Digital Commons Network^™

Intra-Seasonal Shifts In Summer Elk Diet Composition, Ava E. Window

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Elk (Cervus canadensis) require adequate forage to fulfill their seasonal nutritional requirements. Elk undergo their highest nutritional demands during summer to support critical life functions such as late gestation, lactation, and juvenile growth. During this period, variations in plant phenology significantly influence the quality and quantity of forage on the landscape. Recent literature has concentrated on late summer due to it's limiting nature. Yet, growing evidence suggests that both early and late summer forage often fail to meet the nutritional demands of lactating and reproducing female elk. Further, there is limited knowledge surrounding the intra-seasonal dynamics of elk …

No Evidence For Warming Effects On Tallgrass Prairie Plant Extirpation In Kalamazoo Michigan, Emily D. Horner

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Title: No evidence for warming effects on tallgrass prairie plant extirpation in Kalamazoo Michigan

Author list: Emily Horner, Meredith Zettlemoyer

Abstract:

More and more species face extinction as our climate warms. Understanding how climate change influences local extinctions may help us comprehend and predict global extinctions. Ultimately, local extinction originates from declines in vital rates such as survival, growth, and reproduction. One way to examine how warming affects local extinctions is to compare responses between locally extinct (or “extirpated”) versus still present (or “extant”) species. In this comparative framework, more negative effects of warming on extirpated species’ vital rates would …

Balancing Timber Harvest And Biodiversity: Wildlife Impacts Of Selective Logging In The Chiquibul, Kilynn E. Groen

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Selective logging is often promoted as a sustainable forestry practice that maintains biodiversity and ecosystem function, yet its ecological consequences remain under examined, particularly in tropical forests. This study investigates how selective logging affects wildlife communities in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Belize. Using remote camera trap data from 22 sites (9 unlogged forest sites and 13 logged (stump) sites) we assessed species richness, trophic structure, and environmental predictors of wildlife abundance. While overall wildlife captures and species richness did not differ significantly between forest and stump habitats, principal component analysis revealed strong community-level separation, with stump habitats supporting distinct species …

Exploring Environmental Drivers Of Antarctic Krill Reproductive Output, Katie Coates

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba (referred to as "krill" hereafter), are vital to the Antarctic pelagic ecosystem. They serve as primary consumers of phytoplankton, a key food source for apex predators such as blue whales, and play a significant role in carbon sequestration in the Southern Ocean. Additionally, krill are economically important, as they are the target of the largest fishery in the Southern Ocean. However, the Antarctic Peninsula (AP), one of the fastest warming regions in the world, is experiencing substantial changes in its pelagic ecosystem. The impact of this warming on krill population dynamics and reproductive success remains unclear. …

Prime Theta-Curves From Torus Knots, Sam Nieman, Jack Calcut

Research Symposium

Classical knot theory is the placement problem for a circle in Euclidean 3-space or in the 3-sphere. That problem has been generalized in numerous ways. Knotted graph theory replaces the circle with a graph. Knotting of certain graphs has been well-studied. That includes the theta-graph consisting of two vertices connected by three edges---a copy of the letter theta. A theta-curve is an embedding of the theta-graph in 3-space or in the 3-sphere. Connected sum of knots yields the notion of a prime knot. Similarly, one may sum two theta-curves at a vertex and one may sum a theta-curve and a …

Spatial Distribution Of Native Cushion Plants And Invasive Species Along Waterworks Trail, Missoula, Montana: Implications For Plant Richness And Competition, Audrey J. Gustafson, Meredith Zettlemoyer

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Invasive species can significantly impact the distribution and richness of native plants, resulting in competitive exclusion. This study investigates the spatial variation in species richness of native cushion plants in relation to invasive species along Waterworks Trail in Missoula, Montana. This study assessed how elevation, distance from trail, and upslope (above the gate) vs downslope (below the gate) direction (east vs west) influenced the distribution of both the cushion plants and the invasive species. Species richness of cushion plants was higher on the west side of the trail, particularly at lower elevations. In contrast, the east side exhibited lower richness …

The Heat Exposure Schedule On Vascular Inflammation Responses To Heat Acclimation, Kenzie Williams, Amanda Alfaro-Chaverri, Mariam Rojas-Ledezma, Alejandro M. Rosales, Ron Michalak

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Understanding thermoregulatory acclimation during work challenges in both females and males remains an active area of environmental physiology research. Myriad body-wide adaptive responses are frequently influenced by a milieu of circulating factors, including blood markers of vascular inflammation. How these markers respond to variations in acute and repeated challenges of exercise+heat may influence heat acclimation outcomes. PURPOSE: To quantify circulating markers of vascular inflammation following either sustained (1x 90 minutes) or intermittent (3x 30 Minutes) exercise+heat exposure protocols. METHODS: Females and males (n=30 each) were randomized to receive a week of low intensity exercise performed during one of two identically …

A Look Into The Past: What Historic Field Data Tells Us About Understory Succession Post-Fire, Augustus Lawson, Dalton Brantley, Dean Pearson, Yvette Ortega

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

As wildfires grow in frequency and intensity, long-term records documenting responses to altered fire regimes are essential for understanding and predicting changes in vegetation communities in burned landscapes. Peter Stickney was a renowned ecologist, dedicating his life to studying understory species succession following wildfire. In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the MONTU Herbarium, we organized and analyzed Peter Stickney’s 50-year dataset to gain insight into how plant communities respond to disturbance. We added information on various functional characteristics for each species, including growth form (shrub, grass, or forb), native status (invasive vs. native), and conservatism value (c-value, a …

Analyzing Grizzly Bear Movement Patterns: Identifying Females With Newborn Cubs Using Telemetry Data, Mayson E. Whitlock

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) generally den in rugged, remote terrain during winter months. Females give birth to cubs in the den in mid to late winter and emerge in spring with highly vulnerable cubs. Detection of cub presence to date has generally relied on aerial surveys, which are costly and challenging, particularly in denning terrain. An understanding of the presence and survival of grizzly bear cubs after den emergence is thus generally limited. This information gap impedes an accurate assessment of reproductive rates, an understanding of which is particularly important in the Cabinet-Yaak and Selkirk Recovery Ecosystems, …

The Role Of Diet And Exercise In Reducing Risk Of Dementia Development In Type Ii Diabetics; A Meta Analysis., Silas W. Acker

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Dementia, particularly vascular dementia, is increasingly recognized as a complication of type II diabetes. The goal of this review is to determine whether a healthy diet and adequate physical activity can effectively manage common comorbidities of diabetes that lead to the development of dementia. This review pulls from a variety of sources examining the shared risk factors between type II diabetes and dementia, and the effectiveness of evidence-based lifestyle modifications focused on prevention.

A comprehensive review of twenty peer-reviewed medical studies, articles, and journals was conducted to investigate the link between Diabetes Mellitus and Dementia. The review aimed to identify …

Exploring An Endemic Species: Flower And Leaf Trait Variation In A Missoula Wildflower, Maxwell Lee Hirrill, Julie Cox

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Studies investigating intraspecific variation in morphological traits within endemic species often determine the geographic range that a species can occupy. We quantified intraspecific variationin floral morphology and leaf traits in anendemic wildflower, Phlox missoulensis, which is only found in the North Hills of the Missoula Valley in Western Montana. We collected floral, leaf, and pistil samples from over 100 Phlox missoulensis individuals across two populations in the Missoula North Hills. We used ImageJ software to measure 7 morphological traits: floral color, floral diameter, petal length and width, corolla tube length, pistil length, leaf length, and specific leaf area. We selected …

How Forest Stand Conditions Influence Whitebark Pine And Clark’S Nutcracker: A Systematic Review, Bryan Mathew Cohen

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), a keystone species of high-elevation ecosystems of western North America, is threatened with extinction due to disease (Blister rust), pests (Mountain pine beetle), and climate change. Regeneration of the species depends nearly exclusively on the seed-caching behavior of Clark’s nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana, Family Corvidae). Because of this, conservation of whitebark ecosystems requires restoring stand structures that favor nutcrackers. Although there are increasing numbers of studies on the relationship between nutcrackers and whitebark pine, findings have not yet been synthesized, limiting knowledge for application to management. I did a systematic literature review to answer the following questions: …

Exploring The Reproductive Phenology Of Feral Horses In North America, Mattie Budine

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) are a prolific species in western North America. Due to their history of domestication, it is believed they have an extended foaling period compared to native ungulates, such as elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), yet there are few (or no) studies examining this assumption. I am examining this assumption by comparing the observed foaling seasons of different regional herds throughout North America to identify if foaling seasons are uniform across latitudes. My dataset consists of various research studies and unpublished observations of different feral horse herds throughout North America. The result is …

Rewilding Rattlesnake Creek, Cameron M. Kirwan, Ethaniel Marshall

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Rattlesnake Creek north of Missoula lacks significant in-stream structure in the form of large wood downstream of the National Recreation Area. The natural introduction of large wood from the “derecho” wind event in July of 2024 has the potential to provide much needed aquatic habitat and stream complexity.

The focus of this project is monitoring the process of “rewilding” on Rattlesnake Creek through surveys of large wood and pool habitat. The Rattlesnake has historically been subject to various forms of degradation. It was dammed in 1904, with the dam being removed 116 years later in 2020 as part of stream …

Cervid Breakage Patterns In Western Montana, Tanner D. Liermann

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Sexual weapons are expected to withstand intense combat as weapon failure can directly impact an individual's reproductive success. Most weapons are permanent and a broken weapon costs that animal for the rest of its life. However, a few species regrow their weapons. The consequences of structural failure are lower in these animals, and they may invest less in their production as a result—leading to increased rates of breakage in the wild. Cervids (true deer) regenerate antlers each year, yet their rates of weapon failure remain unclear. In our study, we recorded breakage rates, antler point symmetry, harvest location, and age …

The Sedge, Taylor A. Ferguson

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The artist's work draws inspiration from the biology and behavior of Sandhill Cranes, focusing on themes of crane-like movement through ballet vocabulary, large migrations, and a deep reverence for these ancient birds. Recognized as the one of the oldest living bird species, Sandhill Cranes evoke a sense of timelessness, which inspired the creation of this piece. Combining ballet and modern dance, the choreography evolves through sections symbolizing the birds' life cycle and behaviors. Heavily influenced by the cast’s artistic input, the piece integrates wildlife behavior into dance, reflecting the artist's ongoing exploration of connections between choreography and wildlife biology.

Microbial Opsins: The Potential For Neurodegenerative Therapies, Maia Estrella Huebner

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Optogenetics is a new field utilizing light to manipulate cells. The produced symptoms mimic those of classic hibernation performed by many mammalian species, supporting the term “artificial hibernation”. Hibernation experienced by animals allows the organisms to maintain cell latency. These tools can be developed by applying novel techniques to laboratory mammals. Introducing stem-cell derived model organs to these kinds of studies may provide more insight on how optogenetics could advance medical therapies for neurodegenerative disorders.

This literature review analyzes the research completed in the biochemical origin of microbial opsins and their function. The channelrhodopsins (ChRs) from the microorganism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii …

Consuming The Tropics In The 'Age Of The Insect': Imperial Imaginaries Of Frontier Ecologies In Spectacular Expositions, Adria Capozzoli

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

By surveying representations of 'exotic' landscapes and 'monstrous' other-than-human creatures of the tropics featured in exhibits of the fin de siecle and early interwar period, including visual displays and descriptive language at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893) and the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) in San Francisco (1915), this project examines tropical frontiers as conceived in the geographical imaginaries of the United States to explore how metropolitan audiences related to those environments encountered at the imperial periphery. Between 1890 and 1920, were the infamously exaggerated characterizations of nineteenth-century spectacle tempered by the advent of twentieth-century cultural and scientific discourses, …

Study Of Uv Sensitivity On Mus109 And Marionette Gene Rescue, Precious Malunga

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The mus109 gene in Drosophila melanogaster, homologous to human DNA2, plays a critical role in DNA repair and genomic stability. Mutations in mus109 increase sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents like UV radiation. This study investigates whether the marionette (mrn) gene, which encodes a subunit of the TFIIH complex also involved in DNA repair, can rescue the UV-sensitive phenotype of mus109IS mutants. Survival assays were conducted using various UV exposure times on progeny from crosses between mus109IS mutants and either mus109D2 or mrn mutants. Results confirmed the UV sensitivity of mus109IS/mus109D2 flies, while mus109IS/mrn progeny exhibited increased survival, suggesting a …

Visit To Devon Gurdwara Sahib Of Chicago, Hiba Anis

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

For a project for THEO 299, I conducted a study on Sikhism by visiting a local Sikh religious site. I chose to visit the Devon Gurdwara Sahib of Chicago, where I observed the practices of Sikhs and immersed myself in the culture and religion. I also conducted short interviews of 3 practitioners to learn more about their experiences.

Ovarian Cancer Metastasis: The Role Of Ulk1 In Downstream Signaling In Mitochondrial Plasticity, Malaika Amin, Isabelle Lewis, Nazia Bano

Science Seminar

Under the direction of Dr. Eva Schmelz, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA Coordinated by Dr. Mary Jane Carmichael Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer in women, reported as the fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths in women. With a survival rate of less than 30%, it is a genetically and histologically heterogenous disease and the most aggressive serous ovarian cancer is now thought to originate in the epithelial cells of the fallopian tubes. Ovarian cells exfoliate from their primary tumors and are disseminated throughout peritoneal cavity. Previous studies from our lab show that cancer progression and hypoxic conditions promote …

Sampling Avian Biodiversity In Ecuador: Impacts Of Fragmentation And Explorations Of Diet, Anna Kryder, Mackenzie Alderson

Science Seminar

Under the direction of Dr. Renee Godard Ecuador has on of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world including more than 1,650 bird species. In this study we examined the impact of human development on avian species richness in Ecuador and explored the role of tropical species in the ecosystem by comparing dietary patterns of identified tropical birds to a representative sample of birds found in Virginia. In 2024 and 2025 bird biodiversity was surveyed at four sites in Ecuador. For each survey, five individuals identified birds by sight and sound for 30-minutes. Each site was surveyed at least twice …

Lack Of “Necromone” Avoidance In A Terrestrial Isopod (Porcellio Laevis), Lauren Lassere, Anna Starman

Science Seminar

Under the direction of Dr. Renee Godard Many species of invertebrates recognize and avoid death cues released by conspecifics. It is suggested that linoleic acid may be a key component of these "necromone" cues. When killed, terrestrial isopods also release linoleic acid among other chemicals. In this study we explored whether or not Dairy cow isopods (Porcellio laevis) avoid commercially purchased linoleic acid. Avoidance behavior was measured by time spent in a Y-maze scented with commercially obtained linoleic acid and two other cues (water – neutral and canola oil – 21% linoleic acid). Isopods did not differ in the amount …

Human Settlement Impacts On Moth Diversity In Ecuador, Lauren Lassere, Frank Matter, Annika Gulling

Science Seminar

Moths play a vital role in the overall health of any ecosystem as they are important pollinators and food resources for multiple species (particularly birds and bats). Human habitat disturbance in the temperate zone has been shown to negatively impact moth biodiversity and population size through a reduction in moth food resources and light pollution. Our study examined the impact of habitat disturbance on moth populations and diversity in the tropics (Pastaza Province, Ecuador). Significantly fewer moths were found during trapping sessions in disturbed habitats compared to those with less disturbance. Moreover, a higher diversity of moths were found in …

Diurnal And Nocturnal Patterns Of Leaf Cutter Ants (Atta Spp.), Mateo Rivera, Elizabeth Kagarise, Sophia Maurer, Selena Wolfe

Science Seminar

Under the direction of Dr. Renee Godard Leaf cutter Ants (Atta spp.) form highly complex colonies and play a key role in moving nutrients from the canopy to the forest floor in Central and South America and are considered pests in agricultural regions. In order to provide fodder for their underground fungal garden, worker ants will forage during the day and night, though they are considered to be heavier night time foragers (1). In this study, we compared leaf delivery, worker activity, and minim activity along marked foraging trails during the day and night. Activity along 11 foraging trails from …

The Effects Iron Pollution Has On The Health Of Medionidus Conradicus, Autumn Dale

Science Seminar

Under the direction of Dr. Mary Jane Carmichael, Dr. Daniel Derringer, Dr. Molly Lynch, Dr. Kaila Thorn Freshwater mussels like Medionidus conradicus (the Cumberland Moccasinshell) are essential to the health of aquatic ecosystems in Southwest Virginia and serve as bioindicators of ecosystem health due to their sensitivity to pollution (Jones, 2015). This study aims to examine the effects of iron (Fe) pollution from coal mining runoff on the physiological state of M. condradicus. Approximately 60 mussels will be divided into control and experimental groups and raised in lab-based aquatic microcosms. Test groups will be exposed to Fe concentrations found in …

Worry About The Impacts Of Climate Change Among Youths In Ecuador And The U.S, Ti-Shawn Wellington

Science Seminar

Under the direction of Dr. Renee Godard and Dr. Kaila Thorn Climate change remains one of the most urgent global challenges, with its impacts increasingly felt across diverse communities. Public perception, particularly among youth, plays a pivotal role in driving environmental policy and collective action. This study explores the levels of concern among young adults (ages 18–29) in the United States and Ecuador regarding the impact of climate change on personal and global issues. A Qualtrics survey in English and Spanish was distributed via social media platforms in both countries, yielding 33 U.S. and 35 Ecuadorian responses from this age …

Grooming Dyads In Captive Hamadryas Baboons (Papio Hamadryas), Anna Starman, Holly Hylton

Science Seminar

Under the direction of Dr. Renee Godard Allogrooming (cleaning the fur of another conspecific) plays a role in social dynamics of One Male Units (OMUs) in Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas). OMUs are the smallest social grouping of Hamadryas baboons typically composed of one adult male and a few reproductive females as well as juveniles. Bouts of grooming in four baboon OMUs at the North Carolina Zoo were observed. Nearly 75% of the grooming bouts were conducted by adult females with the harem male receiving the attention in most of these bouts. The torso was groomed most frequently and bouts that …

Have Land-Saving Biotechnologies Influenced The Efficiency And Scalability Of Agricultural Products In South Korea?, Aaditi Adhikari, Samragyi Karki

Science Seminar

Under the direction of Dr. Pablo Hernandez

This research explores the influence of land-saving biotechnologies on the efficiency and scalability of agricultural production in South Korea over the past fifteen years. Amid growing concerns over food security, limited arable land, and environmental sustainability, South Korea has increasingly adopted advanced biotechnologies such as high-yield crop varieties, vertical farming systems, and smart greenhouses. These innovations have not only optimized land use but also enhanced productivity through the integration of AI and precision farming. Drawing upon the theory of induced innovation, this study analyzes how shifts in resource constraints have shaped South Korea’s …

Investigating The Polyphenols In Bucida Buceras (Black Olive) Seeds And Testing The Cardioprotective Effects On Oxidative Stress Induced Cardiomyocytes, Su Gursoy

Science Seminar

Under the direction of Dr. Mary Jane Carmichael, Dr. Daniel Derringer Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the cell is less protected compared to the nuclear DNA. Therefore, when oxidative stress is induced in a cell, it will affect mtDNA more than nuclear DNA, causing disruptions in the cell’s energy production. This damage will cause cell death and eventually affect the function of organs that require high levels of energy. In the heart, mitochondrial damage results in an increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria, resulting in disruptions in myocardium and leading to insufficient circulation of blood throughout …