Meet the 2021-2022 Undergraduate Research Fellows

Kynslie Barnett Animal Sciences

Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture

Project Title: Monitoring Animal Well-being Using a Biometric Device in Swine

Mentor: Terry Brandebourg

Harrison Estes Applied Biotechnology

Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture

Project Title: The Role of Siderophores in Clinical and Agricultural Isolates of Fusarium

Mentor: Jeffrey Coleman

Samantha Harris Environmental Science and Chemistry

Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture

Project Title: The Impact of Heat-Humidity Extremes on Mortality and Morbidity Trends in Counties across the Sun Belt of the United States

Mentor: Di Tian

Susan Iott Environmental Science

Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture

Project Title:  Banana Lake: A Historical Analysis of Eutrophication

Mentor: Matthew Waters

Savannah Oglesby Animal Sciences, Pre-Vet

Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture

Project Title: Evaluating the Molecular Responses of Different Populations of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) to Warm Temperatures 

Mentor: Ian Butts

Walker Olive Applied Biotechnology

Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture

Project Title:  Identifying Species of Bacteria that Assist in Survival in Environments with an Extremely High Salt Content or High Temperature

Mentor: Kathy Lawrence

Gavin Rankins Animal Sciences, Animal/Allied Industries

Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture

Project Title:  Developing Tools to Analyze the Reliability of Molecular Markers to Discriminate Reproductive Potential in Beef Heifers

Mentor: Paul Dyce

Kylie Weis Applied Biotechnology

Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture

Project Title:  Assessment of Microbiome Diversity found within Honeybee Hives, the Correlation of the Microbiome to Hive Health, and the Effect of Varroa Mite Treatments on the Microbiome

Mentor: Geoffrey Williams

Mary Wessel Agricultural Business and Econ

Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture

Project Title: A study of Crop Insurance Fraud in Alabama

Mentor: Ruiquing Miao

James Craig Building Science

Sponsor(s): College of Architecture, Design, and Construction

Project Title:  Exploring Automation and Robotics for Construction with a Focus on Material Handling Protocols

Mentor: Jeff Kim

Peyton Gober Exercise Science

Sponsor(s): College of Education

Project Title: Risk Factors Associated with Upper Extremity Pain in Softball Athletes

Mentor: Gretchen Oliver

Johannes Allen Physics and Aerospace Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: Analysis of the Structure and Morphology of the Debris Field Aftermath of a Violent Outburst of Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1, using the Hubble Space Telescope

Mentor: Dennis Bodewits

Carolina Amezaga Materials Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: Developing an Electrochemical Biosensor to Detect SARS-CoV-2 Antigens, which will Facilitate the Rapid Diagnosis of COVID-19

Mentor: Xinyu Zhang

Lucy Bone Aerospace Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: Global Customer Mapping for Satellite Internet over the Next Decade

Mentor: Davide Guzzetti

Toby Crump Chemical Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: Solvent-based Separation Analysis: Solvent Screening and Optimal Design

Mentor: Selen Cremaschi

Jacob Dewey Aerospace Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: 

Mentor: Joseph Majdalani

Garrett Dickinson Software Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title:  Constructing Embedded Avionics Software for the Analysis of Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes Using CubeSats

Mentor: Micheal Fogle

William Ferris Aerospace Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title:  Self-Folding Supercapacitor: The Applications of Prestrained Polystyrene on Specialized Circuits

Mentor: Russell Mailen

Rizwan Halani Mechanical Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: The Design and Fabrication of a Novel Multistage Soft Robot

Mentor: Chad Rose

Brock Hunter Chemical Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title:  Transport and Physiochemical Properties of Polyether-based Hydrogel Membranes

Mentor: Bryan Beckingham

Madeline Kunze Chemical Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: Integration of Bioactivity – Global Natural Product Social Molecular Network (GNPS): Proof of Concept

Mentor: Angela Calderon

Daniel Michael Mechanical Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title:  Identifying Manual Material Handling Tasks using Wearable Sensors with Machine Learning

Mentor: Howrd Chen

Maggie Nelson  Aerospace Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: Processing and Application of Recycled Shape Memory Polymers 

Mentor: Russell Mailen

Andrew Parker Mechanical Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: 

Mentor: Vrishank Raghav

Mark Roces  Mechanical Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: Creating a Measurement Device for Quantifying Neuromuscular Impairment in Hands

Mentor: Chad Rose

Nicholas Rush Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title:  Data Prioritization through Machine Vision Applications for Large Scale Camera Arrays Used in Wind Tunnel Dynamics

Mentor: Michael Hamilton

Lucy Seay  Pre-Computer Science

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: Investigating Mechanisms of Memory Deficits and Altered Neurotransmission in Prenatal Cannabinoid Exposed Rodents

Mentor: Subhrajit Bhattacharya

Deepika Singla Aerospace Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title:  Characterization of Shape Memory Polymer in Space Environment

Mentor: Davide Guzzetti

Justus Smith  Biosystems Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: Determining the Ability of Algae to Support Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms in Vacillating Light Conditions

Mentor: Brendan Higgins

John Snitzer Materials Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title:  Probing Mechanical Heterogeneity of Additively Manufactured Stainless Steel using Digital Image Correlation

Mentor: Xiaoyuan Lou

Qinyi Tian  Computer Science

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: Particle Tracking Velocimetry(PTV) Based on Image Processing

Mentor: Brian Thurow

Jonathan Ting Mechanical Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: 

Mentor: Dan Marghitu

Sarah Tyndall  Biosystems Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: The Removal of Phosphorus from Agricultural Runoff Using Biochar

Mentor: Sushil Adhikari

Harrison Walker Materials Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title:  Fabrication and Characterization of Superconducting NbN Nanowires for use as Quantum Phase Slip Junctions

Mentor: Michael Hamilton

Emily Wilson Aerospace Engineering

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title:  Study of the Aerodynamic Interactions Between a Coaxial Rotor and a Wing for Application in Tail-sitter UAVs

Mentor: Vrishank Raghav

Juming Xiong  Computer Science

Sponsor(s): College of Engineering

Project Title: Image Processing for the PoDiMS (Pathways of Disparities in Multiple Sclerosis) Study

Mentor: Gopikrishna Deshpande

Virginia Betbeze Wildlife Ecology and Management

Sponsor(s): College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences

Project Title: 

Mentor: Christopher Lepczyk

Jaliyl Collins Natural Resources Management

Sponsor(s): College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences

Project Title:  Developing Adaptations to Mitigate Water Resource Inequalities in Alabama and Mississippi through a Comparative Assessment of Public Policy

Mentor: Kelly Dunning

Brieanne Dickson Microbiology

Sponsor(s): College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences

Project Title:  Analyzing how the Composition of Raw Materials Affects the Effectivity of an Antimicrobial Bio-based System

Mentor: Soledad Peresin

Madison McCown Wildlife Ecology and Management

Sponsor(s): College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences

Project Title:  Why did the Squirrel not make it Across the Road? Factors Associated with Road Mortality of Squirrels in Lee County, Alabama

Mentor: Todd Steury

Kate Norrid Wildlife Ecology and Management

Sponsor(s): College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences

Project Title:  The Effects of Urbanization on Stream Quality and Fish Nutrition and Health

Mentor: Bruce Lockaby

Victoria Stack Geospatial and Environmental Informatics

Sponsor(s): College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences

Project Title:  Sustainability at Auburn University: Assessing Solar Energy Potential with Remote Sensing and GIS

Mentor: Lana Narine

Drake Stallworth Wildlife Ecology and Management

Sponsor(s): College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences

Project Title: 

Mentor: Christopher Lepczyk

Emily Barnes  Global Studies

Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences

Project Title:  Nourish Wellness: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Combatting Nutrition Related Illness through Pediatric Care, Nutritional and Mental Wellness, and Physical Wellbeing

Mentor: Alicia Powers

Olivia Dettmering Interior Design

Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences

Project Title: Altering Kitchen Design to Incorporate Urban Homesteading

Mentor: Taneshia West Albert

Allison Kraabel  Interior Design

Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences

Project Title:  How Interior Design Combats the Loss of a Permanent Sense of Home for Adolescents in Orphanages or Temporary Homes and its Overall Affect on their Mental Healths

Mentor: Taneshia West Albert

Caitlin Powers Global Studies

Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences

Project Title: Zero Hunger Pathways Project

Mentor: Alicia Powers

Hollen Terry  Global Studies

Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences

Project Title:  Un Giardino di Comunione: Greenspace as a Restorative, Communal Site for Students Studying Abroad

Mentor: Lindsay Tan

Joshua Enger Biomedical Sciences

Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts

Project Title:  Alcohol Related Alterations in Immune Markers in Binge and Moderate Drinkers

Mentor: Sara Blaine

Lee (Taylor) Gusler Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior and Psychology

Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts

Project Title:  Percussion, Peer Bonding, and Pro Social Behavior: Implications of Percussion Education on the Overall Therapeutic Model in Adjudicated Youth

Mentor: Kelli Thompson

Hunter Hathorn Psychology

Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts

Project Title: 

Mentor: Sara Driskell

Jennifer Jones Quantitative Economics and Integrative Biology

Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts

Project Title:  Examining the Economic Community Effects of Nuclear Power Plant Construction

Mentor: Richard Seals

Allen Li Political Science and Economics

Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts

Project Title:  The U.S. Occupation of Post-World War II Germany: Media Content Analysis, 1945-1949

Mentor: Paul Harris

Anna O’Donell Speech, Language, and Hearing Science

Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts

Project Title:  Audiological Screening Protocol using a Novel Tablet Application: A validation study

Mentor: Aurora Weaver

Camille Preston Neuroscience

Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts

Project Title:  The Effect of Teacher Habit Formation on Preschoolers’ Activity Levels

Mentor: Danielle Wadsworth

Gabriella Thompson Psychology

Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts

Project Title: How Parental Relationships Impact Adolescents’ Social Interactions and Relationships When Entering College

Mentor: Sara Driscoll

Jordan Windham Political Science

Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts

Project Title:  How the White Manipulates National Crisis Narratives

Mentor: Matthew Clary

Katelyn Wolfe Theater Design and Production

Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts

Project Title:  Comedy or Tragedy: A Psychoanalysis on the Impact of Technical Elements on the Audience’s Perception of Absurdist Works

Mentor: Fereshteh Rostampour

Mackenzie Wood Psychology

Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts

Project Title:  Women’s Perceptions of Social Interactions after Sexual Violence

Mentor: Sara Driskell

Davis Arthur Physics

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Development of a multi-particle spectrometer

Mentor: Guillaume Laurent

Dorelle Fawwal Microbiology

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Bioactivity ccreening of novel streptomyces species 

Mentor: Mark Liles

Kerstin Glaser Geology/Psychology

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Analysis of pesticide contamination among oyster farms in Mobile Bay

Mentor: Ann Ojeda

Hayleigh Hallam Biomedical Sciences

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Factors associated with preventive cancer screening among diabetic patients as compared to their non-diabetic counterparts 

Mentor: Chiahung “Edward” Chou

Nathan Holden Applied Math; English

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Mathematically helping solar cells absorb more light 

Mentor: Junshan Lin

Madelyn James Biochemistry

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: New method for preparation of gold-on-glass electrodes that enables reusable DNA-based electrochemical biosensors  

Mentor: Christopher Easley

Erin LaGrone Biomedical Sciences

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Female dominance hierarchies of wild-derived mice (Mus musculus) 

Mentor: Wendy Hood

Regan Moss Microbiology/Neuroscience

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Heterogenentiy in trauma exposure and biopsychosocial health profiles of male sex trafficking survivors

Mentor: Lauren Rulhmann

Sarah Nix Biomedical Sciences

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: The influence of sleep on blood vessel function in younger to middle-aged adults 

Mentor: Austin Robinson

Emma Parmer Biomedical Sciences

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Quantifying emerging contaminants in Parkerson Mill Creek

Mentor: Ann Ojeda

Ryleigh Randall Laboratory Sciences

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Establishing an accurate water-corrected plasma:erythrocyte ratio for glucose, lactate, and pyruvate in human, pig, and chicken erythrocytes

Mentor: Andreas Kavazes

Abbriana Robert Biomedical Sciences

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Important features of Walking Adaptation: A look at the nervous systems ability to regulate and maintain Sensory input during split-belt walking 

Mentor: Jaimie Roper

Joshua Semmes Biomedical Sciences

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Morphological characteristics of ant communities among habitats of Alabama 

Mentor: Bill Wills

Haley Stephens Microbiology

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Developing a printable paper-based test for detection of malaria parasites in mosquitoes for global use in malaria control programs

Mentor: Sarah Zohdy

Jake Tatum Microbiology

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Generating a reliable method to quantitively measure and differentiate lytic and latent replication of the KSHV virus in different cell lines and stages of the virus’s life cycle

Mentor: Joanna Sztuba-Solinska

Avery Von Eiff Marine Biology

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Effects of climate change on coral reefs: Factors affecting recovery from thermal stress in Florida false corals  Ricordea Florida 

Mentor: Marie Strader

Anna Wilson Biomedical Sciences

Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics

Project Title: Changes in vascular collagen density and cerebral blood flow in cats with a phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes 15 kDa (PEA15) loss-of function mutation

Mentor: Emily Graff