings from Xeno-Canto, focusing on the two primary call types of the black-billed cuckoo: the “cadence coo” and the “rattle.” The goal was to establish a standardized framework for describing these vocalizations …

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 …

Exploring The Impact Of Menstrual Cycle Length On Negative Affect And Anxiety, Gracie Jane Hietala

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Menstrual cycle length is a biological factor that may influence psychological well-being, yet its relationship remains under-researched. The study “Emotion Recognition and Mood Along the Menstrual Cycle,” by Pletzer and Noachtar recruited 230 naturally-cycling women to examine how menstrual cycle phases impact the ability to recognize emotions from facial expressions. Participants were surveyed during their menses, peri-ovulatory, and mid-luteal phases, with assessments covering psychological factors and hormone levels. Using the open-source data collected from the previous study, the current study investigates the relationship between menstrual cycle, negative mood and anxiety. Results indicate that there is a significant correlation between these …

Group-Based Bcst For Patients With Rcc, Emily M. Ehli

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Abstract

Background

Refractory Chronic Cough (RCC) is a highly prevalent condition that affects millions of individuals globally. RCC can be effectively treated with behavioral cough suppression therapy (BCST) provided by specialty trained speech- language pathologists (SLP). Access to BCST is a problem due to limited numbers of BCST providers, long travel distances, transportations costs, etc. Research has shown BCST to be effective via telehealth. Group-based BCST would help treat numerous patients with RCC at once, addressing the problem of access to a BCST provider.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of group BCST for patients …

Rnai Mediated Knockdown Of Genes Related To Human Ovarian Insufficiency And Dysgenesis In Model Organism, C. Elegans, Kathryn Bick

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Ovarian dysgenesis (OD) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) are related conditions, where a lack of ovarian growth and germline stem cell division causes the loss of normal ovarian function and early depletion of ovarian follicles, which often presents as infertility and early onset menopause in women. There are numerous genes associated with broad ovarian dysgenesis and POI, including 129 different human genes. While OD and POI is common in females who possess just one X-chromosome, “pure” 46 XX gonadal dysgenesis is a rare condition resulting in OD and POI even though the individual has both X chromosomes. Just one gene, …

Ensuring Treatment Fidelity, Molia Thi Dao, Emma Pearl Henry

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Some preschool children experience substantial difficulties saying speech sounds and being understood by others. They may receive intervention from a speech-language pathologist to help them increase their intelligibility. The intervention procedures require a high level of treatment fidelity, the implementation of detailed protocols to support consistent and effective treatment. Treatment fidelity is imperative while conducting research to maintain consistency and provide thorough procedures for future interventionists utilizing and replicating the research. The research questions are how to develop a checklist that outlines the procedures and documents accountability and credibility for treatment delivered in a group setting within a specialized clinic …

The Hidden Impact Of Concussions: Cognitive And Balance Recovery In Male Adolescent Hockey Players, Hunter Richard Naugle

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Ice hockey is a high-impact sport with an inherent risk of concussions due to body checking, high-speed collisions, and falls. Despite these advancements, concussions remain a significant concern, particularly among adolescent players who may be more vulnerable to long-term effects.This study aimed to evaluate trends in concussion screening outcomes among adolescent ice hockey players over a six-year period (2017-2023).Eleven male adolescent ice hockey players (15.7 + 3.0 years old) completed a baseline concussion assessment, concussion screening for injury, and follow up concussion assessments between 2017-2023. Concussion screening included the SCAT5 assessing orientation, immediate memory, concentration, delayed recall, and balance using …

Interwoven Struggles: The Intersection Of Reproductive Justice And Environmental Justice Through An Ecofeminist Lens, Maya Kowski

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Reproductive justice (RJ) and environmental justice (EJ) are deeply interconnected, particularly for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by environmental hazards and systemic reproductive oppression. This poster explores how environmental factors—such as pollution, climate change, and toxic exposure—impact reproductive autonomy, pregnancy outcomes, and access to healthcare in the United States, positioning RJ as an essential component of EJ. This research examines historical and contemporary examples of environmental racism affecting reproductive health, highlighting how climate disasters, industrial pollution, and resource extraction disproportionately harm communities of color and Indigenous populations. Through case studies and movement analysis, this presentation discusses coalition-building between RJ and EJ …

Investigating The Role Of Fbf-1 In Somatic Rnai Inheritance In C. Elegans, Elizabeth Sweeney

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process in eukaryotes in which gene suppression is initiated by the presence of short, double-stranded RNA in a cell’s cytoplasm. This is a conserved process that likely evolved primarily to mediate resistance to pathogens. It is also an incredibly useful tool in experimental biology, due to its stability, specificity, and relative ease of use in targeted gene expression modification. In Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), the effects of RNAi are heritable and systemic, making it an ideal model organism for studying transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.

FBF-1 is a member of the PUF protein family, …

Female Hummingbird Metabolism, Gabriella F. Weida

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Animal metabolism studies have frequently focused on males, resulting in a considerable gap in the knowledge of the metabolic requirements of females. These differences may have important ecological and evolutionary consequences, as female behaviors (nesting, incubation, and foraging to feed young) may lead to metabolic demands that vary significantly from those of males. Previous work has led to a hypothesis that metabolic rates to support hovering are greater outdoors compared with rates for the same behavior in laboratory studies, potentially due to wind and thermal conditions. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by measuring the metabolic cost of females …

How Warming Shapes Early Life Stages Of Alpine Cushion Plants, Christopher Cardella

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Alpine tundra is a harsh environment with short growing seasons, low temperatures, and nutrient-poor soils. These ecosystems are warming faster than the global average. Yet how this rapid warming shapes the early life stages of alpine plants is not yet fully understood. Early life stages such as seed germination and seedling survival and growth are some of the most vulnerable life stages in a plant’s life, potentially posing a bottleneck to recruitment. In summer 2023, we collected seeds from three alpine plant species—Silene acaulis, Minuartia obtusiloba, and Phlox condensata—at the Niwot Ridge LTER, CO. Using a controlled germination study, we …

Eliminating Harvest Of White-Tailed Deer Bucks Impacts Age Classes And Gross Score, Ethan Bartek

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Management actions revolving around white-tailed deer (Odocoieus virginianus) typically aim to increase the age of the males (i.e., “bucks”) in the population and antler size to meet social expectations. However, the efficacy of management actions in meeting objectives is sometimes uncertain due to a lack of empirical data. As part of a broad study estimating mammal community composition, 773 trail cameras were placed randomly across the ~6,000-acre Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch in western Montana from 2017-2024. From 2017-2019, this ranch allowed liberal harvest of white-tailed deer as part of the Block Management Program. Due to concerns with white-tailed deer buck …

Individual Accounts Of Interactions With First Responders: A Pilot Study, Addison P. O'Neill, Sophia L. Boughey, Taylor C. Sadewic

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Autistic Individuals Interactions with First Responders: A Pilot Study

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 36 people experience autism, which accounts for over 30,000 Montanans (CDC, 2023). Autism is characterized by differences in social communication and restrictive and repetitive behaviors. With these deficits come differences in communication styles and reactions in high stress situations. The literature shows minimal research on effective training practices for teaching first responders and emergency front-line medical staff how to interact with individuals with autism, especially those with complex communication needs (McGonigle et al, 2014, Cheung, et al, 2019). The research …

Investigating The Impact Of Shame Resilience And Internalized Weight Stigma On Body Image In Men, Julia Kathryn Brink

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Internalized weight stigma occurs when individuals apply negative weight-related stereotypes to themselves, which can lead to adverse outcomes, such as psychological distress, shame, eating disorders, and body image dissatisfaction. Societal pressures emphasizing muscularity and leanness exacerbate the negative psychological effects of weight stigma among male populations. Despite growing research on weight stigma and body image, male populations remain understudied, leaving gaps in understanding their unique experiences. Amongst both female and male identifying populations, existing research displays that resilience acts as a potential protective factor against the negative impacts of shame thus mitigating psychological distress. Shame Resilience Theory (SRT) measures factors …

Exploring The Relation Between Children’S Theory Of Mind And Social Understanding, Kylin Spangler, Sarah Sweezy

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Theory of mind and social understanding are both components of children’s social-cognitive development and rapidly develop in preschool age children. Related to the ability to understand the mental states of others, theory of mind is the ability to recognize other people’s thoughts, beliefs, desires, and knowledge, and is commonly assessed through false belief understanding. As a child interacts with caregivers and friends, they are able to infer more about what another person may be thinking or feeling, increasing their overall social understanding.

The current study tested children’s (N = 39; 3-5 years) false belief understanding using the unexpected contents …

Roots Of Resilience : Building A Sustainable Community Orchard For Food Equity And Environmental Stewardship In Missoula, Elle A. Vandzura

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This project aims to research the benefits of a sustainable community orchard in Missoula, with a focus on promoting nutritional equity, enhancing local food security, fostering environmental stewardship, and strengthening community engagement. Building on the proven success of Garden City Harvest’s community garden program, I will demonstrate how community orchards can further strengthen the local food system. Through a focused research approach, I will identify and implement best practices for the development and management of community orchards, with a particular emphasis on strategies that promote nutritional equity and environmental sustainability.

My research will include thorough reviews of case studies, academic …

Pharmacogenomics (Pgx) Implementation In Rural And Underserved Montana, Conlan James Edward Rendell

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

My project focuses on optimizing pharmacogenetic (PGx - A medical tool used to tailor a person's treatment based on their genes) testing, in rural pediatric psychiatry in Montana. A problem faced with PGx as an emerging health tool is limited access and difficulties implementing PGx services in rural, underserved, and tribal populations, which further healthcare disparities. Improving access and understanding of PGx would help alleviate these disparities and improve health outcomes. This project sought to answer what the perspectives on current implementations of PGx are. The project addresses healthcare disparities by evaluating provider and patient perspectives on PGx services in …

Seed Sisters, Rylie Luhring

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Many who visit UM’s PEAS Farm know about the greenhouses, pumpkin patch, and flower fields that grow around the property, but there is another garden that has been growing for the last three seasons: The Four Sisters Garden. Although many students visit the farm each year, the Four Sisters Garden is a spot that tends to be skipped over on tours. This traditional Garden grows squash, beans, corn, and sunflowers, and is grown in the arrangement of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara (MHA) peoples from North Dakota. Through conversations with the caretakers of the Four Sisters Garden, I found out …

Advocating For Anti-War Education In The University Of Montana's Social Work Program, David Payseno

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) code of ethics, social workers have a professional responsibility to challenge social injustice and pursue social change on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed peoples. As such, I believe the absence of education and political action regarding war in the social work undergraduate program would be a lapse in the responsibilities of the social work profession as detailed by the NASW. While every human being on earth is subject to harm by military conflict, it is those of us who are the most vulnerable and oppressed that inevitably suffer the greatest consequences. …

Judicial Independence In U.S. States: The Influence Of Political Competition On Legislative Threats To State Supreme Courts, Jack Eve

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The purpose of this study is to examine how political competition in state governments influences the independence of state supreme courts. This study adapts existing theories from comparative judicial research of democratic countries to the U.S. subnational context. Through a comparative study of 50 U.S. states, I test whether political dynamics in subnational entities align with existing transnational theories of political competition and judicial independence. Political competition in states is measured by the partisan composition of state legislatures, competitiveness of state elections, and partisan control of state branches of government. Judicial independence is measured using court-curbing legislation as a proxy, …

Interpersonal Relationships, Trust In Media, And Right-Wing Beliefs, Reba Watson

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Following the resurgence of right-wing beliefs starting in 2008, individual radicalization is reshaping the foundations of democracies. The QAnon movement, January 6th, and recent elections have shown that the way that individuals connect with each other, the media, and experts to make meaning has changed. The internet and free exchange of information (and misinformation) have altered the channels of individual radicalization and are becoming a new frontier for the development of extremist thought. This new wave of extremism warrants concern, especially as it continues to change the course of the United States. Despite this, little research has examined how social …

When Confidence Is Not Accurate: Effects Of Emotionality On Actual Versus Predicted Memory Performance, Julia J. Branen, Makaylah E. Beltran

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

From recalling crimes to passing exams, memory is a critical cognitive function for effectively navigating everyday life. Often, we expect that we will remember what is emotionally significant to us, especially when those feelings are negative. However, past research has indicated that may not be the case. The goal of this study, which I helped conduct alongside my professor and fellow research assistants, was to investigate the relationship between memory accuracy and confidence in one’s own memory for emotionally negative words (such as "grief") as compared to neutral words (such as "graph"). We recruited 65 UM psychology students through SONA, …

Effects Of Ethical Teaching In Conjunction With Mindfulness Meditation Training (Msbr), Wade Pose

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This study explores the integration of ethical teaching within Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs to address both practical outcomes and ethical concerns related to the adaptation of cultural practices. While MBSR has been widely adopted for stress reduction and mental health improvement, the current body of literature reveals persistent methodological challenges, including inconsistent definitions, a notable lack of longitudinal studies, and ethical concerns regarding cultural appropriation. This proposal examines three approaches: maintaining the integrity of traditional Buddhist ethical values, implementing secular ethical values, and excluding ethics training from MBSR instruction. To contribute to this growing body of research a four-year, …

Montana Alternative Music Archive, Kate Widmer

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

My project, titled “Montana Alternative Music Archive,” is an attempt to gather the history of Montana’s underground alternative music scene throughout the entire state and across as many decades as possible, so as to address the lack of historical documentation on this artistic movement. My guiding reason for this project is due to a personal interest in the subject that has been difficult to develop due to lack of available material, as well as to honor the innovative spirit of generations of punk rockers who remained committed to their inspirations despite living in a regional culture that doesn’t necessarily prioritize …