Stander Symposium Projects

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  Fixed Wavelength Interferometer Sensors for Low-Cost Chem-Bio Sensing Applications

  Jianhao Shen

  We experimentally demonstrated slow wave enhanced phase and spectral sensitivity in asymmetric Michelson interferometer sensors with a phase sensitivity of 277,750 rad/RIU-cm and theoretical phase sensitivity as high as 461,810 rad/RIU-cm. In the context of low-cost chip integrated photonic packaged sensors, in this paper we will experimentally demonstrate a method for active tuning of interferometer fringes using phase change materials that will potentially overcome fabrication-induced variation of interference fringe wavelengths, thus allowing sensor chip packaging with a fixed wavelength laser and available integrated photodetectors.

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  Flight Test Validation of Tandem Propeller Performance with Vertical and Horizontal Offset

  Jessica Caitlyn DeMoor, Michael Ryan Foster

  Tandem propellers in forward flight experience an increase in power consumption when compared to the combined output of two standalone propellers. The increment in power is a function of horizontal and vertical displacement between the propellers (including overlap), the advance ratio based on the front rotor, and the inclination angle of the rotors. This functional relationship was quantified in our previous study through experimental investigations in the University of Dayton Low Speed Wind Tunnel using two KDE propellers. All tests were conducted under trim conditions, where the pitching moment of the two propellers was balanced by increasing the RPM of the rear rotor. To validate some of the functional dependencies identified from the wind tunnel investigations, a custom quad-rotor platform was designed and fabricated to conduct a series of flight tests with various propeller configurations that replicate the parameter space explored in the earlier experimental campaign. The quad-rotor platform will utilize an 8-inch propeller to assess the flight performance at three different horizontal and vertical distances between the propellers. For each test-flight, global positioning data, motor rpm, and motor power consumption will be recorded and compared against each propeller configuration. Comparisons between the flight test data and the wind tunnel experiment results will be made.

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  Floating Constructed Wetlands keep Cyanobacteria Levels at bay

  Jacquelyn K. Amaya

  This research addresses the issue of eutrophication at the University of Dayton’s Old River Park (ORP) and measures the efficacy of the current management method, compared to an alternative management method implementing Floating Constructed Wetlands (FCWs). Our primary objective was to measure water quality of the ORP oxbow under current bimonthly copper sulfate algaecide treatment and compare it to the water quality of the oxbow water under an alternative treatment method, the FCW. To do this we sampled water quality parameters which included pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, ammonium, phosphorus, specific conductivity, total dissolved solids, and temperature in the oxbow and the treatment tanks containing oxbow water during the months of June, July and August 2023. Our treatment tanks (n=5) included tanks with just oxbow water, tanks with oxbow water plus a FCW, tanks with oxbow water with added phosphorus, and tanks with oxbow water, added phosphorus, and a FCW. We also collected plant tissue samples from plants in the oxbow as well as in treatment tanks and determined individual nutrient contents of each plant. Finally, we took samples of algae from the oxbow and from each treatment tank to identify what species of algae were present in various treatment groups. We found that across all treatments the tanks with FCWs had the lowest levels of nitrogen, which were similar to the levels of nitrate in the oxbow being treated with copper sulfate. The plant tissue samples revealed plants in the oxbow are absorbing high amounts of copper, nitrogen, and phosphorus, presumably as a result from the copper sulfate treatments. Lastly, the oxbow and treatment tanks which lacked FCWs had more harmful kinds of algae present than treatment tanks with the FCWs. These results show that FCWs would be a sustainable alternative method for treating eutrophication at ORP.

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  Flyer Enterprises Executive Team Presentation

  Macy Ellis Buck, Lauren T. Crum, Emma Louise Devine, Max Dieter Garbsch, Michael John Harsar, Connor Patrick Keefe, Blaise Patrick Knoll, Shelby Ann LaMattina, Joseph Daniel Marshall, Wyatt Timothy Winters

  Flyer Enterprises is one of the nation's largest student run businesses, located on UD's campus. Join us, while the Executive Team discusses what Flyer Enterprises is all about, the opportunities we offer, how to apply, and when FE accepts the most applicants.

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  Flyer PR Client Case Studies

  Stacy Allen, Mary K. Kelty, Caterina A. McNamara, Haley Nicole Reid

  The Flyer PR Agency is a student PR agency working with clients both on and off campus. Student account executives will present case studies from public relations campaigns completed in the past year.

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  Food Equity through Regenerative Urban Farming with Eden’s Harvest

  Tamara Tatyana Carter, Aysha M. Choudhury, Caroline Anne Cochran, Grace Marie Hungerford, Mercy M. John, Julia R. Lindenschmidt, Madeline A. McEldowney, Landry M. McVicker, Erin H. Mcgraw, Allison C. O'Gorman, Kathryn E. Riddle, Skylar Barbara Sharkey, Anastasia B. Stowers, Katelyn Monet Woodruff

  Dayton Civic Scholars (DCS) is a co-curricular program that is centered around engaging with the Greater-Dayton area and creating lasting community change. Organized through the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community, each cohort starts their sophomore year and spends time learning about the Dayton area, community activism, and civic engagement. During their senior year, the cohorts plan and execute a capstone project to work with a community partner and implement sustainable transformation in the area. The 2024 DCS cohort is working alongside Eden’s Harvest, a newly created urban farm in Dayton, to launch their organization and promote food justice around Miami Valley. Eden’s Harvest is a Black woman owned organization, started by Anita Armstead, to empower the community and focus on food sovereignty and regenerative farming in her local community. She works to grow a variety of culturally appropriate produce to distribute to minority communities. We have decided to focus on retaining volunteer support, raising money for the cause, and sustainably distributing produce. We hope to successfully support Eden’s Harvest in their newfound organization and advocate for food justice and food emancipation. Stop by our presentation to learn more about the details of our project and how you can support the mission of Eden’s Harvest!

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  Forced Abortions of the Mentally Disabled: A Case Analysis

  Maeve Clare Chawk

  Abortion is a highly contentious topic due to the mother’s health, her financial situation, and opinions from family and other loved ones. This becomes even more difficult when the fetus is diagnosed with birth defects due to social norms and hardships that are specific to taking care of a child with disabilities. However, others are committed to defending the lives of the unborn no matter the circumstances. In 2019, there was a case that arose in the United Kingdom where the mother was ruled unfit to have her child due to her child-like mental capacity and was forced to have an abortion. Yet, she was able to voice her opinion along with her family members. This case analysis will explore the perspectives of all parties involved and apply the moral principles and theories of virtue ethics, autonomy, and Natural Law Theory to argue what the correct ruling would be. Compassion and fairness should have been offered to the patient as she and her family members were willing to raise the child. This illustrates the moral principle of virtue ethics along with her own autonomy. In addition, the Natural Law Theory can be utilized to demonstrate how we have a natural inclination to support good and relieve suffering in human beings, therefore not causing a bad effect to achieve the good effect. This case poses the question whether a fetus is considered to be a person and how this impacts the ruling in this case and its future implications. In this particular case, my objection to the judge’s decision comes from the determination of who would be considered mentally unstable as this could vary tremendously. For this reason, I will argue that the wishes of the patient and her family should have been respected and the judge’s decision overruled.

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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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  GEM Enterprise Dashboard

  Leonardo Emilio Castaneda, Anna C. Coyne, Mary Grace Y. Kaplan

  MIS and OPS Senior Capstone Projects include small teams of 3 or 4 senior students working weekly with a company/organization to solve a real business problem. These projects extend for the complete undergrad senior year including both Fall and Spring semesters. Students act as Project Consultants and Managers to guide the project from inception until conclusion by delivering solutions and deliverables to the client. Students produce project documentation and formal presentations at multiple stages of the project and conclude with presentations to the supporting Client's Leadership Team.

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  Gendering Violent Extremism: Reflections on Experiential Learning from a Women’s and Gender Studies Internship Program (Panel A)

  Sofia Catherine Likavec, Kathryn Terese McAuliffe, Abigail Marie Ulery

  Violent extremism in the United States has increased in recent years. The January 6 insurrection on the U.S. Capitol is a paradigmatic example, but there are many other horrific cases. Think: the Pulse nightclub shooting (2018), which targeted LGBTQ+ folks, or the Buffalo grocery store (2022), which targeted African-Americans. Both of these attacks follow an alarming trend line where we are seeing “homegrown” terrorism increasing. Yet there is little understanding of how extremist violence is gendered – through the process of radicalization and through groups that are targeted. In this panel, students from an internship hosted by the Women’s and Gender Studies Program – Gendered Injustices and Violent Extremism (GIVE) Program – present learnings from their semester-long experience and engage in a dialogue about where they see the most productive violence prevention interventions moving forward. They focus on both research and practical action steps. They also reflect on what their Women's and Gender Studies education has meant to them over their undergraduate career. As youth on the frontlines, they offer a unique perspective for how to do better in the coming decades.

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  Gendering Violent Extremism: Reflections on Experiential Learning from a Women’s and Gender Studies Internship Program (Panel B)

  Kinsleigh A. Jones, Eva Marie Lonneman, Eden E. Michelson, Megan Marie Sullivan

  Violent extremism in the United States has increased in recent years. The January 6 insurrection on the U.S. Capitol is a paradigmatic example, but there are many other horrific cases. Think: the Pulse nightclub shooting (2018), which targeted LGBTQ+ folks, or the Buffalo grocery store (2022), which targeted African-Americans. Both of these attacks follow an alarming trend line where we are seeing “homegrown” terrorism increasing. Yet there is little understanding of how extremist violence is gendered – through the process of radicalization and through groups that are targeted. In this panel, students from an internship hosted by the Women’s and Gender Studies Program – Gendered Injustices and Violent Extremism (GIVE) Program – present learnings from their semester-long experience and engage in a dialogue about where they see the most productive violence prevention interventions moving forward. They focus on both research and practical action steps. They also reflect on what their Women's and Gender Studies education has meant to them over their undergraduate career. As youth on the frontlines, they offer a unique perspective for how to do better in the coming decades.

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  Genome-wide screening of miRNA’s involved in birth defects in eye

  Mani Manivannan Subramanian

  Aniridia, a birth defect in eye, is caused by mutation(s) in paired-box gene 6 (PAX-6), and is manifested as visual impairment. A highly conserved PAX-6, encodes a DNA-binding transcription factor, whose loss-of-function exhibits loss-of-entire-eye or part-of-eye. Surprisingly, the understanding of the molecular genetic basis of Aniridia is far from complete. Our hypothesis is that the retinal loss observed in aniridia can be due to post transcriptional regulation such dysregulation of miRNAs that plays a pivotal role in regulating genes post transcriptionally. miRNAs are the short hairpin like structure with 20-25bp which modulates the gene expressions post-transcriptionally by binding to 3’UTR of mRNAs. miRNA serves a vital role in the retina throughout development and in eye diseases. We employed Drosophila eye as a model system for genome-wide screening of miRNAs involved in eye defects. We have identified a miRNA which exhibits strong eye enlargement phenotype. Using bioinformatic approaches, followed by validation using molecular and genetic studies, we identified PAX-6 homolog eyeless (ey) as target of this mi-RNA. Here, we provide a mechanism of how this newly identified miRNA modulates eye phenotype, and results from these studies will be presented.

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  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.

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  Get Involved! The Positive Difference Extracurricular Activities Make

  Madison Rose Konen

  Extracurricular Activities create an abundance of opportunities for students to succeed. Students participation in extracurricular activities can lead to the development of greater academic achievement and a higher self-esteem. Extracurricular activities help students engage in activity that promotes a sense of belonging and has positive effects towards social competence. This study is a review of how extracurriculars affect students' academic and social engagement.