News
2018 Erickson Discovery Grant Recipients
Funded through the Office of Undergraduate Education and support from Colleges.
Troy Adams
Eberly College of Science
Age Estimation Model From DNA Methylation and Accuracy Under Variable Strain Using Nanopore Sequencing
Julio Aira IV
Abington
Sustainability and Testing of 3D Printing Prosthetic Socket
Jacob John Alexander
Behrend
Study of the Elastic Recovery and Residual Hoop Stress in Steel-Aluminum Rings
Vivek Anil
Engineering
Graphene-based Scaffold for Neuron Regeneration Study
Audrey Arner
Eberly College of Science
The functional and evolutionary genomics of sexual dimorphism in Homo sapiens
Eric Louis Baker
Engineering
Determining Causes of Attrition in Engineering Graduate Students Through Natural Language Processing
Bridget Baksa
Berks
Multi-Objective Spatial Clustering with Multiple Constraints
Rebecca Anne Barnes
The Liberal Arts
Switching between languages that share the same vocabulary: What keeps them apart?
Celeste Marie Belknap
Arts and Architecture
Nina Makarova's Symphony in D Minor: a study of her composition in the context of political and gender oppression
Emily R Blaker
University College
The Effects of School Stress on Student-Athlete Academics and Sport Enjoyment
Nathaniel Andrew Bledsoe
Eberly College of Science
Activation of Factor XII in Respect to Cardiovascular Biomaterial
Andrew Sean Blount
Eberly College of Science
Detecting Anti-Neutrinos with WATCHMAN
Anna Pauline Brogan
Eberly College of Science
The Investigation of Antiprotozoal KKL-8692 as a trans-Translation Inhibiting Compound for Antimicrobial Use
Cole Tyler Brown
Behrend
A Tale of Terrestrial Origins: A Hypothesis for Water on the Primordial Mars
Kathryn K Bruce
University College
The evolutionary and molecular mechanisms of sexual size dimorphism in the common house spider, Parasteatoda tepidariorum
Rebecca Bussard
Eberly College of Science
Analyzing Deformation of Telica Volcano through the Use of Remote Sensing Data
Darcy Chia Calabria
The Liberal Arts
The Relationship between Cult and Iron Smithing at Phoenician Tel Akko, Israel
Mia Elizabeth Caputo
The Liberal Arts
Self-Resemblance and the Cross-Race Memory Effect
Sabrina Anne Carrozzi
Engineering
On-Demand 3D Printing Thermally Cured Polymer Nanoparticle Composites
Julia Catena
Eberly College of Science
Determining the Tissue Specificity of an NAD+ Biosynthetic Enzyme in C. elegans
Ian David Chamberlain
University College
The Physiological and Environmental Effects of Caffeinated Compost on Green Beans.
Yumih Chang
Arts and Architecture
Documentation and Multimedia Display Creation on Keisuke Oka's "Arimasuton-Biru" for New Media and Architectural Studies
Carlos M Curay
Eberly College of Science
The Correlation of Spontaneous Seizures to Cardiac Damage in Epileptic Rat Models
Ryan Michael Czekaj
Arts and Architecture
Primary Source Research for Elgar's "Three Characteristic Pieces"
Lauren Echols
The Liberal Arts
Syntactic ambiguity resolution in Spanish speakers and Spanish-English bilinguals
Victor David Ellis
Eberly College of Science
Mechanism Of Recombination In Enteroviruses
Emma Stephanie Gogarnoiu
Eberly College of Science
KH protein domains and how they bind to Fe (II).
Chujie Gong
Engineering
A 3D Image-based Study of Biomechanics for Glenoid Implant and Bone
Nakul Grover
The Liberal Arts
Impact of immigration in South Asia: Burmese immigrants in Bangladesh and migration to India
Mindy Sarah Gruzin
University College
Evolutionary consequence of genome duplication on developmental expression of octopamine receptor in the common house spider, Parasteatoda tepidariorum
Catherine Elise Hanagan
Earth and Mineral Sciences
Tectonics, Magmatism, and Climate Change: Investigating the Location and Magnitude of North America-Eurasia plate motion in Iceland
Tice Ryan Harkins
Eberly College of Science
Characterizing Flow and Clotting in PDMS Channels Using Micro-Particle Image Velocimetry
Michael T Heigh
Eberly College of Science
Using Pectin Mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana to Better Understand Plant Cell Growth
Corey Herr
Eberly College of Science
Hardware Development and Data Analysis for LZ Dark Matter Detector
Raymond Lawrence Hoy
The Liberal Arts
Analyzing Student Usage and Attitudes Towards Green2Go to Promote a More Cost Effective To-go Container
Ya-Lin Huang
Engineering
CTC Recognition by Image Processing for FMSA Liquid Biopsy
Maria Rose Hudock
Engineering
Softshell Turtle Collagen for the Development of a Lung Tissue Scaffold
Kailash Jayachandran
Eberly College of Science
Determining the Mechanism of NeuroD1 Mediated Reprogramming of Astrocytes into Glutamatergic Neurons
Catherine Karbasiafshar
Eberly College of Science
Exploration of suppressor mutations in a Bacillus subtilis strain deficient for NusA
Annalyse K Kehs
Engineering
Application of Artificial Intelligence to Detect Lycorma delicatula
Itsuhiro Ko
Agricultural Sciences
Detecting mobile DNA movement between host and parasitic plant, a potential mechanism of HGT
Nicole Grace Laganke
Eberly College of Science
Investigating the Lethality in NAD+ Deficient nmrk-1 Caenorhabditis elegans in Environments of Oxidative Stress
Joash Makalani Lake
Eberly College of Science
Wolbachia Infection: Understanding the Requirements between Aedes aegypti and Wolbachia
Samantha Long
University College
How Student Satisfaction and Motivation in School is affected by Negative Life Events
Gregory Paul Lutz
University College
Exploring the Physiological Causation of Parasitic Host Manipulation
Fabiola Maldonado
Eberly College of Science
Neural Excitability and Inflammation in High Fat Diet Induced Depressive-Like Brain States
Kathryn Lynn Mayberry
The Liberal Arts
Reclaiming Disabled Poetry; William Carlos Williams' Late Work
Phoebe McClincy
Earth and Mineral Sciences
Primordial Black Holes as a Dark Matter Candidate
Christian Murphy
Engineering
Proposal for Automated Design for Additive Manufacturing Optimization through Machine Learning
Jeremy Mysliwiec
Eberly College of Science
Analysis of a two-population chemotaxis model with competitive dynamics
Lane Z Naugle
Agricultural Sciences
Testing the effect of anthropogenic noise pollution upon nesting songbird communication channels and reproductive success
Vance Noah
Behrend
Synthesis and Biochemical Evaluation of Piperine Amide Analogs for Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition
Danielle Marie Reilly
University College
Using Evolutionary Relevant Fear Stimuli to Enhance Memory
Colton Ruggery
Eberly College of Science
The Effects of the ?3?4 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Antagonist, 18-Methoxycoronaridine (18-MC), on Alcohol-Related Behaviors
Rachel E Shriver
Education
Más Que Mojitos: Reciprocity within Global Conversations Course
Benjamin Simonson
Eberly College of Science
Life-history trade-off between immunity and thermoregulation in bumblebees
Jessica Jean Smith
Eberly College of Science
Development of Citrate/Magnesium Phosphate Dual Network Injectable Composites for Orthopedic Tissue Engineering
Emily C Snell
Eberly College of Science
In Vitro and Ex Vivo profiling of Antibiotic Properties of Tetrazole Analogs that Target trans-Translation
Danielle Judy Spewak
Arts and Architecture
Reality Destination
Steven G Stamm
Berks
Reduction of Drag by Adding Longitudinal Grooves
Michelle Suhendra
Eberly College of Science
Functional Characterization of PF13_0114, an ApiAP2 transcription factor in malaria parasite P. falciparum
Lichen Sun
Engineering
Design of Low Leakage Pouch Cells for Electric Double-layer Capacitor (EDLC) Applications
Jonathan Frances Thomas
Eberly College of Science
In vivo analysis of the RNA binding domain of the transcriptional pausing factor, NELF
Gavin Turner
Eberly College of Science
Characterization of the FaRLiP Phycobilisome Complex by Knockout Mutagenesis in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7335
Seth Wilcox
Education
Large Scale Keyphrase Evaluation via Crowdsourcing
Madison I Winkowski
University College
Pharacological characterization of dopamine receptors in the common house spider, Parasteatoda tepidariorum
Madeline Winn
Agricultural Sciences
Programmed Cell Death Proteins as CL Saviors: Examining the Role of PD-1 and PD-L1 in Luteal Rescue
Stephen Daniel Worrell
Agricultural Sciences
Characterizing IRE1alpha Dependent Leukocyte Recruitment Signaling in UV Induced Inflammation
Amanda Yaya
Eberly College of Science
Investigation of Interictal Hemodynamics in Rat Models Using Oxygen-Sensing Electrodes
Philip Navin Zachariah
Eberly College of Science
A Fly on the Wall: Bridging the Gap Between Penn State Research Laboratories and the Student Community
Chenzhang Zhou
Altoona
Why Phonons Behavior in Transition Metal Dichalcogenides Matter
Everett Zofchak
Engineering
Synthesis of Polymeric Nanostructures Via Order-Order and Disorder-Order Transitions
Judges Needed for the 2018 Undergraduate Exhibition
Faculty, emeriti faculty, staff, post-doc, and doctoral student volunteers who are experienced researchers are needed to serve as judges for the April 18 Undergraduate Exhibition at University Park.
Those interested in judging can complete the online judge volunteer form. The Office of Undergraduate Education will follow up and confirm by email.
The 2017 exhibition featured more than 250 posters and 350 student presenters, with judges playing a vital role in the success of the event and helping to further the culture of inquiry at Penn State.
Exhibition organizers are seeking volunteer judges in six broad areas of presentations: Arts and Humanities, Engineering, Health and Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Course-based Projects (all disciplines).
This year’s exhibition will also feature 5-minute performance and oral presentations, in addition to traditional research posters. Judges are needed for all disciplines and formats.
Questions may be directed to Alan Rieck, Assistant Vice President and Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education, 814-863-1864 or ajr83@psu.edu.
Penn State named top Fulbright producer
Penn State was named a top producer of Fulbright students for the 2017-2018 grant year. Read more about it on PSU News.
Political Science student Ethan Paul named Yenching Scholar
Penn State senior, Ethan Paul, was named a 2018 Yenching Academy Scholar. Read about his achievement on PSU News.
UK Week
The University Fellowships Office will host UK Week Jan. 29 - February 1, with programming available to undergraduate students from a wide variety of academic disciplines. Read more about this week of programming on PSU News.
Nominations open for Undergraduate Research at the Capitol
For more information, please see the article on Penn State News...
Nontraditional Week Jan. 16-20
The University Fellowships Office will host Nontraditional Week Jan. 16-20, with programming available to undergraduate students from a wide variety of academic disciplines. Read more about this week of programming on PSU News.
Applications for $3,500 Erickson Discovery Grants accepted starting Jan. 8
For more information, please see the article on Penn State News...
Applications open for Undergraduate Research Exhibition
April 18, 2018 HUB-Robeson Center, University Park Campus
Poster Sessions
9:15 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., First Floor Lounges, Alumni, and Heritage Hall
Penn State's annual Undergraduate Exhibition communicates and celebrates the participation of undergraduate students from across the University in research and creative endeavors. Students from all Penn State campuses are eligible to enter research posters in the Undergraduate Exhibition. In conjunction with the Exhibition, a special performing arts showcase features creative accomplishments of students. All sessions of the Undergraduate Exhibition are open to the public.
Undergraduate Exhibition Poster Guidelines and Criteria - coming Fall 2017.
Poster entries will be accepted beginning February 12, 2018.
Questions about the Undergraduate Exhibition may be directed to Alan Rieck, Assistant Vice President and Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education, at 814-863-1864 or ajr83@psu.edu.
2017 Undergraduate Exhibition Award Recipients
The Gerard A. Hauser Award
Brendan Sporer
College of Engineering
Active Neutralization in Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) Fusion
Arts and Humanities
First place
Morgan Nachman
College of the Liberal Arts
Deliberating About Gun Policy
Course-Based Projects
First Place
Zhiyu Zhao
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
From Penrose to Escher -- Visualization of Almost Periodic Structure
Second Place
Katie Jo Smith
College of Health and Human Development Examining Primary Care Organizational Structure in Costa Rica: The EBAIS and ATAP
Third Place
Kaiyi Wu
Eberly College of Science
Haici Tan
Eberly College of Science
Estimating HIV Prevalence at Sub-national and Sub-population Level
Engineering
First Place
Rachel Sherbondy
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Corona Poling of Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) Thick Films for Ultrasonic Transducers
Second Place
Katherine Heininger
College of Engineering
Can wearable sensors be used to capture engineering design team interactions? An Investigation into the Reliability of Sociometric Badges
Third Place
Kristen Hagenah
College of Engineering
Characterization of Thrombi through Mri And Histological Analysis of Erythrocyte Ghost Clots
Health and Life Sciences
First Place
Erin Vrana
Eberly College of Science
Characterization of the Role of UIS12 in Plasmodium yoelii Male Gametocyte Activation
Second Place
Daniel Snellings
Eberly College of Science
The Cost of Color: Investigating Pigmentation as a Bioindicator of Bee Nutrition
Third Place
Carley Miller
Eberly College of Science
The Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonist Varenicline Alters Ethanol-induced Ataxia and Ethanol Consumption in Adolescent C57BL/6J Mice
Physical Sciences
First Place
Cullen Dixon
College of Agricultural Sciences
Testing the Role of Sorghum 3-deoxyanthocyanidin Phytoalexins as Potential Biopesticides in Combating Foliar Diseases in Zea mays
Second Place
Jacob Mclaughlin
Eberly College of Science
Functionalization of MoS2 with Magnetic Molecules
Third Place
Madeline Nyblade
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Numerical Modeling of the Agricultural-Hydrologic System in Punjab, India
Social and Behavioral Sciences
First Place
Megan Cichocki
College of the Liberal Arts
Territorial Control and Group Goals: Why Violent Non-state Actors are Lethal
Second Place
Jordan Gibby
College of Health and Human Development
Couple and Family Leisure Time and Adolescent Well-being in India Couple and Family Leisure Time and Adolescent Well-being in India
Third Place
Kelsey Bailey
College of the Liberal Arts
The Effects of Mutual Friendships on Romantic Relationship Outcomes
Phi Kappa Phi Peter T. Luckie Award for Excellence in Research by a Junior
Health and Life Sciences
Lianna Wodzicki
College of Agricultural Sciences
How Does Auxin Signaling Affect Vat Mediated Aphid Resistance?
Humanities and Social Sciences
Yage Zhang
College of Arts and Architecture & College of the Liberal Arts
Niccolo Fazio
Smeal College of Business & College of the Liberal Arts
Shannon Aitcheson
College of the Liberal Arts
Olivia McMahon
College of the Liberal Arts
Viewing and Transmission of Antibiotic Stewardship Messages
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Sumit Pareek
College of Engineering
Pathways to Impact at Scale for Malaria Prevention: Using the Built Environment as a Global Health Strategy
University Libraries Award for Information Literacy
John Sr. and Kimlyn Patishnock Information Literacy Award Grand Prize
Olivia Runk
College of Nursing
Exploring the Relationship Between Personality and Subjective Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults Without Dementia
First Place
Courtney Heidle
College of Health and Human Development
Can an Existing Theory be Adapted to Better Predict Infant Feeding Information Seeking Behaviors of Parents?
Second Place
Jordan Gibby
College of Health and Human Development
Couple and Family Leisure Time and Adolescent Well-being in India Couple and Family Leisure Time and Adolescent Well-being in India
Third Place
Sumit Pareek
College of Engineering
Pathways to Impact at Scale for Malaria Prevention: Using the Built Environment as a Global Health Strategy
Honorable Mention
Elizbeth Hopta
College of the Liberal Arts
The Imperfect Minority: Asian Americans at the San Francisco State Strike
Alison Roby
College of Engineering
The Acute Functional Connectivity Changes in the Rat Brain Following Nicotine Administration
Madeline Nyblade
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Numerical Modeling of the Agricultural-Hydrologic System in Punjab, India
Joshua Riley
College of Engineering
Impact of Shear Rate on Von Willebrand Factor Unfolding
Emily Hentz Leister
College of Health and Human Development
Breaking Down the Barriers of Bike Shares: An examination of Bike Share Operations