What Goes Around Comes Around, Roger Moore, Nina Vermolen, Mannix Shaffer, Jaiden Stansberry, Carson Cronk, Carson Brandt, Elena Bigart

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

What Goes Around Comes Around

Climate change is a prevalent issue affecting every individual globally. There are many

factors that increase of greenhouse gases, including textile waste. Textiles can have an

extended lifetime, but are often discarded once unwanted or outgrown. One solution to mitigate the negative global impacts of textiles is to apply the circular economy and reuse clothing. Our project not only focuses on defining the circular economy and its implementation, but also highlights waste management, campus sustainability, and education awareness. This project aims to discover how the University of Montana can implement the circular economy in its …

Jacksonian Indian Removal Through The Lens Of Native Tribes In Montana And Wyoming From 1830-1890, Bradley D. Roscoe

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Jacksonian Indian removal through the lens of Native tribes in Montana and Wyoming from 1830-1890

Following thorough thought and analysis, I have chosen to focus my area of study on two separate and distinct areas of American history; areas that share a lot more in common than one might initially expect. The focus of this presentation is to compare and analyze the Jacksonian Era Indian removal, primarily comparing the Indian Removal Act of 1830 to the removal of Native Americans during the 1870’s through the 1890’s in the Rocky Mountain region, with specific emphasis on Montana and Wyoming. I have …

Disinformation's Detriment To Democracy: A Russian-African Case Study, Jorgia R. Hawthorne

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The research project will revolve around Russian disinformation campaigns in Africa and the effects of those campaigns on African democracies. The project will also include explanations of the intersection of reliable information and functioning democracy as well as Russian motivations behind the campaigns.

As a political science and journalism student, I am interested in misinformation/disinformation and how/why it is so influential in the health of a democracy. I’ve done research into these phenomena in the United States, but the Russian attacks in Africa appear to be more coordinated. Additionally, African democracies have become increasingly more unstable and I would like …

Deeply Rooted: The Role Of Indigenized Research Approaches In Camas Restoration Ecology, Tessa Grace Jarden

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Despite being one of the most culturally significant and historically abundant native plants of the Pacific Northwest, common camas (Camassia quamash (Pursh) Greene) has undergone a precipitous decline across its range. This decline, driven primarily by agricultural land-use conversion and wetland drainage, has disproportionately impacted Indigenous peoples for whom camas is a cultural keystone species. For thousands of years prior to colonization, tribes across the Pacific Northwest relied on camas bulbs as a first food and managed camas prairies using Traditional Resource Management (TRM) practices. Camas restoration has emerged as a widespread management priority in recent years, particularly among …

Effect Of El Nino And Sunspot Cycles On Global And Reginal Climate, August Nathan Tolzman

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

While increasing greenhouse gases are causing an increase in global temperatures and precipitation, there is considerable interannual variability in global and regional climate patterns that is not fully understood. This research will be carried out by reading papers on this topic and creating my own graphs with El Nino, sunspot cycles, global climate, reginal climate, and snowpack in Western Montana. The winter of 2023-2024 has been dominated by unusually warm temperatures and a significantly smaller snowpack. A common explanation for these warmer and dryer winters is El Nino events. This year we are experiencing a strong El Nino event along …

Interannual Growth-Climate Relationships Of Western Larch After Wildfire In The Northwest United States, Junior Burks

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Montane and mixed-mesic conifer forests in the northwestern United States are burning at rates greater than any time in recent decades, due to the combined impacts of global warming and historical and contemporary land use and land management. Western larch (Larix occidentalis) is a tree of high regional significance, exhibiting a variety of traits that make it resistant and resilient to fire. Because seedlings are generally more sensitive to environmental stressors than adults, the impacts of climate change are expected to be detectable first in juvenile trees. Recent research shows that the natural regeneration of western larch after …

The New Horizon Of Psychedelic Treatment For Mental Health, Emily G. Tschetter

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

For people who have been struggling with mental illness for years, if the limited treatment options of therapy and prescription medication aren’t effective for them, they’re often left feeling hopeless when seeking relief. My project, a feature story that ran in the University of Montana School of Journalism’s Byline Magazine, dove into an emerging treatment for mental illness some Montanans are turning to — psychedelics. I analyzed past news coverage and research on the use of ketamine, psylocibin and MDMA to treat disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, interviewed owners of Montana ketamine treatment centers and interviewed Montanans who …

Cultural Competence In Healthcare: A Literature Review Of Barriers To The Application Of Culturally Responsive Practice For Physician Assistants, Annabelle N. Decuire

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Abstract

Culturally competent health services for physician assistants (PA), are critical for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) communities given the common disparities in healthcare. In addressing the multifaceted nature of disparities, the purpose of this literature review is to examine the role and responsibilities of PAs to be culturally competent. Culture is an omnipresent and dynamic process that influences every aspect of how we perceive and interact with others; therefore, it is important to recognize the diverse behaviors and beliefs of patients within respective contexts, rather than solely through the lens of a single culture. Cultural competence encompasses cultural skills, …

Laughalytics: Analyzing Humor Preferences Through An Online Card Game, Caden Glenn Fox

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Humor's subjectivity poses a challenge to understanding its widespread appeal, yet phenomena like the success of "Cards Against Humanity" suggest patterns worth exploring. This project aims to elucidate the nuances of humor through the development and promotion of an online application modeled after the game. The platform will facilitate gameplay similar to "Cards Against Humanity," allowing users to engage in prompt and response exchanges while also encouraging them to submit their own card ideas.

Central to the project's approach is the collection and analysis of data regarding card popularity and user demographics. By tracking interactions such as card selections and …

Effects Of Temperature On The Pison Neural Monitor, Andrew C. Engellant, Alejandro H. Rosales, Jessica L. Moler, Alice L. Held, P. James Straw

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

INTRODUCTION: The Pison Neural Monitor is a wrist worn biosensor that detects neuromuscular signals in the forearm. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of temperature on the accuracy and false positive rate (FPR) on the neural monitor. METHODS: Participants (n=6, 28.3±8.9 years, 179.3±9.6 cm, 80.7±15.5 kg, 17.0±2.0 cm wrist circumference) were assigned to either hot (2 males, 1 female) or cold (2 males, 1 female) and completed 6 trials at each temperature in a randomized and counterbalanced repeated measures design. Participants rested in a seated position at three different temperatures in either the heat (35°C, …

Feelings Of Connectedness: Comparing Pre-College And College Friendships Among University Students, Taylor Cooney

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The formation of friendships has been studied in a variety of contexts, notably among adolescents and young adults. Friendships can influence one’s economic status, romantic relationships, and quality of life. Several studies have found proximity to be a key factor in friendship formation. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many school systems were required to switch to online platforms and practice social distancing. The current study analyzed college students’ feelings of connectedness to friends made before college and friends made during college, and whether those who entered college during the height of the pandemic in 2020 experienced lower friendship quality outcomes …

Creation Of A Database And Website For Genome Sequencing Data, Jacqueline Wisdom Olexa

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

As the field of computational genomics continues to expand in both potential and application, it is imperative now than ever to ensure that massive genetic sequencing datasets are properly stored in an accessible manner. This project sought to establish a practical, user-friendly, secure full-stack system for a genomics research lab (the Good Lab; thegoodlab.org) at the University of Montana. A MySQL database and connected web application was ruled the best configuration to maximize utility and accessibility for the lab’s researchers. Building the logical framework for the database, creating the server, and sourcing data occurred over several months. The data ranged …

Once A Loser, Always A Loser: Effects Of Social Defeat In Fruit Flies, Erin Szalda-Petree, Deanna Cuello, Wyatt Ploot

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Animals often behave in ways that align with the underlying social structure of their species. Existing lower in the social hierarchy can have negative consequences for health and well-being, including changes in appetite and depression-like symptoms (Becker et al., 2008). In Drosophila melanogaster, the male social hierarchy is determined by aggressive encounters in which one fly becomes a dominant winner and one becomes a submissive loser. Interestingly, flies that have previously lost a fight are more likely to lose the next one (Yurkovic et al., 2006). This adoption of a “loser” phenotype in turn affects other behaviors such as courtship …

Column Packing Efficiency For Hplc Using Low Silica Concentrations, Gabriella Nelson

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is an important technique for the separation and analysis of mixtures of nonvolatile compounds such as proteins, peptides, and pharmaceuticals. Stainless steel tubes (“columns”) uniformly packed with chemically modified small-diameter spherical porous silica particles are essential to the method. As part of the “Halogen Bonding Liquid Chromatography” laboratory research with Dr. Christopher Palmer and Dr. Orion Berryman, silica particles are modified with unique chemistries to further develop HPLC separation capabilities. These particles, generated in relatively small quantities, must be packed into columns to allow evaluation of their performance. The halogen bonding modified silica project aims to …

Individual And Combined Effects Of Drought And Shade On Growth In Ponderosa Pines, Ella M. Keefer

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The frequency, distribution and intensity of drought is expected to increase with climate change. Drought decreases water availability and the production of carbohydrates, both of which reduce growth. Reduced growth is an indicator of future tree death. However, the relative impacts of carbohydrate limitation versus water stress on tree growth is poorly understood. As part of a broader project in the Sala lab, I examined how reduced water and carbohydrate availability individually and in combination affect ponderosa pine growth during and after a stress event. In the summer of 2022, we subjected ponderosa pine to drought to reduce water and …

The Influence Of Political Affiliation On Climate Change Attitudes, Isiah Gabriel Mcmillian, Brittany King, Rachel E.G. Williamson

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Climate change poses numerous, urgent threats to human existence, yet policy for climate action has occurred at an alarmingly slow rate. In the US, governing bodies have failed to engage in climate action. From withdrawal of the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, to exponentially high greenhouse gas emissions, climate change has been portrayed as a partisan issue — or not an issue at all. Researchers have identified political polarization as one barrier to climate action (Doell et al., 2021). However, other research has demonstrated that the vast majority of individuals agree that climate change is caused by human action, regardless …

What Do People With Aphasia Want Out Of An Aphasia Community Group?, Shannon L. Welby, Mckinlee A. Mihelish

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Background: Aphasia is a disorder of language and communication resulting from brain injury. Secondary implications for persons with aphasia (PWA) include depression and social isolation. To help mitigate the linguistic and psychosocial effects of aphasia, PWA may participate in Aphasia Community Groups (ACGs). These are defined as regularly meeting groups composed of PWA who interact and participate in communication activities.

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective study is to determine what PWA desire to gain from Aphasia Community Groups.

Methods: As the initial step of a larger five-year study, clinicians and researchers at the University of Montana …

Differences In Internalized Weight Bias Across Eating Disorder Treatment Groups, Kathryn Bick

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Internalized weight bias (IWB) is characterized as the extent to which someone holds stigmatizing attitudes about themselves based on social stereotypes and their perceived weight status. IWB is positively associated with increased disordered eating and adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Moreover, those with eating disorders (EDs) often experience elevated levels of IWB due to societal weight stigma and subsequent preoccupations with body and shape. While the relationship between IWB and eating pathology is relevant across ED diagnoses, and across the weight spectrum, its specific influence on the development and maintenance of an eating disorder is understudied. Current eating disorder …

Calcium Regulation Of Er To Golgi Protein Transport In Neuronal Cells, Samuel A. Galindo

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Regulatory mechanisms of protein trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are critical to

understand since neurodegenerative diseases involve defects in this process leading to chronic

ER stress and cell death. This study aimed to better understand the calcium regulatory mechanisms of ER-to-Golgi body complex trafficking in hybrid neuroglioblastoma cells (NG108). Specifically, we asked whether proteosomal degradation of transport machinery was involved in the previously demonstrated upregulation of ER-to-Golgi transport evoked by calcium signaling. This was accomplished by NG108 transfection with a fluorescent cargo protein engineered to allow inducible, synchronous trafficking from the ER. Cargo transport was completed for a fixed …

Estimation Of Probability Of Habitat Use Of Roosevelt Elk On The Olympic Peninsula, Vincent Gugliotti

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Estimating the probability of habitat use for a particular species is crucial to the direct management and conservation of that species. Without knowledge of habitat preferences, managers cannot effectively focus efforts on vital resources or landscape types. However, modelling probability of habitat use can be done in several ways which leaves room for variation and uncertainty in the estimates produced by each method. This study is an examination of the variation between two estimates of probability of habitat use while focusing on a particular subspecies of elk that inhabits a unique ecosystem relative to other common elk habitats. I will …

Assessing The Impact Of Septic Cardiomyopathy On The Right Ventricle: A Serial Echocardiogram Study, Shivika Agrawal

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Purpose:

Sepsis frequently manifests as distributive shock and affects several organs, including the heart, which may progress to septic cardiomyopathy (SCM). SCM typically reduces the ejection fraction and causes dilation of the left heart; however, a full understanding of SCM on the right heart is incomplete. Through echocardiography, further qualitative and quantitative alterations in the heart can be identified and guide our clinical management. We aim to identify such alterations in the right ventricle (RV) in patients with SCM through evaluation of serial echocardiography reports.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study (IRB 20-008691) was conducted on 13,969 sepsis patients hospitalized at …

Identifying Cross-Linguistic Language Deficits In Bilinguals With Aphasia Through Picture Identification Task, Mia Cara Parkes, Violet Rosenquist, Ashlynn Everett

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Aphasia, which is the loss of language commonly caused by stroke, can have several implications on grammar production. Significant research has been conducted on ways in which grammar is affected by aphasia, however, little is known about what these deficits look like for bilinguals with aphasia (BWA). This study examines the similarity of grammar deficits between languages by having Spanish-English BWA participate in a picture identification task. This research aims to explore whether deficits in one language influence performance on the other, as well as identify any patterns of cross-linguistic (i.e., the relation between two languages) influence on grammar processing. …

Measurement Of Atmospheric 2,5-Dimethylfuran Using Proton Transfer Reaction-Mass Spectrometry, Mercedes Tucker

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

2,5-Dimethylfuran (DMF) is a proposed biofuel with low solubility in water and high miscibility with gasoline and diesel oil. DMF can be synthesized from cellulose found in dry plant matter, such as agricultural residues, energy crops, forestry residues, and yard trimmings. Furthermore, it is also found in tobacco smoke, roasted coffee aroma, and biomass burning smoke through combustion processes. When compared to leading industry renewable biofuels like ethanol it has a higher energy density, lower volatility, and a higher-octane level. Many studies have been conducted on DMF’s performance as a biofuel, when added to or compared to current leading fuels …

Case Studies Of Outdoor Education, Casey L. Simons

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Abstract

This study analyzed the benefits and drawbacks of outdoor education on elementary-aged children. The educational environment a child experiences is critical to their experience for their entire academic careers. Outdoor education has been in existence since the 1940s. Six schools and institutions that provide outdoor education within their curriculum were selected to be a part of this study. Outdoor education school administrators were interviewed and asked a series of questions regarding the implementation of outdoor education within their institution. The interviews detailed how outdoor education impacted students and their future education experiences within the education they received at that …

Overview: High-Quality Atmospheric Readings And Telemetry (Hart) Station, Joseph Hart Knudsen

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The High-quality Atmospheric Readings and Telemetry (HART) Station is a modular, solar-powered array of tripod-mounted meteorological and particulate matter (PM) instruments. It also includes a data-logger and a laptop which consolidates collected data and uploads it to a remote storage cache in Google Drive. There are three main purposes for the HART station:

1. Provide quality PM data to assist in filling in the PM data gap in Montana.

2. Increase awareness and education of the public, primarily the middle and high-school demographics, of the importance of meteorological and air quality studies and the potential health-risks of PM exposure.

3. Contribute to the …

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Comprehensive Evaluation Of The Quest Experience-Based Class: A 7-Year Program Review, Louis Stevens, Carly Byrne

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

QUEST (Questions for Undergraduates Exploring Social Topics) represents a dynamic collaboration between the University of Montana's esteemed Davidson Honors College (DHC) and a valued community partner. Originating in 2017 from the visionary initiative of two dedicated DHC students, this innovative program was conceived to foster interdisciplinary exploration with real-world impact.

In the heart of Missoula, QUEST empowers student teams to embark on a transformative journey of research, design, and advocacy, tackling pressing, cross-disciplinary challenges facing our community. Guided by the rigors of two semesters of intensive study (HONR 495), participants delve deep into their chosen topics, forging comprehensive solutions that …

Identifying Environmental Drivers Of Shell Shape Variation In The Freshwater Gastropod Campeloma Decisum, Lauren Western, David Zanatta

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Freshwater gastropods are important indicators of ecosystem health. Many native gastropod species are considered highly imperiled while other non-indigenous species are considered damaging invaders. Campeloma decisum, Pointed Campeloma, is a common freshwater gastropod from family Viviparidae found in varied habitats across the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. Our study sought to increase the knowledge on C. decisumusing geometric morphometric analyses to test which environmental factors may be driving shell shape variation. C. decisum (n = 458) and environmental data were collected from 22 sites in 6 lakes in central and northern Michigan. Specimens were photographed with apertures …

The End Of Roe: An Examination Of The Dobbs Decision’S Effect On Abortion Access In Montana And Nation-Wide, Molly Ruth/Bratton Heenan

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The landscape of reproductive rights has shifted dramatically following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. My research is looking to analyze the implications of the Dobbs decision and the broader context of abortion rights in this our country, and in Montana. I will be examining the landscape of reproductive rights in Montana, its unique state constitutional protection of privacy, and the political shifts undergone which have taken us to current legislative “born-alive proposals. I will be looking at changes in the state’s partisan makeup, and further radicalization of both parties, creating deeper divisions on the issue of abortion. Additionally, I want …

Umcur 2024 Program Pdf

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This program includes the schedule for oral presentations and posters.

Montana Kaimin, April 18, 2024, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.