Stander Symposium: Projects with UD Institutional Learning Goals

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From Blue-Gray to Blue-Green: Facilitating the Transition to Non-Plastic, Natural Material Use within the Coastal Zone Economy

David Albrecht, Caleb Luke Frank, Adin Allen Stoller

Funded by NOAA and in collaboration with the Baruch Marine Field Institute, this project addresses the environmental impact of non-biodegradable plastics in coastal South Carolina. It explores the mechanical and economic viability of natural materials like coir, jute, and hemp to replace plastics in critical coastal sectors that experience harsh environmental conditions. The first class of products studied was natural fiber geotextiles due to their current prominence in coastal environments. Before studying the impacts of weathering on mechanical properties, the virgin, unweathered properties must be measured and the impact of water absorption on the mechanical properties must be understood. An Instron 3365 in the UD BAMS laboratory was utilized to perform tensile testing on virgin samples according to ASTM 6818 to assess key properties including strain, Young's modulus, and tensile strength, to determine how these materials will initially behave in harsh coastal environments. Additionally, qualitative observations of the materials’ mechanical response and failure were recorded to discuss and assess material viability with environmental engineering stakeholders in South Carolina. In conjunction with this testing, samples with different relative water absorption levels were tested to understand the impact of water content on the materials’ mechanical properties. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effects of water content on mechanical properties. Future studies will examine how coastal weathering affects mechanical, chemical, and structural properties of these materials to qualify them for use in coastal sectors. This project, merging traditional ecological knowledge and modern engineering techniques, underscores the potential for a significant paradigm shift towards sustainable material usage in coastal ecosystems, aligning with broader objectives of environmental stewardship and culturalpreservation.
From Pulpit to Podium: King's Leadership and Non-Violent Strategies at the March on Washington

Andrew Thomas Casey

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
From Tiny Tots to Wise Old Turtles: Sustaining Health and Happiness in Pet Turtles

Victoria Scachitti

Before bringing an aquatic turtle into one's home as a pet, it's crucial to understand the basics of proper care. There's a lot to consider, from managing expenses and setting up the right lighting to providing the correct diet, adequate space, ideal temperatures, enrichment activities, and maintaining water quality and humidity levels. All of these factors play a role in the turtle's health and how long it lives. One of the most popular pet turtle species in the USA is the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), an aquatic turtle native to the southern US known to live up to 40 years in captivity if properly cared for. However, without the right care, these turtles can face a range of health issues, such as deformed shells and bacterial and fungal infections. One common oversight among prospective turtle owners is underestimating the growth potential of their pet and failing to anticipate the need for larger living space as the turtle ages. Many start with a small tank or enclosure, not realizing that the turtle will outgrow it, leading to cramped and stressful living conditions. This oversight can have serious implications for the turtle's well-being, affecting its growth, mobility, and overall quality of life. Therefore, creating a habitat that meets all their needs and keeping up with maintenance is essential for ensuring a happy, healthy turtle that can enjoy a long life as part of the family.
Gandhi and MLK: A Look Into Assassinations and Legacy

Katherine Michele Desmet

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
Gandhian Economic Principles Alive In Modern Day Ice Cream

Denzil Ryan Turner

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
Gandhian Ideas About Health and Diet

Maya K. Klein

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
Gandhi, King and Mandela: Global Non-violence in the 20th Century

Justin K. Altmeyer, Robert T. Bordenkircher, Aidan Michael Burke, Joseph Riley Buten, Andrew Thomas Casey, Emma E. Clark, Lindsey Anne Cloos, Katherine Michele Desmet, Christopher Michael DiGeronimo, Beecher Charles Dunne, Sam J. Gepperth, Nathan Raymond Glessman, Kevin M. Gonzalez-Brito, Peter John Grant, David W. Haberkorn, Lorena G. Idris, Mary K. Kelty, Maya K. Klein, Elizabeth Grace Knieriemen, Jacob Allan Lann, Carson M. McCorkle, Colin E. Meehan, Jacob H. Murphy, Carla Joellen Pettiford, Alexa M. Rouse, Lucy K. Schuermann, Matthew Casaclang Szell, Casey M. Tirado, Denzil Ryan Turner, Andres Ignacio Umpierre, Peter Anthony Veith, Aidan R. Wanke, Brendan Michael Wiehe, Romeo Fabrice Yao, Laura Zamorano Garcia

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions toward representation.
Gandhi on Medicine: What was his Philosophy and how is it Important Today?

David W. Haberkorn

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
Gandhi, Religion, And Quakerism

Joseph Riley Buten

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
Gandhi’s Alignment Diet: A Non-Violent, Satyagraha Framework for Eating

Matthew Casaclang Szell

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
Gandhi’s Impact on Women’s Empowerment in Indian Society

Alexa M. Rouse

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
Gandhi’s Moral Philosophy of Diet

Elizabeth Grace Knieriemen

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
Gen Z Gen Free: The Rise of Young Christian Right Politics on College Campuses

Tucker J. Hoffmann

produced for the Dean's Summer Fellowship program in the summer of 2023, Gen Z Gen Free is a critical analysis of how Turning Point USA, a growing White Christian Nationalist organization, uses language to discriminate against gender, sexual, and racial minorities in educational institutions. Using scholarly work (insert authors and books here), this work analyzes the rhetorical tools used in speeches from CEO and Founder of TPUSA Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens. It also serves as a brief historical account of the evangelical Christian movement in education. The movement, starting as a response to the desegregation of schools, is still a factor in K-12 and higher education today. Turning Point USA has breached into the evangelical homeschooling market through the foundation of Turning Point Academy, a branch of TPUSA that seeks to "Reclaim, Revive, and Restore" Godliness to American educational institutions.
Growing Radicle: Growing native plant seedlings for changing landscapes

Madelyn Clare Moore

In the wake of great anthropogenic change in the landscape across eastern North America, there is a need for ecological restoration. The decline of the previously dominant oak forests and the need to protect the understory from persistent invasion are of particular interest. There is a current trend of maples overtaking oaks in overall dominance and regeneration with massive consequences for wildlife diversity and human economic activity. Acorns are a major food source in deciduous North American forests, and maple samaras are not an adequate replacement. Beyond the issue of oaks, forest understories are heavily overrun by invasive honeysuckle. Even after its removal, honeysuckle tends to return to its previously invaded sites. It is thought that removing honeysuckle and then filling its niche space with native species may prevent it from reestablishing itself. Ohio buckeye, paw paw, and spicebush are all native understory inhabitants that could protect understories from reinvasion. Paw paw and spicebush have the added benefit of being resistant to deer herbivory. With these issues in mind, the goal of this project is to start up a native sapling repository for key woody species for use in future restoration projects. This project is based in Ginny’s Garden Greenhouse at the University of Dayton and involves seed collection, germination, and sapling management. Native oak species include bur oak, red oak, chinkapin oak, and pin oak. Other species involved include Ohio buckeye, paw paw, and spicebush, with the potential to expand the number of species in the fall. In the future, we may work to collect, germinate, and grow saplings from ancient oaks to further their successful genetics. There is also the potential for experimentation involving sapling success in differing soil qualities and assessing the root systems of saplings grown in differing container sizes.
Handheld Packaged Photonic Sensor for Chem-Bio Sensing

Noelle Elizabeth Boltz

Silicon semiconductor chips utilizing label-free optical methods can achieve multiplexed sensing of multiple biomarkers of several potential cancers, infections and diseases in a single measurement in real time with a few microliters of sample fluid. However, commercial benchtop optical instruments are often prohibitively expensive, hindering global adoption. The sensors offer high specificity detection down to sub-nanogram levels, enabling early diagnosis of cancers, infectious diseases, and pollutants. Combined with affordable instruments and silicon photonic chips, they could transform global rapid testing, even in remote, low-resource settings. To further facilitate its global application, this project has been focused on designing a compact, durable packaging solution that enables the sensor-equipped device to be easily integrated into testing stations. This design includes internal mechanisms that swiftly direct fluid samples across the photonic chip, enhancing the device's practicality and shipping feasibility to diverse regions.
Harmony & Temperance: Gandhi’s Vision of Health and the Influence of Alcohol

Andres Ignacio Umpierre

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
Healthcare Barriers in Honduras

Andie Marie Lang, Grace Marie Schneider, Oluwayemisi Omobonike Tayo-Ayorinde

In the United States, healthcare is provided through a combination of private insurance, public government programs (e.g. Medicaid and Medicare), and out-of-pocket payments (Commonwealth Fund 2020). However, the Honduran healthcare system is provided by the Ministry of Health and funded by the government through the NHS (National Healthcare System), which aims to provide equal access to medical services to its citizens (Global Financial Security 2023). While this may seem like an ideal institution, it is estimated that almost 20% of the country lacks access to healthcare services (International Health Partners 2023). In the NHS system, basic healthcare is free, but families are responsible for their loved one's advanced medical care (e.g., non-life saving procedures, medications, palliative and hospice care), meals, and other additional costs making healthcare unaffordable for most individuals (Etheridge 2023). Additionally, many rural Honduran communities encounter other barriers including long travel times/distances, availability of transportation, inability to take time off work, lack of alternative childcare, and even that they are too ill to travel at all. Almost half of the country lives below the poverty line, struggling to live on less than $5.50 a day, and more than 25% of the population is in extreme poverty (International Health Partners 2023). Furthermore, there is a limited presence of health personnel in the country, with only 0.3 physicians existing per 1,000 people, compared to the UK’s figure of 5.8 (International Health Partners 2023). Access to healthcare for rural Hondurans is commonly made possible through international relief efforts by organizations such as Americares and Global Brigades.This poster aims to evaluate the primary barriers to healthcare access, the effect lack of access to care has on Honduras’ population, and the international aid initiatives that attempt to enhance healthcare in Honduras.
Hegemony in the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints: Discursive Formations in Cults

Sophia Hollins, Mary Kate Kelty, Mark Martino

Rhetoric drawing on religious stories, ideals, concepts, and experiences surround us in our daily lives. These posters represent a sampling of the rhetorical analyses conducted by students from CMM 357 Religious Rhetoric throughout the Spring 2024 semester. Groups presented several themed reports prior to Stander and picked one to showcase at the symposium.
Herbicidal-induced effects in rivulus mangrove killifish, Kryptolebias marmoratus.

Lauren Elizabeth Corrigan

Glyphosate, a key ingredient in roundup, has been increasingly present in aquatic systems due to agricultural runoff. High doses of this toxin causes defects in organisms due to its ability to disrupt physiological processes as an endocrine disruptor. To evaluate the effects of glyphosate on non-target species in aquatic environments, I used the mangrove rivulus fish (Kryptolebias marmoratus). They are self-fertilizing amphibious hermaphrodites with the ability to escape water in times of poor quality. These fish produce genetically identical offspring, so we can look at how variation in toxicant exposure alters phenotypes across genetically identical fish. Newly hatched larvae were treated for 96 hours with three different concentrations of glyphosate: control (0mg/L), environmentally relevant (.01 mg/L), and high (1 mg/L). Phenotypic traits of behavior, morphology, and reproductive traits were measured. Fish with relevant doses were predicted to show adaptive jumping behavior while deficits in other traits were expected in all glyphosate dosages. We found fish exposed to both high and relevant concentrations showed behavioral deficits. A trend at low doses was observed at the beginning of maturity; however, this did not persist through adulthood. Fish treated with high concentrations had later reproductive deficits. There was no evidence to support the relevant adaptive hypothesis. This study displayed the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems by providing evidence even relevant concentrations of herbicide may be harmful to aquatic organisms.
Here comes the sun: A study of insect ecology during Ohio’s solar power boom

Grace L. Litavsky, Stephanie Kaitlyn Murray, Joseph W. Reichel, Leen Sawas, Skylar M. Shannon

As the world’s population and demand for energy continues to increase, we are also experiencing a rapid increase in renewable energy, such as solar power. Ohio is in the midst of a large solar boom, in which many solar fields are converted to something called “solar prairies.” The native, flowering vegetation in a solar prairie is meant to attract pollinators to boost the ecological value of the land. As solar prairies continue to surface in Ohio, we are still facing a large knowledge gap regarding (1) the effects of solar arrays on insects and (2) the best management practices for solar prairie vegetation. To help bridge this first knowledge gap, we are surveying insect communities at newly proposed solar sites before and after solar installation. Many of these proposed sites will be seeded as solar prairies during or following the installation process. Thus far, we have sampled the insect community at Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC) once before the installation of their solar array (September 2022), and three times after installation (June, July, and October 2023). We collected insects using pitfall traps (2022: n= 9; 2023: n= 12 per sampling date), pan traps (2022: n= 9; 2023: n= 12 per sampling date), and sweep nets (2022: n= 10; 2023: n= 12 per sampling date). Insects were sorted to order level identification (e.g., bees are of the order Hymenoptera) and we used analyses of variance (ANOVA) and generalized linear models (GLM) to test for differences in insect communities before and after solar installation. Insect abundance increased after installation, while insect diversity decreased. However, we will be following the progression of this solar prairie over time, and expect to see a rebound and increase in insect diversity, as the plant community grows and diversifies.
Hippo, Wnt, and JNK Pathway Interactions in a Drosophila Colorectal Cancer Model

Michael K. Gruhot, Arushi Rai

Colorectal cancer (CRC) will be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for people under the age of 50 by 2030. Due to increased efforts to spread awareness for regular screenings, the five-year relative survival rate for those diagnosed with colon cancer is 64.4% (www.fightcolorectalcancer.org). Treatment for CRC consists primarily of the excision of the tumor paired with regular doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These treatments cause systemic stress, damaging both cancerous and healthy cells alike. In order to create more efficient treatments, first, we must better understand the biology underlying changes in cells that lead to tumors in the colon. The proposed research aims to generate a better understanding of CRC using genetic models in Drosophila. We will specifically study the roles of the Hippo, Wnt, and JNK pathways on tumor formation and metastases in the colon. In order to do this, we have designed one- and three-hit models that disrupt each pathway singly and in combination with each other. These models represent the genetic heterogeneity in cancer patients, as well as represent the three most frequently found genetic lesions (p53, Ras, and APC.). The CRC models in flies will generate patches of cancerous cells in the fly gut (intestine). We will evaluate the CRC models (a) using antibody staining to check pathway activity (JNK, Wg, Hippo) and (b) using antibody staining to determine levels of proliferation and cell death. Overall, our studies will provide a platform for evaluating the effects of the three common genetic lesions in CRC and add to our knowledge about the altered communication between these oncogenes and pathways in CRC.
History 495 02 (History Internship class) The class will present 4 digital humanities projects that connect to a USAID funded Cultural Heritage Project in Iraq.

Charlotte Kane Capuano, Maria Estefania Gomez, Yasmin Amal Nassar, Delos J. Penas-Johnson, Erin Pinto, Katherine Ann Shryock, Robert John Smart, Theodore Patton Vignocchi

UD students played a vital role in safeguarding the cultural heritage of communities in Iraq through digitization and preservation efforts. They engaged with the urgent mission of securing heritage collections that hold the key to identity, history, and community resilience for religious and ethno-religious minority groups in the cradle of civilization.In this immersive program, they joined an ongoing, on-the-ground project initiated by the Antiquities Coalition (AC), dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of communities in Iraq through digitization. Partnering with four prominent organizations in Iraq—the Catholic Diocese of Mosul’s Centre Numérique des Manuscrits Orientaux (CNMO), the Syriac Heritage Museum, Sinjar Academy, and Assyrian Aid Society—this project seeks to document, digitize, and make accessible the rich cultural treasures of Iraq to local, regional, and international audiences.
Homeschooling: Diverse Methods and Motivations

Victoria Lee Desomma

Homeschooling is an educational method where families choose to educate their children at home or in a place that is not a conventional school. People choose to homeschool their children for many different reasons including religion and politics. There are also many different types and styles of homeschooling which families choose to use including unit studies homeschooling, and eclectic homeschooling.
Homeschooling: It’s Rise and Appeal

Alejandro Cazorla Granados

In the context of its history and traditional perceptions, homeschooling has gone through major changes in the 21st century. This brief literature review highlights different dimensions of modern day homeschooling: the technological advancements, shifts in the socio political environment, and emerging educational philosophies. In this poster one will put together the pieces of the puzzle that is the new homeschooling paradigm.
House Price Prediction with Deep Learning

Amira A. Yousif

The real estate industry relies heavily on accurately predicting the price of a house based on numerous factors such as size, location, amenities, and season. In this study, we explore the use of machine learning techniques for predicting house prices by considering both visual cues and estate attributes. We collected a dataset (REPD-3000) of 3000 houses across 74 cities in the USA and annotated 14 estate attributes and five visual images for each house's exterior, interior-living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. We extracted features from the input images using convolutional neural network (CNN) and fed them along with the estate attributes into a multi-kernel deep learning regression model to predict the house price. Our model outperformed baseline models in extensive experiments, achieving the best result with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 16.60. We compared our model with a multi-kernel support vector regression and analyzed the impact of incorporating individual feature sets. In future, we plan to address class imbalance by having the same number of houses in each class and explore feature engineering for improving the model's performance.