Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating Pathways Regulating Size-Dependent Accumulation Of Mitotic Activator Cdc25, Paige Duggan '26, Logan Anglemyer '26, Kayleigh Goebelbecker '24

Biology Student Scholarship

Paige Duggan ’26, Biology major, Neuroscience and Math minor
Logan Anglemyer ’26, Neuroscience major, Spanish minor
Kayleigh Goebelbecker ’24, Biology major
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kristi Miller, Biology

Investigation Of Cell Signaling Components Affected By Microneedles In Cultured Human Skin Keratinocytes, Alexandra Delano '25, Angelika Kartsagoulis '25

Biology Student Scholarship

Alexandra Delano ’25, Biology major
Angelika Kartsagoulis ’25, Biology major
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yinsheng Wan, Biology

Effects Of Clec7a Deficiency In Cerebellar Microglia Development, Julia Carson '25

Biology Student Scholarship

Julia Carson ’25, Biology major
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ileana Soto Reyes, Biology

Exploring Neural Patterns: Rat Brain Activation During A Transitive Inference Task, Yamilet Nieves Vega '26

Biology Student Scholarship

Yamilet Nieves ’26, Neuroscience and Health Policy and Management major
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Victoria Templer, Neuroscience

Exploring Pedagogical Approaches: A Comparative Analysis Of Information Delivery Methods In Fish Dissection Instruction, Kiara Smidt

Honors Projects

The Covid-19 pandemic prompted a global shift to remote work and education, challenging traditional teaching methods. This research explores the effectiveness of audiovisual versus visual-only guides in teaching perch dissection anatomy, safety, and procedure. The study involves a cross-sectional experiment with students from an Introduction to Biology course at Bowling Green State University. Participants were divided into groups using either a video or a written guide, and their knowledge was assessed before and after the dissection. Results calculated through a Student’s t-test indicate no significant difference in overall effectiveness between the two methods, apart from labeling an anatomy diagram and …

Exploring The Longitudinal Effects: Non-Traditional Pedagogies And Practical Learning On Biology Education And Medical Understanding, Thomas Ziebro

Honors Projects

Medical disinformation is becoming a rampant problem in the United States, and the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted it. There have been attempts to fight the problem at the source through fact verification. These attempts have been unsuccessful. This paper investigates the efficacy of non-traditional pedagogies and the correlation between them and an individual perceived and practical ability to understand their primary care provider. The purpose of this research was to establish whether non-traditional pedagogies at the secondary and post-secondary level are more effective than traditional lecture-based instruction. The research was conducted through an anonymous cross-sectional survey which included questions about educational …

Comparison Of Dual Enrollment Student Grades In Introductory Biology College Dual-Enrollment Courses Taken In Texas High Schools Or Colleges For School Leaders, Cynthia A. Gallardo

School Leadership Review

Dual Enrollment (DE) or Dual Credit (DC) programs have become increasingly prevalent at both the high school and college settings. These programs enable students to earn both high school and college credit and get a head start on their college education. Additionally, students in these programs must take university core curriculum courses to fulfill their college education requirements. A course that several students take is Introductory to Biology, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) course. This course is an introductory science course and may present a challenge for students in that there is a large quantity of material discussed. …

Examining Confidence In Scientific Literacy Amongst General Biology And General Chemistry Students, Amy Sullivan

Honors Theses

Scientific literacy is a term used to describe a person’s ability to understand scientific concepts, read and write those concepts, and link those concepts to situations outside of the classroom in order to make informed decisions in their daily lives. This research paper details a study observing how scientific literacy confidence varies among general biology and chemistry students at the University of Mississippi. The goal of this research is to determine if students in general biology and chemistry classes will have similar self-reported confidence in their science literacy. This research took place at the University of Mississippi amongst Biology 160/161 …

Uncomplicating The Complicated: The Definition Of Life, Jennifer S. Primatic

Honors College Theses

The issue of defining life has long been debated by biologists and philosophers alike, but the issue surrounding it has been that the definition is overcomplicated and attempts to include so many definitions from previous scientific discussions. The proposed definition is– a living thing consists of an organic entity which, taken out of the ideal condition, will work toward sustaining itself without outside influence. This definition addresses many issues present in the previous definition, while also including organic entities which should be considered alive.

The Impact Of Mutations In The Arabidopsis Apetela (Ap3) Gene, Hazel R. Frans, Tara Phelps-Durr

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

The purpose of this research is to understand the molecular functioning of the Arabidopsis thaliana Apetela (Ap3) gene. We created mutations in two sites of the gene, AP3-3 and AP3-5. These are predicted to change AP3 protein structure, which may result in a mutated flower. Analyzing the effects of new mutations allows an understanding of protein formation both in plants and humans.

Seasonal Variability In Peak Flow Of Maine Rivers, Brianna L. Benson, Salfa Hendrix, Christopher Houdeshell, Emma Mae Hovencamp, Kaylee M. Perron, Wyeth Bird Purkiss

Research Learning Experiences (RLEs)

Questions and Hypotheses

• How has the timing of peak flow changed over time? ○ Hypothesis: Peak flow has moved earlier in the spring due to a warming climate melting snow earlier.

• How has the variation of flow changed over time?

○ Hypothesis: Flow has grown more

variable in more recent years due to an increase in more variable precipitation patterns, especially in the spring months.

How To Spark Bio Curiosity: An Innovative High School Biology Curriculum, Audrie Charles

Graduate Research Showcase

This project is a researched creative endeavor focused around the creation of an exemplary high school biology course. This presentation will showcase an original high school biology curriculum designed to ignite students’ innate curiosity and empower meaningful learning of core concepts like cell structure, genetics, evolution and ecology. Students revisit key ideas through a spiral curriculum that builds complexity, tackling open-ended problems and collaborating on hands-on inquiries like formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, collecting data and drawing evidence-based conclusions. Tangible projects allow students to demonstrate content knowledge in addition to critical thinking abilities like synthesizing concepts, evaluating claims and applying learning …

Regional Differences Of Climate Change In Maine: Flow Rates, Precipitation, And Snowpack, Caitlyn Rose Daigle, Alex James Debo, Jason Daniel Moore, Lucky Mourredes, Cara Wren Perry, Eme L. Saverese, Kennedy Grace Todd, Sophia Lydia Winters

Research Learning Experiences (RLEs)

● Maine winters are changing rapidly, associated with changes in climate.

● These climate-linked changes are implicated in flooding, changes in snowpack, and changes in flow regimes in Maine.

● In this study, four different regions in Maine were analyzed to evaluate changes over time in snowpack, river ice, fall-through-spring precipitation,February Snowpack water equivalent

Ccrg Soil Report, Cassandra Demlow, Cherith Pickett, David Ogboro

Student Papers and Reports

The goal of this project is to measure the ionic composition of a variety of soil samples, primarily using the ion chromatography technique. We also compared the ionic composition of multiple layers of the same sample.

Capturing Membrane Snapshots: A Quantitative Guide For Spatially-Resolved Extraction Of Membrane Proteins On Native Membranes, Caroline Brown

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Membrane proteins (MPs) stand as pivotal regulators of cellular functions, orchestrating intricate processes vital for organismal homeostasis. However, traditional methodologies employed to study MPs, such as detergent extraction, often fail to accurately preserve the native membrane environment. This deficiency results in the loss of critical biological information, hindering our understanding of MP structure, function, and interactions. To address these limitations, I employ innovative strategies centered around the utilization of membrane active polymers (MAPs). MAPs offer a promising alternative to conventional detergent-based extraction methods by enabling the preservation of the native bilayer environment during MP extraction. Through their unique chemistry, MAPs …

Deriving Cell And Gene Dynamics From Single-Cell Omics Data, Rihao Qu

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Single-cell sequencing techniques have revolutionized our understanding of cellular diversity within tissues and organs. Typically, single-cell data is preprocessed into a feature-by-cell count matrix, where feature values represent gene expression, chromatin accessibility, protein levels, etc. In the realm of computational analysis, cells are conceptualized as points in a high-dimensional feature space. Under distinct conditions or due to experimental perturbations, specific cellular states may exhibit differential abundance. This can be detected by comparing cell density distributions within the feature space. In Chapter 1, we present a novel computational framework by employing a random-walk-based local two-sample test. This approach enables multiscale, cluster-free, …

Genetic Background’S Influence On The Pathogenesis Of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 (Sca1), Victor Hipolito Olmos

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a rare, dominantly inherited monogenic neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects the Purkinje cells (PCs) of the cerebellum. Our lab utilizes SCA1 as a model to unravel the complexity that is neurodegeneration. Neurodegeneration has long been a challenge due to the interactions of multiple cell types, various disease-causing genes, and degeneration beyond a single brain region. We utilized the SCA1 82Q B05 transgenic model (B05) which expresses the disease-causing gene, ATAXIN-1 (ATXN1), only in the PCs of the cerebellum. This mouse model recapitulates the disease phenotypes seen in human patients and allows us to investigate …

An Epigenetic Timer Regulates The Transition From Cell Division To Cell Expansion During Arabidopsis Petal Organogenesis, Ruirui Huang

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Epigenetic changes, such as histone modifications or DNA methylation, can modify gene expression without affecting the genetic code. Such alterations can persist for many cell generations, and often are induced by various environmental inputs in both plants and animals. A number of studies have demonstrated that epigenetic factors regulate plant developmental timing in response to environmental changes. However, we still have an incomplete view of how epigenetic factors can regulate developmental events such as organogenesis, and the transition from cell division to cell expansion, in plants. The small number of cell types and the relatively simple developmental progression required to …

Developing Metabolism-Targeting Adjuvants To Immunotherapy In Murine Melanoma, Xinyi Zhang

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer type, causing 8000 deaths per year in the United States. The development of immunotherapy significantly prolongs the survival of cancer patients, including patients with melanoma. By impairing the inhibitory signaling pathway, immunotherapy, for example anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, reinforces the anti-tumor effector function of T cells that recognize cancer cells and therefore suppresses tumor progression. However, the problem of low responsiveness and development of resistance significantly prevents a large proportion of patients from benefiting from immunotherapy. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop adjuvants to increase the efficacy of immunotherapy. Metabolic alterations have long …

Soil Incubation Methods Lead To Large Differences In Inferred Methane Production Temperature Sensitivity, Zhen Li, Robert F. Grant, Kuang-Yu Chang, Suzanne B. Hodgkins, Jinyun Tang, Alexandra Cory, Zelalem A. Mekonnen, Scott R. Saleska, Eoin L. Brodie, Ruth K. Varner, Virginia I. Rich, Rachel M. Wilson, Jeff P. Chanton, Patrick Crill, William J. Riley

Faculty Publications

Quantifying the temperature sensitivity of methane (CH4) production is crucial for predicting how wetland ecosystems will respond to climate warming. Typically, the temperature sensitivity (often quantified as a Q10 value) is derived from laboratory incubation studies and then used in biogeochemical models. However, studies report wide variation in incubation-inferred Q10 values, with a large portion of this variation remaining unexplained. Here we applied observations in a thawing permafrost peatland (Stordalen Mire) and a well-tested process-rich model (ecosys) to interpret incubation observations and investigate controls on inferred CH4 production temperature sensitivity. We developed a field-storage-incubation modeling approach to mimic the full …

Reliable Identification Of Binary Supermassive Black Holes From Rubin Observatory Time-Domain Monitoring, Megan C. Davis, Kaylee E. Grace, Jonathan R. Trump, Jessie C. Runnoe, Amelia Henkel, Laura Blecha, W N. Brandt, J Andrew Casey-Clyde, Maria Charisi, Caitlin A. Witt

Faculty Publications

Periodic signatures in time-domain observations of quasars have been used to search for binary supermassive black holes (SMBHs). These searches, across existing time-domain surveys, have produced several hundred candidates. The general stochastic variability of quasars, however, can masquerade as a false-positive periodic signal, especially when monitoring cadence and duration are limited. In this work, we predict the detectability of binary SMBHs in the upcoming Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). We apply computationally inexpensive sinusoidal curve fits to millions of simulated LSST Deep Drilling Field light curves of both single, isolated quasars and binary quasars. The period …

Soil Incubation Methods Lead To Large Differences In Inferred Methane Production Temperature Sensitivity, Zhen Li, Robert F. Grant, Kuang-Yu Chang, Suzanne B. Hodgkins, Jinyun Tang, Alexandra Cory, Zelalem A. Mekonnen, Scott R. Saleska, Eoin L. Brodie, Ruth K. Varner, Virginia I. Rich, Rachel M. Wilson, Jeff P. Chanton, Patrick Crill, William J. Riley

Faculty Publications

Quantifying the temperature sensitivity of methane (CH4) production is crucial for predicting how wetland ecosystems will respond to climate warming. Typically, the temperature sensitivity (often quantified as a Q10 value) is derived from laboratory incubation studies and then used in biogeochemical models. However, studies report wide variation in incubation-inferred Q10 values, with a large portion of this variation remaining unexplained. Here we applied observations in a thawing permafrost peatland (Stordalen Mire) and a well-tested process-rich model (ecosys) to interpret incubation observations and investigate controls on inferred CH4 production temperature sensitivity. We developed a field-storage-incubation modeling approach to mimic the full …

Life Line Spring 2024, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department

Life Line - The Biology Department Newsletter

In this Issue:

The Department Welcomes Dr. Grooms; Otterbein's New Pollinator/Rain Garden; Alumni Return to Share Research; Svitana Serves on Ohio EPA VAP Rules Review Advisory Committee; Field Geology Students Explore Death Valley and the Grand Canyon; Students Volunteer at Remote Area Medical Clinic; The Mussels of the Stillwater River and Greenville Creek; More Than "Just" a Chickadee; An Enriching Time at the Zoo; Human Reaction Times; Using Computer Models to Inform Real World Control Methods in Street Dogs; Svitana Continues Work with NGWA; DIY Microbial Fuel Cell Challenge; Birds of a Feather...; Students Research Impact of Sunscreens on Corals; …

From Cough To Crip: The Development Of Codeine From A Purely Medical Substance Into A Popular Recreational Drug, Rhett C. Vaughn

Senior Theses

The research that was conducted aimed to elicit the influence that pop culture has on recreational drug consumption. Specifically, the usage of the drug codeine has become very popular in social media among many influencers. The research focuses on the prevalence of this drug across several media platforms, alongside the growing rate of consumption globally. Research was conducted primarily through combining various databases at various organizations and this study aims to compile the data into one coherent paper regarding codeine in pop culture. While, it cannot be solely attributed to one specific outlet or influence, this study found that alongside …

An Analysis On The Capacity Of Visual Art To Promote Conservation Efforts, Devi Bell

Honors Projects

In recent decades, we have become more aware of the ways in which anthropogenic actions are harming Earth’s climate, ecosystems, and overall stability. Scientists generally agree on the urgency of our situation, yet the public may find difficulty in comprehending the multitude of information on it. This study aims to educate the public on biodiversity loss and related ecological issues in Ohio by discussing these topics through the medium of visual art. Five pieces involving different scientific subject matter and art mediums were created and displayed for participants to view. Participants completed two surveys, one before viewing the art and …

Influence Of Climate Zone Shifts On Forest Ecosystems In Northeastern United States And Maritime Canada, Samuel Roy, Xinyuan Wei, Aaron Weiskittel, Daniel J. Hayes, Peter Nelson, Alexandra R. Contosta

Faculty Publications

Climate zones play a significant role in shaping the forest ecosystems located within them by influencing multiple ecological processes, including growth, disturbances, and species interactions. Therefore, delineation of current and future climate zones is essential to establish a framework for understanding and predicting shifts in forest ecosystems. In this study, we developed and applied an efficient approach to delineate regional climate zones in the northeastern United States and maritime Canada, aiming to characterize potential shifts in climate zones and discuss associated changes in forest ecosystems. The approach comprised five steps: climate data dimensionality reduction, sampling scenario design, cluster generation, climate …

Mathematically Modeling How Trapping Regimes That Target Specific Crayfish Life Stages Impact Removal Efficacy, Rini Pattison

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

The red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is an invasive species introduced into several streams within the Santa Monica Mountains (SMM) in Southern California. Crayfish predation decimates native aquatic species. Thus, the Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) and Environmental Restoration Group have worked to remove crayfish through regular trapping in Malibu Creek.

To aid conservation efforts, former SURB students William Milligan and Dev Patel developed mathematical models of crayfish removal efficacy. Milligan created a differential equation model of how crayfish removal affects local newt populations. Patel expanded Milligan’s crayfish model by creating a discrete model of the crayfish life cycle that newly …

Effect Of Mastery Learning Strategy On Students' Learning Outcomes In Senior Secondary School Biology In Lagos State, Kassim O. Ajayi Prof, Fausat A. Adenaike Prof, Modupe O. Salomi Dr, Kehinde S. Momodu Mrs

Essays in Education

The study is a pre-test, post-test control group randomized quasi–experimental research design. The population comprised all SSII Biology Students in Lagos Education District II, with two intact classes of 60 students from two selected public secondary schools. Four instruments were used namely; Mastery Learning Strategy Instructional Aid, Conventional Teaching Strategy Instructional Aid, Biology Achievement Test (r = 0.77) and Biology Attitude Scale (r = 0.82). Six null hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Findings showed significant main effect of treatment on achievement (F _{(1, 59) =} 2399.983, P (.000) < .05), no significant main effect of gender on achievement (F _{(1, 59) =} 1.677, P (.201) > .05) and no …

How To Identify Various Sparrow Species, Aidan Castricone '24, Alexis Larsen '24, Emma Barry '25

Biology Student Scholarship

A helpful infographic on how to differentiate between four little brown birds: the house sparrow, the song sparrow, the white-throated sparrow, and the swamp sparrow. Animal behavior (BIO 350/350L) final project

Seven Behaviors Exhibited In The Blue Jay, Gillian Chapleau '24, Jide Owoeye '23

Biology Student Scholarship

A quick guide to understanding common behaviors exhibited by blue jays. Animal behavior (BIO 350/350L) final project