2014 Abstracts - University of St. Thomas

 Apprentices to Knowledge "The University of St. Thomas enjoys many great academic traditions. The Research Symposium is one of the University’s most cherished. Our students benefit from the close student to professor relationship that distinguishes our university. With their faculty’s dedicated guidance, they create imaginative and innovative projects and experiments. Congratulations for continuing such a valuable academic tradition!” Dr. Robert Ivany President University of St. Thomas “Research is a disciplined and focused engagement with the world. It is the highest form of active learning and the crown of a St. Thomas education. Research sharpens students’ abilities to understand and judge published research in their fields of study, to work collaboratively, and to discover their own intellectual interests. But perhaps most important, the practice of research provides students with a habit of mind and tools that they can use throughout their lives to think critically and make informed judgments about the near-­‐constant flow of information, knowledge, and pseudo-­‐knowledge that envelopes us daily.” Dr. Dominic Aquila Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs University of St. Thomas “One of the many inspirations for this year’s Symposium is the quote from Benjamin Franklin in which he said: ‘Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.’ It is the active participation in the creation of knowledge in one’s chosen field that signifies the transition from student to practitioner. Conducting research is only the first step with presentation and publication completing the process. The Research Symposium provides students with the opportunity to present their research in oral and poster form, communicating the results of their work to others so that they also may learn.” Dr. Maury Harris Director of Student Research Chair, Committee on Undergraduate Research 2014 Research Symposium POSTER PRESENTATIONS Thursday, April 10, 2014 Poster Reception, 4:00 – 6:00 PM PRESENTERS SHOULD ATTEND Crooker (Ahern, Council of Clubs, Old Bookstore) Friday, April 11, 2014 Posters on Display, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Gymnasium, Jerabeck Friday, April 11, 2014 Poster Judging, 5:30 – 8:30 PM ALL PRESENTERS REQUIRED TO ATTEND Gymnasium, Jerabeck Saturday, April 12, 2014 Posters on Display, 8:00 AM -­‐ Noon Gymnasium, Jerabeck NOTE: POSTERS MUST BE PICKED UP AT NOON, SATURDAY ORAL PRESENTATIONS Friday, April 11, 2014 Council of Clubs, Crooker 7:40 AM 8:00 AM 8:20 AM 8:40 AM Powell, Margaret, The Impact of the Printing Press on the English Reformation, History-­‐ Prof. Thomas Crow, Capstone. Broussard, Justin, Johnson And Vietnam: A Failed Perspective, History -­‐ Lisa Mundey, Capstone. Henri, Joseph , Daughter of Byzantium: The Journey to the Third Rome, History -­‐ Lee J. Williames, Capstone. Markus, David, A New Identity for an Old Empire: Diocletian and His Policies, History -­‐ Irving A. Kelter, Capstone. 2 2014 Research Symposium 9:00 AM 9:20 AM 9:40 AM 10:00 AM 10:20 AM 10:40 AM 11:00 AM 11:20 AM 11:40 AM 12:00 1:00 PM 1:20 PM 1:40 PM 2:00 PM 2:20 PM Morris, William, From Soviet Union to Commonwealth: Development of the CIS, History -­‐ Lee J. Williames, Capstone. Saman, Anne Marie, The Papacy Confronts Challenges, History -­‐ Lee J. Williames, Thomas J. Crow, Capstone. Sullivan, Lauren , De Valera and Collins on the Road to Ireland’s Independence, History -­‐ Lee J. Williames, Capstone. BREAK Markus, David, The Baptism of Amicitia: St. Augustine and the Roots of Christian Friendship, Honors Program -­‐ Michael Boler, Tom Harmon, Capstone. Lenz, Ruth, MUSIC IS FOR THE SOUL: A PHILOSOPHICAL SYNTHESIS, Honors Program– Dominic Aquila. Boor, Kelsey, Skepticism Pre-­‐Visited: the Medieval Roots of Modern Skepticism, Honors -­‐ Mary Catherine Sommers, Capstone. Cruz, Austin, Gender Has Consequences, Philosophy -­‐ John P. Hittinger, Capstone. West, Allison, The Crisis of Modernity and Antiquity's Fomentation, Philosophy -­‐ John P. Hittinger, Capstone. LUNCH, Scanlan Pain, Matthew, Policy in Israel Before and After 1948: How Agricultural Management Has Shaped a Collective Palestinian Identity, History – Luc Walhain, St. Thomas University, Canada. Works, Walter, Winning vs. Morality: Criminal Athletes in Professional Sports, Criminology and Criminal Justice – Claire Goggin, St. Thomas University, Canada. Lurton, Matthew, Pivots, Engagement, and Disengagement: American Foreign Policy Since 2009, Political Science -­‐ Jon R. Taylor, Capstone. Miller, Cody, College Catholicism: Can You Predict Political Ideology Based on College Choice?, Political Science -­‐ Jean-­‐Philippe Faletta, Capstone. Salazar, Nelly, Second-­‐Generation Gender Bias: Benevolent Sexism and On-­‐Going Discrimination against Women, Political Science -­‐ Jon R. Taylor, Capstone. 3 2014 Research Symposium Friday, April 11, 2014 Old Bookstore, Crooker 8:00 AM 8:20 AM 8:40 AM 9:00 AM 9:20 AM 9:40 AM 10:00 AM 10:20 AM 10:40 AM 11:00 AM 11:20 AM 11:40 AM 12:00 1:00 PM Dutari, Ana-­‐Sofia, The Purging of Disorder: Naturalism in Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native, English -­‐ James Barloon, Capstone. Richey, Katherine, Modernist Literature and the Reformation of Darkness, English -­‐ James Barloon, Shannon Forbes, Capstone. Snodgrass, Dominika, Encountering the Divine in the Golden Age of Children's Literature, English -­‐ Kerry J. MacArthur, Capstone. Series, Nadia, Polarity in Wartime Society: An Examination of A Tale of Two Cities and the Harry Potter Series, English -­‐ Shannon Forbes, James Barloon, Capstone. Autry, Thea, A Home in This Rock: The American Dream in the Novels of Toni Morrison, English – Constantina Michalos, James Barloon, Capstone. MacArthur, Mary Elizabeth, O, Farewell, Honest Soldier: An Examination of Hamlet’s Militaristic Nature, English -­‐ Charles Stuart Krohn. BREAK Tran, Chi, Fairy Tales Retold, English -­‐ Janet Lowery, Capstone. Villarreal, Laura, The Role of the University in Social Entrepreneurship, English -­‐ Clinton Brand, Pedro Fernandez, Capstone. Cain, Casey, The Creation of Redemption: Through the Eyes of Oliver Twist and David Copperfield, English -­‐ James Barloon, Capstone. Theis, Patrick, “1984” & “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest”; as Cautionary Tales of an Oppressive Government, English -­‐ James Barloon, Capstone. Bei, Onnyx, The Ravine-­‐guard’s Song, English -­‐ Janet Lowery, Pedro Fernandez, Capstone. LUNCH, Scanlan Rivera, Elaine, Skipping a Beat, English – Constantina Michalos, Clinton Brand, Capstone. 4 2014 Research Symposium 1:20 PM 1:40 PM 2:00 PM 2:20 PM Guevara, Jennifer, A Solitary Soul: Finding the Self in The Awakening, English -­‐ Rev. Romanus Muoneke, James Barloon, Capstone. Ryan, Kevin, Sleeping in Jeans, English – Janet Lowery, Capstone. Randolph, Veronica, The Decline of The Study of Art Music in Homes and in Classrooms in the United States of America, Music -­‐ Malcolm J. Solomon. Fontenot, Jared, The Dirty Double, English -­‐ Charles Stuart Krohn, Kerry J. MacArthur, Capstone. Friday, April 11, 2014 Ahern, Crooker 8:00 AM 8:20 AM 8:40 AM 9:00 AM 9:20 AM 9:40 AM 10:00 AM 10:20 AM 10:40 AM 11:00 AM Bueno, Natalia, The Impact of Women Empowerment on Poverty Reduction in Developing Countries, International Studies – Ulyses Balderas, Capstone. DeLeon, Jaqueline , Going Beyond Economics: Exploring the Impact of Microcredit on the Psychological Well-­‐Being of Women, International Studies -­‐ Hans Stockton, Capstone. Brebion, Micaela, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Prospect of A Best Practices Model, International Studies – Linda Pett-­‐Conklin, Capstone. Taylor, Mwohania, Global Health Ordinances and Their Effects on Genomics, International Studies – Linda Pett-­‐Conklin, Capstone. George, Sheila , Evaluating Opportunities: Reaching the Bottom of the Pyramid Market in Southeast Asia , International Studies -­‐ Hans Stockton, Capstone. Moreno, Denise, The Universal Applicability of Inter-­‐Ethnic Marriage Determinant Theories, International Studies – Linda Pett-­‐Conklin, Capstone. BREAK Kisielewski, Dominic, Climate Change and Political Stability: Finding the Link, International Studies -­‐ Hans Stockton, Capstone. OPEN Martinez, Juana, Impact of Remittances on Development, International Studies -­‐ Ulyses Balderas, Capstone. 5 2014 Research Symposium 11:20 AM 11:40 AM 12:00 1:00 PM 1:20 PM 1:40 PM 2:00 PM 2:20 PM 2:40 PM 3:00 PM 3:20 PM 3:40 PM Yusuf, Alizeh, A Case for U.N Security Council Reform, International Studies – Linda Pett-­‐Conklin, Capstone. Rollf, Stacy, Water Conservation Through Agricultural Reform, International Studies – Linda Pett-­‐Conklin, Capstone. LUNCH, Scanlan Benam, Marjan, Understanding Comprehension in the Context of HIV/AIDS, International Studies -­‐ Hans Stockton, Capstone. Lopez, Juliette, Development and Inequality: The Influence of Level of Development on Reduction of Gender Inequality, International Studies -­‐ Ulyses Balderas, Capstone. Gokturk, H. Adil, History Repeats Itself: Turkish Conflict Follows the Pattern of the Conflict in Northern Ireland, International Studies -­‐ Ulyses Balderas, Capstone. Lorenzen, Thais, Corruption an Economic Crime, International Studies – Hans Stockton, Capstone. BREAK Stankovich, Emily, The Causes of Rising Youth Unemployment Rates in Italy, International Studies -­‐ Ulyses Balderas. Cara, Lukas; Sanchez, Enory; Jolly III, Robert, Visualizing the Impact of Natural Disasters on Countries, an Interactive Map, Mathematics -­‐ Jack Leonard Follis. Pirela, Luis; Villafana, Vanessa, Understanding the Mass Efflux from a Pressurized Vessel when Treating the Substance as a Real Gas, Mathematics -­‐ Henry Foust. OPEN Friday, April 11, 2014 Room 202, Jerabeck 10:20 AM 10:40 AM Wurst, Carolyn, When Art and Frames Become One: The Unique Communicative Properties of Street Art, Communication -­‐ Livia Bornigia, Capstone. Cara, Lukas, PDchaos: a Python package for automating the study of chaotic dynamics in simulated proteins, Chem. & Physics -­‐ James Clarage. 6 2014 Research Symposium 11:00 AM 11:20 AM 11:40 AM 12:00 1:00 PM 1:20 PM 1:40 PM 2:00 PM 2:20 PM OPEN Cantu, Melissa; Grimm, Helge; Wiggers, Hartmut; Mellis, Birgit, Synthesis and Characterization of High Purity Silicon Nanoparticles, Chemistry & Physics -­‐ Birgit Mellis. Cara, Lukas; Baitemirova,; Duong, Franklin; Romero, Luis; Larios-­‐Sanz, Maia; Ribes-­‐
Zamora, Albert, STQFinder : A bioinformatics tool to identify putative novel genes involved in the DNA damage response, Biology -­‐ Maia Larios-­‐Sanz, Albert Ribes-­‐Zamora. LUNCH, Scanlan Smith, Laura; Hardy, Shawna, Drama U.S.T: Our Journey, Fine Arts & Drama-­‐ Claire McDonald, Eric Domuret, Capstone. Walden, Marcus, A Journey in search of Love through the lens of Thomas Merton, Theology -­‐ Undergraduate. -­‐ Sr. Grace, CVI. Estrada Jr., Everardo (Evie), Mentorship and Academic Success for Catholic Middle School Students, Education -­‐ Catherine R. Barber, Capstone. Phan, Hang, Vanity Fair: Relational Context and Brand Prominence in Luxury Consumption, Management & Marketing -­‐ Shuoyang Zhang. Alexis, Alyssa, The Synthesis of an Latent Aminoamide Epoxy Curing Agent, Chemistry – Wheeler Crawford. Friday, April 11, 2014 4:00 PM Honors Colloquium Jones Hall 4:00 PM Presenters: Hide and Seek: Our Paradoxical Dealings with Death and Mortality Boor, Kelsey; Cara, Lukas; Cruz, Austin; Hartley, Nadia; Lenz, Ruthie; Markus, David; Miller, C.J.; Randolph, Veronica; Snodgrass, Dominika; Ventura, Midori; Weatherford, Matthew; West, Allison; and Wurst, Carrie. Faculty Sponsor: Fr. Dempsey Rosales Acosta, SSL, STD 7 2014 Research Symposium Friday, April 11, 2014 Dinner, 5:30 – 7:00 PM Scanlan, Jerabeck Oral Presentations (Continued) Saturday, April 12, 2014 Ahern, Crooker 8:00 AM 8:20 AM 8:40 AM 9:00 AM 9:20 AM 9:40 AM 10:00 AM 10:20 AM 10:40 AM 11:00 AM 11:20 AM Aguirre, Ana Pina, A Cost/Benefit Analysis of New Leasing Standards, Accounting – John E. Simms. Alejandres, Maria, Domestic Benefits of Foreign Outsourcing, Accounting – John E. Simms. Almasoud, Abdulelah, Fraud Checks: Detection and Prevention, Accounting – John E. Simms. Onofre, Felipe, Pemex and Reform in Mexico, Accounting – John E. Simms. Alshankiti, Arwa, An Examination of Current Failures of Auditors’ Independence, Accounting – John E. Simms. Castro, Victor, Bitcoin as Foreign Currency: A Treatment Proposal, Accounting – John E. Simms. BREAK Duong, Nick, Challenges for Foreign Direct Investment In and From Vietnam, Accounting – John E. Simms. Najam, Syed, Success and Failure of the Bailout: The Media Perspective, Accounting – John E. Simms. Njeugoue, Camille, Cross-­‐Cultural Understanding in Business, Accounting – John E. Simms. Smith, Kyle, Revenue Accounting and IFRS Changes, Accounting – John E. Simms. 8 2014 Research Symposium 11:40 AM 12:00 1:00 PM 1:20 PM 1:40 PM Sukhova, Evgeniya, The Effect of New Russian Transfer Pricing Regulations on Foreign Multinational Companies, Accounting – John E. Simms. LUNCH, Scanlan Ngo, Tran, Transfer Pricing and Tax Evasion in Vietnam, Accounting – John E. Simms. Ventura, William, Small Business and IFRS: Is it Value-­‐Adding?, Accounting – John E. Simms. Tran, Nhien, Comparison of Accounting Education in Russia and the U.S. , Accounting – John E. Simms. Saturday, April 12, 2014 LUNCH: 12:00 – 1:00 PM Old Bookstore, Crooker Posters Presenters and Titles 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Baidon, Mario; Anderson, Chris; Nunez, Tatiana; Bui, Daniel; Ribes-­‐Zamora, Albert, XRCC4 and XLF interaction with telomeric protein RAP1, Biology -­‐ Albert Ribes-­‐Zamora. Bhalla, Priya; Chuen, Joyce; Iype, Ashby; Ribes, Albert; Rosell, Rosemarie C , Using Protein Fragment Complementation Assay to study Bcl2 and Ku70 interaction , Biology -­‐ Albert Ribes-­‐
Zamora, Rosemarie C. Rosell. Browne, Theodora; Burnham, Amy; Cosme, Michelle; Ray, Amberly; Rivera, Angel; Yanez, Patricio Luis. Correlating Metabolic-­‐related Genes to Fatty Liver Disease in Cattle, Biology -­‐ Alexandra Simmons Nout. Cara, Lukas; Baitemirova,; Duong, Franklin; Romero, Luis; Larios-­‐Sanz, Maia; Ribes-­‐Zamora, Albert, STQFinder : A bioinformatics tool to identify putative novel genes involved in the DNA damage response, Biology -­‐ Maia Larios-­‐Sanz, Albert Ribes-­‐Zamora. Calles, Ignacio; Anokwuru, Chinasa; Hysi, Erisa; Menendez, Samuel; Bagnall, Ruth Ann; Rosell, Rosemarie; McWhinney, Dalton; Ward, Pauline; Larios-­‐Sanz, Maia, The Initiation a Metagenomic Study of Viral Populations Carried by Mosquitos in the Houston Area, Biology -­‐ Maia Larios-­‐Sanz, Capstone. Duong, Gina; Dao, Cecilia; Hebert, Luke; Fisher, Katlynn; Ton, Maria; Reinhardt, Heidi; Lam, Quy, Determining the Lethal Concentration of Toluene on Drosophila melanogaster and the Resulting Morphology, Biology – Rosemarie Rosell, Chemistry and Physics -­‐ Elmer Ledesma. 9 2014 Research Symposium 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. Fahmy, Nadine; Kreit, Helen; Ibrahim, Stephanie, Identification of NHEJ Important Surfaces in Nej1 and Lif1, Biology -­‐ Albert Ribes-­‐Zamora. Harirah, Rawan; Maccato, Elizabeth; Meis-­‐Kindblom, Moa; Merta, Holly; Nguyen, Lisa; Pinell, Ana. Restriction mapping of a 'trembler' mutation in C. elegans, Biology -­‐ Alexandra Simmons Nout. Hernandez, Anabelle; Hodges, Laura; Shields, Kelly, Buffalo Bayou Restoration , Biology -­‐ Amin, Shivas, Ruth Ann Bagnall. Herrera Daisy; Garcia Ashley; Addison Angela; Hayden Nicholas; To Nghia; Olaleye, Omonike; Rosell, Rosemarie. Testing Cytotoxicity of Compounds Found to be Effective against TB/HIV Co-­‐ infection, Biology -­‐ Rosemarie C. Rosell. Le, Jennifer, Medina, Amilda, and Ellis L. Nordyke, The high variability of the color and patterning of the Gray-­‐Banded King Snake Lampropeltis alterna, Biology -­‐ E. Larry Nordyke. Le, Jennifer, Medina, Amilda and Nordyke, Ellis L., A Phylogeny of Two Sympatric Species of Lampropeltis: L. alterna and L. triangulum celaenops (Serpen), Biology -­‐ E. Larry Nordyke. Mai, T, Paret, H., Rosell, R., Frohlich, D.R., Analysis of mDNA and rRNA of B. tabaci and their Endosymbionts Could Signify Recent Co-­‐evolution, Biology -­‐ Donald R. Frohlich, Capstone, Rosemarie C. Rosell. Maldonado, Bianca V; Landry, Candice F.; Larios-­‐Sanz, Maia, Protocol for Total DNA Isolation from Industrial Water Samples, Biology -­‐ Maia Larios-­‐Sanz. Manalo, Jeanne; Guzman, Brenda; Nguyen, Victoria; Larios-­‐Sanz, Maia; Ribes-­‐Zamora, Albert, Using yeast two-­‐hybrid to investigate the molecular mechanism of Ku70’s 2nd region, Biology -­‐ Albert Ribes-­‐Zamora, Maia Larios-­‐Sanz. Neghina, Mihaela; Dodge, Jason, Survivability of ΔftsP E. coli under stress, Biology -­‐ Shivas Amin. Nguyen, Nhi; Vo, Thiennga; Al-­‐Fady, Lara; Do, Tony; Maldonado, Oscar; Nguyen, Mymy; Taffet, Jason; Konecny, Kimberly; Maldonado, Jason; Dewey, Jill, Site Directed Mutagenesis of Predicted E.coli Inner Membrane Protein YecN, Biology -­‐ Jill Dewey. Tayabali,Huzefa; Balsara, Dipa; Jalali, Shazli; Vo, Jacqueline; Bagnall, Ruth Ann; Rosell, Rosemarie. Relationship Between Sea Anemone, Aiptasia pallida, and Their Resident Bacteria, Biology–Rosemarie C. Rosell, Ruth Ann Bagnall. Trivino, Cesar; Rodriguez, Olivia; Foss, Keagan; Ludovic, Daniela; Ribadeneyra, Clara. Phylogenetic Analysis of the Orchidaceae Genus Gongora based on Four Barcode Regions, Biology -­‐ Alexandra Simmons N, Ted Baenziger, Albert Ribes-­‐Zamora. Walls, Jennifer; Martinez, Toni, Universal Stress Response Systems in E. Coli, Biology -­‐ Shivas Amin. Cantu, Melissa; Grimm, Helge; Wiggers, Hartmut; Mellis, Birgit, Synthesis and Characterization of High Purity Silicon Nanoparticles, Chemistry & Physics -­‐ Birgit Mellis. Dixon, Elizabeth; Steiger, Michelle, Biochemical Investigations of the exonuclease Rat 1p, Chemistry & Physics – Michelle Steiger. Hameed, Samee; Jurica, James; Creely, Reagan; Covey, Tracy , Investigation of Methods Used to Determine Activity and Expression of APEH, Chemistry & Physics -­‐ Tracey Covey. 10 2014 Research Symposium 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. Hernandez, Valeria; Crawford, Wheeler; Covey, Tracy, Synthesis of Fluoro Derivatives of Chalcones and Their Cytotoxic Evaluation, Chemistry & Physics -­‐ Crawford Wheeler, Tracey Covey. Ibrahim, Yussr; Crawford, Wheeler; Mellis, Brigit, The Synthesis and Characterization of Stable Colloidal Dispersions of Gold Nanoparticles Using Binol, Chemistry & Physics -­‐ Crawford Wheeler, Bergit Mellis, Capstone. Jisha Jose, Wheeler Crawford, Birgit Mellis, Synthesis of Stable Colloidally-­‐Dispersed Gold Nanoparticles Using Biomolecules as Reducing Agent , Chemistry & Physics -­‐ Crawford Wheeler, Birgit Mellis. Maccato, Elizabeth; Mesich, Rebecca; Mellis, Birgit, Adaptation and Preparation of Advanced Laboratory Experiments for Upper Division Undergraduate Students, Chemistry & Physics -­‐ Birgit Mellis. Machado, Jeanette; Rushing, Terri; Cai, Xiaohui; Palasota, John A.; Forkner, Matt, “Analysis of Commercial TETA,” Chemistry & Physics – John A. Palasota, Xiaohui Cai. Manesh, Maryam; Vences, Edwin; Crawford, Wheeler; Mellis, Brigit, Investigation of Gold Nanoparticle/Biotinylated ProteinSystems in Regard to Photothermal Effects, Chemistry & Physics -­‐ Birgit Mellis. Mathew, Roger; Wheeler, Crawford; Mellis, Birgit, Synthesis of Nickel Nanoparticles, Chemistry & Physics -­‐ Crawford Wheeler, Birgit Mellis, Capstone. Ricks, Elizabeth, Synthesis of Chalcones with Imidazole and Indole Ring Systems and Evaluation as Anticancer Agents, Chemistry and Physics – Wheeler Crawford. Rollins, Branae, The Synthesis and Characterization of Stable Colloidal Dispersions of Gold Nanoparticles using Various Cyclodextrins, Chemistry & Physics -­‐ Birgit Mellis, Crawford Wheeler. Spruiell, Sydnee; Crawford, Wheeler; Covey, Tracey, The Synthesis of Chalcones From Acetylpyridine and Pyridine Carboxaldehyde Isomer Combinations and their Evaluation for Cytotoxic Activity, Chemistry & Physics – Crawford Wheeler, Tracey Covey, Capstone. Tran, Ann H.; Anthony J, Tran; Angela G, Lopez; Tracy M, Covey , Analysis of Dinitrochalcones for Cytotoxicity in Cancer Cells, Chemistry & Physics -­‐ Tracey Covey, Capstone. Vences, Edwin; Crawford, Wheeler; Covey, Tracy; Steiger, Michelle; Mellis, Birgit, Crosslinking Biotinylated Proteins to Gold Nanoparticles and Inserting Them Into HEK-­‐293T Cells, Chemistry & Physics -­‐ Birgit Mellis, Michelle Steiger. Vu, Jackie; Covey, Tracey; Crawford, Wheeler, Synthesis of Nitrochalcone Isomers and Their Evaluation for Cytotoxicity, Chemistry & Physics – Tracey Covey, Wheeler Crawford. Avelar, Sirenia; Cortes, Jose Luis; Ovalle, Anette, Attitudes towards mental illness among Hispanics: A phenomenological study, Psychology -­‐ Srijana Shrestha, Capstone. Bohl, Amanda; Cain, Alyssa; Galvis, Bea; Gonzalez, Elvia, The Experience of the Non-­‐Traditional Student, Psychology -­‐ Srijana Shrestha, Capstone. Cortes, Jose, Relationship of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress with Religious Support, and Religious Coping and Stress, Psychology -­‐ Elizabeth Maynard. deTranaltes, Rosalyn, Predicting National Merit Status, Psychology -­‐ Carl W. Scott, Capstone. 11 2014 Research Symposium 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. Goetschius, Julia, “Voice” of Current Female Comedians, Psychology -­‐ Srijana Shrestha, Capstone. Gonzalez, Velckis, Mindfulness, Stress, and Academic Performance, Psychology -­‐ Trish Vandiver. Gonzalez, Velckis; Osores, Jazmin; Pham, Jonathan; Ventura, Midori, Attitude Towards Physical Fitness: Construction and Validation of a New Measure, Psychology -­‐ Srijana Shrestha, Capstone. Jolly III, Robert, Do Business and Non-­‐Business Students Answer Expected Utility Problems Differently?, Psychology -­‐ Jo Anne Meier-­‐Marquis, Capstone. Lippman,Kyle; Madewell,Haleigh; Preston,Deavan; Velez,Caroline, Impact of Social Media: Construction and Validation of a New Measure, Psychology -­‐ Srijana Shrestha, Capstone. Lopez, Edgar; Silberman, Anna; Nguyen, Eileell Alin; Lee, Brendan; Becker, Kristen, Learning Outcomes of the Undergraduate Psychology Major, Psychology -­‐ Jo Anne Meier-­‐Marquis, Capstone. Pinzon, Karina, The impact of western media on body image: A comparison of Fijian and English-­‐speaking girls, Psychology -­‐ Carl W. Scott. Roy, Yolanda; Gonzales, Velckis; Lippman, Kyle; Madwell, Haleigh; Preston, Deavon; and Ventura, Midori, Behavior Traits of Shelter Dogs, Psychology -­‐ Trish Vandiver, Capstone. Strang, Katie, The Journey to Success in People with Physical Disabilities, Psychology -­‐ Srijana Shrestha, Capstone. Tobias, Paige; Trevino, Amanda, We Do the Best We Can With What We Have: Caregivers of Children with Autism, Psychology -­‐ Srijana Shrestha, Capstone. Walden, Hayley, Trevino, Amanda, Tobias, Paige, Roy, Yolanda, Preston, Deavan, Pham, Jonathan, Madewell, Haleigh, Lyons, Ryan, Lippman, Kyle, Jose, Jisha, Hoge, James, Goestschius, Julia, David, Ian, Dahvid, Yisreal, Willpower Interventions: A Meta-­‐Analysis, Psychology -­‐ Carl W. Scott, Capstone. Yisrael Dahvid, Ian Davis, Julia Goetschius, James Hoge, Jisha Jose, Kyle Lippman, Ryan Lyons, Haleigh Madewell, Jonathan Pham, Deavan Preston, Yolanda Roy, Paige Tobias, Amanda Trevino, & Hayley Walden, Health Concerns at the University of St. Thomas, Psychology -­‐ Carl W. Scott, Capstone. Estrada Jr., Everardo (Evie), Mentorship and Academic Success for Catholic Middle School Students, Education -­‐ Catherine R. Barber, Capstone. Nemeth, Katherine, Teaching Grit at School, Education -­‐ Catherine R. Barber, Capstone. Osorio, Jennifer , An Analysis of the Japhet Creek Watershed from July 2013-­‐January 2014, Environmental Science & Studies -­‐ Sr. Savino, FSE, William M. Harris, Jr., Capstone. Vu, Hung, Textual Analysis of the New Testament Letters of St. Paul, Mathematics -­‐ Jack Leonard Follis. 12 2014 Research Symposium Undergraduate Research at UST Statement from the Undergraduate Catalog Engaging in research projects with faculty members provides students special learning opportunities that deepen their knowledge of a subject. Students develop analytical and writing skills and emerge from the experience as critical thinkers and confident speakers. Undergraduate research is an increasingly important component of students’ education experience across the curriculum. Most major programs and the Honors Program offer a capstone experience consisting of creative scholarship in the student’s major, guided by a faculty advisor. Annually, during the spring semester, the Undergraduate Research Committee sponsors the University of St. Thomas’ Research Symposium. Students, both graduate and undergraduate, are encouraged to present at local, regional, national and international conferences, and many students publish their findings in peer reviewed publications. The Undergraduate Research Committee organized this 20th annual symposium to showcase scholarship at the University of St. Thomas. The members for the 2013 – 2014 year were: Maury Harris (Committee, Orals Chair) Catherine Barber (Research and Travel Subcommittee Chair) Sujin Horwitz Birgit Mellis Jo Anne Meier-­‐Marquis Rogelio Contreras-­‐Garcia Tom Harmon Livia Bornegia Joe Goetz Shuoyang Zhang The Undergraduate Research Committee thanks members of the staff of Public Affairs, Institutional Advancement, the General Office, Facilities Operations, Media Services and Publications for their assistance in planning and preparing for this event. Program cover designed by Sandy Solis, Marionette Mitchell and Brenda Cooper, Christopher Zeglin, program designed and produced by Maury Harris. And, as it should be, we thank the students for their hard work conducting their research projects and their professors for their guidance throughout the process. 13