Digital Commons Network^™

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.

Students Speak: How Cultural Diversity Shapes Campus Life, Pau Medina Aldama, Yuxin Jiang

Student Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Empowering Girls In Sports: Combatting The Female Athlete Triad, Mia Dustin, Emma George, Whitney Stevenson

Student Research Symposium

The purpose of this project is to address the prevalence of the Female Athlete Triad among female high school athletes. Studies indicate that while the risk factors for the Female Athlete Triad are widespread, awareness of the condition among athletes and coaches remains low.¹ Female athletes also experience higher levels of body dissatisfaction, disordered eating patterns, and associated mental health concerns compared to their male counterparts.² ³ The prevalence of the Female Athlete Triad is particularly concerning due to its long-term implications, including low bone density, amenorrhea, muscular injuries, stress fractures, abnormal lipid profiles, irreversible bone loss, depression, low self-esteem, …

Using Biophilic Design To Improve Behavioral Healthcare Environments, Rachel Tuft

Student Research Symposium

One in five U.S. adults – more than 50 million people – experience a mental health episode every year and more than 11% of children are considered severely depressed (Mental Health America). These alarming statistics are rapidly increasing the demand for behavioral healthcare environments. Yet many of these spaces remain sterile, institutional, and lack the warmth and comfort patients need for effective healing. Research shows that as people spend more and more time indoors the lack of connection to nature in contemporary-built environments is negatively impacting human well-being, leading to increased stress, reduced focus, and slower healing. Studies suggest that …

Impact Of Social Media On Interpersonal Communication Skills, Kenadie Jackson

Student Research Symposium

There is fear of social media enhancing a communications crutch which allows space to withdraw from important social cues and interactions.

Plant-Based Substitutes For Gelatin In Gummy Bears, Neisha Christensen, Tiffany Stoker, Bethany Janes, Kaiah Thomas, Maryann Schneider

Student Research Symposium

Gummy bears are typically made using gelatin. Those who choose to follow a vegan/vegetarian diet are unable to eat products that contain gelatin, since gelatin is made from the collagen found in animal tissues. Additionally, people who avoid eating pork for religious or other reasons cannot consume gelatin, as it is commonly derived from pork.

How Are Mental Health Professionals Impacted By Their Personal Religious Beliefs Within A Client-Interaction Setting?, Olivia Kenney

Student Research Symposium

Understanding how mental health professionals’ personal religious beliefs influence client interactions is important to ensuring ethical, productive, and effective care.

Goodwater Elementary School, Sara Jones

Student Research Symposium

Goodwater Elementary School is designed as a replacement for the existing Castle Dale Elementary School that the community has outgrown. Serving multiple small towns in the area, this elementary school plays an important role in both education and socialization as the area is sparsely populated.

How Does The Evolution Of French Film Noir Continue To Impact American Neo-Noir, Bryce Lifferth

Student Research Symposium

French Film noir, originating in France in the 1940s, is known for its unique use of lighting and conventions such as fatalism and moral ambiguity. As film noir has evolved into modern-day “Neo- noir,” these same elements remain present through contemporary representations.

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).

Reliability Of Novel Morphological Features Of The Auditory Brainstem Response, Marlana Petersen

Student Research Symposium

Pure-tone audiometry can detect hearing loss but does not determine specific site-of-lesion. It is not sensitive to many disorders, especially neural disorders that impact hearing

Effects Of Self-Control Variables On Nicotine Vaping In A Pre-Clinical Model, Lucy Scribner

Student Research Symposium

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and nicotine compounds in tobacco products perpetuate this issue (Reitsma et al., 2021; United States Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2014). Although nicotine use began to decline along with the use of cigarettes, nicotine consumption has started to increase dramatically since the introduction of electronic cigarettes and vaping.

Empathy In Type, Lauren Watts

Student Research Symposium

This exploration of typography included a survey of questions with typeface examples. The questions paired similar and contrasting typefaces in order to correctly identify characteristics that portray empathy.

Investigating Antimicrobial Activity Of An Unknown Isolate Against Eskape Pathogens, Kaden Youssef, Courtney Williams, Parker Woods

Student Research Symposium

ESKAPE pathogens (e.g., S. aureus, P. aeruginosa) are responsible for many antibiotic-resistant infections. There is a growing need to discover new antimicrobial agents. This experiment investigates whether an unknown bacterial isolate exhibits antimicrobial activity. Our isolate previously showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, suggesting it may have similar effects on Staphylococcus aureus.

Elements Of Design In Frank Lloyd Wright’S Usonian Architecture, Jillian Ereú

Student Research Symposium

“The word “Usonian” (United States of North America) is attributed to writer James Duff Law, who wrote in 1903, “We of the United States, in justice to Canadians and Mexicans, have no right to use the title ‘Americans’ when referring to matters pertaining exclusively to ourselves.” Wright referenced this quote, misattributing it to writer Samuel Butler in Architecture: Selected Writings 1894–1940: “Samuel Butler fitted us with a good name. He called us Usonians, and our Nation of combined States, Usonia.”” (Wright, 2017)

Soc 3110 Presentation, Eduardo Valles

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

What do you think is the percent of inmates in jails/prisons that have a mental illness?

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 …

Atomic-Scale Mechanisms Of The Insulator-To-Conductor Transition In Al-Substituted Llzo Solid Electrolytes For All-Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries, Takmil Sakir

Student Research Symposium

Why to use Lithium Metal Anode and Solid Electrolyte:

We can have a lighter and safer battery, and we may go 10 times longer with a single charge!

Designing Healing Environments For Pediatric Oncology, Annette Cheng

Student Research Symposium

Children undergoing cancer treatment often spend extended time in clinical environments that can feel cold, stressful, and isolating. This study explores how nature-based and sensory-focused design can serve as positive distractions to support pediatric patients' emotional well-being during treatment. Features such as lighting, green spaces, soft color palettes, aesthetics of the environment, and interactive elements are examined for their ability to create more comforting, human-centered hospital environments. These environments not only benefit young patients and their families but also improve the overall well-being and performance of healthcare staff by reducing stress, increasing job satisfaction, and promoting a more supportive workplace …

Urban Green Space And Violent Crime Rates: Urban Green Spaces Promote Safety, Wellness, And Community Connection, Athena Degroff

Student Research Symposium

• Some studies suggest that well- maintained green spaces can deter crime by fostering community interaction, increasing natural surveillance, and reducing stress- related aggression.
• However, other research indicates that poorly maintained or isolated green spaces may provide opportunities for criminal activity.
• Understanding these patterns is essential for designing safer cities.

Did Covid-19 Change How Adolescents Connect? Analyzing Social Media's Role In Post-Pandemic Relationships, Tessi Hurst

Student Research Symposium

The Covid-19 pandemic significantly increased social media use among adolescents, altering the way they formed and maintained relationships. As in-person interactions became limited, social media platforms played a crucial role in shaping social behaviors.

Existing research highlights the shifts in friendship quality, mental health and social interaction patterns, revealing both positive and negative effects.

Evaluating The Performance Of Llms And Humans In Deductive Coding, Saríah López-Fierro

Student Research Symposium

LLMs have increasingly supported qualitative research by automating:

• code discovery, refinement, and agreement
• data categorization and pattern recognition.

• This study explores the potential of large language models (LLMs) to enhance deductive coding in qualitative research.

Seed Dormancy In Blue Elderberry (Sambucus Cerulea), Stephanie Spencer

Student Research Symposium

• Health benefits: cold remedy, antioxidants, anti- inflammatory (Ulbricht et al., 2014)

• Food uses: wines, syrups, jams, drinks, and vitamin supplements (Cai et al., 2024)

• Increasing interest: from 6.9% to 41.2% of survey respondents between 2011 and 2022 (Cai et al., 2024)

The Importance Of Learning Styles For High School Ghanian Teachers, Stephan Kwame Ameko

Student Research Symposium

This study examines the significance of learning styles, specifically the VARK model (Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic), in influencing instructional practices among high school teachers in Ghana. Grounded in a qualitative, phenomenological case study approach, the research involved interviews with 11 educators from three senior high schools in the Greater Accra region. Findings revealed varied levels of awareness and understanding of learning styles, with some teachers actively incorporating VARK strategies, while others showed a lack of familiarity. Despite this, there was a shared recognition of the value of tailoring instruction to students’ preferred learning modalities to promote inclusivity, engagement, and …

The Impact Of Light And Color On Child-Friendly Spaces, Moriah Martin

Student Research Symposium

Light and color significantly affect children's sleep, cognition, mood, and overall health. Proper design can enhance emotional stability, learning outcomes, and physical well-being. This research explores how light quality—brightness, saturation, and hue—along with color psychology, influence behavior, cognitive function, and circadian rhythms. Natural light improves focus, sleep, and mood, while artificial lighting must be carefully balanced to prevent disruptions. Warm colors foster energy and engagement, while cool tones promote relaxation and concentration. Findings highlight the importance of evidence-based lighting and color strategies in educational and childcare settings, ensuring environments that support children's holistic development.

Alternatives For Whey Protein Powder, Alleyah Murphy, Emily Jensen, Jaiden C., Spencer C.

Student Research Symposium

Protein shakes have become a popular product in the market, heavily advertised as convenient nutrient sources for active adolescents and adults. These products are widely available in grocery stores, pharmacies, and through online distributors (Deutch, 2022). Typically made with whey protein, they are unsuitable for individuals following vegan or lactose-free diets. The goal of this experiment is to evaluate the impact of substituting whey protein powder with equivalent amounts of pea, soy, and hemp seed protein powders on the taste, texture, viscosity, and protein content of vanilla protein shakes to identify the most suitable alternative

Using Graphic Novels To Teach Multilingual Learner (Ml) Students, Henry Baker

Student Research Symposium

Why Graphic Novels?

Graphic novels offer an appealing way for ML students to analyze

- literary conventions

- character development

- dialogue

- Satire

- language structures as well as developing the students’ writing and research skills

Gravity Wave Activity During The 2024 Sudden Stratospheric Warmings Observed By Atmospheric Waves Experiment (Awe), Jiarong Zhang, Yucheng Zhao, Pierre‐Dominique Pautet, Ludger Scherliess, Michael J. Taylor, Hanli Liu

All Physics Faculty Publications

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) instrument, launched in November 2023, provides direct observation of small‐scale (30–300 km) gravity waves (GWs) in the mesosphere on a global scale. This work examined changes in GW activity observed by AWE during two major Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSWs) in the 2023 and 2024 winter season. Northern Hemisphere (NH) midlatitude GW activity during these events shared similarities. Variations in mesospheric GW activity showed an evident correlation with the magnitude of zonal wind in the upper stratosphere. NH midlatitude GW activity at ∼87 km was reduced following the onset of …

An Ai-Driven Framework For Assessing Intersection Infrastructure And Accessibility, Logan Liddiard, Joel Pierson, Brent Chamberlain, Keith Christensen, Xiaojun Qi

Computer Science Student Research

Background: Intersections serve as vital nodes within transportation networks, facilitating the movement of pedestrians. However, their effectiveness often hinges on the quality of their infrastructure and accessibility. Furthermore, it is expensive and time-consuming to collect infrastructure data, yet is crucial for creating a safe and efficient urban landscape.

Objective: Develop an AI-driven model that leverages Google Street View to provide detailed information about intersections, helping city planners identify infrastructure and accessibility issues and supporting improvements to create safer, more accessible intersections for people of all abilities.