EMU Undergraduate Symposium by EMU Graphic Design

EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

presents the

MARCH 26, 2021

A CELEBRATION OF

student excellence

Welcome to Eastern Michigan University’s 41st Annual Undergraduate Symposium and our first virtual Symposium! As in years past, this day of scholarly and creative presentations by our undergraduate students is the culmination of a year-long collaboration between the students and their faculty mentors. This year, due to safety concerns arising from Covid-19, we are bringing the Symposium to you as a virtual event. All of the presentations, posters, performances and exhibits on virtual display today illustrate the same high level of collaborative accomplishment that we have come to expect from the Symposium. This year, we also bear witness to the determination of our students and faculty to make the Symposium happen despite a pandemic. As you explore the extraordinary breadth and depth of student scholarly and creative activity, you will discover the special synergy of teaching, research, and hands-on learning that have powered the Symposium since its inception. Indeed, today’s event is 41 years in the making. Eastern’s Symposium is one of the longest standing events of its kind in the country and provides a model for universities that have sought to develop similar programs. In 1980, then professor of chemistry and later provost of the University, Dr. Ronald Collins, conceived the idea of an annual conference opportunity for undergraduate research presentation. This innovative approach to encouraging undergraduate research was supported by then president, John W. Porter and provost, Dr. Anthony Evans. Each subsequent president and provost has continued to support the Undergraduate Symposium and acted to enhance its stature. The first event began with a handful of students and faculty mentors from the College of Arts and Science and, over the years, has evolved into one of Eastern’s signature annual events. The Undergraduate Symposium embodies a philosophy of learning that defines the unique educational experience that EMU students receive. Although the College of Arts and Sciences is the host of the Symposium, student research presentations can span all five EMU Colleges and every undergraduate discipline. Planning a virtual Symposium has presented challenges on multiple fronts. Many faculty and staff have worked hard to make this Undergraduate Symposium a success. I gratefully acknowledge the efforts of the volunteer Symposium Planning Committee and its chair, Dr. Harriet Lindsay, event coordinator Amy Bearinger, Symposium graduate assistant Sonimar Maldonado, submission site support Tracey Sontag, and the staff of the College of Arts and Sciences Office of the Dean. Additionally, I want to thank Associate Vice President of Advancement, Jill Hunsberger and Undergraduate Symposium Advancement Committee Chair, Donald Loppnow for their continued fund-raising efforts on behalf of the Symposium. The faculty sponsors of the student presenters are the expert core of the Symposium. They deserve special recognition for their voluntary efforts and for their stalwart dedication to student mentorship during an unprecedented health crisis. I also want to recognize the families of the students, and the many sponsors and guests who provided essential support for this event and who are committed to the success of our students in their academic pursuits. A special thank you to donors who have supported the work of our Symposium Undergraduate Research Fellows for this academic year. Most especially, my congratulations to you, our students, who are presenting virtually on the occasion of the Symposium’s 41st anniversary! Dana Heller, Dean College of Arts and Sciences

ORAL PRESENTATIONS Session A .............................................................................. 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Session B ............................................................................ 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM Session C ................................................................................ 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Session D ............................................................................... 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM

POSTER PRESENTATIONS Session 1 .............................................................................. 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Session 2 ............................................................................. 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM Session 3 ................................................................................. 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

DESIGN EXPO PRESENTATIONS Group A ............................................................................... 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Group B ............................................................................. 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM Group C .................................................................................. 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Group D ................................................................................. 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM

DENNIS M. BEAGEN KEYNOTE SPEAKER Brenda Alten, Lead, HR Communications, ........................12:15 PM - 1:00 PM J.M. Smucker Company

College of Arts and Sciences

Art & Design ............................................................................................................ 1-3 Biology ..................................................................................................................... 3-10 Chemistry ................................................................................................................. 11-17 Communication, Media & Theatre Arts ...................................................................... 17-23 Computer Science ..................................................................................................... 24-25 Economics ................................................................................................................ 26 English Language & Literature .................................................................................. 26-29 Geography & Geology ............................................................................................... 29-32 History & Philosophy ................................................................................................ 32-46 Mathematics & Statistics ........................................................................................... 46-47 Music & Dance ......................................................................................................... 47-49 Physics & Astronomy ................................................................................................ 50 Political Science ........................................................................................................ 50-53 Psychology ............................................................................................................... 53-58 Sociology, Anthropology & Criminology .................................................................... 59-62 World Languages ...................................................................................................... 63

College of Health and Human Services

Health Promotion & Human Performance .................................................................. 64-67 Health Sciences ......................................................................................................... 68-69 Nursing ..................................................................................................................... 69-70 Social Work ............................................................................................................... 70-72

College of Education

Special Education & Communication Sciences and Disorders ..................................... 73-74

Game Above College of Engineering and Technology

Engineering Technology ............................................................................................ 75 Information Security & Applied Computing ............................................................... 75-76 Visual & Built Environments ..................................................................................... 77-88

Live Sessions .................................................................................................... 89 - 105 Event Hosts ...................................................................................................... 106 Symposium Planning Committee ........................................................... 107-108 Symposium Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURFS) ............ 109-110 Sponsers ............................................................................................................. 111 Thank You ......................................................................................................... 112 Dennis M. Beagen Keynote Speaker .................................................... 113-114

Student Abstracts:

Click on Project Titles to Visit Our Virtual Platform

Art & Design Undergraduate Symposium Design Work

Beatrice Carlsen and Brielle Norris Ryan Molloy, faculty mentor Our theme for the 41st Undergraduate Symposium is growth and development, similar to the life of plants that start as a seed and transform into something beautiful. We aimed to capture each student’s path from inspiration to development, and ultimately to the creation and exhibition of their work. We recognize the challenges that students have faced to make their projects seen and heard in a virtual format. Through our design, we represent the trials and progressions that allowed their work to come to fruition for the Symposium. Each individual has spent incredible amounts of time and effort on their project, firmly planting the roots to establish a foundation in which their work can continue to blossom. Design Expo / Q&A Group B

What We Don’t Talk About

Ani Daher Andrew Maniotes, faculty mentor Sexual assault reporting uses victim-based language. For example, a commonly-taught statistic is 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. The limited information we do have about perpetrators is rarely included in these conversations. In this project, I created a series of information graphics to represent perpetrator-based data, removing the victim-centric lens. The goal is to widen the conversation and help educate viewers about who is committing these crimes, instead of creating a culture of victim blaming. Design Expo / Q&A Group D STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Small Architecture: Prefabricated Modular Spaces

Kevin Purify John DeHoog, faculty mentor Small Architecture takes a holistic approach to designing and fabricating a self-contained architectural space. Typically, spaces are conceived by architects, filled by interior designers, made by trades workers, and eventually used or modified by the customer. This chain of production often leads to a confusion of competing ideas. I will create a small architectural space and four utilitarian objects: a modular space with modular objects that can be quickly assembled or disassembled. Most prefabricated architectural structures are complex and require skills, tools, and several persons to build. However, with modern techniques and materials one could assemble this structure by themselves within a few hours. Design Expo / Live Group B / 10:30 a.m.

Vanity and Devotion: Symbols of Conversion in Caravaggio’s Martha and Mary Magdalene

Nicole Rinkel Pamela Stewart, faculty mentor This paper explores Caravaggio’s engagement with religious and secular works in Martha and Mary Magdalene (1598). While rooted in Catholic Reformation thought and the growing devotion to St. Mary Magdalene at this time, Caravaggio’s painting also integrates popular symbols of vanity and purity, contrasting them with one another to illustrate an instance of divine intervention and conversion. Through pointed comparisons to multiple works by Caravaggio and to Titian’s Woman at Her Toilet, I argue that Caravaggio juxtaposes exempla of femininity and piety to create a devotional image that combines gender stereotypes and religious iconography to powerfully depict a new religious calling. Oral / Q&A Session B

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Dispelling the Violent Delight: An Analysis of Jusepe de Ribera’s Susanna and the Elders

Allison Shearer Pamela Stewart, faculty mentor When examining Jusepe de Ribera’s Susanna and the Elders (c.1610), a clear aura of fear radiates from the canvas. A tale of sexual assault and unwanted advances, the biblical story of Susanna was often misconstrued by early modern artists as a sexually playful scene that emphasized the erotic depiction of the female nude. This paper explores Ribera’s resistance to these conventions and his incorporation of what scholars have termed “slow violence.” By comparing Ribera’s painting to others by Tintoretto, Alessandro Allori, and Artemisia Gentileschi, we can distinguish between the typical imagery associated with Susanna and Ribera’s more visceral and realistic image, and connect it to his broader artistic interests in gore and intensive pain. Oral / Live Session B / 11:00 a.m.

Korean Shamanism and Shamanistic Paintings

Macy Whitenburg Tom Suchan, faculty mentor Korean Shamanism (mugyo , ) has played a big role in Korean culture from ancient times until the present. This presentation will explore Korean Shamanism and how art serves the beliefs and practices of the religion, focusing on the importance of Sansin ( , ), the Mountain god of Korean Shamanism, and his accompanying tiger. There will be a brief overview of Korean Shamanism, shamanistic religious practice, and how Korean Shamanism is gendered; a discussion of ritualistic objects employed by shamans, the role and importance of the Mountain God Sansin and his associated tiger; and finally, an examination of the color choices and visual characteristics of the religious paintings. Oral / Live Session B / 11:10 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Biology Investigating Interactions between Arabidopsis VTC1 and KONJAC proteins

Iqra Akhlaq Aaron Liepman, faculty mentor VITAMIN C DEFECTIVE 1 (VTC1), a GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase (GMPP) enzyme, plays a vital role in the biosynthesis of plant cell wall carbohydrates, catalyzing interconversion of mannose-1-phosphate and GDP-mannose. Prior studies have demonstrated that interactions between VTC1 and KONJAC (KJC) proteins in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana enhance GMPP activity of VTC1. We aim to further characterize these interactions to gain additional insights about the VTC1 protein and regulation of GMPP activity in plants. We present results of our efforts to express recombinant Arabidopsis His6-VTC1 and His6-KJC2 in E. coli and purify these proteins using immobilized metal affinity chromatography. Poster / Q&A Session 1

Does Confidence Come with Age? Age and Behavioral Change in Tarantulas (Lasiodora parahybana)

Bradley Allendorfer Cara Shillington, faculty mentor Behavior is a very flexible phenotypic trait, implying that behavior can change throughout an organism’s lifetime. Most research focuses on behavioral changes associated with a varying environment. However, in this study, we investigated changes in behavior with developmental stage (age) in tarantulas. Based on previous lab data, we hypothesized that older individuals would exhibit higher activity levels compared to younger individuals. To test this, we placed individual tarantulas from different age groups into a novel arena and recorded and compared locomotory activity and speed. Our data will provide insight on changes in tarantula behavior at varying life stages. Poster / Live Session 2 / 11:05 a.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

The Use of Haplotypes of the Alu-Containing Locus Yb8NBC9 in Human Population Studies Ashley Banach David Kass, faculty mentor Alu elements represent a family of mobile DNA capable of generating copies that integrate into new chromosomal sites. Of the one million Alu elements present in human genomes, roughly 2,000 have integrated recently, and are not fixed in human populations, resulting in presence/absence (+/-) dimorphic variants demonstrated to be useful in human population studies. We have identified DNA sequence variants within the dimorphic Yb8NBC9 Alu locus resulting in five distinct haplotypes. We developed assays to distinguish these haplotypes, assessed DNA samples among different populations, and demonstrated a notable increase in its usefulness as a DNA marker for potential use in various applications. Poster / Q&A Session 1

Understanding the Genetics of Lavender Albino Ball Pythons (Python regius)

Autumn Brown Hannah Seidel, faculty mentor Ball pythons are an excellent model for understanding the genetics of pigmentation in reptiles. This species shows abundant heritable variation in the normal pigmentation pattern, and DNA samples can readily be obtained from shed skin. Here we investigate the genetic cause of a pigmentation variant known as ‘Lavender Albino’. Lavender Albino animals show a deficit of the brown-to-black pigment in the skin. We find that the phenotype is likely caused by a mutation in the gene OCA2, which is linked to similar pigment disorders in humans. Our study establishes ball pythons as a model for pigmentation genetics in reptiles and suggests that pigmentation genes are conserved among vertebrates. Oral / Live Session D / 3:50 p.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Assessing the Influence of Rainfall and Spring Snowmelt as Sources of Microplastics in Streams

Morgan Chaudry Kristin Judd, faculty mentor Microplastics (<5mm) present a myriad of detrimental effects on ecosystems, including the leaching of harmful chemicals and bioaccumulation of the plastics up the food chain. The goal of our study was to distinguish important sources of microplastics to waterways. We examined the influence of rainfall, snowmelt and wastewater treatment plants as potential sources of microplastics into waterways, using the wet peroxide oxidation method. We compared microplastic concentrations during baseflow and high flow conditions in a small urban stream and in the larger Huron River system. Understanding the sources of microplastics to waterways could help us understand and prevent future pollution. Oral / Live Session D / 3:10 p.m.

Development of Vector Graphic Analysis Techniques for the Characterization of Cell Morphology

Caleb Scheys and Colin Goodman Victor Carmona-Galido and Roxanne Katus, faculty mentors Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) are detrimental to vertebrates and make their way into waterways through the degradation of materials containing them. Previous research established a relationship between roundness of shallot cells and PFC concentration. This study aims to design a robust measurement tool for the analysis of that trend. Onion cell shapes were recorded as a set of cubic Bezier curves. These curves were then converted into Fourier series for ease of manipulation to obtain radial values that varied with cell roundness. With an establishment of clearer trends in future research this technique could allow shallot onions to be used as a bioindicator species for PFCs. Poster / Live Session 1 / 9:00 a.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Olfactory Discrimination in Mice with Reduced Olfactory Bulb Dopamine

Supraja Kalva Thomas Mast, faculty mentor Olfactory bulb dopamine is reduced during anosmia (the loss of smell). We have developed a nasal lavage protocol, with a dilute detergent solution, that induces temporary, recoverable anosmia. During the early recovery period mice regain the sense of smell but do not fully regain olfactory bulb dopamine synthesis. By measuring olfactory ability during the early recovery period, we can investigate the role of dopamine in olfactory processing. The objective of this study is to understand the role of olfactory bulb dopamine neurotransmission during an olfactory discrimination task in mice. Oral / Q&A Session D

Bioacoustics Analysis of the Newly Described Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog

Carrie Kosiba Katherine Greenwald, faculty mentor A new leopard frog species, Rana kauffeldi, was recently discovered in urban areas along the Atlantic coast of the United States. We are using bioacoustics technology to record species presence, relative abundance and frequency of urban interruptions at urban and rural sites. We hypothesize that R. kauffeldi may be less affected by urban noise and therefore have less competition and larger populations in urban areas. We predict that urban sites will have greater numbers of R. kauffeldi but fewer other frog species compared to rural sites. The results of this study will allow us to understand the distribution of R. kauffeldi in urban and rural settings and their interactions with other species. Poster / Q&A Session 2

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Life in the Fast Lane: Is the Pace of Life Syndrome Supported in Tarantulas? Peter Landor Cara Shillington, faculty mentor Pace-of-life syndrome (POLS) proposes a correlation among life history, behavior, and physiology in animals. POLS predicts that fast-paced species have higher growth rates (GRs) and metabolic rates (MRs) than slow-paced species. Fast-paced species also have shorter lifespans. We investigated POLS in two tarantula species, comparing GRs and MRs while varying food availability. We hypothesized that the fast-paced species with high food availability have higher GRs and MRs than slow-paced species. We also predicted that fast-paced species would be more impacted by food limitation due to differences in energy allocation over shorter lifespans. Results are discussed in the context of the POLS. Oral / Q&A Session A

Advancements in Alu-Based DNA Markers for Studies of Human Populations

Madeline Maki David Kass, faculty mentor Alu elements represent the most common short interspersed DNA elements (SINEs) in the human genome with over one million copies. Roughly 2,000 elements are not fixed in human genomes providing DNA markers shown to be highly useful in human population studies. Upon sequencing the Yc1NBC60 Alu-containing locus we have identified additional variations, subsequently developing a relatively simple assay to identify the variants among individuals from various ethnic groups. Thus far, we have found an allele common in American Caucasians, but rare among analyzed Asian and African DNA samples supporting the increased robustness of our methodology for further advancing studies of human populations. Poster / Q&A Session 1

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Utilizing Microbial Ecology to Optimize Antibiotic Production Lilly Vael Paul Price, faculty mentor Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant organisms pose a global health threat. Concurrently, antibiotic discovery, critical to treating such infections, has stagnated due to scientific hurdles. In their natural environments, many soil microbes produce antimicrobial compounds to compete with proximal microbes. Our research aims to utilize microbial ecology to trigger the expression of antibiotic metabolites under laboratory conditions. Recent studies suggest that when available carbon is restricted to complex polysaccharides, microbes respond by increasing antimicrobial production. By varying the polysaccharide source, we observed distinct differences in antimicrobial production. Poster / Live Session 2 / 10:45 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Sgs1-FD Mutants of S. cerevisiae Do Not Exhibit Higher Levels of Error-prone DNA Repair

Beth F. Wasserman Anne Casper, faculty mentor Misrepair of DNA double-stranded breaks (DSB) can result in genomic rearrangements and cancer. SGS1 is a helicase that unwinds DNA for DSB repair. To test its role in break repair, I analyzed the frequency of various DSB repairs in yeast cells with the mutation sgs1-FD. Given this mutation disrupts an interaction between SGS1 and a critical protein, Rad51, I hypothesized mutant cells would have more error-prone repair than high fidelity canonical BIR repair. Genome sequence and chromosome III size were examined in sgs1-FD cultures that underwent DSB repair. No difference was found in the frequency of error-prone repair, indicating the mutation did not affect the repair process. Oral / Live Session A / 9:40 a.m.

Pace of Life Syndrome: Growth Rates & Metabolism in Five Tarantula Species

Mary Watson Cara Shillington, faculty mentor The Pace of Life Syndrome (PoLS) hypothesizes that animals with a faster pace of life in one area will exhibit a fast pace in other areas. For example, fast growth rate (GR) is linked to short lifespans. Many studies that support PoLS have been conducted using invertebrates, but there has been minimal PoLS research using spiders. To test this hypothesis in spiders, we measured GR and metabolic rate (MR) of five tarantula species with varying lifespans. We predicted that tarantulas with longer life spans would have slower GR and MR than species with shorter life spans. So far, there is no clear trend based on lifespan, but GRs for all species decreased initially and then levelled out. Oral / Live Session D / 3:40 p.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Chemistry Systematic Optimization of Parameters of Compucell 3D For Modeling Autophagic Bodies

Garrett Bailey Steven Backues, faculty mentor Autophagy is the process in which cells uptake cellular material and recycle it under starvation conditions, and understanding it is important for human health. Visualizing autophagic bodies by electron microscopy is an important part of this research, but is limited because it only gives flat 2D images. This can lead to slices of bodies with misleading sizes, and even exclude whole bodies. 3D modeling bypasses this as it can visualize bodies as wholes, allowing more accurate interpretation of electron microscope images. We are optimizing the parameters of the modeling program Compucell 3D to mimic the natural configuration of autophagic bodies within the cell. Poster / Live Session 1 / 10:00 a.m.

Investigating the Binding Interaction of UHRF1 PHD D334A and UHRF2 PHD D363N to H3K9me3 Kaitlyn Bricker Brittany Albaugh, faculty mentor Ubiquitin-like, containing PHD and RING finger domains protein 1 and 2 (UHRF1 and UHRF2) are epigenetic histone reader proteins. D334 of UHRF1 and D363 UHRF2 within the PHD is proposed to ionically interact with R2 of H3. To test this possibility, we created UHRF1 PHD D334A and UHRF2 PHD D363N mutants by mutagenesis and analyzed their impacts on the binding of H3 peptides by fluorescence polarization. We found that changing the negatively charged amino acids with neutral amino acids ceased the ability for the reader proteins to bind, furthering our understanding of these reader proteins and their connection to cancer. Poster / Live Session 1 / 9:40 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Measuring Atg12-5 Attachment During the Autophagic Process by Western Blotting Ayanda Brydie Steven Backues, faculty mentor Autophagy is a degradation process in which damaged organelles or cellular components are digested to maintain homeostasis within the cell. This project will focus on nonselective or bulk autophagy, initiated when the cell is starved of nutrients and mediated by Atg proteins. Our current work is part of the broader examination of the effect Atg10 has on autophagosome size and number. Atg10 is responsible for the attachment of Atg12 to Atg5, which is essential for the formation of autophagosomes. The attachment of Atg12 to Atg5 will be verified in Atg10 mutants by western blotting. Poster / Live Session 1 / 10:20 a.m.

Characterization of the Histone Binding Properties of D337N UHRF1 Mutant

Nick Butkevich Brittany Albaugh, faculty mentor UHRF1 is an epigenetic protein involved in cancer regulation. The binding of UHRF1 protein to histone H3 via ionic interactions may cause the repression of tumor suppressor genes. The goal of this project is to determine the role of amino acid D337 in UHRF1 in binding to histone H3. A D337N UHRF1 mutant (Aspartic Acid to Asparagine) was generated by PCR. The mutated DNA was then transformed and expressed in Rosetta E. Coli. The mutant protein was purified and the binding affinity of the mutated proteins to histone H3 peptide were measured by fluorescence polarization. The results of this work will be presented Poster / Live Session 1 / 9:20 a.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Impacts of the Covid 19 Lockdown on Regional Air Quality

Jessica K. Callaghan Gavin D. Edwards, faculty mentor For the last decade the atmospheric chemistry group at EMU has measured the concentration of the important pollutant ozone. This EPA regulated gas is known to cause damage to human health such as causing breathing problems for sensitive groups. In early 2020, the Covid 19 global pandemic resulted in the chance to examine the effect of the lockdown on local and regional air quality with respect to ozone. It was hypothesized that there could be a change in ozone levels measured during lockdown relative to a 10-year measurement average. In this poster we report the findings for ozone levels in 2020, and discuss the impact of Covid 19 on our air quality. Poster / Q&A Session 2

Mutated Autophagic Proteins and Their Binding Partners

Chase Chitwood and Sophia Taylor Steven Backues, faculty mentor Autophagy is a cellular process in which cellular components are broken down and recycled. Autophagy is important for maintaining healthy cells and may play a role in certain illnesses and disorders. Many proteins are involved in this process and we are researching how these proteins interact. In the lab, we are using molecular cloning techniques to produce yeast with DNA that expresses mutated autophagic proteins to determine how these mutations impact protein interactions. Using a method termed co-immunoprecipitation, we are testing protein-protein interactions and determining if certain mutations cause loss of interaction between the two expressed proteins. Poster / Live Session 1 / 9:50 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Software for Simulation of Autophagic Bodies in Cell Vacuoles

Payton Dunning Steven Backues, faculty mentor Faced with starvation, eukaryotic cells will recycle cellular material for reuse through the process of autophagy. In yeast cells, cellular material is transported to the vacuole in autophagosomes to be degraded. The resulting autophagic bodies within the vacuole can be measured using electron microscopy to generate 2D slices or snapshots of the cell vacuole. These 2D images are not perfect representations and may leave out entire autophagic bodies. To better understand the size, number, and configuration of autophagic bodies within vacuoles undergoing autophagy, this project seeks to develop software for simulating and analyzing 3D autophagic bodies within a cell vacuole. Poster / Live Session 1 / 9:30 a.m.

Systematic Studies Towards the Development of a Novel Beer Style – Smoked IPA

Clint Lafferty Cory Emal, faculty mentor The explosion of the craft beer industry in recent years has led to the creation of numerous new beer styles, including variations on the India Pale Ale (IPA), a style of beer defined by a hop-forward flavor profile. The majority of modern variations of IPA focus on the characteristics of the hops themselves (e.g. pine, fruit), often paired with fruit and/or a sour component. Smoke, a historically important flavor, has been overlooked. In collaboration with a local brewery, we have developed a recipe that combines these divergent flavors. By evaluating multiple smoked malts alongside a range of hop varieties, we have developed a prototype recipe that will help establish this style of beer. Poster / Live Session 2 / 11:15 a.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Exploring the Structure and Function of UHRF2

Isaak Miller Brittany Albaugh, faculty mentor Epigenetics explores the changes caused by modifications of gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. UHRF2 is a protein involved in cell-cycle regulation and is thought to have possible anticancer characteristics. The first project involved creating a DNA construct that expresses UHRF2 protein in E.Coli cells. The second project involved the purification of the UHRF2 protein construct by chromatography. The goal of the project is to determine the crystal structure of UHRF2 to further our understanding of the mechanism by which UHRF2 interacts with histone H3. Oral / Q&A Session B

Replacement of Hydrazide Moieties in Inhibitors of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1

Micaela Schempf Cory Emal, faculty mentor The human protein plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is largely responsible for the regulation of fibrinolysis, or blood clotting. Mammalian PAI-1 concentrations are typically very low, but abnormally high levels of PAI-1 correlate with a number of common pathological conditions, including stroke, heart attack, and kidney fibrosis. The ability to target and inhibit excess PAI-1 with a selective small-molecule inhibitor in order to treat or prevent these pathologies is desirable. This study focuses on the replacement of the hydrazide functional group in existing PAI-1 inhibitors with functionalities that potentially retain activity and provide improved pharmacokinetic properties. Poster / Live Session 1 / 10:10 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

The Effect of Autophagy Related Protein 10 and its Mutants on Autophagosome Size and Number Nadia Silvia Steven Backues, faculty mentor Autophagy is the cellular degradation process in which cellular contents are encapsulated by double-membrane vesicles, autophagosomes, and delivered to the vacuole to be degraded and recycled. This process is important for cell health and homeostasis. There are approximately 32 different autophagyrelated proteins involved. Atg10 is an enzyme that may affect overall autophagic activity by changing autophagosome size and/or number. Our goal is to find mutants that cause a partial loss in Atg10’s activity by mutating some residues near the active site and testing the functionality of these mutants by performing western blots and enzymatic assays. Poster / Live Session 1 / 9:00 a.m.

Air Quality on the EMU Campus During the Covid 19 Lockdown

Katrina White Gavin D. Edwards, faculty mentor The first lockdown associated with the Covid 19 pandemic has offered atmospheric chemists the opportunity to look at the changes in pollution associated with the impact of the lockdown on our local air quality. In this work, we will report the impact of the lockdown on air quality measured on the EMU campus. We show the changes in one specific EPA regulated pollutant, PM2.5. This poster will discuss the changes in the concentration of this aerosol over the lockdown period by comparing our measurements to those of previous years, and the implications for improving local and regional air quality in the future. Poster / Q&A Session 2

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

The Effects of α7nAChR Specific Conotoxins on the Secretion of Aβ and SLURP-1 in Cancer Cells

Asana Williams Deborah Heyl-Clegg, Hedeel Evans, and Jeffrey Guthrie, faculty mentors Amyloid beta (Aβ) and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) have been implicated in both Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cancer. Aβ is a peptide found in AD patients and is present in A549 and H1299 cancer cell lines. nAChR is involved in tumor progression and may contribute to AD via interaction with Aβ. Both Aβ and SLURP-1, a peptide with antiproliferative effects, bind to α7nAChR. In this study, we will synthesize conotoxins, bicyclic peptides from marine animals that inhibit α7nAChR, by solid phase synthesis and cyclize them via two disulfide linkages using a selective protection and oxidation protocol. Effects on secretion of Aβ and SLURP-1 and on cell viability will be determined. Poster / Live Session 1 / 9:10 a.m.

Communication, Media & Theatre Arts “EMU: Return to the Canvas”: The Creative Process of EMU Artists during the Pandemic

Adrian Ace, Sydney Ferguson and Myah Gaither Susan Badger Booth, faculty mentor The students in the Fall 2020 section of the Arts Management class proudly present their final project “EMU: Return to the Canvas,” a documentary following the story of five Eastern Michigan University student artists during the Covid 19 pandemic. This project was conceptualized, developed and produced by the students in this class. The Arts Management class is a part of Eastern Michigan University’s Arts Management & Administration Programs. Students from the class Branding, Marketing and Production groups will be presenting on how this project was developed. Design Expo / Live Group A / 9:15 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

The Construct of Gender and Sexuality: Using Oral History to Deepen Understanding Tre’vian Briscoe

Tre’vian Briscoe Anke Wolbert, faculty mentor What do we define as gender, as sex? People often question these two terms so much that we find them becoming warped and lost in translation. For this oral history interview, I interviewed a young trans man, so I could better grasp on what gender and sexuality are, and how they affect our society. Oral history interviews allow us to tell the story of the interviewee and connect their story to society at large. The following conversation should support the conversation on gender and sexuality and can create a better understanding of others while loosening the grip that society has on the preconceived notions that we have created over time. Oral / Q&A Session B

Accessibility in the Arts: An Applied Investigation

Gwenyth Deiter Susan Badger Booth, faculty mentor This interactive exhibit presents accessible tools used in previous research to create an accessible model of another student’s design exposition. The exhibit includes educational infographics, access tools, and feedback stations. The purpose of this exhibit is to inform and share the functions and effectiveness of accessibility in an academic environment. In summary, this exhibit aims to raise awareness for accessibility and inclusivity in the academic sector within the EMU community. Design Expo / Live Group C / 1:45 p.m.

Accessibility in the Arts

Gwenyth Deiter Susan Badger Booth, faculty mentor This presentation will discuss my previous year’s research with Eastern Michigan University Theatre and connect the data found to implement accessible components to create an abstract for the 2022 Undergraduate Symposium. I will apply my research from last year, assessing the effectiveness of the accessible elements used, while also applying research to projects at this year’s symposium. The goal is to further develop potential guidelines that will assist future symposiums in creating an accessible environment. Oral / Live Session C / 2:30 p.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Double-Sided Door as a Theatrical Shortcut

Kaite Genthner Brian Scruggs, faculty mentor Part of the immersive Hush Haunted Attraction, this piece is a doublesided door that takes you from a dingy maintenance hall into the abandoned underground catacombs of Hush Falls. This handcrafted door acts as a shortcut for actors between two adjacent rooms without taking the audience out of the experience of the room they are in. Through video, this demonstration will show how a piece of lauan and 2x4’s are able to appear in two completely different styled rooms while acting as a single bridge to both. This is done with the use of theatrical faux painting techniques, resin casting, and foam carving. Design Expo / Q&A Group A

Life Coaches: Their Content and Influence Analyzed Through Lacanian Psychoanalysis

James Graham Nick Romerhausen, faculty mentor I am looking at life coaches, Aaron Marino and Corey Wayne, and their media influence. The literature relates to media influence on relationships, motivation, and behaviors. The theoretical approach used was Lacanian Psychoanalysis (Object of Desire, Jouissance, Symbolic Order, The Imaginary, and the Real). Implications found were promoting males to become alpha males, products for cash, and reinforcing hook-up culture. Limitations were making the paper more objective and looking at other life coaches. These limitations can be solved with future research with different methods. One reason for viewership on the videos is individuals never obtaining the Object of Desire. Oral / Live Session C / 1:40 p.m.

Handmade for the Holidays: Transitioning from an In-Person Art Fair to a Virtual Event

Stephani Hicks and Isabel Barreto Susan Badger Booth, faculty mentor For many years AMP! Student Org has presented a student art fair in December called “Handmade for the Holidays.” This year due to the pandemic we weren’t able to do this event in-person so we decided to do an online art auction. This presentation will talk about challenges and successes through this new process.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Design Expo / Live Group C / 1:30 p.m.

Liberty and Freedom: An Ideographic Analysis of This is America

Anthony Muradian Jonathan Carter, faculty mentor This project performs an ideographic criticism of Childish Gambino’s song and music video This is America. My analysis demonstrates how Gambino showcases the United States’ proudly defined term of liberty, and flips it by showing the detriments of America’s so-called freedom. This rhetorical redefinition reframes political controversies around controversial issues of gun violence and race by raising the questions of the role of the ideograph of liberty in contemporary America. Through a close reading of the song and video’s intricate yet “in-your-face” style, I explore how the lyrics and explosive visuals call America to be accountable for its past and present. Oral / Live Session B / 11:10 a.m.

Narrative Analysis of Sylvia Rivera’s 1973 Speech, “Y’all Better Quiet Down”

Georgia Nagel Jonathan Carter, faculty mentor Using narrative analysis, this project examines Sylvia Rivera’s 1973 speech at the Christopher Street Liberation Day Rally in New York City. Based on a close reading of this speech, I argue that Rivera challenged existing narratives regarding the worth of different queer identities. Centering on foregrounding value of transgender people, despite their exclusion from the gay power movement, Rivera builds a new and inclusive story of gay power as she speaks to an audience which she sees as drenched in privilege and villainy. Based on this analysis, this project works to encourage a deeper understanding of her rhetoric and its impact on larger narratives of queer experience. Oral / Q&A Session B

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Black Business Owners and the Covid 19 Pandemic in Washtenaw County

Bianca Ramsey Sadaf Ali, faculty mentor This research project focuses on how local Black businesses were affected by Covid 19 in Washtenaw County, particularly downtown Ypsilanti. Throughout my research, I gathered data by arranging one-on-one interviews with five local Black business owners and analyzed statistics regarding small businesses in Michigan. Throughout the interviews, I asked how the pandemic affected their businesses in terms of rent, clients, and income. Many Black business owners discussed how their business made a positive impact on residents in the community. This research project will bring more awareness to how African American businesses promote unity during a time of crisis. Design Expo / Live Group C / 2:00 p.m.

Striking a Balance: Transforming EMU Arts Management & Administration’s Social Media Platforms

Olivia Robinson Susan Booth, faculty mentor EMU Arts Management & Administration Programs have the privilege of graduating leaders with diverse & enriching experiences. After analyzing our past social media platforms, promoting the arts overwhelmed our social media outreach, stealing the spotlight from our management & business curriculum. This oral presentation intends to promote our new balance, displaying both arts and management equally. Included is an overview of the initial evaluation, an explanation of our branding, & our new ideas moving forward. We hope sharing the progress, passion, & plans of our students & faculty through Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn will connect the AMA community & increase campus visibility. Oral / Live Session C / 1:30 p.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Framing Theory: A Textual Analysis of News Coverage of Breonna Taylor

Katrina D. Seals Nick Romerhausen, faculty mentor During a prolonged uproar of life-changing events within the African American community, Breonna Taylor who identified as a Black woman in America was fatally shot in her home by a Louisville Metro police officer. This tragic incident took place on March 13, 2020, in Louisville, Kentucky. Coverage from media outlets stated the actions taken by the police department were sloppy and reckless. This study uses framing theory to understand the different ways that these news outlets covered Breonna Taylor’s murder. There are three types of frames that will be examined throughout this paper. After examining more than 100 headlines from CNN, ABC News, MSNBC News, and Fox News the study sought to understand this tragedy from a communication perspective. Poster / Q&A Session 2

The Shared Human Experience and Universal Themes in Global Cinema

Alexander Smith Brooke Dagnan, faculty mentor Cinema as an artform is positioned to reflect the values and struggles of a given culture. At the same time, cinema shows us that despite our perceived cultural differences, there are commonalities among all people, from the everyday struggles of the working class to grappling with the inevitability of death. Whether a film presents a young Saudi Arabian girl struggling with her place in society or a displaced family in China, global cinema shows us deep, universal human truths. By doing so the filmmakers create a sense of realism that is accentuated by using non-actors and shooting on location. Together these elements present a reflection of reality and a shared human experience. Oral / Q&A Session C

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Feel the Bern: Bernie Sanders and <Socialism> in the 21st Century

Valentyna Stadnik Jonathan Carter, faculty mentor In order to understand the rise in popularity of democratic socialism, I analyze Bernie Sanders’s 2019 speech on ideology. Specifically, I discuss the use of <socialism> as an ideograph, an abstract noun used to justify displays of power or lack thereof. The presentation details Sanders’s use of American ideographs such as <justice> and <freedom> to understand how Sanders fights the negative connotation of <socialism> in favor of a more positive one associated with community wellness. From this analysis , I highlight how Sanders’s speech has affected American politics and offer predictions for future changes. Oral / Live Session C / 1:30 p.m.

Representation of Colorism in Hollywood

Rhy’ss C. Taylor You Li, faculty mentor This research examines Hollywood’s representation of people of color and its impact on adolescence. First, it uses critical discourse analysis to compare and contrast how white directors and non-white directors represent people of color in race-themed movies through the use of setting, dialogue, clothing, and other factors. Second, it interviews African American teenagers on their self-perception after viewing those movies. The results will shed light on the stereotypes and colorism used in those movies to portray people of color and how such representation may affect audiences’ self-esteem. Oral / Live Session B / 10:50 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Computer Science Social Engineering Attacks During the Covid 19 Pandemic

Randy Andrews Zenia Bahorski, faculty mentor Covid 19 has caused many employees to work from home in an online environment. In April 2020, 95% of IT professionals reported an increase in security challenges, including accidentally downloading untested software or opening emails with ransomware attached (World Economic Forum, 2020; CNBC, 2020). The pandemic has also given cybercriminals an opportunity to use social engineering to scam people that are applying for government assistance (FBI National Press Office, 2020). In short, there is a need to create awareness of social engineering attacks for Internet users. This poster focuses on how Covid 19 has increased cyber security threats, and also strategies to prevent social engineering attacks. Poster / Live Session 2 / 11:25 a.m.

Detecting Triangular Arbitrage Amongst Multiple Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Samuel Grone Weitian Tong, faculty mentor Since the introduction of Bitcoin, alternative cryptocurrencies have exploded in number. It was once believed that a few cryptocurrencies would eventually drive out competitors. This assumption turned out to be incorrect. Thousands of cryptocurrencies exist concurrently. A question that arises for cryptocurrencies is how they compare to fiat currencies. Fiat currencies are often traded in an attempt to earn profit by taking advantage of price inefficiencies between the fiat currencies. We will explore how this translates to cryptocurrencies by evaluating historical price data for several cryptocurrencies to assess the prevalence of arbitrage in cryptocurrency markets. Poster / Q&A Session 1

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Network Design Training Game

Blake Johnson, Samuel Grone, Kyle Frownfelter and Nicholas Garska Krish Narayanan, faculty mentor The Detroit Community Technology Project (DCTP) helps set up affordable internet for low income housing in Detroit. It trains residents to build and maintain neighborhood-governed community wireless networks. One aspect of the training program includes designing the internet infrastructure. With the support of Ford Community Corp (FCC) scholarships, we have developed a video game that allows students in this program to practice building networks with different types of antennas. The goal of the game is to build an efficient network, so that the smallest number of antennas can serve the largest number of homes. We developed this game on the Unity gaming platform and C# programming language. Oral / Q&A Session A

Explore the Impact of Covid 19 on U.S. Rental Housing Market via Deep Learning

Emily Tracht Weitian Tong, faculty mentor Covid 19 has impacted the lives of many, not only physically but financially as well. During this time, the entertainment, retail, and travel industries have taken a significant hit. A large portion of those who have been affected by the loss of jobs is renters. In addition to working and learning from home, other actions have been applied to reduce the spread. This has resulted in homes being turned into offices, classrooms, gyms, and entertainment areas. Being able to afford a home is more important now than ever. We will be exploring the effects Covid 19 has on the United States rental market through deep learning with the use of Python and numerous data handling libraries. Poster / Q&A Session 1

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Economics Modeling the Cost of Housing using Interest Rates: An Application of Time Series Analysis

Emma Krietemeyer Chris Elias, faculty mentor Time series analysis will be used to assess the relationship between recorded interest rates and the recorded cost of housing in the United States. This model will be used to interpolate and extrapolate results of manipulating one or both variables to make predictions. The Freddie Mac U.S. National house price index will be used. Mortgage rates and other forms of interest will all be considered. The model will be evaluated to various standards of econometric analysis. An open source software R will be utilized for computational aid. Oral / Live Session D / 3:40 p.m.

English Language & Literature Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend: Identity and Global Climate

Molly Aills Nataša Kovačević, faculty mentor Elena Ferrante, best known for the four-part series the Neapolitan Novels, has been met with equal parts adoration and scrutiny from the literary world after My Brilliant Friend, the first book in the quartet, was released. Despite some critics’ condemnation, Ferrante chooses to operate under a pseudonym, and with her anonymity, Ferrante can write about and discuss the lives of women, particularly regarding rape culture and women’s sexual health, in a way that avoids the scrutiny she may face if she revealed her identity. By obscuring her identity, Ferrante presents a woman’s perspective of male-dominated culture without digging up her personal experiences. Oral / Q&A Session A

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

I Remember Now. I Remember What it Felt Like to Be Her.

Susanna Ansorge Christine Hume, faculty mentor This memoir addresses my tween self’s central confusion: “Why do people keep rejecting me?” Neither she nor I have an answer for that confusion, but I took that smudge of child left in my head and really looked at and listened to her. Instead of cringing, I studied her. In particular, I picked apart her relations with other people; as much as I hated those moments and that “her,” they built me. Oral / Live Session C / 2:00 p.m.

The Grammar of Internet Humor: LOLspeak, Doge, and Because X

Ronia-Isabel Cabansag T. Daniel Seely, faculty mentor Social media has given rise to unique cases of language that appear to reject both prescriptive and descriptive grammar rules. For example, the use of “because X,” as in, “I’m lonely because quarantine,” rejects the “rule” that a conjunction must not be followed by a simple noun phrase. Another interesting example involves so-called ‘doge’ speech, with expressions like “much noble” and “very family,” which seem to violate standard co-occurrence restrictions. This paper will not only analyze the history, structure, and impact of three prevalent cases of internet humor, but consider what their use suggests about the complexity of widely accepted descriptive grammar rules. Oral / Q&A Session D

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

American Foreign Language Education Policy and Society’s Attitudes and Perspectives

Karin Hartmaier T. Daniel Seely, faculty mentor A paradox of American society is that it is a nation made from a “melting pot” of immigrants while the pressure on those to assimilate has resulted in a dominantly monolingual population. Foreign language education policy has been a topic of concern in the USA dating back to the time of the founding fathers. Throughout history, these policies have largely been influenced by immigration trends and society’s perspectives on immigrants. This presentation will show how policy and public opinion have been tied over the past century by mapping how foreign languages have been taught and viewed in the USA, from the onset of the compulsory public education system in the 1920s to the present day. Oral / Q&A Session C

Navigating Hagiography: Why Shakespeare’s Ophelia Stands as the Antithesis of Catholicism

Kimberly Montone Craig Dionne, faculty mentor Shakespeare is known for taking common Catholic attitudes/ideas and morphing them into their antithesis. The social unrest caused by the Protestant Reformation is argued to be the main cause of Shakespeare’s misuse and general dislike of Catholicism. Looking specifically at Hamlet in comparison to the Annunciation from the Catholic bible, it is argued that Gabriel is represented by Hamlet and the Virgin Mary by Ophelia. Moreover, Shakespeare used his characters to mock the biblical figures by having their actions reflect the opposite of what the Madonna and Gabriel represented. Ophelia’s actions throughout the play, but especially in Acts III and IV, will be contrasted against two interpretations of The Annunciation as painted by Giovanni Bellini and Leonardo Da Vinci. The discussion concludes by using evidence to prove Ophelia’s use as a hagiographic character and Shakespeare’s overall mockery of Catholic beliefs. Oral / Live Session B / 11:20 a.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Poverty Narrative in Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger

Claire Schallhorn Nataša Kovačević, faculty mentor This paper will explore the poverty narrative in Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger. The novel follows Balram as he navigates life in India at the bottom of the caste system.While Adiga attempts to use the novel to address the injustices of the caste system, this is complicated in his depictions of poverty. The choice to make Balram an unreliable narrator and the role of violence amongst lower caste members undermine the experiences of the poor. Such portrayals serve to reinforce pre-existing stereotypes against marginalized groups. Oral / Q&A Session B

Geography & Geology Source Tracking of Inorganic Chemical Contaminants in Millers Creek, Ann Arbor

Morgan Bergren, Karlee Foster Christopher Gellasch, faculty mentor A previous study investigated spatial and temporal trends in chloride contamination at Millers Creek, which revealed a potential source other than road salt. The current study is continuing to analyze water quality bi-weekly from multiple sites in the creekshed. The addition of groundwater sampling is facilitated by installing shallow 1-inch diameter piezometers adjacent to the creek. The groundwater data may help determine the source of contamination and if Millers Creek is impacting groundwater quality. Oral / Q&A Session A

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Reproducibility of 10Be in a Burned Catchment Before and After the 2018 Woolsey Fire

Collin Bogoski Eric W. Portenga, faculty mentor Geomorphologists frequently infer erosion rates of river catchments from measurements of 10-beryllium (10Be) in river sand, but landslides triggered following wildfires may dilute 10Be. Here, I compare 10Be measured after the 2018 Woolsey Fire, Santa Monica Mountains, CA, to 10Be measured before the fire in 2016 from a burned catchment. Additionally, I will compare 10Be data from different grain-size fractions, which may allow me to further filter out the effects of landslides. Findings from my work will help geomorphologists working in a fire-prone area understand, plan for, and reduce the influence of wildfires on newly-collected 10Be samples. Oral / Live Session D / 4:00 p.m.

Assessments of Streamflow and Flooding Along the Pere Marquette River, MI

Kenneth Ferrell, Jr. Eric W. Portenga, faculty mentor Understanding how stream flow in rivers across Michigan responds to climate change is important because they are used for hydroelectricity, recreation, fisheries, and many people live along them. Michigan’s annual rainfall has increased by 3 inches since 1940 and is expected to increase by 0.036 inches/ year through the 21st century due to climate change. This study tests the hypothesis that increased rainfall will lead to more-frequent flooding along Michigan’s rivers. Specifically, I will analyze river discharge data and flowduration curves from a stream gaging station on the Pere Marquette River, the largest undammed river in Michigan. Oral / Live Session D / 3:00 p.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Using an N-Type Schmidt Hammer to Determine the Initial Orientation of a Displaced Glacial Erratic

Joel Harris Eric W. Portenga, faculty mentor Ages of glacial landforms allow geologists to reconstruct past glacial histories. Ages of ice-deposited boulders (erratics) is often accomplished using cosmogenic radionuclide dating (CRND) on rock removed from the tops of erratics. CRND requires erratics that are in their ice-deposited location and orientation in the landscape, but erratics in urban and agricultural settings, like those around Washtenaw county often violate this requirement. Ages of moved erratics might be determined if their initial orientations can be identified. Here I use a Schmidt Hammer to measure the degree of weathering across all surfaces of a moved erratic in an attempt to identify its original top side. Oral / Q&A Session C

The Impact of the Covid 19 Pandemic on Eviction Processes in Michigan

Kai Le Michael Koscielniak, faculty mentor Lost employment puts cost-burdened renters, especially people of color, at risk of eviction because housing security often depends on stable employment and wages. The Covid 19 pandemic has intensified this inequality. In April 2020, 52% of low-income adults reported they or someone in their household experienced Covid 19-related pay cuts. This compares with 42% of middleincome and 32% of upper-income adults. In addition to this, 40% of renter households in Michigan could not pay rent and were at risk of eviction in July 2020. This study explores eviction processes in Michigan and, also halting evictions and expanding rental assistance to keep renters sheltered during the Covid 19 pandemic. Oral / Live Session A / 9:50 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

The Currency of Black History Podcasts as Public Pedagogy Tools

Molly Linhares Matthew Cook, faculty mentor Social connectivity and education via the Internet have become essential to our way of life during Covid 19. As a medium to freely share information with wide-ranging audiences, Americans have turned to podcasts for news, storytelling, and entertainment at growing rates. My research assesses the public pedagogical value of Black history podcasts, studying their potential to make sense of current US racial affairs. Findings suggest that these podcasts excel at tying personal experiences and current events to the past through storytelling, creating well-rounded, accessible learning experiences for audiences and perhaps signaling the start of a new era of educational possibilities. Oral / Live Session B / 11:00 a.m.

History & Philosophy The Burden of Disease: The Ebola Pandemic in West Africa, 2013-2016

Wendy Alfaro-Cruz Joseph Engwenyu, faculty mentor In Public Health, the burden of disease on a population is best viewed through the lens of the biomedical perspective, which is, the bodily toll the disease inflicts, the epidemiological perspective, which relates to vulnerable populations affected; and the ethnographic perspective, which concerns the cultural norms in which people view the disease. Historically, the social justice narrative, which shows that disadvantaged populations suffer disproportionately from the burdens of disease compared to privileged members of society is just as crucial. This paper adopts this public health model and uses the World Health Organization data to reconstruct the history of the Ebola Pandemic in West Africa in 2013-2016. The findings are relevant to current public health concerns about the Covid 19 19 Pandemic. Oral / Q&A Session

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

The Self-Serving Attributional Bias and Effective Teaching and Learning

Natalia Anderson W. John Koolage, faculty mentor The self-serving attributional bias (SSAB) is a very common human bias. The SSAB, however, is at odds with being a good learner, since learning (often) requires learning from failure. It is also at odds with the teaching practice known as closing the loop, wherein teachers recognize issues in student learning and then adjust their approach to increase student learning. Patterns of thinking such as SSAB can negatively impact the teaching and learning environment, but we cannot rely on students and teachers to recognize and monitor this bias on their own. I suggest that institutional structures and measures that are intended to serve as a check on biased reasoning are a useful way to help reduce the negative impacts of the SSAB. Oral / Q&A Session A

From Tlatelolco to #Yosoy132: Student Movements, Repression, and the PRI in Mexico

Jennifer Besler Mary G. Strasma, faculty mentor Students in Latin America have often been at the forefront of movements that have named and challenged both political corruption and police brutality. Digging into the history of Mexico’s student protest movements between 1968 and 2012, this paper examines the intersecting issues of political corruption and repression of dissent by the Institutional Revolution Party (PRI), which largely controlled Mexican politics and government between 1930 and 2000. The repeated history of cover-ups of student deaths, I argue, led to the demise and rebirth of the PRI with the election of Enrique Peña Nieto in 2012, and spiraled into the movement against the party called #YoSoy132. Oral / Live Session B / 10:30 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Memories of a Vanished Land: The Yugoslav legacy in Modern Bosnia

Ryan Block Mary G. Strasma, faculty mentor Culturally diverse and geographically central, Bosnia as a region was key to defining moments of the Yugoslav nation between 1917 and 1995, a time that includes both great national achievements and horrific warfare. Because of this, collective historical memory in Bosnia is extraordinarily complex. This complexity is expressed in the intergenerational transmission of memory, nostalgia, and criticisms of various eras in the nation’s history, reflected in both its political landscape and expressions of public art. This presentation explores these forces of cultural identity, how people of Bosnia remember their past, and challenges and successes in their expression of it. Oral / Live Session B / 11:20 a.m.

Chinese Investments in Africa: Myth, Fact and Reality

Cody Chambers Joseph Engwenyu, faculty mentor The rapid and steady rise of Chinese investments in Africa in recent decades, have led to some extreme assumptions in the western media about what good or evil China might be up to in the continent. This paper seeks, first and foremost, to disentangle myth from fact regarding Chinese investments in Africa. Secondly, the paper argues that the bulk of the existing case studies, show neither strong evidence of a new resurgent Chinese resource imperialism, nor some unusual, imagined acts of Chinese benevolence. Rather, the paper concludes that the investments seem to benefit both parties in their own peculiar ways. Oral / Q&A Session C

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

The Burden of Disease: Dengue Fever in Africa

Dylan Chrysler Joseph Engwenyu, faculty mentor In Public Health, the burden of disease on a population is best viewed through the lens of the biomedical perspective, which is, the bodily toll the disease inflicts, the epidemiological perspective, which relates to vulnerable populations affected; and the ethnographic perspective, which concerns the cultural norms in which people view the disease. Historically, the social justice narrative, which shows that disadvantaged populations suffer disproportionately from the burdens of disease compared to privileged members of society is just as crucial. This paper adopts this public health model and uses the World Health Organization data to reconstruct the history of Dengue Fever and Severe Dengue transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. The findings show that Dengue needs to be studied side by side with Malaria for purposes of more effective preventive interventions into both. Oral / Q&A Session C

Neurological Connections: Addiction & the Divine

Susan Dodge-Doak Mark Whitters, faculty mentor The dominant approach to addiction treatment in the U.S. is the Twelve Step method. Alcoholics Anonymous - as well as over 40 other programs based on its Twelve Step approach - are centered around spiritual action. Recent neuroscientific research is now illustrating why the spiritual approach might have become so prolific despite an increasingly secular American culture, as well as why it seems to work so well: religion and addiction experiences take place in the same area of the brain. Neurotheology has found further evidence supporting this premise. In a reversal of previous reporting, as of 2020 new research shows that A.A.’s Twelve Step program is the most effective treatment for addiction, and now we may know why. Oral / Live Session A / 10:00 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

The Women’s Rights Project, The United States Court System, and Second Wave Feminism JuliAnna Ebeling Mary G. Strasma, faculty mentor In second wave feminism, the phase of the women’s rights movement that began in the 1960s, activist organizations developed new ways of advocating for these rights. Examining four legal cases brought by the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project (WRP), this presentation argues that the WRP broke new ground by taking on cases challenging workplace policies and governmental statutes, and in doing so, set new precedents in both law and in activist practice, precedents that are still being effectively used by equal rights organizations today. Further, I argue, while the Women’s Rights Project was formed to fight for women’s rights, by dispelling the stereotypes and legal loopholes that prevented equality for all, two of the historic cases highlighted also benefited men. Poster / Q&A Session 3

The Roots of the Waterloo State Recreation Area

Jordan Hammerberg Richard Nation, faculty mentor Maps, land use records, and newspaper articles about the area around Mill Lake in Sylvan Township were used to investigate the rich history of the Waterloo State Recreation Area of Michigan. The land was sculpted by glaciers and dominated by oak and wetland habitats before being mapped by settlers, bought, and modified, including the construction of a dam and mill to grind the grain of area farmers. Even so, farmers struggled with the landscape until the federal government, under the New Deal, purchased the land and turned it into a park with the help of the CCC, eventually selling it back to the state. Perceptions and needs evolved over time until the land came to be used as a natural area. Oral / Q&A Session B

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

The Fight for the Copley Medal

William Hasey Mark Whitters, faculty mentor The Copley Medal is one of the most prestigious awards in Britain for science, comparable to the Nobel Prize. The theory of evolution is widely attributed to Charles Darwin, but some evidence shows that Alfred Russel Wallace should have received more credit for his contribution. In this presentation, I will argue for this assertion as a disciple of John Stuart Mill, a philosopher and contemporary of Darwin. Mill supported the hypothetical speculative method over induction (Darwin’s mode of research), making himself an “underdog” in his time as an opponent of emerging scientific investigation. I will play the role of Mill’s pupil who would have endorsed Wallace to win the Copley Medal. Oral / Q&A Session C

The Home of Ossian Sweet

Yanni Kefallinos Mary G. Strasma, faculty mentor The Ossian Sweet home is a historic landmark that has become emblematic of Detroit’s history of white supremacist terror. Sweet, a doctor, who was Black, defied segregationist norms and moved into an all-white neighborhood in 1925. When a mob attacked Sweet’s home and he defended it, one white man was killed in the fray. The NAACP and renowned defense attorney Clarence Darrow came to Sweet’s defense. This paper examines the historic trial that proved Sweet’s innocence, the discriminatory housing practices that existed prior to the Civil Rights Movement, and the significance of the marking and interpretation of the Ossian Sweet home as a historic site. Oral / Q&A Session C

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Resilient Women: Entrepreneurial Igbo Women, Nigeria

Alex T. King Joseph Engwenyu, faculty mentor Activist groups in Africa have attempted getting women to take greater leadership roles in directing policies but their success has been uneven. Precolonial Nigerian societies reserved leadership positions for women, but today’s Nigeria does not. This study compares women’s organizations in 19th and 20th century Igboland, Nigeria, with their influence today. Igbo women regained some leadership after the 1980s. Interestingly, this was linked to the economic recession which spurred association networks for self-reliance, self-improvement, and activism. This study claims that public policy for the future of Southeast Nigeria can expect greater influence from Igbo women, henceforth. Oral / Q&A Session A

Fort Wayne, Indiana: City of Three Rivers

Sister Mary Vianney Lyon, OP Richard Nation, faculty mentor The confluence of the St. Mary’s, St. Joseph’s, and Maumee Rivers in modern Fort Wayne, Indiana created a landscape with a unique history, beginning with the Miami nation in the 18th century. The rivers served the city in various ways, from its accessibility as a trade and travel route during 18th and early 19th centuries through the industrial expansion introduced by the canal and then railroad. In more recent years, the importance of the rivers for their natural beauty has been emphasized by an expansion of the park system in Fort Wayne. The geography of the land and the industry which came to the city served as a catalyst for a series of transformations in the area over the last 300 years. Oral / Q&A Session D

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

History as Artistic Inspiration: Playwriting

John Milkovich Ronald Delph, faculty mentor This presentation hopes to show how history can be used to inspire the artist. Focusing on playwriting, the presentation will consist of showing three scenes from my play Memento Mori and explaining what research went into creating these scenes and the entire play. The play deals with events and city life during the Protestant Reformation in Germany and ends with the terrible sack of Rome in 1527. It follows the lives of historical and fictional characters through the development of the Holy Roman Emperor’s war with the papacy. Oral / Live Session C / 1:50 p.m.

“Don’t Be Afraid to Tell Your Stories”: The Afterlives of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League

John Paquette Mary-Elizabeth Murphy, faculty mentor During World War II, the women of The Muskegon Belles and Grand Rapids Chicks teams in Michigan were known as the Michigan Leagues, a subdivision of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball Leagues. The largely forgotten women of the leagues had a newfound confidence that enabled them to join the workforce and pursue trailblazing careers in education, business, medicine and history in the 1940s and 1950s. These trailblazing careers include helping to desegregate companies and industries, champion Title IX practices, and advancing in professions overall. The paper argues that these women were able to have the confidence to achieve these goals because of their time in the women’s professional baseball league. Oral / Live Session C / 2:10 p.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Womanspace: The Creation of EMU’s Women’s Studies Program in the 1970s

Nicole Rinkel Mary-Elizabeth Murphy, faculty mentor My research recounts the founding of the Women and Gender Studies minor at EMU during the 1970s. Drawing on textual sources, including newspapers, meeting minutes, and course pamphlets, I offer a social history of the people who banded together to bring a Women’s Studies curriculum to EMU students. The development of Women’s Studies at EMU was a form of second-wave feminism for professors, staff members, and students. Using collections from the EMU archives, I demonstrate how this minor—through extensive community outreach, weekend seminars, and wide-ranging course programs—created a new space of study and inclusion for women across the state. Oral / Q&A Session A

“Don’t Worry, I’m Careful”: The Michigan Murders, 1967-1969

Michael Scheske Mary-Elizabeth Murphy, faculty mentor Between 1967 to 1969, the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area was terrorized by the serial killer, John Norman Collins. During this time, he killed six women in the area, and he also murdered one female victim in California. He was convicted of the murder of one of the women on August 19, 1970 where he is still serving a life sentence in Marquette Maximum Security Prison. I argue that the Michigan media in the late 1960s sensationalized the story and pursued false leads, including flying in a famed psychic. Ultimately, this media distraction prolonged police investigations into this gendered and sexualized violence, which offers a window into this tumultuous decade. Oral / Live Session B / 11:30 a.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Videla, Nixon, and Kissinger: Responsibility and Traumatization in Argentina

Riley Shepherd Mary G. Strasma, faculty mentor In 1976, while Argentinians struggled with economic and political turmoil, a three-man group led by General Jorge Rafael Videla took control in a military coup. Videla’s regime kidnapped and murdered over 30,000 people, and unlawfully detained and tortured thousands more. Yet Videla’s rise to power was not sudden, nor was it opposed by the U.S. government. Using sources including declassified documents, I argue that U.S. presidents Nixon and Ford enabled Videla’s regime, and that Secretary of State Henry Kissinger tried to shield Videla from prosecution for his crimes. Further, this presentation explores the long-term effects that torture and disappearances had on Argentinian society. Oral / Q&A Session B

Agricultural Settlement Patterns of French Canadians in Lower Canada and Michigan

Katherine St. Amand John Wegner, faculty mentor This project will analyze the agricultural settlement patterns of French Canadians in lower Canada and Michigan between 1665 and 1715. In general, this project will examine where these individuals went throughout the Canadian Colonies and what they did when they got there. I will be using topographical maps, land plot information, and the diversity and amount of crops to help connect the agricultural information to the settlement patterns. This project will primarily focus on the geographical areas of Quebec, Montreal, Detroit, and Sault Ste. Marie. Additionally, I will be examining the farmland surrounding forts - both major and minor forts- within and near these areas. Oral / Q&A Session D

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

“An Excellent Example of Wretched Bureaucratic Excess?”: Eastern Michigan’s Mascot Controversy

Olivia Stuck Mary-Elizabeth Murphy, faculty mentor In the 1990s, Eastern Michigan University (EMU) followed the Michigan government’s recommendation to abandon its mascot, the Hurons, and this decision unleashed a wave of protest throughout the university. Research in EMU’s archives highlights major pushback from students, alumni, the community, and even the Huron Nation itself for removal of the mascot. This mascot controversy revealed growing tensions over identity and bureaucratic decisions at a university. EMU’s story illuminates the tough administrative decisions that have to be made on college campuses and how college campuses grapple with defining their identity. Oral / Q&A Session B

Sleight of Hand: Soviet Anti-Religious Practices Continued in a Post-Communist Russia

Kirk Suchowesky Jesse Kauffman, faculty mentor The post-Soviet, modern Russian state utilized the same tactics as did the late-USSR in religious policies: selective application, implementation, and reinforcement of the de jure religious tolerance policies, which established the Russian Orthodox Church as a de facto state-church institution above any other religious institution in the post-Soviet, modern Russian state while also effectively keeping the church subordinate to the state apparatus. Oral / Live Session B / 10:50 a.m.

West African Troops During the Burma Campaign, 1943-1945

Liza Jane Throne Joseph Engwenyu, faculty mentor The Burma Campaign was part of the South-East Asian theatre of World War II. West African troops, mostly from Nigeria and the Gold Coast, joined the campaign as part of the Royal West African Frontier Force. The troops were deployed in the Burma Campaign, 1943-1945, with West Africans constituting the 81st and 82nd Divisions, organized into battalions during training in 1943. This paper addresses the challenges of terrain, morale, patrols and

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actual military battles in two major campaigns; and reinforces the contention that African troops in general, and West African troops in particular, were indispensable in the defeat of the Japanese and the reconquest of Burma. Oral / Q&A Session D

Jewish Resistance to Anti-Semitism in Michigan During the Twentieth Century

Katie Tingstad Mary-Elizabeth Murphy, faculty mentor During the twentieth century, the Jewish people living in Michigan experienced a renewed wave of anti-Semitism. This research showcases the ways that Jewish people combatted the new wave of anti-Semitism in Michigan by analyzing Jewish newspapers such as The Detroit Jewish Chronicle. The Jewish people of Michigan during the twentieth century celebrated their major successes in their newspapers, including personal and commercial achievements and the contributions of Jewish soldiers in World War II. This research highlights the resilience of Michigan’s Jewish residents of the twentieth century, who refused to abandon their Jewish identity even though it subjected them to anti-Semitism. Oral / Live Session B / 10:30 a.m.

“I do not think it is alarming… there is no need of panic.”: Michigan’s 1918 Influenza Epidemic

Nate Turner Mary-Elizabeth Murphy, faculty mentor In 1918, the influenza pandemic erupted in Michigan, and conflicts between the state and local government played a role in slowing the spread of the virus. Using local newspapers, this paper examines how public health officials in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor handled their respective epidemics. This paper also analyzes the various opinions about how to limit the impact of the virus. Politicians believed orders restricting public gatherings and closing non-essential business would limit the spread, whereas public health officials argued that these orders would damage the economy, increase public anxiety, and cause people to become more susceptible to the virus. Pressing back to examine an earlier epidemic reveals new insights into the state of Michigan’s response to the 2020 Covid Pandemic. Oral / Live Session A / 9:40 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

The Burden of Disease: Towards HIV/AIDS Universal Access Treatment in Botswana

Nate Turner Joseph Engwenyu, faculty advisor To date, at least three African countries have achieved the threshold of “universal access” for HIV/AIDS treatment to their populations. One of these countries, Botswana, had arguably the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the world during the 1980s and early 1990s. Two decades later, Botswana triumphantly overcame the odds, by drastically reducing the spread of the disease and effectively treating those who contracted it. Investment in public health and democratization efforts were launched in three critical areas: surveillance and education campaign, investment on a nationwide antiretroviral therapy program, and enforcement of a mandatory testing program. This paper narrates this success story and recommends it as a model for others to copy. Oral / Live Session A / 9:00 a.m.

The Epistemic Status Between the Hard and Soft Sciences

Krista Webb W. John Koolage, faculty mentor In this paper, I argue that there is no good distinction between hard and soft sciences. I argue that the basic inferential principles that underlie the sciences cut across this traditional division. And, while there are some differences that matter, none of these differences suggest we should draw a ‘hard/soft’ distinction in such a way that it suggests one is in a better epistemic position than the other. Oral / Q&A Session D

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The Florida Disaster: What Went Wrong for Al Gore in the U.S. Presidential Election of 2000

Ryan Williams Mary G. Strasma, faculty mentor In the U. S. presidential election of 2000, the nation was transfixed as the winner was not declared for many weeks, and the election was ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Democratic candidate and then-Vice President Al Gore won the popular vote, but appeared to lose the electoral vote, which would give the presidency to then-governor of Texas, George W. Bush. But in the state of Florida, the margin was only 537 votes, and the Gore campaign had expected to carry the state. The reason for this outcome was a combination of Florida’s partisan domination, felon disenfranchisement, and the butterfly ballot in Palm Beach County. Oral / Q&A Session B

Contested Civic Space: The Piazza della Signoria in Medicean Florence

Joanne Wisely Ronald Delph, faculty mentor The heart of civic life in Renaissance Florence is an open square, the Piazza della Signoria. The piazza was the site of debates, executions, and power struggles, making it the most contested space in the city. Florentines held tremendous pride in their republic and often commissioned sculptural works to represent their civic values, displaying them publicly in the piazza. This research examines the shifting messages of sculptural works in the Piazza della Signoria during three distinct periods: from the piazza’s creation in 1300 until 1494; from the expulsion of the Medici in 1494 until their return in 1512; and after 1512 during the Medici’s reign as the Dukes of Florence. Oral / Live Session C / 2:20 p.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Hippocracy: Student Activism and the Human Rights Party in Ypsilanti

Nathaniel Yocum Mary Elizabeth-Murphy, faculty mentor Between 1969-1972 student activism at Eastern Michigan University fostered a political environment on campus that nurtured the rise of leftist, grassroots organizing. In 1974, the upstart Human Rights Party (HRP) won two seats on the Ypsilanti City Council and helped pass one of the most progressive local marijuana laws in the country. Prior scholarship has focused on the Ann Arbor branch of the HRP, and its subsequent downfall. Using the local press and student newspapers, this paper tells the story of leftist student activism at EMU that led to real political change in the 1970s. Oral / Q & A Session B

Mathematics & Statistics Analysis of Diabetes Discrepancies by Levels of Education in the United States Using the CDC Data

Emma Krietemeyer Dr. Khairul Islam, faculty mentor A polynomial of varying degrees will be studied in relation to fitting models to CDC Diabetes prevalence rates sorted by level of education in the United States. This model will be used to interpolate and extrapolate rates of future years, and how rates vary sorted by level of education. Assessments will be made at a National, State, and County level for comparison. Education is grouped by Less than High School, High School, or Beyond High School. The goodness of the fitted model will be assessed using the coefficient of determination and other related criteria. An open source software R will be utilized for computational aid. Oral / Live Session D / 3:00 p.m.

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Planning to use Equitable Teaching and Active Learning in Calculus 1

David Smith and Kyle Yapp Andrew Ross, faculty mentor Math education researchers have identified a set of Equitable Teaching Practices for math, and the Michigan state government has written standards regarding equitable teaching into the new mathematics teacher preparation standards. Many professional mathematics societies (MAA, AMTE, ASA, SIAM) have issued statements highlighting how Active Learning is a key component of retaining students, especially students from underserved groups, in STEM fields. We will describe the Equitable Teaching Practices and our plans to implement them in a Calculus 1 class in Fall 2021, along with new Active Learning materials that aim to make the course material more accessible to a wider variety of students. Poster / Live Session 3 / 2:10 p.m.

Music & Dance Music, Identity, and Expectation: Exploring Music, Health, and Authentic Identity During a Pandemic

Olivia Barnaclo Theresa Merrill, faculty mentor This project discusses and reflects on the experience of being a musician in a pandemic through a voice recital and a self-study. This heuristic self-study reflects on the themes of authentic self, home, and quality of life while living in relative isolation. Through self-reflection, journaling, and analysis, I uncover and discuss themes of music and memory, music and self-identity, and the emotional process of performing. These themes are informed by disability theory, feminist theory, music identity theory, and music psychology. Oral / Live Session A / 9:30 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Ysaÿe Violin Sonata No. 2, “Obsession”

John Guzdek IV Daniel Foster, faculty mentor Eugène Ysaÿe (1858-1931) was a Belgian violin virtuoso, composer, and conductor. He was regarded as the king of violin, or as Nathan Milstein put it, the “Tsar.” His six unaccompanied violin sonatas were dedicated to different violinists, the second to Jacques Thibaud, a distinguished French contemporary. This sonata has four movements, the first titled “Obsession; Prelude,” which is performed here today. It quotes Bach’s famous Preludio in E major throughout, and dives into virtuosic violin techniques and variations as well. This movement also quotes the Dies Irae, which is melody/poetry describing the day of judgment. It is a standard part of a Requiem Mass, associated with death. Oral / Q&A Session B

Cultivating Composers: How Clarinet Sonata by Jennifer Higdon Demonstrates Form and Function

Casie LaMay Sandra Jackson, faculty mentor Jennifer Higdon is one of the most influential living composers in the music world today, and has been a recipient of two Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Her resume includes commissions from prestigious ensembles including The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Chicago Symphony and others. Clarinet Sonata, originally written for viola, was arranged by Higdon in 2011. This presentation will focus on Movement II, Declamatory, commenting on the form and specifically how it breaks rules of the typical sonata while still staying true to the sonata style. Also discussed will be the importance of Higdon’s writing, including this work for clarinet and piano. Oral / Q&A Session C

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Making Music For All: Inclusivity in the Music Classroom

Rebecca Sims Heather Shouldice, faculty mentor Music plays an integral role in culture and development. For this reason, music education is vital for a well-rounded education, to foster a life-long love and appreciation for the arts, and quality instruction should be accessible to all. With a growing number of inclusivity issues in the field of education, this presentation will explore practices of inclusivity and how to create a safe and supportive space for all students to learn and participate in the music classroom. Topics will cover a wide range of issues including historical and cultural considerations, accommodations and modifications, gender and sexuality, and the teacher’s role in creating a positive classroom environment. Poster / Live Session 3 / 2:20 p.m.

The Effects of Hormone Therapy on the Voice and Body: Through a Singer’s Lens

Sydney Timmer Heather Shouldice, faculty mentor This presentation analyzes how hormone therapy, in the form of testosterone and estrogen intake, affects the voice and body of the individual taking it. To inform this presentation, scholarly articles, dissertations, and texts on teaching transgender voice students were read and analyzed. The results of this literature survey found that students taking testosterone were more likely to see physical changes in both their voice and body than those taking estrogen. This study discusses the changes that transgender and nonbinary students go through when taking hormone therapy. By looking at this topic through a singer’s lens, we are then able to understand how these changes affect transgender and nonbinary students while taking voice lessons. Oral / Live Session D / 3:00 p.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Physics & Astronomy A Custom Electronic Circuit to Characterize Solar Cells For Use in Instructional Labs

Joanne Martinez Ernest Behringer, faculty mentor As renewable energy use grows, it is increasingly necessary to improve the efficiency of solar cells. The efficiency is affected by the electrical properties of the solar cells. Some properties, such as the threshold voltage, can be determined by analyzing current-voltage (I-V) curves. I created an Arduino circuit to measure I-V curves based on the work of Önder and Oğur. I measured the I-V curves of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which showed that LEDs emitting shorter wavelengths have higher threshold voltages. I will describe the I-V curves of the LEDs and the adaptation of the Arduino circuit to measure the I-V curves of solar cells under different illumination conditions. Poster / Live Session 3 / 2:30 p.m.

Political Science Stigma and the Disparities in Health Care Received by LGBT Individuals

Nick Butkevich Richard Stahler-Sholk, faculty mentor Health care is something many will agree is important to all people. Yet, members of the LGBT Community continue to experience great adverse health effects. A possible cause of this experience of the members of the LGBT Community is stigma. I apply the concept of structural violence to the U.S. and comparative policy responses to HIV/AIDS, analyzed through academic journals and other scholarly work, to assess the impact of stigma in causing harmful discriminatory health effects. The significance of this study can illuminate these disparities and help push forward an effort to eliminate them. Oral / Live Session A / 9:50 a.m.

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How Voters Evaluate Gender Non-Conforming Political Candidates

Megan Holmes Jeffrey L. Bernstein, faculty mentor In a time of political uncertainty and shifting cultural norms, it is harder to rely upon our preconceived notions of what makes a good political candidate. My research sheds light on how gender presentation influences voters in this new era of acceptance, and the preliminary results I share in this presentation carry implications for public tolerance in both politics and society at large. I aim to deepen our understanding of the relationship between politics and the nonverbal communication of gender norms in our society, through examining how political candidates who deviate from (or conform to) gender norms in their physical appearance are treated by voters. Oral / Q&A Session A

Voting Behavior Trends Throughout Generations

Jessi Kwek Jeffrey L. Bernstein, faculty mentor Research suggests that people are much more constant in their political attitudes than is commonly thought. Those attitudes are largely shaped by events and experiences during their younger formative years, rather than by the presumed change in political priorities as people age. This contradicts the popular myth stated by French philosopher François Guizot, who said, “Not to be a Republican at 20 is proof of want of heart; to be one at 30 is proof of want of head.” In this presentation, I use data on American national elections to test Guizot’s maxim by studying how political generations behave as they move through their lifespans. Oral / Q&A Session C

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Moderate Voters and the Economy

Anna Newmyer Jeffrey L. Bernstein, faculty mentor Every four years, United States citizens are given an opportunity to vote for a candidate they believe should become the President of the United States. Each individual voter has different factors that push them to vote for a particular candidate. As parties and voters grow more polarized, moving further apart on both the political party identification and ideological spectrums, there remains a group in the middle: independents with a moderate ideology. This project investigates how the people who fall in the middle of the spectrum choose between highly polarized alternatives, while also looking particularly at the impact that the economy has on their voting decisions in presidential elections. Oral / Q&A Session B

A Critical Analysis of the George W. Bush Administration’s Democracy Promotion Efforts in Venezuela

Garance Perret Judith Kullberg, faculty mentor Throughout U.S. history, Washington has intervened in numerous Latin American countries, most recently for the stated purpose of advancing democracy. U.S. efforts to promote democracy have been regarded as controversial, with critics arguing that their actual purpose is to foster U.S. interests in the region. To address the question of the effects of U.S. prodemocracy efforts, this paper explores the case of the Bush administration’s policy toward Venezuela, with an emphasis on how its actions consequently undermined democracy. Moreover, this case highlights the period of interventionism and raises the question about whether such measures actually advance U.S. interests abroad. Oral / Live Session C / 2:30 p.m.

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The Implementation of The 14th Amendment During Reconstruction

Jack Swartzinski Barry Pyle, faculty mentor The 14th Amendment plays a vital role in defining the Reconstruction era, the American Civil Rights movement, and the creation of a national Bill of Rights. Yet, few ask a number of significant questions. What were the original intentions of the framers of the 14th Amendment? How did it influence the former States of the Confederacy? How did the Court apply the 14th Amendment during Reconstruction, and how did the end of Reconstruction influence the Court’s interpretation of it in the subsequent decades? While the 14th Amendment may have failed to bring about immediate change, ultimately, it fulfills the promise of Reconstruction and creates constitutional standards for the National Government to take aggressive action for the protection of civil liberties. Oral / Live Session C / 1:40 p.m.

Psychology Preliminary Results of a Survey Assessing Family Needs While Awaiting Autism Treatment

Jaimie Barr Adam Briggs, faculty mentor The purpose of this survey was to determine the (a) average amount of time a family typically spends on a waitlist prior to receiving behavioral treatment for autism, (b) types of services the family needs during this time, and (c) their preferred service modality. Results provide a preliminary summary of family needs and preference for services and supports while awaiting treatment. In addition, we recruited feedback from those who completed the survey to determine whether the content was presented clearly. We used this information to provide updates to the survey prior to distributing it to families throughout the state of Michigan. Survey outcomes and future directions are discussed. Poster / Live Session 2 / 11:45 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Parental Executive Function Predicts Child Executive Function, Mediated by Parent-child Attachment

Armando Chacon Angela Staples and Jamie Lawler, faculty mentors Executive Function (EF) refers to an individual’s ability to control and act upon their thoughts and behavior appropriately. Although there are several environmental and biological factors that contribute to a child’s EF development, prior studies have shown that higher levels of parental EF have been associated with higher levels of child EF, as well as higher qualities of parent/child attachment being associated with child EF. While each variable shows some association, there is no explanation for this association. A mediation analysis to see if parent/child attachment explains the link between parent EF and child EF will give more insight into how child EF develops. Poster / Q&A Session 3

Effects of Stress on Health of African American Women in Low Income Neighborhoods

Jada Childs Heather Janisse, faculty mentor Obesity is more prevalent in populations of African American women than any other population in the U.S. Furthermore, stress has been found to disproportionately affect the health of Black women when compared to White women. This project aims to examine the relation between stress, body mass index, environment, and socioeconomic disparity amongst women of color. A sample of 100 African American women from low-income, Detroit neighborhoods participated in the current study. Surveys such as the African American Women’s Stress Scale were utilized to assess variables of interest. Study results can help inform best practices for health interventions in communities of color. Oral / Q&A Session C

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Socioeconomic Risk, Parenting and Child Health in African American Families

Delaney Hansen and Jenna Walters Heather Janisse, faculty mentor Parents play an important role in shaping the developmental outcomes of their children. Research shows that parent behavior is a key predictor of outcomes like child health and wellbeing. Parents in low-income communities experience additional socioeconomic risks that can make parenting more difficult and contribute to poorer health outcomes for children. The purpose of the current study is to examine the relation between socioeconomic risk, parent behavior and child health outcomes in a sample of African American families from low-income neighborhoods. Fifty-six mothers with a preschool age child participated in the current study. Survey measures were utilized to assess study variables. Poster / Live Session 3 / 2:40 p.m.

The Impact of Temperament and Beliefs About Parenting on Discipline and Parent-Child Relationship

Haley Kohl Krithika Prakash, non-presenting author Dean Lauterbach, faculty mentor The current study tested a model examining the relationships among parental internal representations of the child, child temperament, discipline methods, and parent-child relationship quality. The sample is composed of 1,354 children who were maltreated or at elevated risk for maltreatment (48.9% male, 36.7% African American) drawn from the Longitudinal Studies on Child Abuse and Neglect. Findings will be presented on the direct effect of infant temperament and parental representations on parent-child relationship quality and the indirect effects of these variables mediated by discipline method. Poster / Live Session 3 / 2:30 p.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Fear Acceptance Versus Fear Reduction for Extinction Learning in Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy

Arturo Peña Joseph Tu and Michelle Fernando, non-presenting authors Ellen Koch, faculty mentor Emotional processing theory is the underlying model for traditional exposure therapy. This approach to exposure presumes that the amount to which fear reduces from peak fear levels within an exposure session predicts successful treatment of specific phobias, such as arachnophobia. Inhibitory learning theory (ILT) offers a different approach to exposure centered around forming new non-threat associations (i.e., memories) by way of fear acceptance rather than attempts to focus on reducing fear levels (i.e., fear reduction). ILT may be more effective at helping phobic populations because the model promotes the learning of non-fear associations in the presence of feared stimuli. Oral / Live Session A / 9:10 a.m.

Behavioral Function and Control of Social Media Use

Vasavi Ganesan Shanthi Sarah Dixon, non-presenting author Marilyn Bonem and Natalie Dove, faculty mentors Social media was introduced more than 30 years ago, but usage has grown exponentially in the past ten years. Research has focused on demographic information regarding who uses it and how much and also on the psychological impact such as the relationship between usage and personality types, academic performance, characteristics of mental health, work productivity and frequency and quality of face-to-face interactions. Despite focus on negative implications, there may be benefits of usage. Furthermore, when social media interferes with constructive activities it would be useful to have information regarding effective methods of self-management. Oral / Q&A Session A

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The Influence of Prosocial Positive Lyrics on Helping

Ky’Wana Z. Smith Rusty McIntyre, faculty mentor Research has shown that empathetic participants were more helpful when doing so relieved empathic distress (Dovidio et al., 1990). Greitmeyer (2009) also showed that helping is influenced by thoughts. Participants who heard prosocial songs had increased prosocial thoughts and donated more money than participants who heard neutral songs. In that work it was not known whether helping was specific to the lyrics or the positivity of the music. This research examines the response of participants listening to positive songs with lyrics or without lyrics, or no music. It is hypothesized that songs with lyrics will promote prosocial behavior more than just melodies or no music. Oral / Q&A Session B

Effects of Healthcare Utilization on Depressive and Anxious Outcomes of at Risk or Abused Children

Danielle Winslow Krithika Prakash, non-presenting author Dean Lauterbach, faculty mentor Children who have experienced abuse frequently report anxiety and depression later in life. Medical and psychological services are often mandated to ameliorate the effects of abuse. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of those interventions. Participants in this study were 1,354 maltreated and at-risk children, part of the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN). Specifically, this study examined direct effects of child maltreatment on symptoms of anxiety and depression and tested the hypothesis that service utilization would mediate the traumatic impact of maltreatment on depression and anxiety later in life. Poster / Q&A Session 3

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Parenting Attitudes, Stress, and Child Neglect: A Mediation Model

Ahmad Zalt Dean Lauterbach, faculty mentor There is universal understanding of the detrimental effects of child neglect, making it important to understand possible causes. We will present the results of a study examining the effect of parental beliefs about their children and parental stress on severity of neglect using a longitudinal sample of 1,354 maltreated/at risk children. We predict a significant direct relationship between 4 parenting attitudes (rejection of punishment and appropriate expectations, roles, & empathy) assessed when children were 4, and severity of neglect, assessed at age 12. We also hypothesize an indirect effect of parenting attitudes on severity of neglect mediated by daily stressors, assessed when children were 6. Poster / Q&A Session 3

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Sociology, Anthropology & Criminology On the Frequency of Cannibalism in History

Lainie Bell Megan Moore, faculty mentor The current scientific standard for determining cannibalism in historic remains is limiting. A wider focus needs to be taken in order to understand ritual cannibalistic practices of the past. The purpose of this research is to merge efforts of osteologists and archaeologists by comparing skeletal trauma analyses from sites of proposed cannibalism in the Americas and Africa with archaeological and historical data. The goal is to identify and relate patterns of culture and bone trauma that are indicative of ritualistic cannibalism. Oral / Q&A Session A

Explanation of Paranormal Phenomenon through Skeletal Analysis

Haley Dye Megan Moore, faculty mentor Paranormal phenomenon can be explained through science. This review explores archaeological human remains from around the world, focusing on burial context to better understand accusations of witchcraft, ritualistic violence, and possible underlying medical condition. We hope to demonstrate that the burial treatment was associated with an underlying medical condition. The skeletal remains of those buried irreverently or violently are compared to other burials within the same site. The results show that some of those likely accused of practicing witchcraft or having been possessed by spirits had an illness or another factor that led to diminished health, proved by abnormal skeletal remains. Poster / Q&A Session 3

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Neoliberal Alienation: How the Capitalist Machine has Created A Culture of Despair in America Colton Ray Ronald Westrum, faculty mentor Drawing from socialist theories of alienation, observations of American politics and propaganda, and studies conducted by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and Center of Disease Control on youth death rates, I make the case for restructuring socio-economic and political systems in the United States. By reinforcing notions of human nature as being driven mostly by selfish reasons, the ideology of capitalism has convinced Americans that being unmotivated, inauthentic, consumerist, and mentally ill is solely a result of personal choice or genetics, rather than byproducts of a system where its institutions don’t value human labor, and social relations are turned into business schemes. Oral / Q&A Session C

The Legend of the Green Children of Woolpit: What Made Them Green?

Trent Sheibels Megan Moore, faculty mentor In the 12th Century, a mysterious pair of green-skinned children appeared in the town of Woolpit, England. For years, scholars have argued over what could have caused this strange skin discoloration. The main focus of this project and purpose of researching the legend was to compile research on nutrient deficiencies and diseases, as well as cultural factors that could have caused their unprecedented discoloration. As a result of the historical evidence and differential diagnosis, one likely conclusion is that the children suffered from the X-linked trait of favism caused by the G6PD genetic disorder. Oral / Q&A Session D

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The Effects of Mental Health on Recidivism in the Juvenile Justice System

Jacklyn C. Staffeld Rita Shah, faculty mentor This literature review examines the effects of mental health on juvenile recidivism. Recidivism affects not only the United States justice systems but the lives of many individuals and their families. Studies find that without the proper resources for mental health, the risk of returning to the juvenile justice system may increase. In order to resolve this issue, the United States must implement and prioritize mental health services for its youth. This literature review seeks to show the lack of priority in regards to mental health, how this may relate to juvenile recidivism, and distinguish the possible solutions that may promote positive outcomes for juveniles upon release. Poster / Q&A Session 3

Birth Doulas and the Associated Benefits for Birthing Outcomes and Experiences in the US

Emmylee Zang Megan Moore, faculty mentor The United States has one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates of all developed countries. This presentation examines existing literature and concludes that the use of a birth doula is associated with better health outcomes and birth experiences for both mothers and infants. This is especially true for historically marginalized populations including mothers of color, low socioeconomic status, and of young age. Seeing as doulas are associated with better health outcomes, consideration must be given to how doulas can be made more accessible, especially to the populations who stand to benefit the most from doula care. Oral / Live Session C / 2:30 p.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Using CT Scans to Measure the Skeletal Morphology of Transgender and Non-Binary Participants

Emmylee Zang Megan Moore, faculty mentor There are approximately 1.4 million transgender individuals living in the US and this community constitutes an alarming number of homicide victims each year. This research examines the skeletal morphological measurements of transgender and non-binary individuals through the analyzing of CT scans from 12 participants. Skeletal measurements that generally exhibit a strong degree of sexual dimorphism are taken from these CT scans and are compared to the standard measurements of the natal sex. These skeletal measurements are compiled into a database so that deceased transgender and non-binary individuals may be more consistently identified by professionals in forensic cases. Oral / Live Session D / 3:20 p.m.

New Religious Movements in Europe

Reece Zielinski Ronald Rich, faculty mentor In recent decades, there have been a number of contemporary Neopagan, Native Faith, and religious revitalization movements started all across Europe. This paper does a literature review on these contemporary Neopagan and Native Faith movements, also known as New Religious Movements (NRMs). It applies and defines certain concepts that relate to this field, and attempts to apply the theories and concepts found in the literature to real life (i.e. ethnographic examples in the world today). It is found that many of these NRMs are responses to globalization, colonialism, and nationalistic processes found commonly in today’s world, with an intense focus on constructing “authentic” identities. Oral / Q&A Session B

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World Languages Dungeons and Dragons Game (English Learner Edition): How to Use it to Promote English Fluency in ESL and EFL Classrooms

Alexander Glover Wendy Wang, faculty mentor Tabletop role playing games are becoming a popular educational tool, but the game Dungeons and Dragons has proven to be too complicated for the English language learner with its 200 pages of jargon-filled text. This presentation will showcase how my adaptation of the Dungeons and Dragons Player’s Handbook (5th Edition) has made the globally popular Dungeons and Dragons accessible and useful for developing English fluency in ESL and EFL classrooms. Oral / Live Session A / 9:10 a.m.

Censorship and Freedom of Speech in Former East Germany: An Interview with Gabrielle Eckart

Ahmad Zalt Carla Damiano, faculty mentor In 1990, East and West Germany reunited as one nation after over 40 years of political, social, and cultural division. Following reunification, portrayal of life in East Germany ranged from nostalgic longing to depictions of cruel censorship. Records presented by the Stasi Records following the Fall of the Berlin Wall make clear just how deeply the East German State Police penetrated the lives of East German citizens. Against this historical backdrop, I explore the intricacies of author censorship by interviewing a former East German author, Gabrielle Eckart, who left East Germany for the West in 1987. Oral / Q&A Session A

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Health Promotion & Human Performance Youth and the Increase of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Erica Burks Joan Cowdery, faculty mentor The organisms that cause sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may pass from person to person in blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids. An estimated half of the 20 million new STD cases in the United States are from adolescents between the ages of 15-24. In Michigan, Detroit has been number one in both chlamydia and gonorrhea cases the last five years, with 11,142 chlamydia and 5,835 gonorrhea cases reported in that period. This presentation will focus on chlamydia and gonorrhea reporting from 2014-2019 and identify gaps in the State of Michigan and Detroit Public School’s sexual health education that may contribute to the increase of STD cases in Detroit adolescents. Poster / Live Session 3 / 2:00 p.m.

Theory-based Correlates of Physical Activity in Overweight and Healthy Weight Freshmen

Chloe Catallo Catherine Gammon, faculty mentor Correlates of health-enhancing physical activity (PA) may vary by weight status, impacting how PA is promoted. This study explored theory-based psychological correlates of PA among overweight (OW) & healthy-weight (HW) college freshmen. Students had height & weight measured & completed a survey on PA & psychological factors. For OW freshmen (n=35) the strongest correlates of PA were ‘identified motivation’ (r=.64; p<.05) & selfefficacy (r=.65; p<.05); for HW freshmen (n=62) the strongest correlates were ‘integrated motivation’ (r=.39; p<.05) & perceived competence for exercise (r=.41; p<.05). PA interventions tailored to weight status may be more effective than a generic approach. Poster / Q&A Session 2

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Relationship Between Psychological Well-Being and Physical Activity Among College Students

Madison Distelrath Catherine Gammon, faculty mentor The relationship between physical activity (PA) and psychological well-being among college students is unclear. This study used cross-sectional data to explore the association between self-reported PA and loneliness, distress, resilience, stress and psychological well-being among 757 EMU students. Students meeting the national PA guidelines reported significantly higher psychological well-being and resilience scores (p<.05) and significantly lower distress, loneliness and stress scores (p<.05) than students who did not meet the PA guidelines. Future research should explore the existence and direction of a causal relationship between PA and psychological well-being among college students. Poster / Q&A Session 2

Access and Affordability of Menstrual Products: Multiple Perspectives and Attitudes

Anna Fedel Frank J. Fedel, faculty mentor Worldwide, many women do not have access to affordable menstrual products and sometimes resort to using alternatives that are not safe. Lack of access to affordable menstrual products can result in negative effects on mental and physical health. Results (n=114) of an online survey designed to identify attitudes of individuals in the U.S. regarding accessibility and affordability of menstrual products are being analyzed and will be included in the poster. Poster / Q&A Session 3

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Relationship Between Sleep and Physical Activity Among College Students

Jeffrey Lepley Catherine Gammon, faculty mentor Sleep and physical activity (PA) are beneficial for health, yet the association between them among college students is unclear. This study examined the relationship between PA and sleep among college students. Students from EMU (n=757) answered questions about their PA habits and sleep indicators. Students meeting the aerobic PA guidelines reported feeling more rested and less daytime sleepiness than students not meeting PA guidelines (p<.05). Regular strength training and more vigorous-intensity PA were associated with further favorable sleep outcomes. Future research should explore the existence and direction of a causal relationship between PA and sleep among college students. Poster / Live Session 3 / 1:40 p.m.

Change in Freshman Students’ Physical Activity from Pre-Covid 19 to During Covid 19

Kameron MacIver Catherine Gammon, faculty mentor Covid 19 protocols may influence college students’ engagement in healthenhancing physical activity (PA). In fall 2019 (pre-Covid 19) and August 2020 (during Covid 19) freshman students (n=34-39) self-reported their weekly PA levels. Between fall 2019 and August 2020, students’ average vigorousintensity PA increased by 9.4 minutes/day, moderate-intensity PA increased by 20.3 minutes/day, and total PA (vigorous PA, moderate PA and walking) increased by 28 minutes/day. Correlations suggest that students reporting more PA pre-Covid 19 tend to report more PA during Covid 19 (r=.392, p<.05). Remote learning during Covid 19 may offer greater schedule flexibility that allows for increased PA among college students. Poster / Live Session 2 / 11:35 a.m.

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Accuracy of Self-Reported Physical Activity Data Among College Students

Casey Skeens Catherine Gammon, faculty mentor Knowing how many college students meet national physical activity (PA) guidelines can indicate the need for PA promotion. Self-reporting PA levels via questionnaires is a feasible assessment method, although only useful if reports are accurate. This study compared self-reported and monitormeasured PA from 35 college students. Estimates of health-enhancing PA from the questionnaire (93.7 minutes/day) and monitor (81.8 minutes/day) were not significantly different (p=.298). Given the cost of PA monitors, using questionnaires to assess college students’ PA is reasonable. Those interpreting the data should be aware of the possibility for a small degree of over-reporting. Poster / Live Session 3 / 1:50 p.m.

Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mental Health Disorders Among College Students

Brehonna Wynn Catherine Gammon, faculty mentor Regular physical activity (PA) has mental health benefits, yet the relationship between PA intensity and mental health is unclear. This study examined the relationship between college students’ moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA levels and mental health disorder diagnoses. Data were collected from 757 EMU students. Engaging in higher levels of vigorous-intensity PA was associated with a lower likelihood of an anxiety or depressive disorder diagnosis (p<.05). Engagement in moderate-intensity PA was not associated with mental health disorder diagnoses. The results suggest that future research should explore whether vigorous-intensity PA can prevent mental health disorders in college students. Poster / Q&A Session 3

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Health Sciences Infant Mortality in the United States and Canada: A Comparison of Data and Health Policy Trends

Kasey Baker Annemarie Kelly, faculty mentor This study will analyze the latest infant mortality rates in the US and Canada with a focus on the number of deaths of infants under one-year old per 1,000 live births in the same year. This work will fill a gap in scholarly literature as there have been no comprehensive comparisons of these issues within the last decade. This research will provide answers to four questions about infant mortality in the U.S. and Canada: 1. Is infant mortality more prevalent in the U.S. or Canada per 1,000 live births? 2. Do infant rates differ among urban vs. rural locations? 3. How do rates differ among racial and ethnic populations? 4. Over the past decade, how do rates compare between the countries? Oral / Q&A Session B

The Effects of Aquamin on Bacteria within the Microbiome of the Digestive System

Janelle Janisse Lynne Shetron-Rama, faculty mentor The dietary supplement Aquamin, a mineral compound composed of calcium, magnesium and other trace elements, is a potential therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The effects of Aquamin on representative bacteria was investigated using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays, antibacterial assays and time-kill assays. So far, this study has not found a decrease of in-vitro growth of bacteria when treated with Aquamin. Poster / Live Session 1 / 10:20 a.m.

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Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins Culinary Demonstration

Madison Ramoie Alice Jo Rainville, faculty mentor Pumpkin spice is a favorite fall flavor, but this flavor can be enjoyed any time of year, especially in muffins. Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins are a quick and easy treat to share with your family and friends. The muffins have potential health benefits from pumpkin and dark chocolate. Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin A and antioxidants, and Vitamin A aids in vision while antioxidants enhance the immune system. Dark chocolate is rich in iron, magnesium, and zinc. Consuming 1-2 ounces of dark chocolate a day can reduce risk of heart disease. This culinary demonstration will provide ingredient substitution ideas to alter this recipe to your individual liking. Oral / Q&A Session D

Nursing Quality Improvement: Sepsis Exemplar

Megan Kopicko Moira Visovatti, faculty mentor The purpose of this honors project was to create a PowerPoint presentation that reviews the concept of quality improvement and uses an exemplar of sepsis to illustrate how quality improvement principles are applied to the health care setting. Literature on quality improvement and sepsis was reviewed and interviews were conducted with the Michigan Medicine Sepsis Committee to learn how they are applying the principles of quality improvement to prevent sepsis in their population of patients. Applying quality improvement principles to work processes in health care facilities is important as it can prevent harm and ensure that patients receive care that meets their personal needs. Poster / Q&A Session 1

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Utilizing Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Pain Management: An Integrative Review

Grace Olechnowicz Linda Myler, faculty mentor Complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) are an option for the treatment of acute or chronic pain and help to decrease levels of opioid use in the United States. To understand the baseline knowledge nurses have on CATs, a survey was conducted at the St. Joseph Mercy Pain Clinics. The results of this survey indicated that the desire to learn more about these therapies is present, even if overall knowledge and use is low. This review discussed five specific types of pain and the pharmacologic approach to treating each type. An analysis of the literature comparing CATs to pharmacological treatments provided evidence that CATs were effective in managing pain. Oral / Q&A Session A

Social Work Mental Health Stigma Amongst Adolescents: Causes and Solutions

John M. Garcez Charles Graham, faculty mentor Mental health stigma is one of the most prevalent issues in our society today, especially amongst adolescents. Given that mental health issues are widespread, especially during a pandemic, it is imperative to study current barriers to mental health treatment, such as stigma. As Nearchou et al. explains, stigmatization leads to individuals not seeking treatment due to concerns of judgement from others, thus leading to a further decline in mental health (Nearchou et al., 2018). This presentation aims to examine mental health stigma amongst adolescents, including how it manifests as well as its potential causes and solutions. Oral / Live Session A / 9:20 a.m.

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Managing Subjective Observations and Emotional Responses in Reflective Practice

Jonathan Jaber Jillian Graves, faculty mentor An understudied area of social work practice is understanding how clinicians manage subjective and emotional responses in reflective practice. Reflective practice is hearing what clients are saying and reflecting on what was heard to confirm that both parties comprehend what was said. However, what is heard is often not the entirety of what practitioners must respond to and interpret. What must also be considered, among other things, are the client’s body language and other non-verbal interpretations of the practitioner, including how they emotionally experience their client. This study will seek to further understand the effective management of such responses to what a client is saying. Oral / Q&A Session B

Preventing Secondary Traumatic Stress in Social Workers: How to Protect Helping Professionals

Carmen Ortega Yvette Colón, faculty mentor Social workers are often asked to put the needs of others above their own. This, coupled with a propensity for social workers to engage with clients’ trauma, can lead to secondary traumatic stress (STS) disorder. Based on an extensive literature review, this presentation will explore risk factors, and the need to support social workers at individual, environmental, and organizational levels to predict and prevent STS. It will also explore recommendations including the need to address STS with social work students and continue through an individual’s career. Finally, this presentation will identify recommendations to change social work policies related to practice and the need for additional research to inform the implementation of specific protective factors against STS. Oral / Q&A Session C

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

The Role of Cultural Assimilation When Working with Adult Immigrants in Social Work

Jennifer Reyes Christina Marsack-Topolewski, faculty mentor The proposed presentation will draw from an in-depth literature review of cultural assimilation and its role in social work practice when working with adult immigrants. Cultural assimilation is defined as immigrants’ adjustment of their attitude to the dominant culture. This consists of several factors, such as language acquisition, traditions, family, and community. Additionally, this presentation will explore what cultural assimilation means in the U.S., a racially and ethnically diverse country. This presentation will tie these factors together to gain a holistic view of immigrants’ experience and identity through a social work lens. Poster / Q&A Session 3

Isolation In Older Adults During Covid 19

Ashley N. Soles Yvette Colón, faculty mentor Human beings need to have social interaction in order to be able to survive. This presentation will examine what older adults are experiencing in long-term facilities during the Coronavirus pandemic and how it is affecting them. Social and emotional isolation affects not only mental health as one would think but physical health as well. This presentation will discuss how people of color are affected differently by the pandemic and possible solutions for long term care facilities should do in order to improve the quality of life for all residents and staff. Oral / Q&A Session A

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Special Education & Communication Sciences and Disorders Does ABA Therapy Help Students with Autism Transition or Adapt to the College Lifestyle?

Rachel Buckner Derrick Fries, faculty mentor The purpose of the study is to determine whether Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy helps students with autism transition or adapt to the college lifestyle. Many individuals that have autism use ABA therapy, which helps improve specific behaviors, communication, socialization, adaptive learning skills, and academic skills. This is a qualitative study, based on asking collegeaged students survey questions about their demographics, ABA therapy experience, if it helped them in college, and their family. Based on this evaluation thus far I will then gather if participants have similar results about ABA and how that helped them transition or adapt to the college lifestyle. Oral / Q&A Session C

Special Education Teaching During Covid 19

Olivia Chandler John Palladino, faculty mentor The purpose of this quantitative survey project was to understand Michigan special education teachers’ experiences with Covid 19-related online/virtual instruction and the relationship with their perceptions of organizational support from administrators. The survey design included measures of teacher efficacy and administrative ethical leadership. Oral / Live Session A / 9:20 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

The Effects of Mandated Virtual Learning (due to Covid 19) on the Mental Health of Elementary Aged Students with Disabilities -A Research Study in Progress

Joi Gray Jacquelyn McGinnis, faculty mentor The Covid 19 Pandemic that began in March of 2020 impacted the Michigan K-12 education system in many ways. This study will explore the effects of mandated virtual learning (due to Covid 19) on the mental health of elementary aged students with disabilities. The student researcher is in the process of securing Institutional Review Board approval to begin data collection. A school has agreed to take part in the research. In this presentation, she will present her literature review on the topic and the survey that has been developed for her subjects (both elementary aged students with disabilities and their primary caregivers). Poster / Live Session 2 / 12:05 p.m.

The Effectiveness of Person-Centered Planning in Young Adult Programs for Students with Special Needs

Bethany Linder Jacquelyn McGinnis, faculty mentor This proposed qualitative study will examine how transition programs for young adults (ages 18-26) with disabilities, which utilize a person centered planning strategy, equip students for the workforce. Using interviews with students who have graduated from or participated in these programs, the researcher will look for themes to describe their workforce experiences. Of particular interest is to note whether any of the students are in career job positions or post secondary education. Poster / Live Session 2/ 11:55 a.m.

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Engineering Technology Control System Integration for Electric Golf Cart Automation

David DeLisle Qin Hu, faculty mentor The purpose of this research project is to integrate peripheral sensors and control systems onto an electric golf cart to create a test platform for deep learning algorithms. Algorithms for navigation and self-driving will lead to an autonomous cart design that can navigate the EMU campus. The initial process of converting the cart into a remote controlled system for testing the digital control of the driving system is this paper’s primary focus. In addition, team challenges and design considerations encountered during this process are documented. Furthermore, environmental data collected from peripheral sensors and path searching will also be discussed. Oral / Live Session D / 3:10 p.m.

Information Security & Applied Computing An Implementation of Vehicle Data Collection and Analysis

Aaron Liske Xiangdong Che, faculty mentor In this work, a prototype for vehicle data collection and analysis based on standard vehicle protocols is built, using consumer grade hardware and opensource software. Real-time data via the diagnostic port on any modern vehicle can be retrieved, stored in and be useful for the purpose of data logging, machine learning, diagnostic, and fine tuning in performance driving tasks. Oral / Q&A Session C

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Penetration Testing Labs For Mobile Devices

Brandon Paul Xiangdong Che, faculty mentor With the exponential growth of cellular devices, ensuring the security of mobile data is more important than ever. However, testing these technologies has previously been out of reach for small organizations and individuals. Though the advent of small and affordable software defined radios has lowered the barrier of entry, there are still significant hurdles to overcome before a functioning testing environment can be created. In this presentation I will discuss why mobile penetration research labs are important to ensure the security of our devices, some basics of 4G LTE, and how the Openair Interface platform allows researchers to create cellular mobile Networks. Oral / Q&A Session A

Using Gamification to Drive Student Engagement

Zachariah Pelletier and Kevin Higman James Banfield and William Sverdlik, faculty mentors To answer the question of whether creating a competitive environment drives students’ engagement while completing class objectives, two EMU Honors students designed and built a web application that creates such an environment. This system allows students to complete assignments that are weighted on a point system and compare scores on an anonymous “Leaderboard”. This system attempts to emulate a competition environment for objective-based learning, and is designed to be used for Information Security lab assignments similar to a Security competition environment. Oral / Live Session A / 10:00 a.m.

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Visual & Built Environments NEXT Global Real Estate Rebranding Interior Design

Elly Braate Diane Guevara, faculty mentor Natural light and nature are critical in everyday life. Natural light and connecting to the outdoors are incorporated in NEXT using large windows, with most spaces designed with glass walls to further the light into the interior. Due to Biophilia’s importance in the workplace, live plants play a huge role in the design, being incorporated into every space. Use of reclaimed woods and other recycled materials is also prominent in the design portraying the importance of Biophilia. The completed NEXT office suite design intent is supported by incorporating social distancing protocols, sanitation stations, evidence based design, and all client adjacency requests. Design Expo / Q&A Group A

Art Park

Jenneken Buschur Deb de Laski-Smith, faculty mentor The focus of this project is to incorporate several philosophies of urban design while creating a 3D model of an outdoor public space. I selected art pieces to supplement the park’s purpose. The model takes inspiration from Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion. Kevin Lynch wrote about physical and spatial characteristics of created environments in The Image of the City. He defined Five Elements: Path, Edge, District, Node, and Landmark that influence human perception in cities. The intention for this project is to create a satisfying environment given the implementation of these elements. Design Expo / Live Group B / 10:45 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Inside the Busy Mind

Carmen Cheng and Samadhi Tedrow Ryan English, faculty mentor Our contribution to the Crossing Lines Design Expo, Inside the Busy Mind, illustrates the metaphorical world of the average person with much to do. Conceived and created in 3D, Inside the Busy Mind engages the audience on a surrealistic journey through the visual paradigm of the human psyche through a visual theme of an ongoing recreational area that is affixed within the void of the subconscious. Lifelike animal balloons overlooking a complex racetrack, vibrant lights splashing throughout the scene, athletes racing to the finish; there is much to discover. As technical artists, we deliver a thrilling experience, from our dynamic minds to yours. Design Expo / Live Group D / 3:00 p.m.

NEXT Solution Statement

Taylor Clark Diane Guevara, faculty mentor The client Next, a global real estate firm, is expanding to a 7,000 sq/ft suite located in Denver, CO. The interior design draws inspiration from the Denver region, the company brand, and culture. All client needs are provided in the design; room adjacency requirements, spaces that serve a multifunctional purpose, and employee well-being. The design element of “Balance” is reflected in the architectural details of the design. This design incorporates 2 Well Building Standards, #88 Biophilia, represented by the self-maintaining live walls throughout the interior, and #62 Air quality, handled by an HVAC technician to provide clean, pollutant free air throughout the office. Design Expo / Q&A Group B

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Interior Design

Esther Clingan Diane Guevara, faculty mentor A New NEXT office space located in Denver, Colorado is designed to accommodate 20 employees. Incorporating Free address system office space into the design reflects NEXT culture that pulls inspiration from the local area. The design principle of harmony is reflected in the interior design through the repetition of the color sage creating composition.The WELL Building standard #84 Health and Wellness Awareness is incorporated by adding a Library of wellness resources. The WELL Building standard #88 Biophillia is designed into an herb garden allowing for employees to seek connection to nature. Design Expo / Q&A Group D

Dynamic Storytelling with Animation

William Glover Ryan English, faculty mentor Animation presents a seemingly boundless form of storytelling. Unlike other visual mediums, animation is not bound to physical limitations. Using animation, a story about relationships no longer needs to be between two people. It could be between two animals or two shapes. Through animation, character can be given to seemingly anything. From there, metaphors, bonds, or inner thoughts can be represented completely visually. Animation’s advantages can be utilized to expand the ways in which stories are told. This project aims to legitimize animation as a narrative device for all stories, unlike the adolescent focused narratives it has been tied to in Western Media. Design Expo / Q&A Group C

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

NEXT Commercial Real Estate Office Design

Sarah Gowell Diane Guevara, faculty mentor NEXT is a global company expanding into a new office space in Denver, CO, that accommodates 20 employees. The NEXT Denver office is designed with nature in mind by incorporating natural light and biophilic elements. Repeating patterns, colors, and forms create a unified space for employees. The open floor plan creates a sense of community, while also providing choice and control for employees to choose where and how they work, either focusing, learning, socializing, or collaborating. Overall, The redesigned NEXT office suite supports the client’s goal of employee well-being and cross generational mentoring. The design incorporates the required area adjacencies, Covid 19 distancing protocols, and sanitation stations. Design Expo / Q&A Group A

NEXT Global Real Estate Design

Hailee L Heath Diane Guevara, faculty mentor The newly designed office and logo focus on bringing the natural world into Next’s space to capitalize on the concept of biophilia, by incorporating nature into multiple aspects of design. This design also relies on Feng Shui for color and pattern: green, black, white, with wood accents. Collectively these colors have positive connotations. The mission for the office suite at NEXT is “To nurture the innate human-nature connection within the project.” This is supported through evidence-based design in the Well Building Standards of # 87 and # 88, as seen in the inclusion of local artwork, landscape inspiration, and the use of foliage. Design Expo / Q&A Group D

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Inclusivity Reimagined Using Research Based Design

Kyla Jones Diane Guveara, faculty mentor NEXT Commercial Design Firm’s goals are based on the well-being of its occupants. “Enhancing collaboration amongst employees and consultants” is a core goal of the company. By using multifunctional layouts, teamwork is easily accessible. Providing flexible seating options and spaces allows the users to work at their fullest potential. Various layouts are used to create an inclusive environment where one can focus, learn, socialize, or refresh. Using the WELL Building Standard #63 and biophilia throughout the design boosts morale and productivity. In conclusion, the completed design solution of the NEXT office suite reflects the core company goals and improves employee well-being. Design Expo / Q&A Group B

NEXT Commercial Real Estate

Margaret Kirchner Diane Guevara, faculty mentor NEXT commercial real estate of Denver gives the client the spaces needed to collaborate and network efficiently throughout the space. Creating a collaborative and inspiring environment increases overall company productivity and efficiency. The design also includes the WELL building standard #79 for sound masking standard #73. Steelcase privacy walls provide sound masking and also help define different spaces. The use of natural light throughout the design provides a more energy-efficient space and incorporates the city’s culture and art. Including all of these elements provides the client with a flexible and collaborative space for employees and clients. Design Expo / Q&A Group C

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Next Commercial Real Estate Design Proposal

Madisyn Kleinhans Diane Guevara, faculty mentor WELL Building Standard 88 encourages the interaction and incorporation of nature into all spaces. Living plant walls and various smaller plants are located throughout the space so employees can reduce stress, concentrate, and achieve overall comfort. Natural wood elements are placed throughout the design to create consistency and a sense of movement to ensure the ability to focus. Numerous free-address workspaces surround the open office area, so employees are free to control their workday. Natural light is encouraged throughout the space to continue healthy circadian rhythms for the employees as instructed by WELL Building Standard 61. Overall, Next employees are comfortable and healthy in their new office. Design Expo / Q&A Group C

Funkadelik

Nakia Lemon Holly Mosher, faculty mentor My clothing line “Funkadelik”is inspired by the 80s/90s office chic apparel. The line is intended specially for plus size and gender-nonconforming individuals. The project includes a clothing line consisting of 15-20 garments and cost sheets for each garment. My inspiration for this project comes from research on fashion industry apparel trends. MockShop Virtual Retailing Software is used to design a 3-D model that includes fixtures, windows, decor, fitting rooms, cash wrap, storage space, and merchandise. The project features a booklet, a Powerpoint presentation, and a diorama mockstore. This research enables me to pursue my passion in the retail industry for Visual Merchandising. Design Expo / Live Group A / 9:45 a.m.

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NEXT Office Space

Rachel Madison Diane Guevara, faculty mentor NEXT is adding a new office space that accommodates their multigenerational team of 20 employees with physical distancing protocols issued by the pandemic. This space enhances team collaboration and focus by reflecting on the re-branded logo and corporate culture of employee wellbeing. The layout provides easy circulation and natural light to help promote wellbeing. Active furnishings, such as active workstations and adjustable height desks, are designed into work zones. And altruism is incorporated by displaying volunteer activities that the company partakes in. A variety of active vintage and contemporary textures and materials are the main emphasis in this office. Design Expo / Q&A Group D

NEXT Real Estate Design Rebranding

Katherine Moses Diane Guevara, faculty mentor The newly designed NEXT office suite is designed with circulation in mind to create a functional space for the employees and clients. Evidence-Based Design is used to support two aspects of the design. One, WELL Building Standard #54 Circadian Light Design, “sets a minimum threshold for daytime light intensity”. Natural light is an energy-conserving solution, which will reduce the amount of energy needed in the workplace and can save the company money. Two, WELL Building standard #71 Active Furnishings promotes employee movement and flexibility within the workplace. This idea of movement and circulation throughout the workplace increases worker mobility and promotes physical activity. Design Expo / Q&A Group A

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

NEXT Denver Office Steelcase Design

Daisy Price Diane Guevara, faculty mentor This newly designed office utilizes the design principle of movement by being both versatile and having multiple paths through the space. The design also promotes Altruism, WELL building standard #96, by advertising projects next to the company logo on the street, where the community passes. Furthering the Altruism design aspect, the community accessible rooms are positions nearest to reception. The office also promotes Interior Fitness Circulation, WELL building Standard #64, with accessible corridors, path options, and entrances between spaces. In addition, the re-branded and redesigned Next logo represents the new vision of Next Corporate Real Estate and Project Management. Design Expo / Q&A Group D

NEXT Commercial Real Estate

Eveline Que Diane Guevara, faculty mentor NEXT, a commercial real estate and project management firm, is expanding their 100 global location enterprise to Denver, Colorado. Their new office is designed for 20 socially distanced employees, which reflects the design principle of proportion. Free address, multigenerational, and team work environments are included in the design to reflect their overall company brand and culture. The WELL Building Standard #63 Daylight Fenestration is incorporated by automatic shades and non reflective surfaces. The second WELL Building Standard. Design Expo / Q&A Group B

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Pavilion

Afton J. Reich Deborah de Laski-Smith, faculty mentor This pavilion is based on design elements proposed by the urban planner Kevin A. Lynch. Two distinct areas of this pavilion provide a variety of benches, water features, and greenery to give the user places to linger, meditate, or even read a book. Several prominent nodes and landmarks exist to provide clear orientation and wayfinding. The water feature directs movement through the space creating a circular and harmonious experience. Materials are selected to convey a contrast of textures- the warm wooden elements provide contrast to the synthetic foam core board, while the tissue paper bushes, the stick tree, and the ribbon green wall subtly indicate greenery. Design Expo / Live Group D / 3:30 p.m.

The Orthodox Church, Communication Technology, and the Challenges of Fundamentalism

Vardan Sargsyan Paul Majeske, faculty mentor Orthodox Christian Churches of the Eastern world, having developed in a socio-cultural setting removed from the post-1500s developments of the West, face a unique challenge in adopting information & communication technologies (ICTs) in the Information Age. The mediums by which Sacred Texts are transmitted affects the way they are consumed, ultimately affecting the implications of action for the individual as it relates to salvation. This paper illustrates how using online video to transmit Sacred Teachings can produce a practice of Orthodox Christianity that is in part incompatible with the Traditions of the Churches, and characteristic of modern religious fundamentalism. Oral / Live Session B / 10:40 a.m.

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

NEXT Commercial Real Estate

Mya Sherman Diane Guevara, faculty mentor The design of NEXT’s new multi-generational office includes ceiling clouds and blue coloring throughout the design creating repetition and balance. Included in the design are self-watering biophilia walls in several locations like the connect zone, virtual reality, and meditation room. Additionally, ergonomics are considered through height adjustable desks, multiple seating options, adjustable monitors, and adjustable seating through the office spaces. Along with nine sanitation stations, room scheduling wizards are used to help avoid unwanted contact between people throughout the day for health and safety. Design Expo / Q&A Group A

NEXT Commercial Real Estate Office

Kelsey Shields Diane Guevara, faculty mentor The newly designed NEXT office suite is designed to support the client’s goals and design intent. The Design Principle of contrast is reflected in the interior design through the use of color. Physical distancing protocols are followed in the design through sanitation stations and reservable room technology to support physical distancing. The WELL Building Standard #60 Automated Shading and Dimming Controls, is applied to the design by providing automated shades on exterior windows. The WELL Building Standard #69 Active Transportation Support is applied in the design by providing bicycle storage, a locker room, including lockers, a double vanity, and shower. Design Expo / Q&A Group C

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NEXT Commercial Real Estate & Project Management

Jillian Sitkiewicz Diane Guevara, faculty mentor NEXT is a global commercial real estate project management firm. This new expansion in Denver, Colorado is a 7,000 square foot office space that reflects their overall company brand and culture. This space incorporates the design principle contrast to differentiate between employee and client spaces. The Denver skyline is used as inspiration for the varying ceiling heights throughout the space. The WELL Building Standard #53 Visual Lighting is designed into the lighting to provide adequate light levels that support visual activity throughout the space, and #97 Material Transparency is incorporated by promoting material transparency of safe materials along the supply chain. Design Expo / Q&A Group C

NEXT Commercial Real Estate Office Design

Peyton Spieth Diane Guevara, faculty mentor Drawing initial inspiration from yoga studios, the development of the design, for the NEXT commercial space, incorporates clean and cozy spaces with a cool color scheme of blue and green. Biophilia enhances the space with plants throughout the design, enhanced by natural surface materials and natural lighting where appropriate. Social distancing, health, and safety are also taken into account in public and private meeting spaces with the addition of free address work spaces, mother rooms, meeting, and presentation spaces. Reception and the Cafe are given special attention with various seating options and spaces designed to enhance collaboration, comfort, and rejuvenation. Design Expo / Q&A Group B

STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Design Solution Statement for NEXT Global Commercial Real Estate Firm

Marie Surur Diane Guevara, faculty mentor Next global commercial real estate firm’s main focus is to enhance the ability for coworkers to work in a combined environment that replicates the feeling of working from home. Humans have a natural desire to go outdoors and be connected with nature. Therefore, biophilia is implemented into the office suite by incorporating living plants. It has been shown to improve cognitive function, reduce stress, and improve mood. Additionally, nutritional transparency is placed into the work café to add to the wellbeing of the employees. In order to incorporate social distancing protocols, sanitization stations are placed in accessible locations for both clients and employees. Design Expo / Q&A Group C

Entrance Plaza

Austin Thomason Deb de Laski-Smith, faculty mentor With the Greek Golden Mean as an inspiration, this design is for an outdoor space including both a water feature and a pavilion. It includes a grand entryway, suitable for a large public building. Every component consists of rectangles sliced into triangles and quadrilaterals, with no right angles present. A cantilevered roof soars over the entrance, overlapping the first water feature. A narrow stream of water, the only soft piece in this otherwise hard, angular space, falls from the leading point of the roof, bridging the gap between above and below. Lynch’s theory of mental maps is utilized with each element: paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks guiding the design. Design Expo / Live Group A / 9:30 a.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Click on Project Titles to Join Live Sessions

Live Oral Presentations The Burden of Disease: Towards HIV/AIDS Universal Access Treatment in Botswana Nate Turner Joseph Engwenyu, faculty advisor History & Philosophy Live Session A / 9:00 a.m.

Dungeons and Dragons Game (English Learner Edition): How to Use it to Promote English Fluency in ESL and EFL Classrooms Alexander Glover Wendy Wang, faculty mentor World Languages Live Session A / 9:10 a.m.

Fear Acceptance Versus Fear Reduction for Extinction Learning in Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy

Arturo Peña Joseph Tu and Michelle Fernando, non-presenting authors Ellen Koch, faculty mentor Psychology Live Session A / 9:10 a.m.

LIVE SESSIONS

Special Education Teaching During Covid 19

Olivia Chandler John Palladino, faculty mentor Special Education & Communication Sciences and Disorders Live Session A / 9:20 a.m.

Mental Health Stigma Amongst Adolescents: Causes and Solutions

John M. Garcez Charles Graham, faculty mentor Social Work Live Session A / 9:20 a.m.

Music, Identity, and Expectation: Exploring Music, Health, and Authentic Identity during a Pandemic Olivia Barnaclo Theresa Merrill, faculty mentor Music & Dance Live Session A / 9:30 a.m.

Stigma and the Disparities in Health Care Received by LGBT Individuals Nick Butkevich Richard Stahler-Sholk, faculty mentor Political Science Live Session A / 9:30 a.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

“I do not think it is alarming… there is no need of panic.”: Michigan’s 1918 Influenza Epidemic

Nate Turner Mary-Elizabeth Murphy, faculty mentor History & Philosophy Live Session A / 9:40 a.m.

Sgs1-FD Mutants of S. cerevisiae Do Not Exhibit Higher Levels of Error-prone DNA Repair Beth F. Wasserman Anne Casper, faculty mentor Biology Live Session A / 9:40 a.m.

The Impact of the Covid 19 Pandemic on Eviction Processes in Michigan Kai Le Michael Koscielniak, faculty mentor Geography & Geology Live Session A / 9:50 a.m.

Neurological Connections: Addiction & the Divine Susan Dodge-Doak Mark Whitters, faculty mentor History & Philosophy Live Session A / 10:00 a.m.

Using Gamification to Drive Student Engagement Zachariah Pelletier and Kevin Higman Information Security & Applied Computing Live Session A / 10:00 a.m.

LIVE SESSIONS

From Tlatelolco to #Yosoy132: Student Movements, Repression, and the PRI in Mexico Jennifer Besler Mary G. Strasma, faculty mentor History & Philosophy Live Session B / 10:30 a.m.

Jewish Resistance to Anti-Semitism in Michigan During the Twentieth Century Katie Tingstad Mary-Elizabeth Murphy, faculty mentor History & Philosophy Live Session B / 10:30 a.m.

The Orthodox Church, Communication Technology, and the Challenges of Fundamentalism Vardan Sargsyan Paul Majeske, faculty mentor Visual & Built Environments Live Session B / 10:40 a.m.

Sleight of Hand: Soviet Anti-Religious Practices Continued in a Post-Communist Russia Kirk Suchowesky Jesse Kauffman, faculty mentor History & Philosophy Live Session B / 10:50 a.m.

Representation of Colorism in Hollywood

Rhy’ss C. Taylor You Li, faculty mentor Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Live Session B / 10:50 a.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

The Currency of Black History Podcasts as Public Pedagogy Tools Molly Linhares Matthew Cook, faculty mentor Geography & Geology Live Session B / 11:00 a.m.

Dispelling the Violent Delight: An Analysis of Jusepe de Ribera’s Susanna and the Elders Allison Shearer Pamela Stewart, faculty mentor Art & Design Live Session B / 11:00 a.m.

Liberty and Freedom: An Ideographic Analysis of This is America Anthony Muradian Jonathan Carter, faculty mentor Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Live Session B / 11:10 a.m.

Korean Shamanism and Shamanistic Paintings Macy Whitenburg Tom Suchan, faculty mentor Art & Design Live Session B / 11:10 a.m.

Memories of a Vanished Land: The Yugoslav legacy in Modern Bosnia Ryan Block Mary G. Strasma, faculty mentor History & Philosophy Live Session B / 11:20 a.m.

LIVE SESSIONS

Navigating Hagiography: Why Shakespeare’s Ophelia Stands as the Antithesis of Catholicism Kimberly Montone Craig Dionne, faculty mentor English Language & Literature Live Session B / 11:20 a.m.

“Don’t Worry, I’m Careful”: The Michigan Murders, 1967-1969 Michael Scheske Mary-Elizabeth Murphy, faculty mentor History & Philosophy Live Session B / 11:30 a.m.

Striking a Balance: Transforming EMU Arts Management & Administration’s Social Media Platforms Olivia Robinson Susan Booth, faculty mentor Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Live Session C / 1:30 p.m.

Feel the Bern: Bernie Sanders and <Socialism> in the 21st Century Valentyna Stadnik Jonathan Carter, faculty mentor Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Live Session C / 1:30 p.m.

Life Coaches: Their Content and Influence Analyzed through Lacanian Psychoanalysis James Graham Nick Romerhausen, faculty mentor Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Live Session C / 1:40 p.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

The Implementation of The 14th Amendment During Reconstruction Jack Swartzinski Barry Pyle, faculty mentor Political Science Live Session C / 1:40 p.m.

History as Artistic Inspiration: Playwriting John Milkovich Ronald Delph, faculty mentor History & Philosophy Live Session C / 1:50 p.m.

I Remember Now. I Remember What it Felt Like to Be Her. Susanna Ansorge Christine Hume, faculty mentor English Language & Literature Live Session C / 2:00 p.m.

“Don’t Be Afraid to Tell Your Stories”: The Afterlives of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League John Paquette Mary-Elizabeth Murphy, faculty mentor History & Philosophy Live Session C / 2:10 p.m.

Contested Civic Space: The Piazza della Signoria in Medicean Florence Joanne Wisely Ronald Delph, faculty mentor History & Philosophy Live Session C / 2:20 p.m.

LIVE SESSIONS

Accessibility in the Arts

Gwenyth Deiter Susan Badger Booth, faculty mentor Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Live Session C / 2:30 p.m.

A Critical Analysis of the George W. Bush Administration’s Democracy Promotion Efforts in Venezuela Garance Perret Judith Kullberg, faculty mentor Political Science Live Session C / 2:30 p.m.

Birth Doulas and the Associated Benefits for Birthing Outcomes and Experiences in the US Emmylee Zang Megan Moore, faculty mentor Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology Live Session C / 2:30 p.m.

Assessments of Streamflow and Flooding Along the Pere Marquette River, MI Kenneth Ferrell, Jr. Eric W. Portenga, faculty mentor Geography & Geology Live Session D / 3:00 p.m.

Analysis of Diabetes Discrepancies by Levels of Education in the United States Using the CDC Data Emma Krietemeyer Dr. Khairul Islam, faculty mentor Mathematics and Statistics Live Session D / 3:00 p.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

The Effects of Hormone Therapy on the Voice and Body: Through a Singer’s Lens Sydney Timmer Heather Shouldice, faculty mentor Music & Dance Live Session D / 3:00 p.m.

Assessing the Influence of Rainfall and Spring Snowmelt as Sources of Microplastics in Streams Morgan Chaudry Kristin Judd, faculty mentor Biology Live Session D / 3:10 p.m.

Control System Integration for Electric Golf Cart Automation David DeLisle Qin Hu, faculty mentor Engineering Technology Live Session D / 3:10 p.m.

Using CT Scans to Measure the Skeletal Morphology of Transgender and Non-Binary Participants Emmylee Zang Megan Moore, faculty mentor Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology Live Session D / 3:20 p.m.

Modeling the Cost of Housing using Interest Rates: An Application of Time Series Analysis Emma Krietemeyer Chris Elias, faculty mentor Economics Live Session D / 3:40 p.m.

LIVE SESSIONS

Pace of Life Syndrome: Growth Rates & Metabolism in Five Tarantula Species Mary Watson Cara Shillington, faculty mentor Biology Live Session D / 3:40 p.m.

Understanding the Genetics of Lavender Albino Ball Pythons (Python regius) Autumn Brown Hannah Seidel, faculty mentor Biology Live Session D / 3:50 p.m.

Reproducibility of 10Be in a Burned Catchment Before and After the 2018 Woolsey Fire Collin Bogoski Eric W. Portenga, faculty mentor Geography & Geology Live Session D / 4:00 p.m.

Live Poster Presentations Development of Vector Graphic Analysis Techniques for the Characterization of Cell Morphology Caleb Scheys and Colin Goodman Victor Carmona-Galido and Roxanne Katus, faculty mentors Biology Live Session 1 / 9:00 a.m.

EMU UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

The Effect of Autophagy Related Protein 10 and its Mutants on Autophagosome Size and Number Nadia Silvia Steven Backues, faculty mentor Chemistry Live Session 1 / 9:00 a.m.

The Effects of α7nAChR Specific Conotoxins on the Secretion of Aβ and SLURP-1 in Cancer Cells

Asana Williams Deborah Heyl-Clegg, Hedeel Evans, and Jeffrey Guthrie, faculty mentors Chemistry Live Session 1 / 9:10 a.m.

Characterization of the Histone Binding Properties of D337N UHRF1 Mutant Nick Butkevich Brittany Albaugh, faculty mentor Chemistry Live Session 1 / 9:20 a.m.

Software for Simulation of Autophagic Bodies in Cell Vacuoles Payton Dunning Steven Backues, faculty mentor Chemistry Live Session 1 / 9:30 a.m.

Investigating the Binding Interaction of UHRF1 PHD D334A and UHRF2 PHD D363N to H3K9me3 Kaitlyn Bricker Brittany Albaugh, faculty mentor Chemistry Live Session 1 / 9:40 a.m.

LIVE SESSIONS

Mutated Autophagic Proteins and Their Binding Partners Chase Chitwood and Sophia Taylor Steven Backues, faculty mentor Chemistry Live Session 1 / 9:50 a.m.

Systematic Optimization of Parameters of Compucell 3D For Modeling Autophagic Bodies Garrett Bailey Steven Backues, faculty mentor Chemistry Live Session 1 / 10:00 a.m.

Replacement of Hydrazide Moieties in Inhibitors of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Micaela Schempf Cory Emal, faculty mentor Chemistry Live Session 1 / 10:10 a.m.

Measuring Atg12-5 Attachment During the Autophagic Process by Western Blotting Ayanda Brydie Steven Backues, faculty mentor Chemistry Live Session 1 / 10:20 a.m.

The Effects of Aquamin on Bacteria Within the Microbiome of the Digestive System Janelle Janisse Lynne Shetron-Rama, faculty mentor Health Sciences Live Session 1 / 10:20 a.m.

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Utilizing Microbial Ecology to Optimize Antibiotic Production Lilly Vael Paul Price, faculty mentor Biology Live Session 2 / 10:45 a.m.

Does Confidence Come with Age? Age and Behavioral Change in Tarantulas (Lasiodora parahybana) Bradley Allendorfer Cara Shillington, faculty mentor Biology Live Session 2 / 11:05 a.m.

Systematic Studies Towards the Development of a Novel Beer Style – Smoked IPA Clint Lafferty Cory Emal, faculty mentor Chemistry Live Session 2 / 11:15 a.m.

Social Engineering Attacks During the Covid 19 Pandemic Randy Andrews Zenia Bahorski, faculty mentor Computer Science Poster / Live Session 2 / 11:25 a.m.

Change in Freshman Students’ Physical Activity from Pre-Covid 19 to During Covid 19 Kameron MacIver Catherine Gammon, faculty mentor Health Promotion & Human Performance Live Session 2 / 11:35 a.m.

LIVE SESSIONS

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Preliminary Results of a Survey Assessing Family Needs while Awaiting Autism Treatment Jaimie Barr Adam Briggs, faculty mentor Psychology Live Session 2 / 11:45 a.m.

The Effectiveness of Person-Centered Planning in Young Adult Programs for Students with Special Needs Bethany Linder Jacquelyn McGinnis, faculty mentor Special Education & Communication Sciences and Disorders Live Session 2 / 11:55 a.m.

A Study on the Effects of Covid 19 on the Mental Health of Elementary Aged Students with Disabilities Joi Gray Jacquelyn McGinnis, faculty mentor Special Education & Communication Sciences and Disorders Live Session 2 / 12:05 p.m.

Relationship Between Sleep and Physical Activity Among College Students Jeffrey Lepley Catherine Gammon, faculty mentor Health Promotion & Human Performance Live Session 3 / 1:40 p.m.

Accuracy of Self-Reported Physical Activity Data Among College Students Casey Skeens Catherine Gammon, faculty mentor Health Promotion & Human Performance Live Session 3 / 1:50 p.m.

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Youth and the Increase of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Erica Burks Joan Cowdery, faculty mentor Health Promotion & Human Performance Live Session 3 / 2:00 p.m.

Planning to use Equitable Teaching and Active Learning in Calculus 1 David Smith and Kyle Yapp Andrew Ross, faculty mentor Mathematics and Statistics Live Session 3 / 2:10 p.m.

Making Music For All: Inclusivity in the Music Classroom Rebecca Sims Heather Shouldice, faculty mentor Music & Dance Live Session 3 / 2:20 p.m.

A Custom Electronic Circuit to Characterize Solar Cells For Use in Instructional Labs Joanne Martinez Ernest Behringer, faculty mentor Physics & Astronomy Live Session 3 / 2:30 p.m.

The Impact of Temperament and Beliefs About Parenting on Discipline and Parent-Child Relationship Haley Kohl Krithika Prakash, non-presenting author Dean Lauterbach, faculty mentor Psychology Live Session 3 / 2:30 p.m.

LIVE SESSIONS

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Socioeconomic Risk, Parenting and Child Health in African American Families Delaney Hansen and Jenna Walters Heather Janisse, faculty mentor Psychology Live Session 3 / 2:40 p.m.

Design Expo Live Presentations “EMU: Return to the Canvas”: The Creative Process of EMU Artists during the Pandemic Adrian Ace, Diamond Carswell, Sydney Ferguson and Myah Gaither Susan Badger Booth, faculty mentor Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Live Group A / 9:15 a.m.

Entrance Plaza

Austin Thomason Deb de Laski-Smith, faculty mentor Visual & Built Environments Live Group A / 9:30 a.m.

Funkadelik

Nakia Lemon Holly Mosher, faculty mentor Visual & Built Environments Design Expo / Live Group A / 9:45 a.m.

Small Architecture: Prefabricated Modular Spaces Kevin Purify John DeHoog, faculty mentor Art & Desgn Live Group B / 10:30 a.m.

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Art Park

Jenneken Buschur Deb de Laski-Smith, faculty mentor Visual & Built Environments Live Group B / 10:45 a.m.

Handmade for the Holidays: Transitioning from an In-Person Art Fair to a Virtual Event Stephani Hicks and Isabel Barreto Susan Badger Booth, faculty mentor Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Live Group C / 1:30 p.m.

Accessibility in the Arts: An Applied Investigation Gwenyth Deiter Susan Badger Booth, faculty mentor Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Live Group C / 1:45 p.m.

Black Business Owners and the Covid 19 Pandemic in Washtenaw County Bianca Ramsey Sadaf Ali, faculty mentor Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Live Group C / 2:00 p.m.

Inside the Busy Mind

Carmen Cheng and Samadhi Tedrow Ryan English, faculty mentor Visual & Built Environments Live Group D / 3:00 p.m.

Pavilion

Afton J. Reich Deborah de Laski-Smith, faculty mentor Visual & Built Environments Live Group D / 3:30 p.m. LIVE SESSIONS

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CAS Dean’s Office Dana Heller ................................................................................................... Dean Steven Pernecky ........................................................................... Associate Dean W. Douglas Baker ......................................................................... Associate Dean Jill Hunsberger ................................ Associate Vice President for Advancement Karen Peacock .............................................................. Administrative Associate

CAS Department Heads | School Directors | Program Directors Victor Okafor .................................... Africology and African American Studies Sandra Murchison .......................................................................... Art & Design Thomas Mast (I) ...................................................................................... Biology Debra Heyl-Clegg ................................................................................ Chemistry Kathleen Stacey .................................... Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Augustine Ikeji ........................................................................ Computer Science Mehmet Yaya (I) ................................................................................. Economics Joseph Csicsila .................................................. English Language & Literature Katy Greenwald ............... Environmental Science & Society, Interdisciplinary Richard Sambrook ........................................................... Geography & Geology James Egge ....................................................................... History & Philosophy Marty Shichtman ......................................................................... Jewish Studies Debra Ingram .............................................................. Mathematics & Statistics Christopher Barrick .................................................................... Music & Dance Alex Oakes ........................................................................ Physics & Astronomy David Klein ................................................................................ Political Science Ellen Koch (I) .................................................................................... Psychology Julian Murchison ........................... Sociology, Anthropology and Crimonology Elizabeth Currans (I) ........................................... Women’s and Gender Studies Alexander Popko ...................................................................... World Languages

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College of Arts and Sciences Representatives Africology and African American Studies ...................... Victor Okafor Art & Design .................................................................... Pamela Stewart Biology ............................................................................. Aaron Liepman Chemistry ......................................................................... Brittany Albaugh Communication, Media & Theatre Arts ......................... Patrick Seick Computer Science ............................................................ Suchindran Maniccam Economics ........................................................................ Amanda Stype English Language and Literature ................................... Annette Wannamaker Geography and Geology ................................................. Eric Portenga History and Philosophy .................................................. Mary-Elizabeth Murphy Interdisciplinary Environmental Science & Society ...... Katy Greenwald Jewish Studies ................................................................. Jeff Bernstein Mathematics & Statistics ................................................. Khairul Islam Music & Dance ................................................................ John Dorsey Physics and Astronomy ................................................... James Sheerin Political Science ............................................................... Jeff Bernstein Psychology ....................................................................... Claudia Drossel Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology .................... Xianghong Feng Women’s and Gender Studies ......................................... Mary-Elizabeth Murphy World Languages ............................................................ Wendy Wang

College of Education Representatives Special Education ........................................................... Sarah Cox Teacher Education .......................................................... Martha Baiyee Leadership & Counseling ............................................... Allison Green

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College of Health & Human Services Representatives Health Sciences ............................................................... Nursing ............................................................................. Nursing ............................................................................. Nursing ............................................................................. Social Work ...................................................................... Health Promotion and Human Performance ..................

Lynne Shetron-Rama Jennifer Avery Dejuana Jackson Elizabeth (Liz) Loomis Jennifer Farley Aaron Struminger

College of Engineering & Technology Representatives Technology & Professional Services Management ......... Engineering Technology .................................................. Visual & Built Enviroments ............................................. Information Security & Applied Computing ..................

Konnie Kustron LaMar Stewart Ryan English Bilquis Ferdousi

CAS Dean’s Office Liaison ..........................

Doug Baker

Design Expo Committee ...............................

Leslie Atzmon Susan Booth Ryan English Dustin Miller Greg Tom

Event Representatives Event Chair ...................................................................... Harriet Lindsay Event Coordinator ........................................................... Amy Bearinger Symposium Graduate Assistant ...................................... Sonimar Maldonado

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We are pleased to recognize the 2020-21 Symposium Undergraduate Research Fellows, the faculty mentors, and the individuals or organizations who contribute financially to support undergraduate research.

Natalie Anderson | History & Philosophy Faculty Mentor ............................................................................... John Koolege Sponsor .................................................................. Retirement Income Solutions

Erica Burks | Health Promotion Human Performance Faculty Mentor .............................................................................. Joan Cowdery Sponsor ........................................................................................... Ian Pendelton

Olivia Chandler | Special Education Faculty Mentor ............................................................................. John Palladino Sponsor ................................................................................................. Tom Sidlik

Gwenyth Deiter | Arts Management Faculty Mentor ................................................................................. Susan Booth Sponsor .................................................................................... JP Morgan Chase

William Glover | Visual & Built Environments Faculty Mentor ................................................................................ Ryan English Sponsor ..................................................................................................... Dykema

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Emma Krietemeyer | Economics Faculty Mentor ......................................................................... Christopher Elias Sponsor ............................................................................. Dale and Gloria / AEP

Peter Landor | Biology / Chemistry Faculty Mentor ........................................................................... Cara Shillington Sponsor .................................................................... William Fennel Endowment

Madeleine Maki | Molecular Biology Faculty Mentor ................................................................................... David Kass Sponsor .....................................................................William Fennel Endowment

John Milkovich | History & Philosophy Faculty Mentor ............................................................................... Ronald Delph Sponsor .................................................................................. Bank of Ann Arbor

Rhyss Taylor | Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Faculty Mentor ........................................................................................... You Li Sponsor .................................... Molly Luempert-Coy, DTE Energy Foundation

Ahmad Zalt | World Languages Faculty Mentor ............................................................. Carla Damiano Sponsor ............................................................. Tom and Mary Layher

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SYMPOSIUM CHAMPIONS

RESEARCH CHAMPIONS

Rich Baird DTE Energy Foundation Dykema (Jim Greene) Dale & Gloria Heydlauff Sam Hirsch & Marti Walsh Retirement Income Solutions (Karen Chapell) Mark Sadzikowski

Bank of Ann Arbor (Pat Tamblyn) Dennis and Char Beagen Delta Dental Plan of Michigan Diane and Charles Jacobs JPMorgan Chase Tom and Mary Layher Don & Nancie Loppnow Michael Morris Molly Luempert-Coy Richard and Norma Sarns Tom Sidlik Mary Ann and Dennis Watson

VIRTUAL EVENT CHAMPIONS Patricia Butcko Domino’s Beth Henschen Ed and Suzanne Jakeway Emery G. Lee Sally McCracken Diane Rockall Ingrid and Clifford Sheldon Ed Sidlow and Beth Henschen Kathleen Stacey and Robert Sneddon Maureen Thomas Evelyn Tucker Thomas and Anne Venner Bette Warren

ACADEMIC ADVOCATES Stuart Baggaley and Amy Seetoo Amy Cell Nina and George Contis Chelsea Milling Carolyn Embree Jeanette Hassan and Don Pearson William Henderson Abe & Elaine Karam Harriet Lindsay Wendy and Dave Kivi Walter Kraft Wade Tornquist Wade Peacock Kirk Profit Chris Sing

STUDENT ADVOCATES Christopher Ake Rosalyn Barclay Patrick and Cheryl Barry Stephen Brewer and Ruby Meis Raymond Carr Catherine Coulter Mary Cronin Devon Delcourt Brian Fitzgerald Carol Freedman-Doan

Chris Gellasch Robert Grady II Christopher Herman Jill and Van Hunsberger Gus Ikeji Doreen Lawton Judy Lewis Judy and Ken Massingill Nancy Mida John and Nancy Pappas

Linda Pritchard Vicki Reaume Lynne Shetron-Rama William and Andrea Stickney James Vandenbosch Glenn Walker and Yurand Ye Alida Westman Diane Winder Guey-Meei Yang

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Our appreciation is extended to the following Eastern Michigan University offices and individuals who contribute annually to the success of the event:

Beatrice Carlsen and Brielle Norris, graphic design student designers, and faculty mentor Ryan Molloy, Art & Design Tracey Sonntag and the staff of Academic Support Services Ann Eisenburg and students of the Honors College Jill Hunsberger, Lisa Comben and the EMU Foundation staff Walter Kraft, Geoff Larcom and Darcy Gifford, EMU Communications EMU Office of the Provost, Academic Affairs EMU Information Technology EMU Student Center Cathy Steiner and the Event Planning Office The Symposium Planning Committee A special note of thanks to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research for their sponsorship of our virtual platform. Finally, a thank you to the many colleagues, peers, and supporters who assisted us in bringing the first ever virtual event to fruition.

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We are proud to welcome Brenda Alten as our keynote speaker for the 41st Undergraduate Symposium. Alten graduated with honors from EMU in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. During her time at the University, she was a four-time national champion in Forensics winning for informative speaking in 1985. She won the same category again, as well as the title for persuasive speaking and the pentathlon award for top speaker overall in 1988. She is also a two-time Undergraduate Symposium presenter under the faculty mentorship of Professor Tracy Anderson. Upon earning her master’s degree in communications from Miami University of Ohio in 1989, Alten began working with The J.M. Smucker Company and has served in a wide variety of roles over her 30+ year career. While early roles offered amazing experiences in recruiting, sales and marketing, Alten’s passion has always been in communications, and she considers herself incredibly fortunate to have had so many different opportunities to learn and grow in her

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profession while staying with the same company. In her career, Alten has served as company spokesperson; led acquisition and divestiture communication efforts; managed public relations, corporate sponsorships and the consumer call center; and helped establish the company’s innovation center, consumer recipe test kitchen and Culinary College program. More recently, she was responsible for providing communications support to the company’s executive leadership team – including the President and Chief Executive Officer – and developing compelling communications to support strategy and Human Resources initiatives. Currently, Alten is laser-focused on serving the unique needs of Smucker employees as Director of Human Resources Communications. She partners closely with company leaders to advise and manage communication strategy, planning and execution, to ensure employees have the right information at the right time to make the best benefits choices, feel inspired and engaged, develop in their careers and thrive. Alten is Director Emeritus of the EMU Foundation Board of Trustees, having served in roles of Vice Chairperson and Chairperson of the Trusteeship Committee. In 2006, Alten was inducted into the Forensics Hall of Fame and has been a loyal supporter of EMU Forensics as they continue to pursue their championship goals. In 2015, EMU and the EMU Alumni Association honored her with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Alten notes that participating in the Undergraduate Symposium was a highlight of her college career. She will share her admiration for the Symposium with participants, faculty and supporters during her keynote speech and discuss how her experiences at Eastern – including as part of the Symposium – have made an indelible impact on her professional success. Her engagement instills the value of undergraduate research opportunities at EMU.

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Ace, Adrian Aills, Molly Akhlaq, Iqra Alfaro-Cruz, Wendy Allendorfer, Bradley Anderson, Natalia Andrews, Randy Ansorge, Susanna Bailey, Garrett Baker, Kasey Banach, Ashley Barnaclo, Olivia Barr, Jaimie Barreto, Isabel Bell, Elaina Bergren, Morgan Besler, Jennifer Block, Ryan Bogoski, Collin Braate, Elly Bricker, Kaitlyn Briscoe, Tre’vian Brown, Autumn Brydie, Ayanda Buckner, Rachel Burks, Erica Buschur, Jenneken Butkevich, Nickolas Butkevich, Nickolas Cabansag, Ronia-Isabel Callaghan, Jessica Carlsen, Beatrice

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Catallo, Chloe Chacon, Armando Chambers, Cody Chandler, Olivia Chaudry, Morgan Cheng, Carmen Childs, Jada Chitwood, Chase Chrysler, Dylan Clark, Taylor Clingan, Esther Daher, Ani Deiter, Gwenyth DeLisle, David Distelrath, Madison Dodge-Doak, Susan Dunning, Payton Dye, Haley Ebeling, JuliAnna Fedel, Anna Ferguson, Sydney Ferrell Jr, Kenneth Foster, Karlee Frownfelter, Kyle Gaither, Myah Ganesan, Shanthi Vasavi Garcez, John Garska, Nicholas Genthner, Kaite Glover, Alexander Glover, William Goodman, Colin

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Gowell, Sarah Graham, James Gray, Joi Grone, Samuel Grone, Samuel Guzdek, IV John Hammerberg, Jordan Hansen, Delaney Harris, Joel Hartmaier, Karin Hasey, William Heath, Hailee Hicks, Stephani Higman, Kevin Holmes, Megan Jaber, Jonathan Janisse, Janelle Johnson, Blake Jones, Kyla Kalva, Supraja Kefallinos, Yanni King, Alex Kirchner, Margaret Kleinhans, Madisyn Kohl, Haley Kopicko, Megan Kosiba, Carrie Krietemeyer, Emma Krietemeyer, Emma Kwek, Jessi Lafferty, Clint LaMay, Casie Landor, Peter Le, Kylah Lemon, Nakia Lepley, Jeffrey Linder, Bethany Linhares, Molly Liske, Aaron Lyon, OP Sister Mary Vianney MacIver, Kameron

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Madison, Rachel Maki, Madeline Martinez, Joanne Milkovich, John Miller, Isaak Montone, Kimberly Moses, Katherine Muradian, Anthony Nagel, Georgia Newmyer, Anna Norris, Brielle Olechnowicz, Grace Ortega, Carmen Paquette, John Paul, Brandon Pelletier, Zachariah Pena, Arturo Perret, Garance Price, Daisy Purify, Kevin Que, Eveline Ramoie, Madison Ramsey, Bianca Ray, Colton Reich, Afton Reyes, Jennifer Rinkel, Nicole Rinkel, Nicole Robinson, Olivia Sargsyan, Vardan Schallhorn, Claire Schempf, Micaela Scheske, Michael Scheys, Caleb Seals, Katrina Shearer, Allison Sheibels, Trent Shepherd, Riley Sherman, Mya Shields, Kelsey Silvia, Nadia

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Sims, Rebecca Sitkiewicz, Jillian Skeens, Casey Smith, Alexander Smith, David Smith, Ky’Wana Soles, Ashley Spieth, Peyton St. Amand, Katherine Stadnik, Valentyna Staffeld, Jacklyn Stuck, Olivia Suchowesky, Kirk Surur, Marie Swartzinski, Jack Taylor, Rhy’ss Taylor, Sophia Tedrow, Samadhi Thomason, Austin Thorne, Liza Timmer, Sydney Tingstad, Katie Tracht, Emily Turner, Nate Turner, Nate Vael, Lilly Walters, Jenna Wasserman, Beth Watson, Mary Webb, Krista White, Katrina Whitenburg, Macy Williams, Asana Williams, Ryan Winslow, Danielle Wisely, Joanne Wynn, Brehonna Yapp, Kyle Yocum, Nathaniel Zalt, Ahmad Zalt, Ahmad

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Zang, Emmylee Zang, Emmylee Zielinski, Reece

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EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

A CELEBRATION OF STUDENT EXCELLENCE

EMU Undergraduate Symposium

Articles inside

Dennis M. Beagen Keynote Speaker

Visual & Built Environments

Sponsers

College of Education

Social Work

Nursing

World Languages

Health Sciences

Health Promotion & Human Performance

Sociology, Anthropology & Criminology

Psychology

History & Philosophy

Mathematics & Statistics

Geography & Geology

Computer Science

Communication, Media & Theatre Arts

Biology

Music & Dance

Chemistry