The Brother Joseph W. Stander Symposium recognizes and celebrates academic excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. This annual event provides an opportunity for students from all disciplines to showcase their intellectual and artistic accomplishments. The Stander Symposium represents the Marianist tradition of education through community and is the principal campus-wide event in which faculty and students actualize our mission to be a "community of learners."
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Leadership Experience, Philosophy, Legacy: Morgan Schulze
Morgan Schulze
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. For the first time, this cohort of first-year students will be presenting their final projects for the program at the Stander Symposium. Students' final project posters will 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.
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Leadership Experience, Philosophy, Legacy: Rachel Panko
Rachel Panko
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. For the first time, this cohort of first-year students will be presenting their final projects for the program at the Stander Symposium. Students' final project posters will 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.
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Leadership Experience, Philosophy, Legacy: Sha’Maria Barton
Sha’Maria Barton
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. For the first time, this cohort of first-year students will be presenting their final projects for the program at the Stander Symposium. Students' final project posters will 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.
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Leadership Experience, Philosophy, Legacy: Sophia Lambros
Sophia Lambros
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. For the first time, this cohort of first-year students will be presenting their final projects for the program at the Stander Symposium. Students' final project posters will 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.
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Leadership Experience, Philosophy, Legacy: Treazure Edwards
Treazure Edwards
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. For the first time, this cohort of first-year students will be presenting their final projects for the program at the Stander Symposium. Students' final project posters will 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.
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Liquid Metal: Powering Touch Sensors in Wearables
Josafat Jimenez, Ashok Rathanlal
Smart wearables are changing our daily tech interactions, and liquid metal is a key player. Known for flexibility and adaptability, it's perfect for advanced wearables. Our focus: a flexible touch screen with a liquid metal grid for precise touch detection. This innovation showcases liquid metal's potential in user-friendly wearables. It goes beyond — when stretched, liquid metal works as a sensor, adding versatility. As we integrate tech into daily life, liquid metal is shaping a new era of smart, adaptable wearables, transforming our digital experience.
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Lovecraft and the Uncanny: A Psychoanalytic Critique of H.P. Lovecrafts' The Outsider
Jules Carr-Chellman
Scholarship on H.P. Lovecraft’s literature often will erroneously label his work as simply grotesque or weird. In this paper, I will use a psychoanalytical lens to critically examine Lovecraftian literature and argue that his fiction is not merely grotesque, but instead that his work displays elements of the uncanny that are ciphered in with more intentionally weird parts of his narrative. The first objective of this project is to define the uncanny as it is understood by Sigmund Freud: a feeling that occurs when something that is meant to be hidden is revealed. Having established Freud’s psychoanalytical framework of the uncanny, I will then apply it to H.P. Lovecraft's short story The Outsider.
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Mahatma Gandhi’s View on the Implementation of Railways and the Impact in India
Robert T. Bordenkircher
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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Mapping Solar Potential: A GIS-Based Analysis for Assessing Solar Viability for University of Dayton
William Fitzgerald Grob
In an era marked by growing concerns about climate change and the imperative to transition towards sustainable energy sources, this capstone project endeavors to explore the solar viability of our University of Dayton campus through a comprehensive GIS-based analysis. The objective is to provide valuable insights into the potential for harnessing solar energy, thereby contributing to informed decision-making in renewable energy effectiveness and usage for powering our campus. This study employs Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to integrate various spatial datasets, including topography, land use, and LIDAR data. Utilizing advanced analytical techniques, we assess the solar potential of University of Dayton's campus by considering factors such as sunlight exposure, shading effects, geographical features, and rooftop angle. The GIS-based model developed for this project serves as a powerful tool to visualize, analyze, and interpret the complex interplay of factors influencing solar energy generation.The findings of this research will not only shed light on the solar energy potential for Dayton but will also offer valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, renewable energy stakeholders, and administrators to make decisions for reducing our energy usage. The project contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable energy solutions, offering a tangible and data-driven approach to evaluating the feasibility of solar energy implementation in the chosen area. Through the examination of our current university energy usage, I will make informed conclusions on how much money and resources will be saved for the university upon switching to a more renewable and environmentally friendly form of energy. Through this capstone presentation, I aim to showcase the methodology, key findings, and implications of our GIS-based analysis. By understanding the solar viability of Dayton, we take a step forward in fostering sustainable energy solutions and shaping a more environmentally conscious future.
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Martin Luther King Jr.´s Leadership and Nonviolent Resistance: Shaping the March on Washington
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 towards representation.
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Mary as Nurturer, A New Model for Contemporary Times
Caitlin B. Cipolla-McCulloch
Mary’s role in salvation history, characterized by her birthing of Christ, remains the singular descriptive feature of how the Mother of God is viewed in the Church today. While this role, affirmed uniquely at the Council of Ephesus in 431--Mary as the Theotokos, that is “God-bearer” is important--her life and participation in the early Church are not able to be limited to just this feature. This paper will argue that Mary’s role in the life of Christ is a role of nurturing, not simply birthing. We will explore this thesis in four parts. We will first investigate the life of Middle Eastern women in antiquity to highlight an origin of the notion of nurturing. Secondly, a clear definition of nurturing as it applies to Mary will be presented. Utilizing this definition, we will then explore the evolution of this nurturing in the French school of spirituality particularly in the wake of the French Revolution. Finally, we will engage the writings of a mid-twentieth-century Marianist Mariologist who helps provide language that can be adapted to fit the needs of the Church today.
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Measuring and Addressing Collegiate EMTs' Preparedness for Mental Health Emergency Responses
Spencer J. Hawkins, Allison Marie Johnson
The COVID-19 Pandemic highlighted the increasing mental health burden felt by graduate and undergraduate students in the United States. A study from 2020 showed that 35% of undergraduate students screen positive for major depressive disorder, while 39% screen positive for general anxiety disorder (Chrikov et al., 2020). Previous research has supported the claim that collegiate EMS programs are especially effective at responding to mental health emergencies on college campuses (Friedman, 2022). UD EMS utilized multiple established questionnaires and surveys to gain insight into the preparedness of members to respond to various emergencies. The "perceived ability to attend to various patient presentations survey", adapted from Waltrich et al. (2022), allowed measurement of the perceived knowledge, ability, and confidence of UD EMS members when responding to medical-related calls, trauma calls, and mental health-related calls. Day's Mental Illness Stigma Scale (Day et al., 2007) allowed the measurement of mental health stigma across seven different measurements. 39 UD EMS EMTs completed these measurements before and after a mental health training program to determine how the training would affect attitudes. Data from before the training indicated that the EMTs possessed more perceived knowledge, ability, and confidence when responding to medical and trauma calls than mental health-related calls. After the training, the EMT's perceived knowledge, ability, and confidence related to medical and trauma calls did not change but perceived knowledge and ability to treat mental-health-related calls matched medical and trauma scores. Additionally, the measurement of Day's Mental Illness Stigma Scale showed that mental health stigma decreased across four of seven measures in the EMTs and increased in no way. While confidence in mental health-related calls was unaffected, additional mental health response training for collegiate EMTs shows promise to increase effective mental health emergency responses on college campuses.
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Mechanical Design of an Aircraft with a Bio-Inspired Rotating Empennage
Colin E. Meehan
An aircraft without a vertical stabilizer and using a novel rotating empennage is currently under study at the Air Force Research Lab. The project aims to produce a highly maneuverable tailless fighter aircraft that is inspired by the flight of hunting birds. Flying creatures do not have a vertical stabilizer and exhibit remarkable maneuverability by rotating their tail feathers for lateral stability and pitch control. In the tailless bio-inspired aircraft, lateral control is gained by providing the empennage with an additional degree of freedom. The bio-inspired rotating empennage (BIRE) concept aircraft has the capability to rotate the empennage about the roll axis, in addition to tilting each horizontal stabilizer about the pitch axis. The selected platform for the BIRE project is a single-engine, supersonic, tactical aircraft, based on the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The design of the outer mold line, the mechanical drive and structural components is ongoing. This poster will illustrate the concept and current state of development.
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Media’s Role in College-Aged Students' Misconceptions of the Criminal Justice System
Hallie M. Callitsis, Anya Christine Jawyn
In recent decades, the widespread prevalence of fictional crime shows has become a defining feature of popular culture, captivating audiences with their intricate narratives of criminal investigations, courtroom dramas, and forensic analyses. This research aims to delve into the connection between these fictional crime shows and the perceptions of the criminal justice system among college-aged students. The central research question guiding this study is: How does exposure to fictional crime shows influence college-aged students' perceptions of the criminal justice system? By employing a survey-based methodology and distributing questionnaires to college students, the study intends to analyze responses, identify patterns, correlations, and significant findings related to the impact of media exposure on perceptions of the criminal justice system. After analyzing the data using a linear regression model, with the dependent variable being knowledge-based questions we found that nothing was significant. While this does not support our hypothesis, it is still relevant in determining how fictional crime shows impact the perception of the criminal justice system. Similarly, we ran two additional linear regression models with dependent variables based on the answers to the following questions: on average, what percentage of criminal cases in the US end in a plea bargain; and approximately what percentage of police officers have ever fired their gun while on duty? In regards to plea bargains, we found that being a criminal justice major/minor or not was significant, and with police officers firing their guns on duty being a criminal justice major/minor or not, race, and gender were all significant.
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Membrane-Level Experiments: Validation Testing for Dielectric Elastomer Actuators
Nathan Benham
Nonlinear Dynamics of Soft Electro-Active Materials Under AC Voltages
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Mind the Gap: Navigating Educational Inequality Amplified by the Pandemic
Thomas Christopher Jammal
The lasting changes to the education system and the impact on individual students observed after distance learning during the pandemic have been immense. Researchers have identified many impacts and changes such as (1) learning loss from time spent during distance learning (2) an increase in students not performing at grade level and (3) increased mental illness in students and other mental health issues. These topics and their broader implications are explored.
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Mock Trial
Kaylee N. Ballard, Selena Rosalind Geary, Gabriella Jeanne Grant, Logan Thomas Groff, Melanie Grace Herzog, Katherine Jean Hoener, Crystal Safowah Kissi, Mireille Mahirwe Kuzwa, Antonino M. Lacorte, Rylie Mick, Taryn Elizabeth Mitchell, Madeleine Elizabeth Onderak
The University Mock Trial team engages in trial simulations in competition with teams from other institutions all across the country. Through these trial competitions, students develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as a knowledge of legal practices and procedures. The team will present an abbreviated version of the case they have worked on this year – the State of Midlands v. B.F. De la Porta and Poe Cameron.Case summary: During the annual charity gala for Sohi Children’s Hospital, four masked individuals break into the vault at Miller Tower. During the heist, one of the armed robbers and Emory Sands, a Miller Tower security officer, are severely wounded. Two of the robbers flee via a helicopter on the rooftop and two flee into the streets of Santa Ivo City. After an extensive investigation on the local and federal level, Poe Cameron is arrested as one of the four suspected armed robbers, and local billionaire Berkley De la Porta is arrested for funding the criminal operation.
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Modern Implications of Gandhi and Sanger’s Views and Debate on Birth Control Use
Lucy K. Schuermann
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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Modulation of Tumor Growth by Yorkie and Wingless
Arushi Rai
Studies with Drosophila RasV12,scrib-/- tumor models have shown that Yorkie, the effector molecule of the Hippo pathway, interacts with other signaling pathways to form a dynamic transcriptional network within cancer cells. Previously, we have shown that in RasV12,scrib-/- cells Wingless (Wg) acts upstream of Caspases, JNK, and Yki forming a tumor-specific network that regulates tumor growth and development. By studying this complex network, we aim to unravel the key players that regulate tumor growth. Wg appears upstream of the molecular network and is also a transcriptional target of Yorkie. Wg expression is ectopically induced in RasV12 and RasV12,scrib-/- tumor clones. However, accumulation of Wg is reduced in tumor clones with heterozygous loss of yki (ykiB5/+;RasV12,scrib-/-) or downregulation of Wg signaling (dTCFDN; RasV12,scrib-/-). Heterozygosity of yki (ykiB5/+;RasV12,scrib-/-) and downregulation of Wg signaling (dTCFDN; RasV12,scrib-/-) both resulted in reduced tumor clone size in comparison to RasV12,scrib-/- tumor clones. To further understand the molecular mechanism by which Wg and Yki promote tumor growth, we will investigate the effect of downregulation of Wg pathway and Hippo pathway on the (a) the transcriptional network of RasV12,scrib-/- tumor clones by analyzing the mRNA expression by qRT-PCR and (b) hallmarks of cancer such as invasion, cell adhesion, and survival signaling by immunohistochemistry-based approach (c) analyzing the Hippo pathway (Mst,p-MST), JNK pathway (JNK,p-JNK) and Wg pathway activity by Western blot assay. Here, we present our progress on the organization of the molecular network that involves Wingless and Yorkie.
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Molecular genetic dissection of a transcription factor Defective proventriculus in growth versus cell fate decisions
Anuradha Chimata Venkatakrishnan
Defective proventriculus, a homeodomain containing transcription factor acts as a dorsal fate selector during Drosophila eye development. It is highly conserved across species and its human ortholog SATB1 is highly upregulated in cancer. Earlier, we have shown that dve is crucial to establish dorsal fate which is required to promote growth and cell fate decisions. Furthermore, the dve expressing cells (~150-200) are responsible for expression of a morphogen wingless (wg)/Wnt in the developing eye. These dve expressing cells provide an inductive signal to determine eye vs head fate specification. Since dve is involved in growth regulation and cell fate decisions, we wanted to dissect these two independent functions during eye development. We employed structure-function analysis because dve has two isoforms and the Dve protein has multiple functional domains such as ULD domain, two Hox domains and a PPP4R2 domain. We hypothesized that different domains of Dve might be involved in regulating different functions. We present our results from studies on the role of these domain(s) on eye development and regulation of Wg expression in the developing eye. Here, we present results from individual functional domain(s) of Dve, combination of domain(s) and chimeras with SATB1. SATB1, human ortholog of dve, has similar domains and such studies can shed light on how SATB1 might function in diseases.
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Monitoring Air Quality Using a Visibility Meter
Kaya Alina Niemiec, Cameron A. Pierson
Atmospheric aerosols constitute most of the air during non-ideal weather conditions such as fog, haze, and mist. These aerosols cause light to be attenuated while propagating through the atmosphere leading to reduction in effective visibility. Visibility is the distance at which an observer can view an object clearly. The atmospheric extinction coefficient is related to the visibility and can be measured from designing a visibility meter. The overall goal of this project is to understand how to measure visibility in non-ideal weather conditions by built in the visibility meter. The visibility meter built in this project is cheaper than commercial visibility meters.
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Montessori Schools:Benefits Over Time
Dana Grace Rodden
The Montessori method is a non-traditional schooling philosophy and method which emphasizes hands-on learning as well as a focus on each child's individual needs. Children are in mixed-age classrooms and work at their own pace, allowing students to each make their own self-discoveries. Research has shown the Montessori method can be effective in creating an encouraging learning environment benefiting the individual growth of students.
