Stander Symposium: Projects with UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Exploring Children of Single Parent Households at the University of Dayton

Jackelyn Christine Rospert

The “traditional” two parent household is on the decline while single parent households are no longer the minority. Households headed by a single mother lead the trends for single parent households. Although the number of single parent households are increasing, children from single parent households are not the majority in institutions such as the University of Dayton. This may lead to marginalization and a sense of othering from students who have single parents. Through the use of interviews with UD undergraduate participants, this project examines the experiences of UD students who come from single parent households and how their time at UD differs from students who reside in other family structures.
Exploring how Catholic Universities support LGBTQ+ students

Anna Svetlana Wiethorn

The purpose of this study was to look at the University of Dayton's LGBTQ+ resources on campus in addition to its 30 peer institutions. Content analysis was conducted on each of the institutions’ websites regarding their LGBTQ+ resources. While many universities indicate on their websites that they have resources for the LGBTQ+ community, a deeper analysis suggests that there is wide variability of support for this historically marginalized community. Analyzing each website, I looked for emergent themes and symbols such as transgender flags, pride flags and designated non-gendered bathrooms. Coding these themes together allows for a deeper understanding of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Exploring Levels of Student Acceptance Toward the Nonbinary Identity

Casey Marie Mullin

With the nonbinary identity receiving increased exposure in the media, as well as outspoken scrutiny, research is needed to fill current gaps in knowledge on public perceptions and reasons behind those perceptions. Nonbinary individuals are those who do not adhere to or identify with the traditional gender binary of male and female. As a result of their deviation from societal gender norms, this identity tends to endure an abundance of criticism. This research study examines undergraduate students at the faith-based University of Dayton to determine their perceptions toward the nonbinary identity. Due to a reinforcing of the traditional gender binary by many religious practices, evaluating students exposed to a faith-based curriculum can shed light on the influences of religion and religious teachings on personal perspectives. Furthermore, the influences of educational teachings are gauged by surveying students of various majors and grade levels. Data were gathered via an online Qualtrics survey distributed to a convenient sample of undergraduate University of Dayton students. Results explore student attitudes toward the nonbinary identity, as well as the influences of a religious campus climate, year in school, and academic teachings.
Exploring Perceptions of Gender in Military Training

Katelyn Hallie Barnes

The purpose of this study is to better understand how masculinity presents itself in the environment of ROTC, where cadets are positioned at the intersection of the military and higher education. Few scholars have attempted to understand the construction of gender within ROTC programs. Cadets are in a unique position where after graduation, they are often commissioned as officers and hold a position of power. Through qualitative interviews with current and former ROTC cadets, I explore how they define their experience in the program in relation to their gender. Cadets discuss how they navigate their roles between these two institutions, as both a member of ROTC and a student. Analyzing narratives about the qualities cadets value, like strength and discipline, reveal the cadets’ assumptions around gender in ROTC.
Exploring Student Perspectives on Community Engaged Learning

Madeline Elise Calhoun

As universities compete to stay relevant, involved, and influential in society, higher education is challenged to not only develop students academically, but professionally and personally. The traditional classroom model is being transformed as community engaged learning opportunities are offered and the value of experiential learning is recognized. Additionally, using an asset based approach to viewing community opportunity and development is important to effectively participate in community engaged learning. Through analyzing student experiences in community engaged learning courses and opportunities, this project recognizes the necessity of nontraditional learning experiences in higher education. By surveying university students, the data explores students' experience with community engaged learning and the benefits of participating in CEL. The data will also explore the value of the asset based community development model and asset mapping.
Exploring the Effects of Hookup Culture with Upper Division University of Dayton Students

Abigail Rosella Kurczewski

The effects of hookup culture for upper division university students are prevalent throughout their college career. College hookups are very frequent in todays’ society and students typically have an underlying understanding of how they are expected to participate in hookup culture. This study explores the impact of the college hookup culture via focus groups conducted at the University of Dayton with upper division college students. The qualitative research in this study may assist the campus community with a better understanding of how the hookup culture affects students' mental health and their academic career.
Exploring the Relationship Between Women’s Body Hair Removal Practices and a Culture of Pedophilia

Patresa G. Linehan

Human body hair removal has been practiced around the world for centuries. In many cultures, such as ancient Rome, hairlessness was seen as a trend in upper class society to show their status. Hairlessness has been linked in previous studies to connect a feeling of cleanliness, increased beauty, and sexual desirability among many other reasonings for body hair removal. The first purpose of the study is to explore attitudes and practices of body hair removal in college aged (18-22 years) women. The second purpose of the study is to explore if participants believe in a culture that sexualizes their bodies through a hairless beauty standard that is similar to the bodies of prepubescent children. The final purpose is to explore the relationship between women’s body hair removal practices and a culture of pedophilia. The data collected are on the views and practices of the participants. The participants are University of Dayton students aged 18-22, who identify as women. The method used is an anonymous survey sent out to students in predominantly female organizations and groups on campus. This research is important to sociological study because the findings shed light on various ideas and structures relating to what forms our identities, and therefore shapes our interactions in the social world.
Exploring the Role of the Nervous System in Limb Regeneration

Ben Klocke, Jason Tornes

Regeneration is a biological ability belonging to a small subset of vertebrates including the axolotl, an amphibian that can regenerate its limbs upon amputation. While it is known that the nerves play a critical role in promoting limb regeneration, the potential implication of other nervous system components is largely unknown. Proteomics screening approaches were implemented to compare protein expression data at various time-points into the limb regeneration program following amputation. In this presentation we identified proteins that are upregulated and/or downregulated throughout limb regeneration, and are currently working towards exposing novel protein networks that are activated during this fascinating process.
Expression, Purification, and Protein Crystallography Trials in Influenza Polymerase Acidic Protein Fusion

Kyle Benjamin Harris

Influenza viruses are responsible for annual epidemics, as well as previous pandemics including the H1N1 pandemic in 2009. In any given year, worldwide deaths due to influenza virus can reach 650,000. Due to influenza’s continued threat to global health, along with increasing drug resistance, new antiviral medications are imperative to safeguarding the global community. An attractive target of novel antiviral drugs is the Polymerase Acidic Protein (PA) of influenza. PA is essential to influenza replication, and its amino acid composition is highly conserved among fluA, fluB, and fluC strains. Currently, crystal forms of PA do exist, but these forms do not provide an accessible binding pocket for inhibition. This inaccessibility stimulates the need for additional crystal forms that could result in structure-based synthesis of novel inhibitory compounds. In order to initiate crystal trials, large scale expression and purification of PA must take place. Expression of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli bacteria cells often result in decreased production yields due to insolubility and inclusion body formation. To combat these effects, a PA construct was created in fusion with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). As well, the lysis buffer in the purification phase was optimized using solubilizing additives. Purification of the expressed construct was done through Immobilized Metal Chromatography, using a Nickel column, and Size Exclusion Chromatography, respectively. Purified samples underwent a Precrystallization Test, where results from this test were used to determine protein concentration used in large-scale sparse matrix crystallography screens, totaling 192 conditions. Two conditions from these screens gave interesting results and are under investigation.
Fabrication and Characterization of PVA/PEO/CB Nanocomposite Films

Birhanu Desta Alemayehu

We report on the fabrication and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) blended polymer nanocomposite (PNC) films loaded with different weight percentages of carbon black (CB) using stencil printing method. The effect of PVA and PEO weight ratio, and the CB content on the morphological and electrical properties of the PNC films were studied using a surface profilometer, scanning electron microscope, and four-point probe method, respectively. The percolation threshold of the PNC films was determined as 0.2vol%. An electrical conductivity of 0.417 S/m was achieved with 14wt% CB loading. The demonstrated PNC films can find its use in potential humidity sensing applications.
Fabrication and Design of 3D Printed Transparent Tissue Chips

Allison Marie Weekley

In vitro human tissue models and biocompatible microfluidic devices have emerged as powerful research tools and screening platforms for pre-clinical assessments of drug candidates in the pharmaceutical industry. However, there are numerous facets of the current technology that limit its adoption and impact in the industry. The usability, manufacturability, and ability to adequately model the tissues are the challenges that the current engineered tissue models struggle to address. The need for inexpensive and accessible microfluidic devices requires new manufacturing techniques and designs. This research focused on developing a proof of concept and prototype for a transwell insert that was designed to be watertight, biocompatible to culture and view cells under microscope, have the highest optical window transparency and consist of the smallest size channels possible. The device was designed in Autodesk Inventor and 3D printed via Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). FFF was desired for the device as it is inexpensive, effective for iterative design of custom parts and allows for insertion of non-FFF during a pause. The filament used was Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC). COC was the optimal filament to use as it is biocompatible for cell culturing and has a good transmittance between 300-700nm for viewing under the microscope. Achieving the highest optical transparency and smallest channel size was done by optimizing FFF settings and adapting to the limitations of the FFF technology.
Food Insecurity in Dayton; Why It Matters and What You Can Do To Help

Meagan Coveny, Mohamed S. Jalloh, Grace Steffen, Logan Trzeciak

Everyday, around the world, people of all ages face food insecurity. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25, “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food…”. Food insecurity is not simply being hungry, but a failure to provide people access to food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies food insecurity as a lack of “consistent, dependable access to adequate food for active, healthy living.” Many organizations have made it their priority to address these issues and help those in need. In Dayton, a meal on average costs $3.05 per person, 31% higher than the national average. The child hunger rate in Montgomery County is 41.4% higher than the national average, according to a report from data-analysis firm, Stacker. However, there are many causes that lead to food insecurity in Dayton, and across the country. A report filed by the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission found that the most common causes for food insecurity are low economic status and physical access to food. In Dayton, there is a larger focus on the latter cause of food insecurity. Gem City Market is a local co-op grocery store that is helping to provide the physical access to nutritious food options to the Dayton community. Despite only being open for less than 5 years now, the Market has become a glimmer of hope to those who have struggled to find solutions to issues in Dayton surrounding food insecurity. Our research will focus on the efforts of activists to solve food insecurity and document the stories of those who have struggled with food insecurity both on and off the University of Dayton campus. This project will also engage the University of Dayton community in educating on why food insecurity is prevalent in Dayton and effective ways that the school community can help alleviate these burdens. One way that this project will do so will be through encouraging listeners to shop at the Gem City Market and show how this action helps diminish food insecurity in Dayton.
Formulation for the Development of Empirical-Based Model for the Cell/Battery:Li(s) / LiFSI in DME electrolyte solution / CF(s)

Peng Chen

The overall objective of the formulation (developed by Dr. Sarwan S. Sandhu, professor of chemical and materials engineering) presented here is to employ it for the analysis and explanation of the experimental data being currently acquired on the lithium-based cell: [Li(s), solid lithium anode / LiFSI, lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide in DME-dimethoxyethane (solvent) / CF(s), solid carbon monofluoride, cathode active material]. The formulation links the amount of charge involved during the discharge of the above-mentioned cell with the fractional conversion of the limiting reactant, CF(s). Furthermore, the cell discharge current at any time during its discharge period is related to the overall cell discharge process-activation energy barrier. The overall cell discharge process-activation energy barrier is assumed to be equal to the sum of cell voltage losses associated with the charge transfers at the cell electrode-electrolyte solution interfaces and the transport phenomena involving electrons and ions in the various cell components; for example, electron transport in the cell cathode components and lithium-ion transport in the cell electrolyte solution.
Gesture-based Virtual Whiteboard

Meghana Ayyalasomayajula, Kalyan Sakkhari

In this project, we develop a virtual whiteboard used for online learning. By using gestures, the users can easily sketch and express ideas. In addition, our virtual whiteboard supports different color input and stroke thickness. The gesture recognition is done through the analysis of skeleton information retrieved from a depth camera. The users appreciate our system since the gestures are easily used than traditional computer mouse.
Gmi Companies Logistics Analysis

Jessica Nicole Bigenwald, Aimee Frances Czekajlo, Samuel Gerald Mckenzie, Colin Regan Morris

Research into various opportunities to improve the logistics management of materials/products and cost reductions
Healthcare Barriers Immigrants Face and Proposed Solutions to Help Them

Caitlyn Cristina Pittsford, Erin Elizabeth Tatham

Derose and colleagues (2009) argue that low socioeconomic status, limited English proficiency, and lack of familiarity with the U.S. healthcare system puts U.S. immigrants at risk for not receiving proper health care. Lawfully present immigrants are allowed to buy private health insurance or given access to Medicaid, the nation’s public health insurance program if they meet their state’s income and residency rules (healthcare.gov 2022). However, Hacker (2015) states that “fear of deportation, communication ability, financial resources, shame/stigma, and knowledge about the healthcare system” are only a few reasons why immigrants may not receive healthcare. It is not always a lack of access to healthcare systems that prevents immigrants from receiving care, but a lack of knowledge about the healthcare system (Hacker et. al. 2015). The Office of Minority Health (2018) states that providing all patients with responsive healthcare to their cultural health beliefs and practices, languages, health literacy, and communication barriers will allow for an equitable and effective healthcare system. Providing more education and accessible resources can help to support immigrants’ access to healthcare (Caulford 2014). The purpose of this poster is to examine lack of knowledge as a barrier to immigrants accessing the U.S. healthcare system and describe programs focused on addressing this barrier to access.
Health Decline In a SNAP: Examining the Relationship Between Health and Food Access.

Brianna Rose Richter

Overall, 14% of American households are food insecure, meaning their economic and other conditions lead to limited or uncertain access to adequate food. This means nearly 1 in 4 households this year alone have experienced food insecurity. This research project examines the relationship between adults over the age of 18 who are utilizing SNAP benefits and health outcomes. Using secondary data analysis, this project seeks to answer the question of whether people who use SNAP benefits have a higher risk of any negative health outcome such as obesity or heart disease. This project digs deeper into the intersections of inequality.
Helping ADHD students achieve in the education system

Logann P. Jackson

This project highlights different strategies for classroom management and academic instruction for students who are identified with ADHD. To address challenges and highlight strengths of students, the role of the classroom environment, the perceptions of the teacher, and engagement with peers are discussed. This holistic perspective allows us to think about the all encompassing school environment and what students with ADHD need to succeed in school.
High Flux Solar Simulator

Caleb Alexander Albright

The High Flux Solar Simulator (HFSS) is a technological piece developed for the Dayton Thermal Applications Laboratory that aids in focused thermal research. A High Flux Solar Simulator uses metal halide/ halogen lamps with parabolic and elliptical reflectors to focus light similar to the Sun at a small focal point. A major goal of this Solar Simulator was to construct it inexpensively and have it be a very versatile system that was simple to understand. Since most HFSS designs are not dynamic and are laid out like a wall of lamps, we had to design ours from scratch to match our desired functionality. Specifically, we wanted the lamps to have a full degree range of motion, for it to be a layered structure, and for it to be easily operated and deconstructed. To have these desired characteristics, we have the construct as a system that can be built on piece by piece; if we wanted to take out or add a light, maneuver the lamps to a different position, or adjust the framework it is possible and simple to accomplish. Ultimately, this focused light mechanism is used for research. To study renewable energy applicability in fields such as desalination, granular flow, renewable energy generation, manufacturing, and overall study in replacing this focused energy as the main resource in energy heavy systems.
House Price Prediction using Machine Learning

Sai Surya Vaddi, Amira A. Yousif

In this research, we investigate the usage of machine learning in predicting the house price based on related tabular data and images.To this end, we collect 2000 sample points from across different cites in the United States. For each house, we label 14 tabular attributes and 5 images (exterior, interior-living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom). Following the feature extraction, we evaluate different machine learning methods on the newly collected data.
How Does a Pandemic Affect the Alcohol Consumption among College Students?

Anastacia N. Gathof

This study examined how the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the alcohol use of college students. The data in this study examined if there is a decrease or increase in alcohol use and if COVID-19 has affected these rates. Data were gathered via online surveys from participants who are senior college students at the University of Dayton. This study conducted results and were analyzed using Qualtrics. Other factors that were discussed include effects of alcohol including behavior changes and interpersonal challenges, the impact on education as well as access to alcohol and effects of campus closure. Results explore how often college students had access to alcohol during the campus closure and how much they consumed.
How does Dissociative Identity Disorder Impact the Creation of Art?

Aiden Gibbons Beck

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a mental health condition where a person will have two or more personalities or alters. No two people with DID are exactly alike, for example some of them will be able to communicate with the rest of their system (group of alters) whenever they desire and others will have dissociative amnesia between their alters whenever they switch. People with DID in the art world are able to bring multiple different perspectives and styles from each of their alters into their art to create a portfolio that is completely unique. Diversity in art is critically important to telling the stories of marginalized people and neurodiversity in art is no different. We need to make sure that those with mental health conditions such as Kim Noble and Harli Tree have a place to share their struggles and paint a picture of who they are metaphorically and literally. My poster will document how artists with DID create art and the difficulties that come along with it.
How Has Covid-19 Affected Depression Levels in Long-term Care Facility Residents?

Caitlin Mae Sheridan, Audrey Elizabeth Steiert

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the most common mental health disorder for people over the age of 60, affecting more than 15% of that population (Egeljić-Mihailović et al., 2021). Social participation, which is defined as “connecting with people and the community,” is one of many factors that helps to prevent depression (Egeljić-Mihailović et al., 2021). During the Covid-19 pandemic, long-term care facilities for the elderly took safety measures to slow the spread of the virus, including limiting visitors and suspending residential activities (Levere et al., 2021). As caregivers in long-term care facilities during the pandemic, we observed changes in residents’ behaviors and attitudes while they were isolated in their rooms. Several studies conducted during this time period showed that the increased isolation and lowered social participation led to increased depressive symptoms (Abbasi, 2021; Levere et al., 2021). According to Levere et al., the prevalence of depressive symptoms in nursing home residents increased by 15% compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic (2021). To help decrease the loneliness of residents while still following safety protocols, Joyce Simard and Ladislav Volicer suggest having family members and friends stay in touch with residents virtually and providing residents with in-room activities (2020). The purpose of this poster is to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of long-term care facility residents and to highlight suggestions that might lessen the risk of depression during the times of isolation.
How Macrophages Respond to Cancer Conditions

Sarah E. Lamb, Mackenzie Taylor Martin

This project investigates the relationship between human macrophages and breast cancer cells. This project analyzes these differences through the measurement of macrophage migration through artificial channels under different cancer conditions. Macrophages are immune cells that travel around the body and engulf foreign particles. Macrophages can recognize cancer cells as foreign invaders and destroy these dangerous cells. This macrophage migration data preliminarily show that cancer condition media produces a unique macrophage migration response, suggesting that biomarkers released from cancer cells influence macrophage behavior. This project further investigates the differentiation of monocytes into specific macrophage phenotypes based on the expression of specific biomarkers. The most common macrophage phenotypes include an M1 phenotype which promotes an inflammatory response and initiates an immune system attack and an M2 phenotype that promotes angiogenesis and starts an anti-inflammatory response. Macrophage phenotypes were identified using fluorescence imaging. In this project, the most commonly identified migrating macrophage phenotype was the M2 phenotype which was identified by the CD163 marker. This project presents preliminary findings of macrophage and breast cancer interactions that can be extrapolated to what happens clinically in the immune response of a cancer patient and possibly lead to the discovery of new cancer therapies.
How Nursing Home Healthcare Providers View Their Work Through a Human Rights Lens

Laney Kay Brucken

The purpose of this study is to examine how nursing home staff view their work through a human rights lens, how they see human rights protections and violations in their everyday work, and how this may have an effect on the healthcare providers and impact on the residents. The study seeks to answer the research questions, do healthcare providers within nursing homes view human rights framework through their work, and if so, how? How is burnout and inadequate staffing related to this and how does it affect the quality of care of patients? The goal is to analyze the perspectives and experiences of nursing home staff surrounding the human rights framework and determine what effect this has on the quality of care of residents.