Past fellows
College of Agriculture

Andrew Bradford Fisheries
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Quantifying the Effects of Different Environmental Conditions on Sperm Form and Function for Aquatic Species of Importance in Alabama
Mentor: Ian Butts

Meagan Reeves Animal Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Mitochondrial-Nuclear Interaction Between Breeds of Lean and Obese Pigs
Mentor: Terry Brandebourg

Lauren Shortnacy Animal Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Effect of the Wooden Breast Myopathy on Broiler Chicken Collagen and Myogenic Regulatory Factor Protein Expression
Mentor: Jessica Starkey

Brooke Johnson Environmental Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Inventory and Characterization of Gulf Coast Salt Marsh Soil Resources
Mentor: Joey Shaw

Ian Schlosser Biosystems Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Reclaiming AU Campus Sewage Through an Integrated Wastewater Treatment Process
Mentor: Yi Wang

Evan Webster Fisheries
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Assessment of Vendor Preferences and Perceived Quality in the Half-shell Oyster Market
Mentor: William Walton
College of Architecture Design and Construction

Dongnyeok Han Building Science
Sponsor(s): College of Architecture, Design, and Construction
Project Title: Strategies and Lessons Learned for Creating Virtual Reality Immersive Games for Construction Safety Training
Mentor: Salman Azhar
College of Education

Katie Corona Exercise Science
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: An uphill battle: understanding gait alterations in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Mentor: Jaimie Roper

Robert McLaughlin Exercise Science
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: Development of a More Convenient and Affordable Method of Measuring the Arch Height Index
Mentor: Christopher Wilburn

Kathryn Riis Exercise Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: Get a Grip: Investigation of Non-Slip Socks on Locomotive Parameters in High-Risk Population for Falls
Mentor: Christopher Willburn

Carley Wilson Exercise Science
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: Changes in Sleep Efficiency in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder during an Adapted Tennis Intervention
Mentor: Melissa Pangelinan

Caroline Kirkham Exercise Science
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: Influence of Lower Extremity in Softball Pitching
Mentor: Gretchen Oliver

Ryleigh Randall Laboratory Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: The Impact of Lactation on Autophagy and Mitochondrial fission and fusion in the Liver and Skeletal Muscle
Mentor: Andreas Kavazis

Alanis Smith Integrative Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: Inhibitory Control in Musicians vs. Non-musicians
Mentor: Kristina Neely
Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

Ryan Anthony Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Optimization Study of the Synthesis Process for the Mo²C MXene
Mentor: Majid Beidaghi

Noah Blackwood Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Exploring Superparamagnetic Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles as Alternative MRI-T1 Contrast Agents
Mentor: Allan David

Michaela Bush Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Developing MATLAB Code for Analysis of Heterogeneous Engineered Cardiac Tissue during Contraction
Mentor: Elizabeth Ann Lipke

Watson Copeland Aerospace Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: The Acoustics of a Carbon Fiber Guitar
Mentor: Edmon Perkins

Lily Gong Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Click Chemistry Towards Allyl-polymer MRI contrast agents: solubility, kinetics, and magnetic responses
Mentor: Bryan Beckingham

Tina Huang Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Improving Polymer-Modified Asphalt by Changing the Characteristics of Block Copolymers Using Click Chemistry
Mentor: Bryan Beckingham

Seth Johnston Biosystems Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Studying the Relevance of Stomatal Characteristics on Drought Tolerance in Peanut
Mentor: Alvaro Sanz Saez

Christy Manning Civil Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: The Effects of Impregnation on Catalyst Pellets
Mentor: Marta Miletic

Andrew Moore Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: In Vitro 3D Colorectal Cancer Model Using PEG-fibrinogen Hydrogels
Mentor: Elizabeth Ann Lipke

Hayden Patteson Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Temperature Control/Sensor for In-situ Sea Turtle Nests
Mentor: Edmon Perkins

Elizabeth Prior Civil Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Effectiveness of Measuring the Turbidity of Waterways with Multispectral Imaging Obtained by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Mentor: Frances O’Donnell

Jonathan Schuler Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Engineering Lignin Transformation Mechanisms to Create Value-added Products using Atomistic Modeling
Mentor: Andrew Adamczyk

Philip Snitzer Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: How Waste Heat from a Process Can Be Repurposed and/or Stored to Make Other Areas of the Process More Efficient and Reduce Waste Heat Being Released to the Atmosphere
Mentor: Jay Khondadadi

Jacob Stotser Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Development of MATLAB Trip/Slip Algorithms to Investigate the Effectiveness of Treadmill-based Perturbation Training
Mentor: Jaimie Roper

Christopher Weathers Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: MRI-Based Quantification of Tibiofemoral Alignment of Female Athletes
Mentor: Michael Zabala

Cameron Baker Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Analysis of Airborne Soldier Load Carriage Gait
Mentor: Michael Zabala

Justin Box Bioprocess Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Analyzing the Effect of Antimicrobial Processing Aids in Poultry Processing Wastewater and Investigating the Use of Eukaryotic Algae in Collaboration with Bacteria to Treat Poultry Processing Waste Water
Mentor: Brendan Higgins

David Carpenter Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Analyzing the Frequencies that Influence Soft Tissue Artifact
Mentor: Michael Zabala

Max Garton Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Damping Effects of a Particle Damper on a Torsional Pendulum
Mentor: Edmon Perkins

Levi Gosdin Aerospace Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Quantifying the Unsteady Aerodynamics of Raptors
Mentor: Vrishank Raghav

Sierra Jacobs Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Do Biomechanical Measures Change During a Drop-jump Landing with a Cognitive Task?
Mentor: Jaimie Roper

Tarun Kore Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Computational Fluid Dynamics Study of Expiratory Flows in the Human Trachea
Mentor: Vrishank Raghav

Catherine McConatha Materials Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Corrosion of Additively Manufactured 316L Stainless Steel Bio-implants in Simulated Human Body Fluid
Mentor: Xiaoyuan Lou

Zane Oligee Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Chemical Abrasive Flow Polishing of Micro-Channels for use in Additively Manufactured Inconel 718 Heat Exchangers
Mentor: Scott Thompson

Johann Phan Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: The Effects of Arm’s Length on Batted Ball Speed and Distance
Mentor: Gretchen Oliver

Aura Reyna Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Shape Memory Polymer Programming Techniques
Mentor: Russel Mailen

Anna Catherine Smith Industrial Systems Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Utilizing the Tools of Visual Media to Aid STEM Practitioners in Reporting their Findings Simply and Effectively
Mentor: Edmon Perkins

Helen Steeve Materials Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Optimizing Stereolithography 3D Printing for use with Biodegradable Resins
Mentor: Edward Davis

Zachary Wadzinski Aerospace Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: A Method of Containing Near-Source Undegraded Floating Plastic
Mentor: Mark Dougherty

Madison Wichmann Biosystems Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: The Assessment of Stream Bank Stability vs. Time and of the Relationship Between Plant Roots and Soil Aggregation
Mentor: Thorsten Knappenberger
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences

Eian Davis Geospatial and Environmental Informatics
Sponsor(s): College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Streamflow Trend Analysis in the State of Georgia to Determine Changes in Water Availability
Mentor: Sanjiv Kumar

Abby Hagelskamp Wildlife Sciences/Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Sponsor(s): College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Creating a Social Survey to Analyze Differential Veterinary Care Cost for Indoor Versus Outdoor House Cat (Felis Catus) in the South Eastern Region
Mentor: Christopher Lepczyk

Abigail Morgan Wildlife Sciences/Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Sponsor(s): College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Cat and Island Ecosystems: Zoonotic Pathogens in Feral Cats in Hawaii, Madagascar, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Mentor: Sarah Zohdy

Allison Gary Wildlife Sciences/Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Sponsor(s): College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Creating a Social Survey to Analyze Differential Veterinary Care Cost for Indoor Versus Outdoor House Cat (Felis Catus) in the South Eastern Region
Mentor: Christopher Lepczyk

Jace McCauley Forestry
Sponsor(s): College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: How Change in Temperature Patterns Affect Pine Sawflies in the South Eastern United States
Mentor: Lori Eckhardt

Gabrielle Ripa Wildlife Ecology and Management
Sponsor(s): College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: The Effect of Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense), an Invasive Shrub, On Herpetofaunal Communities
Mentor: Christopher Anderson
College of Human Sciences

Beatriz Carmona Nutrition Science
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: The Effects of Obesity and Metabolic Dysfunction on the Rhythmicity of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
Mentor: Michael Greene

Aaron Riviere Nutrition: Dietetics
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: Zonulin levels decline in serum and fecal samples after the addition of green leafy vegetables to a high red meat diet in obese individuals with high risk for colorectal cancer.
Mentor: Andrew Frugé

Anna Fouty Nutrition Science
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: Salivary Amylase Gene Copy Number and Childhood Obesity
Mentor: Geetha Thangiah
College of Liberal Arts

Abigail Bennett Communication Disorders
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Using an Interactive Phonetics Learning Management System and User-Centered Design to Inform Phonetics Education Methods
Mentor: Marisha Speights

Jorge Castro Lebron Neuroscience/ Musical Performance-Voice
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Allophone and Syllable Stress Perception in Spanish as a Second Language
Mentor: Gilda Socarras

Kaitlyn Connor Neuroscience
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Psychophysiological Correlates of Pain in Cannabis Users and Non-Users
Mentor: Jennifer Robinson

Lily Fess Art History
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: The Repatriation of Art Objects Taken from the Kingdom of Benin During Late Nineteenth-Century British Colonialism
Mentor: Emily Burns

Elizabeth Murphy Communication Disorders
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Auditory Brainstem Responses to Altered Orchestral Music
Mentor: Sridhar Krishnamurti

Adam Sienkiewicz Health Services Administration
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Asking the Right Questions: The Demanding Task of Developing an Interactive Survey Instrument for Hospitalized Pediatric Patients
Mentor: Haneen Ali

William West History
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Slavery and Politics in Antebellum Auburn
Mentor: Kelly Kennington

Brianna Burks Communication Disorders
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Event Boundary Effects on Speech in Physical and Virtual Reality Environments
Mentor: Dallin Bailey

Natalie Conboy Psychology/ Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Development of a Comprehensive Measure for the Cognitive Attentional Syndrome
Mentor: Joseph Bardeen

Sarah Etherton Neuroscience
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Finding the Neurofunctional Topography of the Human Hippocampus using fMRI
Mentor: Jennifer Robinson

Taylor Mitchell Psychology
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Anxiety Levels in Adolescents Adjudicated for Illegal Sexual Behavior
Mentor: Kelli Thompson

Leslie Schuneman Art History
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: The Ideas of Materiality and Unfinished Quality: A Closer Look at Auguste Rodin’s Sculptures
Mentor: Emily Burns

Mary Grace Vinson English Literature
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Plas Newydd: Mapping the Networks of the Ladies of Llangollen
Mentor: Emily Clair Friedman

Victoria Zona Neuroscience
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Determining How Images of Different Exercise Contexts are Spontaneously Registered in the Brains of Non-exercisers Via Electroencephalography (EEG)
Mentor: Matthew Miller
Harrison School of Pharmacy

Alison Beverly Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Cytokine Recepto CXCR3 Blockade Enhances Hyperexcitability and Synaptic Transmission Changes That Occur Following a Peripheral Viral Infection
Mentor: Miranda Reed

Marissa Dogan Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Investigating the Role of the Lateral Entorhinal Cortex in Alzheimer’s Disease
Mentor: Miranda Reed

Shivani Rangari Biomedical Sciences/Pre-Medicine
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Formulation of Acyclovir and Lidocaine Topical Gels for Herpes Simplex Virus Infection
Mentor: Jayachandra Ramapuram

Kavon Diggs Biomedical Sciences/Pre-Pharmacy
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Factors Influencing Medicare Beneficiary’s Decisions Regarding Medicare Plan Selection
Mentor: Salisa Westrick

Connor Jones Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Tofacitinib Analogs as Agents for MPO Inhibition
Mentor: Forrest Smith
College of Sciences and Mathematics

Angela Burns Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Evaluation of the Influence of Work and Heat Exposure on Physiological Measures in Firefighters
Mentor: JoEllen Sefton

Andrew Caskey Chemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: A New Synthetic Approach to the Paracyclophane Core of the Anti-cancer Alkaloid Hauamine A
Mentor: Bradley Memer

Sarah Beth Dolinger Biomedical Sciences/Pre-Physical Therapy
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Studying the Effects of a Wellness Fair Program on High School Students’ Mental and Physical Health
Mentor: Melissa Pangelinan

Noah Gibson Chemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Synthetic Exploration of Metal Catalyzed Cu²O Formation Using a Hot Injection Methodology
Mentor: Kristina Neely

Leann Kopp Mathematics
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Improving 3D Reconstruction Algorithms Using Computational and Numerical Algebraic Geometry
Mentor: Luke Oeding

Kyle Oswalt Integrative Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Investigating Ganglia Importance in Discontinuous Gas Flow Patterns of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches (Gromphadorhina Partentosa).
Mentor: Arthur Appel

Jacob Sinopoli Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Design and Optimization of Microfluidic Droplet Traps Using High Resolution, 3D-printed Templates
Mentor: Christopher Easley

Brady Unzicker Physics
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Exact Characterization of Attosecond Pulses Using Atomic Hydrogen Wavefunctions
Mentor: Guillaume Laurent

Natalie Williams Microbiology
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Antibacterial Properties of Europa Lander Solid Rocket Motor Adhesive, EA9394, Against Sporulating Gram-positive Bacteria
Mentor: Mark Liles

Abigail Campbell Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Evaluation of the Effects of Work and Heat Exposure on Cognitive Function in Firefighters
Mentor: JoEllen Sefton

Brett Clark Physics and Mathematics
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Effectiveness of Identifying Liquefaction Deposits from Large-Scale Earthquakes using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Mentor: Lorraine Wolf

Michael Erwin Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Can Inhibitory Control be Trained?
Mentor: Kristina Neely

John Grundhoefer Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: The Investigation of Emissive Properties of Imine and Hydroxyl-Coordinated Luminescent Lanthanide Complexes
Mentor: Anne Elizabeth Gordon

Regan Moss Microbiology/Pre-Medicine/Neuroscience
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Heterogeneity in Trauma Exposure and Biopsychosocial Health of Male Sex Trafficking Survivors
Mentor: Lauren Ruhlmann

Holden Paz Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: The Role of p62 Ubiquitination in Viral Infection
Mentor: Jason Upton

Xavier Streety Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Investigating Late-stage Polypeptide Diversification Via Formation of Twisted Amides
Mentor: Monika Raj

Ansley Welham Organismal Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Science and Mathematics
Project Title: Isolation and Cultivation of Human and Plant Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria from the Snouts of Locally Sources Sus Scrofa in South Alabama
Mentor: Lori Eckhardt
Nursing

Trae Anderson Nursing
Sponsor(s): College of Nursing
Project Title: Recruitment of Underrepresented Populations Into Health Outcomes Research: Review of the Literature and Strategies for Recruitment
Mentor: Caralise Hunt
College of Agriculture

Elizabeth Brown Animal Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Calving season and rumen-protected methionine on epigenetic control of beef production
Mentor: Dr. Sonia Mosia

Olivia Reid Animal Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: NICD over-expression in the Notch signaling pathway affects the organization of the adrenal gland
Mentor: Dr. Jeff Huang

Anna Gierow Animal Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Comparative Transcriptomics Between Porcine and Cattle Oocytes.
Mentor: Dr. Fernando Biase

Andrew Keel Animal Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Effect of dietary protein source and litter condition on broiler chicken growth performance and interstinal stem cell activity
Mentor: Dr. Jessica Starkey
College of Architecture Design and Construction

Kara Boyer Building Science
Sponsor(s): College of Architecture Design and Construction
Project Title: Creating a tiny home building code to positively effect long-term sustainability
Mentor: Dr. April Simons

Kyra Stark Architecture
Sponsor(s): College of Architecture Design and Construction
Project Title: Incorporating passive design into the beginning design process
Mentor: Dr. Justin Miller
College of Education

Abigail Brittain Exercise Science
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: Sport specialization and teaching patterns in youth athletes
Mentor: Dr. Gretchen Oliver

Arlene Maheu Exercise Science
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: The cognitive effects of 'green exercise' on adolescents diagnosed with ADHD
Mentor: Dr. Ford Dyke

Katherine Corona Exercise Science
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: An uphill battle: understanding gait alterations in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Mentor: Dr. Jaimie Roper

Carley Wilson Physical Activity and Health
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: The Influence of Physical Activity on Sleep Quality in Children and Young Adults
Mentor: Dr. Melissa Pangelinan
Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

Reid Adams Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Elucidating structure-activity relationships of metal oxide and metal carbide catalysts via a novel raman-spectrokinetic approach
Mentor: Dr. Carlos Carrero

Ashely Baerlocher Materials Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Mechanical Properties of Solid-State Electrolytes
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Fergus

Jacob Bensinger Civil Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Assessment of porosity-permeability relationships for 3D pore network models undergoing pore-scale dissolution and precipitation
Mentor: Dr. Lauren Beckingham

Tyler Compher Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Lumped Parameter Modeling Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Blood Flow
Mentor: Dr. Vrishank Raghav

Danielle Elmore Microbial, Cellular, and Molecular Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Tissue clearing techniques to improve hemodynamic testing of heart valves
Mentor: Dr. Vrishank Raghav

Bryana Harris Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Examining the Effects of Tissue Geometry on Cardiomyocyte Maturation in 3D Developing Human Engineered Cardiac Tissues
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Lipke

Rachel Howell Ecological Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Development of a bench-scale flume reactor for benthic filamentous algae colonization studies
Mentor: Dr. David Blersch

Katelyn Jenkins Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: The Biomechanical Effect of Body-Borne Loads on Airborne Soldiers
Mentor: Dr. Michael Zabala

Keith Krause Electrical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Investigation of the performance and energy consumption of superconducting adiabatic computing circuits
Mentor: Dr. Michael Hamilton

Ryan Long Aerospace Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Self-Folding Origami
Mentor: Dr. Russell Mailen

Rebecca Mulholland Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Impact Dynamics of a 3D printed Piano Hammer
Mentor: Dr. Edmon Perkins

Isabel Perry Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Impact Dynamics of Strings with Vibration Controls
Mentor: Dr. Edmon Perkins

Joshita Suresh Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Engineering in vitro prostate cancer tumor tissue to test the efficacy of anticancer therapeutics
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Lipke

Tyler Toner Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Model predictive controller sensitivity to errored parameters for a cruise controlled heavy truck convoy in simulation
Mentor: Dr. David Bevly

Anna Vescio Materials Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Controlled release from topical ointments modified with halloysite nanotubes
Mentor: Dr. Edward Davis

Liam Wood Materials Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Halloysite based Antibacterial Paints
Mentor: Dr. Edward Davis

Luke Anderson Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Engineering in vitro three-dimensional colorectal cancer tissue models from patient-derived xenografts for application in personalized medicine
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Lipke

Erin Batcho Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Canine Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at 7T MRI
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Denney

Kelly Burnham Aerospace Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: The Non-Isentropic Solution to the Taylor-Culick Profile for Cylindrical and Slab Rocket Motors
Mentor: Dr. Joseph Majdalani

Kareem El-Kattan Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Synthesizing Peptide Sequences to Target Prostate Cancer Cells
Mentor: Dr. Allan David

Caroline George Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Development of a functional ex-vivo porcine heart to test and improve mitral valve repairing techniques
Mentor: Dr. Vrishank Raghav

Bryan Holmes Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Modeling of Photosynthetic Aeration for Energy Efficient Wastewater Treatment Processes
Mentor: Dr. Brendan Higgins

Mengyang (Claudia) Hu Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Using post polymerization click-chemistry approaches to incorporate magnetic properties within polymer structures to prepare polymeric T1, T2 or T1 and T2 MRI contrast agents
Mentor: Dr. Bryan Beckingham

LeeAnn Johnston Ecological Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Exploring the Removal of Excess Nutrients and Heavy Metals From Polluted Water Bodies Through the Use of Macrophytes and Microorganisms
Mentor: Dr. Alan Wilson

Hudson Land Biosystems Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: The Assessment of Protein Feedstock Value of Cultivated Algal Biomass for Aquaponics Waste Nutrient Recycling
Mentor: Dr. David Blersch

Noah Miller Aerospace Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Harnessing Solar Energy to Perform Self-Folding Origami
Mentor: Dr. Russell Mailen

Mina Narayanan Software Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Adversarial Authorship: Exploring Features for Author Identification
Mentor: Dr. Gerry Dozier

Elizabeth Prior Civil Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Effectiveness of Measuring the Turbidity of Waterways with Near Infrared Imaging Obtained by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Mentor: Dr. Frances O'Donnell

David Teitge Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Design and Construction of a Phase Change Flight Experiment for the International Space Station using micro-structured surfaces
Mentor: Dr. Sushil Bhavnani

Kelly Turner Civil Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Modeling the Influence of Ground Surface Roughness and Building Attributes on the Physical Vulnerability of Low-Rise Buildings to Hurricane Winds
Mentor: Dr. David Roueche

Eric Wietstruk Aerospace Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Study of the Aerodynamic Response of Birds to Turbulent Weather Conditions
Mentor: Dr. Vrishank Raghav
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences

Cullen Anderson Wildlife Ecology and Management
Sponsor(s): Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Spatial and Temporal Effects of Rural Mennonite Communities on Jaguar (Panthera onca) Populations in Belize
Mentor: Dr. Todd Steury

Kayla Krigger Wildlife Sciences
Sponsor(s): Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: The effects of temperature, air pressure, humidity, and habitat on the preferred bloodmeal of Aedes albopictus
Mentor: Dr. Sarah Zohdy

James Shortnacy Wildlife Ecology Management
Sponsor(s): Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Estimating the Proportion of White-tailed Deer Illegally Harvested over Bait in Eastern Alabama
Mentor: Dr. William Gulsby

Arielle Fay Wildlife Ecology and Management
Sponsor(s): Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Impacts of Wild Pigs on Acorn Availability
Mentor: Dr. Mark Smith

Alex Merchinsky Wildlife Sciences
Sponsor(s): Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Ant Foraging Behavior Under Artificially Manipulated Temperatures
Mentor: Dr. Robert Gritzen & Dr. Christopher Lepczyk
College of Human Sciences

Emily Parra Nutrition Science
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: Lifestyle Determinants of Childhood Obesity in Elementary School Children
Mentor: Dr. Geetha Thangiah

Savannah Rundquist Nutrition-Dietetics
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: Exploring the effects of a high chlorophyll dietary intervention to reduce colon cancer risk in adults: The Meat and Three Greens (M3G) Feasibility Trial
Mentor: Dr. Andrew Fruge
College of Liberal Arts

Lauren Allison Communication Disorders
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Quantification of upper airway thermoregulation and vocal dose in indoor cycling fitness instructors with and without amplification: implications for vocal health
Mentor: Dr. Mary J. Sandage

Emma Goodwin English Literature
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: A More Virtuous Vice: An Intersection Between Games and Religion in Eleventh-Century Cambrai
Mentor: Dr. Kate Craig

Taylor Mackowski Spanish
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: L2 Spanish Learners’ Auditory Perception of Gender and Number and its Role in Relative Clause Attachment Resolution
Mentor: Dr. Daniel Vergara

Katie Martin English
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: The Impact of Document Design on Alcohol-Harm Awareness
Mentor: Dr. Helen Eldson

Jordan Wade Art History
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Defining and Discussing Afrofuturist Appropriations
Mentor: Dr. Kathryn Floyd

Pate Brunner Music Performance and Economics
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: A Musical and Historical Analysis of Jazz Trombone Performance and its Technical Adaptation in the Bebop Era and Beyond
Mentor: Dr. Michael Pendowski

Barbara Laughlin Psychology
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Perception of Situations Through Word Connotation: Impact on Anxiety
Mentor: Dr. Alejandro Lazarte

Stevan Marcus Economics
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Water Contamination and Infant Health in West Alabama
Mentor: Dr. Duha Altindag and Aditi Segupta

Haley Maul Psychology
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Workplace Decision Making and Risk Taking
Mentor: Dr. Ana Franco-Watkins

Sarah Webb Art History
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Exploring the relationships between the arts of the Kuba Kingdom and the Congo missionary outreach of the American Presbyterian church
Mentor: Dr. Kathryn Floyd
Harrison School of Pharmacy

Ayaka Fujihashi Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Assessment of the Neurotoxic Effects of Prenatal Nicotine and Alcohol Exposure on Hippocampus and Cortex of Rodents
Mentor: Dr. Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran

Ellery Jones Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Autotaxin and glutamatergic dysregulation in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Mentor: Dr. Vishnu Suppiramaniam

Shannon Maguire Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: The development of novel SIRT3 agonist for mitigating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Mentor: Dr. Rajesh Amin

Shivani Rangari Biomedical Sciences/Premed
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Improved Topical Delivery of Acyclovir on a Nanogel Formulation for Herpes Labialis.
Mentor: Dr. Jay Ramapuram

Elena Skarupa Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Treatment mediated differences in gene expression in multicellular 3D models of human breast cancer
Mentor: Dr. Robert Arnold

Ivy Hall Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Understanding How to Best Track Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) Infections in a Murine Model by Use of Fluorescence or Photo-acoustic Imaging
Mentor: Dr. Peter Panizzi

Tyler Lynd Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Honokiol Rescues Mitochondrial Functioning in a Parkinson’s Model
Mentor: Dr. Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran

Madison Patrick Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Correlation of MtSK Inhibitory Activity with Chemical Constituents in Alpinia galanga Identified by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry: A Biochemometrics Study Case
Mentor: Dr. Angela Calderon

Jack Schwartz Molecular and Cellular Biology
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Use of Ketone Bodies as a Therapeutic for Alzheimer’s Disease
Mentor: Dr. Miranda Reed
College of Sciences and Mathematics

Daniel Akwa Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: The Roles of the Mitochondrial Carrier Family in Metal Homeostasis
Mentor: Paul Cobine

William Bowers Physics
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Electronic Surface Reconstruction and Defect Characterization in Complex Oxide Thin Films
Mentor: Ryan Comes

Milica Courtenay Integrative Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Testing whether sex-specific senescence in the lizard, Anolis sagrei, translates to the cellular level
Mentor: Dr. Tonia Schwartz

Kacie Florus Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Changes in Endothelial Cell Density in Sections of Cerebrum from PEA15 Mutant and Non-Mutant Cats.
Mentor: Dr. Emily Graff

Peyton Kuhlers Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Development of an in vitro model to evaluate novel genes regulating inflammation and fibrosis
Mentor: Dr. Michael Green

Amanda Mish Pre-Veterinary Medicine of Wildlife Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Testing the functional role of carotenoid coloration on survival from UV stress in the marine copepod, Tigriopus californicus
Mentor: Dr. Geoffrey Hill

Amanda Myles Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Characterizing the Role of Periplasmic Nitrate Reductase in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Physiology
Mentor: Dr. Sang-Jin Suh

Morgan Sisk Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Investigation of antibacterial properties of adhesives used in the Europa Lander Mission
Mentor: Dr. Mark Liles

Phillip Wang Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Investing the role of diet and coloration on survival and vitality outcomes in the marine copepod, Tigriopus californicus
Mentor: Dr. Geoffrey Hill

Matthew Dylan Wilson Microbial Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: The role of PEA15 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in feline fibroblasts
Mentor: Dr. Emily Graff

Carson Blankenship Molecular Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: “Shock and Kill” Strategy against Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus: Defining Target Specificity and Potency of a Novel Antiviral Compound
Mentor: Dr. Joanna Sztuba-Solinska

Sabrina Cline Microbial, Cellular, and Molecular Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Understanding PAN’s Labyrinth: Tracking the subcellular localization of the oncogenic PAN RNA using in situ fluorescence microscopy techniques
Mentor: Dr. Joanna Sztuba-Solinska

Sarah Dolinger Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: The relationship between mental health, stress, and social supports in health profiles for high school athletes.
Mentor: Dr. Melissa Pangelinan

Katherine Hunter Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Exploring fundamental uranium and thorium chemistry using redox-active Schiff base ligands
Mentor: Dr. Anne Gorden

Sam Lubor Cell/Molecular Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Measuring and Comparing Oxidative Damage and Mitochondrial Function in Mammalian and Avian Species
Mentor: Dr. Wendy Hood

Jacob Mayhugh Chemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Synthesis and characterization of zinc (II) bis(pyrrole)phenylenediamine complexes
Mentor: Dr. Anne Gordon

Alisa Mobley Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Synthesis and characterization of block-copolymers towards smart gating insulin release membranes
Mentor: Dr. Bryan Beckingham

Abigail Putz Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Self-Efficacy of Mainstream Pre-Service and In-Service Teachers for English Language Learners
Mentor: Dr. Jamie Harrison

Morgan Tatum Physics
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Development of a COLTRIMS spectrometer for observing laser-atom interactions
Mentor: Dr. Marc Guillaume

Matthew Westerfield Chemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: A Measure of Potency of Novel Protein Synthesis Inhibitors Using In vitro Translation Assay
Mentor: Dr. Alexey Petrov

Emma Yonan Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Physiological responses of invasive cane toad (Rhinella marina) from Florida: how stress affects immune response and locomotor performance
Mentor: Dr. Mary Mendonca
University College/Aviation

Shelby Potter Aerospace Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Effects of Severe Weather Phenomena on Commercial Aviation Accidents and Incidents
Mentor: Dr. James Birdsong
College of Agriculture

Kenzley Defler Environmental Science
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title:
Mentor: Dr. Loka Ashwood

Sara Gorman Animal Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Developing a molecular assay in order to identify healthy oocytes, by utilizing surrounding support cells.
Mentor: Dr. Paul Dyce

Judson Powell Poultry Science
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: The Effects on Broiler Chicken Feeding Behavior and Nutrient Intake While Using Different Particle Sizes and Controlling Proportions of Fines
Mentor: Dr. Charles Starkley

Madison Gohlke Animal Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Impact of Mitochondrial Nuclear Exchange on Obesity and Metabolic Disease in Swine
Mentor: Dr. Terry Brandebourg

Rachel Kuntz Environmental Science
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Effectiveness of bioretention media to reduce toxicity of stormwater on daphnia.
Mentor: Dr. Thorsten Knappenberger

Mary Jo Toohey Food Science
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: The effect of UV light on the long term stability of rebaudioside-A (high intensity sweetener).
Mentor: Dr. Leonard Bell
College of Architecture Design and Construction

Max Garcia Environmental Design
Sponsor(s): College of Architecture Design and Construction
Project Title: The impact of street design on pedestrian’s perceptions and commuting patterns.
Mentor: Dr. Yunmi Park
College of Education

Abigail Brittain Exercise Science
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: Kinematics of the Polo Swing
Mentor: Dr. Gretchen Oliver

Madison Edwards Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: The effect of a bicycle learning program on motor and cognitive abilities among children and teens with developmental disabilities.
Mentor: Dr. Melissa Pangelinan
Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

Njeri Bennett Industrial and Systems Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: I will be working with students from the I Am My Brother's Keeper Program to investigate the impact of S.T.E.A.M. curricula centered on spatial thinking skills, science content knowledge, and attitudes towards science and engineering.
Mentor: Dr. Christine Schnittka

Steven Breaux Polymer and Fiber Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: 3D Printing Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Biocompatible Electronics
Mentor: Dr. Maria Auad

Griffin Eagan Aerospace Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Analysis of the Effects of Turbulent Transition Modelling on Aerodynamic Predictions for Open-Wheeled Automotive Vehicles
Mentor: Dr. Dudley Nichols

Ford Gibbes Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Design and development of a low temperature tube calorimeter to measure the pressure drop of low global warming potential refrigerants across a 180° U-Bend during flow boiling.
Mentor: Dr. Lorenzo Cremaschi

Kelly Goneke Biosystems Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Black-globe temperature response to percent open area of wall panels used to construct broiler chicken test pens in on-farm nutritional test trials
Mentor: Dr. Jeremiah Davis

Bryana Harris Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Examining the Effects of Tissue Geometry on Cardiomyocyte Maturation in 3D Developing Human Engineered Cardiac Tissues.
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Lipke

Jared Hudson Civil Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Effect of Initial Stiffness and Slip Force of Friction Force Damper on Response of Steel Structure to Wind and Seismic Loads
Mentor: Dr. Justin Marshall

Kiana LaBombard Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Manufacturing of nanoparticle reinforced materials through electrospinning and atomized spraying.
Mentor: Dr. Sabit Adanur

Andrew Lenzie Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: The Biofluid Mechanics of Expiratory Central Airway Collapse in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Mentor: Dr. Vrishank Raghav

Reed Rodich Materials Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis of Pre- and Post-Injury Anterior Cruciate Ligaments in Female Athletes.
Mentor: Dr. Michael Zabala

David Schartung Materials Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Electrochemical study on the influence of alternating current electric fields on the flocculation process of asphaltenes in unconventional crude oil
Mentor: Dr. Carlos Carrero

Alex Vroom Biochemisty and Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Determining an individual’s comprehensive antibody-bound epitope repertoire
Mentor: Dr. Robert Pantazes

William Brannon Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: A metal inert gas based printer exists in AU’s Mechanical Engineering Department as an experimental device, and it becomes a question as to what parameters regarding the printing process will yield an ideal metal part in a quick and efficient manner.
Mentor: Dr. Lewis Payton

LaNia Cole Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Application-Based Pedagogy Tool.
Mentor: Dr. Edmon Perkins

Randall Fawcett Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Kinetic prediction from kinematic data during running trials on different surfaces.
Mentor: Dr. Wendi Weimar

Gabrielle Gilmer Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Evaluation of the relationship between hormonal and biomechanical risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Mentor: Dr. Gretchen Oliver

Patrick Harris Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Optimizing Lipid-enveloped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Therapeutic Treatment of Solid Cancerous Tumors
Mentor: Dr. Allan David

Sean Vincent Herrera Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Development of a Shape Memory Alloy Actuated Glove
Mentor: Dr. Michael Zabala

Jihyuk Kim Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Solid state conductivity and pH-induced solution halochromism in polythiophene copolymer.
Mentor: Dr. Bryan Beckingham

Kaitlyn Lawrence Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: New structural and electronic insights on supported (VOx)m/(M1Oy)n/(M2Oz)bulk catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of light hydrocarbons
Mentor: Dr. Carlos Carrero

Matthew Priesser Biosystems Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Anaerobic Digestion of Poultry Litter and Food Waste for Biogas Production.
Mentor: Dr. Brendan Higgins

Marisa Rodriguez Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Understanding and Controlling the Growth of Algae Species on Nanocomposites.
Mentor: Dr. Virginia Davis

Andrew Tormanen Materials Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Assembling 2D transition metal carbides for fabrication of functional thin films
Mentor: Dr. Majid Beidaghi

William Yates Materials Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Design and Synthesis of Salen-derived, tetraaminophenazine Ligands for Metal Chelation
Mentor: Dr. Anne Gorden
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences

Victoria Ashby Microbiology
Sponsor(s): Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Madagascar-Based Lymphatic Filariasis in Culex Mosquitoes and Their Relationship with the Environment and People
Mentor: Dr. Sarah Zohdy

Hannah Kelly Wildlife Ecology and Management
Sponsor(s): Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Evaluating Toxoplasma gondii in Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa).
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Lepczyk

Cara Ratterman Organismal Biology
Sponsor(s): Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Automating gobble count surveys for eastern wild turkey.
Mentor: Dr. James Grand

Marcus Williford Forestry
Sponsor(s): Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: The processing and characterization of nanofibrillated cellulose from industrial wood residues
Mentor: Dr. Maria Peresin

Alisia Diamond Wildlife Ecology and Management
Sponsor(s): Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: The effects of feeding habits on the prevalence of toxoplasma gondii in avian species
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Lepczyk

Autumn Patterson Wildlife Ecology and Management
Sponsor(s): Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: The Influence of Socioeconomic Factors on Small Mammal Diversity in Auburn, Alabama.
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Lepczyk

Kirsten Rice Wildlife Sciences
Sponsor(s): Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Are mosquitoes more attracted to dogs infected with Heartworm?
Mentor: Dr. Sarah Zohdy
College of Human Sciences

Lydia Homandberg Human Development and Family Studies
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: Effects of early life adversity and contemporaneous stress in the Midlife in the United States Study.
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Fuller-Rowell

Elise Mann Pre-Medicine and Nutrition Science
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: The effect of chronic whey protein consumption on glucose metabolism and DPP-IV.
Mentor: Dr. Heidi Kluess

Brooke Polinsky Nutrition Science
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: The Effect of high fat and sugar diet in mice
Mentor: Dr. Ramesh Jeganathan

Paola (Lopez) Canas Nutrition
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: Evaluating coping mechanisms following a natural disaster in Madagascar
Mentor: Dr. Alisha Farris

Holly Parker Nutritional Science - Dietics
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: Will tailored nutrition education on diet diversity increase the consumption of diverse foods in Andasibe, Madagascar?
Mentor: Dr. Alisha Farris
College of Liberal Arts

Mary Catherine Butgereit English - Professional and Public Writing
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: A Code for the Unpublished: Creation of a TEI XML Style Guide and Learning Module for the 18th-Century Manuscript Fiction Database
Mentor: Dr. Emily Claire Friedman

Carrie Diane Hill English - Professional and Public Writing
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: For the World to See: Designing a Front-End User Interface for the 18th-Century Manuscript Fiction Database.
Mentor: Dr. Emily Claire Friedman

Melanie Parrott Psychology and Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: The impact of nutrition knowledge on calorie framing effects and food consumption decisions.
Mentor: Dr. Ana Franco-Watkins

Jakob Geiger Political Science and English
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Applying Political Philosophy to Urban Planning: Strengthening the Community.
Mentor: Dr. Murray Jardine

Kyle McLaughlin Anthropology
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Assessing Potential Inter- and Intra- observer error during 3D scanning and printing of osteological specimens.
Mentor: Dr. Kristina Shuler

Jacob Verhine Music
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: The Influence of Vocology on 21st-Century Voice Performance and Pedagogy: Analysis and Application of Current Practice and Research
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hoch
Harrison School of Pharmacy

Amanda Fang Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: The effect of Sirtuin 3 on post translational modification in the mitochondria of diabetic hearts.
Mentor: Dr. Rajesh Amin

Brannon Martens Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: The Effects of Systemic Viral Infections on the Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease in Mice.
Mentor: Dr. Miranda Reed

Elena Skarupa Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Effective drug delivery on gene expression in human breast cancer
Mentor: Dr. Rusty Arnold

Elizabeth Lopez Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: CYP3A4 Induction Analysis in Hepatocytes due to Acai and Maca Extracts
Mentor: Dr. Angela Calderon

Madison Schoeberl Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Understanding how to best track Staphylococcus aureus infections in hosts by use of a fluorescently labeled monoclonal antibody.
Mentor: Dr. Peter Panizzi

Dominique Wozniak Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Characterization of Inhibitor Antibodies Directed Against S. Aureus Coagulase.
Mentor: Dr. Peter Panizzi
College of Sciences and Mathematics

Cullen Anderson Wildlife Ecology and Management
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Estimating Carnivore Population Structures in the Rainforests of Madagascar.
Mentor: Dr. Sarah Zohdy and Dr. Zach Farris

Jonathan Dismukes Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Expression of the INK4AB/ARF tumor suppressor transcription factor MSK1 in canine breast cancer: Quantification through qRT-PCR and correlation with established phenotypes.
Mentor: Dr. Richard Bird

Kayla Frey Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Variations in Bone Quality with Reproductive Performance in House Mice.
Mentor: Dr. Wendy Hood

Brock Hidle Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Development of an Attosecond Pulse Source Operating at 10 kHz
Mentor: Dr. Guillaume Laurent

Sara Odom Microbial, Cellular, and Molecular Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Microbiome analysis using a quantitative polymicrobial PCR method.
Mentor: Dr. Mark Liles

Philip Wang Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Investigating the cost of reproduction using the zooplankton, Tigriopus californicus
Mentor: Dr. Geoffrey Hill

Joseph Bahder Physics
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: TRYAD Satellite Operational Analysis
Mentor: Dr. Michael Fogle

Caleb Eldridge Geology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Identifying active tectonics in the New Madrid seismic zone using LiDAR and geologic data
Mentor: Dr. Lorraine Wolf

Emma Hale Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Quantifying the prevalence of the West Nile, Rift Valley Fever, and Dengue Fever Viruses across Mouse Lemurs Populations from Madagascar.
Mentor: Dr. Tonia Schwartz

Dorothy Mitchell Marine Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Anatomy and microscale organization of the nervous system of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi.
Mentor: Dr. Anthony Moss

Patrick Sahrmann Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Radical catalysis, inactivation, and reactivation: Spectroscopic and kinetic evaluation of heme- and protein-based intermediates of a peroxide-degrading enzyme.
Mentor: Dr. Douglas Goodwin

Kevin Wyss Chemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Exploring thorium, uranium, and lanthanide fluorescence in Schiff base sandwich complexes.
Mentor: Dr. Anne Gorden
College of Agriculture

Wayne Carroll Agronomy and Soils Science
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Effects of winter cover crops on mycorrhizal colonization of cotton roots
Mentor: Dr. Yucheng Feng

Madison Gohlke Animal Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Impact of mitochondrial nuclear exchange on adiposity and metabolic markers in lean and obese pigs
Mentor: Dr. Terry Brandebourg

Anna Robinson Animal Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture and College of Veterinary Medicine
Project Title: An evaluation of mistletoe extract in conjunction with mebendazole in an in vitro canine glioblastoma model
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Koehler

Gabrielle Willhelm Animal Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Improving embryo transfer in Bos Taurus through Granulosa Cell Connexin/Pannexin analysis
Mentor: Dr. Paul Dyce

Trevor Cofer Agronomy and Soils Science
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Effect of potassium sources and rates on tomato growth and development, potassium uptake, yield, and fruit quality
Mentor: Dr. Julie Howe

Courtney Kloske Cellular and Molecular Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture and College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Functional studies of genes transcriptionally regulated by calcium in Xylella Fastidosa
Mentor: Dr. Leonardo De La Fuente

Evelyn Smith Agronomy and Soils & Horticulture
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Effects of plant density and substrate type on cucumber production in a modified aquaponic system
Mentor: Dr. Daniel Wells

Griffin Wright Animal Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Unveiling the dynamics of genome activation in early developing embryos
Mentor: Dr. Fernando Biase
College of Education

Kathryn Clardy Fitness Conditioning and Performance
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: Comparison of the kinematics and kinetics of overhand baseball pitching to football passing
Mentor: Dr. Gretchen Oliver

Natalie Stephens Chemistry Education
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: Teaching spatial visualization in chemistry
Mentor: Dr. Christine Schnittka

Sarah Gordon Exercise Science
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: The effect of whole body vibration on stress fracture
Mentor: Dr. JoEllen Sefton
Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

Meredith Ayers Civil Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Mineralogy determination via three-dimensional image analysis
Mentor: Dr. Lauren Beckingham

Holland Bankston Polymer & Fiber Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Ultrafast microwave nano-manufacturing of fullerene-like metal chalcogenides
Mentor: Dr. Xinyu Zhang

Elizabeth Byers Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Nanoparticle targeted testosterone degradation for the treatment of androgen-dependent prostate cancer
Mentor: Dr. Allan David

Sahm Deravi Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Investigation of photocatalytic behavior of two-dimensional titanium oxycarbide nanosheets
Mentor: Dr. James Radich

Nidhi Goel Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Drug testing and metastisis studies on three-dimensional breast cancer models
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Lipke

Sara Head Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Engineering functional cardiac tissues through encapsulation of pluripotent stem cells in methacrylated gelatin hydrogels
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Lipke

Benjamin King Biosystems Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Comparing the floodplain hydrology of a recently restored stream bank to a natural, undisturbed, floodplain
Mentor: Dr. Thorsten Knappenberger

Kyle Paul Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Examining effects of PEG length and silica nanoparticle size on cell viability
Mentor: Dr. Allan David

Daniel Stubbs Aerospace Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Airfoil analysis using smoothed particle hydrodynamics
Mentor: Dr. Dudley Nichols

Elizabeth Bankston Biosystems Ecological Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Following the mass flow of nitrogen throughout an aquaponics system
Mentor: Dr. David Blersch

William Brannon Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Rapid prototyping of electronics cooling nozzle arrays
Mentor: Dr. Roy Wright

John Cook Computer Science
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Naturalistic pen-based data visualization
Mentor: Dr. Hari Narayanan and Dr. Jeff Overbey

Gabrielle Gilmer Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering and College of Education
Project Title: Effects of pain history on throwing mechanics
Mentor: Dr. Gretchen Oliver

Craig Granger Biosystems Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: How stream restoration affects in-stream ecological metabolic activity
Mentor: Dr. David Blersch

Ethan Hofer Materials Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Controlling ion distribution in electroactive polymers for enhanced actuation response
Mentor: Dr. Zhongyang Cheng

Kaylee McCormack Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering and College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Novel 1-thia-3,4-diazolidine-2,5-dione (TDAD) based polymers
Mentor: Dr. Michael Squillacote

James Smith Electrical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Multi-arm antenna optimization by genetic algorithms
Mentor: Dr. Michael Baginski

Zoe Tucker Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Engineering
Project Title: Exploration of transparent colloidal nanoparticle additives for lubricants
Mentor: Dr. Robert Jackson
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences

Tyler Baxter Forestry
Sponsor(s): School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Evaluating the effectiveness of prescribed fire to restore longleaf pine ecosystems in the Southeastern coastal plain
Mentor: Dr. Zhaofei Fan

Marie Kallenberg Wildlife Sciences
Sponsor(s): School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Fat transport levels during lactation in rats
Mentor: Dr. Wendy Hood

Seth Rankins Wildlife Ecology & Management
Sponsor(s): School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Factors influencing white-tailed deer susceptibility to ehrlichiosis
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Ditchkoff

Jordan Broadhead Wildlife Sciences
Sponsor(s): School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Effects of snakes on rodent vectors of disease in eastern Madagascar
Mentor: Dr. Sarah Zohdy

Shannon Lambert Wildlife Ecology & Management
Sponsor(s): School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Estimating detection probability and the use of scents in wild pig trapping
Mentor: Dr. Mark Smith
College of Human Sciencess

Nicole Forchielli Nutrition Dietetics
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: Assessing meal quality and satisfaction of meals on wheels (MOW) program in Lee County, Alabama
Mentor: Dr. Yee Ming Lee

Elise Mann Biomedical Sciences and Nutrition Science
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: The role of DPP-IV in muscle soreness
Mentor: Dr. Heidi Kluess
College of Liberal Arts

Paige Goldschmidt History
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Defining the role of women in the Latter-day Saint Church during their residency in Kirtland, Ohio, from 1830-1838
Mentor: Dr. Adam Jortner

William Kelner Psychology and Sociology
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Perceptions of mental illness among college students
Mentor: Dr. Apryl Alexander

Cassidy Roby Health Administration
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Examining risky business practices in the health care industry
Mentor: Dr. Rene McEldowney

Allison Travis Health Psychology
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: The effect of drawing on information consolidation and stress reduction
Mentor: Dr. Barbara Bondy

Carson Williford English and Philosophy
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: The value of sustainable agricultural practices for Alabama’s small-scale farmers
Mentor: Dr. Helen Eidson

Amanda Guthrie Sociology
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: How the modern day hobo copes with a stigmatized identity
Mentor: Dr. Natalia Ruiz-Junco and Dr. Greg Weaver

Zach McKinnell Psychology
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Common neural networks between addictions and psychological disorders
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Robinson

Kelsie Shipley English Literature and History
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Material aspects of reading in late 19th century Britain
Mentor: Dr. Emily Friedman

Erin Walker Psychology
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Perceptions of violence victimization in transgender versus cisgender persons: The role of prejudicial belief, personal background, and mindfulness
Mentor: Dr. Apryl Alexander
Harrison School of Pharmacy

Ryan Heslin Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Effects of a peripherally restricted viral challenge on the hippocampus
Mentor: Dr. Miranda Reed

Stuart McFarland Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Increasing non-seasonal vaccination activities in Alabama community pharmacies
Mentor: Dr. Salisa Westrick

Kasey Shepp Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: The effect of rare variants of hydroxy-carboxylic acid receptors on hereditary breast cancer
Mentor: Dr. Nancy Merner

DaSol Jung Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Identification of phase I & II metabolites in Maca extracts
Mentor: Dr. Angela Calderón

Mallory Meagher Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Insulin induces increased beat amyloid formation in APPe mutant neuronal cells
Mentor: Dr. Rajesh Amin

Alec Ryan Wesolowski Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Non-invasive method of tracking infections in-vivo with the multispectral optoacoustic tomography imaging system
Mentor: Dr. Peter Panizzi
College of Sciences and Mathematics

Morgan Barkley Geology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Geological investigations of a suspected fragment of faulted oceanic crust within the Caledonian Mountains on Engløya, Arctic Norway
Mentor: Dr. Mark Steltenpohl

Robert Boothe Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Nickel(II) complexes as ParaCEST sensors for reactive oxygen species
Mentor: Dr. Christian Goldsmith

Jiyeong Choi Microbiology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Nickel concentrations of the high-Ni insect Melanotrichus boydi, a specialist on the Ni hyperaccumulator plant Streptanthus polygaloides (Brassicaceae)
Mentor: Dr. Robert Boyd

Brock Hidle Physics
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Development of Frequency Resolved Optical Gating (FROG) Technique for Characterization of Femtosecond Pulses
Mentor: Dr. Guillaume Laurent

Caleb Marshall Mathematics
Sponsor(s): Biomedical Sciences
Project Title: Matrix multiplication, tensors, and tableaux
Mentor: Dr. Luke Oeding

Martin Wang Physics and Electrical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Biomedical Sciences
Project Title: Computational study of electrostatically tunable band offsets in MoS2 multilayers
Mentor: Dr. Marcelo Kuroda

Abigail Bartlett Geology
Sponsor(s): Biochemistry and Cellular & Molecular Biology
Project Title: Evaluating oxidative stress response in the alkanosulfate monoxygenase complex
Mentor: Dr. Holly Ellis

Matthew Brown Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): Biochemistry and Cellular & Molecular Biology
Project Title:Elucidation of Heme d1 biosynthetic pathway
Mentor: Dr. Steven Mansoorabadi

Addison Cimino Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): Biomedical Sciences
Project Title: Toward the synthesis of functionalized cycloparaphenylenes
Mentor: Dr. Bradley Merner

Ayden Kish Physics and Philosophy
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Experiments and simulations of rotating dusty plasmas
Mentor: Dr. Edward Thomas, Jr.

Elizabeth Schloss Physics and Philosophy
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Finding formulas for the number of pieces resulting from k cuts on a unit ball in Euclidean n-space
Mentor: Dr. Michel Smith

Phillip Wang Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Investigating the antioxidant effects of carotenoids in living systems
Mentor: Dr. Geoffrey Hill
College of Agriculture
Alex Callaway, Crop and Soil Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Evaluation of seed quality response to variable micronutrient application in novel peanut cultivars (Arachis hypogeae)
Mentor: Dr. Julie Howe
Avery Lamb, Environmental Science and Anthropology
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Plant Growth and Physiology of Rain Garden Plants in Two Soil Types
Mentor: Dr. Eve Brantley
Mallory McDaniel, Agronomy and Soils
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Nitrogen and phosphorus loss from inorganic and organic fertilizer systems
Mentor: Dr. Beth Guertal
Evelyn Willmon, Fisheries
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Investigation of the attachment of Aeromonas hydrophila on aquaculture surfaces and the evaluation of disinfection protocols on its biofilm eradication
Mentor: Dr. Cova Arias
Victoria Holland, Poultry Science
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Effect of incubational egg turning intervals on gut development in the chick, gut morphology, and developmental biomarkers
Mentor: Dr. Wallace Berry
College of Architecture, Design and Construction
Brendan Byrne, Environmental Design
Sponsor(s): College of Architecture, Design and Construction
Project Title: Traffic impact analysis of augmented bicycle facilities on Auburn University's campus
Mentor: Magdalena Garmaz
College of Education
Lily Clark, Physical Activity and Health
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: Investigating whether cognitive control moderates the influence of impulses and reflections on spontaneous physical activity
Mentor: Dr. Matt Miller
Jack Goldberg, Fitness, Conditioning and Performance
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: The effect of changes in exercise behavior on physiological parameters in college students
Mentor: Dr. Danielle Wadsworth
Caroline Hubbard, Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: The role of macronutrients in inducing satiety via peptide YY
Mentor: Dr. Heidi Kluess
Madison Hutto, Elementary Education
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: An exploration into the mathematical thinking of students who struggle with number sense
Mentor: Dr. Megan Burton
Caroline Meadows, Exercise Science
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: Does motor preparatory brain activity mediate the relationship between monetary incentive and motor performance?
Mentor: Dr. Matt Miller
College of Engineering
Sean Bittner, Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Development of progressive antibiotic release wound packing using nanotube clays
Mentor: Dr. Edward Davis
Jennifer Kaczmarek, Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Differentiation and encapsulation of human induced pluripotent stem cells to form engineered cardiac tissue
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Lipke
Kaylee McCormack, Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Exploration of viable methods to form 1-thia-3,4-diazolidine-2,5-dione (TDAD) based polymers to be used as photoresists, that photodegrade easily to innocuous gaseous compounds.
Mentor: Dr. Michael Squillacote
Sungil Kim, Electrical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Analysis and forecast of stock market prices using signal and statistical analysis and genetic algorithm
Mentor: Dr. Michael Baginski
Chandler Moore, Aerospace Engineering
Sponsor(s): Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Modeling heat transfer in the presence of linear and nonlinear acoustic waves
Mentor: Dr. Joshua Batterson
Christopher Scheinert, Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Morphological dependence on photocatalytic activity of nanostructured Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) on water reduction to H2
Mentor: Dr. James Radich
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Matt George, Wildlife Sciences
Sponsor(s): School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Effects of trap door width on wild pig entrance into corral traps
Mentor: Dr. Mark Smith
Steven Williamson, Wildlife Sciences (Pre-Vet)
Sponsor(s): School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Mortality and injury rates of wildlife reported by rehabilitators across Alabama
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Lepczyk
College of Human Sciences
Jami Reece, Microbiology
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: Role of sugary water consumption in adipose gene expression
Mentor: Dr. Michael Greene
College of Liberal Arts
Anna Kirkland, Psychology
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Examining brain changes associated with a 30-day diet intervention
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Robinson
Sarah Stevenson, Psychology and Spanish
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: The biological and psychological effects of music on the human body
Mentor: Dr. Paula Bobrowski and Dr. Knipschild
Harrison School of Pharmacy
Leah Bostany, Cell and Molecular Biology
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: A study of the effects of DNA methylation on transmission of plasmids into S. aureus
Mentor: Dr. Peter Panizzi
Connor Dobson, Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Targeted gold-lipidic nanocomposites for cancer therapy and diagnosis
Mentor: Dr. Rusty Arnold
Nate Johnson, Biomedical Sciences (Pre-Pharmacy)
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Molecular mechanism of doxorubicin-induced memory dysfunction
Mentor: Dr. Vishnu Suppiramaniam
Christy Pickering, Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Development and application of gold-lipidic nanocomposites to enhance chemotherapeutic delivery and release
Mentor: Dr. Rusty Arnold
Taylor Young, Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Relationship between AD and diabetes
Mentor: Dr. Rajesh Amin
College of Sciences and Mathematics
Kelly Kindgren, Geology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Zircon age dating in Northern Scotland
Mentor: Dr. Mark Steltenpohl
Ken Yang, Physics and Mathematics
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Uncertainty calculations for theoretical atomic data toward the applications of astrophysical spectroscopy
Mentor: Dr. Stuart Loch
Fraser Bronston, Chemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Characterization of the catalytic abilities of a family of Ga(III) complexes bearing N-donor ligands
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Goldsmith
DoYon Kim, Physics and Mathematics
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Constructing examples and counterexamples for questions in polyhedral geometry
Mentor: Dr. Andras Bezdek
Natasha Narayanan, Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Developing a streamlined chemical synthesis of tricyclic nucleic acid analogues for antisense-based therapeutic applications
Mentor: Dr. Bradley Merner
Martin Wang, Physics and Electrical Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Study of the contact resistance in two-dimensional materials
Mentor: Dr. Marcelo Kuroda
Taylor Farmer, Chemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Exploring a new cascade reaction, a key step in the synthesis of a polyalcohol
Mentor: Dr. Peter Livant
Kasey Benesh, Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Impact of anthropogenic stressors on minnow diversity in the Tallapoosa River
Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Armbruster
James Edmond, Physics and Mathematics
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Using ion-momentum imaging to study molecular dissociation dynamics
Mentor: Dr. Mike Fogle
Madeleine Eddy, Chemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Synthesis of water soluble imine soft-donor ligands for selective actinide sensing
Mentor: Dr. Anne Gorden
Dual Fellows
Sara Rains, Nutrition and Horticulture
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences and College of Agriculture
Project Title: Identifying successful community development practices in Ecuador
Mentor: Dr. Kate Thornton
Anna Robinson, Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet)
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture and College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Effects of light on tentacle bulb formation in the clownfish sea anemone Entacmea quadricolor
Mentor: Dr. Nanette Chadwick
Katherine Windham, Chemical Engineering and German
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture and Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Nanoscale aptamer-based carrier for personalized treatment of small cell lung carcinoma
Mentor: Dr. Jacek Wower
College of Agriculture
Jesse Blanton, Ecological Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Self-optimization of mixed algal communities via automated feedback control of light input
Mentor: Dr. David Blersch, Department of Biosystems Engineering
Olivia Elliott, Ecological Engineering
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: The Effects of Intersecting Limiting Factors on the Colonization and Growth of Algae in Cultivation Systems
Mentor: Dr. David Blersch, Department of Biosystems Engineering
Lawrence Liu, Chemical Engineering; Economics
Sponsor(s):College of Agriculture, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Effects of Calcium on the Transcription of Xylella fastidiosa in Microfluidic Chambers
Mentor: Dr. Leonardo De La Fuente, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Klinton McCafferty, Poultry Science Pre-Vet
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Evaluation of Utilizing Wheat in Broiler Diets
Mentor: Dr. William Dozier, Department of Poultry Science
Sara Emily McCarty, Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Gene regulation by Xylella fastiodiosa in response to calcium
Mentor: Dr. Leonardo De La Fuente, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Tyler Miller, Crop, Soil & Environmental Sciences - Science Track
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: Identifying the Mechanism of Resistance to the ALS-Inhibiting Herbicide Metsulfuron in Spotted Spurge (Euphorbia maculata)
Mentor: Dr. J. Scott McElroy, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences
Connor Ryan, Biology / Horticulture
Sponsor(s): College of Agriculture
Project Title: The Effects of Environment and Fertilization on the Growth of Juvenile Sarracenia leucophylla
Mentor: Dr. Amy Wright, Department of Horticulture
College of Education
Haley Sanders, Secondary English Language Arts Education
Sponsor(s): College of Education
Project Title: A Study of Preservice Teachers’ Views of Descriptivism and Prescriptivism
Mentor: Dr. Jamie Harrison, Curriculum & Teaching/ESOL Education
College of Engineering
Chelsea Diane Appleget, Aerospace Engineering
Sponsor(s): Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Development and Optimization of the First Fully Nano-Fibrillated Cellulose Aircraft
Mentor: Dr. Roy Hartfield, Aerospace Engineering
Daniel Beauchamp, Electrical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Preliminary Steps to Investigating the Connection between MRI-Measured Vascular Wall Shear Stress and Stenosis of Arteriovenous Grafts
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Denney, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Harrison Burch, Electrical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Reactive-DC Magnetron Sputtering of Superconducting Niobium Nitride
Mentor: Dr. Michael Hamilton, Department of Electrical Engineering
Andrew Hightaian, Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Engineering a Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lens to Treat Glaucoma
Mentor: Dr. Mark Byrne, Department of Chemical Engineering
Elizabeth Pearce, Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Controlled Release of Therapeutic from Polymersomes
Mentor: Dr. Mark Byrne, Department of Chemical Engineering
William Roberts, Aerospace Engineering
Sponsor(s): Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Plenoptic Stereo Method for Depth Estimation
Mentor: Dr. Brian Thurow, Department of Aerospace Engineering
Zachary Watson, Materials Engineering
Sponsor(s): Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Project Title: Exploration on How Materials Effect Acoustic Guitars
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Fergus, Materials Research and Education Center / Mechanical Engineering
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Forrest Cortes, Wildlife Ecology and Management
Sponsor(s): School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Factors influencing the frequency and composition of mammalian carnivore road mortality
Mentor: Dr. Todd Steury, School of Forestry and Wildlife Science
Laura Garland, Wildlife Ecology and Management
Sponsor(s): School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Dietary habits of the Black bear (Ursus americanus) in Alabama
Mentor: Dr. Todd Steury, School of Forestry and Wildlife Science
Monica Richert, Wildlife Ecology and Management
Sponsor(s): School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Title: Non-lethal effects of predators on eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus)
Mentor: Dr. Todd Steury, School of Forestry and Wildlife Science
College of Human Sciences
Sara Rains, Concurrent degrees: Nutrition and Horticulture
Sponsor(s): College of Human Sciences
Project Title: Identifying Community Based Solutions to Vitamin A Deficiency in Cambodia
Mentor: Dr. Kate Thornton, Hunger Solutions Institute
College of Liberal Arts
Shauni Armstead, History
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Divisions within Unity: Racism in the Internationalization of Modern Feminism(s)
Mentor: Dr. Cathleen Giustino, History
Katherine Bottenhorn, Psychology and Chemistry (dual degree)
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics, College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Functional connectivity of the human hypothalamus in healthy and diseased states
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Robinson, Psychology
Nicole Gerhard, Psychology
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: The Effects of Multitasking on Decision Making
Mentor: Dr. Ana Franco-Watkins, Psychology Department
David Hathcock, History and German
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Forgotten Heroes: Socialist Women and Youth in the Austrian Civil War
Mentor: Dr. Traci O’Brien, Department of Foreign Languages & Literature
Shelbie Keel, Public Administration
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: The Effects of the Implementation of the Help America Vote Act on Election Administration
Mentor: Dr. Mitchell Brown, Department of Political Science
Matthew Pollock, English Literature & Spanish
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: From Dahrar to Déorwine: An Analysis of Sound Symbolism in The Lord of the Rings
Mentor: Dr. Craig Bertolet, English
Michelle Roberts, Anthropology and Political Science; Spanish minor
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: The Effects of Environment and Fertilization on the Growth of Juvenile Sarracenia leucophylla
Mentor: Dr. Kristrina Shuler, Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
Steven Vickers, History
Sponsor(s): College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Towards Greener Pastures: Nationalism and the Green Party in Ireland, 1981 to the Present
Mentor: Dr. Ralph Kingston, Department of History
Harrison School of Pharmacy
Andrew Clark, Microbiology
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Utilizing the activity of Staphylococcal Sortase A to identify and monitor invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections
Mentor: Dr. Peter Panizzi, Department of Drug Discovery and Development
Connor Dobson, Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Targeted Gold-Lipidic Nanocomposites for Cancer Therapy and Diagnosis
Mentor: Dr. Robert Arnold, Department of Drug Discovery and Development
Brittany Gamble, Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: The role of Frataxin in the regulation of PGC-1 and mitochondrial biogenesis in the diabetic heart
Mentor: Dr. Rajesh Amin, Department of Drug Discovery and Development
Wooseok Lee, Nutrition - Nutrition Science Pre-Med
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy, College of Human Sciences
Project Title: The Role of ILK in Synaptic Plasticity and Memory
Mentor: Dr. Vishnu Suppiramaniam, Department of Drug Discovery and Development
Christina Pickering, Chemical Engineering
Sponsor(s): Harrison School of Pharmacy
Project Title: Development and Application of Gold-Lipidic Nanocomposites to Enhance Chemotherapeutic Delivery and Release
Mentor: Dr. Robert Arnold, Department of Drug Discovery and Development
College of Sciences and Mathematics
Cami Adams, Cellular and Molecular Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Phenotype analysis of Cytokinin Response Factor 4 (CRF4) altered expression Arabidopsis lines in response to freezing temperatures
Mentor: Dr. Aaron Rashotte, Biological Sciences
Abigail Bartlett, Dual Degree: Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Analyzing the Catalytic Role of a Conserved Active Site Residue in Cysteine Dioxygenase
Mentor: Dr. Holly Ellis, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Lauren Chastain, Interdisciplinary Studies
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics, College of Veterinary Medicine
Project Title: Disparities in Access to Health Care: Canary Islands (Spain)
Mentor: Dr. Stephanie Ostrowski, Veterinary Sciences/Public Health
Carol Alex Cool, Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics, College of Human Sciences
Project Title:Role of macrophage polarization in obesity-linked colon cancer growth
Mentor: Dr. Michael W. Greene, Nutrition, Dietetics, and Hospitality Management
Emily Crisp, Marine Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Effects of visual and chemical signaling by conspecifics on anemonefish behavior
Mentor: Dr. Nanette Chadwick, Biological Sciences
Zachary Donoviel, Molecular Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title:Mitochondrial function and reproduction in the house mouse
Mentor: Dr. Wendy Hood, Biological Sciences
Taylor Farmer, Chemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Exploring a New Cascade Reaction, a Key Step in the Synthesis of a Polyalcohol
Mentor: Dr. Peter Livant, Department of Chemistry
Jack France, Applied Mathematics
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Exploration of Euler’s Method
Mentor: Dr. Geraldo de Souza, Mathematics
David Kell, Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Study of Photodegradable Polymers based on the bifunctionality of 1-thia-3,4-diazolidine-2,5-dione (TDAD)
Mentor: Dr. Michael Squillacote, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Christopher Michaelson, Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Investigation of Rhinella marina baseline corticosterone levels and immunocompetence as indicators of invasive potential and environmental fitness
Mentor: Dr. Mary Mendonca, Department of Biological Sciences
John (Wesley) Nelson, Biochemistry
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway of heme-d1 in the nitrite reductase enzyme of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Mentor: Dr. Steven Mansoorabadi, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Arnold Obungu, Biomedical Sciences and Psychology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics, College of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Effects of cortisol and norepinephrine in mediating latent inhibition
Mentor: Dr. Martha Escobar, Psychology
William Scott, Molecular Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Genomic Responses of Plants to Heat Stress
Mentor: Dr. Robert Locy, Department of Biological Sciences
Rachel Twigg, Marine Biology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Phylogenetic Identification of Octopod Species Diversity in Antarctic Waters
Mentor: Dr. Kenneth Halanych, Biological Sciences
Devon Verellen, Geology
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Investigation of Detrital Zircons to Constrain Depositional Ages of Metasedimentary Rocks in Arctic Norway
Mentor: Dr. Mark Steltenpohl, Department of Geology and Geography
Brian Westbrook
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics
Project Title: Analyzing Mitochondrial Abundance and Activity Along the Dendritic Cell Maturation Pathway
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Schwartz, Department of Biological Sciences
Andrew Wilkins, Biomedical Sciences
Sponsor(s): College of Sciences and Mathematics, College of Veterinary Medicine
Project Title: Myeloperoxidase Inhibition
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Panizzi, Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology
College of Veterinary Medicine
Casey Read, Animals Sciences Prevet/ Organismal Biology Pre-Vet
Sponsor(s): College of Veterinary Medicine
Project Title: Atrazine Study
Mentor: Dr. Chad Foradori, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology
Christopher Bartel
Project Title: Characterizing the Effect of Macromolecular Comfort Agent Release on Protein Deposition to Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses
Mentor: Dr. Mark Byrne, Chemical Engineering
Project Summary: The primary research objective is to engineer a therapeutic contact lens to controllably release comfort molecules thereby developing a technology with the potential to limit the discomfort felt during lens wear. An additional benefit is reducing protein and lipid deposition to the lens, leading to a healthier lens and a healthier eye.
Gabby Bates
Project Title: The Common Thread in Important Literary Journalism
Mentor: Dr. Margaret Marshall, English
Project Summary: This project attempts to discern which features the most culturally significant works of literary journalism have in common by conducting a rhetorical analysis of four New Yorker articles published in the post-WWII era on behalf of victims of injustice. Findings will be compiled in a critical article to expand knowledge of the creative nonfiction genre.
Anna Burcham
Project Title: Development of Targeted Nanomedicines for Treatment of Prostate and Breast Cancers
Mentor: Dr. Robert Arnold, Pharmacal Sciences
Project Summary: Cancer is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US. Chemotherapy is effective, but can lead to toxicity in other areas of the body other than the tumor. The goal of my research is to exploit differences in cancer cells to develop drug carriers that will increase toxicity at the site of the tumor and limit toxicity in other areas.
Blakely Bussie
Project Title: The Quantification of Mitochondrial Location and Morphology Using MATLAB
Mentor:Dr. Elizabeth Lipke, Chemical Engineering
Project Summary:A MATLAB program was created to analyze fluorescently labeled organelles within cells. Specifically, the program was used to locate and quantify mitochondria and nuclei of different cell types, including human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293), and a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).When applied to differentiating stem cells, this program can reveal how the organization and morphology of mitochondria changes with cell maturation and differentiation.
Will Campbell
Project Title: Determination of Mechanical Properties of Articular Cartilage
Mentor: Dr. Robert Jackson, Mechanical Engineering
Project Summary: Healthy articular cartilage is essential for normal joint function because it provides a gliding surface between joint surfaces capable of sustaining stresses and forces. In this study, we will be performing indentation tests on equine articular cartilage to determine some very important and fundamental mechanical properties of the complex biological tissue.
Patrick Donnan
Project Title: Polariton Band Structure Calculations
Mentor: Dr. Jianjun Dong, Physics
Project Summary:Our goal is to develop a new theory of heat conduction at high temperatures. In particular, a newly proposed hypothesis of diffusive heat transfer carried by infrared (IR) phonon-polaritons will be the main focus of our research. We will study silicate pervoskite (MgSiO3) and magnesium oxide (MgO), the two most abundant minerals in the Earth's lower mantle.
Sara Geonczy
Project Title: Private Waste and Public Costs: Economic Analysis of Effective Policies for Municipal Solid Waste Management
Mentor: Dr. Yaoqi Zhang, Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Summary: The purpose of this research project is to analyze the decomposition of the total cost of municipal waste disposal services in order to investigate different price structures and other policies that will more appropriately allocate costs, minimize costly waste disposal activities, increase positive waste disposal activities, and maximize total social welfare.
Graham Gordon
Project Title: Vectorization of Spring Network Equilibrium Algorithm for Euclidean Distance Matrix Completion
Mentor: Dr. Peter Nylen, Mathematics and Statistics
Project Summary: Trying to determine the locations of a collection of points knowing only the distances between some of the points is known as the Euclidean Distance Matrix Completion Problem (EDMCP). Our project seeks to improve an existing algorithm which finds approximate solutions to the EDMCP. Applications include molecular conformation and sensor network localization.
Elyse Johnson
Project Title: Characterizing SlCRF5, a Transcription Factor in Tomato Involved in Stress Response
Mentor: Dr. Aaron Rashotte, Biological Sciences
Project Summary: The aim of my research is to characterize the tomato transcription factor protein SlCRF5, which is responsive to cytokinin, a plant hormone linked to stress response. This knowledge is crucial in understanding the role of SlCRF5 stress response in tomato, and at a broader level, the role of this class of transcription factors in other flowering plants. Application of this knowledge may lead to increased crop yield.
Chelsea Leander
Project Title: Protein-Energy Malnutrition in Nepal
Mentor: Dr. Katie Thornton, Human Sciences
Project Summary: The first 1000 days of life, beginning at conception, contain crucial and determining factors, including the development of the brain. A child is setback for life when the brain cannot attain full development during this period, often as a result of malnutrition. My research aims to examine the lifestyle of populations who struggle with intergenerational cycles of Protein-Energy Malnutrition, with the ultimate goals of breaking these cycles and enhancing early child development.
Ethan McCurdy
Project Title: The Contribution of Off-mechanism Electron Transfers in the Inactivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Catalase-Peroxidase
Mentor: Dr. Douglas Goodwin, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project Summary: One crucial facet of the immune response is to generate peroxides to rid the body of invaders. Many bacteria, including M. tuberculosis, depend on an enzyme known as KatG to convert these peroxides into harmless products. I am investigating the mechanisms that keep KatG in its most active and efficient state. This holds striking implications for understanding the strategies pathogens use to thwart a host immune response.
Adam Milton
Project Title:Smart Nanocomposite for Enhanced Drug Delivery of Insulin
Mentor: Dr. Allan E. David, Chemical Engineering
Project Summary: A drug delivery system capable of delivering reliable and consistent doses of insulin through the oral route would provide significant advantages over the commonly used insulin pumps and injections. In order to enable a less invasive route of administration, I plan to engineer a drug delivery vehicle, in this case comprised of a nanocomposite, that can protect insulin from degradation and control its release in the body for an extended period of time. A smart nanocomposite composed of silica and chitosan, to regulate insulin release, will be utilized to achieve this goal.
Alysa Moore
Project Title: Biochemical and Genetic Characterization of an Unknown Anti-Nematode Compound
Mentor: Dr. Mark Liles, Biological Sciences
Project Summary: My research focuses on identifying and characterizing an unknown compound produced by a bacteria commonly used in industrial agriculture for its anti-nematode abilities. Once the compound has been identified with biochemical methods, I will analyze the bacteria’s genome in order to evaluate environmental conditions that cause the compound to be produced in greater abundance, which could thereby increase anti-nematode activity. Greater understanding of this compound could provide a more sustainable alternative to other common, less environmentally-friendly soil additives.
Madeline Moore
Project Title: Growth Characteristics of Xylella fastidiosa in Media Modified to Mimic Xylem Fluid
Mentor: Dr. Leonardo De La Fuente, Entomology and Plant Pathology
Project Summary: Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is a bacterial plant pathogen that infects numerous plant species in the United States. The bacterium forms biofilms inside the water-conducting xylem vessels of the plants, therefore obstructing water movement. The aim of my research is to develop a defined culture media for research in the laboratory, in which Xf will grow and form biofilm in a similar manner to its natural setting inside plants.
Emily Pipan
Project Title: On-line LC-MS Based Identification of Inhibitors of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Shikimate Kinase
Mentor: Dr. Angela Calderón, Pharmacal Sciences
Project Summary: The goal of my research is to use liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), a sensitive mass-measuring process, to find inhibitors of the enzyme shikimate kinase. This enzyme is from the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the pathogen that causes tuberculosis. Inhibition of the enzyme would severely harm the cell's normal processes, representing the first stage in new drug discovery.
John Porter
Project Title: Electrically Conductive Polycaprolactone Nanostructures for cardiomyocyte differentiation
Mentor: Elizabeth Lipke, Chemical Engineering
Project Summary: The goal of my research is to create an electrically conductive substrate on which to grow cells. The intent is to find a reliable method for growing cardiac tissue with the end goal being able to influence the differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes.
Hilary Rizk
Project Title: Validation of Detection Methods for Assessing the Exposure of Haemorhous mexicanus to the bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum
Mentor: Dr. Geoffrey Hill, Biological Sciences
Project Summary: Development of accurate methods for detection of bacterial pathogens in birds is important in decreasing the costs of research and saving the lives of birds. The goal of my research is to validate the use of throat swabs and blood tests in detection of exposure of birds to a bacterial pathogen. By validating the accuracy of these tests, my research will improve the accuracy and efficiency of further research of bacterial pathogens and birds.
Alex Román
Project Title: The Use of Subcritical Water to Convert Sunn Hemp Biomass into a Value Added Product
Mentor: Dr. Ram Gupta, Chemical Engineering
Project Summary: This project aims to combine the promising protein content of sunn hemp with a subcritical water extraction method, and then optimize it for industrial use. This new extraction method would eliminate toxic solvents needed, reduce transportation cost moving the biomass to/from a refinery, and provide the farmer with readily eaten fodder for domesticated ungulates (goats, pigs, etc).
Gracie Thaxton
Project Title: Sequence Comparison of ArkDPI-derived IBV Vaccine Genome Before and After Adaptation to Culture
Mentor: Dr. Vicky van Santen and Dr. Haroldo Toro, Veterinary Pathobiology
Project Summary: Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a respiratory virus of chickens belonging to the same virus family as human SARS and MERS viruses. To aid understanding of what changes in coronaviruses allow them to adapt to different host systems, we will adapt IBV vaccine to chick kidney cells. I will sequence the viral genome before and after adaptation.
Abby Threet
Project Title: Mitochondrial Copper Transport: Investigating Genetic Interactions with PIC2
Mentor: Dr. Paul A. Cobine, Biological Sciences
Project Summary: Copper is required for human life. This element is a cofactor for the protein cytochrome c oxidase (COX), which is required for respiration. The pathway for copper transport into mitochondria, the location of COX, is essentially unknown. My fellowship will allow me to study genetic interactions in baker’s yeast in hopes of shedding light on this pathway. This research will contribute to understanding an essential process and will translate to understanding disorders of copper metabolism in humans.
J. Alyssa White
Project Title: Amassing Evidence: A Study of Body Mass Variation in the Robert J. Terry Skeletal Collection
Mentor: Dr. Kristrina Shuler, Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
Project Summary: I intend to study the Robert J. Terry Anatomical Skeletal Collection housed at the Smithsonian Institution. My work will complement that of a team of specialists and contribute a vital component through analyses of bone's reactions to body mass and activity. This is an extension of the body size research that I have been pursuing for a few years, which I hope will improve understandings of the effects of body mass on the skeletal tissue in past and modern populations.
Sarah Baldivia
Project Title: Hydrogels as Injectable Delivery Systems for Tissue Repair Applications
Mentor: Dr. Gisela Buschle-Diller, Polymer and Fiber Engineering
Project Summary: Hydrogels are polymeric substances that exhibit unique characteristics that allow them to absorb large amounts of liquids without losing their physical shape. The goal of this research is to develop a hydrogel which will contain the precursors of a polymer and release them at a characteristic and distinct parameter (pH, temperature, etc.). Continued development of such hydrogel may create the potential for its use in cartilage or bone repair or replacement. The polymer could be formed by injection and the need for actual surgery would be omitted.
Ross Bonner
Project Title: Insulin Resistance and Mechanism of Memory Loss: Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Link
Mentor: Dr. Vishnu D. Suppiramaniam, Pharmacal Sciences
Project Summary: Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a cellular mechanism for memory formation. Glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, is involved in LTP through interaction with AMPA type glutamate receptors. Insulin resistance, the hallmark of type II diabetes, has been linked to decreased activity of the signaling molecule ILK. Preliminary studies have also found that insulin resistance in the brain can down-regulate AMPA signaling. Therefore, my project will set out to establish the relationship between insulin resistance, ILK, and memory deficit.
Emily Buss
Project Title: “Green” Chemistry Catalysis
Mentor: Dr. Anne Gorden, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project Summary: I am currently creating a catalyst that is water-soluble by attaching unnatural amino acids to the compound structure. This will eliminate organic waste and therefore decrease the cost of disposing the product waste. I will then preform reactions with the new catalyst and determine the products yield and compare with previous results.
Kathryn Crowley
Project Title: “Green” Chemistry Catalysis
Mentor: Dr. Azhar Salman, Building Science
Project Summary: This porject is aimed at determining the feasibility of implementing sustainable technologies into the current plan to remodel the Auburn Hill dorms, and the cost savings that would result from those changes.
Enrique Doster
Project Title: Effects of Livestock Management Practices on Water Quality in an Agricultural Setting
Mentor: Dr. Alan Wilson, Fisheries
Project Summary: There are two things that, without fail, most people in the U.S. will do at least once a day - ingest food and water. Protecting our freshwater resources has become a vital global issue as numerous factors continue to degrade water quality. In many freshwater systems, cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) proliferate and pose a threat to the animals that drink from these bodies of water. My study focuses on the relationship between different land management strategies and their effects on water quality in local ponds in livestock farms.
Michael Evans
Project Title: Role of mopB and msrA in Calcium Sensing by Xylella fastidiosa
Mentor: Dr. Leonardo De La Fuente, Entomology & Plant Pathology
Project Summary: Xylella fastidiosa (XF) is a bacterial plant pathogen that infects a variety of economically important crops in the United States. The bacterium forms biofilm inside the host plant’s xylem, obstructing water movement, a process enhanced by calcium. By creating and studying mutants deficient in the calcium-related genes mopB and msrA, the role of calcium in the infection process of XF will be further elucidated and used to develop novel control methods.
Kyle Gennaro
Project Title: Latent Inhibition in Lehmannia valentiana
Mentor: Dr. Martha Escobar, Psychology
Project Summary: Latent inhibition is a behavioral phenomenon, which has been used as a model for cognitive dysfunctions in psychopathological disorders such as schizophrenia and attention deficit disorder (ADD). The aim of this project is to establish an effective procedure to demonstrate latent inhibition in the common garden slug, Lahmannia valentiana.
Jordan Hall
Project Title: Inverse Volatility Problem for Binomial Tree Models
Mentor: Dmitry Glotov, Mathematics and Statistics
Project Summary: In the world of finance today, researchers and practitioners rely heavily on high-level mathematics to develop models to price complex financial derivatives products. The main goal of the models is to use given information about the assets that the derivatives products take their value from and combine it with a measure of “randomness” in the market to get a fair price for the product. This measure of randomness is called volatility and is not easily calculated. Much research has been done in this area based on the famous Black-Scholes option-pricing framework; however, there are limitations and shortcomings to this approach. My goal for this research project will be to approach the problem of recovering volatility from a different angle by focusing on discrete-time models that are more flexible in the types of options they can price.
Dusty Harrell
Project Title: Evaluation of Using PCR-RFLP of Cytochrome b to Distinguish DNA Samples from Carnivore Species in the Southeastern U.S.
Mentor: Todd D. Steury, Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Summary: The goal of our research is to evaluate a relatively simple method for identifying carnivore scats (feces) of eastern North America. The method involves extracting DNA from scat and identifying the species that produced the scat by using special enzymes. The study could lead to a rapid, accurate, and inexpensive method of identifying carnivore populations for use in studies of habitat and population size, with minimal disturbance to the animal being studied.
Ryan Hile
Project Title: Earthquake Hazards and Social Vulnerability in Salt Lake County, Utah: A Case Study
Mentor: Dr. Phil Chaney, Geography
Project Summary: My research will attempt to identify the vulnerability characteristic of Salt Lake County, Utah, with respect to earthquake hazards and human characteristics, such as age, race, and gender. Salt Lake County is located in Northeast Utah and rests along the Salt Lake City segment of the Wasatch Front, an active fault zone, where over a million people live.
James Kaczmarek
Project Title: Controlled Release of an Anti-Inflammatory Drug from a Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lens
Mentor: Dr. Mark Byrne, Chemical Engineering
Project Summary: It is the goal of my research to engineer a silicone hydrogel contact lens that will deliver a controlled amount of anti-inflammatory over an extended period of time. This will represent a sorely needed alternative to the inefficient and ineffective drug delivery offered by eye drops, which are currently the most popular form of ophthalmic medication.
Samantha Lopez
Project Title: Competency of Xylella fastidiosa in a Microfluidic Environment
Mentor: Dr. Leonardo De la Fuente, Entomology and Plant Pathology
Project Summary: Xylella fastidiosa (XF) is a bacterial plant pathogen that infects a wide variety of plant hosts. It was recently shown that XF will take DNA from the surrounding environment and incorporate it into its own genome. My research aims to see if this process will occur in an artificial microfluidic device that mimics the interior vessels of plant where XF grows.
Kelly Sabrina Lynn
Project Title: Uranium-Catalyzed Synthesis of 2,3-diaminophenazine
Mentor: Dr. Anne Gorden, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project Summary: In order to better understand the chemical properties of uranium, I am focusing my research on a single catalytic reaction in which uranium has shown unexpected behavior. I hope to characterize the optimal reaction conditions, and will then experiment with different reagents using this new method.
Justin Melnick
Project Title: Case Study on the Political, Financial, and Environmental Challenges of American Golf Course Architecture Abroad
Mentor: Dr. James R. Hansen, History
Project Summary: The golf architecture industry has moved fully abroad in the past decade, for the first time in its 125-year history. My research will analyze an unknown French golf development that can explain the detrimental missteps made by architect Robert Trent Jones' firm in the late 20th century. Today's firms can use this study to operate abroad in a more efficient and diplomatic manner.
Kerri Nelson
Project Title: The Effects of Gender and Pressure on Risk-Taking Behavior
Mentor: Dr. Ana Franco-Watkins, Psychology
Project Summary: The purpose of my research is to examine gender differences in risk taking in the absence and presence of social and performance pressures. Because there is a lack of research connecting gender, risk taking, and pressure together, my research will serve the role of exploring this combination of factors in an effort to add to the knowledge of this understudied area.
Lindsey Phillips
Project Title: Effects of Harassment on Trap Visitation by Wild Pigs
Mentor: Mark D. Smith,Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Project Summary: Corral traps are the most cost-effective means for removing wild pigs. However, it is often recommended that landowners simultaneously use other forms of lethal removal while trapping. This research examines the effects of these other forms of disturbance on wild pig visitation to traps to determine if it may be best to employ removal techniques sequentially rather than simultaneously.
John Porter
Project Title: Template-Synthesized PDMS Nanowire Surfaces for Cardiac Tissue Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Lipke, Chemical Engineering
Project Summary: My research focuses on the design and fabrication of electrically conductive, nanostructured polymers for use in tissue regeneration. My hypothesis is that by designing and fabricating such a conductive polymer structure, I can make it more conducive to the growth and differentiation of cells, especially those of the heart and brain, which have intrinsic electrical activity.
James Sartor
Project Title: Ion/Anion Pair Production in H2 via Fast Electrons
Mentor: Dr. Allen Landers, Physics
Project Summary: The purpose of our experiment is to analyze in greater detail the reaction:
The photon (γ) will come from a very high-energy electron beam. By measuring the vector momenta of the ejected ions, we will be able to fully determine the dynamics of the reaction event by event, culminating in a probability distribution. Through these measurements, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of the complex processes associated with the interactions between molecules and ionizing radiation.
Joseph Shaw
Project Title: Studying the Interactions Between a Pre-existing Dusty Plasma Cloud and a Strong Secondary External Perturbation
Mentor: Dr. Edward Thomas, Physics
Project Summary: Plasmas are energized gases that carry electromagnetic properties. These electromagnetic properties have the ability to lift and interact with micrometer-sized particles. This is called a dusty plasma. The particles are able to conglomerate into three-dimensional structures that exhibit properties of solids, liquids, and gases. We are looking at the creation of waves and the change in confinement of dusty plasma structures when we introduce secondary dust or plasma populations into the already existing system.
Steven Sheffield
Project Title: Greener on the Other Side: Do Sustainable Companies Outperform Their Peers?
Mentor: Dr. Claire Crutchley, Finance
Project Summary: Since 2009, Newsweek ® has ranked the most sustainable U.S. and global companies. Using Newsweek's data, this study will examine if the greenest companies atop this list outperform their industry peers not appearing on the list. The paper will use a customized score based on Newsweek's sub-scores and financial performance measures, including accounting and market returns.
Andrej Svyantek
Project Title: Assessing the Genetic Make-Up of Mutant Populations of Poa annua with Suspected Herbicide Resistance to Photosystem II Inhibitors.
Mentor: Dr. Scott McElroy, Department of Agronomy and Soils
Project Summary: I am screening populations of annual bluegrass with suspected resistance to herbicides. I will weed out plants of significance by applying several herbicides to ascertain whether resistance is actually present in a given population. I will then sequence and determine genetic changes associated with a specific kind of herbicide resistance to photosystem II inhibitors.
Zachary Watson
Project Title: The Acoustic Effect of Using New Materials for the Nut and Saddle of Acoustic Flat-Top Guitars
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Fergus, Materials Engineering
Project Summary: My research will allow luthiers (builders of string instruments, such as guitars, violins, cellos) to better understand the influence of different materials used for the nut and saddle on the sound of the guitar and if these materials can be used to achieve different sounds/effects.
Julia Alyssa White
Project Title: An Analysis of Terminal Stature in the Mississippi Basin During the Transition to Agriculture<
Mentor: Kristrina A. Shuler, Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
Project Summary: I aim to analyze the influence of the introduction of maize agriculture in the Mississippi Basin of Mississippi and Louisiana from approximately A.D. 700 to 1200 by utilizing new stature regression formulae to determine the terminal height of several skeletal samples before and after the subsistence shift.
Ryan Whitmore
Project Title: Multiscale Modeling of Articular Cartilage
Mentor: Robert Jackson, Mechanical Engineering
Project Summary: Research done to investigate the geometry and properties of cartilage would allow us to create a more realistic model of a synovial joint by finding the true geometric and material properties of cartilage as it is in a living joint. We will examine the material properties of equine cartilage, specifically measurements of the friction and stiffness. Ultimately, this information could be used to develop comprehensive models of synovial joints and to design biomimetic artificial joints that perform better and survive longer than existing technologies.
Last modified: October 20, 2017