2024 Undergraduate Exhibition

Titlesort ascending Presenter Abstract Faculty Sponsor Number
Neoclassicism and Hip-Hop: Modernizing a Modern Genre Sarah Campbell

Neoclassicism refers to a period of music when rising composers would call back to composers from the classical period of music who inspired, pioneered, and created. In modern music genres, we can find examples spanning decades of rising artists, or even seasoned musicians, calling back to their own “classicsâ€

Linda Thornton 192
Molecular Characterization of Bacillus licheniformis Isolated from Milk Samples Victoria Hoelzle

A study was done to characterize both the phenotype and genotype of 36 Bacillus isolates. These isolates were obtained from mixed culture samples of clinical Bovine mastitis milk. Next-generation sequencing revealed that B.licheniformis encoded for the lipopeptide lichenysin A and the synthetase genes lchAA, lchAB, and lchAC for lichenysin. Preliminary observations suggest that B. licheniformis is an environmental mastitis pathogen, warranting further investigation into its potential to cause intramammary infections.

Jayarao Bhushan 27
Modified Acoustic Plethysmograph for use with 2 Photon Microscope Brett Westgate

This open-source acoustic plethysmograph generates thermal imaging of a mouse’s breath and volumetric data of the respiration volume of the mouse inside. This plethysmograph can also be used with a 2-photon microscope to generate neural imaging of the mouse while inside the vessel. The whole device is controlled through LabView and allows for user input to change the inner volume of the vessel or the outputting frequency to adjust the resulting resonance frequency.

Patrick Drew 29
Models of Personality Disorders and Predictors of Self-injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Rebecca Burns

This project explores the relationship between self-injurious thoughts and behaviors and the traditional Section II criteria BPD in comparison to the more recent levels of personality-functioning (LPFS) found in Section III. Individuals with personality disorders have higher prevalence rates for self-injurous thoughts and behaviors. However, the literature has sparse information on the relationship between levels of personality-functioning and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. So, this study aimed to assess if the levels of personality-functioning predict self-injurious thoughts and behaviors over and above the categorical BPD criteria B. To do this, a binary logistic regression and linear regression were run to analyze the BPD and levels of personality-functioning in how they predict self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. The results showed the BPD criteria B and certain LPFS domain scores were significant predictors of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors.   

Kenneth Levy 61
Modeling the interaction of genetics and competition in black walnut (Juglans nigra) populations growing in a provenance trial Laurie Enders

Genetic variation across species ranges and along climate gradients shows that forest tree populations can adapt to their home climate. Of interest in our study is modeling the interaction of genetics and competition in black walnut (Juglans nigra) populations growing in a provenance trial at Penn State. Understanding how genetics and competition interact is critical to improving seed transfer guidelines, seed orchard design, and how tree species respond to a changing climate.

Laura Leites 229
Modeling Backgrounds from Light Leakage in the LZ Dark Matter Detector Amber Krape

The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment uses a 10-tonnes liquid xenon detector at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in South Dakota to discover dark matter. Detector sensitivity can be improved by limiting background signals. I used Geant4 which is a particle simulation package to model potential sources of backgrounds. I found that small pockets of liquid xenon within the PTFE walls of the detector could generate enough light to be a meaningful background.

Luiz de Viveiros 89
Methods Investigation for Inducing Variation of Free-Tubulin Within Branchpoints of ddaE Neurons Madison Michelitch

The disfunction of microtubules has been linked to developmental and neurodegenerative pathologies. Microtubules are comprised of tubulin subunits and are a part of the cytoskeleton. In healthy neurons, they serve to maintain cellular shape and facilitate polarized transport for neurotransmitters, proteins, organelles, and nutrients for the cell. The molecular mechanisms behind the stability of microtubules in neurons are not well understood. We pose two methods of varying tubulin concentration to investigate its effects on microtubules. 

Melissa Rolls 205
Maternal dietary vitamin B12 restriction promotes insulin resistance in the offspring Karenna Kauffman and Sarah Boardman

Examined metabolic effects of a vegan diet (VD) on pregnant mice.Female-wild-type mice were fed a control diet (CD) or a VD (reduced-B12-content) for 18 weeks and bred twice. Body weights, glucose tolerance, and a marker of B12-insufficiency were measured.VD-mothers only displayed B12 insufficiency, while their female offspring sustained B12-insufficiency, glucose intolerance, and higher body weights. Greater impacts were observed in the second breeding attempt.B12-deficiency induced significant metabolic disturbances in the first generation.

Rita Castro 59
Mastering the Material: Factors Influencing Content Retention Andrew Graham and Alexa Verkuilen

Wonder if students remember what they learn? We predicted content retention using a few key predictors: number of credits concurrent with course, interest, final grade, and instructor feedback. We had also considered engagement and social identities, but these were not significant. In sum, motivating and inspiring interest should be a priority for instructors for content retention long-term. Grades, while influential as a marker for retention, are not as important as increasing intrinsic motivation for learning.

Dustin Elliott 46
Mapping expression of NAD+ metabolic genes in a mouse model of acute kidney injury Isaiah Diggs

As we age, decreasing levels of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) can lead to age-related complications such as acute kidney injury (AKI). Onset of AKI can lead to chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, and death. To tackle this relationship, we induced AKI in mouse models to investigate NAD+ biology. We quantified metabolic shifts using LCMS and mapped the expression of genes using qRT-PCR. Investigating AKI and dysregulation of NAD+ provided valuable insights into disease susceptibility. 

Melanie McReynolds 134
Lipoprotein Identification in Streptococcus mitis Julia Benjamin

Streptococcus mitis is an opportunistic pathogen that often causes bacteremia in cancer patients. This project aims to characterize and identify lipoproteins present in the membrane of S. mitis by growing S. mitis from stock and running PCR to confirm its presence, enriching lipoproteins, and separating them out using SDS-PAGE before using mass spectrometry to characterize and identify them. Lipoproteins have many functions, making it a potential target for new drug classes.

Timothy Meredith 124
Link between NADK gene variants and VACTERL association. Chihaorui Zhang

Our work explores the functional connection between inhibition of NAD kinase (NADK) expression and congenital malformations using the nematode model C. elegans. We will use RNAi to knock down NADK to test the hypothesis that inhibition of this gene results in congenital malformations and changes the trajectory of aging in this model. These studies will provide insight into the association between NADK inhibition and congenital malformations as well as the impact of malformations on aging.

Melanie McReynolds 226
Leveraging Temporal Proximity to Amplify Strength of Memory Updates Derek Baldwin

The brain’s ability to update memories with new information is important for treating disorders such as PTSD. The mechanism involved in changing the information within an original memory is unknown. I aim to characterize this mechanism using a behavioral paradigm, Objects in Updated Locations, to test the strength of a memory update. Here I present mice with new information shortly after the original memory has formed and measure the strength of the resulting memory update.

Janine Kwapis 15
Leontes and Paulina Are Very Much Not Dead Arushi Grover

This performance is an excerpt from Leontes and Paulina Are Very Much Not Dead, a one-act play adapting Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. This new work imagines the titular characters stuck in the unending middle of their story, during their sixteen years of mourning, as they meet at the graves of their loved ones. Each morning, the grieving Leontes and Paulina bicker, reminisce, and find acceptance, slowly becoming unlikely friends—a ritual of grief they undertake daily. 

Elizabeth Bonjean 190
KEIO Cell Collection Nucleotide Extraction and Quantification​ salina mali

Organisms use nucleotide-based signaling molecules to translate environmental stimuli into changes in metabolism and behavior. A class of RNA-derived signaling molecules, 2’,3’-cyclic nucleotide monophosphates (2’,3’-cNMPs), are produced by bacteria in response to stress.  The role of 2',3' cNMPs in E. coli, the processes controlled by 2’,3’-cNMP levels, and the proteins involved in the signaling pathways were observed. The significance of this project is they are found in all organisms.  

Nick J. Marotta 112
Isolation and Characterization of the Globin CoupledSensor Proteins Noah Brady

Globin-coupled sensor proteins are a family of multidomain proteins which link sensory input to a diverse array of downstream effectors. The extremophile Thermus aquaticus encodes a GCS protein (TaqGCS) with putative diguanylate cyclase activity, which has not been isolated or characterized to date. AfGcHk was also purified to compare the mechanism of signal transduction between GCS proteins. Discovering unique proteins across the GCS family can further elucidate their role in sensory perception and signal transduction.

Emily Weinert 231
Investigating the Use of Malathion as a Drug Treatment of ADSL Deficiency Ryan Gelman

Adenylosuccinate lyase deficiency (ASLD) is an inborn error of purine metabolism that causes severe neurological and muscular symptoms in humans and does not currently have viable treatments. Symptoms of the disorder include psychomotor delay, autistic characteristics, and seizures. Having previously established C. elegans as a model for ASLD, we are now interested in testing the use of the drug Malathion as a potential treatment for the disorder.

Wendy Hanna-Rose 95
Investigating the Role of Kinetochore Proteins in Microtubule Regulation Ciara Garvey and George Nemeh

Kinetochore connects centromeric chromatin to microtubules during mitosis. Surprisingly, kinetochore proteins were found in postmitotic Drosophila neurons. When these proteins were knocked down, the number of growing plus ends in the dendrites of uninjured neurons increased, leading to the conclusion that kinetochore suppresses microtubule dynamics in dendrites by regulating nucleation. Overexpression and RNAi knockdown of various kinetochore proteins will determine whether any genes in centromeric DNA participate in the regulation of microtubule dynamics.

Melissa Rolls 202
Investigating the Proteins Involved in Axon Regeneration after Injury Emily McNaughton, Claire Hohl and Joy Ghosh

Injuries severing the axon from the cell body can cause permanent nerve damage. Peripheral nervous system neurons can recover by regenerating their axons, but central nervous system neurons cannot. Understanding the mechanism behind peripheral axon regeneration is important. Our projects investigate the roles of microtubules and the endoplasmic reticulum in axon regeneration. Here we identify the proteins involved in microtubule polarity reorganization, and calcium signaling and lipid synthesis by the endoplasmic reticulum during axon regeneration.

Melissa Rolls 100
Investigating the inhibition of trans-translation in Streptococcus mitis by MBX-4204 Hannah Bauer

Streptococcus mitis is an opportunistic pathogen that is resistant to common antibiotics. The Keiler Lab has identified 46 small molecule inhibitors that block the trans-translation pathway in bacteria. KKL-35, a small molecule inhibitor, was found to be active at 2.5 µM in a S. mitis culture. An in vitro trans-translation assay would be able to confirm if MBX-4204 inhibits trans-translation in S. mitis, and therefore would be a good antibiotic candidate.

Ken Keiler 93
Investigating the effects of H1N1 influenza infection on mRNA expression of vitamin D metabolism genes in lungs Nicholas Hanna and Suzanne Kozloski

Vitamin D (VD) protects mice from severe influenza infection. We examined how VD metabolism genes, Cyp27b1, Cyp24a1, and the vitamin D receptor (VDR), were affected by influenza infection. Results showed that Cyp27b1 and VDR mRNA in the lung were not different throughout infection. Conversely, Cyp24a1 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.05) at day 6 post-infection, suggesting increased VD metabolism in the lung. This result supports the importance of VD in the host response to influenza.

Margherita T. Cantorna 45
Investigating Spindle Matrix Proteins and Microtubule Dynamics in the Neuronal Injury Response Nathaniel Carey

Neurons depend on microtubules (MTs) for intracellular transport, signaling, and structure. Spindle matrix (SM) proteins work closely with spindle MTs during mitosis, and we suspect they may also regulate MTs in neurons. After axon injury, we have documented an increase in MTs, and I have observed a subsequent decrease in the SM protein Chromator. Using RNAi, mutant genotypes, and fluorescence microscopy, I am investigating this relationship and possible communication pathways between SM proteins and MTs.

Melissa Rolls 65
Investigating regulation of the stability of SLF proteins involved in self-incompatibility in Petunia inflata Natalie Babitzke

Petunia inflata utilizes self-incompatibility (SI) to prevent self-fertilization and consequent inbreeding. S-Locus F-box (SLF) proteins control pollen function in SI. Each SLF is part of the SCFSLF complex that contains either PiCUL1-P, or PiCUL1-B, as the CUL subunit. I found that the level of a GFP-fused SLF protein in mutants with both CUL1 genes knocked out was extremely low, suggesting that the integrity of the SCFSLF complex is essential for the stability of SLF proteins.

Teh-hui Kao 221
Investigating effects of Passive Integrative Transponders (PIT) tags on body condition of red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) in Central Pennsylvania Samantha Bryn

Red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) are one of the most common salamander species in Pennsylvania. Passive Integrative Transponders (PIT) tags are a promising way to individually mark animals for long-term studies. This research estimates body condition between PIT tagged and untagged populations of P. cinereus. We did not find any negative effects from the presence of a PIT tag on individual body condition; this relationship was true for both males and females. 

Maisie MacKnight 219
Investigating a Mysterious Retention of Photosynthesis in the Parasite Cuscuta gronovii Leo Goubet-McCall

Cuscuta gronovii is a stem parasite that is typically considered non-photosynthetic and entirely host-dependent. However, greening of some tissues during development hints toward some residual photosynthetic activity. This project seeks to gather evidence for photosynthetic activity and to explain its importance during development in Cuscuta.

Claude W. dePamphilis 14
Intestinal epithelium expression of selenoprotein W mitigates DSS induced colitis in mouse Kendall Kleinman

 Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element, functioning within a distinctive set of proteins in the form of the 21st amino acid, selenocysteine (Sec). Se deficiency leads to decreased incorporation of Sec into selenoproteins, often culminating in pathological conditions. Se supplementation has demonstrated positive health outcomes, underscoring the health benefits of Se. There are twenty-four selenoproteins in mice (25 in human). Selenoprotein W (selenoW) is the smallest selenoprotein that is expressed in various tissues and is highly sensitive to dietary Se intake. SelenoW is reported to regulate cell cycle progression, cellular protection against redox stress, and regulation of immune cell functions although the mechanistic details are unknown. Previous research in our lab has shown whole body selenoW knock out (KO) mice have increased disease severeness upon 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, with increased inflammation and colonic tissue damage. SelenoW KO mice colon had reduced Yap1 and Egfr expression indicating impairment of epithelial cell regeneration. To study the specific role of selenoW in epithelial cells upon DSS administration, we generated epithelial-specific SelenoW KO mice (SelenoWfl/fl villin cre+/-) that were subjected to 4% DSS water for 5 days followed by 4 days recovery phase with regular drinking water. SelenoWfl/fl villin cre+/- mice showed increased colitis severity, with increased weight loss and reduced colon length. qPCR analysis with colon samples showed upregulation of proinflammatory cytokine Il1 and Tnf expression, while decreased anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving cytokine Il10 expression in the SelenoWfl/fl villin cre+/- mice, compared to WT. These results together with our previous finding suggest that the lack of selenoW expression in epithelial cells results in increased inflammation, impaired epithelial regeneration, delayed recovery, and increased disease severity. The protective role of SelenoW in colitis provides a new therapeutic target for treating inflammatory bowel disease, particularly ulcerative colitis.

K Sandeep Prabhu 20
Integration Investigation: Feeding Regime Alters Patterns of Integration in Cichlids Alexandra Kwiatkowski

The Amazonian cichlid Satanoperca displays the unique behavior of winnowing, feeding by swallowing and sifting mouthfuls of sediment to reveal food. Sediment type appears to affect their foraging and swimming behaviors. We investigated several key traits involved in swimming mechanics in Satanoperca to test their capabilities for plastic response in various sediment types. We found significant differences in mean shape among treatments groups for various skeletal traits, which reveals their integrative and modular nature.

Thomas Stewart 50
Integrating Drawing and Mindfulness to Reduce Anxiety in Adolescents: A Pilot Feasibility Study Margaret Penner

Anxiety symptom onset peaks in adolescence (Essua et al., 2018). Mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce anxiety (Keng et al., 2011), yet benefits may be diminished due to difficulty maintaining engagement (Lymeus et al., 2019). This study of 84 adolescents used a novel drawing-based intervention integrating an approachable and tangible activity with mindfulness elements. Initial results indicated that this guided drawing intervention bolstered physiological emotion regulation and reduced anxiety symptoms. Next steps include comparing the guided drawing intervention with free drawing and simple drawing control conditions.

Sarah Myruski 30
Insights into Effective Teaching: Student Perceptions of Inclusive and Engaging Teaching Elliot Shoff et al

This study aims to assess student perceptions of the classroom inclusivity and engagement. Previous literature on academic success and the PAITE protocol for observation served as the foundation (Addy et al., 2022). Undergraduate psychology courses were observed, and students participated in a survey assessing their perceptions of these classes. Findings suggest that active/inclusive teaching positively impact perceptions of retention, satisfaction, community building, and belief in success. 

Alicia Drais-Parrillo 148
Innovative Hydrogen Harvesting System Junhyeong (Jay) Ahn

In this poster, I will introduce three challenges to overcome and identify the most crucial elements of building a sustainable spaceship. I will also explain how to directly harvest this element—hydrogen—from space using my patent-pending system. Finally, I will provide an example demonstrating the potential hydrogen yield if my system is applied to the International Space Station (ISS). This system could pave the way for developing and maintaining self-sustaining spacecraft.

Fariborz Tavangarian 210
Increasing desirable aroma compounds in Pennsylvania wines by treating post-harvest grapes with elemental sulfur Jacob Messner

Grape-derived polyfunctional thiols contribute positively to the aroma quality of wines, especially aromatic white wines1. These thiols, such as 3-mercaptohexanol (3MH), 3-mercaptohexyl acetate (3MHA), and 4-mercapto-4-methylpentant-2-one (4MMP), have very low aroma thresholds (ng/L), but impart highly desirable aromas (e.g., grapefruit, passionfruit, blackcurrant) to finished wines2. Recently, studies have shown that the application of urea and micronized sulfur to the foliar during growing season in Pennsylvania resulted in a significant increase (73-300%) in varietal polyfunctional thiol content in finished wines. Unfortunately, the repeated application of these treatments can be time consuming and expensive. In the present study, liquid-chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopy was used to investigate the impact of additions of elemental sulfur (S0), in combination with SO2, and/or ascorbic acid to grape juice on the concentration of polyfunctional thiols in finished wines. This approach relies on the recently elucidated mechanism by which S0 is biologically transformed (i.e., via yeast) to hydrogen sulfide during the primary fermentation, which is subsequently capable of reaction with juice-derived C6 alkenes (e.g., trans-2-hexanal, trans-2-hexanol, hexanol) via 1,4 Michael addition reactions to yield desirable polyfunctional thiols. These reactions have been shown to be effectively modulated through the addition of SO2 (a multifunctional antioxidant capable of quenching thiols, scavenging hydrogen peroxide, inhibiting polyphenol oxidase, and quenching carbonyl-containing oxidation products) and ascorbic acid (a strong reducing agent and oxygen radical scavenger). We hope to determine if the S0 addition technique is viable as a simple and cost-effective method of increasing the pool of desirable polyfunctional thiols in Pennsylvania wines.

Ryan Elias 171
Improving Nipah VLP Mediated Protein Delivery Through Matrix Protein Mutations Ethan Kronthal

We are developing a technology that uses Nipah virus-like particles (VLPs) to deliver cargo proteins into cells. In this experiment, we explored increasing VLP production efficiency by introducing mutations in the Nipah matrix protein. Six mutants were tested, and the Y187L mutant significantly increased VLP production by 1.5-fold. This mutation could be used to substantially reduce the cost of large-scale VLP production.

Anthony Schmitt 194
Impact of Protoplanetary Disk Properties During Giant-Impact Stage of Planet Formation Aurelia Bankston

We investigate how variations in protoplanetary disk properties during the giant-impact stage of planetary formation influence the ultimate configuration of planetary systems by running N-body simulations facilitated by the “Reboundâ€

Rebekah Dawson 206
Identifying Inter-Strain Competition Dynamics Between Vibrio fischeri Symbionts Catelyn Carter and Kaitlyn McKelvey

Robust microbiomes are often shaped by symbiotic host-microbe relationships. Multi-strain symbioses forming when multiple strains of the same bacterium successfully colonize a host are prevalent in animal-microbe relationships, but certain molecular mechanisms influencing microbial competition during their establishment remain poorly understood. This research seeks to characterize interactions between three co-isolated strains of bioluminescent marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri in vitro, revealing more about factors underlying the formation of multi-strain symbioses in similar model systems.

Timothy Miyshiro 33
How L2 Accented Speech Influences Grammatical and Natural Gender Prediction Carly Levy and Felicity Sarnoff

Using the visual-world paradigm, we investigate whether L1 German speakers show differences in predicting upcoming nouns based on natural or grammatical gender cues when listening to error-free L1- and L2accented speech. We found that native listeners engaged in predictive processing based on natural gender with both L1- and L2-accented speech, yet they engaged in delayed predictive processing for grammatical gender.

Carrie Jackson 181
How Does Rainfall Affect White-tailed Deer Antler Circumference? Brooke Phillips

White-tailed deer are an important game species and are harvested for subsistence and trophy purposes. Hunters often seek males with larger antlers, and antler size may be related to genetics, food quality, and age. However, food quality is often a function of other processes. We used a 25-year dataset to assess the relationship between rainfall and antler size. Our results can be used by wildlife managers to communicate factors affecting antler growth to the public.

Frances Buderman 138
How Do Wealth and Institutional Choice Influence Democratic Stability? Sean Golder

There has been growing concern that we are entering a period of democratic backsliding in which people around the globe are seeing significant reductions in their civil and political liberties. In this research project, I examine how socioeconomic factors and institutional choice interact to influence democratic stability using a dynamic logit model on data from around the world, 1950-2020. My project provides insights into the types of institutions and conditions which help to preserve democracy.

Suzanna Linn 120
How Do Social Movements Impact Gender Equality? The Effects of the Arab Spring Protests on Women in the Middle East and North Africa Olivia Bratton

I am interested in analyzing the diverse outcomes in gender equality levels following the Arab Spring protests, as levels vary across the countries affected in the Middle East and North Africa region. I expect to observe this relationship because there exists a complex ability for political shocks like social movements to impact a society’s political and cultural arenas. In terms of tangible advances for women, demonstrations have been found to possess the capacity to create new political openings for gender-inclusive policy and women’s activism and leadership in the public sphere. Additionally, social movements can catalyze societal changes through their ability to influence public opinion, mobilize constituents, and empower certain peripheral groups, like women. I employ qualitative case studies to compare and contrast cases of varying protest intensity during the Arab Spring, and I observe how these occurrences manifested into varying outcomes in gender equality.

Marie Hojnacki 7
How do forest temperatures influence eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) movement patterns? Taylor Balint

Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) have declined across their Pennsylvania range in recent years due to environmental disturbances and are a species of special concern. The objective of this study is to understand how forest temperatures influence behavior in these turtles through the analysis of thermal data gathered from weekly radio telemetry surveys. The results from this study will provide valuable information for land managers to help create suitable habitat for this species. 

Julian Avery 225
How Age Impacts Food Waste Jamison Burke

The goal of this presentation is to show how age impacts how much food waste a person produces, accounting for other factors such as income level in a country to determine how impactful a person's age is on how much they waste. This information would help inform governments on who is best to target in order to reduce the amount of waste a country produces.

Christopher Fowler 131
Hemozoin induces inflammation by suppressing autophagy in macrophages Natalie Van Dort

Hemozoin is a crystalline structure released from the detoxification of hemoglobin in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Several studies have shown its effects on inflammation related to inflammasome activation, however its role in autophagy is still unclear. Here, we report that in response to hemozoin macrophages accumulate p62, leading to dysregulation of autophagy and enhanced inflammation. This was further confirmed by the decrease in LC3 II, a protein involved in autophagosome formation. 

Parisa Kalantari 195
Gut Feelings: Understanding the Role of Bacteriophage in Modulating the Gut Heejung Koo

The gut microbiome hosts a wide range of microbes that affect our health. Understanding community dynamics is a key way to understand infectious diseases and how the gut microbiome can positively or negatively affect our overall health. However, an important part of this community is rather unknown. Bacteriophages are viruses in microbial communities that target bacteria. Understanding how bacteriophages shape community structure and function will allow us to understand the holistic picture regarding the microbiome. 

Jordan Bisanz 31
Genome-Wide Analysis of RiboSNitches in Human Long Non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) Gabriela Hohenwarter

Some long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to contain structures important for function. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have the potential to alter these structures and thus impact function. We have predicted structurally altering SNPs, known as riboSNitches, from the 1000 Genomes Project in human lncRNAs. Currently, we are working to uncover putative functionally relevant structures by looking for lncRNAs with depleted levels of riboSNitches. 

Philip Bevilacqua 200
Genetic Analysis for Hybridization of the Endangered Castilleja coccinea Grace Edinger

Castilleja coccinea (L.) Spreng. of the broomrape family (Orobanchaceae) is a root hemi-parasitic herb. Recent habitat loss and environmental changes have reduced the number of populations drastically in PA and other mid-Atlantic states. To reintroduce the species to more of its native area, a close, but distinct, genetic relative is needed to create hybrids that will better supplement current populations. Current research on the Castilleja coccinea plant will seek to investigate the genetic divergence of Eastern United States and Midwestern populations. This investigation was done using DNA barcoding of DNA samples from eastern US and mid-western states using highly conserved but quickly evolving regions of plant DNA, a chloroplast spacer gene trnL-trnF and a ribonuclear Internal Transcribed spacer region (ITS). Amplified genes are sequenced by sanger sequencing and data will be analyzed using Geneious software. The raw sequences are trimmed and aligned in Geneious and cross referenced with NCBI BLAST (basic local alignment search tool). By aligning genes across species, the clades of the C. coccinea phylogenetic tree can be improved in both divergence specificity and confidence values.  This research work will ideally give insight to what other population could be good germplasm to the Pennsylvania populations for hybridization and reintroduction using identification of close genetic relatives. 

Uma Venkatesh 128
Generation of Initial Data in Binary Neutron Star Mergers Andrew Noe

We present the Elliptica code for generation of initial data in simulated binary neutron star mergers. The relevant theoretical models of numerical relativity are described, and we demonstrate the generation of initial data for a simple binary neutron star system. Further, we analyze the accuracy of the numerical model it converges exponentially to the correct solution of Einstein's equations with respect to the computational grid size.

David Radice 68
Gen Z Voting in Presidential Primaries Madelyn Hindman

My thesis investigates how the openness of presidential primaries affects youth turnout in different states. Because primary systems are built by states, it may explain why turnout rates vary. Some states hold closed primaries in which only voters registered with the Democratic or Republican parties can participate. Some states hold semi-closed primaries in which voters registered as independents are able to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary. Other states hold open primaries in which voters, no matter their party affiliation, may vote in any primary contest. 

Marie Hojnacki 1
From Metabolites to Microbes: Paving the Way for Sustainable Maize Crop Improvement Charles Colvin

In the phyllosphere, a microecosystem on plant leaves, diverse microbes impact plant health. Like the root rhizosphere, a healthy phyllospheric community is vital for plant growth.  Flavonoids are plant pigments that influence plant-microbe interactions. Maize with increased flavonoids shows altered stress responses and metabolic pathways. This project explores the connection between maize flavonoids and phyllosphere microbes, using sequencing to identify unique associations. Understanding flavonoids roles in these communities informs future development of high-flavonoid maize lines.

Surinder Chopra 121
Exploring the Underlying Mechanism of Sleep and Psychedelic Treatments for Hypofrontality Vivian Schoning and Erica Armstrong

Diseases displaying hypofrontality (e.g. depression, addiction) are among the most common. Both sleep and psychedelics are being explored to treat these diseases. We hypothesized they are working through serotonin 5-HT2A receptors that promote neuroplasticity and dendritic growth in the prefrontal cortex. We reviewed the literature to determine if support exists for this potential mechanism, because understanding it may improve treatments without the negative side effects like hallucinations or sleep deprivation. 

William Horton 75
Exploring the Specialization of Expansion Segments in Temporally Expressed Plasmodium Ribosomes leena wardeh

Malaria, a deadly disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, remains a significant threat to public health worldwide. Developing effective drugs to combat malaria is challenging due to the parasite's ability to rapidly develop resistance to antimalarials, as seen with existing medications such as chloroquine, quinine, sulfadoxine, and halofantrine. However, a potential target for novel antimalarials lies in the unique, heterogenous ribosomes found in Plasmodium, and their temporally expressed Asexual (A) and Sporozoite (S) types. These ribosomes contain sequence variations between their rRNAs, particularly in expansion segments (ESs), which are protrusions of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences outside the conserved core rRNA. While the functional roles of eukaryotic ESs are not fully understood, they play crucial roles in ribosome biogenesis and recruit specific effector proteins acting on nascent polypeptides. This evidence of rRNA ES interactions with ribosome-associated factors in eukaryotes leads me to hypothesize that certain rRNAs varying between A- and S-type ribosomes may interact with a protein complex crucial for Plasmodium ribosome specialization. The aim of this project was to develop a reproducible protocol to generate ES probes identical in size and sequence to Plasmodium's ES9S and ES27L sequences that protrude from A-type and S-type ribosomes. I established the experimental workflow by exclusively focusing on creating control ES GFP RNA probes designed to mirror the approximate sequence length and predicted structure of the three sequences for both the P. yoelii ES9S sequence and ES27L sequence, located on Chromosomes 5, 6, and 12. These ESs were chosen for investigation because of their demonstrated specialized functions in other eukaryotic organisms. Throughout this project, I established a reliable and consistent protocol for generating these RNAs that can be applied to the remaining ES RNA probes chosen for this study. This will enable efforts to determine whether the other six ES9S and ES27L A-type and S-type ES possess the capacity to selectively bind effector proteins. These results would demonstrate their specialized translational function in Plasmodium, which could advance understanding of stage-specific Plasmodium ribosomes and their role in translational regulation throughout the malaria life cycle. Through the generation of ES RNA probes known to have specialized functions in other eukaryotic organisms, we aim to uncover whether similar specialized functions exist in Plasmodium, potentially offering valuable targets for vaccines or medications focused on disrupting the translational dynamics of malaria. 

Scott Lindner 164
Exploring the role of patient satisfaction on perceived post-treatment cancer surveillance appointment experience Hailey Paolercio

This research explored how patient satisfaction with cancer care may be associated with perceived experience at a routine follow-up appointment and affect attitudes towards future care. An observational study of 40 adult cancer survivors assessed patient satisfaction at baseline and used these values to predict unpleasantness/pain, stressfulness, perceived outcome of the follow-up appointment, and intention to attend future appointments. This research could help inform how to improve the experience at routine cancer care appointments.

Thomas Gould 130

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