York College Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Showcase
April 22, 2022 Schmidt Library Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Welcome York College of Pennsylvania
Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Showcase Sponsored by the Office of the Provost Recognized as a high-impact educational practice, research experiences increase student learning and success both during and after college. They give students an opportunity to gain a deeper knowledge of research techniques and processes, apply classroom learning in real-world contexts, explore academic literature, form meaningful relationships with faculty members, and prepare for graduate school and successful careers. At York College of Pennsylvania, undergraduate research takes many forms: •
Basic Research is a systematic investigation designed to advance fundamental knowledge about the world.
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Applied Research is a systematic investigation designed to solve a specific and practical problem.
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Action Research is a simultaneous process of taking action and doing research, which are linked together by critical reflection in order to understand underlying causes.
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Process Research identifies and explores opportunities for optimization of procedures, protocols, and design strategies.
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Community-Based Research is a collaboration between community groups and researchers to create new knowledge about practical community issues in order to bring about change.
The annual York College of Pennsylvania Undergraduate Research Showcase provides students from all disciplines with the opportunity to display their research projects and engage in stimulating discussions about the research process. We wish to thank our student researchers for displaying their work, as well as their faculty mentors and Provost Laura Niesen de Abruña for supporting the many undergraduate research opportunities at York College of Pennsylvania. We are also pleased to partner with President Gunter-Smith’s Task Force on Campus Sustainability to highlight student research on environmental sustainability. Projects with a focus on sustainability are noted throughout this program.
School of Behavioral Science and Education Effects of Present, Near-Future, and Far-Future Orientations on Current Life Satisfaction Student Researchers: Mikayla Marsjanik, Jenn Kerstetter, Alex Burkhardt, Lauren Russell Faculty Mentor: Dr. Perri Druen This project examines how one’s time orientation, or the period of their life that they primarily focus on, impacts their life satisfaction.
Is Standardized Testing a Necessity? Student Researcher: Lindsay Boritz Faculty Mentor: Dr. Katie Lewis Almost every person has experienced some form of standardized testing in their lifetime. These tests are considered to be what we call “high-stakes” in the educational world. Considering the downfalls related to standardized testing, are these forms truly necessary? Can we eliminate them altogether or should we opt for a replacement method? This presentation offers some answers to these questions based on interviews and participant surveys.
Be Better for our English Language Learners Student Researcher: Jenna Bleacher Faculty Mentor: Dr. Katie Lewis “Be Better for our English Language Learners” focuses on the shortcomings of the education system for children who do not speak English, and what we as educators can do to improve the system for them.
School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies Cinema as a Sedative Student Researcher: Kailee Dlamini Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dennis Weiss Cinema is a mosaic time. In recent years, film scholars have been taking a step back to assess how cinema has changed over the years, and what this means for the future of the medium. Given that cinema has a history of being turned into a full-scale enterprise headed by major corporate conglomerates, it has always been deemed necessary to establish an equilibrium. Creating films that perform reflective synthesis would revolutionize our understanding of how film should be interpreted. Using the film The Hour of the Furnaces (1968), I will argue that it transformed the cinematic landscape by using didactic techniques that were incorporated into its form and content. This film actively went against the politics of the time and extended its hand out to marginalized audiences.
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School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies Linguistic Justice and Attitudes of Writing Tutors Student Researcher: Kameron Cherry Faculty Mentor: Dr. Emily Cope This study examines whether tutors promote and use linguistic Justice in their tutoring methods. I focus on their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about supporting speakers of other dialects (such as African American Vernacular English). I also study if their role as tutors affects what they believe in.
Alternative Fuel Infrastructure in the State of Maryland* Student Researcher: Adam Brocious Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Pomeroy With gas prices as high as they are, the need for alternate fuels sources is greater. Electric vehicles (EVs) are popular; however, there are other alternative fuel sources that should be accounted for, such as liquified natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG). The existing infrastructure for EVs, LNG, CNG will end up being stressed as more people attempt to switch off of gasoline. I use GIS mapping to determine alternate fuel sources in Maryland. *This project addresses the theme of environmental sustainability
Aquatic Hitchhikers: Examining Zebra Mussel Dominance in Pennsylvania’s Waterways* Student Researcher: Elaina Baughman Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Pomeroy This GIS project examines Zebra Mussel’s invasive nature in Pennsylvania’s major waterways and how they are impacting the food source availability of algae, phytoplankton, and other small aquatic plants for other inhabitants of these environments. *This project addresses the theme of environmental sustainability
Constance Applebee and the Introduction of Field Hockey into the United States Student Researcher: Victoria Good Faculty Mentor: Dr. Corey Brooks In 1901, the spirited Englishwoman Constance Applebee arrived in the U.S. and immediately began working to establish the sport of field hockey for American girls. Her incredible story reveals the ways she was able to successfully promote a competitive and aggressive team sport for women in the early twentieth century, despite societal limitations.
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School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies Analyzing Cultural Influences on Student Genre Choice in the Undergraduate Creative Writing Classroom Student Researcher: Taylor Lindsay Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dennis Weiss My project will examine the role of genre in the undergraduate creative writing classroom by taking into account the cultural influences that contribute to a student’s genre choice.
Potential New Solar Energy Sites in Delaware and Philadelphia Counties* Student Researcher: Dave Bingaman Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Pomeroy This project compares current energy consumption in my hometown in Delaware County, PA, to state and nation averages in order to look for areas where we could implement, a renewable energy source (wind, solar, or nuclear). *This project addresses the theme of environmental sustainability
Forgotten Losses: Nature and Agriculture at the Battle of Gettysburg* Student Researcher: Ian Miller Faculty Mentor: Dr. Corey Brooks The Battle of Gettysburg was the largest in the North during the American Civil War and left the agriculture, landscape, and lives of the people of Gettysburg Pennsylvania altered for times to come. Looking at burials, nature, agriculture, and disease, this research sought to use accounts from the era along with historical documents to investigate environmental impacts on the region following the Battle of Gettysburg. Awarded York College of Pennsylvania Student Travel Research Grant to present at the American Chemical Society National Meeting *This project addresses the theme of environmental sustainability
The Challenging of Gender Norms in Pride and Prejudice Student Researcher: Madi Sweitzer Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dennis Weiss My project examines how the feminist heroine Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice challenges the gender norms that were put in place in 19th century Regency England.
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School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies Investigating Design Thinking within Rhetoric and Writing Student Researcher: Julianna Orkin Faculty Mentor: Dr. Emily Cope My project seeks to understand how design thinking and rhetorical concepts overlap with one another in the specific context of the York Engaged Scholars program.
Analyzing the Commandant’s Professional Reading List (CPRL): Mental Health and Well-being Student Researcher: Sean Jeddry Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dennis Weiss The Marine Corps Reading List consists of books that focus on specific themes to help Marines better themselves. I argue that those specific themes ignore the mental health and well-being of Marines that other books can provide.
Gun Gospel: Exploring the Relationship Between Gun Control and Firearm Deaths Student Researcher: Hans Clouser Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sung Wook Paik This project offers a regional comparison of potential causal factors and gun-related death.
“Where Do The Children Play?”: Comparing Environmental Justice between the Warren County Hazardous Waste Landfill and the Love Canal Crisis* Student Researcher: Keely Bluett Faculty Mentor: Dr. Corey Brooks This research examines the rise of the environmental justice movement as it derived from American environmental crises like Warren County, North Carolina’s PCB hazardous waste landfill, and the Love Canal, New York’s toxic chemical dump. The environment is framed as a necessity to life and a factor of human rights. *This project addresses the theme of environmental sustainability
Assessing Water Quality Across Pennsylvania* Student Researcher: Jen Campbell Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Pomeroy I will be assessing the water quality across the state of Pennsylvania to determine where environments are healthier or in poor condition. *This project addresses the theme of environmental sustainability
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School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies Best Locations for New U.S. Solar Farms* Student Researcher: David Moore Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Pomeroy This project analyzes the best location in the United States for a solar farm that will produce the most energy per area. *This project addresses the theme of environmental sustainability
Nation-Building in Afghanistan: The Effects of Ethnocentrism on Counter-Narcotic Efforts Student Researcher: Amanda Lapinski Faculty Mentor: Dr. Corey Brooks This project applied theories of ethnocentrism to the U.S. government’s involvement in nation-building during the Afghanistan war. The project focused on the lack of cultural awareness the Bush administration had during nation-building planning and its effects, specifically the failure in counter-narcotic efforts.
“Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons”: An Exploration in Student Directing Student Researcher: Melanie McGeary Faculty Mentor: Suzanne Delle For their senior capstone, Melanie McGeary directed “Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons” by English playwright Sam Steiner. This presentation includes information regarding their research, their process and directing philosophy, as well as the lessons they learned along the way.
The Function of Goodreads for Modern Romance Readers Student Researcher: Sarah Smith Faculty Mentor: Dr. Emily Cope This project used popular 2021 romance novel reviews on Goodreads, as well as romance discussion groups and an interview with a self-identified romance reader to analyze the role Goodreads plays in the lives of 21st-century romance readers.
Where Should Riparian Buffers Be Placed in Lancaster County to Protect Waterways from Farm Runoff?* Student Researcher: Steven Iseman Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Pomeroy This project analyzes the risk to Lancaster waterways and recommends conservation efforts to protect them. *This project addresses the theme of environmental sustainability
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School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies Optimizing the Writing Center for Nursing Majors Student Researcher: Emma Simpson Faculty Mentor: Dr. Emily Cope and Dr. Kim Peck This IRB-approved study aims to better understand why some Nursing students may not utilize the YCP Writing Center as an academic resource and the views of Nursing students and faculty on the Writing Center. This study collected data through surveys with Nursing faculty and students. Interviews with Nursing students were also conducted.
The Boogaloo Movement Student Researcher: Jenna Cholowinski Faculty Mentor: Dr. Padraic Kennedy The Boogaloo Movement is a right-wing extremist group with the common goal of eventual civil war to put America back on track. It has developed over the last few years via online platforms and has reached thousands of Americans. My project aims to understand this right-wing movement, including its online tactics, to find out ultimately if this style of extremism may be the future of domestic terrorism.
White Nose Syndrome of Bats and Land Cover Distribution in Appalachia* Student Researcher: Gracie Radcliff Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Pomeroy This project examines the impact that both karsts (caves) and coal mines have on the spread of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in U.S. bat species, particularly in the North-Eastern region of the U.S. where confirmed cases of WNS have been seen. *This project addresses the theme of environmental sustainability
Assessing Adequacy of State Park Locations for Reptile and Amphibian Protection in Pennsylvania* Student Researcher: Cailledwyn Walters Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Pomeroy A use of GIS to access the placement of state parks in relation to species richness of amphibians and reptiles in Pennsylvania. *This project addresses the theme of environmental sustainability
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Kinsley School of Engineering, Sciences and Technology Detoxification of Glyphosate in Aqueous Solution through the Formation of a Chelate* Student Researcher: Emma Hester Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jessica Fautch Glyphosate is an organophosphate that is currently being manufactured for commercial pesticide use. The primary issue with this chemical is that it pollutes the water and soil and has health hazards that harm most organisms that come in contact with it. When aquatic life is exposed to glyphosate, it is absorbed through the semipermeable fish skin membrane, which can lead to genotoxicity, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and eventually premature death. The water under investigation was analyzed using various techniques which were evaluated in this research. Awarded York College of Pennsylvania Student Travel Research Grant to present at the American Chemical Society National Meeting *This project addresses the theme of environmental sustainability
Does the increased rate of handwashing due to COVID-19 hinder the ability to develop fingerprints? Student Researcher: Sloan Healy Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kerry Opel The project looks at the interval at which people wash their hands (as a COVID-19 byproduct) and the effect that has on the ability to develop fingerprints and collect information from them.
Studying the Impact of Annonaceous Acetogenin, A Prominent Component in Graviola Leaves, on the Growth of Glioblastoma Cancer Cells Student Researcher: Hana Yoseph Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nisreen A. Nasair Cancer has become a major public health issue and many people are turning to alternative sources that could coincide with their cancer treatments. One alternative is the fruit Graviola, which is known to have an anti-cancer effect due to the leading compound family, Annonaceous Acetogenin. This family compound was examined, along with the application of Graviola supplements to a glioblastoma cell line to determine the rate of growth.
The Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater to Estimate COVID-19 Occurrence at York College of Pennsylvania* Student Researcher: Caleb Keller Faculty Mentor: Dr. Meda Higa Through RT-qPCR, this project was able to isolate SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater samples around YCP Campus to estimate COVID-19 occurrence. This research provides the college with a noninvasive method of estimating virtually any future virus occurrence, so that administration can determine areas of campus containing high virus presence. Awarded York College of Pennsylvania Student Travel Research Grant to present at the American Society for Microbiology: Microbe *This project addresses the theme of environmental sustainability 7
Kinsley School of Engineering, Sciences and Technology Expression of circTTC3 and TTC3 mRNA in Human Cell Lines and Developing Retinal Tissue from Embryonic Chickens Student Researcher: Emma Freeborn Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sean Georgi My research focused on looking to see if two different gene products from the TTC3 gene, known to be important for nervous system development, are found in developing chicken embryos. Understanding more about nervous system development is important for creating therapies for treating developmental and degenerative disorders, like Down’s Syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.
Roscovitine and Methotrexate Inhibition of CDK5 Activates a Potential PI3K Involvement in Cancer Progression and Aggression Student Researchers: Bianca Caresosa and Tiffany Nguyen Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ronald Kaltreider Glioblastoma, breast, and colorectal cancer cells were treated with two drugs: Methotrexate (MTX) and/or Roscovitine (RSV). Combining a CDK5 inhibitor (RSV) with chemotherapeutic drugs (MTX) can target cancer in a synergistic manner to decrease cancer growth. The combination of these two drugs is a potential therapeutic possibility in multiple cancers associated with CDK5 overexpression. Awarded York College of Pennsylvania Undergraduate Research Project Grant
Effect of Land Use on Microplastic Concentration and Characteristics in Freshwater Ecosystems of York County, PA* Student Researcher: Breah Kaliszak Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bridgette Hagerty As concern for microplastic contamination of aquatic ecosystems grows, streams have emerged as critical pathways of plastics to oceans. To understand microplastic pollution in local freshwater ecosystems, this study analyzed the role of land use in microplastic concentration and characteristics in urban and rural streams of York County, PA. *This project addresses the theme of environmental sustainability
Expression of SLC45A4 mRNA and SLC45A4 circRNA in chicken (Gallus gallus) retinal cells and cancerous human (Homo sapiens) lines Student Researcher: Rachel Toomey Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sean Georgi In this study, chicken retinas were examined to find a type of genetic material called “circular RNA.” The relative amount of messenger RNA and SLC45A4 circular RNA were measured in the retina. To my current knowledge, this was the first study to find this specific molecule in the retina.
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Graham School of Business How Mergers and Acquisitions Affect Cybersecurity Student Researcher: Noah Morton Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michele Yoder This research looked at creating a new theoretical cyber hygiene tool used to measure the impact of a merger or acquisition on the cybersecurity posture of both companies. Some existing cybersecurity frameworks used in the industry today were combined to create this new tool.
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York College of Pennsylvania Sponsored by Dr. Gunter-Smith’s Task Force for Sustainability on Campus (PTFCS)