Stander Symposium Projects

Follow

• 

  Type theory language and space mappings

  Joseph Kopp

  we explore the integration of constructive type theory within formal mathematical languages, focusing on its implementation in the Lean proof assistant. We delve into the Curry-Howard correspondence, which establishes a profound connection between logic and type theory, enabling propositions to be represented as types and proofs as programs. In particular, those concepts involving mappings between spaces, can be effectively modeled within this formal system.

• 

  UD Woodwind trio presents works by student composers

  Joseph Barnett, Rachel Gleberman, Kristen Smith

  The student trio presents a program of works arranged by composition students here in the music department.

• 

  UleaD Emerging Leaders Program Final Projects

  Leno Bernardo, Ethan Boatwright, Kiara Boehringer, Benjamin Boyle, Avery L Brewer, Grey Bryant, Annabelle Busch, Emma Comer, Andee Ely, Gianna Frongia, Ryan Gavigan, Marcus Getz, Addison Goare, Sarah Heflin, Susan Joseph, Ella Kohrs, Adam Kolar, Mary Kraus, Grace E Lees, Landon Lesko, Katelyn Mare, Margaret McGovern, Marina Polavieja, Wyatt Rhoades, Emersyn Rindler, Caleb Sellers, Grace Selm, Sophia Smith, Jeevan J Subramaniam, Joe Suer, Madilyn Wicker

  The UleaD Emerging Leaders Program, sponsored by the Student Leadership Programs Office, is a cohort-based initiative for first-year students that brings participants together for monthly sessions to develop a range of leadership skills and abilities such as effectively leading change, inclusive leadership, building meaningful relationships, inspiring others to act, and building resilience. Program participants work on their final project posters throughout the spring semester to reflect on what they have learned from the program and present at Stander. Students' final project posters include their leadership philosophy, how they have grown as leaders, what they have learned from the UleaD program, and how they hope to impact the UD community.

• 

  Understanding Avondale: The Historical Roots of Contemporary Challenges

  Alexandra Amrhein

  The neighborhood of Avondale in Cincinnati, Ohio is characterized by a puzzling juxtaposition between elegant historic mansions and poverty, unemployment, and crime. Stigmatized for these latter qualities, its people have worked valiantly to revitalize their community, but pushing back against decades of economic depression is a challenge. This project offers a plausible, historically-based explanation for these conditions which have prevented Avondale from flourishing. Presenting research on Cincinnati’s 1930s redlining, the connection between West End and Avondale, the eruption of riots in the 1960s, and the consequent stigmatization of Avondale, I attempt to trace the domino effect that appears to have locked the neighborhood in economic stagnation and bred crime. I then discuss specific problems with which Avondale residents are currently faced. Citing Cincinnati’s census data and most recent Equity Indicators Report, I share statistics on poverty, unemployment, and crime rates that display the contemporary implications of Avondale’s earlier-discussed history. The effects on residents’ health are also concerning, and the link between possible social determinants (access to medication, stress-induced anxiety, and level of health literacy) and health is explored. Finally, I propose potential steps forward for undergraduates, like myself, who are inspired to use their research to help efforts currently underway in communities like Avondale. Though it may seem daunting at first to face such overwhelming issues, the smallest acts of service – as simple as writing a letter – could help set in motion a world of difference.

• 

  Understanding Calcium Signaling Pathways in 3D Microfluidic Models of Glioblastoma Multiforme

  Jenna Abdelhamed

  Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is one of the most malignant types of brain cancer and, therefore, highly fatal. Current lines of treatment include surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy, all of which GBM resists due to the complexity of GBM tumors, cells, and their microenvironment. Numerous research studies have been conducted to understand the oncogenesis, invasion mechanisms, and cellular characteristics of GBM. One specific mechanism that has caught the attention of researchers is calcium signaling, which plays a significant role in cell proliferation, resistance to treatment, and metastatic-related processes. Emerging targets for calcium signaling include transient receptor potential channels (TRP), a family of channels that mediate Ca2+ signaling and play a role in GBM development and invasion. This study examines and compares calcium signaling in non-invasive and invasive phenotypes of GBM. This will be done by generating a migrating cell model consisting of GBM spheroids placed into a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic device, where I can observe the cells sprouting from the spheroid and traveling through microchannels, monitor migration, and measure cytosolic calcium levels using dye for both the non-invasive and invasive phenotypes. It was hypothesized that more calcium would be associated with the invasive GBM model than the non-invasive one. This hypothesis was tested using spheroids from four different GBM cell lines: A-172, U118MG, LN229, and U-87MG. This allows for the examination of common invasion responses and characteristics across GBM cell lines. This project lays the groundwork for new therapies to limit GBM migration and prevent further metastasis of this cancer by targeting the calcium signaling pathways.

• 

  Understanding Empathy Deficits among those with Vulnerable Dark Triad Traits: The Indirect Effects of Self-Compassion, Self-Concept Clarity, and Negative Affect

  Celia Koch, Veronica Vasko

  The Vulnerable Dark Triad (VDT) is a group of three related maladaptive personality styles: vulnerable narcissism (characterized as defensive, neurotic, and suffering from feelings of inadequacy), secondary psychopathy (characterized as chronically unstable, impulsive, and emotionally volatile), and tendencies of borderline personality disorder (BPD; characterized by unstable emotional states, sense of self, and social relationships) (Miller et al., 2011). The individual components of the VDT are substantially correlated with one another and have been found, in isolation, to be associated with empathic deficits (Grieve & Mahar, 2010; Salgado et al., 2020; Urbonaviciute, 2020). In the current two-part study, we will test two serial mediation models designed to better understand specific processes involved in empathetic deficits among individuals high in VDT traits. In the first model, we hypothesize that the negative relationship between the VDT and empathy occurs through the indirect path of self-compassion->self-concept clarity. The second model tested is identical to the first, but with negative emotion substituted for self-concept clarity as the second mediator variable. These hypothesized models are expected to be significant both when self-compassion, self-concept clarity, and empathy are examined as traits (Part 1) or within a specific situational context (Part 2).

• 

  Understanding First-Year Experiences of LGBTQ+ Undergraduate Students at the University of Dayton

  Eric Litterer

  Research shows that LGBTQ+ college students experience a lower sense of belonging in many contexts compared to cisgender and heterosexual students. Recent surveys at the University of Dayton show that around 15-18% of undergraduate students identify as LGBTQ+. This study focuses on the initial experiences of LGBTQ+ students during their first year at the University of Dayton, as well as how their sense of belonging develops over time. I conducted an anonymous survey to give voice to students who are part of a community that has historically been marginalized, and continues to face barriers to their sense of belonging and overall well-being. I find that LGBTQ+ students face experiences such as isolation and microaggressions that negatively impact their sense of belonging. This is especially relevant in relation to students’ first-year experiences. These findings could lead to a better understanding of how to better serve the LGBTQ+ population on campus for staff and administrators.

• 

  Understanding the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition of Glioblastoma Multiforme on a Microfluidic Model

  Khadija Fatima

  Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and fatal forms of brain cancer. Despite multiple advances in treatment, median survival is only about 15 months upon diagnosis. Hence, numerous studies have been conducted to further our understanding of GBM tumor biology and the mechanisms underlying its malignancy. I am particularly interested in the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) of GBM cells, which has been shown to enhance their migratory and invasive capabilities. In this study, I aim to investigate the specific effect of the TGFβ inhibitor, SB-431542, on EMT as well as other aberrant outcomes. Using the non-adherent method and microfluidic technology, I can generate a model of three-dimensional GBM spheroids surrounded by physical constrictions, which mimics the GBM tumor microenvironment. The TGFβ inhibitor will be introduced, and the resulting sprouting and migrating behaviors of the invasive cells will be quantified. To enhance the generalizability of my findings, I have expanded my research to include multiple GBM cell lines. I hypothesize a detectable decrease in the level of invasion among the treated spheroids compared to the control. The findings of this proposed study will broaden our knowledge of the complexity of EMT and its role in GBM cancer development and metastasis. Moreover, I hope my work will provide the means to improve therapies that can inhibit cancer cell dissemination in GBM patients.

• 

  Understanding the Impact of Financial Insecurity and Student Belonging: A Study of University of Dayton Students

  Taylor Gallagher

  What is the impact of financial insecurity on a student's academic performance and pursuit of educational goals? How does financial insecurity impact a students' psychological and emotional wellbeing and their sense of belonging on campus? By exploring the experiences of undergraduate students at the the University of Dayton through an anonymous survey, this study highlights the ways in which financial instability can hinder a student's academic journey and overall college experience.

• 

  Unveiling the role of Hippo Interactors in Glioma Progression using Drosophila models

  Satya Burugupalli, Maria Theresa El Biri, Grace Leitzel, Arushi Rai

  Chronic inflammation has the potential to impact tumorigenesis including gliomagensis. Yorkie (YAP/TAZ in human), downstream effector of Hippo pathway by interacting with its regulatory pathway such as JNK might play critical role in promoting glioma progression. Drosophila is employed as an in-vivo model to study glioma and immune regulation. Presence of diverse evolutionarily conserved cellular pathways and gene homology in Drosophila makes it an ideal and relevant model comparable to higher vertebrates for glioma studies. The preliminary data from transcriptomics, scRNA-seq in primary and recurrent GBM, and immune landscape of GBM associated microglia suggest that activation of NFkB and YAP lead to activation of several transcription factors that together cause cellular and signalling alterations that promote GBM growth. In Drosophila we intend to study the interactions of Yorkie (YAP/TAZ in human) with other pathways and the innate immune system. We will use two well-established glioma models, by constitutively activating EGFR and PI3K in one, and by knocking down PTEN with oncogenic Ras overexpression in another using the Gal4-UAS system in Drosophila CNS. Here we present our progress on changes in expression of cellular markers in the established glioma models. We also investigated for inflammatory markers in GBM and immune invasion in glioma. We will present the data on role of Yorkie interactors and inflammation using immunostainings, qPCR analyses, and western blot of larval brains of both wildtype and glioma models.

• 

  Unveiling the role of Hippo Interactors in Glioma Progression using Drosophila models.

  Satya Burugupalli, Maria El Biri, Grace Leitzel, Arushi Rai

  Chronic inflammation has the potential to impact tumorigenesis including gliomagensis. Yorkie (YAP/TAZ in human), downstream effector of Hippo pathway by interacting with its regulatory pathway such as JNK, might play critical roles in promoting glioma progression. We use Drosophila as an in-vivo model to study glioma and immune regulation. Presence of diverse evolutionarily conserved cellular pathways and gene homology in Drosophila makes it an ideal and relevant model comparable to higher vertebrates for glioma studies. The preliminary data from transcriptomics, scRNA-seq in primary and recurrent GBM, and the immune landscape of GBM associated microglia suggest that activation of NFkB and YAP leads to activation of several transcription factors that together cause cellular and signalling alterations that promote GBM growth. In Drosophila, we intend to study the interactions of Yorkie (YAP/TAZ in human) with other pathways and the innate immune system. We will use two well-established glioma models, by constitutively activating EGFR and PI3K in one, and by knocking down PTEN with oncogenic Ras overexpression in another using the Gal4-UAS system in Drosophila CNS. Here we present our progress on changes in expression of cellular markers in the established glioma models. We also investigated for inflammatory markers in GBM and immune invasion in glioma. We will present the data on role of Yorkie interactors and inflammation using immunostainings, qPCR analyses, and western blot of larval brains of both wild-type and glioma models.

• 

  Using Bioinformatics to Discover Novel Interactions Regulating Growth, Development, and Cancer

  Clinton Belott

  “Bioinformatics” utilizes computer scripts and some degree of artificial intelligence (AI) to constructively break down and process large sets of biological data into tangible results. Using bioinformatics programs like Alphafold3 and AIUPred, it is possible to break down and understand the complex interactions between transcription factors and potential repressors, activators; and the competitive nature between repressors and activators. Alphafold3 predicts three-dimensional protein confirmation and binding between or among proteins all in a probabilistic manner. AIUPred was then used to predict areas of protein-protein binding, motifs, and redox sensitivity. The resulting synergy between Alphafold3 and AIUPred was capable of correctly predicting protein interactions that have been previously empirically demonstrated. Therefore, we sought to leverage these bioinformatic programs to discover novel interactions between transcription factors like Drosophila Scalloped (TEAD in mammals), which forms activator- and repressor-complexes depending on its binding partners that play a major role in growth, development, and cancer. For proteins that are already known to interact, Alphafold3 and AIUPred provided insights at a motif- and/or residue-level, which can be corroborated with molecular level interactions amongst proteins. Furthermore, our results predicted several novel protein interactions, including cross-talk interactions between proteins belonging to two different canonical pathways involved with growth, development, and cancer. Excitingly, we hypothesize that this may shed light on the enigmatic nature of some proteins to act as a repressor in some experimental conditions, or as an activator in others. Lastly, we are currently in the process of experimentally testing these predictions using in cellulo models.

• 

  Using Mathematics to Understand Politics

  Michal Sotak, Luke Walz

  Political parties gain and lose members everyday. One way to mathematically depict how the amount of members in a political party change over time is using differential equations. First, we can assume that there are two main political parties that people from a certain population will choose to be a part of. We can depict the amount of people going in and coming out of these two political parties with a system of differential equations using an epidemiological approach. Using MATLAB, the change in membership of political parties and the best way for political parties to gain members over a long period of time can be explored. The results from the analysis of the rates of political party membership show that parties succeed best in the long run when holding ideologies that draw new members into the party while simultaneously catering to current members. We use Runge-Kutta methods (MATLAB built-in solver) for the numerical solution of the model.

• 

  Using SIR Model to Study Coronavirus, a Numerical Study

  Sarah Gnacek

  The SIR model's widespread use in the study of infectious diseases is due to its simplicity. In this work, we study a compartment model from [1] for COVID-19 pandemic. We study the model using numerical methods such as Runge-Kutta methods. The model is simulated using MATLAB's built-in differential equations solvers ode23 and ode45. We also vary parameters to see the effect on the populations S, I and R.

• 

  Using the Red Light/Green Light dual fluorescent protein reporter system to study enhancer-promoter interactions for the Drosophila Hr4 gene

  Owen Focht, Brooke Nichols

  Enhancers are a type of cis-regulatory element that activate gene transcription in spatial and temporal restricted patterns through their interactions with gene-proximal promoter sequences. Enhancers often reside at a distance (distal) to the gene promoter their activity is imparted on. Additional DNA elements may contribute to the selectivity of enhancer-promoter interactions, notably those referred to as remote control elements that can be encoded within enhancers, and tethering elements that can be in or near promoters. However, few of these elements have been found and characterized. Hence, the molecular mechanisms by which these differing elements interact remain poorly understood. The Williams lab previously (Camino et al. 2020) published on a dual reporter transgene system in Drosophila (D.) melanogaster that allows the simultaneous comparison of an enhancer's ability to activate proximal and distal fluorescent reporter genes. Of the enhancers tested in that study, none were found to activate the distal reporter gene. We are testing four enhancers from the Hr4 gene locus of D. melanogaster in this red light/green light dual reporter transgenic system. This includes enhancers that are positioned between 5 and 50 kilobase pairs from the Hr4 gene’s endogenous promoter. The results will inform on whether these distal enhancers can interact with the simple minimal promoter for the reporter gene, or whether a tethering element is additionally needed from the endogenous gene locus.

• 

  Variance Analysis of Sector Returns since 1990

  Kevin Cullen, Dominik Daly

  For our project, we conducted a variance analysis of sector returns within the S&P 500 (excluding real estate) since January 1, 1990. This analysis aimed to examine the variability of returns across sectors in relation to the overall market index. By assessing the standard deviation of sector returns over different time periods, we were able to quantify the extent to which each sector’s performance fluctuated compared to the benchmark.The findings revealed that Consumer Staples consistently outperformed other sectors, exhibiting the most stable and favorable returns over time. On the other hand, Communication Services showed the highest level of return volatility, performing the worst in comparison to the broader market and other sectors. This suggests that Consumer Staples have been a safer, more resilient sector for investors, while Communication Services have faced greater fluctuations, potentially making it a riskier investment choice over the long term.

• 

  Vaxxed or Relaxed: Flu Vaccine Perceptions and Behaviors at the University of Dayton

  Kate Schreel

  Flu vaccination is an effective way of preventing illness, hospitalization, and death when one contracts influenza. Flu vaccination is especially important among highly populated residential areas like college campuses. This study examines the factors that influence students’ decision to receive or not receive flu vaccinations at the University of Dayton. 84 students completed the anonymous survey. The top reasons for not receiving a vaccine were: (1) it was not worth the side effects, (2) they don’t get the flu to begin with, and (3) they forgot to get it. The top reasons for receiving a vaccine were: (1) a school/work requirement, (2) to avoid sickness, and (3) to protect the public. Results show that respondents with a higher sense of belonging at the University of Dayton are more likely to receive the flu vaccination. Future efforts should focus on educating the campus population on the importance, benefits, and risks of vaccination against influenza.

• 

  Viewing Middle Eastern Geopolitics Through the Lens of Religion

  Abdulaziz Alhadad, Robert Cannon

  This research explores how religious identities and beliefs influence political decisions, regional conflicts, and international relations. It examines how religion is both a cultural force and a political tool, highlighting its impact on sectarian tensions and political strategies. By viewing the region through a religious lens, this research provides deeper insight into the complex relationship between faith and politics.

• 

  Virtual Dunbar House

  James Jarvis

  Paul Dunbar was a prominent African-American author and poet from Dayton, Ohio. His works and legacy are widely appreciated until today. His Dunbar House is landmark point in Dayton area welcoming thousands of visitors every year. In this project, we develop a virtual Dunbar House with multiple navigation methods in order to bring this Dayton landmark to broader audience. In our framework we simulate the entire Dunbar house within a virtual environment. Certain virtual items such as Dunbar's works or properties can be interacted with to retrieve further information. Four different navigation modes of this application were created and evaluated. The user study reveals that users prefer the teleport mode since it is easy to use and more natural.

• 

  Virtual Yoga Instructor with Real-Time Feedback

  Nikesh Chithambaram, Abhijeet Gupta, Shruti Singh

  Yoga is widely recognized for its physical and mental health benefits, but existing resources like video tutorials, mobile apps, and online classes often lack personalized feedback, making it difficult to ensure proper posture and avoid injury. For individuals with disabilities or limited mobility, these challenges are even greater, as traditional resources may not cater to their specific needs. Previous studies show that incorrect posture during yoga can increase the risk of discomfort or injury, high- lighting the importance of proper alignment and personalized feedback for safe practice. In this paper, we introduce the virtual yoga instructor application which consists of a virtual instructor and a feedback module via pose estimation. The virtual instructor, implemented in Unity game engine with an animated 3D humanoid model, demonstrates yoga poses. The feedbackmodule uses pose estimation to detect and analyze human body landmarks, generating scores and providing feedback throughtext and visual markers to guide users in achieving accurate yoga postures. The conducted user evaluations assess the applicationperformance based on the criteria of ease of use, interaction, informativeness, engagement, and retention. The results indicatethat our proposed application was highly rated and consistently preferred by users.

• 

  Visible Colors, Invisible Struggles: Mental Health and Belonging for Students of Color

  Norma White

  Students of color at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) often struggle to access and feel comfortable using campus mental health services. This study highlights major barriers like long wait times, a lack of diverse therapists, cultural stigma, and poor outreach. Although the resources do exist many students feel disconnected from them making it harder to seek support. These findings show the need for more culturally aware counseling, better representation in mental health services, and stronger efforts to create a sense of belonging and inclusivity on campus.

• 

  Visualizing Global Terrorism Trends: An Interactive Dashboard Using Python

  Thy Anh Tran

  This project presents an interactive Global Terrorism Dashboard designed to explore terrorism incidents worldwide. Using Dash and Plotly, the dashboard provides a visual representation of attack patterns, target types, and fatalities, wounds across different regions and countries. Users can select a region and country to view relevant data through a choropleth map and a sunburst chart, offering insights into the scale and nature of terrorist activities. The dashboard aims to make complex data more accessible by allowing users to interactively filter and analyze terrorism trends. By visualizing fatality rates and attack distributions, this tool can help researchers, policymakers, and security professionals better understand the impact of terrorism in different areas. The project highlights the importance of data visualization in identifying patterns and making informed decisions based on historical data.

• 

  Volunteering with the Ohio Governor's Expedited Pardon Project

  Ana Scherschel

  I have been volunteering with the Ohio Governor's Expedited Pardon Project (OGEPP) since the summer of my 1L year. OGEPP provides an expedited process for qualified individuals to receive a pardon from Gov. Mike DeWine. Law student volunteers, like myself, screen candidates for eligibility under the supervision of a licensed attorney. Once a candidate is accepted into the program, they are assigned to a participating law school. Law student volunteers under the supervision of a licensed attorney help the client gather court documents, letters of recommendation, complete necessary forms, and write a letter to the governor. The clients attend a virtual hearing before the Ohio Parole Board who makes a written recommendation to the governor as to whether the client should receive a pardon. I have helped a number of clients through this process. One has received a pardon and another is awaiting Governor DeWine's decision. I will be discussing my experience and the impact that it has on clients' lives.

• 

  Walk On the Wild Side: Human Activity Influence on Mammal Activity Within Metroparks

  Elizabeth Divish

  Five Rivers Metroparks offer a vast array of recreational nature preserves for people around Dayton, Ohio, as well as a habitat for wildlife. Many species in the parks are essential for many ecosystem services and habitat quality. The objective of this study was to examine how the temporal activity of mammals compared in areas of high, medium, and low trail density. Our mammal species of interest were: white-tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus), squirrels (Sciurus sp.), and northern raccoon (Procyon lotor ) through the use of camera traps and analysis of species detections and activity abundance. We surveyed the locations, placing 23 cameras 50 meters from the nearest trail from September to November of 2023, and 9 cameras at the same parks 100 meters from the closest trail during the same months in 2024. Preliminary results from 2023 indicate that the responses are species-specific, meaning some species change their behaviors in response to higher humana activity while others do not. Our results will help inform best management practices at Five Rivers Metroparks and to encourage sustainable actions for the public.

• 

  What is Teacher Burnout and How Can it Be Prevented?

  Michelle Hickey

  Teacher burnout is a rising issue that can be caused by excessive workload, emotional exhaustion, and lack of support from administrators. I discuss findings about the causes and effects of burnout which include the impact on teachers’ well-being, student academic outcomes, and teacher retention. There are ways that it can be prevented such as improved workplace conditions, mental health support, and policy changes. Addressing the problem is the first step to make a change for a healthy and effective education system.