Life Sciences Commons^™

Iron Nutrition In Hydroponically Grown Quinoa, Ezra A. Larsen, Daniel L. Lamb, Shannon V. Nelson, Geneva M. Bell, Bryan G. Hopkins

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

• Iron (Fe) deficiency is a global health challenge
• Fe is an essential plant nutrient and limiting factor for many food crops
• Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), a nutrient dense pseudocereal, is of growing importance for food security
• Quinoa is often grown in alkaline soil, where Fe is particularly limiting
• An improved understanding of how Fe affects quinoa growth could improve yields and help increase dietary iron intake

Investigating The Role Of Tnf In Hiv-1 Infected Cell Death, Brennan B. Wells, Sidney Sithole, Bradford Berges

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

HIV-1 is the causative agent of the terminal disease AIDS. Clinical studies have determined that patients infected with a mutant of HIV-1, Vpr-R77Q, do not progress towards AIDS. Subsequently, our lab has discovered two notable differences between the Vpr- R77Q variant and WT HIV-1: increased levels of apoptosis in infected cells (which is thought to contribute to the lack of AIDS progression), and decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines, namely Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). The purpose of this ongoing experiment is to investigate the potential inverse correlation between TNF levels and apoptosis levels through the introduction of additional TNF cytokines to …

Investigating The Mechanisms Of Yersinia Ruckeri Inhibition By A New Strain Of Pseudomonas Fjordensis, Kyler Linton, David Erickson

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Pacific freshwater fish are less likely than Atlantic freshwater fish to exhibit Enteric Redmouth Disease (ERM), or Yersiniosis as caused by Yersinia ruckeri. Based on the hypothesis that these fish may harbor commensal bacteria that inhibit Y. ruckeri growth, I isolated many kinds of commensal bacteria from fish intestines collected from Alaska and local streams. In previous studies, I have isolated novel bacteria capable of expressing inhibitory activity against Y. ruckeri via co-culture experiments. One of these bacteria is a strain of Pseudomonas fjordensis. Through genome-wide mutagenesis techniques, a possible gene has been unveiled that may be contributing to this …

Interspecific Dynamics Of Whitebark And Great Basin Bristlecone Pines In Nevada’S Ruby Mountains, Mayzie Ruggles, Sydney Jones, Zeb Mendenhall, Julyn Robinson, Steve Petersen

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

High-elevation five-needled pines are keystone species in mountain ecosystems, where they provide critical wildlife habitat, stabilize soils, and retain snowpack that prolongs streamflow downstream. As temperatures rise in response to climate change, these long-lived conifers face increasing pressures from wildfire, disease, and bark beetles. Understanding their interspecific interactions has become essential for conservation and effective forest management by determining if pine species compete with each other or facilitate each others growth and survival. The Ruby Mountains of northeastern Nevada represent the only known location where Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) cooccur with whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis). Despite the ecological …

Interactive Effects Of Salinity And Glyphosate On Wetland Soil Microbial Communities, Ryan Mortensen, Madison Brown, Rachel Wood

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Wetland soil microbes play an important role in maintaining ecosystem health by cycling nutrients, breaking down organic matter, and maintaining water quality. Herbicide exposure has been shown to alter the genetic composition and functional potential of soil microbial communities, including shifts in microbial nutrient cycling processes [1].

Two of the most prominent environmental stressors in Utah’s wetlands are excessive salinity and herbicide exposure. Increased salinity can change how herbicides move and persist in water, which may influence their ecological effects [2]. While each stressor has been studied independently, little is known about their combined effects on soil microbial community structure …

In Silico Studies Of Hiv-1 Vpr R77q Mutant’S Structure And Stability, Linnea Mason, Sidney T. Sithole, Bradford K. Berges

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is a retrovirus that infects CD4+ T cells. Without treatment, infection with HIV-1 usually leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is characterized as severe immunosuppression (CD4+ count: < 200cells/mm3 of blood). However, some individuals do not advance to AIDS and are known as long-term non-progressors (LTNP). Interestingly, a small viral protein of HIV-1, called viral protein R (Vpr), has been associated with HIV-1 progression. The R77Q mutant has been linked to the LTNP phenotype and increased levels of apoptosis; however, the mechanisms behind it are not yet understood [1]. Previously, our group has found that Vpr was expressed at lower levels in cells infected with R77Q virus compared to the wildtype (WT) virus by western blot [1]. Image quantification of the bands showed an approximate six-fold reduction in protein levels.

Improving Native Grass Germination With Seed Enhancement Technologies, Ronni Stauffer, Tanner Knapp, April Hulet, Matthew Madsen

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Faster germination aids invasive weeds’ competitive ability.

Several different seed enhancement technologies can help improve native grass germination.

Osmotic priming, solid matrix priming, and gibberellic acid (GA3) seed coatings are different techniques that have been shown to increase seedling germination in native plants.

Hamstrings Strength Is Influenced By Participation In Sports And Body Mass Across All Ages, Isaiah Guymon, Malorie Wilwand, A. Wayne Johnson

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Hamstrings (HS), is a group of 4 muscles in the legs.

With age, muscles atrophy in part from factors related to age and increased sedentary behavior.

The Nordic curl is an eccentric HS exercise often used in athlete training. The Nordboard is a device that measures this eccentric force while performing a Nordic curl.

PURPOSE: To examine and compare eccentric (lengthening phase of a movement) hamstrings average (avg) and max force production across varying sports and age.

Genetic And Morphological Comparison Between Introduced And Native Populations Of Aspidocelis Neomexicanus, Sadie Hale, Jordan Kirk, Arianna Moore, Perry Van Wagoner, Vicente Fernández Lara, Angelina Romero, Dallin Matthews, Álvaro Osuna Jiménez, Reagan Mckee, Randy Klabacka

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

The introduction of non-native species to novel ecosystems can have negative impacts on the environment, economy, and human health.

Understanding the processes driving patterns in dispersion, establishment, and expansion of introduced species can illuminate strategies to reduce the occurrence of introduction and mitigate its effects.

The New Mexico Whiptail (Aspidoscelis neomexicanus) is a parthenogenetic (asexually-reproducing) species of lizard in the family Teiidae.

Exploring The Impact Of Redox Perturbations On Optic Tectum Development And Behavior, Kevin Gray, Bailey Calder, Daniel Andersen, Parker Hamblin, Michael Zeyer, Arminda Suli

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

The optic tectum (OT), the non-mammalian counterpart of the mammalian superior colliculus (SC), integrates multisensory information and orchestrates behavioral responses such as reflexive movements and attention shifts. It is localized in the midbrain, where anterior-posterior patterning is regulated by transcription factors dependent on proper endogenous H2O2 levels. Recent studies have implicated the OT/SC and early redox imbalance in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Given the importance of H2O2 in midbrain development, we are investigating how redox perturbations may lead to atypical OT circuitry development and, subsequently, result in aberrant behavioral phenotypes, similar to those associated with ASD. …

Enhancing Metabolic Fitness Of Car T-Cells By Removing Cd6, Nate Neyman, Alka Guar, Annie Joy-Larson, Collin Mickelson, Scott Weber

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Honorable Mention - Poster Design

CAR T-cell therapy is a highly effective cancer treatment involving engineering the patient’s T-cells to recognize and kill cancerous cells. This therapy has shown great success for blood cancers but has faced many challenges against solid tumors.

Surrounding tumor cells there is a lack of essential nutrients (oxygen, glucose) for T-cells to metabolize efficiency. Additionally, there is a buildup of excess waste products that directly impair T-cell function (1). To overcome these obstacles, scientists are working on developing longer lasting T-cells with improved metabolism to improve efficacy against cancer cells.

The Story Behind The Waves: Effects Of Urbanization And Female Presence On Waving Behavior In Fiddler Crabs, Katelyn Hansen, Blaine Griffen

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Animal communication plays a central role in survival and reproduction, allowing individuals to convey information about their quality, territory, and reproductive statuses. Because signaling behaviors are often energetically costly and are dependent on both social contexts and habitat, they are sensitive to environmental conditions. Previous research has shown that male sand fiddler crabs (Leptuca pugilator) produce two distinct wave types: D-waves (typically directed towards other males) and up-and-down waves (typically directed toward females), and that they also reduce their waving behavior under urban stress. Urbanization introduces stressors such as habitat alteration and increased disturbances that can change the frequency and …

Discovery Of Short Antimicrobial Peptides In A Periplasmic Expression System, Joel Griffitts, Adam Dunn, Caleb Parker, Matthew Steed

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Short Antimicrobial peptides (sAMPs) have the potential to make a significant impact in the ongoing battle against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this project, we aim to discover new sAMPs using a novel peptide expression system in E. coli. Using this system, we have successfully identified various sAMPs by testing both rationally designed peptides and randomized peptide libraries.

Diaphragm Function Does Not Decline With Age In A Healthy, Normally Active Population, Elizabeth Martin, Ulrike Mitchell

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

3rd Place - Poster Design

• The diaphragm is an essential muscle in respiration. It contracts during inhalation and relaxes during exhalation.
• The effects of age on the diaphragm still require further research.
• Sarcopenia is the age-related decline in muscle mass, strength, and function.1,2
• To evaluate potential diaphragm sarcopenia, we measured diaphragm thickness and respiratory volume in a population of healthy older adults using ultrasonography and spirometry.

Development Of Seed Coating Technologies & Seeding Techniques To Improve Wildlife Habitat In The Sagebrush Steppe, Sage Johansen, Curtis Garlick, Corban Gibson, John Stromberg, Ryan Glover, Melissa Burrell, April Hulet, Brad Geary, Matt Madsen

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Honorable Mention - Poster Design

• The sagebrush steppe biome is disappearing at a rate exceeding 500,000 hectares per year. Restoring these degraded areas through the reseeding of native vegetation is essential for preserving wildlife habitat and maintaining critical ecosystem services. However, seeding efforts often end in failure, especially in hotter and drier parts of the sagebrush steppe.
• Rangeland seeds typically are sown near the soil surface, where the seed and unemerged seedlings experience high mortality due to factors such as seed predation, drought, freeze-thaw cycles, and pathogens. Seedlings also struggle to emerge from the soil due to soil crusting.
• However, …

Describing Soil Water Dynamics In A Kenyan Essential Oil Tree Orchard: Analyzing A Year Of Data To Diagnose Water Management Difficulties, Sarah C. Campbell, Katherine A. Anselmi, Bryan G. Hopkins, Jacob Katuva, Neil C. Hansen

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

In recent years, the demand for essential oils has increased as many people have begun to prefer more natural and organic remedies. Essential oil production provides unique potential income opportunities for small-holder farmers in the developing world. One type of oil is a tree crop called Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) where oil is extracted from flowers harvested from trees daily. A Ylang-ylang orchard in Kenya has been experiencing water management challenges during both rainy and dry seasons.

Derivation And Validation Of Age-Associated Prognostic Gene Signatures Across Breast Cancer Subtypes, John Speers, Adrienne Parsons, Elizabeth Feliciano, Sandra Mcallister, Lindsey Hale

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Relatively little research has been done investigating the effects of linear age on breast-cancer specific mortality . The development of age-associated gene signatures may reveal interesting gene-set patterns with therapeautic potential. We hypothesize that the separation of patients into age categories will yield more predictive gene-signatures than an age-agnostic approach.

Colorful Proteins: Engineering A Palette Of Novel Chromoprotein Variants, Blake Olson, Anna Bowman, Kyler Fullmer, Joel Griffitts

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

2nd Place - Poster Design

• Chromoproteins (CP) are naturally occurring proteins originating from corals or other marine invertebrates that exhibit colors determined by their chromophore region.1
• CPs have applications as biosensors, teaching tools, and agar art; therefore, there is a need for a wide variety of CPs.2
• Hypothesis: Editing amino acid residues around the chromophore will change the chromophore’s conformation, leading to a change in color.

Collegiate Basketball Athletes' Achilles Tendon Echogenicity Decreases Over A Season With No Difference In Size, Colton Glissmeyer, Malorie Wilwand, Camille Nguyen, Michael Davie, A. Wayne Johnson

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

3rd Place - Open House Presentation

• The Achilles tendon (AT) enables movements essential to athletes.
• Early AT injury indicators include increased cross-sectional area (CSA), thickening, and decreased echogenicity.
• This study investigated the change in AT CSA, thickness, and echogenicity in collegiate basketball athletes across one season.

Cholesterol‑Containing Membranes Decrease The Helicity Of The Snare Protein Snap‑25, Christopher E. Hunt Jr., Jason T. Carlson, Michael B. Connell, Fatima D. Dagohoy, Mike Sumison, Jonathan Madsen, Chase M. Tingen, Azer E. White, Tanner M. Blocker, Dixon J. Woodbury

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Neurotransmitter release in neurons requires membrane fusion between synaptic vesicles and the presynaptic membrane. Lipids in both membranes merge through the action of SNARE proteins including SNAP-25. Changes in SNAP-25 structure or lipid composition likely modify this process. SNAP-25 has two isoforms, SNAP-25A (25A) and SNAP-25B (25B), the expression patterns of these isoforms vary throughout different brain regions and neuronal developmental stages. In vivo SNAP-25 anchors to the presynaptic membrane via attachment of palmitic acid to at least one of the four cysteines. Here we show mixing SNAP-25 (not palmitoylated) with liposomes alters both protein structure and lipid properties. Using …

C-Fms Expresses In Early Progenitor Cells & Myeloid-Lineage Leukocytes Based On Analyzing Lineage Markers And Mapping On Ly6c X Cd31 Plots In Bone Marrow, Jane Lundgren, Kelly Amsden, Evan Boesl, Victoria Hall, Emily Shakespear, Pam Van Ry, Sandra Hope

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

The Mafia mouse model expresses the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in cells that utilize the macrophage-specific c-fms promoter. The c-fms promoter controls expression of receptor for Colony Stimulating Factor 1. We hypothesize that this promotor may be utilized in bone marrow progenitor cells in addition to the mature cell expression already known in macrophage lineage cells. For this study, bone marrow cells were analyzed by flow cytometry for the expression of c-fms, early progenitor markers, and lineage-specific markers. Expression was also mapped on a Ly6CxCD31 plot, which has been used to distinguish cells based on developmental stage and lineage. This …

Cd6-Knockout Car-T Cells Display Enhanced Cytotoxicity Against Lymphoma Cell Line, Annie Larson, Alka Gaur, Nate Neyman, Collin Mickelson, K. Scott Weber

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are genetically engineered T cells that target surface antigens on cancer cells, showing remarkable effectiveness in treating blood cancers [1]. However, CAR-T cells are currently not effective in treating solid tumors, as the tumor microenvironment poses physical and metabolic barriers to effective CAR-T cell function. A notable strategy for increasing CAR-T cell cytotoxicity in a tumor microenvironment is knocking out or overexpressing some genes of the T cell.

Reducing The Cost Of Muscle Volume Research, Jacob Green, Josh Vandenakker, Malorie Wilwand, Micahel Davie, Steven D. Arnold, A. Wayne Johnson

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

Honorable Mention - Open House Presentation

PROBLEM: Current MRI segmentation options consist of manual segmentation, requiring up to 6 hours per subject, or using segmentation companies that charge about 400$ per MRI.

Role Of Wadsley Defects And Cation Disorder To Enhance Monb12O33 Diffusion, Cj Sturgill, Manish Kumar, Nima Karimitari, Iva Millisavljevic, Coby S. Collins, Aaron Hegler, Hsin-Yun Joy Chao, Santosh Kiran Balijepalli, Scott T. Misture, Christopher Sutton, Morgan Stefik

Faculty Publications

Wadsley-Roth (WR) niobates have emerged as high-rate anode materials that can combine rapid ionic diffusion with good electronic conductivity. WR compounds have been defect-enhanced by limited annealing, however, such materials often contain multiple types of defects. In particular, both Wadsley defects (variable block size) and transition metal disorder have the potential to modify transport rates, however the corresponding effects are not well understood mechanistically. Here, MoNb12O33 (MNO) was calcined at two different temperatures to compare a defect-rich condition (MNO-800) with a proximal order-rich condition (MNO-900) as assessed through XRD, XANES, EXAFS, and STEM characterizations. Galvanostatically cycled lithium half cells of …

Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Creative Ways To Store Seeds, Aurora Hughes Villa, Kaitlin U. Campbell, Rita Hagevik, Kathy Cabe Trundle

All Current Publications

Seed saving, the practice of collecting and preserving seeds from plants (e.g., vegetables, herbs, and flowers), allows them to be planted in future seasons. It’s commonly used by home gardeners, farmers, and seed stewards. This fact sheet provides information on seed storage, cultural and historical connections, seed rematriation, creative ways to store seeds, and creative uses for seeds. Many resources are included.

Utah Altitude Adjustments For Home Canning, Margie Memmott, Ariel Petersen, Callahan Adams, Andrea Schmutz

All Current Publications

Knowing your altitude is critical for canning. Safe home food preservation depends on adjusting processing times and pressures for altitude. This fact sheet provides a county-by-county and town-by-town listing of elevations across Utah, paired with the boiling-water and pressure canner adjustments recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Center for Home Food Preservation. By referencing this resource, Extension educators, food preservation instructors, and home canners can quickly identify the correct processing adjustment for their location.

Effects Of Forest Management And Land Use Change On Soil Carbon In The Us Gulf Coastal Plain, Lucas E. Nave, Kendall Delyser, Grant M. Domke, Scott M. Holub, Adrienne B. Keller, Darren Miller, Kevin A. Solarik, Erik Schilling, Jason Vogel, Christopher W. Swanston

Michigan Tech Publications

The US Gulf Coastal Plain is a region of diverse forests and management systems and dynamic land use changes. These drivers affect carbon (C) stocks at ecosystem to regional scales, in turn affecting processes such as forest regeneration, hydrologic and biogeochemical cycling, and social and economic systems. We quantified land use change and forest management effects on C stocks in the Gulf Coastal Plain, focusing on soils, using two complementary approaches: meta-analysis of published literature and analysis of forest inventory data. Land use change had larger effects than forest management on soil C stocks at all scales. The direction and …

Comparison Of Sampling Methods For Estimation Of Aquatic Insect Diversity And Abundance Across Seasonal Gradients In A Southern U.S. River System, Albert Henry Gasperecz

LSU Master's Theses

Determination of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage composition plays a vital role in assessment and management of lotic systems throughout the U.S. However, the validity of biomonitoring programs depends on accurate and precise measures of macroinvertebrate abundance, which in turn are dependent on sampling gears and protocols. The goal of this project was to assess how gear selection influences estimates of aquatic insect abundance and diversity, and how this selection can affect biological monitoring practices. I used 4 different gears in 3 southern Mississippi streams to aquatically and terrestrially collect aquatic insects seasonally throughout 2024. I identified and recorded all genera present …

Genome Wide Association Study (Gwas) On Different Economic Traits And Epigenetic Stability Of Sweetpotato In Louisiana, Ajay Dhungana

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] is a globally important food, feed, and industrial crop, yet its improvement is constrained by a complex hexaploid genome, clonal propagation, and susceptibility to multiple diseases. In Louisiana, production is threatened primarily by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. batatas (Fusarium wilt) and Ceratocystis fimbriata (Black rot). Furthermore, the in vitro propagation methods essential for disease-free planting material and germplasm conservation can introduce epigenetic instability that undermines clonal fidelity. This dissertation integrates genome-wide association studies (GWAS), genotype by environment interaction (GEI) and DNA methylation profiling to dissect resistance mechanisms and assess epigenetic stability in Louisiana sweetpotato …

Curriculum For A Two Semester Calculus Course Specializing In Life Science And Data Science, Patrick Mcclain

LSU Master's Theses

Traditionally, introductory calculus has been designed for engineering and physics students, often leaving students majoring in data science or life sciences with a curriculum that lacks professional relevance and is overly reliant on problems that focus on computational fluency. This thesis proposes a two-semester sequence, called MATH 153X and MATH 154X, specifically tailored for the Louisiana State University (LSU) Dual Enrollment program and university-level data science and life sciences majors. By integrating modern computational tools—such as symbolic calculators and artificial intelligence (AI) tools—the proposed curriculum shifts the pedagogical focus from procedural symbolic manipulation toward conceptual literacy.

Through a series …