Digital Commons Network^™

Establishing Mixed-Biofilm Systems: To Transform Waste Into Value-Added Products, Jessica Silva Cuero

Student Research Symposium

The bioeconomy, which leverages biological agents such as microbes to convert waste (e.g., agricultural waste, wastewater, etc.) into valuable resources (Fig 1.), offers a sustainable solution to global waste challenges while generating new economic opportunities.

Reducing Biochemical Oxygen Demand In Carbon Rich Wastewater Using Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactors, J. Dietrich Storrer, Jared Maughan, Autumn Kirkham, Isaac Smart, Gavin Sherwood

Student Research Symposium

The USU Frulact Project aims to reduce the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in wastewater from the Frulact facility in Logan, Utah. By using Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactors (RABRs) combined with activated sludge, the project seeks to break down pollutants and lower BOD levels. This innovative system also explores the potential of algae for bioproducts. Ultimately, the project works toward cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and sustainable solutions for wastewater treatment.

Tiny Fixers, Big Impact: Can This Bacteria Replace Your Fertilizer?, Jocelynn Burton, Abby Feragen, Tyler Miller, Landen Winder

Student Research Symposium

If cultured on a media lacking available nitrogen, then our isolated bacteria will continue to proliferate through the assimilation of nitrogen available in the air.

Effects Of Rapid Temperature Change On Soil Microbe Growth, Jordan Donahue, Gabby Pulsipher, Caylee Roe, Halli Fuller

Student Research Symposium

Many bacterial microbes have a maximum growth curve at 29-37 degrees Celsius. But, many microbes, like those found in soils, are exposed to the elements rather than an incubator. As the weather is becoming more unpredictable due to climate change, are our soil microbes suffering? If they are, we may be at risk of losing novel sources of antibiotics before they are discovered.

Effects Of Uv Radiation On Algae Biofilms Of Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactors, Rebecca Sweeten

Student Research Symposium

Goal: Discover effects of UV-A and UV-B radiation on the biofilm production of algae using a Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactor (RABR)

Method: Expose 3 RABRs in triplicate to UV-A, UV-B, and PAR to identify differences in biomass, nutrient uptake and pH levels.

Results: RABR’s under UV-B light have the highest productivity

Bacterial Treatment Enhanced Root Growth In Acidic And Neutral Conditions, But Limited Arabidopsis Thaliana Leaf Development, Taylor Brenchley, Ryan Colqui, Alexis Tueller

Student Research Symposium

• Soil bacteria help plants tolerate pH stress, extreme pH (too acidic or basic) limits plant growth, including Arabidopsis thaliana.
• Some bacteria improve plant resilience, but their role in pH tolerance is unclear, we aim to bridge this knowledge gap further.
• Soil acidification from pollution threatens global food security.
• This study tests whether a bacterial isolate from acidic soil helps A. thaliana grow in different pH conditions, which can be used in agriculture.

How Does Salinity Affect Antibiotic Production?, Alec Backus, Madelyn Peel, Anika Shaw, Alexander Van Hamme

Student Research Symposium

Antibiotic production by microorganisms can be heavily influenced by environmental factors, such as salinity. In this experiment we investigated how varying environmental salinity affected antibody production of the isolate SP25-MRP-11, which was obtained from a filtrate of soil from the Dr. Gene Miller Life Science Garden.

Possibilities: Indoor Commercial Strawberry Pollination By Osmia Species, Annalise Mckinnon

Student Research Symposium

Commercial strawberries in greenhouses are traditionally pollinated using hand pollination, fans, or bumblebees. Osmia bee species are small, solitary, cavity nesting bees whose pollination habits are still being discovered. To increase knowledge of pollination possibilities, we used a caged indoor greenhouse experiment to test pollination and nesting capacity in 3 Osmia species (Fig. 1).

Flow Characterization Past ​ Large Arrays Of Oscillating 2d Airfoils, Yi-Cheng Chen

Student Research Symposium

Oscillating or rotating array structures at distinct frequencies are prevalent in natural systems and engineering applications.

• Flow Control in Engineering Systems:

Arrays of vibrating plates can be used to manipulate free-shear and boundary layer flows, reduce drag, or delay flow separation in aerodynamics and hydrodynamics.

• Wave Mitigation Structures:

Arrays of oscillating structures may dissipate energy in coastal areas, reducing the impact of waves on structures or preventing erosion

• Biological Studies:

Simulations of synchronized oscillating arrays can provide insights into fish schooling behavior and hydrodynamic benefits in nature.

• Advanced Cooling Systems:

Oscillating plates in fluid environments …

Induction Of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy In A Three-Dimensional Myocardial Model, Maelyn Andreasen

Student Research Symposium

Diabetic cardiomyopathy: Impairs and damages heart tissue through chronic exposure to hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, in diabetic individuals

The Effects Of The Action Rate And Binding Density On Sensitivity In Lateral Flow, Mona Soroush

Student Research Symposium

Lateral Flow Assays (LFAs) offer rapid diagnostics, yet sensitivity remains a critical limitation. This study used a mathematical framework—the Convection-Diffusion-Reaction (CDR) equation—to optimize sensitivity by adjusting parameters such as flow velocity (U), association and dissociation rates (k_on and k_off), and nanoparticle valency. Our simulation results closely matched literature data (Berli & Kler, 2016), demonstrating significant enhancements in sensitivity with optimized parameters.

The Effects Of Different Types Of Fertilizer On The Growth Of Pseudomonas Frederiksbergenis, Aspen Curtis, Nadia Greding, Kylie Fluckiger, Samantha Clements

Student Research Symposium

Which fertilizers will promote the growth of the isolate of Pseudomonas frederiksbergensis (P. frederiksbergensis)?

Pseudomonas Parafulva Confirmed To Have Antifungal Properties When Grown In Conjunction With Botrytis Cinerea, Caden Dupee, Kylee Eldredge, Zachary Elmer, Joshua Hartvigsen

Student Research Symposium

Widespread antibiotic use has led to antibiotic resistance of infectious bacteria. (Young, 2017) As part of the TinyEarth Program, the lab group collected and tested local soil samples for bacteria with hopes of finding novel antibiotic properties. From the soil samples, a bacteria was isolated, subsequently sequenced, and determined to be Pseudomonas parafulva. P. parafulva is a Gram-negative bacterium that has been known to frequent rice paddies of eastern Asian countries and has been collected in select regions of North America, including that of Cache Valley. P. parafulva has been linked to anti-fungal activities on plants. (Lui et …

Diets And Environmental Impacts - Generational Outlook, Aspen Hopper, Melanie Jex

Student Research Symposium

How different diets impact the environment: Are we aware?

Preparing A Bioreactor For Avian Cell Culture, Joshua Bell, Taylor Davis, Payton Larsen, Abbie Smith, Joshua Thompson

Student Research Symposium

This project, in collaboration with Upside Foods and Thermo Fisher, focuses on optimizing a 50L bioreactor for avian cell growth. Thermo Fisher has assembled the bioreactor while Upside Foods has provided design specifications and avian specific growth media.

The Effects Of Biodiversity On Plant Parasitic Nematodes, Josh Lund

Student Research Symposium

The Dilution Effect Hypothesis¹ argues that biodiversity reduces pathogen transmission risk due to dilution of susceptible hosts, enhanced microbial communities that suppress pathogens, interference competition, nutrient heterogeneity, and ecological stability.

A Look Into Frugivorous Interactions With Psychotria And Palicourea In Barro Colorado Island, Panama, Madison Smart, Gerald Schneider, Elsa Jos

Student Research Symposium

Importance of Seed Dispersal

• Seed dispersal is a vital ecological process that influences plant population dynamics and ecosystem structure.
• Half of all seed-bearing plants rely on frugivorous animals to disperse their seeds to new locations, promoting plant recruitment

Psychological Inflexibility For Hearing Loss: A Description Of Patient Challenges, Bailey Sorensen

Student Research Symposium

Barriers to hearing healthcare can include stigma, cost, access, thoughts, and emotions. When audiologists talk about internal barriers with clients, this may improve the client's experience.

How Peribacillus Simplex Influences Plant Growth In The Presence Of Pesticide, David Tolman, Luke Wilkinson, Tanner Thompson, Tori Richardson

Student Research Symposium

P. simplex is known for its biocontrol, bioremediation, antibiotic producing, and sustainable agriculture properties

Bioremediation Of Toxic Water Using Algal Biofilms, Aaron Burt, Tyanna Doran, Darren Fillmore, Isaac Trejo

Student Research Symposium

Rotary Algae Biofilm Reactors (RABRs):

• Emerging technology in wastewater treatment.
• Rotating cylinder in wastewater enables algae to form a biofilm
• Yields more biomass than traditional planktonic algal growth

Development Of Bone Cutter, Jocelynn Burton, Austin Taylor, Will Pendleton, Erica Shulsen, Jessica Tobler

Student Research Symposium

Osteoarthritis affects 3.4% of the general population and is associated with age, obesity, genetics, and female sex. Different techniques exist to treat osteoarthritis, such as autographing, total joint replacement, and joint fusion.

Effects Of Inhibitor Diffusion And Threshold Limits On Edge Detection With Reaction-Diffusion Equations, Zachary Hastings

Student Research Symposium

The purpose of this project is to model edge detection using the Nomura et al's¹ reaction-diffusion equation. Edge detection is an important visual processing tool for human sight, allowing for object detection and visual enhancement. This project explored the effects of inhibitor diffusion, D_i, and threshold limits, a, on edge detection in this model. This project also discovered the limit of Nomura et al's¹ model on the simultaneous detection of multiple edges in a step-wise intensity gradient and attempted to overcome that limitation.

Determining The Kinetic Basis Of Crispr-Cas12a2 Function, Sobita Kunwar, Thomson Hallmark, Dylan Keiser, Bronson Naegle, Sudeshna Manna, Aaron Thomas, Chase L. Beisel

Student Research Symposium

CRISPR- Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats- CRISPR associated) systems are bacterial adaptive immune systems that protect bacteria against mobile genetic elements such as viruses and plasmids^1,2.

Investigating The Oxytocin System Of The Brain In The Molecular Basis Of Self-Control, Kenzie Wachtel

Student Research Symposium

• Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide involved in social behaviors such as pair-bonding, maternal behavior, and attachment¹. At the core of these social bonds is reward. OXT has many interactions with neural reward circuits to produce the pleasurable effects of social contact².

Response To Induced Herbivory, Isis Cordova

Student Research Symposium

Herbivore attacks trigger complex changes in plant primary and secondary metabolisms. Secondary metabolites (SM), are hypothesized to respond synergistically to repeated herbivore attacks (Fig. 1).

Unearthing Connections: Characterizing Populations Of Local Harvester Ants, Carson Lyman

Student Research Symposium

What is Hybridization?

• Hybridization is the combination of two different species or subspecies, to create hybrid offspring¹.
• The offspring inherits some genetic material from both parents and so exhibits characteristics of both.

Determining Antibiotic Efficacy On A Species Of Pseudomonas Bacteria Isolated From A Soil Sample, Austin Taylor, Peyton Wells, Alyssa Smith

Student Research Symposium

The Pseudomonas genus contains a variety of species of bacteria that play essential roles in soil health, plant growth, and microbial competition. Certain species exhibit biocontrol properties by producing antimicrobial compounds to protect plants from harmful pathogens. While our Pseudomonas species is normally non-pathogenic to plants and humans, it could transfer antimicrobial resistance genes to harmful pathogens in the environment. By studying the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the isolated bacteria to several common antibiotics, we could identify antibiotic-sensitive strains that could be used in agriculture, or antimicrobial-producing strains that could serve as natural defenses for plants.

What Nesting Materials Are Best For An Insect Hotel?, Madison Smart

Student Research Symposium

• Native insects are important for pollination, natural pest management, and other ecological processes.

Identifying Compensatory Mutations In The Envelope Protein Of Japanese Encephalitis Virus That Restore Neurovirulence, Nathan Taylor, Jiyoun Kim

Student Research Symposium

• Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) is a positive sense, single stranded Enveloped virus

Solving The Structure Of An Ancestral Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Natalie Turcsanski, Edna Armah

Student Research Symposium

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) regulate cell signaling by removing phosphate groups from tyrosine residues. Malfunction of these enzymes can lead to diseases such as diabetes and cancer. A conserved feature among PTPs is the catalytic acid loop, essential for phosphate removal. Computational analysis of PTP structures revealed that ancestral PTPs have considerable variation in conformations of this loop, sparking interest in their further study. The Asgard group, identified as ancestral to eukaryotic PTPs, was successfully expressed and purified under optimized conditions. Current efforts focus on optimizing crystallization to obtain larger crystals for structural analysis. This project will investigate the allosteric …