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Umcur 2026 Program Pdf

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This program includes the schedule for oral presentations and posters.

In Memoriam- Dr. Lindsay M. Hunt Jr.

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Bug, Abner E. Dormiendo

Kritika Kultura

No abstract provided.

Post-Anthropocentric Relations Unbound: Affirmative Ethics Of Loneliness In Children’S Robinsonades, Chengcheng You

Kritika Kultura

Informed by critical island studies, loneliness studies and posthumanist thought, with a particular emphasis on Rosi Braidotti’s propositions of affirmative ethics and zoe, this study focuses on children’s Robinsonades, specifically Scott O’Dell’s Island of the Blue Dolphins (1960) and Peter Brown’s The Wild Robot (2016), to examine how the isolation setting intensifies characters’ experiences of loneliness in a productive tension with the island’s abundant ecological responsiveness. It delves into the shift in loneliness from negative to affirmative, and its narrative potential for crafting a posthuman condition in which the recognition of zoe elicits post-anthropocentric relations. Through intersectional theoretical lenses, loneliness …

Introduction: Homo Connectus And Fandom Activism: Fansumers As Cultural Transmitters, Soongbeum Ahn, Ratan Kumar Roy

Kritika Kultura

The transformation of fandom in the age of digital media and hyperconnectivity calls for renewed scholarly attention. Earlier studies of participatory culture highlighted the role of the “prosumer,” who blurs the boundary between production and consumption. This special section shifts the focus to the concept of the “fansumer,” which captures a more specific mode of engagement in which emotionally invested fans mobilize coordinated consumption and activities to shape cultural visibility, influence market outcomes, and practice fandom activism. Fans also actively generate new cultural forms and position themselves as agents of communication, thereby amplifying the dynamism of the global popular culture …

The Burden Of Truth: Illness, Failed Mourning, And The Porous Body, Kim Jonggab

Kritika Kultura

“Why me?” When illness strikes, this visceral cry is not merely a psychological plea for comfort, but also an ontological rupture that shatters the modern myth of the atomistic, closed body. This paper argues that depression, particularly “depression without cause,” functions as a catalyst for a radical existential shift. Unlike clinical models that seek a discrete etiology, the experience of causeless suffering bypasses linear causality, exposing the limitations of a substance-based ontology. Grounded in a critique of the “bounded ego,” this study rethinks the discourse of the body by approaching illness and failed mourning through a relational and ecological perspective. …

Fluid Solidarity: The Taoist And Indigenous Water Philosophies In Rita Wong's Undercurrent, Yiyi He

Kritika Kultura

To criticize exploiting water as an extractive resource and to provide an alternative way of engaging with water, I highlight the philosophical “undercurrents,” the hidden threads of Taoism and Indigenous streams of thinking in Chinese Canadian poet Rita Wong’s undercurrent (2015). Central to water-based ecological thinking, the notions of reciprocity and resilience are important components within both Taoist and Indigenous water philosophies. The confluence of Taoism and Indigenous ways of knowing water is key to understanding Wong’s hydro-poetics and hydro-politics. I further adopt “fluid solidarity” to address the dynamic and complex allyship between Chinese Canadians and Indigenous Peoples. I argue …

The Ghost Of Empire: Asian Horror And Postcolonial Pastiche In The Filipino Visual Novel The Letter (2017), Christoffer Mitch C. Cerda

Kritika Kultura

This essay analyzes the horror visual novel The Letter (2017) developed by the Filipino video game company Yangyang Mobile. Using theories of postmodernism from Fredric Jameson and Hiroki Azuma and postcolonialism from Homi Bhabha and Souvik Mukherjee, the essay introduces and uses the concept of postcolonial pastiche to describe the ability of The Letter to mimic the form of the visual novel and reuse the tropes of Asian horror to depict the personal anxieties and social inequalities experienced by the seven main characters of the game as perennial problems inherent in the modern global capitalist society. By using the visual …

Isolation, Identification And Antibiotic-Resistance Profiling Of Bacteria Isolated From Mobile Phone Surfaces In Karbala., Kawkab Abdullah Alsaadi, Zahraa Raheem Murshidy, Dhuha Ali Hussein, Sura Abd Ali Kadhim, Kawakib Aboudi Hanoon

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Due to the diverse environments that mobile phones are exposed to via human handling they become reservoirs of microorganisms. The objective of the current study was to determine the level and character of bacterial contamination on mobile phones by identifying bacterial strains, and the degree of antimicrobial susceptibility. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to July 2025 where phones belonging to 115 individuals were randomly chosen from various departments and units at Kerbala University and swabbed. The VITEK 2 automated system was used to identify bacterial taxa and test for antimicrobial susceptibility, and 50 of the swabs exhibited bacterial …

Pluralisme Hukum Dalam Kehidupan Di Rumah Susun: Studi Kasus Penghuni Rumah Susun Kemayoran, Jakarta, Edie Toet Hendratno

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

Hubungan Saling Menguntungkan Antara Psikologi Dan Hukum, Adrianus Meliala

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

Emotion Regulation And Autism: A Literature Review, Quinn Bethea

Honors Theses

This comprehensive literature review investigates the increasing research on emotional regulation and autism, as well as the effect they have on each other.

The literature search was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, National Institute of Health, and the Mississippi State Library. The inclusion criteria focused on studies that examined emotion regulation, autism, or the impact of emotion regulation and autism on each other.

The review accomplished several points. First, it defined what autism is, and it defined what emotion regulation is. Second, it examined how autism and emotion regulation, or dysregulation, affect each other. Third, it brought attention …

An Alignment Of Absences: The Medicalization Of Death And Its Implications On Archaeological Methodology, Makayla J. Bowman

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Absence describes something that is "expected, wanted, or looked for [but] is not present or does not exist," (Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2026). The archaeological discipline interacts with absence in many profound ways, largely in its study of the past dead. This paper focuses on the ways in which the medicalization of death has influenced, limited, and misaligned archaeological methodology, and how the result of those methodologies produces archaeological analysis that is absent of or misrepresents our understanding of life, personhood, and our position within a greater, interconnected biosphere. Thus, I present an anthropological critique of the ways in which death and …

The Rider (2026-04-27), Daniela Chapa-Reyes

The Rider Archives

Vol. 11, No. 28

Human Service Professionals’ Perceptions Culturally Competent Resources For Transracial Adoption, Rachelle Tau-Stewart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transracial adoption continues to increase in the United States, particularly in states with predominantly White populations; yet, culturally competent preparation and postadoption resources remain limited. The lack of structured cultural socialization and race-responsive supports places transracially adopted youth at increased risk for identity disruption, mental health challenges, and experiences of racism and microaggressions. The purpose of this qualitative action research study was to explore human service professionals’ perceptions of the services needed to provide culturally competent resources for transracial adoption in Washington State. Guided by the Transracial Adoption Parenting Series framework developed by the Coalition for Children, Youth, and Families, …

Examining Nurse Burnout During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Causes And Mitigation Strategies, Melanie Sena

Honors Projects

Nurse burnout is a multidimensional occupational syndrome that predates the COVID-19 pandemic, yet the pandemic served as a catalyst that intensified its scope and severity in ways that the healthcare system was profoundly ill-equipped to manage. Characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment, burnout among nurses accelerated dramatically between 2020 and 2022 as clinical workloads surged, personal protective equipment remained scarce, and moral distress became a near-universal experience across care settings. This review examines the primary systemic and individual contributors to nurse burnout during COVID-19, explores the consequences of burnout for both nurses and patients, …

Sex: A Tough But Necessary Conversation, Sophia M. Longeway

Honors Projects

Comprehensive sexual education is key to avoid the exploitation of young children. The primary methods to avoid Child Sexual Abuse or CSA include comprehensive sexual education, picture books, and teaching “red flag” behavior. Many children end up suffering from CSA, so keeping adults and children informed on the dangers is key to preventing it from ever occurring. Family members, neighbors and friends are the individuals who are committing these acts of violence towards children and many are under the impression that it is solely, “the man in the van” (King K. 2023). This literary analysis will delve deep into the …

Pathways To Success, Annabelle Fyke

Honors Projects

This paper explores the importance of creating trauma-informed classrooms to support students’ emotional and academic success. As increasing numbers of students are affected by adverse childhood experiences, educators must adopt approaches that recognize and respond to trauma. The purpose of this paper is to examine key principles of trauma-informed education and how they can be effectively implemented in school settings. Drawing on current research and educational frameworks, this paper highlights strategies such as building strong teacher-student relationships, promoting emotional regulation, and maintaining consistent and supportive classroom environments. The findings suggest that trauma-informed practices can improve student behavior, increase engagement, and …

Design For Future Discourse: Creating The Speculative Design-Inspired Exhibition Modulation: Rewiring The Self, Ryan Bridgforth

Honors College Theses

Humans have long combined speculation and design. Early examples like General Motors’ Futurama at the 1939 World’s Fair introduced Americans to the idea of expressways and invited them to imagine possible futures. While intriguing, this mix of design and future thinking stood to benefit corporations overall, which is where speculative design comes in. Pioneered by design duo Dunne & Raby, speculative design uses design not as a way to engineer solutions to difficult problems, but “as means to explore the cultural and technological potentials of design, effectively blurring material and conceptual boundaries” (Mitrović et al. 2021, 175). Designing objects or …

On-Site Barbershops, Belonging, And Well-Being: Evaluating The Usf Clip, Cut, Connect Program, Jenny Lee, Evelyn Y. Ho, Hsiu-Lan Cheng, Joyce Yang

Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Scholarship

The Clip, Cut, Connect program is an on-campus initiative that addresses mental health equity for BIPOC students at USF through a partnership with ClipDart—a national organization that provides culturally competent, on-site hair care to underserved communities. The program provides responsive, culturally grounded support through barbers and stylists, creating inclusive spaces that reduce stigma and expand access to mental health resources at USF. Alongside this initiative, research is being conducted to understand how programs like Clip, Cut, Connect impact student well-being, sense of belonging, and access to care. By participating, students contribute to building knowledge that will shape more inclusive mental …

Contribution Of The M1 Vs M2 Phenotype Toward Macrophage Interactions With Streptococcus Mutans, The Dominant Bacteria In The Oral Cavity, Isabelle K. Wintz

Honors Thesis

We are all exposed to numerous pathogens every day. One of the sites for pathogens to interact with our body is in the mouth. To better understand these interactions between bacteria and host immune cells, I developed an assay to study the oral bacteria Streptococcus mutans and inflammatory macrophages. Our hypothesis was that the cytokines IL-4 and IFN-y would alter macrophage phenotypes with IL-4 reducing inflammatory responses and IFN-y increasing inflammation.  To test this, we performed experiments in cell culture as a first step toward understanding the severity of the host response at the cellular and molecular levels. Our results …

Supporting Teachers With Student’S Challenging Behavior: A Social Emotion Learning Approach, Sarah Holtzlander

Masters Projects

Challenging classroom behaviors in early childhood and elementary settings are often linked to deficits in students’ social-emotional skills, including emotional regulation, social awareness, and problem-solving. These behaviors can disrupt instruction, impact peer relationships, and contribute to increased teacher stress and reliance on reactive discipline practices. Although research strongly supports the effectiveness of social-emotional learning (SEL) as a preventive and skill-based approach, many educators report limited training and a lack of practical resources for implementation. The purpose of this project is to develop a comprehensive, teacher-friendly SEL toolkit designed to support the integration of evidence-based strategies into daily classroom routines. Grounded …

Molecular Circuits In Dendritic Cell Development, Feiya Ou

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

In 2008, the Kenneth Murphy Laboratory published the seminal discovery that BATF3 is an essential transcription factor (TF) for the development of classical dendritic cell type 1 (cDC1) (Hildner et al., 2008). Since then, two major themes of the lab have been to elucidate the genetic networks that control dendritic cell (DC) development and to define the unique functions of individual DC subsets. My dissertation aligns primarily with the former theme while also reflecting my own scientific interests. Specifically, this dissertation investigates how two developmental enhancers are controlled by a series of TFs in cell type- and stage-specific manners to …

Personality, And Generation In Green Entrepreneurship, Julie Garritano

Honors Projects

This research investigates the drivers of Green Entrepreneurial Intent (GEI) by examining the intersection of personality traits and immigrant generation status. Utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, the study focuses on how openness to experience and conscientiousness—the traits most strongly associated with sustainability-oriented innovation—influence entrepreneurial intentions.

A central aim is to determine how first- and second-generation immigrant statuses moderate these relationships, particularly through the lens of intergenerational transmission of values and social norms. The study integrates illustrative case analyses of Timberland and Patagonia to trace how environmental stewardship and ethical business practices evolve across successive leadership generations.

The …

Garlic Breath And Beads Of Sweat: The Effects Of Garlic And Chili Peppers On The Growth And Ph Of Streptococcus Mutans., Lena Pitzer

Honors Projects

The purpose of this project is to provide a quantifiable and repeatable measurement of how the presence of garlic and chili pepper during the growth of a carious dentine strain of Streptococcus mutans affects the growth of the strain and surrounding pH level.This research project examines two possible alternative agents, garlic and chili peppers, due to the known antimicrobial effects of their active components, allicin and capsaicin. Prepared garlic and chili extracts were used during disk diffusion to assess and measure the zones of inhibition. The anticipated results are that there will be inhibition present with both the garlic and …

Environmental Counseling As A Proposed Discipline And Its Associated Implications And Uses, Alexandria Rion

Honors Projects

Individuals interact with their environment daily, and whether they realize it or not, these interactions can impact their health. Understanding the health impacts associated with the environment is important to human health at both an individual and population level. I am proposing a new field of environmental counseling that would incorporate principles from a variety of practices into one comprehensive discipline that can be used to promote public health. By studying populations that have had negative environmental exposures and looking at their outcomes, I was able to apply principles of environmental counseling to help determine if it would in fact …

The Florida “Educational” And Employer Censorship Statutes: Constitutional Challenges, Joel E. Davidson

UC Law Constitutional Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Power, Knowledge, And Environmental Justice: The Dakota Access Pipeline Controversy, Mya Chapman

Honors Projects

In a time of rife political conflict and debate, it is important to understand the underlying power dynamics that permeate our society in America. As devised by French historian and philosopher Michel Foucault, power and knowledge are mutually constitutive forces that shape our social relations. Through the actions of certain discourses, distinct truths are cultivated that in turn, reinforce existing power structures. In this study, these concepts are applied to the Dakota Access Pipeline controversy in the form of a Foucauldian discourse analysis to understand how the pipeline remained operational in the face of great opposition. Written discourse in the …

Digital Assessment Of Subtractive And Additive Cad/Cam Fabrication Methods On The Fit And Accuracy Of Lithium Disilicate Veneers, Basma Refaat Fayad, Islam Heiba Dr, Sara Fikry Dr, Maha Nagy

Dentistry

Objectives: This study compared subtractive and additive fabrication methods regarding their impact on the marginal/internal fit, trueness, and precision of lithium disilicate ceramic veneers. Methods: Laminate veneer preparations on an acrylic tooth were duplicated into twenty-four additively manufactured resin dies. Veneers were digitally designed and fabricated via milling (subtractive) or 3D-printing (additive) (n=12/group). All veneers were scanned. For trueness, the final design served as the reference; for precision, pairwise comparisons were made within each group. For adaptation, the scanned die was the reference. Post-cementation and thermal cycling (10,000 cycles, 5–55°C), marginal adaptation was measured using a digital microscope (×100). Data …

Autoantibody Reactivity In Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Characterizing Keratinocyte And Apocrine Gland Targets Across Disease Progression And Anti-Tnf-Α Treatment, Talla Hamouche

Student Theses and Dissertations

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease associated with impaired quality of life, representing one of the highest burdens among dermatological conditions. This debilitating disorder primarily affects apocrine-gland-bearing and flexural skin areas, most commonly the axillae, breast, buttocks, and groin. As lesions recur and new sites emerge, surgical excision does not guarantee prevention of disease reestablishment. Despite its substantial burden, HS remains among the least understood and most treatment-resistant inflammatory diseases. The mechanisms underlying this chronicity and the frequent failure of conventional anti-inflammatory therapies remain unresolved. An underappreciated autoimmune dimension may contribute to HS pathogenesis: the clonal …