Digital Commons Network^™

Pharmacogenetics To Enhance Personalized Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy In Montana, Shivika Agrawal, Jon Graham, Shayna R. Killam

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Purpose:

Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) is the primary drug-metabolizing enzyme for most proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), commonly prescribed for gastrointestinal disorders such as heartburn. Guidelines developed by the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) indicate that genetic variants in CYP2C19 may influence PPI response and the likelihood of side effects, and they provide drug and dose recommendations. We systematically evaluated PPI prescribing patterns in Montana’s patient population to inform implementation strategies for pharmacogenetic (PGx)-guided PPI therapy.

Methods:

We analyzed the electronic data from the health information exchange, Big Sky Care Connect, of 1.15 million Montanans between 2017 to 2024. We identified …

Evaluating The Cost And Feasibility Of Ecg-Integrated Cardiac Screening In High School Athletes, Sadie J. Smith

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Evaluating the Cost and Feasibility of ECG-Integrated Cardiac Screening in High School Athletes

Smith, S, Held, T, Godbout, B & Moody, VJ : University of Montana

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in young athletes is rare but catastrophic and may not be detected through standard pre-participation physicals, which rely heavily on history and basic examination. This pilot study evaluated the cost and feasibility of integrating resting electrocardiogram (ECG) screening into high school sports physicals.

Thirty high school hockey athletes complete an ECG-enhanced screening consisting of cardiac history, vitals, resting ECG, and physician examination. The average screening time per athlete was 19 …

Gαi Megabodies As A Structural Scaffold: Complexing Megabody Ca15960 And Δn31g⍺I, Sylvie-Aganoti T. Tower

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), a major and diverse group of membrane receptors, are responsible for transducing extracellular signals (ligands) to activate intracellular metabolic pathways. In fact, over a third of FDA approved drugs target GPCRs. Research on GPCR activity contributes significantly to pharmacology and medicine. Signal transduction results in a conformational change activating guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) by exchanging GDP for GTP. G proteins form heterotrimers consisting of alpha (𝜶), beta (β), and gamma (γ) subunits. From a Gαi specific nanobody (~15 kDa), we have derived 3 megabody constructs ranging in molecular weight from ~55-100 kDa. Megabodies …

Sin Nombre Virus: Assessing Variation In The Viral Genome Across Peromyscus Maniculatus Populations In Western Montana, Iris Y. Mckean

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Sin Nombre virus (SNV) is a New World RNA virus within the family of Hantiviridae found primarily in North America. SNV is a zoonotic pathogen, causing unapparent disease in its deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) reservoir host, but inducing Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a respiratory infection of pulmonary endothelial cells, in its human hosts. The virus is transmitted primarily through aerosolized rodent excreta.

Previous studies of the SNV genome has identified the virus as a negative-sense single-stranded RNA pathogen: its segmented genome consists of RNA that is the reverse complement of the mRNA needed to make proteins. The -ssRNA genome …

Use Of Sunlight Differs Between Sympatric Garter Snakes In Montane Riparian Forests, Ethan T. Chatwood, David R. Tevs

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Microhabitat selection by small ectotherms often involves trade-offs between accommodating the thermoregulatory needs of the organism and minimizing predation. Sunny microhabitats are often used as basking sites by small ectotherms. However, sunlight may also increase chromatic contrast between the animal and its substrate, thereby increasing visibility to potential predators. To counter this increased exposure, small ectotherms may develop means to remain hidden in sunny areas or achieving suitable body temperatures while in shaded areas. We collected data on substrate temperature, light conditions, observation time, and behavior (active vs stationary) between two sympatric garter snake species with contrasting dorsal colorations (Thamnophis …

Fear Conditioning Enhances Activity And Synaptic Maturation Of Mpfc Somatostatin Interneurons, Emma Ann Pascoe, Marcella Slason, Shelby Doss, Emma Nicolaisen, Sandra Yungblut, Kasper Hansen, Andrew Rau

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder that affects diverse populations across the United States. First-line treatments, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and psychotherapy, are often only partially effective. Although novel therapeutic strategies are emerging, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying both PTSD and its treatment remain poorly understood. To advance the development of more effective interventions, it is essential to define the cellular and circuit-level mechanisms that govern traumatic memory storage. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays a critical role in fear learning and memory. However, how specific neuronal populations, particularly interneurons, are altered by fear learning remains …

Distinguishing Abstract And Concrete Democracy: Racial Attitudes And Democratic Support In The United States, Heather Lyons

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

As scholars and democratic observers warn of democratic backsliding and authoritarian governance in the United States, one leading explanation is that historical and enduring racial hierarchies shape racial attitudes that influence democratic support. The need to precisely measure support for democratic ideals and institutions has become critical to understand the precise influences currently causing the backsliding here and around the globe. Building on recent scholarly elucidations distinguishing abstract from concrete democracy, this study uses the 2024 ANES study to examine the relationship between various racial attitudes and support for abstract and concrete democracy separately. I also examine interactions between racial …

Assessing The Security Of The Colorado River Basin Through The Threats-Vulnerabilities-Assistance Framework, Delia Schmidt

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The Colorado River Basin supplies seven U.S. states, Mexico, and multiple tribal nations, sustaining a significant portion of the American West’s population. Yet accelerating aridification, ecological degradation, and legal fragmentation threaten the basin’s long-term security. This project examines how institutional governance failures pose the most significant threat to the river’s future. My guiding question asks: To what extent do outdated legal frameworks and fragmented governance structures undermine the environmental security of the Colorado River Basin?

Using the Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Assistance Framework (TVAF), I analyze the basin’s current level of security and project conditions over the next decade. Drawing on …

A Strategic Framework For Leveraging Ai As A Source Of Competitive Advantage, Jackson Evans

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Businesses around the world are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence as a productivity and daily operational tool to help employees work more efficiently. This project examines how companies can leverage AI as a long-term source of strategic advantage rather than simply a time- and money-saver. The guiding question for this project is: Under what conditions does AI become a source of strategic advantage in a business rather than a commodity technology? For this project, I am seeking to connect AI adoption practices with established strategic management theory. To carry out this project, I will analyze current AI adoption trends by examining …

Evaluating Strategies To Reduce Human-Bear Conflicts: A Synthetic Review, Cailin K. Bell

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Human-wildlife conflicts involving large carnivores, such as bears, pose a significant challenge to conservation efforts. As humans encroach into wildlands, expanding overlap with black bear populations, their interactions and conflicts increase. Conflicts are defined as any action by bears resulting in the destruction of property or threatening public safety. Though conflicts continue to rise, it is difficult to determine the effectiveness of different approaches for prioritizing management actions. To address this gap, this study conducted a synthetic review, identifying current approaches being used, the effectiveness of these methods, and which of these may be useful for Montana. Google Scholar was …

Investigation Of Guanine Exchange By Ric8a For Gαi, Fiona Morrow, Brad Benjamin, Cindee Yates-Hansen, Nicholas O'Connor

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Author: Fiona Morrow

Conference: 2026 UMCUR

Title: Investigation of Guanine Exchange by Ric8A for Gα_i

Abstract: Ric8 is a chaperone protein for the Gα subunit of the G protein coupled receptor, the most common and diverse membrane receptor group in eukaryotic cells. Signal transduction across the cell membrane uses the G protein complex, with an integral G protein that spans the entire membrane and 3 bound subunits on the interior side of the membrane. When a ligand binds on the GPCR, the 3 interior subunits dissociate and carry the signal to the next step of the cascade; this dissociation …

Ponderosa Pines Reduce Cavitation Risk By Altering Growth Strategies In Response To Fuel Reduction Treatments, Sofia Clancy

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Increasing global temperatures and drought severity place trees at a higher risk of wildfires and water stress. While fuel management treatments were initially designed for wildfire mitigation, they may also promote drought resistance by altering growth strategies. I evaluated the impact of mechanical thinning, prescribed burning, and a combined treatment on the hydraulic growth characteristics of ponderosa pines (Pinus ponderosa) at the University of Montana’s Lubrecht Experimental Forest. Increment cores display a tree's rings, which are composed of annual earlywood and latewood layers that reflect their growth strategy in response to seasonal resource availability. Earlywood cell structure favors rapid growth, …

Examining Tree Defense Responses To Fuel Reduction Treatments, Reid H. Martin

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Conifers use oleoresin, produced and stored in a network of resin ducts, as a primary source of defense against insects and pathogens. Analyses have shown that trees with a greater number, size, or total area of resin ducts are more likely to resist or survive insect attacks. Fuel reduction treatments, primarily done with the intention of suppressing the likelihood of high-severity fire and restoring fire-adapted landscapes, can increase the availability of limiting resources to residual trees by reducing competition. In ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), increases in resource availability have been associated with an increased production of larger or …

Effectiveness Of Common Treatment Approaches On Pain And Disability For Chronic Low Back Pain, Brooke Williams

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability in adults worldwide. Common treatment approaches for low back pain include chiropractic care, physical therapy, medical care, and educational interventions. Although some randomized controlled trials have compared specific treatments, few studies have synthesized outcomes across multiple treatment approaches to determine relative effectiveness in individuals with chronic low back pain. This study performed a quantitative comparative analysis using aggregated data from published randomized controlled trials. Treatment groups included chiropractic care, physical therapy, medical care, and educational interventions. Outcomes related to disability, pain intensity, and symptom bothersomeness were assessed using the Roland Morris …

Ligand Induced Mincle Dimerization For Informing Tuberculosis Adjuvant Formulation, Ephraim Neils Mortenson, Asia Riel, Cindee Yates-Hansen, Borries Demeler

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Macrophage Inducible C-Type Lectin receptor (Mincle) is a pattern recognition receptor on myeloid cells, which modulates the immune system by recognizing small molecules that activate the signaling cascade to release inflammatory and immune response mediators. [1] C-type lectin receptors have been known to form higher order structures to produce elevated, coordinated immune responses. However, this has not been fully established experimentally with Mincle and known ligands. [2,3] Stabilized by an extracellular disulfide bond, Mincle in mammalian cells can exist as a preformed dimer. [3] This suggests that activation-induced oligomerization in Mincle could be a ligand-specifying factor in the type and …

Examining High School Students' Comprehension Of Miranda Vocabulary, Madeline Durrant, Eddy Manning

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Introduction. The Miranda warnings are intended to protect individuals' constitutional rights during police interactions, but their effectiveness depends on whether the language is understood. Research suggests that legal vocabulary embedded in these warnings may be inaccessible to many vulnerable groups, including adolescents.

Research Questions. How well do high school students with typical language skills comprehend the legal vocabulary in the Miranda warning? Are MVS scores correlated with language test scores? Are MVS scores correlated with completion of a civics course?

Methods. Thirty high school students completed the Miranda Vocabulary Scale (MVS), a measure in which participants were asked to define …

Beyond Words: Unlocking The Child's Perspective In Speech Therapy, Olivia Lacasse

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Speech-language pathologists strive for patient-centered care, yet clinicians often face limitations when making collaborative decisions with children. Understanding a child’s unique emotional experience is vital for developing effective treatment plans for speech sound disorders; however, traditional assessments rely heavily on the perspectives of parents and teachers. This leaves the child’s internal world largely undiscovered. Our project evaluates the Sound Effects Study Drawing Protocol (SESDP) as a multimodal tool to bridge the gap between external observations and a child’s inner perspective.

We asked: During a drawing task, what developmental milestones and symbolic skills are evident over time for preschool-aged children with …

Distributed Iot Cyber-Physical System For Non-Invasive Acoustic Mineral Extraction Via Z-Scanning Phased Arrays, Nathan Johnson, Oliver Trost

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

A Distributed IoT Cyber-Physical System for Non-Invasive Acoustic Mineral Extraction via Z-Scanning Phased Arrays

Abstract: Traditional placer mineral extraction relies on energy demanding mechanical mobilization and high-water usage. This research introduces a novel Cyber-Physical System (CPS) that achieves non-invasive vertical migration of high-density within non-Newtonian slurries using low power usage for targeted depths. Unlike conventional vibration which induces segregation (sinking), this system utilizes a floating, waterproof phased acoustic array to generate a Z-Scanning Helical Wavefront carrying Orbital Angular Momentum. This acoustic vortex, in concert with Time-Reversed Acoustics (TRA), creates a "telescoping funnel" logic that entraps particles via centripetal force …

Variations Of Individual Behaviors Of Betta Splendens When Exposed To Fluoxetine, Sophie Currier

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Fluoxetine, a common antidepressant, often ends up in rivers and lakes, exposing aquatic life to the drug. This study examined the effects of fluoxetine on Betta splendens (Siamese fighting fish) at levels found in the environment. Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that blocks the presynaptic reuptake transporter and increases endogenous signaling postsynaptically (Coreia, et al 2022). When Betta splendens absorb fluoxetine, it interacts with more than 90% homologous receptors in fish. This matters because it acts as a pollutant in aquatic environments, threatening fitness, reproduction, changes to their nervous system, and ultimately their behavior. When exposed to …

How Racism Affects Immigrants At The Us-Mexican Border, Meghan Schaeffer

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

In recent years, the United States has been cracking down on immigration control, its political actions enforced by growing anti-Mexican sentiments that initially gained traction during the Great Depression. In March of 2025 I took a trip down to El Paso, TX to learn about the US-Mexican border crisis. I stayed with a refugee safehouse and listened to court officials, border patrol agents, immigration lawyers, and a number of refugees who had recently crossed the border and were in the process of applying for citizenship. The unjust and horrific stories I heard from all sides of the crisis were extremely …

Rhythms Of Learning, Eli W. Flaim

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Rhythms of Learning

Eli Flaim

Traditional Western education has typically assumed that learning occurs best at a desk in a classroom. However, much of my personal development has taken place outdoors and in motion through participating in and facilitating experiential learning. My capstone project aims to bridge these two worlds by exploring how outdoor education can be effectively integrated into higher education without necessitating wilderness expeditions or significant structural changes. I will discuss my journey in developing this project and share the findings of my research, highlighting the importance of outdoor education and practical ways to implement it in the …

The Ethics Of Meditation Instruction: Practice, Risk, And Responsibility, Wade Allen Pose

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Western clinical and commercial adoption of meditation and mindfulness practices has achieved remarkable reach, offering documented benefits for stress reduction, emotional regulation, and well-being. However, this rapid adoption has outpaced systematic attention to certain questions that traditional contemplative frameworks addressed through established protocols. This paper proposes a three-tier model distinguishing contemplative practice, mindfulness training, and intensive meditation, each with distinct characteristics warranting differentiated guidance. Drawing on comparative analysis of contemplative traditions, the regulatory parallel of clinical hypnosis, contemporary adverse event research, and a first-person case study, the paper identifies areas where current practice might be strengthened. Recent population-representative data indicate …

Questioning The Accusation That Francois Duvalier Impersonated Baron Samedi, Tess Rosbarsky

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Historians, anthropologists, and journalists have all claimed that Haitian dictator Francois Duvalier modeled his personal style after the Vodou spirit, or Loa, Baron Samedi. Guarding the crossroads between life and death, Baron Samedi is a member of the Gede family, a group of vulgar and mischievous spirits who mock authority. The Baron wears a top hat, dark suits, and sunglasses with one lens popped out. Duvalier’s signature look also included a black suit and hat which he paired with his thick lens glasses. This research provides evidence against this claim holding that these stylistic choices could more easily be explained …

Mission Vs. Margin: A Comparative Study Of Marketing Strategy In For-Profit And Nonprofit Organizations, Eliza Bentler

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This study examines how being a for-profit or nonprofit organization influences marketing strategy and strategic decision-making. While marketing is used by both types of organizations to communicate value and connect with audiences, differences in organizational goals can lead to different approaches. This research combines a review of existing literature with qualitative interviews from two local organizations in Montana: a nonprofit organization, Flathead Industries, and a for-profit business, Cambie Taphouse + Coffee.

The findings show clear differences in how marketing is approached across the two organizations. The nonprofit organization focuses more on mission-driven messaging, long-term awareness, and community impact, while the …

A Night In The Life Of A Female Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle, Wyatt J. Benson Mr.

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

A Night in the Life of a Female Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle

During the height of the mating season, Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) males aggregate on trees to fight against rivals over access to females. Males in this species are very well studied for their charismatic, large horns that constitute up to 30% of their body weight. However, winning fights is not enough to guarantee matings. Males must still perform complex courtship songs on the backs of females, and surprisingly, females ultimately choose only one male to mate with. Females may evaluate male quality via these songs, which serve as …

Connecting The University Community To Passenger Rail, Evyn L. Kolczak-Hardy, Delaney A. Stewart, Eleanor R. Hollingsworth

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Abstract

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) is a regional coalition of 12 Montana counties with a mission of improving and expanding passenger rail service throughout Montana and the greater northwest region. The BSPRA seeks to restore a passenger rail route that would connect Chicago to Seattle, passing through Montana, known as the Big Sky North Coast Corridor (BSNCC). The goal of QUEST is to provide a relevant, realistic, and research-based recommendation that assists the mission of the BSPRA. We identified a need to actively engage the BSPRA with the University of Montana which is a regional hub and …

Reclamation Of Native Identity: An Examination Of Language Revitalization Efforts, Brittney J. Wagner

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The Native American peoples of the United States have faced a history shaped by systemic oppression with the government since European settlers landed in the North American continent. This project focuses on Native American community efforts in revitalizing their languages, cultures, and ways of being. One of the traumatic long-lasting events that have affected Native American communities and individuals is federally and/or church run boarding schools. In the United States, there were approximately 300 schools that were open from 1860-1978. My hope with this project is to explore the history of assimilation and oppression the federal government attempted with these …

When Lightning Strikes Twice: Synchronous Appendiceal Neoplasms, Alston Gremillion, Eriq Krugman, Michaela Abraham, Farris Obaid, William Kliefoth

Research Day

Appendiceal neoplasms are often clinically silent until later stages, when they may mimic appendicitis with right lower quadrant (RLQ) or nonspecific abdominal pain. Neuroendocrine tumors, while rare in the overall population, are the most common appendiceal malignancies, with a prevalence of approximately 7 per 100,000. In comparison, low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMNs) make up 0.2-0.3% of appendectomy specimens. Mucoceles, frequently associated with mucinous neoplasms, vary in size, with the largest reported measuring 17cm by 4cm in 2005. We report a rare case of a large appendicular mucocele, measuring 10.7cm by 7.0cm, with final pathologies of both a LAMN and a …

Exploring The Misdiagnosis Of Schizophrenia In The Setting Of Underlying Neurological Disorders, Jade M. Mcnulty, Andrea N. Weir

Research Day

Introduction: Hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorganization are hallmark features of schizophrenia; however, these symptoms are not pathognomonic and may occur in a variety of neurological conditions. Current guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association during initial evaluation of psychosis recommend comprehensive psychiatric assessment and medical history, but routine neuroimaging is not considered standard of care in typical presentations. Failure to adequately investigate organic causes may result in delayed diagnosis and suboptimal treatment. In cases of atypical features or poor response to antipsychotics, clinicians should broaden the differential diagnosis and reconsider underlying neurological etiologies.

Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted to …

Language-Based Exclusion In Depression Clinical Trials: Implications For Generalizability, Kruti Patel, Natalia Santiago

Research Day

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects approximately 21 million U.S. adults annually. Nearly 22% of individuals in the United States speak a language other than English at home. Language-based exclusion criteria in clinical trials may limit participation of non-English-speaking populations and reduce external validity in psychiatric research.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of English-language requirements in U.S.-based adult depression clinical trials and assess the availability of translation accommodations.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional review of U.S.-based interventional clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov. Adult (≥18 years) trials focused on major depressive disorder were included. Pediatric-only trials were excluded. Trials were assessed …