Stander Symposium Projects

Follow

• 

  Social Science in Action: Student Reflections on Experiential Learning in International Development, Immigration Advocacy, and Family Law Internships

  Ryan Ballou, Gabriella Grant, Abigail Ulery

  The University of Dayton provides extensive pathways for students to participate in experiential learning and community engagement opportunities. These experiences are often transformative and shape students’ future careers trajectories. Yet there are few venues to learn from students about how these experiences deepen and intersect with their academic courses of study. This is a missed opportunity to interrogate the intersection of theory and praxis. In this panel, three students who have completed an internship related to their social science course of study will discuss their internship work, what they learned, and how it shapes their future vocation. They will also reflect on connections to our current political moment, as the social sciences are being threatened by several external forces. One student will discuss her off-campus work in the international development sector at a Washington DC internship (Counterpart International). Another student will discuss her on-campus work at the UD Law School Immigration Clinic, where she worked on gender-based asylum cases. Finally, one student will discuss his work as a research assistant for a sociology project on divorce law in Kentucky. Collectively, they also reflect on what their social science education has meant to them over their undergraduate career.

• 

  Social Work Advocacy Day: SB 1 - Advance Ohio Higher Education Act

  Oumoulkhairy Diop, Amelia Frazier, Destiny Rivera, Emma Viale

  In this project prepared for SWK 310, we share our reflections and insights gained from our experience participating in the Social Work Advocacy Day in Columbus, Ohio in March 2025. During our trip we attended advocacy training and planning sessions and met with state legislators and/or their staff. This presentation details our experiences at Advocacy Day, outlines an area of advocacy, and describes how we advocated for change through the lens of the Social Work framework.

• 

  Social Work Advocacy Day: The Importance of Compensation for Social Work Internships

  Kerry Durkin, Tyler Leffew, Caitlin Sheehan, Elijah Sobecki

  In this project prepared for SWK 310, we share our reflections and insights gained from our experience participating in the Social Work Advocacy Day in Columbus, Ohio in March 2025. During our trip we attended advocacy training and planning sessions and met with state legislators and/or their staff. This presentation details our experiences at Advocacy Day, outlines an area of advocacy, and describes how we advocated for change through the lens of the Social Work framework.

• 

  Social Work Advocacy on Campus: Applying the Social Work Framework to Evaluate Student Mental Health Policy

  Evie McCombs, Lianna Shakoor, Serenity West

  In this project prepared for SWK 310, we evaluate a law/policy that impacts the campus community through the lens of the Social Work framework. We discuss the impact of these policies on the campus community as well as on relevant human services, we review the history of the law/policy, and we lay out a recommendation and advocacy plan to promote positive change.

• 

  Soviet Nostalgia and how it is being leveraged to legitimize the war in Ukraine and Russian Expansionism

  Liza Wisniewski

  The collapse of the USSR has remained prevalent in Vladimir Putin’s political strategy throughout his career. In his extended presidency, he has worked hand in hand with the Kremlin to promote a newly revised history of the past century. His administration can be seen using the concept of nostalgia for the Soviet Union to justify the violence of Russian Expansion in the 21st century. This research paper will dive into case studies surrounding the war in Ukraine and the occupation of Georgian Territories. The main goal of this research is to understand the manipulation tactics of the Russian government and how they are shaping public opinion through tactical historical changes in order to gain support for the ongoing wars and occupation. Vladimir Putin has taken the collective memory of the Russian people and strategically reshaped it to attempt to serve expansionist ideologies. This research is being conducted by consulting peer-reviewed academic journals and observing current trends and news stories coming out of Russian media. Observing the narratives and framing techniques used in Russian news sources and comparing them with peer-reviewed academic journals provides the primary evidence for this research. This research recognizes many patterns of disinformation. These patterns support the claim that Soviet Nostalgia and World War II rhetoric are being used as propaganda to justify the war to the Global community. The significance of this work is directly related to the current geopolitical landscape with Russia in its third year of the Ukrainian invasion. The concept of Soviet nostalgia and how it is being used for manipulation can be seen plainly throughout Putin’s administration. Understanding the phenomenon is crucial in analyzing the geopolitical movements shaping the international community today.

• 

  S.S.S.S.: Student South Side Safety

  Ama Amponsah, India Gantt, Kahra Loding, Abigail Totte, Lily Yoder

  In this class project for SOC 324: Communities & Crime, we worked to identify a crime problem or a plan to promote safety that is pertinent to our own community. We applied relevant social science theories in order to understand how to promote continued safety in Campus South Apartments. Based on these theoretical explanations, we offer strategies to to enhance community safety, as well as an action plan to implement our recommended solutions.

• 

  Standardizing Magnetic Bead-Based PCR for Analyzing Quantitative Gene Expression, Followed by Sequencing

  Malabika Bhowmik, Tracy Dentu, Jason Galaska, Tooba Momin, Sheilah Njoka, Grace Van Kerkhove

  Digital PCR (dPCR) is an advanced molecular technique that enables the absolute quantification of nucleic acids with high sensitivity, precision, and reproducibility. Unlike conventional quantitative PCR (qPCR), dPCR does not rely on standard curves. Instead, it partitions the sample into thousands of individual reactions, where target DNA or cDNA (for RNA) molecules are amplified and detected in a binary (positive/negative) manner. The fraction of positive partitions can then be analyzed using Poisson statistics to determine the absolute copy number of the target sequence.This study aims to integrate magnetic bead-based PCR with dPCR. Magnetic beads provide a solid-phase support for nucleic acid binding, reducing sample loss and allowing the amplified product to be further analyzed for nucleotide sequencing. In this study, we utilized streptavidin-coated Dynabeads (1 µm diameter). A biotinylated forward primer targeting the human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) spike protein gene was immobilized onto the Dynabeads, followed by PCR amplification.Our results showed efficient binding of the forward primer to the Dynabeads (45.22 ± 4.11% binding efficiency). The PCR product was successfully amplified on the beads, as confirmed by gel electrophoresis following the elution of DNA from the microbeads. Overall, our findings indicate that Dynabead-bound PCR products can be effectively utilized for digital PCR, followed by nucleotide sequencing using an ion-sensitive photonic field-effect waveguide (ISPFEW) chip.

• 

  Stander Symposium Artwork, 2025

  Mary Dent

  This graphic artwork was used to promote the 2025 Stander Symposium, a showcase of academic research and creative work.

  Artist statement:

  A fresh brand identity was developed for the University of Dayton’s Stander Symposium, an annual event showcasing student research and exploration. The visual system—including logo, signage, name tags, digital graphics, and yard signs—introduced a bold new direction, departing from previous years. The logo, which emerged through an unexpected creative breakthrough, set the foundation for the rest of the design. Adobe Illustrator and InDesign were used to execute the full suite of materials. The project was a high-visibility opportunity that reinforced design confidence and creative problem-solving skills.

• 

  Static Scenes with Dynamic Perceptions

  Kunal Agrawal

  In this paper, we explore how computers can recognize motion illusions in static images—pictures that trick our eyes into seeing movement. To study this, we created a new dataset called MISS, which includes images with and without motion illusions. We tested advanced deep learning models to see how well they could identify these illusions and also checked whether color plays an important role. Our results show that these models are good at spotting motion illusions, especially when the images are in color. This highlights the importance of color in helping machines understand motion in still pictures.

• 

  Stay with Me! A Qualitative Study on the Retention of Young Adults in a Historically Black Organization

  Marnisha Mintlow

  This dissertation explores the factors influencing the retention of Black women under 40 in a historically Black nonprofit organization. Using a qualitative approach, surveys were conducted with current members to identify the organizational, social, and personal dynamics that contribute to their continued motivation and engagement. The study examines themes such as inclusion, motivation, engagement and background within the organization. Findings highlight sisterhood, internal values, dedication and the organization's mission statement, offering insights into how historically Black nonprofits can better support and retain this critical demographic, fostering a more inclusive environment. This research aims to inform retention strategies that address both individual aspirations and organizational needs.

• 

  Strain Sensing with Eutectic Gallium-Indium (EgaIn) for Wearable Electronics

  Ashok Rathanlal

  EGaIn (Eutectic Gallium-Indium) is a liquid metal alloy composed of gallium and indium, which remains in its liquid state at room temperature. This unique property allows EGaIn to maintain its fluidity and adapt to different shapes, making it highly versatile for various applications. When subjected to strain, EGaIn experiences a change in resistance, with the direction and magnitude of the strain determining the extent of this resistance change. Although the resistance change is relatively small, it can be precisely measured with specialized electronics and careful design. This makes EGaIn ideal for use in flexible and stretchable electronics, where it can be patterned into specific shapes to act as a sensitive strain sensor, opening up possibilities for its integration into wearable technologies.

• 

  Strength of Faith and its Relationship to Universal Religious Behavior

  Yaralin Urena

  After searching the advances of religion and behavior there seems to be insufficient research that is inclusive of major worldwide religions when addressing discrepancies between belief and behavior. The main objective of this project is to investigate universal religious practices and how these underlie major world religions. Specifically, it seeks to study the relationship between individual’s identified religious beliefs including, strength of faith (i.e., high vs. low), religious motivation (i.e., intrinsic vs. extrinsic), and their perceived related behavior within ritualistic practices (i.e., high ritualistic involvement vs. low ritualistic involvement) and prosocial behavior (i.e., high altruism vs. low altruism).

• 

  Stress, Saliva, and Spirits: The Effects of Acute Psychosocial Stress on Alcohol Craving, Motivation to Consume Alcohol, and Physiological Correlates

  Olivia Dobiesz

  Stress has been identified as an important risk factor for the onset and maintenance of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Accordingly, the present study seeks to explore the link between stress and alcohol-related measures, specifically by analyzing how fluctuations in subjective and biological measures of stress affect craving and choice for alcohol.The present study utilizes a variation of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) to acutely induce stress in participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to complete either the TSST or a non-stress equivalent procedure which will serve as the control. Saliva samples will be collected in order to assess fluctuations in the stress biomarker alpha amylase in response to the TSST. Heart rate and heart rate variation will also be measured throughout the experimental session as an additional measure of the physiological stress response. Participants will be asked to fill out a series of questionnaires pertaining to perceived levels of stress, anxiety, and affect before and after completing the TSST. Upon completion of the TSST, participants will complete a series of alcohol-related questionnaires that measure: frequency of alcohol use, magnitude of alcohol craving, risk for developing AUD, anticipated effects of alcohol use, hypothetical alcohol choice behavior, occurrence of negative alcohol-related consequences, and level of engagement in non-drug related activities. We expect to see an increase in subjective and physiological markers of stress post-TSST, correlated with an increase in alcohol craving in those who are at-risk for developing AUD. The aforementioned measures will allow us to identify factors that may influence the decision to consume alcohol or engage in non-alcohol related activities. In turn, this would allow us to develop a more complete understanding of the relationship between stress and alcohol-related behaviors which may relate to the development of AUD.

• 

  Stretchable Electronic Systems Enabling Rigid Electronic Payloads

  Adin Stoller

  Recent innovations in the space of Additive Manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing have resulted in increasing print complexity and resolution as well as an ever-expanding library of materials from which to print. While this has dramatic implications for every field supported by AM, the field of Soft and Wearable Robotics (SWR) has considerable potential to benefit from continued innovations in AM. 3D-printing methods, such as Digital Light Processing (DLP) in particular, enable developers to design and print complex structural components for SWR systems. Unlike other AM methods, such as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), DLP allows for the selection of a wide range of elastomeric materials optimized for SWR needs (e.g., high strain, extreme temperatures, and self-healing).Additive Manufacturing has long allowed for the creation of basic SWR prototypes, such as pneumatically actuated fingers. With the integration of rigid electronic payloads and stretchable electronic circuits into AM elastomeric substrates (which are inherently insulators), these components will have the ability to sense and react to their environment in unprecedented ways. The next generation of soft robotics will be enabled by novel approaches to adding conductivity to additively manufactured soft robotic structures. With the creation of SWR material systems with embedded electronics, these new “electronic materials” have a wide range of possible applications, including strain sensing, capacitive touch, and stretchable heaters. Thus, developments in the fabrication of these components are necessary to fully realize the capability of SWR systems.

• 

  Student Songwriter Concert

  Megan Knapke

  Guitar students of Jim McCutcheon present a concert of original material

• 

  Students’ Sense of Belonging on Campus: Balancing Family Dynamics and Academic Success

  Emma Viale

  This study explores the unique challenges college students face while balancing academic responsibilities with home obligations. It is a complex topic that extends beyond the research documenting the stress of work-life balance in adults. Specifically, it explores how students' individual experiences with family dynamics and home stressors influence their sense of belonging and academic success. Through a combination of existing literature and in-depth interviews, this research seeks to answer the following questions: How do family dynamics and external stressors shape students' sense of belonging and academic achievement? How do students navigate these challenges? Using in-depth qualitative interviews to investigate varying family obligations, household conflicts, and financial pressures, this study provides insights into how these factors contribute to students’ overall success and well-being in college.

• 

  Students with Depression: Experiences in School Settings and Supports

  Rui Wang

  Mental health is a noteworthy issue in education. Student depression can seriously affect academic performance, social interaction, and overall well-being. This scholarly work explores the challenges faced by students with depression in school environments and explores evidence-based support strategies, including mindfulness-based interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and social support interventions. By understanding these methods, educators and school communities can better create supportive and inclusive learning environments. This literature review aims to improve students' well-being and promote a healthier school environment.

• 

  Superpoint-Based Region Growing for Point Cloud Labeling

  Alison Hardie

  LAser Detection And Ranging (LADAR) is widely used in fields such as forestry, topographic mapping, autonomous driving, urban planning, robotics, and object recognition. Automated tools are needed to label and process this data, as manual labeling is tedious and time consuming. Region growing is a widely used technique for both 2D and 3D segmentation. In seeded region growing, segmentation begins at a seed point, and similar neighbors are iteratively added to the region. This approach is applied here using superpoints generated by SuperPoint Transformer (SPT). The use of superpoints improves processing efficiency and captures features on a larger scale. In this method, the user clicks on an object to select a seed point. Geometric features are used to define a similarity metric which guides the iterative region expansion, including neighboring superpoints that meet the similarity criteria. This approach enhances LADAR segmentation and labeling, making the process more efficient and scalable.

• 

  Supporting Students with ADHD for Multiple Age Groups

  Mark Rutherford

  ADHD is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder a commonly identified learning disability amongst the US student population. This project reviews strategies that support students who are identified with ADHD in the classroom and include inviting therapy dogs to the classroom, playing music, dimming the lights, and many others. These strategies can positively affect the student's attention span and productivity in the classroom.

• 

  Supports and Strategies for Learners with ADHD

  Lillian Setser

  Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders among school age children. This literature review describes supports and strategies teachers can use to meet the needs of students with ADHD, such as structured routines, clear and detailed instructional techniques, and academic, social, and emotional support systems inside and outside of the classroom. It also highlights the importance of fostering collaboration among teachers, parents, and counseling professionals to create an equitable education for students with ADHD.

• 

  Surface defect detection using structure Lights

  Kiranmayee Madhusudhan

  Three-dimensional imaging based on structured light illumination is used to reconstruct 3D images. The structured light is projected onto the surface of the object to be measured, a camera system captures the object image from a different angle of view. The system uses a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) to generate structured light patterns from projector. The patterns are generated based on digital fringe projection. To quantitatively measure the deformation, the system undergoes calibration using pre-known patterns, during which the relative positions of the object, projector, and camera are determined. The 3D information is then processed using standard Image processing and computer vision algorithms. This approach is significant in delivering high resolution, enables real-time inspections particularly essential for transportation infrastructure applications. With its fast-imaging speed, high resolution, and working distance, the system is well-suited to meet the requirements of real-time, field-based tests for fault detection and material degradation.

• 

  SURF Cohort - Stable Isotope Analysis on Groundwater-Surface Water Dynamics Reveal Distinct Flow Paths in a Riparian Floodplain

  Lizbeth Ramos-Ortiz

  Groundwater-surface water dynamics relevant to nutrient fate and transport remain poorly understood regarding factors that influence the recharge and discharge rates of water as it travels between the surface and the ground. We therefore investigated temporal and spatial dynamics of water flow and quality on a plot of agricultural land which borders the Great Miami River in Trenton, Ohio. The site comprises alluvial sediments atop Ordovician shale bedrock, which are synonymous with a low permeability rates and longer groundwater residence times. While farmers rent the site for growing staple crops along the 113 acres of land, consistent rates of precipitation washing out the floodplain raise concerns over nitrogen loading to the aquifer and its surrounding environment. Thus, over a 24 week period, biweekly surface samples were collected along the Great Miami River, Elk Creek (a tributary that connects to the river up gradient to the site), and a man-made lake along the field site. To investigate water sources, collected samples are examined for hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope analysis. These samples are compared to local groundwater, drought index, as well as precipitation data to determine how surface-groundwater interactions and climate conditions interact in terrestrial environments and further inform decisions regarding crop management. Results indicate that extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Helene, disrupt normal surface-groundwater cycling and temporarily alter drought conditions.

• 

  Sustainable Biopolymers for Water and Wastewater Treatment

  Moses Ayitey-Adjin

  With the increasing number of contaminants found in wastewater, there has been a need to develop sustainable materials that will help address this issue. This work investigates the use of eco-friendly materials such as lignin, chitosan and vanillin in the formation of a hydrogel composite to help remove these pollutants from wastewater. Lignin a byproduct of the paper industry serves as an abundant and a source of a sustainable polymer, chitosan a biopolymer found in the exoskeleton of crustaceans is noted for its adsorption capacity. Vanillin, a natural crosslinker was also incorporated in the hydrogel matrix to improve the gel’s mechanical strength. Different hydrogel composites were synthesized in this work using lignin, chitosan and by varying the weight percent of the crosslinker vanillin. The various hydrogel composites were characterized using SEM, FTIR and a rheometer. The adsorption capacity of the hydrogels was also evaluated against water contaminants such as methylene blue. Preliminary results revealed that these hydrogel composite had high adsorption capacity and are able to remove contaminants such as methylene blue from wastewater hence a potential adsorbent for waste water treatment.

• 

  Synthesis and Characterization of Cu3VSxSe4-x Nanocrystals: Intermediate Band Gap and Potential Solar Energy Application.

  Soham Kadam, Godwin Mante, Nikunjkumar Padhiyar

  Semiconductors with intermediate bandgaps have gained significant attention for enhancing photovoltaic efficiency and expanding optoelectronic applications. In this study, we investigate the structural and electronic properties of Cu₃VSₓSe4-x, a promising light-absorbing semiconductor. We systematically introduce selenium as a novel substituent to tune the optical band gap of the material. Selenium substitution is demonstrated to enhance electrical conductivity, carrier mobility, and quantum efficiency in photovoltaic applications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the intermediate band gap Cu3VSxSe4-x nanocrystals. The material was synthesized using a modified hot-injection reaction method and its crystallographic structure was confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy revealed an optimal intermediate band gap, positioning this material as a strong candidate for efficient solar energy conversion. Further investigations into long-term stability under operational conditions and carrier transport dynamics will be crucial for practical implementation in next-generation solar cells and optoelectronic devices. Keywords: Intermediate Band gap, Cu₃VSₓSe4-x, Semiconductor, Light Absorption, Optoelectronics

• 

  Teacher Perceptions of Factors that Contribute to Effective Co-Teaching

  Morgan Hemler

  A majority of students with disabilities spend 80% of their school day in general education classrooms, reflecting a commitment to inclusive education reinforced by legal mandates like the IDEIA. Despite positive outcomes associated with co-taught classrooms, there remains variability in implementation, prompting further investigation into potential barriers to successful execution. This qualitative study explored teachers perceptions of factors that contribute to effective co-teaching, as well as how those perceptions contribute to model selection. Results suggest that factors such as collaboration, logistics and access to resources are important to consider when implementing co-teaching practices. Results also suggest that model selection is dependent on those factors being implemented. When implementing co-teaching within your school consider the pairing of co-teachers, and the logistics and resources your school has available. Effective co-teaching practices, including the factors presented in this study can increase the perceived success of students behaviorally and academically. Future research may consider students perceptions of factors that contribute to effective co-teaching.