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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Examining the Causal Impact of Prayer on Self-Control and Generosity
Angel Rivera-Martinez
Prayer is a behavior that is characteristic of most religions and spiritualities and a practice important to many people. Although many studies have looked at a wide variety of the possible outcomes and impacts of prayer on behavior and well-being, this research hopes to study the practice of prayer and its outcomes in a more theological lens. In the Bible, the Fruit of the Spirit outlines expected characteristics of a person or community living in accordance with the Holy Spirit. The two aspects of the Fruit that will be studied as variables within this experiment are self-control and generosity. The goal of the experiment is to establish some sort of causal relationship between the practice of prayer and the variables of self-control and generosity, and the research involved will hopefully provide deeper insight into the relationships between psychology and theology.
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Examining the Correlation of Parent-Child Questionnaire Responses on Trauma Exposure and PTSD Symptomatology
Julia Fabian, Julia Johnson
The Dayton Kids Study is a five-year longitudinal study examining psychosocial markers of risk vs resilience following traumatic events among 122 families in the Dayton area. Through established measures, the study asks both children and parents to report on their exposure to stress and trauma, symptoms of psychopathology, coping strategies, and family factors. In addition, families provide saliva samples at each checkpoint for further epigenetic analysis. Understanding how children and their caregivers may similarly or differently perceive adverse childhood events is critical to research examining biological and psychological predictors of outcomes. Concordance with respect to trauma exposure and trauma-related symptoms is limited. By examining the rates of concordance from baseline data in the Dayton Kids Study, researchers aim to gain insight on the effect of adverse childhood experiences on their wellbeing. This study aims to examine rates of concordance in two measures of trauma exposure: the Community Violence Exposure (CVE) and the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index (UCLA). Based on prior literature, we believe there will be low levels of caregiver-child concordance on these measures, with caregivers overreporting children’s exposure to trauma and their symptomatology.
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Examining the Effects of Exercise on the Levels of Academic Burnout in College Students at the University of Dayton.
Haley Alig, Madison DeSalvo, Mary Claire Dyke, Erin Flaherty, Claudia Giambrone
Introduction: Academic burnout is a condition where students experience extreme mental, physical, or emotional fatigue caused by prolonged stress from academics. This is an important topic to discuss as the issue continues to grow among college students and become more common in an academic environment. Prior studies in this field have focused on the prevalence of mental illnesses and sleep levels in relation to burnout, but there is little research on the effects of exercise on the level of burnout. Studying the effects of certain variables such as exercise, on academic burnout can help the academic field to make changes and help to minimize the occurrence of burnout in students.Purpose: This study aims to identify the relationship between the variables exercise and the level of academic burnout among college students at the University of Dayton. By studying the impact of exercise we will be able to better assess the prevalence of burnout in college students and how to prevent/lessen the stressors and effects of burnout.Methods: We will conduct the data collection quantitatively, using a survey format. Participants will include students from various majors and school years at the University of Dayton, allowing us to ensure equal representation among the grade levels and majors. The Burnout Assessment Tool will also be utilized in our survey by asking the participants questions directly from this assessment tool. This tool will help us to accurately measure the level of academic burnout each participant currently experiences. Discussions/conclusions: While this study is still under investigation, our results will suggest how varying levels of exercise contributes to tendencies of academic burnout in university students. With our findings, we will make emphasis on the exercise-academic burnout relationship and the significant impact experienced by college students.
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Examining the Effects of Parental Warmth and Hostility on Juvenile Gang Involvement
Anamarie Pohlmann, Kailey Zarlinski
In a longitudinal study, we are looking at the correlation between parent/child relationships and gang involvement: How does parental warmth and hostility contribute to an increase in gang involvement among juveniles? The study involves 1,354 cases focusing on an age group of above 14 and under 18 that have been deemed guilty of a serious offense, including felonies, sexual assault, weapons offense, and some property offenses. From research there may be a correlation between the warmth and hostility of parents to the likelihood of their children joining a gang. If there is a lack of warmth and an abundance of hostility it may make the subject more at risk of becoming involved with the gang. The study also looks at other factors in the home and subjects' life that may have involvement with this decision. There are the factors of the home life such as what the subject is exposed to as well as the subjects own behavior in response to their socioeconomic status. Overall analyzing the factors and what kind of correlation they have to the result of the subject joining a gang.
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Examining the Influence of Social Media on Political Polarization and the Ideological Gap of Young People in the United States
Emily Antognoli
In the 2024 election, roughly 50% of white men under the age of thirty supported the conservative presidential nominee, Donald Trump (Brown, 2024). In contrast, young women under the age of thirty have begun shifting more liberal beginning in 1999 (Saad, 2024). Certain media outlets, such as Fox News, may exacerbate the perceived differences between political groups and may contribute to the increasing feelings of status threat, political polarization, and out-group biases leading to alt-right extremism (Isom et al., 2021).The present study will examine the relationships between ambivalent sexism, political collective narcissism, social dominance orientation, zero-sum thinking, with trust in conservative media, status threat, interests in guns and civic engagement. The online survey will launch in mid-March 2025. We aim to recruit 200 undergraduate participants enrolled in Introduction to Psychology courses at the University of Dayton. First, participants will answer questions on the political collective narcissism scale (Golec de Zavala et al., 2009), Ambivalent Sexism Scale (Rollero et al., 1999), the zero-sum thinking scale (Chinoy et al., 2023), and the social dominance orientation scale (Ho et al., 2015). Then, participants will answer questions about the study’s outcomes such as their trust in conservative media, status threat, gun interest, and civic engagement interest. We expect to find that white men will score higher on the political collective narcissism, ambivalent sexism, zero-sum thinking, and social dominances orientation scales, more likely to trust conservative media, will be more interested in guns, and less interested in civic engagement. These results will provide insight on how media consumption, gender attitudes, status threat, and societal perceptions contribute to the growing political polarization and turn to alt-right extremism observed in young men and women in past two decades.
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Excavating the Real Sister Act: Black Catholic Nuns and the Challenges and Possibilities of the Archive
Ikeyaira Metcalf
Black Catholic nuns are the forgotten prophets of United States Catholicism and democracy. Although Black nuns have been present in the United States for nearly 200 years, their lives, labors, and struggles remain grossly understudied and under-researched. One reason for this invisibility is the absence of a centralized and accessible archive documenting Black sisters' long and complex history in the nation and wider Catholic Church. The presentation will outline the key challenges and possibilities of building a digital archive and bibliography of America's real sister act for scholars and students of history.
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Experience the Thrill of Engineering at the Sumo Bot Showdown!
Badar Al Mandhari, Michael Berkemeier, Daniel Bridge, Mark Brune, Andrew Burke, Cameron Cope, Tanner Cuttone, Charles Dalton, Jason Fish, Carla Garcia, Matthew Garrelts, Daniel Gubser, Adam Johnson, Thomas Kilbane, Kahra Loding, Adomas Mazeika, Owen Mott, Julian Pabon, Samuel Schiyer, Adin Stoller, Luke Wilson
Dive into the dynamic world of robotics at our exhilarating Sumo Bot Competition! This spectacular event showcases the talent and creativity of students who have mastered the art of engineering design and automated systems. Watch as these miniature mechanical warriors go head-to-head in a battle of wits, strategy, and power. Designed entirely by students, each sumo bot is a marvel of modern engineering, programmed to outmaneuver and outlast its competitors in the sumo ring. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or new to the world of robotics, this competition promises an entertaining and enlightening experience for all ages. Join us to celebrate the spirit of innovation and cheer on the next generation of engineers as they put their skills to the ultimate test. Don’t miss out on the fun—come and be a part of the action!
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Experimental Investigation of the Second-Mode Boundary-Layer Instability Over a Flat Plate with a Wavy Wall
Megan Sieve
This study experimentally investigates the effect of wavy walls on the second-mode boundary-layer instability in the hypersonic regime. The experiments were performed in the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Mach-6 Ludwieg Wind Tunnel on flat-plate test articles. Two different flat-plate test articles were used: a smaller test article used in previous studies and one larger that was constructed for these specific experiments. Findings include the initial test results of the larger test article without a wavy-wall insert and results from three different wavy-wall samples taken using the smaller test article. The initial larger flat plate test results showed that the boundary-layer transition onset behavior varied between the fluctuating surface pressure power spectra measurements and the surface heat-flux measurements. The spectral measurements indicated transition onset upstream of the heat-flux measurements. The wavy-wall test results showed that the wavy-wall inserts shifted the second-mode frequencies lower. Additionally, the higher-amplitude wavy walls provided spectra that indicated a second-mode frequency locking tendency, which was shown to trend well with the freestream unit Reynolds number. Supporting computations indicated good agreement with the frequency-modulating effects of the wavy walls.
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Experimental Validation of Solar Panel Tilt Optimization and Microclimate Variations of Solar Prairies
Alex Zawacki
Two projects explore the optimization and ecological impacts of solar energy systems. The first investigates solar panel tilt optimization to enhance energy efficiency, while the second examines microclimatic variations in a solar prairie at the University of Dayton.The solar panel tilt optimization project aims to maximize energy output by identifying the ideal tilt angle based on location, season, and atmospheric conditions. Conducted at Kettering Labs, the study collects empirical data on real-world solar panel performance. Initial data were gathered with panels at a flat orientation (0° tilt) to establish a baseline for comparison. Future testing will analyze energy production across different tilt angles to identify configurations that maximize solar irradiance year-round. Data from theoretical models and real-world measurements will inform recommendations for fixed solar installations in regions with fluctuating sunlight conditions.The second project examines how solar infrastructure influences local ecosystems. Conducted at the University of Dayton’s Curran Place solar prairie, Thermochron iButton temperature loggers recorded hourly temperature variations at three locations: underneath solar panels, in the aisle between rows, and in buffer zones. Results confirm that areas beneath panels experience more extreme temperature fluctuations—higher daytime temperatures and colder nighttime temperatures—compared to other locations. Summer 2023 data showed temperatures underneath panels were 2–5°C higher during the day and 2–3°C colder at night. These fluctuations may impact insect habitats and species survival. Together, these studies provide insights into the intersection of solar technology and environmental sustainability. The tilt optimization project seeks to improve energy production, while the solar prairie project highlights ecological effects. Findings are relevant to both the solar energy industry and conservation efforts, emphasizing the need to integrate environmental considerations into renewable energy system design.
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Exploring ChatGPT’s Impact on Academic Writing: A Study on Time, Motivation, and Disciplinary Differences among University of Dayton First-Year Students
Eva Lonneman, Alexander Nguyen, Nathan Parker, Mia Prisby, Danielle Walusis
The widespread adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) technologies for teaching and learning has significant impacts for how students learn across disciplines. This is especially true for students’ use of GenAI as part of their writing processes and writing assignments, long understood as direct evidence of students’ thinking and learning (Emig 1978; Flower, 1981; Flower & Hayes, 1984). GenAI technologies change how students engage in various aspects of their writing - including planning, writing, and revising - as well as how students represent their learning through human-AI collaboration (Dobrin, 2023). But how do students decide whether and how to use GenAI technologies to complete writing assignments? This project examines the correlation between three primary factors that contribute to GenAI use: time, which characterizes the temporally bound constraints in which students must demonstrate their learning through various kinds of assigned writing tasks; motivation, which characterizes students’ interest and investment in their learning; and disciplinary knowledge, which describes students’ understanding of course content. To investigate these questions, we report on a survey of first-year students regarding their use of the GenAI tool ChatGPT in completing writing and research tasks for course assignments. This survey investigates the relationships between time, motivation, and disciplinary knowledge as their pertain to students’ use of ChatGPT in course assignments. We elaborate upon the survey findings through textual analysis of ChatGPT output as it appears within students’ final written products submitted for course assignments, tracing the ways that students incorporate ChatGPT’s responses to their prompts into assignments, and the role that ChatGPT output plays in students’ writing processes. Taken together, these data provide a clearer understanding of both the factors contributing to student use of ChatGPT and a description how students take ChatGPT output into account when completing writing assignments.
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Exploring Fandoms through the Lens of Propaganda Analysis
Irasen Borders, Derek Boykin, Audrey Castle, Noah Corbin, Lauren T. Crum, Colin Dempsey, Spencer Dileo, Sean Dodd, Michael Duvic, Bridget Mary Flood, Dyan Garner, Kristofer Geier, Leah Heil, Austin Holguin, Maria Manzella, Katharine McCabe, Camryn McKenzie, Kurtis Neiman, Paul Nemeth, Lindsay Norton, Tyler Peterson, Natalie Rach, Patrick Schwartz, Emma Sparling, Evie Stuczynski, Michael Tomes, Olivia Turturro, Madeleine Vandegrift, Sophia Vonkaenel, Connor Weisensel, Sofia Zunt
In CMM 350 History and Analysis of Propaganda, we as a class explored the phenomenon of fandoms through the lens of propaganda analysis. Working in small groups, we selected four fandoms, each of which we approached as a distinct campaign of propaganda, combining features of conventional top-down direct propaganda and horizontal decentralized sub-propaganda. These fandoms included the messaging surrounding Luigi Mangioni, the alleged assassin of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare; convicted serial killer Ted Bundy; the reality TV show Survivor; and Mickey Mouse, the legendary icon of Walt Disney Studios. Using five steps of a method developed by Jowett & O’Donnell, we studied primary and secondary sources relating to these campaigns; mapped the structure of the campaign as a communication system; and analyzed these sources to draw conclusions about the identity of the propagandist, the target audience, techniques for the utilization of media in the campaign, special techniques employed in the campaign for influencing the audience, and the reaction of the audience. The goal of this analysis is to provide an accurate understanding of the workings of these campaigns, often invisible to the public, so that we and others as consumers of media can make more informed decisions about our interactions with these and similar campaigns. We also hope to identify patterns that stretch across these different campaigns, despite their different foci, which can help us to understand the general phenomenon of fandoms, including the active and creative ways audiences participate in the campaign and contribute to it.
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Exploring Large Language Models in Interviews
Kanishka Kolakaluri
In this project, we explore the capabilities of Large Language Models (LLMs) in simulating the interviews. In particular, we target the most popular jobs on LinkedIn. Also, we collect the data from the user and the targeted job position. From the collected data, we simulate the interviews in the form of Q&A by using LLMs. By using our self-developed user interface, we tried our system with real users. The feedback is generally positive and it paves way to the future usage of LLMs in interviews.
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Exploring Project-Based Learning: Pros, Cons, and Comparisons to Conventional Learning
Lindsay Slattery
Project-based learning (PBL) is a teaching method based on real-world experiences and peer collaboration. Conventional learning is teacher-directed instruction in which teachers determine the content and method of instruction. PBL is student-directed instruction, allowing students more autonomy over their learning. Studies have shown both the benefits and challenges associated with project-based learning.
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Exploring the Correlation Between Sleep Quality and Academic Performance: The Effect of Sleep Factors on Perceived Focus Levels
Mary Bischoff, Katherine Heublein, Ace Kinman, Olivia Reddy, Julia Reilly
Introduction: Educational achievements are influenced by a range of factors, one of the most significant being sleep. Both the duration and quality of sleep play a crucial role in academic performance. Prior studies indicate that sleep consistency was negatively associated with overall scores in a class along with longer sleep duration having a strong positive correlation with academic performance (Okano et al., 2019). However, research remains uncertain on how perceived level of focus, which correlates to academic performance, is impacted by various aspects of sleep.
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to investigate if there is a correlation between the sleep quality and quantity of college students and their academic performance. Academic performance will be measured by individual level perceived focus in the classroom and correlated with various factors of weekday sleep.
Methods: This research will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative techniques in a survey to explore the impact of sleep on academic performance among a diverse group of college students. The survey will be completed by one hundred students on the University of Dayton’s campus of various majors. The survey will include questions regarding their amount of sleep during the weekdays, focus levels in class, and factors that could affect their sleep conditions. T-tests will be performed to find associations between sleep and perceived level of focus from scaled survey questions.
Discussion/Conclusions: While this study is still under investigation, our results will suggest how focus levels will be affected by factors of sleep quality and quantity. With the pressure of college students to complete a variety of extracurriculars while also balancing school work, determining a correlation between sleep quality and quantity in relation to academic performance could highlight ways to create a beneficial schedule for college students.
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Exploring the Environmental Justice Implications by Assessing Flood Vulnerability in Southwestern Ohio
Caroline Deerwester
Flooding is one of the most destructive natural disasters, with widespread implications for public safety, infrastructure, and environmental health. Southwestern Ohio, specifically the city of Dayton, has historically experienced flood events. The Great Dayton Flood of 1913 in Dayton, Ohio, was one of the most catastrophic flooding events, causing the Great Miami River(GMR) to overflow its banks. This tragic event led to the loss of over 360 lives and widespread property damage. In recent years, climate change models have projected increasing flood events. In addition, flood risks are not distributed equally across communities. In Dayton, historical redlining policies have shaped the demographic distribution, leaving underserved minority communities, particularly in the Northwestern parts of the city near the Great Miami River, disproportionately vulnerable to environmental hazards. These areas are not only at risk of flooding, but also suffer from historical and systemic disadvantages related to economic, racial, and social factors. This creates an urgent need to assess flood vulnerability within the context of environmental justice. This study investigates the social impacts of the 1913 flood, focusing on how minority populations were affected. To achieve this, we construct a historical Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) using 1910 census data, comparing it to a contemporary SVI developed through principal component analysis (PCA) applied to current vulnerability-related demographic variables at the census-block level. Our comparative analysis of historical and contemporary SVIs aims to evaluate whether infrastructure improvements, particularly the levee system, have effectively mitigated flood vulnerability and addressed disparities in flood risk exposure over time.
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Exploring the Link Between Coping with Uncertainty and Personal Values
David Comer
Uncertainty is a key challenge in engineering, where incomplete knowledge and unpredictability often arise. Ronald E. van den Hoek’s work on coping with uncertainty provides strategies for managing these challenges. This research explores how personal values influence responses to uncertainty, using insights from A Tapestry of Values by Kevin Elliott. Elliott’s framework highlights how values shape scientific decision-making, particularly in uncertain situations. By integrating these perspectives, the study aims to show how a better understanding of values can improve decision-making and promote socially responsible outcomes in engineering projects.
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Exploring the Role of miRNAs in Craniofacial Syndromes: A Genome-Wide Approach Using Drosophila Models
Mani Subramanian
A dorsal selector gene defective proventriculus (dve), ortholog of human SATB1, is involved in a conserved mechanism of placement spacing of eyes on the heads. During organogenesis, GATA-1 transcription factor pannier (pnr) regulates dve to determine dorsal eye fate. Among various gene regulation mechanisms for dve expression, there is no information on transcriptional regulation mediated gene silencing by microRNA (miRNAs). miRNAs are the short hairpin like structure with 20-25bp which modulates the gene expressions post-transcriptionally by binding to 3’UTR of mRNAs. To discern genetic mechanism(s) regulating dve expression, we performed a forward genetic screen using a miRNA library in Drosophila eye and identified the miR-190 family as a genetic modifier. Gain-of-function (GOF) of miR-190 results in increased eye size accompanied with increased expression domain of retinal determination genes, morphogenetic furrow marker, and reduced expression of negative regulator of eye fate markers like Wg, Hth. The increased eye size in miR-190 GOF is due to increased cell proliferation with reduced cell death. Using bioinformatic analysis, we developed a miR-190-sensor which has miR-190 binding sequence from Dve 3’UTR tagged to GFP. Targeted GOF of miR-190 in domain specific manner eliminates GFP expression, which confirms dve as a target of miR-190. Regulation of dve by miR-190 is conserved as SATB1 also showed similar mode of regulation by miR-190a in humans and GOF of both dve and SATB1, rescues eye phenotypes of miR-190 in Drosophila models. We present a new mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation of dve/SATB1 expression by miR-190/miR-190a. This study demonstrates that dysregulation of the miR-190/SATB1 pathway leads to developmental defects in humans, including hypertelorism, which is characterized by an increased interocular distance and associated facial anomalies.
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Exploring the role of SERCA2 in the mouse brain using novel transgenic and pharmacological mouse models.
Hayden Ott
Ca2+ homeostasis is critical for various neural processes such as neurotransmission and development. A key regulator of intracellular Ca2+-handling is the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER) Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA), which operates by sequestering cytosolic Ca2+ into the ER. Dysfunction of SERCA and Ca2+ homeostasis have been implicated in several debilitating neuropsychiatric conditions including schizophrenia, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Our lab has recently reported that chronic pharmacological allosteric activation of SERCA via CDN1163, impact mouse behavior and the brain's neurochemistry in a sex-specific manner. Interestingly, we’ve additionally observed that phospholamban (PLN), a critical regulator of SERCA2 that has been well-studied with regard to its role in the heart, is also selectively expressed in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) of the mouse brain. Using a novel transgenic mouse model, we have found that genetic ablation of PLN in this brain region induces an ADHD-like phenotype characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and sleep-deficits. Currently, we are continuing to investigate the roles of the PLN and SERCA in the brain using genetic and pharmacological approaches in conjunction with neurochemical analyses, as well as behavioral and RNA/protein expression assessments. The results of these experiments have high potential to give us deep insights into the role of the PLN/SERCA2 pathway in the neurobiology of debilitating brain disorders.
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Exposing High School Students to the Field of School Psychology
Lauren Davis
The shortage of school psychologists is a pressing issue, particularly in regions like Ohio, where underserved communities often lack access to crucial mental health services. This scarcity hinders schools' ability to support students' diverse needs. Even more pressing is the shortage of marginalized individuals within the field. Recognizing this challenge, this study aims to evaluate students' knowledge and perceptions of exposure initiatives such as the National Association of School Psychologists' Exposure Project. This exposure project teaches students about the roles and functions of school psychologists, training requirements, and job prospects within a 30 minute slide-show presentation. This study was conducted in 9th through 12th-grade general education classrooms in two central Ohio high schools. By employing quantitative methods, this study utilized an anonymous electronic survey administered to students directly after the Exposure Project. Through the collection of this data, a comprehensive understanding of high schoolers' knowledge and perceptions regarding school psychology was gained, contributing valuable insights to address current shortage of school psychologists.
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Fabrication and validation of low-cost, biologically relevant, easy-to-prepare tissue-mimicking materials
Ethan Selkirk
Using affordable, readily available materials, we have developed multiple tissue- and blood-mimicking materials (known as "tissue phantoms"), for calibrating and testing optical spectroscopy and imaging technologies. By incorporating everyday products such as coffee, coffee creamer, paint pigments, food coloring, and gelatin, we create tissue phantoms that closely replicate the optical properties of biological tissues while remaining low-cost and easy to produce. Our goal is to minimize costs without compromising accuracy, and through collaborations with researchers at other institutions, we have successfully developed, measured, and assessed the reproducibility of different tissue phantoms. Our current focus is on replicating the absorption spectra of melanin and hemoglobin, as well as changes that occur in the scattering spectrum during the development of skin cancer. The accessibility and reproducibility of these tissue phantoms make them potentially valuable tools both for teaching tissue-optics principles to students and for validating the accuracy of oximetry and cancer detection technologies.
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"Faculty Value Perceptions: The Influence of Gender and Rank"
Samantha Bowman, Maria Gillotti, Jack Koertje
This research investigates how women, transgender, and gender nonconforming non-tenure track (NTT) faculty perceive their value in the university as compared to men in similar roles. The academy is in a moment of pivotal change, in which changing demographic trends and competition for tuition-paying undergraduates has forced institutions of higher learning, especially regional private universities, to restructure faculty appointments. This has led to an increasing proportion of faculty hiring into non tenure-track roles vis-à-vis traditional tenure eligible ones as a method of cost savings. Moreover, the proportion of women and gender nonconforming individuals (as a group) serving in these contingent roles is notably higher than that of their male counterparts. To uncover the gendered dynamics of value perception amongst professional faculty at a university, we employ a brief survey followed by more in-depth interviewing through the use of focus groups and, potentially, one-on-one interviews. We acknowledge different instruments are needed to answer different and complex questions of how gender identity intersects with the experience and perception of value of NTT faculty.
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Faith and Fertility: The Intersection of Reproductive Rights and Religion
Grady Baumgartner, Mya Hurst, Katherine Marzec
A literature review over the complicated relationship between religion and reproductive rights. Seeking to promote understanding and respectful dialogue, emphasizing the need for policies that balance religious convictions with the protection of individual rights.
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Fast and Flourishing: How Callery Pear Outpaces Native Species
Megan Stoneburner
Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) is an invasive woody species that threatens ecosystems in the eastern United States. This species was originally introduced to the United States as fire-blight resistant ornamental trees, and became popular due to the attractive flowers that are present from April to May that develop into fruits that stay on the trees for some of the winter. In the Miami Valley region, Callery pear is prevalent and aggressive in taking over niche space. Phenology is the study of the life cycle of a plant. In this study, we are focused on the phenology of Callery pear’s vegetative, fruiting, and flowering features. Callery pear is thought to have an extended phenology that allows it to outcompete native species in the area. The goal of this study is to give us a better understanding of Callery pear’s phenology in a changing climate. To obtain this goal, we established three study sites located in Montgomery County, Ohio, USA. These study sites were categorized as rural, urban, or suburban. Each of these study sites had five tagged Callery pear tree branches where vegetative, fruit, and flowering features were recorded on a weekly basis.We found that Callery pear begins to leaf out and buds earlier than similar native species. There was also evidence that some Callery pear trees flowered twice in a single growing season. These findings support our idea that Callery pear’s phenology is giving it an advantage over native species.
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Fate in Focus: Investigating Dve and Chb Roles in Drosophila eye development
Sunanda Yogi
Chromosome bows (Chb)/Mast/Orbit is essential for organizing the bipolar mitotic spindle at the kinetochore. This microtubule plus-end tracking protein maintains the microtubule dynamics and is evolutionarily conserved, with its human ortholog being a cytoplasmic linker-associated protein (CLASP). CLASP is vital for microtubule distribution and stability during the cell cycle and has been implicated in neurofibrillary tangle formation in tauopathies. From the preliminary studies, we have found certain pathogenic variants in the CLASP, which leads to a spectrum of opathy disorders, including Roifman Syndrome. The phenotypic features were seen as skeletal and organ anomalies, developmental delay in vision, and facial dysmorphism. We use Drosophila as a genetically tractable model system encompassing various developmental stages to mechanistically understand how pathogenic variants in CLASP/Chb contribute to developmental delays. Our investigation of the genetic interactome revealed that Chb is suppressed by defective proventriculus (Dve), a K50 homeodomain transcription factor, which is essential for cell type specification and expressed in the dorsal head vertex region of the eye-antennal imaginal disc. We hypothesize that if Dve regulates Chb expression, it may lead to altered microtubule assembly. By employing the UAS-Gal4 system to knock down and overexpress Chb in the eye, we observed a reduction in eye size and a shift from eye to cuticular fate in the proper ommatidial arrangement. We are examining Chb expression in the eye, focusing on its loss-of-function and gain-of-function effects on Dve. Additionally, we aim to investigate the impact on Dve expression and its downstream regulators of eye development. This research will provide insights into the key partners involved in the cellular assembly of microtubules during birth eye defects.
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Feathered Friends and Solar Trends: A Study of Bird Nest Architecture in Solar Prairies
Andrew Heinisch, Aidan Minnick, Megan Stoneburner, Nicolina Valore
Solar prairies are becoming increasingly more popular as a sustainable energy source, but there is a current gap in research regarding animal interactions with solar panels. Birds often use solar panels as nesting sites because it provides protection from aerial predators. However, higher nest temperatures can affect bird development with the ideal nest temperature ranging from 36 to 40 degrees Celsius. In our study, we observed bird nests at two different solar prairie locations and both locations had different solar panel types from one another. The first was at Curran Place which has tilting solar panels which adjust their position to maximize sun exposure. The other location was at the Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC) which contained fixed solar panels that did not move at all. At both locations we measured the diameter, height, depth and angle of attachment of each bird nest found. Along with these measurements we also noted the species of bird for each bird nest, and we recorded the temperature of several House Finch nests at both locations over several weeks to compare how the temperatures of the nests varied between the two different solar panel types. We found that bird nest architecture is affected by the movement of solar panels: most bird nests had increased height, diameter, and depth on the fixed array. Findings from this study will help fill the gap of knowledge regarding animal and solar prairie interactions and ultimately provide insight into building and structuring solar prairies in eco-friendly ways.
