Fall 2014 large program

College of Science and Technology Research and Scholarship Day

Hartline Science Center Ground Floor 3:00 p.m.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Nursing

WELCOME

Music-based Interventions to Improve Behavior in Students Abigail Brown

Jonathan M. Lincoln, Ph.D. Acting Dean, College of Science and Technology I am pleased to welcome you to our Fall Research and Scholarship Day. Discovery is the cornerstone of knowledge in science. Undergraduate and graduate research experiences in science, mathematics and technology engage students in ways that allow them to discover new knowledge and to evaluate existing knowledge critically and rigorously. Research experiences allow our students to pursue personal interests related to their disciplines, to hone problem-solving skills and to challenge themselves in new ways. Research experiences remind students to keep an open mind and to be ready to absorb, process and analyze new information. Students learn about more than just their research topic through these experiences: they develop time management skills; they learn how to bridge classroom learning and application; they learn patience; and they develop the ability to adjust and work through unforeseen events or outcomes.

Undergraduate and graduate research experiences help prepare our students for future success, whether they intend to pursue graduate work or to enter the work force. Many of the students presenting today will also present their research at regional or national meetings, publish their research in a journal within their discipline, or gain admission to prestigious graduate programs; others will find that the skills they acquired through participation in a graduate or undergraduate research experience will tip the scales in their favor during a critical job interview.

The research presented today is the result of many hours of hard work by our students. However, these students were also supported by dedicated faculty, staff and sponsors who contributed many hours of their time or financial resources. I sincerely thank all of those individuals whose contributions make these research experience possible for our students.

G38 3:oo

SCHEDULE

3:15

G40

Ian Maize/ Michael Ashton; Physics and Engineering

Kirk Jeffreys; Chemistry

3:30

Martina Drew; BAHS

Melissa Miller/ Amanda Davis/ Nam Dang; IT

Zachary Rhoden; Chemistry

3:45

Sean Hartzell: BAHS

Caroline Toomey; Nursing

Sawyer Davis; Chemistry

4:00

Anthony DiBiase; EGGS

4:15 4:30 4:45

Eric Thompson; Chemistry

POSTER SESSION

Dr. Mindi Miller

Physics and Engineering Technology Construction of Zeeman Slower and Ultra High Vacuum System Nicholas Hitcho and Joshua Halbfoerster Laser cooling and trapping involves slowing down atoms to sub microkelvin temperatures using a counter-propagating laser beam, and trapping a cloud of atoms in a magneto optical trap. Future experiments in this lab will have applications in atomic clocks, quantum computing, and general physical understanding of quantum mechanical systems. This research was sponsored by an Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (URSCA) Grant. This research was presented at the Susquehanna Valley Undergraduate Research Symposium in Summer 2014, and at the American Physical Society Mid-Atlantic Conference at Penn State University, Pennsylvania in Fall 2014.

Dr. John Huckans

G42

Dr. Jonathan Lincoln Hansal Jani; BAHS

This project investigates the concept of using music as a means to improve focus and behavior in classrooms. The use of music in this regard has the potential to benefit both teachers during their instruction and students of any age seeking to better self-regulate.

Jocelyn Legere; Chemistry

Tuning and Locking of a Diode Laser for a Magneto-Optical Trap Rachel Livingston and Matthew Gift Laser cooling is a frontier field of study in atomic physics which allows us to explore the quantum mechanical properties of atoms once they have been cooled to microkelvin temperatures. Our UltraColdBloom team has taken a ground-up approach to the construction of a functioning magneto-optical cloud within a vacuum system. The process of tuning and locking the diode lasers used for this experiment is one of endless opportunities this project provides for physics and engineering students to exercise their knowledge in optical, quantum, and atomic physics. This research was sponsored by an Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (URSCA) Grant. This research was presented at the Susquehanna Valley Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Summer 2014, and at the American Physical Society Mid-Atlantic Conference at Penn State University, Pennsylvania in Fall 2014.

Dr. Ju Xin and Dr. John Huckans

POSTER SESSION

POSTER SESSION Dr. Swapan Mookerjee/ Dr. Helmut Doll; ExSci/IT

5:00 5:15 Amanda Pritzlaff; EGGS/Chem

5:30

Gessica Barry; EGGS

5:45

Christopher Rosengrant; Chemistry

Kayla McHale; ExSci Hanna Jarsocrak/ Ramesh Muthukumarana/ Jordan Orzokel/ Ryan Zimmerman; IT

Franklin Rodemer; Chemistry

Teresa Grimes; Chemistry

Kelly Barko; Chemistry

Working Toward a Kepler Pipeline Michael Torch, Collin Shoop and Andrew Stacy Analyzing data sets a common problem. In Kepler 1, NASA preprocessed data used by the Kepler Aster seismic Consortium (KASC) which studies variable stars in support of Kepler’s primary mission to find earth-like planets around other starts. In Kepler 2, funding for the preprocessing is no longer there. The KASC community is developing its own pipeline. We are working on our own unique contribution.

Dr. Nada Jevtic

Environmental, Geographical and Geological Sciences Assessment of Changes in a Salt Marsh Near Wallops Island, Virginia, Following Hurricane Sandy and Irene Matthew Mattesini

Lecture Hall G38 Timekeeper: Dr. William Schwindinger and Dr. Cynthia Venn 3:15

I am investigating whether shifts in salt marsh vegetation can be detected and quantified using satellite imagery and GIS. If so, this may provide an important tool to detect effects of both coastal storms and sea-level rise. This research was presented at the Atlantic Estuarine Research Society Meeting at Stockton College, New Jersey on October 31, 2014. This research was sponsored by an Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (URSCA) Grant, and a Margin of Excellence Grant to Drs. Cynthia Venn and Jennifer Whisner.

Honey Bees and humans share the behavior of self-administering alcohol. Previous research by our group shows that honey bees and humans exhibit similar behaviors while intoxicated: poor locomotor coordination, aggression, blood alcohol content time course, poor decision-making, and disrupted communication. Both the honey bee and human genomes have been sequenced, allowing us to investigate how gene expression changes macronutrient pathways in the bee brain during ethanol intoxication. In comparison, similar studies in humans would be unethical. This research has been sponsored by a Bloomsburg University Research and Scholarship Grant and has been submitted to the journal of Insects for possible publication.

Dr. Michael Shepard, Dr. Cynthia Venn, and Dr. Jennifer Whisner

Exploration of the Subsurface Through Ground Penetrating Radar at Baptist Cemetery, Berwick, Pennsylvania Aaron Pysher

Dr. John Hranitz and Dr. Charles Abramson (Oklahoma State University) 3:30

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) uses the physical properties of electromagnetic waves and the ground to see under the subsurface without harming the ground. Using GPR is essential to exploring the subsurface for buried materials and finding things without disturbing the ground.

Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics Since the time of the ancient Greeks, mathematicians have been fascinated with nested radicals. I will provide a variety of examples of left and right nested radicals as we present a brief history of this topic and illustrate its connection to difference equations. I will also provide the formal definition of a left and a right nested radical as I present several new results about the class of periodic left nested radicals. This research was sponsored by an Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (URSCA) Grant. This research has been presented at the American Mathematical Society (AMS) Meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina and at Bloomsburg University as a Mathematics and Computer Science Seminar this Fall.

Dr. Chris Lynd

Factors Influencing Bird to Window Collisions on Bloomsburg University Campus Martina Drew, Biological and Allied Health Sciences My research project is to identify factors that may influence bird -window collisions on the Bloomsburg University campus. This project is part of an international collaboration with the Ecological Research as Education Network, and will also bring awareness of bird conservation needs to Bloomsburg University so that it can become a more bird friendly campus. This research was sponsored by an Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (URSCA) Grant.

Dr. Michael Shepard

Difference Equations and the Class of Periodic Left Nested Radicals Devyn Lesher

Gene Expression in Macronutrient Pathways During Acute Ethanol Intoxication of Honey Bees Hansal Jani, Biological and Allied Health Sciences

Dr. Amber Pitt and Dr. Clay Corbin 3:45

The Historic Distribution of the Eastern Hellbender Salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) in the Susquehanna Drainage of Pennsylvania Sean Hartzell, Biological and Allied Health Sciences The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is a large aquatic salamander which is imperiled due to a variety of anthropogenic factors. We compiled records of hellbenders within the greater Susquehanna River drainage in Pennsylvania in order to map out their historic range in Pennsylvania. This will provide a basis to compare current and future assessments of hellbender populations in the Susquehanna River drainage of Pennsylvania. This research was sponsored by a Bloomsburg University Research and Scholarship Grant.

Dr. Amber Pitt

Arduino Liquid Volume Sensor Sadan Mallhi The goal is to create an automated liquid volume sensor. This sensor could be calibrated to any linear water container to show the current volume inside the container. Applications would consist of automated greenhouse setups, water reservoir tanks, petroleum filtration tanks, brewery’s, etc. This research has been sponsored by Bloomsburg University.

Dr. Samuel Gross

Lecture Hall G38...continued Timekeeper: Dr. William Schwindinger and Dr. Cynthia Venn 4:00

A Geographical and Sociological Study of Parking Patterns in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania Anthony DiBiase, Environmental, Geographical and Geological Sciences Some people feel that there is not enough parking in the downtown area in Bloomsburg. The goal of this study is to find out if existing parking is being used effectively and if additional parking is needed. This research was sponsored by the Bloomsburg University Foundation, and has been presented at the Pennsylvania GIS Conference in Spring 2014 as well as the Pennsylvania Geographical Society (PGS) Annual Meeting in Fall 2014 where it won the undergraduate paper completion.

Dr. Jeffrey Brunskill 5:15

A Profile of Metal Bioaccumulation in Selected Invertebrates From the Eastern and Western Shores of the Susquehanna River Near Hummel’s Wharf, Pennsylvania Amanda Pritzlaff, Chemistry and Biochemistry Patterns of metal accumulation within the tissues of invertebrates, which were collected from sites along a transect of the nearby Susquehanna River, were examined. River and environmental enthusiasts are especially suggested to come to this talk, as the bioaccumulation of metals within tissues can give us a long-term idea of the presence of these toxic substances in the environment. This research was sponsored by the Degenstein Foundation and an Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (URSCA) Grant. This research will be presented at the 249th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting in Denver, Colorado in Spring 2015.

Dr. Christopher Hallen and Dr. Cynthia Venn

Investigation of the Interactions of Synapsin I rab3a Within the Presynaptic Axon Terminals of the Mouse Neuromuscular Junction

Jessica Willis This study will provide insight into the proper neurotransmitter release that requires the concerted action of many proteins. The research investigates the interactions of two key proteins found in the presynaptic terminal of neuron, synapsin I and rab3a at the neuromuscular junction. This research is sponsored by the Bloomsburg University Thesis Research Grant.

Dr. William Coleman

Chemistry and Biochemistry Hybrid Pincer Complexes of Rh(I): Synthesis, Characterization, and Application in Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation Teresa Grimes Catalytic research is a valuable approach to discover pathways that will reduce energy input as well as waste output. This research was sponsored by an Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, Creative Activities (URSCA) Grant and will be presented at the National American Chemical Society Meeting in Denver, Colorado in Spring 2015.

Dr. Philip Osburn

A Study of the Organometallic Synthesis of Imipramine Zachary Rhoden Organometallic chemistry allows for the synthesis of large, complex organic molecules with relatives ease. This synthesis route of imipramine is more direct and efficient than the current route.

Dr. John Morgan 5:30

A Guy, a Beer, and a Dream: Utilizing Geographic Information Systems to Design Distribution Routes for Rusty Rail Brewing Company Gessica Barry, Environmental, Geographical and Geological Sciences Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software is designed to be used by anyone to solve geographic problems. For example, in this project the class analyzed factors such as product wait, driving time, and wait time to model optimized delivery routes for a local business, the Rusty Rail Brewing Company.

Dr. Jeffrey Brunskill 5:45

Water Quality Analysis of Fishing Creek; Has Fracking Impacted Bloomsburg’s Water Supply?

Christopher Rosengrant, Chemistry and Biochemistry Hydraulic fracturing has been known to release some unwanted materials into local water supplies. This study is meant to compare the current water quality of Little Fishing Creek to a previous study to see if the recent opening of a fracking pad has caused any long term differences for the drinking water in Bloomsburg. This research was sponsored by the Degenstein Foundation, and has been presented at the Susquehanna Undergraduate Research Symposium and the 9th Annual Susquehanna River Symposium.

Dr. Christopher Hallen

Microsatellite DNA Analysis of Pacific Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna Shana Wagner This research will contribute to the existing knowledge of genetic differentiation not only between Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and Western Pacific Yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) populations but also more geographically localized populations. Knowledge of population genetics is essential for the long-term, sustainable management of these important food species. This research was presented at the Susquehanna Valley Undergraduate Research Symposium on August 5, 2014, and will also be presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting and Exposition in Spring 2015. This research was sponsored by the Bloomsburg University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and an Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (URSCA) Grant.

Dr. Michael Pugh

Lecture Hall G40

POSTERS Biological and Allied Health Sciences

Timekeeper: Dr. Nathanial Greene and Dr. Joseph Andreacci 3:15

Differential Methylation of GNG7 in Normal B6 Mouse Tissues Jeffrey Dailey and Ali Hussain Down regulation of GNG7 in humans has been observed in cancers including pancreatic, gastrointestinal, esophageal and head and neck tumors, however, epigenetic regulation of GNG7 has not been studied in normal mouse tissues to determine the role of methylation on its expression. This study explores the possibility that methylation in normal tissues has a tissue specific effect on expression. This research was sponsored by a Bloomsburg University Faculty Research and Scholarship Grant, and an Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (URSCA) Grant. This research was presented at the 17th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland in Baltimore on October 18, 2014 and won Second Place.

This presentation will discuss KEPLER Background and its original purpose, with its accomplishments. Methods used for noise reduction to improve results of data analysis. This research was sponsored by Bloomsburg University.

Dr. Nada Jevtic and Dr. Peter Stine 3:30

Quad Graphic-Point Kiazen Events Melissa Miller, Amanda Davis and Nam Dang, Instructional Technology Exploring and understanding adult learning. How technology can elevate the learning experience.

Dr. William Schwindinger

Effects of Temperature on the Levels of Heat Shock Protein 70 in Black Worms (Lumbriculus varriegatus) Jacob Morton and Blake Shoemaker

KEPLER: To K2 and Beyond Ian Maize and Michael Ashton, Physics and Engineering Technology

Dr. Timothy Phillips 3:45

This study investigates the cellular responses of black worms to heat stress. Black worms are an integral part of aquatic food chains and are useful as a bio indicator to assess the health of aquatic ecosystems. This research was sponsored by Cherokee Pharmaceuticals, a Bloomsburg University Collaborative Research Grant, and a Bloomsburg University Special Initiatives Grant.

This research will be presented at the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Biologists (CPUB) Meeting in Spring 2015.

Identification of Values Associated with Excellence, Ethics, and Engagement in an Outpatient Hospital Work Environment Caroline Toomey, Nursing The purpose of this study was to understand staff members’ perceptions of their work in the Department of Urology at Geisinger Medical Center in terms of the essentials of Good Work, which include excellence, ethics, and engagement.

Methods used in this study can be applied to studies in other professional settings by highlighting the potential of using the Appreciative Inquiry framework to identify values associated with excellence, ethics, and engagement in an individual’s work. This research was sponsored by the Bloomsburg University Honors Program and was presented at the Geisinger Nursing Research Conference, and the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference in Fall 2014.

Dr. John Hranitz and Dr. Cynthia Surmacz

Dr. Joan Miller

Relative Population Density and Behavioral Time Budgets of Seaside Dragonlets (Erythodiplax Berenice) in Impaired and Intact Salt Marsh Habitats

5:00

Alan Newnham Seaside dragonlets are a common and conspicuous species of salt marsh habitats of the east coast. The data collected found the same numbers of individuals per area in degraded and intact habitats. However, those in the degraded habitats are quiescent.

Degraded habitats may serve as an ecological sink. This research was sponsored by the Chincoteague Bay Field Station in Wallops Island, Virginia.

Development of a Computerized App for Assessment in a Wellness Course Dr. Swapan Mookerjee and Dr. Helmut Doll, Exercise Sciences and Instructional Technology A computerized app was developed using a mobile website, which sent data to MySQL (an open source database), using PHP (a scripting language) middleware. A sample-specific, normative database was generated and incorporated into the app. This app records fitness test performance and determines norm– ranked fitness status based on these cores. This research was sponsored by a Bloomsburg University Teaching and Learning Enhancement Center (TALE) Award and has been presented at the American College of Sports Medicine Mid Atlantic Region Annual Meeting in Fall 2014. Graduate student Valerie Handy assisted in the research and development of this app.

Dr. Clay Corbin 5:15

The Validation of Multi-Frequency Bioimpedance Analyzers for the Assessment of Body Composition in Adults Kayla McHale, Exercise Science Understanding body composition: It’s more than just weight. This research was sponsored by an Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity (URSCA) Grant and was presented at the 62nd Annual American College of Sports Medicine National Conference in Spring 2015.

Dr. Joseph Andreacci

4:00

Lecture Hall G40...continued 5:30

IRBManager Online Tutorial: How to Answer Questions Asked in the IRBManager Hanna Jarsocrak, Ramesh Muthukumarana, Jordan Orzolek and Ryan Zimmerman

Determination of the Limiting Equivalent Conductivity and Thermodynamic Equilibrium Constant for the Formation of the LaCl(2+) Ion-Pair in Water Eric Thompson, Chemistry and Biochemistry Conductance of solutions of LaCl3 and mixtures of LaCl3 and HCl in increasing concentrations were measured and fit to the Turq-Blum-Bernard-Kunz model. The ion-pairing constant for LaCl(2+) was calculated as well as the conductivity at infinite dilution, which, unusually, was found to be higher than that of just the lanthanum ion. This research was sponsored by an Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity (URSCA) Grant, and was presented at the Susquehanna Valley Undergraduate Research Symposium in Summer 2014.

The IRB process is something that many students and faculty will experience during their time at Bloomsburg University.

Our new tutorial ws designed to help guide students and faculty through this new online process.

Dr. Timothy Phillips

Dr. Gregory Zimmerman

Lecture Hall G42

4:15

Timekeepers: Dr. Gregory Zimmerman and Dr. Bruce Wilcox 3:15

Spectral Analysis of Cytochrome c, a Precursor in the Biochemical Pathway for Apoptosis Kirk Jeffreys, Chemistry and Biochemistry Cytochrome c plays a crucial role in the initiation of apoptosis. Apoptosis is activated by the release of cytochrome c from the inner mitochondrial membrane to the cytosol. Spectral analyses were used to characterize and examine cytochrome c localization under different cellular stressors. This research was sponsored by the Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences at Bloomsburg University.

Dr. Michael Borland

3:30

3:45

A Pincer Supported Iron Compound for the Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Methanol Jocelyn Legere, Chemistry and Biochemistry Due to the unsustainable consumption of fossil fuels scientists are trying to find an alternate energy source. One source that can be taken advantage of is hydrogen due to the clean hydrogen combustion in a fuel cell, however, hydrogen is difficult to store and transport. Recently, a pincer-supported iron compound, in combination with a Lewis acid co-catalyst, has been shown to dehydrogenate organic liquids with very high turnover numbers. This research was presented at the National Leadership Alliance Symposium in Fall 2014.

Dr. Eric Hawrelak 5:15

A Study of the Organometallic Synthesis of Imipramine Zachary Rhoden, Chemistry and Biochemistry

A Quantitative Study of Incoming Poly-Alcohol and Isocyanate Samples Using Auto-Titration Franklin Rodemer, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Organometallic chemistry allows for the synthesis of large, complex organic molecules with relative ease. This synthesis route of imipramine is more direct and efficient than the current route.

Isocyanate and polu-alcohol are two common reactants in the production of polyurethane foam having several applications in the auto industry. This summer study focused on these incoming raw materials from a quantitative standpoint via programmable auto-titration. This research was sponsored by Autoneum North America, Inc., and was presented to Autoneum in Fall 2014.

Dr. John Morgan

Dr. Mark Tapsak

Prediction of Equivalent Conductance for Ions at Infinite Dilution and High Temperatures and Pressures Sawyer Davis, Chemistry and Biochemistry

5:30

Catalytic research is a valuable approach to discover pathways that will reduce energy input as well as waste output.

This research was sponsored by an Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities (URSCA) Grant.

This research will be presented at the National American Chemical Society (ACS) Meeting in Spring 2015.

The purpose of the sought after equation, and the center of the research that was done, was to predict the equivalent conductance of ions at high temperatures and pressures. These values can then help prevent pipe corrosion in pressurized water reactors, increasing their lifespan and the safety of all workers in the power plant. This research was sponsored by an Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity (URSCA) Grant. This research will be presented at the National American Chemical Society (ACS) Conference in Denver, Colorado in Spring 2015.

Dr. Gregory Zimmerman

Hybrid Pincer Complexes of Rh(I): Synthesis, Characterization, and Application in Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation Teresa Grimes, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. Philip Osburn 5:45

Synthesis of Organics Kelly Barko, Chemistry and Biochemistry The use of organic molecules can be used for industry purposes. In industry, the more efficient a reaction can be made the better.

Dr. Philip Osburn