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History Showcase 2026: A Celebration Of Undergraduate Research, Winona State University-History & Legal Studies Department

Research & Creative Achievement Day

History Showcase 2026

WSU Research and Creative Achievement Day

Department of History & Legal Studies

A celebration of undergraduate research

2:00pm Welcome Professor Erik Heinrichs

2:05pm Senior Thesis Presentations, Panel I

• Travis Franzen, “On the Development of Early Modern Plague Theology in the Church of England”
• Riley Nelson, Title TBD
• Sophia Riedel, “This Land Is Your Land Until It's Not: The Arkansas Government and Japanese Americans in Internment Camps, 1940s”

2:45pm Senior Thesis Presentations, Panel II

• Brennen Hodnefield, “The Emergence of Gay Activism Amidst Government Suppression”
• Madyson Fischer, “Listening to Voices: Indigenous Roles in the Environmental Justice Movements of the …

Fastenal Internship And Kpi Tracker Project, Tyler T. Schaack

Research & Creative Achievement Day

From my internship at Fastenal, I have been able to learn and apply many skills from my classes into my day-to-day work. In the supply chain department of Fastenal there are many things' planners must keep an eye on to ensure proper and sufficient supply for our customers. Working for a big company means that there are lots of unique parts and plans that need to be constantly reviewed to keep everything accurate. Before starting my project there was no good way of organizing and tracking what improvements need to be made to our parts. Using Excel, Power Query, and …

Using Fluorimetry And Spectroscopy For Quantitative Analysis Of Biomaterial-Derived Carbon Dots, Kahun N. Vue

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Carbon Dots (CDs) are renowned for having great quantum yield, absorption, electron transfer, and stability. Biomaterial-derived carbon dots are eco-friendly nanomaterials synthesized through the carbonization and condensation of organic surface groups. This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and application of CDs derived from various biomaterial precursors, including chitosan, cellulose, β-keratin, α-keratin, and amylose derived from chitosan, corn husk, chicken feathers, human hair, and potato skin respectively. Hydrothermal and purification methods were used to develop a green, cost-effective synthesis while evaluating the eco-friendliness and sustainability of the resulting nanomaterials. The physicochemical properties of each CD were evaluated based on fluorescence intensity, …

How The Social Determinants Of Health Shaped The Covid-19 Pandemic, Grace K. Tjossem

Research & Creative Achievement Day

The social determinants of health (SDOH) are non-medical factors that significantly impact health outcomes, well-being, and quality of life. They play a critical role in population health and contribute to widespread health disparities and inequities. The primary objective of this review was to evaluate the extent to which the SDOH were associated with COVID-19 health outcomes and assess the strength of the relationship if one existed. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to examine the role social determinants played during and after the pandemic. Findings from the review indicate that a significant portion of health outcomes are determined by the …

Gender Of Perpetrator And Political Affiliation In Relation To Violence Myth Acceptance, Kylie S. Buck, Paige Christianson, Kaiden Barnes, Kyra Nelson

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Increasing political polarization has left political parties at an impasse regarding having bipartisan conversation about pressing social issues including rape and domestic violence. The present study examined how different demographic factors influence perceptions of interpersonal violence. It was hypothesized that identification by political status, abuse type, and perpetrator would yield different results. Using an online survey, participants (N = 223, 81% female, 88% white, 48% republican, 35.4% freshman) were randomly assigned to 1 of 8 scenarios describing differing instances of interpersonal violence. Results from a three way between groups ANOVA indicated that republicans view domestic violence and rape as a …

Parasite Prevalence In Local Grasshopper Populations, Lucia B. Freund, Ali Gronquist

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Spur-throated grasshoppers (genus Melanoplus) are a common agricultural pest in North America. Spur-throated grasshoppers are also a common host to several parasitic organisms. Horsehair worms (phylum Nematomorpha) are parasitic organisms known for their ability to manipulate the behavior of its insect host, particularly grasshoppers and crickets, by urging the host to enter water so it can complete its life cycle. Along with being a host to parasitic worms, they are a frequent target of grasshopper mites. Grasshopper mites (Eutrombidium locustarum) is a short-lived parasite that can negatively influence the reproductive ability of their host. Because grasshoppers are a major agricultural …

Prediction Of Soccer Match Result With Machine Learning, Pronob Kumar

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Predicting soccer match outcomes is difficult due to the low-scoring nature, frequent draw outcomes, and other factors. This project used a historical dataset from European leagues spanning 1960 to 2024 to develop supervised machine learning models for predicting match results. The dataset included various features related to match conditions, team information, and historical performance. The study compared multiple machine learning models, including logistic regression, decision trees, XGBoost, and random forest, with a regression-based baseline model. Model performance was evaluated using accuracy, confusion matrices, ROC curves, and AUC metrics. Preliminary results indicate that machine learning models outperform the baseline model in …

Gender Studies Scholarship: An Examination Of Midwest Professors Who Teach Gender Studies, Mena Faber

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Gender studies is an interdisciplinary field spanning higher education institutions globally, yet the experiences of scholars withing specific regional contexts remain understudied. This study aims to examine the loved personal and pedagogical experiences of gender studies and gender communication scholars in the Midwest. Using a qualitative approach, semi structured interviews were conducted to explore participants' experiences, perceived pressures, and responses to the current political and academic climate. Interview questions focused on the challenges scholars face as well as the communicative practices they adopt in response to shifting attitudes toward gender studies. This research seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding …

The Experiences Of Pediatric Nurses, Madeline J. Vitzthum, Julia R. Bangert

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Background and Purpose: Nursing is a specialty that requires deep clinical knowledge and skill but also high levels of emotional engagement. This is most apparent in pediatric nursing. Pediatric nurses are the nurses who care for societies' most precious and vulnerable population, and because of this, pediatric nurses' experiences may differ from those who care for adults. However, there is a noticeable gap in the existing literature that specifically describes the unique challenges and benefits of this nursing specialty. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of pediatric nurses and to identify the strategies they use to …

Bring The Heat, Bring The Savings: Supporting Strategic Growth For Minnesota-Based Energy Efficiency Nonprofit, Abigail P. Oldenberg

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Through analysis rooted in strategic communication theories, this research project focuses on the Minnesota-based nonprofit organization Center for Energy and Environment (CEE). This organization’s purpose is to deliver effective energy solutions to cold-climate states. It makes energy more affordable for residents and businesses, promotes environmental equity, and lowers carbon footprints. This project considers the social and political landscape in the United States and its impact on environmental nonprofits. Given the status of grants allocated for energy efficiency programs, while prioritizing the organization’s business development and growth goals, Center for Energy and Environment must diversify its revenue streams. Primary and secondary …

Transfer Student Internship Through Admissions, Iris Y. Nickolaus

Research & Creative Achievement Day

This poster presents my experience as a Transfer Admissions Intern at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota. In this role, I support prospective and incoming transfer students by helping them navigate the admissions process, understand academic pathways, and feel more confident in their transition to a new institution. My responsibilities include assisting with recruitment travel and Instant Decision Days, creating transfer plans and student-facing materials, supporting campus tours and presentations, and helping students with admissions and registration questions. The poster will include my job title, organization, and location, along with a detailed list of my responsibilities. These responsibilities reflect hands-on …

Predicting The Probability Of Having Diabetes Using Machine Learning, Logan C. Stewart

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Each year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distribute the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) telephone surveys to acquire nationwide data about US residents' health. This survey collects data on hundreds of health-related variables from hundreds of thousands of participants. It is a powerful tool for building health promotion and has even influenced and supported health-related state legislation. This study uses that data to predict an individual's probability of having diabetes based on dietary, demographic, health, and economic factors. Diabetes is a group of diseases that causes the body to use insulin ineffectively, and one in four …

Fifteen Years Of The Abc-Ahp-Ncnpr Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program: What Have We Learned?, Stefan Gafner, Roy Upton, Mark Blumenthal, Ikhlas Khan

Oxford ICSB

Initiated in 2011, the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) was created as a partnership between the American Botanical Council, the 2American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP), and the National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) at the University of Mississippi to educate the herbal dietary supplement industry, regulators, and scientists in academia about adulteration of botanical ingredients. The ultimate goal of the Program was to improve the authenticity and quality of herbal dietary supplements to the consumer. Since its inception, the Program has published 100 peer-reviewed documents. Despite herbal ingredient suppliers’ and dietary supplement manufacturers’ implementation of changes in quality control specifications, …

Optimal Control Analysis Of Mob Dynamics Using Generation Z Youtube Channel Behavior, Tahidu Alhassan

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Digital media communication technologies have changed how people organize and act together. During the Generation Z event, social media platforms (e.g., X, YouTube, Facebook) played a major role in spreading information and mobilizing collective actions online and offline. In this work, we modified a mathematical dynamic model of the social media mob using an optimal control technique to adjust the rate of spread in response to social interactions. We examined the susceptible-quarantined-counter-infective-recovered (SQCIR) epidemiology model on a YouTube dataset covering Gen-Z data spread in Nepal from 8 to 13 September 2025. Using high-temporal-resolution real-world social media data will help to …

Assessment Of Airborne Cultural Fungi Indoors And Outdoors In A Rural Veterinary Clinic, Elena Ortez, Oluwatosin Jegede, Dorothy Seybold, Daeshjea Mcgee, Atin Adhikari, Ally Holmes

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Background and Objectives: Veterinary clinics can inadvertently release and propagate bacteria through several mechanisms, primarily due to contaminated surfaces, insufficient cleaning protocols, and, in some instances, direct transmission from infected animals or staff. Given that these clinics are high-traffic environments, they can serve as hotspots for clinic-acquired infections if rigorous hygiene practices are not upheld. This study evaluated airborne bacterial concentrations in different areas of a veterinary clinic compared to outdoor ambient air by calculating the indoor-to-outdoor ratios.

Methods: Airborne culturable bacterial samples were collected using a Biostage Impactor across eight internal zones including waiting areas, treatment rooms, and wards …

Multigraded Betti Numbers Of Squarefree Monomial Ideals From Maximal, Nonattacking Rook Arrangements, Gwendolyn Flaherty

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

This project investigates algebraic structures that arise from combinatorial constructions using tools from commutative algebra, combinatorics, and topology. Many natural combinatorial objects give rise to squarefree, pure monomial ideals. One can construct minimal free resolutions of these ideals and study their graded and multigraded Betti numbers, which measure the complexity of the resolution. The connection between monomial ideals and Betti numbers is provided by Hochster’s formula, which expresses the Betti numbers of a squarefree monomial ideal in terms of the reduced homology of associated simplicial complexes.

The primary goal of this work is to develop combinatorial interpretations of these Betti …

Exploring Reaction Times In D1 Female Volleyball Players, Lydia Seymour

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

The purpose of this study was to examine reaction time in a group of Division I female volleyball athletes. Data was collected over a consecutive four-week timespan using the Dynavision D2 training system. The Dynavision D2 training system consists of a mounted board with a series of light-up buttons and a screen in the middle, also referred to as the t-scope. In this study, buttons would light up, at random, for one second at a time. Athletes were tasked to press each button as fast as possible before the next button would light up. In addition, the t-scope screen presented …

Modeling Social Media Mob Dynamics Using A Hybrid Scvir System With Time-Varying Parameters And Recurrent Neural Networks, Noushin Gauhar

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

In this work, we develop a discrete-time susceptible-counter-infected-vaccinated-recovered (SCIVR) epidemiological framework to model the spread of mob-like information on social media. The model captures the interaction between susceptible neutral attention, infected mob-spreading narratives, counter or corrective discourse, low-visibility (vaccinated) content, and collective disengagement. COVID-19 twitter data were transformed into daily compartmental aggregates using sentiment polarity and retweet-based visibility thresholds, facilitating high-resolution modeling of information diffusion processes. The dataset comprises globally collected tweets between April and June 2021, filtered using keywords including “COVID19”, “coronavirus”, “quarantine”, “socialdistancing”, “staysafe”, “stayhome” and “lockdown”. Qualitative analysis of the SCIVR system includes derivation of the mob-free …

Coupling Deep Learning With Time-Dependent Scir Model For Predicting Social Media Mob Behaviors, Bismark Ampaw Offei

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

In this study, we modified an epidemiological model of social media mob using deep learning methods to investigate information transmission using COVID-19 Twitter data from April to June 2021. Data collection was done using keywords, such as “covid 19”, “vaccine”, “lockdown”, and “quarantine” to simulate activity trends during the pandemic. In this work, we combine deep learning methods, including LSTMs and GRUs, with the susceptible-counter-infective-recovered (SCIR) model to forecast time-dependent parameters. Primary qualitative analyses, including the social media mob free equilibrium (MFE) point, the endemic equilibrium point, and the basic reproduction number ℜ₀, were performed. Our analysis shows …

Effects Of Exercise And Neuromuscular Stimulation On Neuroplasticity And Inflammation In Those With Dementia Risk, Kaitlyn J. Tanner, Collis D. Grace, Morgan A. Gragg, Lisa B. Niles-Meunier, Nicholas J. Siekirk

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

BACKGROUND: Cognitive decline, prevalent in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), heightens fall risk. Exercise interventions can reduce fall risk by slowing or delaying cognitive decline. Use of multi-waveform neuromuscular electrical stimulation (MWF-NMES) as an exercise adjunct may enhance neuroplasticity in areas associated with postural control. Whether NMES can improve postural control outcomes is not well-documented. Therefore, we will examine the effect of multi-waveform NMES on postural control in adults at risk for ADRD. METHODS: Participants will be recruited from an assisted living community in Southeast Georgia. Interested participants who meet the inclusion criterion will be stratified by sex …

Determinants Of Infant Birth Weight In Georgia: An Analysis Of The Prams 2016–2020 Study, Purbasha Biswas, Jing Kersey

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

The Georgia PRAMS 2016–2020 data were used to assess whether maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with infant birth weight among singleton live births while accounting for key sociodemographic factors. Birth weight recorded in 250-gram midpoints was converted to a continuous gram measure and analyzed with maternal smoking status, age group, education, and marital status. A complete-case strategy was used because missingness was < 10%, yielding an analytic sample of 3,175 observations. We fit an ordinary least squares multiple linear regression with categorical predictors represented by indicator variables. After adjustment, infants born to non-smoking mothers weighed, on average, 163.5 g more than infants born to mothers who smoked (SE=66.2; p = 0.0136). Infants of mothers who were not married weighed 150.4 g less than those of married mothers (SE=30.9; p < 0.001). The maternal age group was not statistically significant in the adjusted model. Education showed a non-monotone pattern, with one notable contrast indicating lower birth weight for 12 years of education compared with 0–8 years (mean=−190.3 g; SE=76.3; p = 0.0127), suggesting education may be acting as a proxy for heterogeneous social, behavioral, and healthcare pathways rather than a purely linear gradient. Model diagnostics indicated acceptable linear model assumptions and minimal multicollinearity (adjusted variance Inflation Factor (VIF) near 1), though the overall explained variance was modest (R² ≈ 0.02). These findings are consistent with fetal growth restriction linked to prenatal tobacco exposure and broader social disadvantage. From a public health perspective, even modest average shifts in birth weight can meaningfully affect the population burden of low birth weight. Results support reinforcing prenatal smoking-cessation interventions and pairing them with strategies that address upstream determinants (e.g., stress, support, and access to care). Future work should incorporate survey weights and additional clinical covariates (gestational age, parity, comorbidities, prenatal care) to strengthen causal and population-level inference.

Ai-Powered Quantum Sensing For Non-Invasive Diabetes Monitoring System, Anichur Rahman, Airin Afroj Aishi, Md Shohel Rana

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Diabetes is a common disease prevalent among a large population of the world, requiring continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels to prevent severe complications of the disease. Currently, continuous glucose monitoring technologies often use invasive and minimally invasive sensors that are not only uncomfortable for the patient but also limit the usability of the device. This project aims to explore cutting-edge technology for continuous glucose monitoring through the fusion of artificial intelligence techniques and novel quantum sensing technologies. A novel framework is proposed for the fusion of machine learning techniques with novel quantum-inspired sensing techniques to improve the accuracy of …

Breaking The Silence - Involving Juveniles On Probation In Music Production, Emma Harrison

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

My presentation talks about getting juveniles on probation involved with music production through my program, entitled Breaking the Silence. This presentation will dive into why, when, where, and who is involved in program planning put on by Family Court, the effects involvement in programs has on rehabilitation, and how we can use Breaking the Silence to break the silence on the stigma surrounding juvenile offenders.

The Night Ministry Internship Experience, William J. Schroering

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The Night Ministry has three pillars (Human Connection, Housing, and Healthcare). I shared some of the work I completed and what I learned. I explained the housing first, harm reduction models, along with the Chicago Continuum of Care program,

Biophysical Characterization Of Protein-Lipid Interactions Using Suv Model Membranes, Nick Pufall

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Membrane protein–lipid interactions are critical for cellular signaling but are difficult to study in controlled systems. Here, we synthesized small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) from DOPC and DOPS lipids using freeze–thaw cycles and extrusion to achieve low polydispersity. SUV size strongly influenced lipid accessibility: highly curved vesicles (<100 nm) introduced packing defects that will enhance lipid transfer to bovine serum albumin (BSA), while larger vesicles show reduced transfer due to tighter packing. DLS and fluorescence measurements support increased stabilization of protein–lipid complexes in smaller SUVs. Differences between DOPC and DOPS further highlight the role of lipid composition in regulating protein–membrane interactions.

Legal Internship Experience, Abigail Jalso

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This presentation summarizes my internship experience at Grcic Law LLC focused on applied legal and policy research within municipal government contexts. During this internship, I completed two primary projects involving comparative legal analysis and regulatory evaluation. The first project examined firearm sales regulations in the Village of Niles, Illinois, analyzing local ordinances alongside Illinois and federal law to assess how firearm sales are structured, restricted, and enforced across different levels of government. The second project evaluated a proposed Niles ordinance regulating e-bikes and e-scooters by comparing it with existing municipal policies in Elk Grove Village, Schaumburg, and Deerfield.

Across both …

Comparative Analysis Of Skeletal Visualization Techniques In Parazen Pacificus, Aaryan Kaushik

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The skeletal system provides important information in development and evolutionary studies. Multiple techniques to prepare skeletal material for study have been developed. For example, CT-scanning is a powerful tool for rendering high resolutions 3-D skeletal images with virtually no specimen damage. Clearing & staining methods render bone red, cartilage blue, and flesh transparent, but are destructive to specimens, and traditional X-raying, which is more cost efficient, but reduces a three-dimensional object into two. This study examines techniques for studying fish skeletal anatomy. Advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed to help determine the most efficient technique for a given purpose.

Religions In Chicago, Pranav Konakondla

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

For my research on religions on asia, I visited a Buddhist temple in Chicago multiple times and learned about their history and practices. Other people in my class went to different religious locations. We created a presentation together on our experiences at these Asian religious sites in Chicago.

Macroplastic Litter In A Rural Lake: Biomass Characteristics Relative To Natural Surfaces, Alyssa Younus

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Plastic pollution is increasing worldwide and persists in aquatic ecosystems due to its durability. In lakes, plastic can act as habitat for microbes, invertebrates, and fish. This study is part of a larger experiment examining how floating debris influences aquatic communities. Conducted in summer 2024 at Lake 302 in Ontario’s Experimental Lakes Area, floating plots contained either plastic litter or wood. After 56 days, biofilm samples were analyzed for chlorophyll a concentrations and biofilm biomass. Both were significantly higher on wood, suggesting plastic’s properties limit algal growth. These findings indicate plastic may be a less suitable habitat and could impact …

Social Justice Internship 2025-26: One Northside, Johanna Rodriguez Osegueda

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This presentation showcases my experiences and lessons-learned as an Environmental Justice Intern at ONE Northside. This opportunity was made possible through the Social Justice Internship Program at CELTS. This presentation includes reflections about my growth, participation in environmental campaigns, and organization-wide events.