student - Meredith College

Transcription

A STRONG
STUDENT
DARES TO
EXPLORE.
RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS,
POSTERS, PERFORMANCES,
CREATIVE PROJECTS,
EXHIBITS, AND MORE.
13th Annual
Celebrating
Student Achievement
Program of Events
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Undergraduate Research Program
Volume 13, Number 1
13th Annual
Celebrating Student Achievement
Program of Events
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH CONFERENCE
ANNUAL ACADEMIC AND LEADERSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY
SPECIAL EVENTS HIGHLIGHTING STUDENTS’ ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Welcome
Welcome to CSA Day 2015!
As we begin to plan the ending of another academic year, we also begin to ponder what we have accomplished this year.
We answer the question at Meredith in many ways: we have gone through three of the four seasons. We have completed two semesters and
approximately 30 academic credits. We have played seven sports, honored myriad traditions, and engaged in community and campus service.
Where Meredith College best demonstrates her accomplishments, however, is at Celebrating Student Achievement Day. Here our
students show off the results of their independence and collaborations, their curiosity, their creativity, and their intelligence. And
here our faculty and staff see the results of high-quality teaching, mentoring, and other forms of support they have provided for top
students who excel.
The day is a culmination of carefully crafted projects, hours of concentration, set-backs, successes, revisions, and final polishing.
For many students, it is a demonstration of how they have worked through frustrations and found success; for others, it is a
disappointing end to much hard work. Ideas do not always pan out. Hypotheses fall flat. Methods and methodologies go awry. And
expectations for significance and possibly even exciting discoveries can be crushed.
What we learn from these experiences — the positives and the negatives — is the value of asking and answering questions, not the
least of which is “Is there anything of value to be learned here” and “Should I continue with this project?”
As you spend the day exploring what our students have done through their work — what, in fact, they have devised as the story
of their project — I hope you will see that whether a project was a success or fell flat, the value is in the doing and in the learning that resulted.
And that is quite a set of accomplishments, after all.
Jo Allen, ’80, President
Acknowledgements
The commitment and dedication of Meredith students, faculty and staff make this day of celebrating student achievement possible.
Special thanks go to —
Jo Allen, ’80, President
Matthew Poslusny, Senior Vice President and Provost
Jean Jackson, ‘75, Vice President for College Programs
Paul Winterhoff, Director of Undergraduate Research
Cheryl Jenkins, Director, Office of Student Leadership and Service
Karina van Wakeren-Shields, Administrative Assistant for Special Academic Programs
Pat Clements, Office of the Vice President for College Programs
Lindsay Parlberg, Student Assistant, Undergraduate
Research Program
The Undergraduate Research Advisory Committee
Scott Lamond, Phil Smith and The Meredith College Dining Team
Meredith Hues
Department of Marketing
Meredith Copy Services and Printing
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WELCOME AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Laura Davidson and the Carlyle Campbell Library Staff
Media Services: John Kincheloe, Rick McBane, Melanie Fitzgerald, Courtney Hewett
Meredith College Athletics Department
Technology Services
Meredith Events: William Brown, Jim Frick, Brian Hunt, Natalie Herrmann,
and Stephen McAdams
Patty Blackwell and Facilities Services
Jim Waddelow and the Meredith Sinfonietta
Carol Finley and the students of the Meredith Dance Program
Eunyoung Yang and the students of the Meredith Fashion Design Program
Julia Dent, Rebecca Duncan and the staff of the Meredith Herald
The faculty mentors who have given many hours to encourage and
guide our students.
#MeredithCSA
Day at a Glance
7:30 – 9 a.m.
Breakfast and Poster Session
Remarks by Dr. Jo Allen at 8:30
9 – 11:20 a.m.
Education: Teaching and Learning from Preschool to College
9 – 11 a.m.
Biomedical Research
Carlyle Campbell Library
9 – 10:40 a.m.
Investigating Gender "Norms," Sexuality, Feminism and Fairness
9 – 11:20 a.m.
Literature in English: From Saga to Screwtape to Screening Harry Potter
9 – 11:20 a.m.
Business & Economics: Policies, Strategies, and Ethics
Kresge Auditorium
Carswell Concert Hall
10 – 11:20 a.m.
Music Performances
Ledford 101
SMB 162
SMB 118
Harris 110
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch
The Herald
Meredith Sinfonietta
Dance Improvisation
Senior Fashion Showcase
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Student Achievement in Leadership Awards
Ceremony and Inductions of 2015–16
Student Government Officers
12 – 2 p.m.
Dessert
Featuring Meredith College Athletics
Belk Courtyard
12:15 – 1:15 p.m. Interior Design Showcase 12:30 – 1p.m.
Three Sisters Garden Martin 242
Jones Auditorium
Johnson Hall Rotunda
Community Garden behind Weatherspoon
12:45 – 1:30 p.m.
Colton Review “Revealed”: Graphic Art and Literary Creations
Kresge Auditorium
1:40 – 3:30 p.m.
Psychology: Social, Educational, and Practical
Ledford 101
1:40 – 3:20 p.m.
Cross Cultural and Societal Challenges
SMB 162
1:40 – 3 p.m.
Sustainability, Ecological, and Cultural Effects
Kresge Auditorium
#MeredithCSA
DAY AT A GLANCE
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1:40 – 3:40 p.m.
1:40 – 3 p.m.
1:40 – 3:20 p.m.
3 – 7:30 p.m. 4 – 5 p.m.
5:15 – 6:15 p.m.
Research in Art History
SMB 118
Human Performance and Physical Parameters Harris 110
Dance and Theatre: Performance and Exposition
Nutrition, Health and Human Performance Student Awards and Recognition
Martin Hall 144
Academic and Leadership Awards Ceremony
Jones Auditorium
Reception for International Travel Award Recipients Dogwood A&B
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Nutrition, Health and Human Performance Student Awards and Recognition
Martin Hall 144
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Business Honor Society Inductions
214 Harris
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Natural and Mathematical Sciences Student
Achievement and Academic Awards
SMB Atrium
Kappa Pi Art Honorary Induction Ceremony Gaddy Hamrick
Pi Mu Epsilon Math Awards SMB 162
6 – 8 p.m. Psychology Department Student Awards & Recognition
Ledford 111
Celebrating Women of Achievement in Human
Environmental Sciences
125 Chapel
6 – 7 p.m. 6:30 – 8 p.m.
7:30 – 9 p.m
Celebrating Women of Achievement in Music
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DAY AT A GLANCE
#MeredithCSA
Schedule of Events
7:30 – 9 a.m.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Carlyle Campbell Library
A Correlative Epigenetic Study between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Childhood Obesity
Michaela Anderson
Farmworker Exposure and Pesticide Use in North Carolina
Whitney Bell, Jessica Alston
Survey of Helminths from Bluegill (Lepomis machrochirus) in the Meredith Lake
Heather Black
Lost in Translation
Rachel Breazeale
The Relationship Between Weight Imbalances, Countermovement Jumps and Agility Performance
Haley Carson, McKenzi Edwards, Charlotte Meadows
Risk Factors Associated with Fall-Related Injuries in Elderly Adults
Megan Evans
Barriers to Healthcare for Farmworkers
Norma Garcia-Ortiz
Composting Food Waste from Belk Dining Hall: A Pilot Study
Kathleen Jablonski, Sarah Massey, Lacey Hambridge, Suzanna Bass, Samantha Taylor
The Effects of Exercise on Pulse Wave Velocity
Catie Jones
Geographic Patterns and Determinants of Anti-Malarial Drug Use in Tanzania
Naba Kahn
The Effects of Technology Distractions on Test Performance
Laura Lane
The Implications Associated with the Perceptions of Farmwork and Agriculture
Melyssa Minto, Vanessa Cupil-Garcia
Comparing Methodology for Water Testing in Urbanized Areas
KayLynn Newton
Physics Analysis of Forensics Data
Diana Owens
Effectiveness of Individual and Group Therapy among Domestic Violence Victims
Cathedia Rose
#MeredithCSA
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
5
Effects of Exercise on Body Satisfaction in College-Aged Women
Katie Shytle
Got Green? The Production of Bioplastics from Renewable Resources.
Lamyae Sroute, Katie Brinson, Carson Clay, Rebecca Shen
Changes in Stress and Social Support During the Post College Transition
Breanna Sullins, Taylor Pearce
Corbicula fluminea Population Structure
Samantha Taylor
The Invisible Criminal and the Indispensable Hero: Men's Roles in Sex Trafficking in
the United States
Jean Webb
Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis
Amanda White, Sarah Ainsley
Solar Energy Efficiency at Meredith College
Imani William
Search for Novel Antibiotics and Synthetic Route for their Preparation
Heather West, Taisir Idries
MORNING CONFERENCE SESSIONS
9 – 9:20 a.m.
9:20 – 9:40 a.m.
9:40 – 10 a.m.
10 – 10:20 a.m.
10:20 – 10:40 a.m.
10:40 – 11 a.m.
11 – 11:20 a.m.
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Education: Teaching and Learning from Preschool to College
Ledford 101
Social-emotional Development In the Pre-K and Elementary Classroom
Erin Nichols
Teaching English Language Learners with Disabilities
Rebecca Shafer
Examining Academically Gifted Programs: Push-In or Pull-Out?
Sarah Horton
Project-based NCES Physics Lesson Plans in the 21st Century
Amanda White
Effects of Math Manipulatives on Learning for College Students Taking Statistics
Jordan Gurkin
The Radix of Math Anxiety in College Females
Mindie Stanford
MCGenChem: The New Way to Prepare for Lab
Katie Brinson, Abby Dalton
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
#MeredithCSA
Biomedical Research
SMB 162
9 – 9:20 a.m. Nicotinic Receptors Involvement in Alzheimer's Disease
Jennifer Jervey
9:20 – 9:40 a.m. Analyzing the HIV Inhibition Properties of Cycloviolacins O14 and O24
Cheyenne Parrish
9:40 – 10 a.m. Folic Acid’s Effect on C. Elegans Embryonic Development and Cellular Movement
Emily Lane
10 – 10:20 a.m. Programming an Online Collaborative DNA Analysis Program (OCDAP)
Katherine Nelson
10:20 – 10:40 a.m. Genotyping Trypanosoma Cruzi Using Real Time-PCR, PCR and RFLP on T. cruzi Infected and HIV Co-Infected Specimens from Bolivia and Peru
Sandra Mendoza Guerrero
10:40 – 11 a.m. Dye Synthesis and Characterization of Photophysical Properties
Sarah White
Investigating Gender "Norms," Sexual Identity, Feminism and Fairness
Kresge
9 – 9:20 a.m. Emasculation of the Female Reproduction System
Jade Stanley
9:20 – 9:40 a.m. A Theft of Subjectivity: How Hashtags Define Feminism
Brianna-Dara Crumbley
9:40 – 10 a.m. Where Has All The Drag Gone?
Hayden Hains
10 – 10:20 a.m. The Impact of Gender Norms on the Educational and Career Choices of Young Adults
Neda Kazemi
10:20 – 10:40 a.m. Hostile Hallways? Assessing School Climate for Sexual Minority Youth in North Carolina
Robin Moore, Taylor Hudgins
Literature in English: From Saga to Screwtape to Screening Harry Potter SMB 118
9 – 9:20 a.m. Female Identity in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre
Alexandra Herel
9:20 – 9:40 a.m. Understanding Screwtape
Hannah Nielsen
9:40 – 10 a.m. War and Tolkien
Amanda Thompson
10 – 10:20 a.m. Harry Potter: Translating the Magic from Page to Screen
Conner Dixon
#MeredithCSA
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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10:20 – 10:40 a.m. Sigh No More: What You Need to Know About Three Film Adaptations of Much Ado
Toni O'Steen
10:40 – 11 a.m. Carroll’s Alice: Adventures in Oxford
Samantha Sherlin
11 – 11:20 a.m. Historicity of Laxdæla Saga
Julia Dent
Business & Economics: Policies, Strategies, and Ethics
Harris 110
9 – 9:20 a.m. HR Audit Katherine Bowling, Michelle Gonzalez, Mariah Ambrose, Alexie Mina, Allix Lasser, Lexi Maguire, Amanda Seate
9:20 – 9:40 a.m. From Marriott to Chroma: How Brand Presence Affects Success in the Hotel Industry
Stephanie Livesay
9:40 – 10 a.m. Charitable Giving: Family Foundations and Meredith College
Alexis Trell
10 – 10:20 a.m. How to Build a Better Investment Portfolio: Incorporating Personal Views for a
Diversified Portfolio
Alexie Mina
10:20 – 10:40 a.m. Common Perceptions and Misperceptions of the Minimum Wage Law
Alexie Mina
10:40 – 11 a.m. The Other Side of NAFTA: How Free Trade and Immigration Have Benefited the Mexican Economy
Jean Webb
11 – 11:20 a.m. Natural Horsemanship: Training, Legislation, & Ethics
Cody Jeffery
Music Performances and Presentation
10 – 11 a.m. Octavia Piano Ensemble
Jessica Williford, Chelsea Huber, Lily Stavish, Carly Zeugschmidt
11 – 11:20 a.m. Women Composers: Their Lives and Works for Treble Voices Jennifer Shore
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
#MeredithCSA
AFTERNOON CONFERENCE SESSIONS AND EVENTS
Psychology: Social, Educational, and Practical
Ledford 101
1:40 – 2 p.m. The Correlation between Performance on Beery VMI Tests and Play Activities in Children Diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder
Mary Jessup Gooden
2 – 2:20 p.m. Effects of Moderating Factors on Early Adolescent Transition from Elementary to Middle School Keila Jaen
2:20 – 2:40 p.m. But First...Let Me Take a Selfie: Understanding the Relation Between Self-Esteem
and Online Self-Presentation
Christa Allen
2:40 – 3 p.m. Psychological Evolution of Rape Myths as Measured by Rape Myth Acceptance Scales
Martha Hobby
3 – 3:20 p.m. The Effectiveness of Art Therapy on Attachment in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Tabitha Ostrout
3:20 - 3:30 p.m. Pecha Kucha: When the Best Laid Plans Go Awry: Problem Solving and Making the Most of A Community Services Internship
Kate Marshall, Mary Allison Bennett, Payton Bagley, Alexia Montague
Cultural and Societal Challenges: History, Health, and Current Practices
SMB 162
1:40 – 2 p.m. Shredding Silks and Satins: Shifting Gender Norms and Values in the Cultural Revolution
Jessica Feltner
2 – 2:20 p.m. Cross-Cultural Differences in Occupational Therapy Between the United States, Ecuador, and Italy
Megan Massengill
2:20 – 2:40 p.m. Women in the Military: Motherhood and Family Rights
Liv Alvarado
2:40 – 3 p.m. The Effects of HIV/AIDS on Vulnerable Children in Uganda
Haley Harris
Sustainability: Ecological, and Cultural Effects
Kresge
1:40 – 2 p.m. The Effects of Major Dam Projects on Indigenous People of Ethiopia and Kenya
Ayda Biru
2 – 2:20 p.m. Observation and Analysis of Sediment Deposits, Stream Flow and Morphology, and Erosion Rates along an Urban Stream at Prairie Ridge Ecostation
Mollie Melton, Bina Amin, Gwyn Phelps
#MeredithCSA
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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2:20 – 2:40 p.m. Radar Observations of Storms for Education
Megan Amanatides
2:40 – 3 p.m. Project Great White Shark
Olivia Seeger
3 – 3:20 p.m. Historic Preservation within Residential Structures in the 21st Century
Kendall Cheston, Rachel Anne Phelps, Nicole Michael
Research in Art History
SMB 118
1:40 – 2 p.m. Demystifying the Female Nude
Jessie Taylor
2 – 2:20 p.m. Tintoretto's Deposition from the Cross
Molly Hull
2:20 – 2:40 p.m. Italian Medieval Art After the Black Death Bryn Robbins
2:40 – 3 p.m. William Hogarth and the Foundling Hospital
Bryn Robbins
3 – 3:20 p.m. Gerhard Richter and the Landscape
Emily Bateman
3:20 – 3:40 p.m. Museums and Exhibitions: Their Powerful Impact on American Culture
Sarah Johnson
Human Performance and Physical Parameters Harris 110
1:40 – 2 p.m. The Effect of Red Bull Intake Prior to Aerobic Training on Active Females
Caroline Hunt, Brittaney Rice, Taylor Brown
2 – 2:20 p.m. The Effects of Nutrients on Post-Exercise Recovery and Next Day Performance
Madison Crawford, Kaitlynn Seymour
2:20 – 2:40 p.m. The Comparison between Athletes With and Without Previous Ankle Injuries on Functional Performance Tests and A Customized Agility Test
Kierra Jenkins, Anna Smither
2:40 – 3 p.m. Bioelectricity: Using Voltage Readers to Record Basic Electrocardiograms and Skin Resistance Variations Nyssa Tucker
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
#MeredithCSA
Dance and Theatre: Performance and Exposition
1:40 – 1:50 p.m. England: A Land Out of Time - A Pecha Kucha
Samantha Sherlin
1:50 – 2:10 p.m. Showmance
Kat Froehlich
2:10 – 2:30 p.m. Facing the Issues Emily Johns
2:30 – 3 p.m. Against Oblivion: Movement that Embodies the Human Condition
Nicole Lawson
#MeredithCSA
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
11
Abstracts of Presentations
The Thirteenth Annual Meredith College
Undergraduate Research Conference, 2015
But First...Let Me Take a Selfie: Understanding
the Relation Between Self-Esteem and Online
Self-Presentation
Christa Allen
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Cynthia Edwards, Psychology
An examination of the relation between self-esteem and choice
in Facebook profile pictures. Prior research has focused on
self-presentation within the context of online dating, finding a
link between deceptive self-presentation and one’s motivation
to present oneself as romantically desirable (Ellison, Heino, and
Gibbs, 2006). The present research will focus on participants
not seeking romantic attraction. Where individuals’ use of
social networking sites (SNS) is platonic, what factors affect an
individual’s use of deceptive self-presentational tactics—to a
lesser degree self-enhancement? Is self-esteem a determinant
of self-presentational enhancement? It is proposed that the
higher a woman’s self-esteem, the lower her motivation for
online self-enhancement. Correspondingly, the lower she
shows attentiveness to self-presentation online and in real
life, the lower her actual online self-enhancement. Female
college students (n=237) completed the State Self-Esteem
Scale, used to measure their self-esteem on four different
dimensions: social, performance, appearance, and overall
(Heatherton, and Polivy, 1991), and answered questions
regarding the level of physical self-enhancement and
photographic editing in their two most recent Facebook profile
pictures. Analyses revealed a negative correlation (r=0.181)
between the measures of participants’ overall self-esteem
and online self-presentational enhancement, supporting the
proposed hypothesis. Results are discussed with respect to
the relationship between new media and self-worth.
Women in the Military: Motherhood and
Family Rights
Liv Alvarado
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Jane Gleason, Education
Choosing a career in the Armed Forces is a viable option for
strong women who wish to serve their country and make an
impact in a field that is historically male-dominated. Many
opportunities await women in the military. However, there
are a growing number of reports that certain human rights
assured all women by international conventions are not
receiving full consideration for some populations of females
serving in the military. Are policies insuring women’s rights
– such as the right to choose the number and spacing of
children, the right to access to family planning, and the right
to breastfeed children—being implemented consistently in
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ABSTRACTS
the military? The author, who served in the military and is
currently the 2015 Meredith College Women NC C.S.W.
Fellow, investigated this question using methods rooted in
ethnographic and auto-ethnographic research approaches.
Data obtained via interviews, observations and document
analysis will be presented. Recommendations include the need
for more women in leadership positions and the passage of
congressional bills that support women’s human rights.
Radar Observations of Storms for Education
Megan Amanatides
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Sandra Yuter, NCSU,
Atmospheric Science
Simple 2D schematics of thunderstorms are often used in
meteorology classes to describe the structure of storms. While
useful to explain basic concepts, these static 2-D depictions
of storms are very limited and incomplete descriptions of what
actually occurs in the life-cycle of a thunderstorm. Output from
three-dimensional numerical models are also used in class to
describe storm evolution but do not adequately communicate
the complexity of real storms. We aim to complement these
resources by building modules on thunderstorm structure
based on research radar data. We obtained radar data from
the CSU CHILL and NCAR S-Pol radars located in Colorado at
the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Undergraduate students
remotely operated both radars in coordinated scans from our
laboratory at North Carolina State University. Data were collected
from 18 storms between May 20 and June 20, 2014. A scan
strategy consisting of a volume scan and vertical cross-sections
was executed every 3 minutes. We frequently updated the
locations of the vertical cross-sections to maintain focus on key
areas of interest as the storm evolved and moved. We use the
dual polarization variables collected by the radar to identify the
hydrometeor type within the storms. The final education modules
will feature three-dimensional depictions of thunderstorm
structure, winds, and precipitation type as the storms evolve.
A Correlative Epigenetic Study between
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and
Childhood Obesity
Michaela Anderson
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Deborah Tippett, Human
Epigenome-wide association studies allow researchers to
investigate the role of epigenetic factors in complex diseases.
They can be used to examine whether interactions between
environmental exposures and DNA methylation result in
#MeredithCSA
changes in gene expression. The Newborn Epigenetics Study
(NEST), a collaborative project between Duke University,
NC Central University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC State
University, examines the association between maternal and
childhood obesity through multi-omic’s data integration.
NEST investigators administered a questionnaire to mothers
to collect information about lifestyle and dietary factors and
analyzed cord blood from their newborns. Cells in the cord
blood samples were analyzed for DNA methylation. In the
current study, we use the NEST epigenetic data to determine
if obesity risk factors for adult fatty liver disease persist from
birth. A linear regression model will be used to determine if key
CpGs, previously identified as being associated with fatty liver
disease, are differentially methylated in obese verse normal
patients. Preliminary results revealed the presence of the CpGs
in each obesity category. The strength of the linear relationship
between methylation sites and childhood obesity will be
estimated. Results from this analysis could suggest whether
the risk of fatty liver disease is epigenetically associated with
childhood obesity.
Gerhard Richter and the Landscape
Emily Bateman
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Beth Mulvaney, Art
In painting tradition the landscape has always been a
reoccurring subject among artists. However, as the modern
art world began to emerge, landscape painting began to fade
away. New artistic movements such as Abstractionism and
Expressionism took over the medium and revealed a new
potential for painting. German artist Gerhard Richter was
especially inspired by this new direction in painting and began
testing the boundaries of the painting medium. Over time
Richter developed a diverse body of work that ranged from
vibrant, abstracted scrapes of paint to photo realistic still life’s,
portraits, and historical paintings. His work was constantly
moving forward and his subjects were always changing.
However, Richter always returned to the landscape. Through
an analysis of his paintings and writings created between
1960 and 1990, I will show how Richter’s compulsive stylistic
differences pushed him beyond a complacent perception
of the world through the landscape. Furthermore, using the
landscape Bühler Höhe, I will conclude that Richter uses the
simple act of painting as an assertion of his belief that the
painting tradition continues to be alive and beautiful.
Farmworker Exposure and Pesticide Use in
North Carolina
Whitney Bell, Jessica Alston
Faculty Adviser: Prof. Callie Debellis, Foreign Languages
& Literature
North Carolina is one of the nation’s largest employers of
farmworkers as it is a producer of certain crops that cannot be
mechanically harvested and thus must be hand-harvested.
The migrant farmworker population is subject to exposure
#MeredithCSA
to toxic pesticides due to lack of knowledge, lack of
proper training, and language barriers, among other
factors. Numerous cases of pesticide poisoning involving
migrant workers have been documented (many remain
undocumented). Data collected from research studies of
pesticide residues present in farmworker biomarkers was
gathered and demonstrates the presence of pesticide
poisoning. In this project, we examined case studies involving
farmworkers, as well as federal and North Carolina laws that
govern pesticide use. Our process also included interviews
with Wake Forest University School of Medicine Professor,
Dr. Thomas Arcury, and Meredith College Biology Professor,
Dr. Karthik Agorham. With the information collected, it was
ultimately argued that the laws and training regulations
concerning the agricultural use of pesticides are not
adequately enforced in North Carolina. Analyses revealed
possible solutions such as better enforcement of existing
regulations, larger fines and sanctions for noncompliance,
better education of the public, and more sustainable options
were proposed to mitigate the number of farmworkers
exposed to deleterious pesticides. These include integrated
pest management, precision agriculture, and the use of
genetically modified crop varieties. These proposals could be
enacted and further analyzed to determine efficacy.
The Effects of Major Dam Projects on Indigenous
People of Ethiopia and Kenya
Ayda Biru
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Jeff Martinson, History
& Political Science
According to Human Rights Watch, the Ethiopian
Government’s systematic approach to economically advance
the country mainly involves the development of Hydro-power
dams. The governments’ ambitious plan to build the Gilgel
Gibe III hydroelectric project in the Omo Valley, expected to be
inaugurated on June 2015, has been immensely controversial
due to its domestic and international impact both on the
environment and the socio-cultural traditions of the indigenous
people. However, the government maintains support for
the dam project, and there has been no statement from the
government on the possible dangers the dam might inflict on
the indigenous people. However, deliberate effects on these
populations are predicted in terms of possible conflicts due
to water scarcity and population displacement. The purpose
of this research is to assess the ramification of Gilgel Gibe III
hydroelectric dam project on the indigenous community in
Omo Valley, Ethiopia, and Lake Turkana in Kenya by using
preceding academic research, books, official documents,
assessments of the Ethiopian and Kenyan government,
media documents, Humanitarian-based organizations, and
independent reports. The outcome of this research indicates
that the Gilgel Gibe dam project will eradicate the flooding
cycle that takes place naturally in the Omo Valley region that
has a semi-arid climate. This creates exponential decrease in
the water levels which will result in endangering indigenous
ABSTRACTS
13
peoples’ traditional way of life and creating conflict among the
different ethnic groups due to possible food and water scarcity.
In addition to this, it is expected that the level of salinity in
Lake Turkana will rise rapidly and this will cause a reduction
in biodiversity.
Survey of Helminths from Bluegill (Lepomis
machrochirus) in the Meredith Lake
Heather Black
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Maria Pickering-Villa,
Biological Sciences
Previous research has found that many different species of
helminths (parasitic worms) are found in various freshwater
fish. Parasitic worms can have an effect on the way an
organism lives and breathes. Fish are a vital part to the
survival of parasites that live in them and there are findings
of parasite-altered behavioral patterns in species of fish. For
example, they may cause fish to take the bait on a fishing line
a little quicker than normal. Parasites can also affect the way
organisms interact. The objective of this research is to identify
the diversity of helminths that are found in North Carolina by
specifically looking at fish in the Meredith Lake (Raleigh, NC).
Parasites are able to survive off of a host and can harm them.
For example, parasites can live in the tissue or muscle for a
food source and potentially kill the host fish. There are different
types of parasites including endoparasites and ectoparasites.
Endoparasites live on the inside of the host and can usually
be found in the gut or muscle. Understanding the diversity
of helminths in the Meredith Lake, will provide the college
information on what endoparasites exist in the lake and how
they could affect other organisms. Collection will be done
using rod and reel throughout the spring to capture fish.
After the fish are collected they will be identified and dissected
immediately in the lab. Dissection will give us insight to how
many and which parasites are prevalent in each fish. The type
and prevalence will be recorded for each fish to derive an
overall understanding of what parasites could be present
in the Meredith Lake. We expect to find nematodes,
trematodes, cestodes, and acanthocephalans as indicated
by previous research.
HR Audit
Katherine Bowling, Michelle Gonzalez, Mariah Ambrose,
Alexie Mina, Allix Lasser, Lexi Maguire, Amanda Seate
Faculty Adviser: Professor Kristy Dixon, Business
The Human Resource Audit serves as a tool that reviews an
organization’s regulatory and policy compliance. Through
this process, undergraduate students bridge the gap
between academic learning and actual practice in real world
scenarios. Theyperform assessments of the human resource
functions of small businesses to determine their weaknesses.
Students will present on the development of disciplinary
forms and procedures, review of employee handbooks, and
the communication of other issues of concern within the
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ABSTRACTS
human resource department. The companies were paired
with Meredith undergraduates by the Small Business and
Technology Development Center. These companies were very
diverse in nature, from offering services in technology and
engineering to manufacturing and fabrication of semiconductor
materials. The methodology consisted of writing new
Employee Handbooks, reviewing existing Handbooks,
developing job descriptions, designing onboarding processes,
and developing performance appraisal systems. Research
was conducted by using various methods of current online
services such as The O*Net, SHRM Toolkits, SHRM Research,
The Department of Labor, and other government websites.
Students also talked with HR professionals to gain further
insight on some topics.
Lost in Translation
Rachel Breazeale
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Jonathon Wade, Foreign Languages
& Literature
Throughout the ages, the art of translation has been a central
aspect of life and culture. From translations of the Holy Bible to
translations of hit songs, interpretations have been rendered,
but have they indeed stayed true to the original work they
try to mimic? In this project, through my own attempts, I will
analyze the process of translation, and I will ultimately show
that liberties are taken by various translators in the field. They
attempt to salvage the essence of the piece, but, inevitably, a
translation will always lack the true culture, context, and feeling
of the original work. In order to achieve this understanding,
I have chosen an original Spanish poem (Renacimiento by
Nancy Morejón) that I will translate first word-for-word into
English and then through multiple drafts, come to a final
product that will strive to maintain the message of the work
as I interpret it. I will then compare my final product to other
published translations of the poem from bilingual works or
anthologies in order to compare the components of each
translation, and how they reflect or change the message and
feeling of the original poem.
MCGenChem: The New Way to Prepare for Lab
Katie Brinson, Abby Dalton
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Erica Vogel, Chemistry, Physics
& Geoscience
As a result of this collaborative research project, instructional
videos were created to prepare students for General Chemistry
Lab. Prior methods of preparation consisted of having
students complete online activities outside of class that
introduce the material to be covered in that week’s lab. The
new videos are a concise (5-10 minute) introduction providing
pertinent theory and practical tips for how to complete the lab.
As motivation to come to lab prepared, all general chemistry
lab students are given a short pre-lab quiz each week. To
assess the effectiveness of the traditional approach vs. the
new MCGenChem videos, one of the three lab sections was
#MeredithCSA
instructed to utilize the videos in their preparation for lab,
while the other two sections continue to use the traditional
method. The same pre-lab quiz is given to students in all three
sections, and the results on the pre-lab quizzes are compared.
In addition, the student scores in the test section are compared
to the first half of the semester, where they also utilized the
traditional method. It is the hypothesis of the research team
that MCGenChem videos are more effective in preparing
students for General Chemistry Lab than the traditional
approach. The goal is to create pre-lab videos to be utilized in
all sections of CHE 141 in future semesters.
The Relationship Between Weight Imbalances,
Countermovent Jumps and Agility Performance
Haley Carson, Mckenzi Edwards, Charlotte Meadows
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Judy Peel, Nutrition, Health &
Human Performance
Vertical jump and agility are essential skills for success at
elite levels of athletic competition. Research has shown that
weight imbalances may be related to decreased agility (Young
et al., 2002). There is limited research on how vertical jump
performance, agility and weight distribution are related. The
purpose of this study was to investigate these relationships
between vertical jump and agility performance and weight
distribution, Eleven female lacrosse players from Meredith
College were recruited to investigate these relationships.
Participants were tested on countermovement jump height
and agility performance as well as weight distribution.
T-tests were calculated to determine if there were significant
differences between countermove jump heights and agility
test performance and weight distribution,. Mean and standard
deviations were calculated to analyze the influences on
agility performances. The results indicated a strong correlation
(r= -0.51) (r= -0.52) at 0kg and (r= -.54) (r= -.63) at 20kg,
existed between countermove jump height and agility
performance. A moderate correlation (r= 0.37). existed
between weight imbalance between the right to left sides and
agility performance. When weight imbalances increased, jump
height and agility performance decreased. A strong negative
correlation existed between countermove jump heights and
agility performance, indicating that strengthening the lower
extremities and decreasing weight imbalances could
enhance agility and which could have a positive impact on
athletic performance.
Historic Preservation within Residential Structures
in the 21st Century
Kendall Cheston, Rachel Anne Phelps, Nicole Michael
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Ellen Goode, Human
The Crabtree Jones House in Raleigh, North Carolina, is known
to be Raleigh’s oldest house still in residential use, dating back
to 1809. It is a remarkable Federal-style plantation house
that has recently been moved to preserve its historical value
#MeredithCSA
by the non profit, Preservation North Carolina. In taking on
this project, the objective was to undertake a more creative
project and transform this historical property to accommodate
a single family. Through illustrative drawings and selections of
materials, finishes and paint colors, interior structural changes
and updates to the building systems, this project proposes
design solutions for restoring the structure to a single-family
unit for contemporary needs. Using design tools of taking field
measurements and observations, producing drawings using
AutoCAD and Revit, and using web research, the research
team came up with effective design solutions. The aspects that
were the most challenging were adapting a house built in the
early 19th century to the design needs of a 21st century family.
Another challenging aspect was incorporating more luxurious
spaces for a very bare-minimum house with structural issues.
Overcoming these obstacles is the key to creating a space that
will be valued by a modern-day family.
The Effects of Nutrients on Post-Exercise Recovery
and Next Day Performance
Madison Crawford, Kaitlynn Seymour
Human Performance
After resistance training, it is important for healthy active
individuals to restore their bodies with proper nutrients to
help them physiologically (Karp, Johnston, Tecklenburg,
Mickleborough, Fly, & Stager, 2006). To reach full potential
and perform at maximum levels, individuals often consume
specific nutrients that will aid in recovery and enhance next
day performance. The purpose of this study was to determine
the effects of post-exercise consumption of carbohydrates,
protein, a carbohydrate-protein mixture or a placebo on next
day performance of a vertical jump. Thirty-two healthy-active
males and females (6 males and 26 females), ages 18 to 26
participated in a randomized, single blind study. Participants
completed an orientation session before being tested. During
the next session, participants were tested on their maximum
vertical jump height. After the vertical jump test, participants
completed 10 sets of 10 repetitions of squats at 100 percent
of their 1 time repetition max. Immediately after resistance
training, participants ingested a mixture based on their body
weight of carbohydrates, carbohydrates-proteins, proteins, or
a placebo. The dependent variable was vertical jump height
which was measured pre-exercise and 24 hours post-exercise.
The data on vertical jump heights was analyzed with SPSS
and a two-way repeated ANOVA. No statistically significant
difference was found between vertical jump height means
pre-exercise and one day post -exercise for any of the nutrient
mixtures; carbohydrates, carbohydrates-protein, proteins
or placebo (p >1.0). Therefore, from a practical perspective,
consumption of a post-exercise nutrient did not increase or
decrease participants vertical jump performance.
ABSTRACTS
15
A Theft of Subjectivity: How Hashtags
Define Feminism
Brianna-Dara Crumbley
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Steven A. Benko, Religious &
Ethical Studies
In contemporary Western society, womanness is identified
as an essential characteristic normativized by depictions
of women in media presenting a standard expression of
femininity, gender roles and female ideals. At the intersection of
Michel Foucault’s ideas of power, knowledge and subjectivity
and Simone de Beauvior’s feminist existentialist search for
identity it can be argued that this imposed unity brings forth
a singularity that is not only impractical, but impossible for
women to achieve. From an understanding of gender and
sexuality as a system of discourse through which people seek
to understand themselves in relation to society, this paper
examines how ‘hashtag feminisms’, or the use of social media
hashtags to seek and share a unified understanding of the
female experience in an attempt to define womanness, claim
to speak for all women yet lack a clear definition of what
'woman' is. This paper argues that when the word woman is
used to normalize the female gender, even for the purpose of
collectively challenging social and political inequalities, it fails
to capture the broad range of female experiences; therefore
impositions like these are unfair assertions that actually further
the problem of inappropriately essentializing womanness. For
example, the campaign #yesallwomen sought to question
institutionally sexist aspects of culture by aligning the female
experience as one characterized by objectification and
discrimination. While impactful, this movement met resistance
from women who disagree with the presupposition that
societal standards and expectations tend to subordinate
women. If #feminismisforeverybody and #yesallwomen then
why is there #womenagainstfeminism?
Historicity of Laxdæla Saga
Julia Dent
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Eloise Grathwohl, English
Sagas are one of Iceland's many hidden gems, and they allow
us to see into the personal lives of the Vikings. I am examining
the Laxdaela Saga and its historical validity with supplemental
texts on Iceland and the Viking Age. My research will consider
aspects of typical Viking life that most people do not consider
since modern society portrays Vikings as bloodthirsty,
heartless warriors in horned helmets. Some of the elements
I will be researching include the roles of women, Christianity,
law and government, daily lifestyle, and family in the Laxdaela
Saga. Although many parts of the Laxdaela Saga are magical
and fictional because it is a piece of literature, there are
several historical elements that allow us to see a different
side of Viking life. In my research, I have found that the Viking
lifestyle portrayed in the Laxdaela Saga is accurate compared
to historical documents and archaeological finds, and there
is more to them than just Viking raids. For example, Vikings
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ABSTRACTS
were farmers who settled new lands like Iceland, Greenland,
and Vinland, and the saga focuses more on their daily lifestyle
with only one side mention of pillaging. They would also travel
and trade for timber to build churches in the saga, and though
most people assume that Vikings were pagans, Iceland was
Christianized in 1000. A few of the main characters in the saga
were pious Christians, and one of them became Iceland's first
nun. My research comparing the Laxdaela Saga to history
will show that not all Vikings were vicious murderers, and
they took so much pride in their daily lifestyle that they wrote
multiple sagas about their lives.
Harry Potter: Translating the Magic from
Page to Screen
Conner Dixon
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Martin McNamee, English
When J.K. Rowling submitted Harry Potter and the
Philosopher’s Stone for publication in 1997 after six years of
hard work, she could not have possibly imagined the massive
success it would become. With over 450 million copies of her
novels sold worldwide and each of the eight movies landing a
spot on the list of the top 50 highest grossing films of all time,
Harry Potter has inarguably become the most successful novel
and film series ever to be produced. My study examines how
the production team behind the adaptation of Harry Potter was
so successful when so many literary adaptations to film fail.
My research finds that the filmmakers had to narrow the
narrative scope and focus on primary characters, compress
the timeline from that found in the novels, and eliminate or limit
events due to the then current technological limitations of film
production. As a result, my work explores many of the difficult
choices the production team had to make to successfully
adapt the beloved novel series, Harry Potter, to the medium
of film.
Risk Factors Associated with Fall-Related Injuries
in Elderly Adults
Megan Evans
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Carolina Perez-Heydrich,
Biological Sciences
In the United States one out of every three elderly adults
falls each year, with about 30% of these resulting in injuries.
Fall-related injuries are also among one of the top causes for
hospitalization. The purpose of this study is to identify risk
factors associated with fall-related injuries among adults 65
years and older. Data from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention were used to address this research aim.
The population-representative data correspond to survey
responses from participants 65 years and older (N = 1,709)
collected between July 2001 - February 2003. Risk factors of
interest were defined according to three categories, household
environment, health behaviors, and general demographic
characteristics. Significant associations between these risk
factors and fall-related injuries will be identified via regression
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analyses. Noteworthy findings from the regression analyses
could potentially contribute to the development of guidelines
for fall-related prevention programs.
Barriers to Healthcare for Farmworkers
Shredding Silks and Satins: Shifting Gender Norms
and Values in the Cultural Revolution
Farmworkers are the second lowest paid workforce in the
U.S.; yet these workers are critical to providing our food.
During the summer of 2014, the reseacher worked as a health
intern with Student Action with Farmworkers (SAF) in South
Carolina. The research goal was to discern the factor(s) that
contribute to health problems of farmworkers, and determine
problems encountered while attempting to gain access to
healthcare. Interns interacted with and collected data from
184 farmworkers, most of whom were seasonal or migrant
workers; 97% were from minority populations; only 0.5% had
a high school education; 96% worked at least 8 hours/day ‘in
the field’; 51% stated that they had difficulty obtaining health
care either due to language, working hours, transportation, or
ability to pay. 32% stated that they were ‘too young’ to seek
healthcare. Long working hours was the primary reason given
for health problems, and the lack of ability to pay was the
primary obstacle to gaining access to health care. SAF has
established relationships with other organizations that focus on
healthcare services; and valuable information can be provided,
with the help of SAF interns, on specific healthcare problems
that farmworkers face.
Jessica Feltner
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Yaqin Li, History & Political Science
The mass campaigns that composed the Great Proletarian
Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) advocated androgyny, in
accordance with Mao Zedong’s words “times have changed;
men and women are the same.” Yet, the turbulent decade
was unquestionably characterized by gender. To gain a
comprehensive understanding of the experience of Cultural
Revolution era young women, the shifting valuation of
masculinities and femininities is crucial. This study focuses on
how the gender dynamic was adapted to fit the needs of the
period’s militancy, precipitating the enforcement of a masculine
standard by which all men and women were measured. I
argue that the political rhetoric promoted a stigma of femininity
that caused the rejection of womanhood’s typical gender
norms. To thoroughly illustrate this point, I analyze a variety
of sources, including memoirs, oral histories, transcripts of
Red Guard interrogations, official party documents, personal
letters, photographs, and political propaganda. I conclude that
the Cultural Revolution marked a shift in gender norms and
values that idealized masculinities and stigmatized femininities,
compelling young women to behave like militant men.
Showmance
Kat Froehlich
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Catherine Rodgers, International
Programs, Theatre
Showmance is a play about a group of people trying to
navigate their relationships while putting on a community
theatre play. Through love triangles and arguments, we see
the lives of six different people intersect. This play was written
as an experiment with metatheatre. The play is set in the
world of theatre, so I find that it ties some experiences I have
had in theatre in with the characters’ story. My idea for a play
set during the rehearsal process of a play came from my
experience acting in and performing technical positions for
theatre at Meredith and in the surrounding community. I felt
like I knew the world of local theatre well and could write about
it. While the characters in the play are larger than life, there
is truth within the story. The play tries to combine humor and
metatheatre to create an interesting story about finding love
and oneself in the world of theatre, where the line between
reality and fantasy can be blurred.
#MeredithCSA
Norma Garcia- Ortiz
Faculty Adviser: Dr. John Mecham, Biological Sciences
The Correlation between Performance on Beery
VMI Tests and Play Activities in Children Diagnosed
with Sensory Processing Disorder
Mary Jessup Gooden
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Doreen Fairbank, Psychology
The Beery Visual Motor Integration (Beery VMI) test and
supplemental Motor Coordination (MC) and Visual Perception
(VP) diagnostic tests are used to assess visual-motor
competency in pediatric occupational therapy (Beery,
Buktenica, & Beery, 2010). Although a child’s occupation
is composed of competency in academics as well as
play, previous research only addressed the relationship
between performance on the Beery VMI tests and academic
competence (Kulp, 1999). To analyze the relationship
between performance on Beery VMI tests and competence
in occupational play, participants (N = 8) with sensory
processing disorder ranging in age from 5 to 8 completed
Beery VMI tests and corresponding play activities. Results of
a correlational analysis revealed positive significance in the
relationship between Beery VMI and MC test performance
and performance on corresponding play activities (VMI: r =
.017, p < .05, MC: r = .048, p < .05). However, the relationship
between Beery VP test performance and performance on its
corresponding play activity was shown to be insignificant (VP:
r = .242, p > .05). The second component of this study further
examined this insignificant finding as participants completed 3
additional visual perception play activities in order to find a task
that accurately reflects performance on the Beery VP test.
ABSTRACTS
17
Effects of Math Manipulatives on Learning for
College Students Taking Statistics
Jordan Gurkin
The use of manipulatives is recommended by the National
Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) for all concepts
in all grade levels (Boggan et al., 2010). National Council of
Teachers of Mathematics defines manipulatives as “physical
objects that are used as teaching tools to engage students
in the hands-on learning of mathematics” (Boggan et al.,
2010). According to Moch, (2002) manipulative use for student
learning is considered a best-practice pedagogical technique
and is taught to many preservice elementary education
teachers. The present study was conducted to examine
the effects of math manipulatives on learning statistics in
college age students. Participants (N = 39) from 3 college
level classes participated in 1 of the 3 sections of teaching.
Participants in the first section (n1 = 11) received traditional
teaching, the second section (n2 = 16) received physical
manipulatives (word strips, colored chips and Smarties) and
the third section (n3 = 12) received virtual manipulatives (penny
toss, spinner and playing cards) on the computer. Before and
after curriculum was taught a test was administered to the
participants to test knowledge of probability. The mean gain
test score of traditional teaching was 26.89 (SD = 21.36);
of physical manipulatives was 19.27 (SD = 19.71); of virtual
manipulatives 0.35 (SD = 27.21). The data was analyzed
using a within subject ANOVA, there was significance between
instructional delivery F(2,36) = 4.28, p < .05. Post hocs
revealed that both traditional teaching and teaching with
physical manipulatives were more effective than teaching with
virtual manipulatives for the acquisition of statistical skills of
college students taking statistics.
Where Has All The Drag Gone?
Hayden Hains
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Steven Benko, Religious &
Ethical Studies
The stable binaries of sex and gender are troubled by drag
and transgender individuals. Viewing the 1993 film Mrs.
Doubtfire through the lens of Judith Butler’s theory of gender
performativity unveils the ways that gender is constructed
in a heteronormative society. The representation of drag in
Mrs. Doubtfire will be used to show how the constructed
and performative aspects of gender call the reality of gender
into question by revealing that what is assumed to be real or
natural about gender is both discursively produced and reified
through juridical systems of power. Viewing the depiction
of transgender individuals in the Amazon original series
Transparent through the same lens of gender performativity
shows the ways that sex, however it is constructed, is still
expressed through social understandings of gender. Drag
troubles gender constructs through intentional choice and
parody; transgendered individuals trouble gender by disrupting
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ABSTRACTS
what was thought to be stable biological binaries of sex
and gender. The ostensibly natural “facts” of sex that are
presented in these biological binaries can then be seen as
discursively produced, which then allows for an interrogation
of how “natural sex” is constructed and then established as
prediscursive thereby servicing oppressive and exclusionary
social and political interests.
The Effects of HIV/AIDS on Vulnerable Children in
Uganda
Haley Harris
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Deborah Tippett, Human Environmental
Sciences/ Family and Consumer Sciences
The HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a profound global effect,
particularly on vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa.
The purposes of this study are to research the effects of
HIV/AIDS on vulnerable children and to examine specific
interventions. Interviews were conducted with four
professionals and volunteers who currently work with
vulnerable children in Uganda. All participants were asked to
describe the effect of HIV/AIDS on vulnerable children, the
roles of their agency in meeting their needs, and possible
solutions that help these children become more resilient.
Overarching themes for intervention that arose from this
study include: providing education on HIV/AIDS; increasing
funding for children to receive medical treatment and medicine,
building an efficient and reliable environment among vulnerable
children with HIV, and securing advocates for the human rights
of children. Education is needed to address how the disease is
spread, combat myths, and reduce stigma. Additional funding
for treatment is needed since the poverty level of many families
can only provide for the most basic necessities. Vulnerable
children need a stable and secure environment. Advocates
are needed to protect the human rights such as inheritance
and property rights and those agencies that provide services
should be held accountable through external oversight.
Female Identity in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre
Alexandra Herel
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Robin Colby, English
Written in 1847, Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre is an iconic love
story that has fascinated generations of readers. Brontë crafts
a vision of the Victorian woman that challenges the standards
of the time. An ideal Victorian woman was confined to the
private sphere, devoting her existence to the service of her
husband and children. Charlotte Brontë was keenly aware
of social expectations imposed upon women. Jane Eyre is
evidence that her personal opinions differed from traditional
beliefs. Jane Eyre is a powerful example of an independent,
intelligent, and overall resilient heroine—a female identity
that varied from Brontë’s society. However, Brontë knew the
expectations of a lady in Victorian society and explored this
model of womanhood in the private sphere. By looking at
Brontë’s upbringing, the portrayal of female characters within
#MeredithCSA
Jane Eyre, and the definition of Victorian femininity, I will
explore how Brontë has depicted the women within Jane Eyre
in comparison to the Victorian woman mold.
Tintoretto's Deposition from the Cross
Psychological Evolution of Rape Myths as
Measured by Rape Myth Acceptance Scales
Jacopo Tintoretto’s Deposition from the Cross from 1560 is
a Venetian altarpiece that highlights the artistic capabilities
of Tintoretto, solidifies him as one of the masters of the High
Renaissance, and challenges the supremacy of Michelangelo
and Titian. This highly dramatized scene is constructed with
tenebrism, theatrical movement, and high emotion. The
altarpiece is thought to have been commissioned for the
church of Santa Maria dell’Umilita. This church was destroyed
in 1560 and Andrea Lippomano, a Jesuit benefactor and
a Teutonic Knight, bought the land. By fully exploring the
religious motives and dispositions of three possible groups
of patrons – nuns, Teutonic Knights or Jesuits – I will analyze
the iconography and approach to the subject matter of the
painting to determine if it holds clues to the work centered on
its commission and location. (Art frequently served to voice the
beliefs and/or concerns of religious orders in the pre-modern
period.) Understanding where the painting was intended to
hang within the church and how it fit into a larger pictorial
program will assist in deciphering the religious symbolism
employed by Tintoretto. Furthermore, I will contextualize this
painting within the religious atmosphere of Cinquecento Venice
and within the prolific career of Tintoretto.
Martha Hobby
Participants, female undergraduate students, (N = 107) were
recruited through campus email channels to investigate
the effects of the rape myths Each participant completed a
survey consisting of a modified Acceptance of Modern Myths
About Sexual Aggression scale (AMMSA) and the Illinois
Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMA). Surveys were ordered
with demographic information, modified IRMA, modified
AMMSA, and open ended questions regarding rape myths.
The modified IRMA had a mean score of 2.34 (SD = 0.81) and
the modified AMMSA had a mean score of 2.95 (SD = 0.88).
The modified AMMSA had significantly higher scores than
the modified IRMA t(212) = -5.25, p < .05. Higher rape myth
acceptance scores on the more recent rape myth acceptance
scale represented how rape myths have evolved.
Examining Academically Gifted Programs: Push-In
or Pull-Out?
Sarah Horton
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Julie Schrock, Education
In a high-stakes testing era, many educators feel pressure to
teach all children grade level content so that all students can
pass grade-level tests; therefore, to increase the chances
that the needs of academically gifted students are being met,
separate programs, such as pull-out and push-in models, are
put in place. Summerfield County School System* has planned
to shift from the current pull-out model, where students are
removed from the general classroom to receive services in
a separate setting, to a push-in model, where services are
provided in the general classroom. There is a lot of debate
about the benefits and drawbacks of both the pull-out and
push-in models. This purpose of this study was to examine
the advantages and challenges found in the push-in and pullout models of educating the academically gifted. Data were
collected through interviews conducted with Summerfield
County school board members and the county AIG director as
they consider whether the push-in model is less, as, or more
effective than the pull-out model. Results indicate that the pullout and push-in models both provide additional services to
meet the needs of academically gifted students in
schools; however, like any model, they both have benefits and
drawbacks that directly correspond with their effectiveness.
#MeredithCSA
Molly Hull
The Effect of Red Bull Intake Prior to Aerobic
Training on Active Females
Caroline Hunt, Brittaney Rice, Taylor Brown
Human Performance
Energy drinks are frequently consumed by athletes prior to
competition to improve performance (Alford et al, 2001). One
of the most popular energy drinks is Red Bull. The purpose of
this study was to examine the effect of drinking 8.4 oz. Red
Bull prior to participating in a one mile run on run time, heart
rate, and blood pressure. Eleven physically active females,
between the ages of 18 to 26 participated. Researchers
requested that participants not consume caffeine 24- hours
prior to their testing. Two testing session were conducted
over a ten day period. During session one half the participants
were randomly assigned to drink Red Bull while the other half
were assigned to drink Ginger Ale. Both beverages were in
similar unlabeled containers. During session two, participants
were given the opposite beverage to drink prior to the run.
During both sessions heart rate and blood pressure levels
were measured prior to running and after running one mile.
Data analysis indicated that participants who drank a Red
Bull before running had a faster time on the one-mile run,
increased blood pressure, and increased heart rate compared
to participants who consumed Ginger Ale. These results
suggest that drinking a caffeinated energy beverage such as
Red Bull may increase running speeds and increase heart rate
and blood pressure during physical activity.
ABSTRACTS
19
Composting Food Waste from Belk Dining Hall:
A Pilot Study
Kathleen Jablonski, Sarah Massey, Lacey Hambridge,
Suzanna Bass, Samantha Taylor
Faculty Adviser: Dr. William Landis, Nutrition, Health &
Human Performance
Researchers estimate that Americans grow and raise more
than 590 billion pounds of food per year, yet between a
quarter and one-half of this food is wasted and disposed of in
municipal landfills (Bloom, 2012). An alternative to burdening
landfills with discarded food products is converting the waste
into a useful and ecologically sound product: nutrient-rich
compost. College campus dining services are a significant
source of food waste requiring expensive off-site remediation.
Therefore, it is worth investigating whether a large-scale
campus composting program could provide a financially and
environmentally sound solution to this problem. With the
support of a grant from a composting consulting company,
a pilot project was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and
dynamics of an automated composting system. A threecompartment compost shed with an automated aeration
system was established at the Three Sisters Garden on
campus. Food waste from two lunch meals at Belk Dining
Hall was placed in the compost system and monitored for
several different variables that indicate the successful activity
of the compost system. Findings from this pilot program could
lead to the development of a large-scale composting system
capable of managing all food waste produced on the Meredith
College campus.
Effects of Moderating Factors on Early Adolescent
Transition from Elementary to Middle School
Keila Jaen
Female undergraduate students (N=182, ages 18-21) were
recruited to investigate the effects of moderating factors,
such as adult relationships, peer relationships, and school
engagement, on early adolescents’ transition from elementary
to middle school, particularly on school perception and
academic achievement. The participants completed a
questionnaire that required recollection of key factors that
influenced stress management during the early adolescent
transition. The hypothesis was that early adolescents
who received support from adults, established strong
friendships, participated in extracurricular activities, had a
positive perception toward school, and received preparation
for middle school were likely to experience a smooth
transition, with regards to school connectedness, relative
academic achievement, and overall perception of school.
Regression models indicate that the strongest predictors of
relative academic achievement in middle school are school
connectedness and preparation for middle school
(B=6.37, p<.0001). In turn, school connectedness is
predicted by quantity, but not depth of peer relationships
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ABSTRACTS
(F=68.53, p<.0001). Results are discussed in the context
of effective intervention strategies for managing the early
adolescent transition.
Natural Horsemanship: Training, Legislation,
& Ethics
Cody Jeffery
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Jeffry Langenderfer, Business
In recent decades, a revolution called Natural Horsemanship
(NH) is rapidly changing the equine industry. NH is a method
of non-violent horse training that allows humans and horses
to communicate through body language instead of traditional
training devices such as lunge lines, whips, spurs, and other
intimidating tools. At the core of the NH movement is the
ethical realization that each horse is an individual, with a unique
body, personality, and set of training needs. The ethical NH
approach has affected many issues surrounding the equine
industry, especially equine cloning, anti-cruelty regulations,
and domestic horse slaughter. The purpose and focus of
this research is to determine how North Carolina equine
participants’ (owners, trainers, riders, other professionals)
opinions have changed in regard to cloning, cruelty standards,
and slaughter due to the NH movement. This study will be the
only NH research that is completely focused in North Carolina,
a state that derives $68 billion annually from agriculture.
The Comparison between Athletes With and
Without Previous Ankle Injuries on Functional
Performance Tests and A Customized Agility Test
Kierra Jenkins, Anna Smither
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Judy Peel, Nutrition, Health,
and Human Performance
Ankle sprain injuries account for around 20% of all soccer
injuries and more than 80% of all ankle injuries (Vereijken,
2012). Ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries
encountered during sporting activity (Kovaleski et al, 2014;
Demeritt, Shultz & Perrin, 2002; Chan, Ding & Mroczek,
2011; Payne, Berg & Latin, 1997; Thacker, Stroup, Branche,
Gilchrist, Goodman & Weitman, 1999; Vereijken, 2008).
The purpose of this study was to examine differences in
performance on two functional performance tests (figure of
eight hop test, single limb hurdle test) and a customized agility
test between athletes with previous ankle injuries and athletes
without previous ankle injuries. The study was conducted on
eleven Division lll female soccer athletes. The participants
completed one session of pre-testing and one session of
testing. The testing included two trials of the figure of eight
hop test, single hurdle test, and the custom agility test on each
ankle. The means were calculated for each trial and indicated
that the athletes without previous ankle injuries had faster
times compared to the athletes with previous ankle injuries in
the figure of eight hop test and the single limb hurdle test. As
for the custom agility test there was no difference in the mean
values between athletes with previous ankle injuries
#MeredithCSA
and athletes without previous ankle injuries. Further
research should be conducted on female soccer athletes
and the performance of athletes with and without previous
ankle injuries.
Nicotinic Receptors Involvement in
Alzheimer's disease
Jennifer Jervey
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Andrea Marritt-Pabalate,
Biological Sciences
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR’s) are ligand gated
ion channels that bind with acetylcholine and form pores in
cells’ plasma membranes. Neuronal nicotinic receptors are
located on synaptic neurons in the brain, where they are
involved in cognitive function, learning and memory. The major
subtypes of nicotinic receptors found in the central nervous
system are the 4 2 nAChR and the 7 nAChR. One of the
most significant changes in Alzheimer’s disease is the loss
of nicotinic receptors. A literature review was conducted to
identify changes in specific nAChR subtypes of Alzheimer’s
disease patients. Studies show a decrease in the 4 2 nAChR
and the 7 nAChR subtypes, as well as a connection with
amyloid plaques formed during the disease. The accumulation
of amyloid plaques is a strong characteristic of Alzheimer’s
disease; the A (1-42) peptide induces pathogenesis observed
in the disease. By increasing acetylcholinesterase levels, A
would lead to a decrease in cholinergic transmission. The most
effective therapies that have been used thus far have involved
the administration of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as
galantamine and donepezil; this is based on the hypothesis
that the loss of cholinergic neurons and levels of acetylcholine
are the cause of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
Facing the Issues
Emily Johns
Faculty Adviser: Professor Steven Roten, Theatre
Before the production of Carousel made its debut in 1945,
musicals and theatre in general were light, and a form of
entertainment that people would attend to escape difficult
times in their lives. This production was a major turning point in
theatre because it brought to light the darker issues of spousal
abuse and suicide that people in society did not want to face.
This production became controversial in the eyes of society in
terms of how these issues are presented onstage.
Theatre classes teach that theatre holds a mirror up to society,
and delves deeper into issues that members of society do
not want to face in their own lives. The controversy and its
effect on society are key elements in my wanting a deeper
understanding of the changes in the world of theatre after the
production. In order to have this deeper understanding, I am
researching the production process of Carousel, and gathering
enough information to show an oral interactive timeline. I will
be focusing on stories and events connecting how the
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production history and controversy ended up as a turning
point for the kinds of issues presented onstage after its debut.
Museums and Exhibitions: Their Powerful Impact
on American Culture
Sarah Johnson
Faculty Adviser: Professor Dana Gay, Art
In July 1786, the artist Charles Willson Peale announced the
opening of his museum of natural history in his own house.
Over the years, Peale’s Museum grew and expanded into the
Philadelphia State House and Philadelphia Arcade, but the
guiding principle stayed the same: that the information and
specimens displayed would be available to the general public.
While this belief seems natural today, it was revolutionary at
that time. Peale’s ideas and Museum mark the birth of the
modern American museum. Since that time, museums and
exhibition design have thrived; and today, they are an integral
part of our society, from free-standing museums to open
air, pop-up, and virtual museums. My research examines
influential exhibition designers, such as El Lissitzky and Charles
and Ray Eames, and discusses how museums, exhibitions,
and their initial intended purpose have evolved over time. My
study argues that museums have had a lasting and drastic
impact on American history, culture, society, politics, and art.
The Effects of Exercise on Pulse Wave Velocity
Catie Jones
Faculty Adviser: Dr. John Mecham, Biological Sciences
Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a measure of arterial stiffness and
is the rate at which a pressure wave moves through a blood
vessel. Higher PWV is associated with health problems such
as hypertension. The purpose of this study was to examine the
effects of exercise on PWV. Female college students (n=17)
were administered a baseline test and then given a three-week
workout regimen. A follow-up test was administered, and
the PWVs between the two tests were compared. Findings
revealed that the PWVs decreased for participants who were
classified as having high activity, indicating that exercise
may have contributed to a PWV decrease. The PWVs for
participants in the low activity group increased. Cause and
effect is inconclusive indicating that further research is needed;
however, there was a significant average difference (P<0.0001)
between the low activity and high activity groups.
The Impact of Gender Norms on the Educational
and Career Choices of Young Adults
Neda Kazemi
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Anne York, Business
This research explores the extent to which social norms
regarding gender and the parent’s educational background
and career may influence the choice of major and career plans
of college students. The hypotheses to test are: 1) female
college students who grew up in families where one of their
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parents, especially their mothers, had majored in a STEM
subject (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), are
more likely to also choose STEM majors; 2) it is anticipated
that there is a positive correlation between a mother having a
career and her daughter also having high career aspirations;
and 3) female college students are predicted to be more likely
than male students to see their own gender as a barrier for
their career progression. To test these hypotheses, an online
survey was given to college students age 25 and under. The
preliminary result from the survey shows that 25% of female
participants are majoring in STEM fields compared to 30%
of males who are majoring in STEM fields. Sixty-one percent
of these 25% of female participants have parents who have
majored in STEM fields with 30% of them have mothers who
majored in STEM. The data also shows that 47% of female
students plan to either leave their jobs or decrease their work
hours once they start a family. Fifty-nine percent of these
47% of female participants had mothers who did not work
full time for most of the years they were growing up. It is
also observed that 15% of female participants do not see
themselves as having significant managerial responsibilities
and 34% of female participants think their gender will hinder
them as they progress in their careers where this figure is only
6% among male participants in both categories. This research
will also explore the underlying causes behind these family
and social impacts and provide possible solutions in order to
have a society where women can freely choose their majors
and careers.
Folic Acid’s Effect on C. Elegans Embryonic
Development and Cellular Movement
Emily Lane
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Jessica Sullivan-Brown, UNC
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are prevalent disorders resulting
in serious, life-long disabilities. Neural tube closure occurs
during early gestation, and although there are no known cures
for NTDs, folic acid, taken before and during pregnancy,
can decrease the frequency of NTDs observed in live births.
However, the mechanisms regarding how folic acid affects
neural tube closure are currently unknown. We utilized the
small round worm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans)
as a simple model system to study the roles of folic acid
metabolism genes during early developmental events.
Although C. elegans does not have a neural tube, several
developmental processes that occur during neural tube
closure in vertebrates are similar to gastrulation in C. elegans.
Neural tube closure is a process involving movement of
many cells whereas gastrulation in C. elegans involves only
two cells. Additionally, C. elegans is optically clear allowing
for observation of cellular processes including cell division,
changes of cell shape, and cell migration. Our process
involves first knocking down the gene of interest through RNA
interference, then observing early embryonic development
using live imaging microscopy. My preliminary results suggest
that some folic acid metabolism genes and intake of folic acid
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ABSTRACTS
influence gastrulation in C. elegans which is a developmental
process analogous to neural tube closure in vertebrates.
The Effects of Technology Distractions on Test
Performance
Laura Lane
Research shows that the use of technology can increase
learning and student outcome performance (Cradler, McNabb,
Freeman, & Burch, 2002). However, recent research has
shown that in-class technology use can be a distraction to
those students using technology and others around them
(Fried, 2006). Based on past research, a research study was
conducted using female undergraduate participants (N =
30) recruited from Meredith College to examine the effects
of technology distractions on test performance. Participants
were randomly divided into 3 groups where Group 1 (N =
10) received no technological distractions, Group 2 (N =
10) received a cell phone distraction, and Group 3 (N = 10)
received a computer distraction. All participants completed
the same reading passage and questionnaire within a 12
minute period. Perceived distraction score was calculated
using the number of correct answers the participant scored on
the reading comprehension questions. Group 1 had a mean
test performance score of 82.37 (SD = 7.87). Group 2 had a
mean perceived distraction level score of 74.04(SD = 7.73).
Group 3 had a mean perceived distraction level score of 45.23
(SD = 16.49). The results found significant difference in test
performance scores between the control and computer and
between the cell phone and computer; however, there was no
significant difference between the control and cell phone test
performance scores. The control and cell phone distraction
did not affect the test performance scores. The computer
distraction had the greatest effect on test performance F(2,27)
= 28.931, p < 0.05. The present study found technology
distractions affect test performance.
Against Oblivion: Movement that Embodies the
Human Condition
Nicole Lawson
Faculty Adviser: Professor Carol Finley, Dance
Shoulder to shoulder, clinging to each other, we follow and are
not afraid, standing against oblivion, knowing that we will not
march to death alone. The words above come from the poem,
Against Oblivion, which I wrote to describe the empowerment
that comes from the realization that we are not alone. This
poem formed the basis for a duet, experimenting in the use
embodied knowing as a methodology for choreography that
serves as a platform for social activism. The central goal of
this process was to explore how we can connect to embodied
knowledge, a foundational component of Feminist Theory,
expanding the understanding of our human experiences
of loneliness and love from the mind into the body through
movement. The final choreography reflects the dancers’
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physical responses to the poem described above, molded into
an aesthetic form through collaboration between the dancers,
Lexie Anne Stevens and Morgan Lloyd, and myself.
The purpose of social activism, no matter its platform, is
the empowerment of the oppressed. The incorporation of
embodied knowing into choreographic methodology, as
evidenced by the duet, Against Oblivion, can help to make
such efforts more relevant by connecting an audience to their
most intimate selves: their bodies
From Marriott to Chroma: How Brand Presence
Affects Success in the Hotel Industry
Stephanie Livesay
Faculty Adviser: Professor Dana Gay, Art
Brand marketing and brand presence are huge factors in the
success of a hotel. There are many components that affect a
customer’s brand awareness, from advertising, to an online
presence, to how a customer interacts with a hotel’s physical
space, such as signage and way-finding. This research
examines the effects of brand marketing on the hotel industry
historically, and how this industry has influenced and been
influenced by cultural, societal, and artistic trends in graphic
design. The researcher will compare the successes and
failures of branding efforts for popular hotel chains through
occupancy rates and examine how the changes in the
brand presence of a hotel affect the public. This research
complements the collateral that the author is designing for a
fictional hotel, Chroma, a modern yet eclectic boutique hotel
located in downtown Raleigh, NC. Chroma strives to stand out
amongst larger chains in the hotel industry. In the development
of Chroma’s identity, stationery suite, website, signage, and
various print materials the researcher expects to establish a
successful brand presence that reflects the vibrant and unique
culture home to Raleigh.
When the Best Laid Plans go Awry: Problem
Solving and Making the Most of A Community
Services Internship – A Pecha Kucha
Kate Marshall, Mary Allison Bennett, Payton Bagley,
Alexia Montague
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” Like this
common truism, often attributed to Dale Carnegie (1948),
internships do not always go according to plan. Four Meredith
College psychology students recently experienced community
internships that went awry. Before the internships were to
begin, we all had concrete outlines of responsibilities and
duties agreed upon by the student, internship supervisor,
and the Meredith College placement Adviser. Each of us
had different dilemmas with supervisors, job descriptions,
or communication. Instead of quitting or giving up on our
internships, we used critical thinking, communication, and
problem solving skills to make the most of our internships. In
this Pecha Kucha we will outline the steps we took to resolve
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conflicts, clarify communication, and ultimately gain real-world
skills we can apply in our future endeavours.
Cross-Cultural Differences in Occupational Therapy
Between the United States, Ecuador, and Italy
Meghan Massengill
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Mark O'Dekirk, Psychology
TThis study explored the cross-cultural differences in
occupational therapy between the United States, Ecuador,
and Italy. Occupational therapists from each country filled
out the same questionnaire in the language of the home
country. The survey included demographic information as
well as specific questions intended to assess the focus of
the field in each country. I chose to pursue this topic because
of my interest in occupational therapy and cultures. It is
important to be aware of cross-cultural differences in order
to enhance understanding and acceptance. The results
were translated to English for evaluation and comparison.
The researcher traveled to each of the countries to observe
participants and collect data. In addition, several occupational
therapists from different practices in the United States filled
out the survey. In Ecuador, five occupational therapists from
Amigos Benefactores de Enfermos Incurables completed the
survey, and five individuals from Casa di Rosa in Italy also
completed the survey. Because of the qualitative nature of the
questions, the results can only be presented as a descriptive
comparison. This presentation will discuss both the differences
and the similarities amongst the responses from the therapists
in the three countries that participated.
Observation and Analysis of Sediment Deposits,
Stream Flow and Morphology, and Erosion Rates
along an Urban Stream at Prairie Ridge Ecostation
Mollie Melton, Bina Amin, Gwyn Phelps
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Matthew Stutz, Chemistry, Physics &
Geoscience/ Environmental Sustainability
This research focuses on an urban stream at Prairie Ridge
Ecostation with the goal of understanding the rapid patterns of
erosion. Measurements taken in the summer of 2013 indicated
that the stream profile was changing quickly. This project
contributed data useful in understanding the causes of erosion
and response rate of the stream to rain events. Patterns of
erosion that showed scouring throughout were established
through cross-profiling the stream bed at 34 different locations
along the stream up to four times through June and July
2014. Sediment samples were also taken from varying depths
at three different locations of increasing distance from the
stream and were dried and sieved. Tile located at the bottom
of one core indicates recent erosion and deposition. This led
to historical research that identified a prison farm previously
located on the land as a possible source of the tile and
helped to determine past land use effects on the stream. Flow
measurements were taken with a handheld flow meter every
10 cm across the width of the stream during rain events.
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23
The impact of rainfall on flow and erosion rates was monitored
by a levelogger and rain gauge installed in the stream near the
access point and at Meredith that measured stream and
rainfall levels. The measurements showed rapid response and
recovery to rainfall, with a rise of as much as a meter within 15
minutes of significant rainfall.
Genotyping Trypanosoma cruzi using Real timePCR, PCR and RFLP on T. cruzi infected and HIV
co-infected specimens from Bolivia and Peru
Sandra Mendoza Guerrero
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Jason Andrus, Biological Sciences
Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypansoma cruzi,
affects 8 million people in Latin America. It is considered one
of the world’s thirteen most neglected tropical diseases by the
WHO (Rassi et al). T. cruzi is transmitted by the triatomine bug,
also known as the “kissing bug”, and chronic infection can
cause heart failure (Rassi et al). There are six different types
of T. cruzi. Each type affects different geographic areas within
South America. In my research I will be genotyping human
samples from different areas of South America. Also, I will be
comparing co-infected HIV specimens to those only infected
with T. cruzi to determine if HIV co-infected specimens have
higher parasitemia. HIV-positive patients have a suppressed
immune system therefor it is more likely for them to have
higher parasitemia. I will be accomplishing these goals by
using three different techniques; polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) to amplify, real time PCR (RT-PCR) to quantify and
restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to genotype
T. cruzi. I am using four genes to genotype the strains of T.
cruzi: IF8, GP72, HSP60 and H3. I optimized genotyping
protocols provided by Maes using stock DNA and will use
these protocols on infected specimens.
Common Perceptions and Misperceptions of the
Minimum Wage Law
Alexie Mina
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Anne York, Business, Accounting
& Economics
In the 2014 State of the Union address, President Obama
called upon Congress to raise the national wage from $7.25
to $10.10 per hour. In the past year, many states have also
voted to increase their minimum wage. Neoclassical economic
theory concludes that increasing the minimum wage will
result in fewer jobs being available for low skill workers.
However, there is advocacy for increases in the minimum
wage to lift those out of poverty. With respect to these recent
developments, this project evaluates the common perceptions
and misperceptions surrounding the federal minimum wage.
A survey was sent to undergraduate and graduate students
that asked the respondents’ to state the positive and negative
impacts, otherwise known as the tradeoffs, of an increase
of the federal minimum wage on the labor market and to
conclude whether the negative impacts outweighed the
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ABSTRACTS
positive impacts or vice versa. The purpose of the survey is
to gauge the knowledge of an educated population of the
complexities of the issue. The data is analyzed by gender,
major, and having taken previous economic coursework. It is
expected that the participants that have taken an economics
course would have a greater understanding of the tradeoffs
involved in raising the federal minimum wage.
How to Build a Better Investment Portfolio:
Incorporating Personal Views for a Diversified
Portfolio
Alexie Mina
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Bing Yu, Business, Accounting
& Economics
An investment portfolio is a grouping of financial assets such
as stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents that are constructed
in accordance to levels of risk tolerance, or the chance that
an investment’s actual return will be different than expected.
In determining the approaches of developing these portfolios,
investors may apply the Modern Portfolio Theory, or MPT.
MPT shows us how to select a group of assets from different
areas so that the investment risk can be reduced. However,
a limitation of this application is its reliance on the historical
stock price information. In this research, the portfolio will be
constructed according to the perception of future performance
of various assets, which is determined by the investor. Assets
in this portfolio include stock in Apple Inc. and Tesla Motors
Inc. This research is applying the Black-Litterman Model,
which enables investors to estimate returns by incorporating
the forecast, otherwise known as personal views, to build
a better portfolio. By utilizing excel for data analysis, this
research generates a diversified portfolio with a better
risk/return matrix of interest to individual investors and
portfolio managers.
The Implications Associated with the Perceptions
of Farmwork and Agriculture
Melyssa Minto, Vanessa Cupil-Garcia
& Literature
There are approximately 3 million farmworkers in the United
States, and over 53% are estimated to be undocumented
workers who are defined as non-U.S citizens who migrated
to the United States without a visa or work permit. (National
Center for Farmworker Health Inc., 2012). Lack of federal
regulation and oversight are prominent in the agricultural labor
industry; therefore, the majority of farmworkers do not have
access to fair pay, worker’s compensation, healthcare, or safe
working conditions (Arcury 2014). A quantitative survey was
distributed to Meredith College students (N=331) and Farmer’s
Market customers in Wake County (N=6). The survey
was administered via email to Meredith College students and
through a hard copy to Farmer’s Market customers.
The survey was designed to collect information about
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Meredith College and the Raleigh community's knowledge and
perceptions about all farmworkers and agriculture. The surveys
elucidated that the majority of Meredith College students
and Farmer’s Market customers are unaware of the adversity
farmworkers confront and the size of farms in North Carolina.
The data from the survey and literature research will be used
in determining where to commence advocacy efforts through
Angeles Latinas and Angels for the Environment. Data is still
being collected using survey methods.
Hostile Hallways? Assessing School Climate for
Sexual Minority Youth in North Carolina
Robin Moore, Taylor Hudgins
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Amie Hess, Sociology
While high school can be a difficult time for youth in general, a
growing body of evidence indicates that sexual minority youth
struggle to a greater extent. The school context is important
for young people, as that is where they spend the majority
of their time. Building on the findings of GLSEN’s (2011)
school climate work, we wanted to assess the North Carolina
school climate for youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, or anywhere else on the sexual or gender nonconforming spectrum. We conducted a survey in order to
assess policy context in NC high schools. We gathered a list
of all high schools in the state and used a random number
generator to come up with our random sample of schools,
196. To conduct the survey, we called the high schools in our
sample, spoke with whomever was suggested to be the best
person to fill out the survey (usually an administrator or student
services), and then e-mailed them the survey. While North
Carolina’s anti-bullying legislation includes protection based
on sexual orientation and gender expression, less than 30% of
respondents include gender identity in their schools’ bullying
policies and only 40% include sexual orientation. In another
measure of school climate, 32% of public school respondents
had a gay-straight alliance (GSA) student organization.
Previous research indicates that the presence of a GSA can
have an empowering effect on students (Russell et al 2008).
Using focus group interviews with high school members
of GSAs, we found that these organizations provide many
personal benefits, including fellowship, inclusion, education,
and a safe space. However, administrative and faculty support
(or lack thereof) is instrumental in setting the school context
regardless of the presence of a GSA club.
Due to the size of DNA and vast array of restriction enzymes,
identifying a specific cut site by hand is time-consuming and
subject to human error. Applications exist for this purpose,
but their user interface can be improved. Some programs
provide poor visualization of results; others must be
downloaded, impeding updates and collaborative
improvements. An online, collaborative DNA analysis program
would provide quick, efficient searches that are presented
visually, be more user-accessible, and allow for widespread
collaboration. HTML5, JavaScript, and PHP were used
to create a webpage capable of the following: pulling an
organism’s DNA sequence from an online biological database;
locating all instances where the selected restriction enzyme
can cut along the DNA sequence; and visually displaying cut
location and appearance. Upon completion, Dr. Andrus and
his students will be asked to evaluate the tool using classroom
and research applications. The project will be available to the
community through GitHub so it can be improved upon under
the guidance of an assigned administrator.
Comparing Methodology for Water Testing in
Urbanized Areas
KayLynn Newton
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Francie Cuffney, Biological Sciences
It is known that there is a correlation between the increase in
urbanization and the decrease in the quality of surrounding
bodies of water. This study was conducted to compare
methodologies of testing these urbanized areas to ultimately
create a portable water testing kit to take to the Dominican
Republic. Methodologies were compared for the variables
of pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity, and Temperature using
the World Water Day testing kit and a more traditional
method. Escherishia Coli growth was compared at different
temperatures and using BioPaddles versus MacConkey agar.
Results from this study showed some inaccuracies in the
World Water Day kit that we used in comparison to methods
known for accuracy, and showed the presence of E. Coli in
all of the streams, but the maximum amount of growth was
obtained using the MacConkey agar at 37 C. We were able
to create a small portable kit with a mixture of materials to
take abroad to do some similar testing in an urbanized area
in the Dominican Republic. Research is continuing currently,
spring 2015, with hopes of characterizing the streams in Wake
county and providing statistical results from the tests.
Programming an Online Collaborative DNA Analysis
Program (OCDAP)
Social-Emotional Development In the Pre-K and
Elementary Classroom
Katherine Nelson
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Barrett Koster, Mathematics &
Computer Science, Dr. Jason Andrus, Biological Sciences
Erin Nichols
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Kathryn Clark, Human
Researchers utilize many tools to study and manipulate DNA.
One method uses restriction enzymes, which are proteins
that cut DNA at specific sequences. This process is vital for
DNA cloning and mass-producing products such as insulin.
The purpose of this study was to investigate how socialemotional development is supported by pre-k and
kindergarten teachers. From a developmental perspective,
it is recognized that teachers need to be intentional in the
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ABSTRACTS
25
support of young children’s social-emotional development.
Research has demonstrated the developmental domains
(physical, cognitive,creative, etc.) are closely interrelated in
young children and that social-emotional development is an
important factor contributing to children’s academic success.
It was hypothesized that pre-k teachers would offer more
support of social-emotional development in their classroom
due to standards that support social-emotional development.
Sixty-one teachers who were graduates of a private liberal
arts college were contacted and asked to participate in the
study. Of these sixty-one, nine agreed to participate, four of
which participated. This was a sample of convenience based
on a preexisting database. All teachers answered a common
set of interview questions. While all teachers acknowledge
the importance of social-emotional development in their
curricula, the pre-k teachers discussed at greater depth the
strategies used in their classrooms to support social-emotional
development than the kindergarten teachers. The difference
may be that pre-k is actively encouraged to use a curriculum
model that focuses on social-emotional development, whereas
the kindergarten teachers’ focus seemed to be on academic
skill development.
Understanding ScrewTape
Hannah Nielsen
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Robin Colby, English
C.S. Lewis is often regarded as one of the greatest literary and
theological figures of the 20th century, and The Screwtape
Letters is the work that gave him his first taste of widespread
recognition. The book is comprised of thirty-one letters from
an older demon to a younger demon, which contain advice
about how to be a successful tempter. These letters were
first published serially in The Guardian from 9 May 1941 until
28 November 1941. Then in 1942, the letters were compiled
and sold as a book. The book became a bestseller in the
United States and in the U.K. and has also been translated
and published in different languages. Even as recently as
2006 The Screwtape Letters was listed as number six on the
list of Religion Paperback Bestsellers in Publishers Weekly.
Screwtape has inspired much discussion among the critics. In
my discussion, I will argue that formalism, historicist criticism,
and archetypal criticism offer the fullest range and most
interesting interpretations of Lewis’ work. Since formalism
focuses specifically on literary devices and structure, it is the
most fruitful school for readers wanting to understand why
Screwtape is written entirely from an inverted perspective.
Sigh No More: What You Need to Know About Three
Film Adaptations of Much Ado
Toni O'Steen
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Garry Walton, English
Shakespeare’s comedy Much Ado about Nothing has
delighted audiences for centuries. Audiences been dazzled
with the play’s witty banter between the two leading male and
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ABSTRACTS
female characters and the comedic genius of tricks being
played left and right not only on stage, but also on film. This
investigation focuses on three film versions of Much Ado:
Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 film, Brian Percival’s 2005 film that
was one part of a four part mini-series titled Shakespeare
Re-Told, and Joss Whedon’s 2011 film. All three of these films
give life to vastly different adaptations of the Bard’s beloved
comedy. The research question that propelled this project was
whether or not character portrayals differed in each film. The
results that were found were that the characters Shakespeare
created were portrayed differently amongst these three films
based on choices that the actors made in certain scenes,
creating interesting comparisons against the films themselves
and Shakespeare’s play.
The Effectiveness of Art Therapy on Attachment in
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Tabitha Ostrout
Faculty Adviser: Professor Kathryn Dove, Social/Behavioral
Sciences & Psychology
Lack of attachment to caregivers is one of the key elements
in defining and diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
(APA, 2013). Recent single-subject design research suggests
that attachment behaviors may increase as a result of
participation in an intensive art therapy intervention (Durrani,
2014). In the present study, one child with ASD was recruited
from the Meredith Autism Program and was evaluated using
the Kinship Center Attachment Questionnaire (KCAQ) during
a pre-survey completed by a guardian. The participant was
chosen based on their KCAQ score as well as a preexisting
score from the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS).
The pre-test KCAQ score was lower than neuro-typical norms.
The participant received art therapy by a trainer twice a
week for three weeks.The hypothesis is that post-test KCAQ
scores will show gains in attachment behaviors compared to
pre-test KCAQ scores, as well as a non-intervention control
receiving no art therapy. Data collection and analysis are ongoing. Results will be discussed with respect to the potential
efficacy of adding art therapy to the repertoire of therapies for
individuals on the autism spectrum.
Physics Analysis of Forensics Data
Diana Owens
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Bill Schmidt, Chemistry, Geoscience
& Physics
Forensic science and crime scene investigation techniques
have become increasingly accurate and technically advanced
in the past few decades, with the advent of video recording
devices and DNA technology. For gunshot incidents, we
plan to address parameters that include firing angle, bullet
launch speed, the effect of air resistance, grain size of bullet,
and basic strength properties of the body. This research will
address the question of how general physics principles can
be used to quantitatively analyze and enhance forensics
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information and crime-scene data. We will analyze crime
scenes that enable us to create basic physics problems
relevant to the scene. In this study we will present a few
specific forensic cases and create our own “physics
meta-analysis” of physical information from each case.
These analyses will involve a systematic examination of
information recorded at the crime scene, used in conjunction
with assumed physical quantities, to enhance the overall
understanding of physical factors relevant to the crime. We
will present our meta-analysis interpretation of a crime-scene
through the perspective of general physics problems, using
recorded information and assumed physical values and
constants. Results will be discussed. We will investigate how
physics might be used to assist with forensic analyses in the
future, and how investigators might make a record of more
physics-related crime data.
Analyzing the HIV inhibition properties of
cycloviolacins O14 and O24
Cheyenne Parrish
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Karthik Aghoram, Biological Sciences
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can be treated using HIV
protease inhibitors, which halt the function of HIV protease,
a major protein in the replication of HIV. HIV protease’s role in
replication is the division of the major proteins into the usable
segments from the singular long protein strand the host cell
that produced the proteins has. While HIV protease inhibitors
are currently used in HIV therapy, the known inhibitors are toxic
to the human body and can only be administered for a short
time. In the search for a non-toxic HIV protease inhibitor, in
2007 David Ireland and associates found that cycloviolacins
O14 and O24, peptides from Violaceae ordata, inhibit HIV
replication in vitro. My laboratory research included the
creation of stock cycloviolacins O14 and O24 solutions by
dissolving the peptides in dimethylformamide and the usage of
an Anaspec HIV protease fluorimetric assay. This assay tests
the HIV protease inhibition properties by using a substrate
that when broken by HIV protease and excited by light at
490 nanometers (nm) wavelength emits a light of 520nm
wavelength which can be read by a fluorescence meter.
Cycloviolacins O14 and O24 have not shown high affinity for
HIV protease inhibition using this assay.
Italian Medieval Art After the Black Death
Bryn Robbins
The bubonic plague, commonly referred to as Black Death,
swept across Europe beginning in 1347. Within five years,
approximately half of the population of Europe had been
decimated by the plague. The psychological, social, and
economic consequences of a disaster of this magnitude
rippled across the continent for over a century. One of the
most tangible means by which to assess the impact of the
plague is to analyze the response of the people through
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artwork that appeared during this time of recovery. This
paper will analyze the iconography and symbolism used in
Italian medieval art during the second half of the fourteenth
century in order to discuss societal changes resulting from
the Black Death. These works of art reveal contemplation and
repentance of a distinctly religious manner with significant
insight into the perceived causes of the plague and the
necessity of the ensuing reaction.
William Hogarth and The Foundling Hospital
Bryn Robbins
William Hogarth gained fame during the eighteenth-century as
an artist who used satire to convey messages about society.
Hogarth’s legacy is his prints, including the series, Industry and
Idleness, that served not only to provide social commentary,
but to impart wisdom and advice upon London society.
This paper asserts a clear relationship between Industry
and Idleness and Hogarth’s charity work with The Foundling
Hospital. This was a children’s charity that housed and
raised children whose parents could not afford to keep them.
Hogarth’s involvement with the Foundling Hospital influenced
his art through a sense of duty to create awareness and raise
funds for this charity while also championing native British
artists. He created the first British art gallery on the site of the
Foundling Hospital that displayed the work of native artists and
turned the hospital into a social destination in London. There
is a definite link between Hogarth’s philanthropic work with the
Foundling Hospital and the moral messages depicted through
Industry and Idleness that strive to teach apprentices like the
Foundling children the lessons they need to have successful
professional careers. I researched this connection while
studying in London in the summer of 2014.
Effectiveness of Individual and Group Therapy
among Domestic Violence Victims
Cathedia Rose
According to SafeHorizon, 1 in 4 women experience domestic
violence at some point in their lives, and it is startling to know
that most people do not report the incident. In the year of
2013, the North Carolina Department of Justice received 108
reports from state and local law enforcement on homicides
that related to domestic violence. Group counseling and
individual therapy are frequently used by domestic violence
organizations, however there is not much research explaining
if these approaches are helpful. The current study compared
the effectiveness of group counseling vs. individual counseling
among women seeking services through a community
domestic violence center. Participants received surveys
designed to assess their current level of stress, self-esteem,
self-efficacy, and coping. Hypotheses are that post-counseling
ratings will show improvement over pre-counseling ratings,
but that there will be no significant differences in group versus
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individual counseling ratings. Group counseling participants
(N=12) received these surveys as a pre- and post-therapy
self-assessment, whereas individual therapy clients received
the post-therapy self-assessment only. The pre- and postassessment questions provide quantitative data, however the
post-therapy self-assessment does possess two qualitative
questions. The pre- and post-therapy self-assessment will
be evaluated through a paired T-test. The postassessment
for individual versus group will be compared using the
independent T-test. The mean rating for the pre-therapy selfassessment is 2.42 rate response and the (SD= 1.26). Data
collection is still in progress.
Project Great White Shark
Olivia Seeger
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Matthew Stutz, Chemistry, Physics
& Geoscience
Scientist have developed a tagging technique on the great
white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) by taking photos
of the shark’s caudal fin, gill flaps, pelvic fin, or dorsal fin.
Different research has been published that the use of a photo
identification of a shark’s natural markings on one or more
of these areas can be matched to the same shark that has
revisited an area over the years. In the area of the dorsal
fin the use of photo identification and its fin morphology
allows a shark’s fin to act as a fingerprint, and then individual
sharks can be identified and migration and population can
be determined. This past summer the author spent three
months in Mossel Bay, South Africa taking photos of great
white sharks dorsal fins and collecting data to contribute to
Ocean Research Great White Shark Project. Since Mossel Bay
is heavily populated with great white sharks the research of
photo identification allows for investigation of the population
dynamics in order to enable accurate monitoring of white
shark population health. Photo identification also allows for us
to monitor the inter-annual patterns in population abundance
for white sharks, the population composition and structure of
white sharks, and rate of growth for white sharks in the bay.
Teaching English Language Learners
with Disabilities
Rebecca Shafer
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Terhaar-Yonkers, Education
Students with disabilities who are also English language
learners (ELLs) face a unique set of challenges in the
classroom. The research conducted in this study examines
teachers' understandings of current educational practices to
identify how ELLs with disabilities should be taught in today's
classrooms. Four teachers, all with experience teaching ELLs
with disabilities at various grade levels, were interviewed in
a focus group to determine their knowledge of and views
on best practices to teach ELLs with disabilities. An analysis
of the interview transcript showed two major findings: first,
teachers are generally aware of current best practices for ELLs
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ABSTRACTS
with disabilities such as differentiation, intentional language
use, collaborative planning, and careful documentation;
second, teachers face challenges in implementing best
practices for a variety of reasons such as lack of support,
improper placement, and inhibiting regulations. These main
themes, along with a variety of minor themes that emerged
from discussion, lead to the conclusion that teachers are
aware of best practices but cannot implement them fully in
today's educational environment.
Carroll’s Alice: Adventures in Oxford
Samantha Sherlin
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Kelly Roberts, English
The popularity-- and the scrutiny-- surrounding Alice’s
Adventures in Wonderland (1865) would be a surprise
even to its author, Lewis Carroll. A tale originally intended for
simple magic and whimsy has become one of the most
beloved children’s stories of all time—especially here at
Meredith. After a brief overview of the literary criticism
focusing on the historical critical perspective, we will
investigate the connections between Carroll’s Oxford and
his life will be investigated based on the writer's research
and experiences in the UK. Through these two avenues of
research, we will celebrate Carroll’s wonderland—in Oxford
and in his masterpiece.
England: A Land Out of Time – A Pecha Kucha
Samantha Sherlin
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Kelly Roberts, English
England: mother country of America, this country and its
history rich with passion, blood, and human achievement
continues today as the people of England strive to remain a
world power yet cling to the ideals and methods of the past.
In a place where modern technology and medieval farming
practices converge and create a beautiful place that transports
its visitors into a world without time and without distinction,
different cultural ideals are portrayed on stage with the
production of ancient, historical plays in conjunction
with modern plays. This presentation will highlight the writer’s
personal experiences as she traveled abroad, as well as show
the life changing perspective that England provides through its
landscape and its theater culture.
Women Composers: Their Lives and Works
for Treble Voices
Jennifer Shore
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Fran Page, Music
The objective of this presentation is to explore women
composers from various time periods who have written
specifically for women’s voices. In exploring composers
from the Medieval Period, Baroque Period, Classical Period,
Romantic Period, Twentieth Century, and Contemporary
Period, one can see the various reasons behind why and how
women wrote for women’s voices. For each of these time
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periods, the biographical information for various composers
and an analysis of a work written for women’s voices will
provide a basis as to why they may have written these works,
and how they are important to the choral repertoire.
Effects of Exercise on Body Satisfaction
in College-Aged Women
Katie Shytle
Koyuncu, Tok, Canpolat, and Catikkas (2010) examined the
relationship between social physique anxiety, body image
dissatisfaction, self-esteem, and body fat ratio in females
ranging in age from 18 to 60. Results of the study indicated
that the group that exercised regularly showed overall social
physique anxiety scale scores that were significantly lower
than those of other groups. The study indicated the
relationship between exercise and social physique anxiety,
showing that more exercise decreased social body anxiety.
It was hypothesized in the present study that exercise
would increase body satisfaction, and the participants in the
unstructured exercise activity would experience a greater
increase in body satisfaction after completing the exercise
than the participants in the structured exercise activity; it was
further hypothesized that participants not partaking in exercise
would not have any significant change in body satisfaction.
Undergraduate female students ranging in age from 18 to
22 were recruited from Meredith College to examine these
hypotheses. Participants were randomly divided into 3 groups;
Group 1 did not participate in an exercise class, Group 2
participated in a structured 30 minute Zumba class, and
Group 3 walked/jogged/ran one mile. All groups completed
a body satisfaction scale test before and after the treatment..
Results indicated the post-test had significantly higher body
satisfaction scores than the pre-test for both exercise groups
F(1,27) = 25.27, p<.05. However, post- hocs revealed that
there was not a significant difference between the type of
exercise F(2,27) = 4.41, p < .05. The findings revealed
that exercise, structured or unstructured, increased body
satisfaction in college-aged women.
Got Green? The Production of Bioplastics from
Renewable Resources
Lamyae Sroute, Katie Brinson, Carson Clay, Rebecca Shen
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Erica Vogel, Chemistry, Physics
& Geoscience
With the growing demand for plastic products, and the
ever-increasing petroleum consumption and depletion
throughout the world, there is interest in producing plastics
from renewable resources. Wheat gluten, potato starch,
cotton and wood pulp were utilized in producing bioplastics.
The best results, characterized by clarity, rigidity or flexibility,
and consistency in production were obtained with plastic
produced from potato starch and cotton. Potato starch was
isolated from russet potatoes and dried before reacting in a
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heat and acid catalyzed reaction. The effects of acid type, acid
to starch ratio, reaction/curing time, and amount of plasticizer
were investigated. Cotton based plastic was produced by
dissolving cotton cellulose in an acid containing solvent
mixture and allowing the solvent to evaporate. Effects of
solvent type, concentration of acid, and amount of plasticizer
were investigated. For both cotton and potato based plastics,
biodegradability was assessed and compared to commercially
available “compostable plastic”, with the result that potato and
cotton based plastics degraded within two weeks while the
commercially available plastic had no difference in mass after
two weeks.
The Radix of Math Anxiety in College Females
Mindie Stanford
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Cecilia Toole, Education
Math anxiety is characterized by an overwhelming anxious
feeling about one’s inability to perform and understand
mathematics. When students suffer from math anxiety,
they tend to score lower on academic evaluations and
lose confidence on their abilities in the subject. Research
shows that math anxiety typically develops more in females
than males, at a young age, and tends to worsen as age
progresses (Ashcraft, 2002). The purpose of this study is to
find factors that may contribute to why a student develops
math anxiety. Approximately 100 undergraduate female
students from Meredith College were given a survey that
asked questions pertaining to their math history. This survey
asked participants to state which methods of education they
received in grades K-12, state when they plan to take or have
taken particular math courses, rate their math anxiety, and
identify particular memorable events in their math experiences.
The survey was conducted online, in which the identity of the
participants was kept anonymous. The results of the survey
are still being analyzed; however, based on previous research
it is expected that correlations between certain factors and
students who develop math anxiety will result. The factors
that may contribute to math anxiety are negative experiences
in math, when math courses were taken, and methods of
education which did not provide a discipline embedded with
math. Identifying these factors may then be used in further
research on preventative measures as well as finding methods
that help reduce a student’s math anxiety.
Emasculation of the Female Reproduction System
Jade Stanley
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Margarita Suarez and Dr. Angela
Marritt, Religious & Ethical Studies , History &
Political Science
This research is an attempt to understand the threat that was
by contraceptive and abortive practices used by women,
represented to the Medieval Church. Through an examination
of both how canon law condemned and persecuted those
who engaged in contraceptive and abortive practices and the
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theological anthropology of the nature of women, the Medieval
Church sought to restrict women’s power in controlling their
own fertility. Church doctrine supported the long held view of
women that had been perpetrated by early Church fathers,
in which women were seen as both sexually deviant and
morally inferior to men. Women were helpmates to men in the
area of procreation but also shouldered much of the blame
for sexual promiscuity. That women could control their own
fertility through contraceptive and abortive practices meant
that women could claim their own moral authority, an idea
absolutely antithetical to the teachings of the church.
Changes in Stress and Social Support During the
Post College Transition
Breanna Sullins, Taylor Pearce
While social support generally helps people through tough
times, the post-college transition is marked as a period during
which prior support structures may be disrupted (Cotterell,
2007). The proximity and frequency of peer interactions
may be reduced as graduates leave campus and move into
new living and career/school settings. The present study
examined perceived stress, as well as depth and categories of
relationships, among new female college graduates one week
prior to graduation and again, nine-months post-graduation.
Participants (N=14) completed a stress snapshot , and then
rated and categorized their four current closest relationships
each time (T1 and T2). Overall stress was expected to increase
from T1 to T2, but to be moderated by depth and diversity
of friendship roles. Analyses showed a -0.07 stress change
increase from T1 to T2 but was not statistically significant.
Analysis of stress-moderating variables is ongoing. Results
are discussed with respect to the role of significant social
relationships in moderating or exacerbating transition stress.
Demystifying the Female Nude
Jessie Taylor
Faculty Adviser: Professor Holly Fischer, Creative Arts,
Fine Arts
I posit the insecurity and fears that the viewer experiences
when viewing art works of women in the nude are solely based
on an antiquated and misogynistic viewpoint of what a woman
should be, and how she should be displayed. Continued
censorship and fear of the nude has a negative impact on
the careers of contemporary artists respectfully working
with nude imagery for the purpose of empowerment and
enlightenment. Using writings from various feminist sources
and the historical representation of females to contextualize
the iconography of nude women throughout art history with
today's viewer, I intend to demonstrate causation between our
social expectations of women and the reactions that images
of nude women receive. I will focus my studies and inspiration
for four complete works of art on the concepts of sexuality,
interpretation, and censorship surrounding nude images of
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women in fine art. My goal for these works and research is to
encourage my audience to reflect on their personal stigmas
and fears associated with a liberated, nude, and sexually
aware woman and how she should be presented in art.
Corbicula fluminea Population Structure
Samantha Taylor
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Francie Cuffney, Biological Sciences/
Environmental Sustainability
The invasive species Corbicula fluminea (Asiatic Clam) are
present in many streams surrounding the Raleigh area. This
invasive species could potentially be competing with native
fresh water mussels whom strongly influence the quality
of the aquatic ecosystems in which they thrive. Due to this
concerning competition of species, population numbers
are vital information for the ecological systems to remain in
balance. The Asiatic Clam being a filter feeder significantly
alters nutrient availability within a habitat and could possibly
cause algae blooms as well as significant deaths rates among
native aquatic life. In order to obtain Asiatic Clams several
surrounding streams including the Neuse River, Mill Creek, and
Walnut Creek were sampled. Each stream had three random
sampling sites. Initially, at each stream the water depth and
temperature were measured. Then, a standard ring was used
to section off sampling areas at each of the sites. After placing
the ring along the stream bed samples were collected by
scraping up the benthic material that rest along the stream
bed. This benthic material was then separated by particle size
using a sifter which in turn leaves only pebbles and clams to
be sorted. After clams have been sorted and cleaned they are
then ready to be measured and categorized into age classes
using a millimeter caliper. The ages of the Asiatic Clams were
then determined according to size measurements which are
organized into first year, second year, third year, and fourth
year clams. Due to limitations to collect a larger sample size no
clear pattern was shown in the data. However, within this small
sample size a larger population of younger clams was evident.
War and Tolkien
AJ Thompson
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Martin McNamee, English
It is easy to make the superficial accusation that Tolkien’s
works, while supposedly condemning war, glorify it in the
telling. After all, his works all involve battle and bloodshed,
where in great detail the writer describes the fall of nations and
the deaths of thousands. Through my research, I establish that
while war may be a subject of his works, it is not glorified in the
same way that it might have been in Tolkien’s beloved Norse
myths. I explore exactly how war plays a role in his stories, and
the ways it influences his characters, their feelings about the
world, and their fates. Ultimately, Tolkien uses war as a vehicle
to explore human nature and how the battlefield brings out the
worst in all of us.
Charitable Giving: Family Foundations and
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Meredith College
Alexis Trell
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Rebecca Oatsvall & Kristye Brackett,
Business, Accounting & Economics
Private foundations are often used as tools in the field of
charitable giving, but few people know the complexities of
their structure and formation. The goal of my research was to
explain and apply these complexities through conducting case
studies. My case studies included interviews with three donors
who have historically made significant contributions to Meredith
College. This project involved first summarizing the evolution of
philanthropy as a whole and then exploring the history, types,
structures, and tax implications of private foundations. My
research culminated in meeting with three Meredith College
donors who give at leadership levels (six figure gifts or more) to
discuss their charitable giving strategies. Through my interviews,
I found that donors are beginning to move away from private
foundations because of the time and money they require to
operate. The relevance of this study and these cases is that
fundraising professionals will need to become adept at working
with other charitable instruments that provide the convenience
upcoming generations of donors desire.
Bioelectricity: Using Voltage Readers to Record
Basic Electrocardiograms and Skin Resistance
Variations
Nyssa Tucker
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Bill Schmidt, Chemistry, Physics
and Geoscience
An electrocardiogram (EKG) measures the pattern of cardic
electrical activity. We will record basic voltage measurements at
various points of the thoracic region, and will try to make sense
of the results in the context of cardiac waveform creation and
explain why resultant recorded electrical activity is representative
of the motion of the individual sections of the heart. We will
investigate the variation of skin conductance at regions around
the body. The galvanic skin response is one measure of the
electrodermal response, responses that change the electrical
properties of a person's skin in response to environmental
events or the psychological state of the person. We will measure
skin conductance in an attempt to correlate variations with
external or internal stimuli. This study is not intended to produce
novel information; it is a general investigation into applying
concepts from areas that include basic physics and cardiology.
The Other Side of NAFTA: How Free Trade and
Immigration Have Benefited the Mexican Economy
Jean Webb
& Literature
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), enacted
in 1994 between Canada, the United States, and Mexico, has
often been misunderstood as the embodiment of capitalistic
exploitation of the developing by the developed world.
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Immigration issues and Mexican job loss in agriculture have
contributed to a strong negative opinion of the agreement
in recent years. Still the question remains: what motivated
Mexico to pursue NAFTA? What economic advantage did it
stand to gain by its implementation? This review of literature
includes recently published reports from the Peterson Institute
for International Economics and insight from the recent
“NAFTA@20: North American Competitiveness Conference”
hosted by Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. Addressing
current political sentiment with economic analysis, this study
demystifies popular misconceptions by examining the preNAFTA Mexican economy, the benefits that came as a result
of unhindered intercontinental trade, as well as the economic
impact and future of immigration in terms of economic growth.
The other side of NAFTA is a promotion of free trade as a tool
for development, not a cruel trick of the capitalist.
The Invisible Criminal and the Indispensable Hero:
Men's Roles in Sex Trafficking in the United States
Jean Webb
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Deborah Tippett, Human
A study of the various roles men play in sex trafficking
in the United States, this research seeks to understand
the nature of men's involvement whether as victims, as
perpetrators of the illegal industry as traffickers and buyers,
indirectly as abusive versus nurturing fathers, as defenders
and as community members. A study of upbringing, father
relationships, pornography, manipulative romantic attachments
and other societal influences adds to the breadth and variety
of influences incorporated and considered in this study.
Using the research method of triangulation it incorporates
an interview with a local police officer, strategic support for
an awareness event for an anti-trafficking program, and
program development of an on-campus mentoring initiative
for vulnerable girls, as well as an extensive review of literature.
This study has contributed academically and practically to
local solutions that focus on promoting and prioritizing healthy
masculinity for the sake of the men and women trapped in
sex trafficking.
Search for Novel Antibiotics and Synthetic Route
for their Preparation
Heather West & Taisir Idries
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Alexandra Ormond,
Biological Sciences
Bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics making it
difficult to treat bacteria-caused infections, which may lead
to long term health issues and even death. The goal of this
project is to find an alternative antibiotic that will be a longterm antibacterial agent for treating bacteria from genera
such as Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and/
or Streptococcus. The hypothesis is that through alteration
of the chemical structure of common antibiotics a drug can
be created that will be more effective and will lead to lower
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antibiotic resistance for a long period of time. Current and past
antibiotics will be researched in literature, and the mechanism
in which they inhibit bacterial activity and how bacteria resist
them will be studied. Using the structural features of the
antibiotics from literature, the structure of a novel antibiotic will
be designed, and retrosynthetic analysis will be implemented.
The synthetic pathway and mechanism for the antibiotic will be
achieved by identifying starting materials and intermediates, as
well as reagents and reaction conditions. All of this work will be
done via dry lab conditions (e.g. on paper), utilizing the organic
chemistry synthesis knowledge to aid the retrosynthetic
analysis technique. The starting materials, reaction conditions,
and the mechanism for the target antibiotic will be formulated.
In the future, this drug could be synthesized in the laboratory
by following the work of this research project.
examine. The scientific field is all about asking questions and
finding possible solutions to those questions. The purpose of
this project is to create lesson plans that focus on the nature of
science, asking questions and finding solutions. These Projectbased lesson plans were designed with focus on meeting the
North Carolina Essential Standards, along with meeting the
International Society for Technology in Education Standards.
These lessons plans are being created to improve current
project-based lesson plans that are still using 20th century
resources and technology. Our lesson plans will incorporate
everyday technology, such as various cellphone apps, along
with science specific technology to improve the learning
experience of students.
Microwave-assisted Organic Synthesis
Sarah White
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Alexandra Ormond, Chemistry,
Physics & Geoscience
Amanda White, Sarah Ainsley
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Walda Powell, Chemistry, Physics,
and Geoscience
The purpose of this research was to improve the existing organic
chemistry procedures and update them to green chemical
methods, using the Discover® System Microwave. The use of
green chemical methods allows chemist to develop alternative
methods that are safer and produce less waste. This method
is a green chemical method, because of the 93% decrease in
waste from the traditional method. It is also widely accepted in
the scientific community, because of its efficiency in time and
percent yield. We were successful in reducing the reaction time
by between 60-77% and an improvement in yield to 58% and
74%, on average. We optimized the conditions for the Diels Alder
reaction to 70oC for 10 minutes and the esterification reaction to
140oC for 15 minutes Results have encouraged further research
into converting more organic chemistry lab experiments, in the
near future. In completing Fischer Esterification, and Williamson
Etherification procedures, a reduction in reaction time and
by-products, along with good yields were observed. The use
of the microwave was successful in all three experiments. After
looking at various different conditions, the optimal conditions for
these three experiments were found. All three experiments were
analyzed to product purification by running an IR spectra and
NMR. Results encourage further research into converting the
Willliamson Etherificaiton lab and other Meredith College organic
chemistry lab experiments.
Project-based NCES Physics Lesson Plans in the
21st Century
Amanda White
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Bill Schmidt, Chemistry, Physics,
& Geoscience
Education reform has promoted new teaching strategies, such
as project-based learning. This strategy involves hands-on
learning, asking students to answer complex questions that
apply in the real world, while producing a product they can
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Dye Synthesis and Characterization of their
Photophysical Properties
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used to treat
cancer and skin diseases with a photosensitizer (dye), light,
and molecular oxygen. The goal of this research was to
determine whether dyes with the triarylmethane or xanthene
chromogens would be effective photosensitizers in PDT.
Three triarylmethane dyes were prepared via a two-step
synthetic route and one xanthene dye was prepared via a
one-step synthetic route. The dyes were analyzed using
1H-NMR to obtain their structural information. Ultravioletvisible spectroscopy was used to identify the wavelength
of maximum absorption (max); fluorescein was used as a
standard to calculate the fluorescence quantum yield (f) and
the singlet oxygen quantum yield ( ); and the octanol-water
partition coefficient (log P) values were measured. The max
values for the dyes were between 463-549 nm indicating they
could potentially be used to treat surface cancer and skin
diseases. Triarylmethane dyes had a low f while xanthene dyes
had f~1. Neither the triarylmethane dyes nor the xanthene
dyes generated singlet oxygen. Triarylmethane dyes had log
P values > 1 indicating they would be most soluble in the
lipophilic regions of the body, whereas xanthene dyes had
log P values <1 indicating they would be most soluble in the
aqueous regions of the body.
Solar Energy Efficiency at Meredith College
Imani William
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Bill Schmidt, Chemistry, Physics,
& Geoscience
One of the most urgent tasks of the 21st century is to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Part of how this will
be accomplished is through increasing the proportion of
energy produced by low and no-emission sources such as
solar energy. While solar panels are becoming increasingly
affordable, there are still limitations to overcome such as
challenges with energy storage and low efficiency. In this study,
#MeredithCSA
we will use two 12V/500mA (6 watt) solar panels connected to
a monitoring device to measure factors related to solar energy
and solar panel efficiency. We will measure how the solar
panel voltage output varies with panel orientation and angle,
and how changing position with time influences the output
voltage of the panel. We will measure the effects of a changing
electrical load on solar panel output efficiency and discuss this
in context of consumer electrical energy demands. Electrical
load data from meters in SMB will be used to estimate the
effectiveness of solar panels on the Meredith campus. Results
from the experiment will be presented and discussed.
maternal education was found to be the most important factor
associated with utilization of anti-malarial drugs.
Octavia Piano Ensemble
Jessica Williford, Chelsea Huber, Lily Stavish,
Carly Zeugschmidt
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Kent Lyman, Music
Octavia, Meredith’s eight-hand piano ensemble will present
a lecture recital that features works by Ettore Pozzoli and
Valery Gavrilin. Italian composer and teacher Ettore Pozzoli
(1873-1957), had a special interest in composing works that
would enrich the body of music that was available for the
developing student. Octavia will perform selections from one
of these pedagogical works, Ten Little Characteristic Pieces
for Piano Duet. These duets feature a primo part that is easily
accessible to the student and a more elaborate secondo
part for the teacher. Octavia will also perform selections
from Valery Gavrilin’s (1939-1999) Sketches for Piano Four
Hands. These pieces are interesting in that they show us
the kind of music that was produced in the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics, now known as Russia. This music was
largely unavailable to Western audiences prior to the 1990s.
Musicians in our country continue to discover some of the
delightful music produced by composers who grew up and
were trained in a political and social climate completely foreign
to ours. A presentation regarding the historical and musical
significance of the Pozzoli and Gavrilin pieces will precede
their performance. If time permits, Octavia will supplement the
program with additional works for piano ensemble.
Geographic Patterns and Determinants
of Anti-Malarial Drug Use in Tanzania
Naba Kahn
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Carline Perez-Heydrich,
Biological Sciences
The objective of this research was to describe geographic
patterns of anti-malarial drug-utilization in Tanzania and
identify contextual factors that may play a role in anti-malarial
drug utilization. I used publicly available data provided by
the Demographic and Health Survey Program to address
research objectives via exploratory spatial data analysis. The
results from my summer research showed clusters of underutilization in Tanzania that could be the result of differences
in accessibility between rural and urban areas, among other
factors such as education and wealth. Upon further analyses,
#MeredithCSA
ABSTRACTS
33
In Memorium
Voralak “Vicky” Pivitsiripakde
September 13, 1992 – December 27, 2014
Among many other things, Vicky was a dedicated and skillful
chemistry lab assistant at Meredith. If she were still with us,
she would be presenting at CSA Day just as she did last April.
We miss her today.
34
#MeredithCSA
Student Participant Index
Sarah Ainsley 6, 32
Haley Harris 9, 18
Erin Nichols 6, 25
Jessica Alston 5, 13
Alexandra Herel 7, 18
Hannah Nielsen 7, 26
Christa Allen 9, 12
Martha Hobby 9, 19
Toni O'Steen 8, 26
Liv Alvarado 9, 12
Sarah Horton 6, 19
Tabitha Ostrout 9, 26
Megan Amanatides 10, 12
Chelsea Huber 8, 33
Diana Owens 5, 26
Mariah Ambrose 8, 14
Taylor Hudgins 7, 25
Cheyenne Parrish 7, 27
Bina Amin 9, 23
Molly Hull 10, 19
Taylor Pearce 6, 30
Michaela Anderson 5, 12
Caroline Hunt 10, 19
Gwyn Phelps 9, 23
Payton Bagley 9, 23
Taisir Idries 6, 31
Rachel Anne Phelps 10, 15
Suzanne Bass 5, 20
Kathleen Jablonski 5, 20
Brittaney Rice 10, 19
Emily Bateman 10, 13
Keila Jaen 9, 20
Bryn Robbins10, 27
Whitney Bell 5, 13
Cody Jeffery 8, 20
Cathedia Rose 5, 27
Mary Allison Bennett 9, 23
Kierra Jenkins 10, 20
Amanda Seate 8, 14
Ayda Biru 9, 13
Jennifer Jervey 7, 21
Olivia Seeger 10, 28
Heather Black 5, 14
Emily Johns 11, 21
Kaitlynn Seymour 10, 15
Katherine Bowling 8, 14
Sarah Johnson 10, 21
Rebecca Shafer 6, 28
Rachel Breazeale 5, 14
Catie Jones 5, 21
Rebecca Shen 6, 29
Katie Brinson 6, 14, 29
Naba Khan 5, 33
Samantha Sherlin 8, 11, 28
Taylor Brown 10, 19
Neda Kazemi 7, 21
Jennifer Shore 8, 28
Haley Carson 5, 15
Emily Lane 7, 22
Katie Shytle 6, 29
Kendall Cheston 10, 15
Laura Lane 5, 22
Anna Smither 10, 20
Carson Clay 6, 29
Allix Lasser 8, 14r
Lamyae Sroute 6, 29
Madison Crawford 10, 15
Nicole Lawson 11, 22
Mindie Stanford 6, 29
Brianna-Dara Crumbley 7, 16
Stephanie Livesay 8, 23
Jade Stanley 7, 29
Vanessa Cupil-Garcia 5, 24
Lexi Maguire 8, 14
Lily Stavish 8, 33
Abby Dalton 6, 14
Kate Marshall 9, 23
Breanna Sullins 6, 30
Julia Dent 8, 16
Megan Massengill 9, 23
Jessie Taylor 10, 30
Conner Dixon 7, 16
Sarah Massey 5, 20
Samantha Taylor 6, 20, 30
Mckenzi Edwards 5, 15
Charlotte Meadows 5, 15
Amanda Thompson 7, 31
Megan Evans 5, 16
Mollie Melton 9, 23
Alexis Trell 8, 31
Jessica Feltner 9, 17
Sandra Mendoza Guerrero 7, 24
Nyssa Tucker 10, 31
Kat Froehlich 11, 17
Nicole Michael 10, 15
Jean Webb 6, 8, 31, 32
Norma Garcia- Ortiz 5, 17
Alexie Mina 8, 14, 24
Heather West 6, 31
Michelle Gonzalez 8, 14
Melyssa Minto 5, 24
Amanda White 6, 32
Mary Jessup Gooden 9, 17
Alexia Montague 9, 23
Sarah White 7, 33
Jordan Gurkin 6,18
Robin Moore 7, 25
Imani William 6, 32
Hayden Hains 7, 18
Katherine Nelson 7, 25
Jessica Williford 8, 33
Lacey Hambridge 5, 20
KayLynn Newton 5, 25
Carly Zeugschmidt 8, 33
#MeredithCSA
ABSTRACTS
35
4
19
Wes
7
Harris
8
Spangler Gazebo
& Garden
6 P-4 Commuter Lot (unpaved)
5 P-5 Commuter Lot
11 Softball Field Lot Staff (Seniors and Underclass
as marked)
10 Gym Lot Staff and Commuters as marked
9 Martin Lot Staff — Open 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. for
Students
South Campus Drive
3 Ledford Lot Staff
4 P-6 Commuter, Staff and Apartment Visitors
(as marked)
1
Jones Chapel
Alumnae House
2
11
Copy
Center
North Campus Drive
12
18
t
igh
wr
Athletic Field/
Track Complex
17 Jones-Wainwright Lot (Staff and Visitors as marked)
18 Athletic Field Parking
19 The Oaks Student Apartment Parking
16 Wainwright Commuter Lot
15 Heilman-Barefoot Lot (Seniors and Visitors as marked)
14 G-1 Lot Underclass Students (Commuters as marked)
13 G-2 Lot Underclass Students
14
Meredith Lake
16
Carswell
Concert
Hall
15
McIver Amphitheater
ain
W
13
Faircloth Street Entrance
12 Poteat Lot (Underclass as marked)
Gate House
17
Jones Hall
Poteat
Campus
Police
Facilities
Services
East Campus Drive
Wainwright
Conf. Suite
Belk Dining Hall
8 Art Center and Library Lot Staff
(Visitor and Commuter as marked)
3
Joyner Hall
Carroll Hall
2 Alumnae Lot Staff and Visitors (Visitor spaces are
marked) Open 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. for Students
19
9
Martin Hall
Carlyle
Campbell
Library
Kresge
Science &
Auditorium
Math
Pool
Brewer House
Tech Services
Softball Field
7 Cate Center Lot Staff — Open 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. for
Students
The Oaks Student Apartments
19
Park Center
Cate
Student Center
Book
Store
GaddyHamrick
Art Center
Frankie G. Weems
Art Gallery
Weatherspoon
Gym
10
3 Sisters Garden
Tennis
Courts
1 Chapel Lot Staff and Visitors (Visitor spaces are
marked) Open 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. for Students
Parking Areas
5
6
rive
Driving Range
Intramural Field
us D
t Ca
mp
Stringfield
Vann
To Massey House
Ledford
Faircloth
Brewer
North Campus Drive
Main Campus Drive
rance
Hillsborough Street Ent
Barefoot
Heilman
Drive
ampus
East C
124 years, 2,000 students, 19,000 graduates, all going strong.
Chartered in 1891, Meredith College opened with just over 200 women.
Today, Meredith is one of the nation’s largest independent private women’s
colleges. Our student body has grown to nearly 2,000 and includes
men at the graduate level in business, education, and nutrition; postbaccalaureate certificates in pre-health and business; a paralegal program,
and more. Meredith challenges students to explore their interests, expand
their skills, and build on their strengths. Our graduates go on to use their
intellect and abilities to make a positive impact on the world. U.S. News,
The Princeton Review and Forbes.com have all included Meredith in their
“Best Colleges” lists. At 124 years and counting, Meredith College is
still going strong.
#MEREDITHCSA
Meredith College | 3800 Hillsborough Street | Raleigh, NC 27607 | meredith.edu
15-001

student - Meredith College

Transcription

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