Aaron, Lostutter Faculty mentor: John Tester, College of Engineering

Transcription

UG Symposium Presentation Abstracts
Aaron, Lostutter
Faculty mentor: John Tester, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Manufacturing Rocket Engine Nozzles with 3D Printing
During the 2012-2013 academic year, an experiment is ongoing to examine the integration of 3D
printing into the fabrication of Estes rocket engine nozzles. The rocket engines nozzles are
manufactured using a ZPrinter 310 combined with a unique ceramic powder blend. This blend
consists of 62.50% Redart TerraCotta, 31.25% MaltoDextrin, and 6.25% binder solution. Using
ovens, the firing of nozzles is tested against various temperatures to acquire uniform shrinking.
Nozzles deemed adequate are integrated back into C6-5 Estes rockets using a specially designed
sleeve. Incorporating the sleeve into a manufactured test stand will allow for observation of fired
rockets. Analysis of tested nozzles includes inspecting effects of erosion during rocket firing.
Nozzle radii are measured before and after testing, providing satisfactory data for erosion
analysis. Depending on test outcomes, further analysis will be performed to determine the effects
of mass, sustained thrust, peak thrust, and duration. If successful, 3D printing could be
implemented to optimize the design of rocket engine nozzles.
Acosta, Celina
Faculty mentor: George Gumerman, Honors Program
Eating Disorders and the Media: An Analysis of how Women are Affected
Over time, American culture has encouraged women to engage in or adapt eating disorders
through how the media, T.V. shows, and advertisements portray how women should look. Eating
disorders are a way for women to express their desire and need to feel and be thin. Any amount
of fat on a woman’s body is seen as unattractive and unacceptable through society and the
media’s eyes. Because of these strict standards, females have become insecure in themselves and
have found extreme ways to attain the wanted body image that has taken over many young girls,
teenage girls, and women’s mindsets. A way to cope with and achieve this image of the “perfect”
body is through eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, and orthorexia. These are serious
disorders that can harm individuals and through the media highlighting how women should
appear they do not help the seriousness of these disorders. Through a poster presentation, I will
exhibit the negative effects of media influence on women’s body image through bulimia,
anorexia, and orthorexia.
Adair, Callie
Sabrina Brown, Sean Danton, Ben Reinert, Dylan Pratt
Faculty mentor: Srinivas Kosaraju, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Supermileage: Frame, Fairing, and Steering
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In accordance with the Shell Eco-Marathon Competition, two capstone design teams are tasked
to build a prototype vehicle that can achieve high fuel efficiency. Our team’s primary objective is
to design the frame, fairing and steering of the vehicle. The frame and fairing must interface with
the drivetrain that is being designed by another team. A new frame is designed and constructed
to be lightweight by using honeycomb and aluminum tubing. Both of these materials were
selected for their high strength and rigidity to weight ratio. Using finite element analysis and
experimentation we were able to determine that the chosen design would hold the load needed
with a minimum factor of safety of 3. The fairing is made out of fiberglass and is designed to be
extremely aerodynamic. Using concepts from subsonic incompressible flow and aerodynamics,
we created the smallest cross-sectional area possible, a rounded cone type shape front, and a
narrowed back end. The car is made to be extremely safe, as it is driven in a competition where
the safety of both the driver and other competitors are at risk.
Adkins, Hailey
Theresa Pol, Chelsea Olson
Faculty mentor: John Houser, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Does Organization of Handwriting Influence Perception of Academic Performance?
Different handwriting styles were compared to see the effect it has on perceived academic
performance. This study was conducted to determine the link between organization and
perceived intelligence. Two different handwriting samples were used; an organized, neat sample
and an unorganized, messy sample. Both were identical in content. The two samples were
dispersed randomly to students in PSY 302W courses. Participants were asked to read the
paragraph, and rate it on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest and 1 the lowest. The
researchers hypothesized that the participants would assign their ratings of academic
performance based on their perceptions of the organization of the paragraph. As was predicted,
the participants generally gave higher ratings to the neat paragraph, than to the messy one.
However, this study only tested a small portion of college students; additional studies should be
conducted to compare results possibly focusing on the age and gender of the participants.
Aflitto, Nicholas
Richard Hofstetter
Faculty mentor: Richard Hofstetter, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Novel Acoustic Technique to Control Bark Beetles
Outbreaks of bark beetles are one of the most significant biotic disturbances to forest
ecosystems, and typically lead to extensive economic losses, complete transitions of forest
communities, and negative impacts on local recreation and forest usage. New acoustic
technology has the potential to minimize some of the impacts of these species in trees. Our
objective is to create acoustic inputs to deter bark beetles from entering healthy trees, and to test
the efficacy of the acoustic devices for management and controlling bark beetles. We tested two
hypotheses: (1) Acoustic treatments will influence entry of bark beetles into trees; (2) Specific
sounds affect bark beetles differently. Hypothesis 1 was partially supported, and Hypothesis 2
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was supported by this study. The ‘wood borer’ sound treatment reduced colonization rate of the
pioneer sex of D. frontalis and D. brevicomis. Also, the ‘stress’ sound treatment reduced
colonization of D. frontalis beetle, and the ‘artificial’ sound increased colonization of D.
brevicomis beetles. None of the acoustic treatments had an effect on entry by Ips pini. This
technology could add to the arsenal of tools forest managers use to control bark beetles, provide
one of the few non-chemical and environmentally friendly methods of bark beetle control, and
expand the usage of this device for wood infesting insect pests in the western and southern
United States.
Albano, Dominic
Federico Martolini, Danny Miller, Dirk Prather, Bander Almazroua
Faculty mentor: , College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
40 Qt. Cooler Design
This Senior Design Project centers around a product provided by a local business in Flagstaff,
AZ called Canyon Coolers. They provide premium, high end coolers for outdoor enthusiasts all
over the world. Unfortunately some of their products suffer minor defects originating from
design such as inconsistent surface finish, incorrect tolerance between components, and latch
failure which can all cause intolerable losses in profit. After client discussions it was determined
that a new design for the 40 qt. model was desirable. The new design needed to be compatible in
a wider range of uses, weigh less than 7 kg, withstand higher impact stresses, integrate numerous
usable features, and yet maintain the current cost of the existing design ($189.99).
The finished cooler design satisfies all the project constraints described above. This new design
drastically improves upon the existing cooler in many ways. It features various through slots
located on the body and lid that allow the user to secure the cooler in various configurations. An
integrated hinge design increases durability while allowing the cooler to open even when the
backside is flat against a surface. Features have been recessed to reduce stresses on normally
exposed components such as latches and feet. The ergonomic latching system provides a secure a
seal from body to lid improving ice retention, and every surface of the cooler has smooth
geometry transitions ensuring consistent quality of the product. The improved 40 qt. cooler
should alleviate current product issues at Canyon Coolers.
Aldridge, Megan
Faculty mentor: Vicki Ross, College of Education (COE)
Fifth Grade Fractions and Assessment: An Action Research Project
The intent of this research project was to assess students’ procedural knowledge on solving
problems involving fractions. Specifically, the assessment provided was targeting the Arizona
CCSS fifth grade math standard 5.NF.1: add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators
(including mixed numbers) by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions in such a way
as to produce an equivalent sum or difference of fractions with like denominators. In order to
assess this standard, a pre-assessment of eight problems dealing with fractions was assigned to
fifth graders at Sonoran Sky Elementary School. The fifth graders had not yet been exposed to
operations with fractions in their classes when they received this assessment. After Dr. Ross’s
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ECI 300 classes worked with these fifth graders for their practicum experience, a postassessment was given, which consisted of the same problems on the pre-assessment in order to
determine the students’ progress. The students excelled at adding and subtracting mixed numbers
with like denominators, but when unlike denominators were thrown into the questions, the
students overwhelmingly did not know what to do. According to the results of these
assessments, students have not yet mastered the standard 5.NF.1: add and subtract fractions with
unlike denominators (including mixed numbers) by replacing given fractions with equivalent
fractions in such a way as to produce an equivalent sum or difference of fractions with like
denominators.
Alling, Erica
Faculty mentor: Nashelly Meneses, Russell Benford, Stephen Shuster, College of Engineering,
Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Factors Affecting the Species Abundance and Richness of Fish in Seagrass in the Saipan
Lagoon
Seagrass ecosystems are among the most productive in the world. Their role as fish nurseries has
been described throughout their range, but a notable omission is fisheries-dependent Saipan. In
Saipan, two species of seagrass (Halodule uninervis and Enhalus acordoides) could contribute to
fish nursery productivity but are susceptible to fragmentation from algae and sand. To address
this, I quantified the number of fish species and individuals and the level of fragmentation along
transects at sites where each species of seagrass was abundant. I report the following main
findings: 1) Higher species richness and abundance of juvenile reef fish (N = 32, X2 = 9.40, P =
0.002; N = 32, X2 = 14.26, P = 0.0002; respectively) and all fish (N = 32, t = 5.59, P = 0.0001; N
= 32, F = 77.75, P = 0.0001; respectively) in H. uninervis meadows. 2) The abundance of
juvenile reef fish and all fish in H. uninervis meadows decreases with higher fragmentation (N =
16, R2 = 0.62, P = 0.0003; N = 16, R2 = 0.44, P = 0.002; respectively). Species richness and
abundance of fish is higher in H. uninervis meadows, but it is negatively affected by habitat
fragmentation. This suggests that management for increasing size and abundance of H. uninervis
seagrass meadows and reducing sand and algae fragmentation would benefit fisheries in the
Saipan lagoon.
Allred, Eric
Alexandra Clitso, Chelsie Kekaula, LeAndra Marris, Makenna Sowards, Jacob Weaver
Faculty mentor: Cassandra Dakan, Honors Program
Cultural Diversity and Global Community
This panel explores the dynamics of "global community" - and asks "Is this possible?"
Specifically, topics explore what different worldviews have in common, modern innovations that
build cultural bridges, ego, compassion, empathy and humor across cultures, and the risks of
labeling.
Ames, Colton
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Faculty mentor: Anne Scott, Honors Program
M, Q, Moneypenny, and Leiter: Bond’s Close Friends and Associates
As a secret agent whose covert operations span the decades, James Bond requires the help of a
network of scientists, associates, and other intelligence officers to accomplish his top secret
goals. M., Q., Miss Moneypenny, and Felix Leiter all aid Agent 007 in many different ways, and
Bond could certainly not pull off his daunting feats of espionage without their help. If we
analyze each character, we see that not only do they do their work for Queen and Country, but
they also do it for their sense of companionship with Bond, James Bond.
Andee, Lister
Marsha Bitsui, Dr. Jani C. Ingram
Faculty mentor: Jani Ingram, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Evaluation of Uranium in Soils Gathered Near Two Abandoned Mine Sites on the Navajo
Reservation.
The communities of Pinedale and Church Rock (NM) are located in close proximity to two
abandoned uranium mines, the Northeast Church Rock Mine (NECRM) and the Quivira Mine
(QM). The United Nuclear Corporation operated the NECRM from 1967 to 1982 removing 3.5
million tons of uranium ore. The Kerr McGee Corporation operated the QM from 1974 to 1985
processing 2.5 thousand tons of uranium ore. Consequently, the NECRM and QM were major
contributors of uranium contamination in the soil. The purposes of this study were to determine
the amount of uranium in the soil and to identify high-risk exposure in the areas near the two
abandoned mines. Twenty topsoil samples were collected from Pinedale and Church Rock. The
samples were sifted, crushed, digested with acids, and neutralized to determine the amount of
uranium. Total uranium determination was conducted with an inductively coupled plasma mass
spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results indicate the samples above the natural background level of
uranium, suggesting there is contamination near the abandoned mines. Elevated background
levels of uranium enhance exposure and potential to affect human health for both the Pinedale
and Church Rock (NM) communities. To ensure reproducibility additional testing is being
conducted, results will be discussed. We acknowledge the Partnership for Native American
Cancer Prevention funded by the National Cancer Institute for supporting this work.
Andersen, Genevieve
Madeline Lummis, Carina Hall, Roxanne Nottingham, Amy Vogler, Julia Riehm, Holger Scholz,
Paul Keim & David M. Wagner
Faculty mentor: David Wagner, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Phylogenetic diversity of Mongolian Yersinia pestis isolates provides historical insights into
the dispersal of plague into Mongolia
Yersinia pestis is a gram-negative bacterium that is the causative agent of the disease plague. Y.
pestis is believed to have caused three massive, historical pandemics, which claimed millions of
human lives. Recent phylogenetic analysis of globally diverse Y. pestis strains in conjunction
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with genomic analysis of Y. pestis samples collected from ancient plague victims indicate that Y.
pestis originated in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region of China and spread globally via ancient
trade routes. Due to the clonal nature of Y. pestis, clear geographic patterns can often be
phylogenetically observed as Y. pestis spreads spatially. Based on the proximity of Mongolia to
the location of Y. pestis origin, we expect that plague was introduced to Mongolia on multiple
occasions throughout time resulting in vast amounts of genetic diversity when compared to other
regions. In an attempt to further understand Y. pestis diversity in Mongolia, we have placed 52
Mongolian isolates on a worldwide phylogenetic tree using canonical SNP data generated
through whole genome sequencing. The resulting phylogenetic data indicate that Y. pestis has
indeed been introduced into Mongolia multiple times and that these introductions may be linked
with major, historical outbreaks such as Justinian’s Plague (~500 AD) and the Black Death
(~1350 AD).
Anderson, Alexus
Anisa Padilla
Faculty mentor: Rebecca Maniglia, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
The CSI Effect
The CSI Effect is very common within court systems today. Because of the show CSI and those
similar, sometimes juries have wrongful assumptions about how much bearing evidence really
has on a case. This project is to inform those the actual ramifications that evidence has on
convicting a suspect. It relays how television asserts the misinformation of how reliable
evidence really is. It also gives statistics on how jurors convict due to their new found
knowledge. The CSI effect is very prominent within our justice system and proper education is
needed to better our system as a whole.
Anderson, Amy
John Jowers, Daniel Hamill, Gabe Murray, Nathaniel Lail, Annalise O'Toole
Faculty mentor: Wilbert Odem, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Alternative Landfill Capping System
Cinder Lakes Landfill in Flagstaff, AZ is looking at alternative ways to use paper pulp sludge, a
waste product from a local tissue producing company. The Landfill receives about 40,000 tons of
pulp each year and uses a fraction as alternative daily landfill cover. Due to the large amount of
pulp being wasted, the Landfill wants to determine if it is feasible to generate cost savings by
using pulp in new ways instead of burying it with incoming waste.
Cinder Lakes Landfill in Flagstaff, AZ is looking at alternative ways to use paper pulp sludge, a
waste product from a local tissue producing company. The Landfill receives about 40,000 tons of
pulp each year and uses a fraction as alternative daily landfill cover. Due to the large amount of
pulp being wasted, the Landfill wants to determine if it is feasible to generate cost savings by
using pulp in new ways instead of burying it with incoming waste.
Pulp material characteristics were investigated first to identify its characteristics and possible
new uses at the Landfill. Literature reviews showed the material has a low hydraulic
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conductivity, necessary for use in a landfill permanent cap or liner, but insufficient structural
strength. Further tests conducted on the pulp determined it can minimally retard gas flow and
adsorb some contaminants in leachate.
After material characteristic testing was complete, a landfill cap was tested. Several materials
were tested in conjunction with pulp to create viable landfill cap materials. Admixtures of coal
fly ash, wood ash, and pulp were created for two different cap layers, a hydraulic barrier layer
and a random fill layer. By using these two layers instead of soil and synthetic barrier layers
outlined in the Landfill facility plan, the Landfill should save $8,291,677 on material costs alone.
Aranda, Stephen
Faculty mentor: Sheryl Howard, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
(7,4) Hamming Code
Error correcting codes are used to correct errors that occur when transmitted data is corrupted
with noise. Normally, all codewords are equally-likely. However, if the data is non-uniform and
correlated, such as in environmental sensing networks, the codewords will also be non-uniformly
distributed; some codewords are more likely then others. The (7,4) hamming code is used here
on non-uniform (4 bit) data that is Gaussian-distributed and has low variance. An important
parameter of an error-correcting code is the Hamming distance, which measures the number of
bits that differ between one codeword and another. The minimum Hamming distance of a code
determines its error-correcting ability, and a larger minimum Hamming distance results in
greater error correction. As some codewords are very unlikely, we have the opportunity to swap
codewords that are likely but have low hamming distance with unlikely codewords that have a
greater distance, to improve performance. Swapping of the codewords to increase hamming
distance among more-likely codewords is called codeword mapping. MatLab simulations of the
(7,4) hamming encoding with double codeword mappings and decoding were run. Four different
double codeword mappings are simulated to determine which provides the best performance.
Aranda, Stephen
Aniza Brown, Derek Benallie, Brendan George, Micheal Young, Justin Cummings
Faculty mentor: John Tester, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Urban Electric Vehicle for Efficient Green Transportation
Advancements in technology and global warming have caused electric vehicles to be viable
alternative methods of transportation. Society’s attempt to shift its energy dependence to
renewable alternatives is due to the fact that fossil fuels are depleting, causing gas prices to
increase daily. The Eco Car team will be competing in the Shell Eco-Marathon. The concept of
the competition is to assist in the innovation of electric powered vehicles by designing the most
energy efficient vehicle. To accomplish this, the team improved last year’s vehicle and
redesigned the electrical system using electrically efficient parts, as well as redesigned a lighter
fairing. In order to improve the vehicles efficiency, the team has included a data acquisition unit
to monitor efficiency and to detect any problems. Technological innovation in electric vehicle
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design will change the future by reducing dependency on fossil fuels by producing economically
efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.
Aros, Kelli
Faculty mentor: Women's & Gender Studies, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Globalization of Beauty
In my presentation I will be discussing the history of cosmetic companies and how they formed a
globalization of a westernized beauty. A westernized beauty is portrayed as being white, skinny,
however with curves, blonde and with blue eyes. With this I will be researching how this
westernized ideal of the perfect body for women is expressed throughout magazines and the
media over the world. The women of our world are now concentrated on one thing, and that is
how they appear to the human eye, and since they are seeing one image in the media, women are
seeking cosmetics and plastic surgeries to conform to this westernized ideal of beauty.
Arvidson, Garrett
Garrett Arvidson
Faculty mentor: Gretchen Gee, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
UN Involvement in Genocide
My paper will focus on issues relating to genocide and, more specifically, the differences
between cases in which there is UN involvement and those in which there is not UN
involvement. The broadest focus of this paper could be summarized in the question, when does
UN intervention in a troubled state become an infringement of sovereign equality? I will delve
into the controversial issue of securing human rights in cases of genocide versus the right of state
to control matters within its own borders. Throughout the paper I show that although it may
initially seem that UN intervention into states experiencing bouts of genocide is beneficial, in
many cases this intervention is an infringement of sovereign equality. The cooperation of
member states within the UN, and in many cases the disputes or problems that arise between
these members, have fascinating and very important effects on certain populations or the world
as a whole. These disputes can be the difference between life and death for thousands of people.
Ashcroft, Amarah
Dorothy Alexander, Amanda Ryan, Paige Warner
Faculty mentor: Nora Dunbar, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Drug Use and the Significance of Life-milestones
The rationale of the current study is based on findings that drug use affects an individual’s
perception of the significance of life milestones. More specifically, this study was used to
determine whether the onset and frequency of drug use has a significant effect on an individual’s
perception of the significance of traditional life milestones, such as marriage and a steady career.
The sample included currently enrolled Psychology 302W students, mostly female of European-
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American ancestry. Methods included these students to complete a questionnaire. The
questionnaire assessed drug use history and frequency and also asked students to rate their
personal perception of each life milestone on a Likert-type scale of 0 to 5, with zero not being
important at all and five being very important. Anticipated results of the study will be that the
onset of drug use and the frequency of drug use will skew an individual’s perception of
traditional life milestones.
Atchison, Stephanie
Courtney Biggar, Kevin Lasky
Faculty mentor: Joshua Hewes, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Evaluation of New Bridge for the Flagstaff Urban Trail in Picture Canyon
The goal of the project is to determine the best solution for the replacement of a wooden
walkway bridge located in Picture Canyon, crossing the Rio De Flag northwest of the Wildcat
Hill Waste Water Treatment Plant, at the junction of three separate trails. The Arizona Trail, the
Flagstaff Urban Trail System, and the Educational Loop Trail all connect at one location where a
small (15-feet wide) pedestrian bridge is currently located.
The main replacement bridge under consideration is an old Burlington Northern Santé Fe
(BNSF) railway bridge. This replacement bridge is 16-feet by 80-feet. The project has focused
on structural evaluation of the bridge and a site layout containing this bridge.
Austill, Donovan
Ryan Byerrum, Seyrra Croy
Music's Effect on Emotion
The current study is examining the different effects music can have on emotions. Specifically,
the experiment was designed in order to examine if different genres of music can elicit different
feelings and emotions. The participants in this study were psychology students taking the
research methods class (PSY302W). Participants were taken from their classes and were
instructed to take an anonymous survey (Geneva Music Emotion Survey) regarding their
emotions. One 302w class took the survey while a happy song was playing. One 302w class took
the survey while a sad song was playing. Finally, a third class took the survey while no music
was playing in order to establish a base line. The survey was used to measure the emotions, and
overall happiness of the participants. The results from the surveys were compared in order to
examine if the different groups felt different levels of emotions. It is expected that participants
exposed to happy music will have recorded higher emotions than the baseline group, and
participants exposed to sad music will have recorded sadder emotions than the baseline group.
Avila, Jacob Spencer
Courtney Haasch, Samuel Kirschbaum, Kevin McLaughlin, Carl Thomson, Liz Tomaschko
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Pro-social Behavior
This panel explores a range of pro-social behaviors in everyday interactions, and the overlap of
behavioral variables, including self-compassion and mental illness, gender and compassion,
emotion in literature, duality in humans, compassion and conflict, and quiet ego.
Avila, Vianey
Faculty mentor: Diane Angell, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
The Role of Small Mammals as Seed Predators in Prairies
Prairies are one of our most diverse ecosystems, and today, less than one percent of native prairie
remains. Prairies are important ecosystems because of their high biodiversity, potential to
increase soil organic matter and store carbon. Due to the decline in prairie communities, many
prairies are being planted on lands previously used for agriculture. Small mammals such as voles
and mice have the potential to affect prairie communities during and after the restoration process
by foraging on seeds and plants as communities mature. For example, seed predation can affect
the survival and germination of seeds and alter the composition of seed pools when one species
of seed is harvested more than another. We used cafeteria-style seed cards and incorporated
camera traps in order to observe seed predators and determine seed preference in both a remnant
and restored prairie in Minnesota during the months of June and July. Live-trapping also
provided information on the small mammal communities in both prairie types. The small
mammal community captured by the camera traps was quite different from those caught in live
traps. Small mammals at both locations had similar seed preferences. Although heavier or larger
seeds with higher energy content are often preferentially selected, we found a negative
relationship between seed removal rate and seed weight. Overall, stiff goldenrod was removed
most quickly and western spiderwort was removed least often. Understanding the degree to
which small mammals affect seed pools may highlight the ways these small herbivores affect the
restoration of prairie plant communities.
Bade, Nolan
Faculty mentor: Peter Friederici, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Integrating Art and Science Methodologies: Creating artifacts that re-evaluate ecosystem
relationships on the Milwaukee River
Effective societal response to an environmental challenge, such as ecosystem degradation, is
often difficult when science is the major communication medium (e.g. climate change inaction).
Rather, societal challenges are addressed most efficiently when “four cultures” of environmental
science, creative arts, philosophy & religion, and social science engage fully and equally with
each other. The Urban Ecology Center (UEC) (Milwaukee, WI) and connected riparian system
were used as an experimental study area in connecting the four cultures through the production
of a dozen artifacts (Urban (Re)cology) that document present, past, future, and alternative
ecological landscapes. A Practice-Led artistic research method and feedback environmental art
method were used to investigate natural and religious metaphors, symbols, and aesthetic design
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theory. Native Americans from pre-Wisconsin Territory colonial period influenced the future
social and physical construction of the Milwaukee parks system/river infrastructure, and the
appropriation of natural resource use (water, copper, lead) through time. Additionally, Reed
Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), and Lead Plant
(Amorpha canescens) have well-established sociopolitical networks – beginning at colonial
contact. The landscape and how it is used is shown to predispose the production and meaning of
ecological vocabulary (e.g. “invasive” or “native” or “natural” ecosystem), which then can
determine how the land is managed, and the public’s perception of what the environmental
challenges are (and how they started). The Urban (Re)cology project is a baseline for art-science
integration, and is currently being used as an installational teaching tool.
Badertscher, Lauren
Faculty mentor: Adam Hoffman, Kerri Quinn, Honors Program
Conservation and Poverty: Successful Compromise in Central and Southern Africa
The paper to be presented discusses the importance of communication portion of the planning
and implementation of combined poverty reduction and conservation programs in various
nations in southern Africa. Three specific examples, the Umango Project Area in South Africa,
Korup Project in Cameroon, the Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa, and Kenya’s Masai
Mara National park, are discussed in relation to their success in both the fields of conservation
and poverty reduction and the role of communication in the successes and failures of each
instance. While each example tried to promote conservation and poverty reduction, the Korup
project failed to facilitate communication between locals and administrators of programs leading
to a lack of cooperation and the projects ultimate failure. Kenya’s Masai Mara and its
surrounding communities have found some higher level of success, but a lack of planning
allowed corruption to hinder poverty reduction and lead to the deterioration of conservation
goals. Finally, The Londolozi Game Reserve and Umango project have combines successful
planning and communication in order to reach success, though through slightly different means.
Combined, the examination of various programs is used to demonstrate the importance of the
inclusion of locals in the planning and implementation of conservation and poverty reduction
programs through the establishment and continuation of communication between locals and
planners.
Bagherpour, Daniel
Cameron Fule, Katie Lumia, Jose Marmolejo, Sophie David, Zac Quatre
Faculty mentor: Geeta Chowdhry, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Dalit Discrimination and Movements for Change in India
Our Presentation will introduce the audience to the modern struggle of Dalit’s within India’s
historical context of social inequality and oppression. Research by government sites, non-profit
organizations, and academic institutions will be analyzed and shared along with examples found
in Indian newspapers and political documents. Findings regarding measures Dalit’s and the
Indian Government have taken to promote equality will be presented. Our presentation concludes
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with the significance of socio-political change within India as Dalit’s pursue greater
representation.
Bagwell, Brittany
Kali C. O’Connor, J. Richard Coast
Faculty mentor: J. Richard Coast, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Assessment of Accuracy of a Whole-Body Plethysmograph in Pulmonary Function Testing
Body Plethysmography is a useful tool for measuring lung volumes and capacities. A recentlyacquired plethysmograph was evaluated for accuracy and reproducibility by comparing its output
to those of validated techniques in the laboratory. Pulmonary function measurements from the
plethysmograph were compared to those of a Collins 13L spirometer. We tested the hypothesis
that the output from the plethysmograph will not be different from that of the bell spirometer,
and these measurements were repeatable using the plethysmograph. The study evaluated 10
healthy, non-smoking subjects (5 male, 5 female) ranging from 18 – 59 years-old. Lung volumes
were first measured with the body plethysmograph. A forced vital capacity (FVC) maneuver was
performed on a bell-spirometer to obtain the measurements for comparison. A test was also
performed to look at repeatability with the plethysmograph over different days. Paired T-tests
were performed on data obtained from the spirometer compared to the data from the
plethysmograph. The two trials on the Plethysmograph for repeatability as well as the differences
between the plethysmograph and spirometer were not significantly different from one another. It
can be assumed that the data from the plethysmograph is repeatable and there was no difference
in FVC or FEV1.0 between the plethysmograph and the spirometer.
Bahe, Whitney
Faculty mentor: Micheal Larma, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Origin of the Navajo Police
My research project will be about how the formation of the Navajo police came to what it is
now. I will be interviewing elders and referencing other sources that will contribute to my
project.
Baker, Allison
Faculty mentor: Lauren Berutich
Campus and Community Based Action Research Teams
FYSeminar Program, University College, University College
Action Research and Engaged Learning: S. N. A. I. L.
Fostering just and sustainable communities in northern Arizona through engaged learning,
community partnerships, and action research
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A component of CRAFTS (Community Reengagement for Arizona Families, Transitions, and
Sustainability), the Campus and Community Based Action Research Teams (CBARTs) create
dynamic intergenerational hands on learning communities, bringing first year seminar students,
returning undergraduates, masters students in the sustainable communities program and
community partners into a collaborative relationship.
There are over 10 Action Research Teams, a range of 250 to 500 undergraduate students and 20
SUS grad students participating both on and off campus in the areas of social, environmental,
and economic justice issues.
FYSeminar courses offered with an ARTs component exposes students to a unique pedagogical
approach to hands-on, experiential learning of which content, skill set development, action
research and student engagement are fruitfully intertwined and connected. This spring, each
team is posed with the question, “What is Action Research?” and how does this work connect to
community engagement, civic learning, and collaboration. Each poster will answer this question
and share how Action Research has engaged students in hands-on experiential and civic
engagement throughout the semester and year.
Baker, Eileen
Torrey Gross, Christian Loritz, Peter Massey, Chris Wieduwilt, Derek Young
Faculty mentor: Cassandra Dakan, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Governments, Economies and Better Societies
This panel explores contemporary social/politcal/economic movements in general, and
specifically protest in South Korea, consumerism, dictatorships, the Communist ideal, resistance
to Nazisim, and economic disparity.
Banister, Kelsey
Kayla Ochoa
Faculty mentor: Stephen Shuster, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Revisiting Self-Fertilization and Outcrossing in the Leech Helobdella stagnalis
The relative tendency for the hermaphroditic leech, Helobdella stagnalis to outcross or selffertilize is poorly understood. In order to establish the leeches’ capability to self-fertilize, an
experiment was conducted where individuals were either isolated or assigned to mating pairs.
The reproductive efforts and fitness of the individuals in both treatments were indirectly
measured through the analysis of brood onset, brood size, gestation length, offspring
survivorship, and brood development. We expected that there would be significant differences
between outcrossing and the inferior method of self-fertilization. However, despite results
indicating that self-fertilization is a possible reproductive pathway, preliminary results showed
no significant differences between mating systems. Subtle trends, although not significant, were
detected and may suggest a small sample size may be responsible for these unusual results.
Therefore, the experiment was repeated with an increased sample size to reevaluate the effects of
self-reproduction on this H. stagnalis population. We collected leeches from Rio de Flag in
Flagstaff, Arizona during September 2012. Once detached from the parent, the offspring of these
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individuals either remained isolated or were paired that October. If the sample size is increased
and Helobdella stagnalis uses self-fertilization as a means for reproduction in the absence of
mates, then a difference between the self-fertilization and cross-fertilization reproductive
methods will be present. Further experimentation will assess parentage of the offspring using
microsatellite markers to verify whether paired individuals are true cross-fertilizers. This
research will provide a better understanding of this species, mixed mating systems, parental care,
and their evolution.
Barnes, Monica
Faculty mentor: Dean Smith, Franke College of Business (FCB)
Desalination as a Solution for Water Shortages in the West
This paper weighs the possibilities of desalination of ocean water as a solution to water shortages
in the Western U.S. This paper will also explore the outcomes of a new water market created
through desalination of ocean water.
Barrios, Avila
Utilitarian vs. Non-utilitarian Uses of Water in the West
This presentation will focus on the utilitarian and non-utilitarian uses of water in the west.
Bashaw, Claire
Faculty mentor: Jennifer Musial, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Feminist Leadership and Women in the Workplace
While the gap between men and women in the workplace has seems to lessen over decades, it is
important to observe that although society deems the gap a “thin” one, it is clearly still present.
In my research I will be exploring the many aspects that divide women and men careers and in
leadership positions. I will be examining masculinities and men’s attitude towards gender in the
workplace and highlighting prevalent problems. I will also be incorporating the importance of
feminist economics and its reexamination of the economy for the purpose of improving women’s
economic status. Women in leadership positions have improved through a historical lens, but still
remain such a small percentage. I am seeking to understand and educate others about the ways
women can continue the momentum in rising to the top.
Bast, Douglas
Washington and Water reclaimation and trasportation
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This presentation covers how Washington transports water and what different techniques they
are working on to transport or reclaim water.
Baumgartner, Brett
Desalination and the Rising Cost of Water
The rising cost of water is predicted to continue indefinitely; thus, desalination on a large-scale
basis is becoming more and more of a feasible alternative. My presentation will analyze this
relationship between the cost of water and the cost of desalination.
Beall, Nicholas
Scott Chapin, Samantha Christensen
Faculty mentor: Walter Vannette, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Korean Shamanism
This presentation offers an overview of Korean Shamanism and its primary rituals. The rituals of
Korean Shamanism are presented within the cultural scope of modern day South Korea. Despite
South Korea's continued modernization, South Korean Shamanism has seen a resurgence.
Bechok, Elizabeth
Jacob Erickson
Action Research and Engaged Learning: Foodlink School Gardens
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Begay, Merle
Faculty mentor: Michael Lerma, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Strengthening Indigenous Relationships through Language
This presentation will offer perspectives regarding the importance of verbal communication, and
the association it has to maintaining links to: origins and continuance from an Indigenous
perspective. Indigenous life ways reflect the relationships between humanity; nature; and
spiritual connectedness by means of language. The application of traditional Indigenous
languages in the 21st Century, symbolizes the harness to which each distinct indigenous culture,
continues to sustain their ties to their existence in humanity; nature; and spirituality. Indigenous
cultures strengthen this continuation through songs, prayers, and the practice of indigenous
orality.
Beloin, Kyle
Coren Frankel
Faculty mentor: George Reudebusch, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Action and Compassion: Aristotle on Political Science
Looking at Aristotle's work from the perspective of a political scientist raises several important
and, furthermore, relevant implications for contemporary political theory. For example,
Aristotle's notion of the "nous" provides a foundation on which a substantial political science
ought to be based. Additionally, the role political participation plays in Aristotle's framing of
moral excellence and practical reason suggests that our current political institutions in the U.S.
might fall short in bringing about this proposed foundation for political science.
What unexpectedly emerges from these inquiries, however, is the shared notion that our practical
experiences in philosophy play a crucial role in demonstrating and informing our anticipated
goals: to not only identify in Aristotle an idea that civic engagement and public discourse are
necessary to attaining both intellectual and moral excellence, but show that we can envision how
exactly we can apply Aristotle's ethical framework in communities, and more generally, society.
Belus, Matthew
Faculty mentor: Bruce Hungate, George Koch, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
The Effects of Abiotic Conditions on Soil Fungal Communities over a Decadal Timescale
In the American Southwest, climate change is expected to increase the intensity of drought and
elevate temperature. In Flagstaff, Arizona a natural elevation gradient exists where conditions
associated with climate change in the South West can be simulated. The C. Hart Merriam
Elevation Gradient was utilized to transplant soil communities down gradient to simulate climate
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change in ecosystems representative of the Southwest ten years ago. Intact micro-ecosystems
were transported down gradient in sunken plastic cylinders 30 cm in diameter by 40cm deep for
each control and experimental site. The experiment was designed to determine how soil
communities are affected by hotter and drier conditions in the Mixed Conifer, Ponderosa Pine,
Pinion Juniper, and Desert Grassland life zones. Soil was sampled in 2011 from each control and
experimental soil core to compare differences in control and experimental soil fungal
communities. We used Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (QPCR) and Pyrosequencing of
ribosomal DNA to compare the abundances of different taxonomic groups of fungi. Statistical
analysis of these fungal communities after a decade of altered temperature indicates that all four
ecosystems, control and experimental, are statistically different. All samples show unique soil
fungal community structures in each control and experimental micro-ecosystem. Experimental
ecosystems, those transplanted down gradient, are statistically different from both initial and
transplant ecosystems. The differences in fungal communities after a decade of manipulation
indicate a longer timescale for ecosystem adaptation than previously thought.
Benefield, Jerod
Faculty mentor: Karen Haubensak, Richard Hofstetter, College of Engineering, Forestry and
Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Who’s Bugging Out?: The Impacts of Mechanical Thinning on Arthropod Communities in
Northern Arizona, USA
Mechanical thinning is a widely used forest management tool in the southwestern United States.
Decreasing stand densities, or the number of trees per acre, are known to increase understory
production in terms of both vegetation abundance and richness. The effects of these postthinning condition changes on macroarthropod communities within soil and litter food webs are
not currently known. My goal is to quantify insect community responses to the understory
vegetation changes induced by mechanical thinning treatments. Stand characteristics and pit trap
samples were collected from 16 sites (8 mechanically thinned, 8 unmanaged) during the premonsoon month of June and the post-monsoon month of September during 2012. Samples were
analyzed in the lab and arthropod specimens were categorized according to functional guilds.
Based on cascading trophic level responses to changes in understory vegetation within thinned
sites, we expect to observe distinct differences within macroarthropod community assemblages
between mechanically thinned and unmanaged sites. As drivers of nutrient cycling and
decomposition within forest ecosystems, arthropod communities and their responses to habitat
manipulation should be studied to ensure responsible forest management and better understand
landscape level changes from forest thinning.
Benton, Richelle
Rhiannon Bucher
Faculty mentor: Lonnie Wederski, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
Disinfectant Techniques
This poster is a presentation of research to compare the effectiveness of disinfectant techniques
used in hospitals to clean intravenous line injection ports and arterial line access ports. Arterial
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and venous lines increase the risk of catheter related sepsis, a nosocomial infection that may
lengthen one’s hospital stay and increase costs of healthcare. Current policy from Kingman
Regional Medical Center was reviewed and research was completed to determine if adding
chlorhexidine gluconate to isopropyl alcohol resulted in more effective prevention of bacterial
growth on intravenous and arterial lines. Research showed that KRMC was in compliance with
current FDA guidelines for disinfection of ports and that while 70 percent isopropyl alcohol was
effective in reducing bacterial growth, chlorascrub, 70 percent alcohol with an addition of 3.4
percent chlorhexidine gluconate, is more effective in preventing bacterial growth and impedes
growth for a longer period of time.
Bergen, Krystal
Faculty mentor: Applied Indigenous Studies
Dr. Octaviana Trujillo, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Silent Death: Abandon Uranium Mines in Cameron, AZ
My presentation is focused on the silent death of uranium mining in my community. The story of
the Navajo monster, leeso (uranium) strikes the Navajo community of Cameron. Through news
articles, documentary, and research it gives a strong indication of the effects of abandon uranium
mines. The radiation level is at shocking levels of great concern to anyone that lives near it. The
pattern of lack of involvement from the federal level with the Department of Energy and
Environmental Protection Agency. Recent research was done with Abandon Uranium Mines in
Cameron by Tommy Rock, and provides information on the current status of abandon uranium
mine and the health effects.
Through my internship with the Applied Indigenous Studies Department, I am doing an
internship with NAU Chemist, Dr. Jani Ingram and Tommy Rock with researching on sheep in
the Cameron area, and the uranium effects. There has been research completed on soil sampling
and water sampling. Research on sheep that are close to the abandon mines has not been done.
The Navajo people have been butchering and consuming sheep most of their lives and the
abandon uranium mines may be causing harm to those who consume the sheep. Through this
research, it gives me more awareness of the science portion of abandon uranium mines and the
harmful effect to my community. It is to take care of my relatives who continue to live in the
Cameron and to find the values this community is seeking. My discussion will be the history,
environmental policies, research, and my nation building effort to help my community.
Bigelow, Jessica
Faculty mentor: Thomas Paradis, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Integrating GIS technology and Digital Gaming into K-12 Geography Education
I'll be presenting on the techniques being used with regards to GIS technology and digital
gaming in a K-12 classroom. I will give information on the research that's been done by other
academics and researchers, use examples from my own research, and provide suggestions for
future research. I've gathered my information through surveying students in a high school,
interviews of two high school teachers, as well as observation of the teaching techniques being
used.
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Bishop, Michael
Faculty mentor: Christopher J. Mann, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
A Next Generation 3D Imaging System for Ballistics Identification
Firearms are the most commonly used weapons in violent crimes, and the bullets and shell
casings ejected from a given firearm have a unique signature or pattern stamped into them as a
result of the firing process. This signature can potentially be used to tie a bullet or shell casing
back to a specific firearm, and hence to a specific individual that may have committed the crime.
Current ballistics identification technology employed by the federal and local law enforcement
communities has several problems that reduce the utility and accuracy of existing systems,
including outdated 2D ballistic imaging technology, and inaccuracies in the automatic signature
matching algorithms. This research project attempted to develop the next-generation ballistics
identification technology by employing novel quantitative 3D microscopy methods for ballistics
imaging, and state-of-the-art pattern 3D matching algorithms. The development of a next
generation 3D imaging instrument with advanced and tested pattern matching capabilities aligns
very well with the current need for achieving reliability, reproducibility, selectivity, and/or
sensitivity for firearms forensic analysis. With the help of my mentor Dr. Christopher J. Mann,
and the Hooper Undergraduate Research Award work was done to advance firearms
identification science by aiding the firearms examiner and providing them with quantifiable and
reliable tools which make their analysis as objective and accurate as possible.
Black, River
Jason Wilder
Faculty mentor: Jason Wilder, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Identifying Novel SNPs in the 3’UTR of KRAS Using Native American DNA Samples
Mutations that upregulate the expression of the oncogene KRAS have been linked to pancreatic
cancer. Such mutations affect growth promoting signals, which in turn increases the production
of key proteins involved in cellular division. MicroRNAs, or short sequences of nucleotides that
have been shown to dysregulate similar genes, are a factor hypothesized to be affected by
mutations in the genome of individuals afflicted with cancer. We sequenced sections of the 3’
UTR of KRAS in 41 Native American DNA samples, and compared the single nucleotide
polymorphisms found using public databases to identify novel mutations. This was done to
search for unique SNPs that could influence microRNA binding sites. Our research has shown
that novel SNPs are present within the 3’ UTR of various sample subjects.
Blackman, Ryan
Faculty mentor: David Trilling, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Using Thermal Modeling to Determine the Properties of Small Solar System Bodies
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Much can be learned about the origin and evolution of the Solar System through the study of
small objects such as asteroids and comets, provided their physical properties can be known.
This can be accomplished through a technique called thermal modeling, in which the thermal
radiation from these objects is captured by telescopes that observe in the infrared part of the
electromagnetic spectrum. Thermal models help us analyze this radiation so that we may solve
for physical properties of the observed objects such as size and albedo (the percentage of
sunlight reflected off the object). Using data from NASA's Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer,
I have derived these properties for a number of bodies classified as Centaurs, which exhibit
characteristics of both asteroids and comets. These small objects have estimated lifetimes of only
a few million years and have unstable orbits that cross one or more of the giant planets. I have
also made comparisons of their properties with those of other groups of small Solar System
bodies in an attempt to understand more about the origins of these objects.
Blanford, Matthew
Kristen Waring and Adam Polinko
Faculty mentor: Kristen Waring, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Seedling Growth Response to Western Spruce Budworm in Mixed Conifer Forests
The western spruce budworm (WSBW), Choristoneura occidentalis, has been a native forest
defoliator in western North America since the late 17th century. In northern New Mexico, the
WSBW has been at elevated population levels for a prolonged time period (>20 years in some
locations). Under the current WSBW outbreak and a changing climate, projected to be warmer
and drier in the Southwest, there may be long-term changes in forest stand structure and
composition. The focus of our research is to investigate understory seedling response to change
in overstory structure and resource allocation resulting from WSBW-caused mortality. In
August, 2012, we sampled 45 tree seedling pairs in dry mixed conifer stands currently
experiencing mortality from WSBW. Each pair included one seedling susceptible to WSBW
(i.e., white fir or Douglas-fir) and a non-susceptible, neighboring seedling (i.e. ponderosa pine).
Our measurements included 5- and 10-yr height growth, crown length and ratio, and defoliation
severity (where appropriate) and/or other damages. Paired t-tests will be used to test for
significant differences between tree pairs. We hypothesized that in WSBW affected sites the
seedlings of non-susceptible ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) will have significantly greater
relative height growth than the susceptible seedlings of Douglas-fir (Pseudostsuga menziesii) and
white fir (Abies concolor). Ponderosa pine is also more drought tolerant than the susceptible
species, and likely to be favored under warmer, drier climatic conditions as well. The predicted
change towards a drier climate is supposed to be most in the region of northern New Mexico. We
will present the results from our data and initial implications for management, including potential
future species compositional shifts and stand development trajectories. Natural resource
managers will be able to use our results to begin understanding the implications of WSBW
mortality on forest composition and structure, enabling managers to incorporate these changes
into adaptive management strategies.
Blaser, Liz
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Kaitlin Rosser, Katelyn Wyatt
Asch Study Duplicate Observing Gender Dynamic
Many other researchers have conducted replications of the Asch study on conformity. The
current study is also a duplicate of Asch's study. This research, however, explores the
relationship between group gender and conformity by manipulating the gender of the group
dynamic. Previous research has shown that women are more likely to conform than men. This
study looks at four major groups: male confederates with a female participant, male confederates
with a male participant, female confederates with a female participant, and female confederates
with a male participant. In each trial, participants are asked to answer ten perception questions.
Each question consists of an example line and three possible answers, the participants are asked
to state which of the lines best matches the example line. The confederates in the group are
provided scripted responses in order to persuade the participants answer. The results from this
study will identify if a gender-biased environment plays an influential role in an individuals’
willingness to conform to the group.
Blount, Mariah
Vianney Hoenig, Greg Sale
Faculty mentor: Matt Anderson, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Does your culture effect how you choose your mate?
This study researched the effects or influences of culture in attractive features when searching for
an ideal mate. Undergraduate students at Northern Arizona University were the participants of
this study through the use of a survey created by the researchers. The survey utilized a Likert
scale from 1(least important) to 7(most important) asking participants which attractive features
were most important when choosing an ideal mate. The survey was split into four different
categories: facial features, upper body, lower body, and extremities. Researchers predict that
there will be a positive correlation between culture and how each picks their ideal mate.
Bo, Stevens
Faculty mentor: Ophelia Wang
, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Measuring Habitat Loss in Southwestern Nicaragua
Nicaragua contains the world’s largest remaining tropical dry forests despite losing half its forest
cover since the 1950’s. Habitat loss and fragmentation of these forests have devastating effects
on species diversity and habitat connectivity. Characterizing land use and land cover changes for
broad conservation planning necessitates the use of remotely sensed satellite imagery.
Classification of land cover is being developed using the red, green, and near-infrared spectral
bands, the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index from SPOT imagery, in addition to terrain
variables, aerial photography, and ground truthing data. The resulting land cover map will be
used by local agencies to prioritize areas for reforestation and conservation within the province
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of Rivas, Nicaragua, benefiting local conservation organizations by recognizing the greatest
deforestation contributors and highlighting areas that need urgent conservation effort.
Bojorquez Figueroa, Edith
Faculty mentor: Melissa Santana, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
"Successful Aging: Creating the Ultimate Assisted Living Environment for people with
Alzheimer’s in Provo, UT"
The research purpose was to address the question “How to design an efficient assisted living
environment that supports and understands the needs of people suffering from Alzheimer’s
disease?” Studies have shown that the built environment can have a great effect on the everyday
life of an Alzheimer patient and, with an appropriate interior design concept, these patients can
live a better life.
For this project, a theoretical facility was created in Provo, Utah because of its healthy lifestyle,
quality care access, and safety. Due to class constraints only the recreation, garden, employee
areas and private spaces for people with Alzheimer’s were researched and designed for.
Scholarly journals and case studies were reviewed to determine key elements that would enrich
the design of this type of facility. Research showed that environmental enhancements can have a
positive impact on the well-being of staff and patients in the mental healthcare field. Other key
findings include evidence that exposure to arts may reduce anxiety in patients with Alzheimer’s
and that wayfinding problems should be simplified by creating small-scaled settings with simple
but not monotonous circulation routes.
Based off of research, observational site visits, and healthcare provider interviews a unique and
supportive environment was designed. To help create a connection to the local and natural
environment the design was inspired by the autumn colors found in Provo. Paintings and images
that characterize Provo’s nature helped enhance well-being and diminished stress levels and
indirect lighting was used to allow higher light levels without producing glare.
Booz, Betty Lou
Faculty mentor: Diana Elder, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Community Sustainability and Non-profit Organizations
This presentation is an examination and explanation of the idea of Community Sustainability,
and how local non-profit organizations facilitate this movement. In order to fulfill the graduation
requirement of participation in an internship, I became an intern at Friends of Flagstaff’s Future,
a non-profit organization in Flagstaff, Arizona that is geared towards social sustainability and
community-lead advocacy. The purpose of the internship was to understand how non-profit
organizations function, while helping a particular non-profit organization, Friends of Flagstaff’s
Future, to succeed. During the internship, a concept was developed which analyzed the
participation of an individual in the pursuit of a sustainable community. There are several ways
in which a person can contribute to the sustainability of their community, such as eating food
that has been grown and/or raised locally, shopping at local stores, and helping to keep public
spaces clean. Additionally, the importance of non-profit organizations because of their servicebased goals was recognized in the paper. Friends of Flagstaff’s Future, a non-profit organization
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located in downtown Flagstaff, was studied as an essential part of developing a sense of
Community Sustainability within the city of Flagstaff. It is concluded in the presentation that an
individual interested in sustainability must adopt a sustainable lifestyle and then contribute to the
sustainability of their community.
Booz, Betty Lou
Mary Coulombe, Jacquelyn Davis, Jessica Eliason, Will Hickman
A Strategic Plan to Eliminate Plastic Bags in Flagstaff
This specific group of students in the Environmental Capstone Class 490C was given the task of
creating a strategic plan to eliminate plastic bag use in Flagstaff, Arizona. Plastic bags have
presented a significant problem to the natural and human world because of the pollution they
create. During the manufacturing process of plastic bags, harmful chemicals are emitted into the
atmosphere. Then, when they have outlived their single-use purpose, they are discarded,
polluting several different types of ecosystems. Throughout their lifespan, these bags create a
nuisance to a society that could do without them. After outreach research, the group was
presented with several different avenues through which to complete the goal of eliminating
plastic bags in Flagstaff. The option of a bag fee for consumers and an outright ban throughout
the city were among those ideas. The group felt it was better to focus on the complete ban of
plastic bags. It also became evident that implementing a bag ban would not easily be finished
within the timeframe allotted by the capstone course ENV 490C. Therefore, the group members
set about creating a survey, petition and fact sheet that might contribute to the success of a bag
ban in the future. Included within this project is a complete plan in order for this to become a
reality.
Booz, Christian
Kevin Kirchmeier, Brett Smith, Dion Obermeyer, Eric Nolan
Challenges in Communicating Climate Change
Communicating climate change issues to the public is a challenging task. Reasons include
misunderstanding scientific language, educational issues, political beliefs and social stigma,
economic uncertainties, and locality in time and place.
Scientific language is currently misunderstood by the general public. The definitions of words
such as “theory” and “uncertainty” contain different meanings for the scientific and public
communities. Scientific education in the United States is lagging behind the rest of the world;
this has a direct effect on how the public approaches climate change issues. In addition to
environmental education, personal opinions most directly affects perceptions of environmental
issues. Reliance upon an economic system demanding mass consumption makes solving the
climate crisis even more difficult. The science behind climate change has been communicated by
its skeptics as uncertain at best and irrelevant to the current agenda. There is a social stigma
surrounding climate change within the political realm, and many politicians shy away from
issues not immediately relevant to their term in office. Climate science needs to be
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communicated in timeframes politicians can get behind without fear of losing elections.
Therefore, climate change needs to be communicated in terms of the here and now, rather than
emphasizing effects that are decades away.
Complexities associated with climate science pose difficulties in communicating with the general
public and policy makers. The scientific community can improve its communication of climate
change in order to influence public opinion towards recognizing climate science as legitimate,
and making the necessary changes for a sustainable future.
Booz, Christian
Faculty mentor: Cynthia Pardo, Moran Henn, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
Friends of Flagstaff – Outreach Internship
Flagstaff boasts a rich and historical culture. Every day, urbanization and increased unsustainable
development are decreasing the open spaces and quality of life Flagstaff residents enjoy. Nonprofits are one major way that the Flagstaff area can keep its distinctive culture, one such nonprofit is Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3). The purpose of my internship was to understand how
the non-profit realm works and better understand how to create actual change in regards to open
space and the environment. The main focus of this internship was the research of Flagstaff’s
local water issues surrounding a snow park at McMillan Mesa as well as general
communications work including the creation of a blog and taking photos of events. By working
with F3 I increased by photography and writing skills by running a forum for the Flagstaff public
and by photographing basic events and promotional material. The last portion of my internship
was working with the KARES (Kids Art, Reading, and Eating for Sustainability) program to
teach children about environmental issues surrounding the area. By the end of the internship I
gained a better understanding of the non-profit world, increased my writing and technical skills,
and gained valuable professional experience in the non-profit realm of environmental activism.
Bossaller, Katherine
Faculty mentor: Steve Wilson, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Symmetries of Generalized Circulant Graphs
I will explore a new classification of Circulant Graphs namely, C'_n(1,a,b) graphs there general
properties and the symmetries they possess. I will prove which of these graphs are edgetransitive and other general properties. Also I will be exploring several generalizations of these
graphs and try to prove overall theories about this type of graph.
Bostaph, Jessica
Abusing Food to Reach Perfection
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In this presentation I will explore the way food plays a role in the lives of girls who struggle with
the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. This will include an introduction to the disease itself, how
it develops, what influences it in girls, the age groups it most often affects, and how food fits into
the picture. What foods do anorexic girls allow themselves to eat, and why? What foods do they
avoid and why? The thesis statement for the presentation is: With grumbling stomachs and the
aroma of a fresh cooked meal passing through their senses, some girls refuse to eat and nourish
their bodies in fear of gaining weight and becoming unbeautiful by media’s standards. This
mental disease, anorexia nervosa, affects around 13% of girls at some point in their life. This
paper will explore the role food plays in the lives of these affected girls – why are some foods
part of the “diet” plan while others are avoided at all costs?
Bowen, Ronnie
Faculty mentor: Linda Paul, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
Smoking Cessation and the Effect on Diabetic Hgb A1c Levels
The purpose of the presentation is to identify if smoking cessation results in lower Hgb A1c
levels for diabetic patients who are active smokers and to use this information to further promote
the benefits of smoking cessation. The use of the Hgb A1c is considered a standard of care for
evaluation of diabetic management and glycemic control. Having an association of lower Hgb
A1c levels with smoking cessation may encourage more patients to consider this lifestyle
modification. A review of literature was conducted and found a correlation between smoking and
insulin resistance and lower Hgb A1c levels with nonsmoking diabetic patients. Smoking
cessation is a lifestyle modification that can improve glycemic control, reduce risk factors for
microvascular and macrovascular complications, and reduce overall mortality in diabetic
patients. Best practice of diabetic management should include smoking cessation counseling and
pharmacological therapy for all diabetic patients who smoke. Evaluation of smoking cessation
for diabetic management should include frequent scheduled follow-up with healthcare providers,
continued reinforcement of smoking cessation, and obtaining Hgb A1c levels as recommended.
Bramwell, Cheyenne
Faculty mentor: Patricia Helena Cintra Marchesi, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
A Hero's Journey Through Styles
The poem that I am going to be presenting is a story split into three parts, each in the style of a
different literary work that we've read in my British Literature class. The styles are Beowulf,
Arthurian Romances, and The Canterbury Tales. This story is one of my originals, along with all
of the characters, names, and places. This is just an example of how different styles of literature
are all able to be used to diversify stories, and improve each other.
Brandstein, Sarah
William Joffroy
As of 4-19-13
Community Building through Design
The Rabbi of the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Flagstaff asked NAU’s Interior Design II
class to come up with a design for the youth section of the community center. This project
involved a few steps of the design process, of which each pair of interior design students applied
to come up with one final solution. We interviewed the client, measured the space, produced
preliminary sketches, floorplans, and material selections, finalized all decisions on floorplans and
materials, created an eye-catching presentation board, and finally presented our designs to the
Rabbi.
The youth section of the community center was desired to be a comfortable place for anyone
from young children to young adults to come and relax, socialize with peers, work on homework
and play games, while also having the flexibility of becoming an overflow space for services and
events that include plenty of food and need a lot of space to watch projection films. My design
partner and I did research to gather information about the Jewish heritage and the community
center to develop a design that abided by our design challenges, which included using the
community center’s existing furniture, structural materials, and fluorescent lighting, as well as
employing human ergonomics to work with the spacial requirements of billiards tables.
Additionally, my and my partner’s goal was to create a space that correlated with the Jewish
Community Center’s mission statement, “We create a warm, welcoming environment for
everyone to explore and experience our heritage in a non-judgmental and inviting atmosphere.”
Brent, Steven
Market Solutions for Municipal Water Pricing
Different market valuation methods will be analyzed to determine what system is the best choice
for municipalities.
Brown, Aniza
Maria Espinola-Romero
(CEFNS)
LDPC-Encoded System With Min-Sum Decoding
Low density parity check (LDPC) codes can provide state-of-the-art error correction, and are
used for many applications, including deep-space communication and satellite video
broadcasting. LDPCs are easily decoded using a graph-based decoding algorithm, such as the
min-sum algorithm. Probabilistic log-domain messages are passed back and forth between the
two portions of the graph-based decoder, which are the bit nodes and the check nodes. At each
bit node, the decoder sums incoming messages together, while the check nodes output the
minimum magnitude message from their connected bit nodes. An ongoing research project at
NAU simulates a communications system using a short-length LDPC, a Gaussian noise channel
and the min-sum decoder in VHDL. Use of finite-precision messages in implementation can
result in a sum of zero at a bit node; a zero message is a problem in the decoder. These zero
As of 4-19-13
messages propagate through the check nodes until all messages are zero, and the resulting
decoder output becomes arbitrary.
This project seeks to convert any zero messages to non-zero messages with appropriate sign and
small magnitude. This project has two parts. The first part corrects the zero messages in the
min-sum decoder. The second part is to simulate the updated VHDL min-sum decoder on an
Altera DE-2 board to determine the bit error rate of the LDPC-encoded system with min-sum
decoding.
Brown, Monique
Nashelly Meneses
Factors Affecting Nesting Beach Selection of Green Sea Turtles in Saipan
Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are a keystone species in marine ecosystems. However, the
population has been declining for decades. Previous research has shown that human impact,
beach width and length, sand characteristics, and slope significantly affect nest selection. Factors
such as these are not known in the Mariana Islands, a key migration point for green sea turtles in
Japan and the Philippines. To determine which factors affect nesting beach selection on Saipan, I
characterized human impact, vegetation, substrate, site accessibility, beach width, and predation
levels on nesting and non-nesting beaches. Of the six factors that I investigated, human impact,
evaluated by visitor counts (N = 16; t = 2.79; p = 0.009) and vehicles present at the beach (N =
16; t = 2.87; p = 0.006), and species richness of dune vegetation (N = 16; t = -2.22; p = 0.02)
showed the greatest effect on nesting beach selection. Nesting beaches are characterized by
lower human impact and a higher species richness of vegetation. Focusing on these factors in
future management programs could relieve environmental pressures on the species and assist in
their recovery.
Brunskill!, Matt
Roidball
Roidball is a proposition to create a separate sporting league in which all players are using
anabolic androgenic steroids. Players caught using performance enhancing drugs in traditional
leagues will immediately be kicked out and given the option to transfer to a Roidball league or
retire early. This brings more honesty to traditional leagues and more safety for players, as well
as beneficial economic implications for America as a whole.
Bruzas, Ian
Kellan Finney, John Welsh, Kinya Hotta, David Fox, Andrew Koppisch
Faculty mentor: Andrew Koppisch, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
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Characterization of cis,cis-muconic acid production in an engineered Escherichia coli
heterologous host
Traditional synthetic routes to many petrochemical products including nylon are often associated
with the production of detrimental byproducts. The metabolic engineering of known and de
novo biosynthetic pathways has potential to mitigate environmental and health risks posed by
many current industrial synthetic practices through mild bio-catalyzed reactions and benign
starting materials. A de novo metabolic pathway was employed to create catecholate derived
precursors of adipic acid, one of the primary feedstocks in the polymerization of nylon 6,6.
Cis,cis-muconic acid was produced using a multiple-mono cistronic plasmid construct in an
Escherichia coli heterologous host. Purification of cis,cis-muconic acid was accomplished using
ion exchange chromatography and acid precipitation reactions. Purified products were
characterized with mass spectrometry and thin layer chromatography.
Buchanan, Cody
Faculty mentor: Kevin Ordean, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Flagstaff Compost Co.
I will be presenting on a composting business startup company I have been working on for my
internship under Kevin Ordean with the NAU Green fund. We have developed a business model
for a compost company to start up in Northern Arizona and have secured $5,000 in funding with
an additional $7,000-$10,000 pending. Our process and model are simple: first we charge local
businesses a pick up fee for raw compost materials, second we convert raw compost materials
into a rich product that aides in plant growth, and third we then sell that rich compost material in
bulk and bags to local consumers who are demanding a compost product.
Buckentin, Patrick
Water Transfers in Western States
I am looking at the valuation of water in terms of 2 cases that are being brought about in the
lower part of state of Colorado.
Bulger, Brittani
Faculty mentor: Russell Benford, Nashelly Meneses, Stephen Shuster, College of Engineering,
Use of Shells of an Introduced Invasive Gastropod by Native Hermit Crabs on Saipan
The shell shortage caused by a large decline of native gastropods over the years has increased
pressures on hermit crab populations worldwide. This could negatively impact nutrient cycling
because of their role as detritivores. However, on Saipan, the decline in the population of an
introduced invasive gastropod, the giant African land snail (Achatina fulica), has lead to an
increase in gastropod shells available for hermit crab use. To test whether the increased shell
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availability has had a positive influence on the hermit crab population, I surveyed hermit crabs at
six locations on the island. I recorded size, shell type, and species of each crab found. I evaluated
how shell size varies among locations and how it varies among location types (beach and inland,)
using a Wilcoxon test. Shell size varied among locations (N=257, X2=154.19, P<0.001) and
shells found at inland sites were larger than those found at beach sites (N=6, X2=54.25,
P=<0.001). Native hermit crab species can benefit from the decline in the invasive giant African
land snail.
Burns, Genevieve
Faculty mentor: , Honors Program
Land of the Morning Calm
See South Korea through the eyes of an exchange student! “Land of the Morning Calm” is a
reflection of my semester studying abroad at Keimyung University in Daegu, South Korea. Daily
life, university life, and the trials and tribulations of being a study abroad student were all
recorded for my own reflection—but such experiences are meant to be shared. Important aspects
of my life were my exposure to Korean Buddhism, friendships with Koreans and other exchange
students, and the general Korean way of life, but being an exchange student is about so much
more. My experience also included trips to the other major cities, and to industrial and cultural
sites around South Korea. Studying abroad is a life-changing experience that I now know and
love and I encourage everyone to pursue different educational opportunities or travel experiences
wherever they are in life.
Burris, Codi
Fighting the Diabetes Epidemic Among the Navajo People
It appears as though the American food system has done society a great deal of good by making
food really inexpensive and in large amounts. But, this type of food system is not good for many
ethnic minorities. The majority of the lower class is composed of ethnic minorities; they will be
able to afford food, but not the most nutritious and healthy foods. As a result, there are numerous
health diseases among this specific type of Americans. The real problem is that the majority of
those diseases can be prevented by consuming more nutrient dense whole foods and being more
active. The lack of education and the scarce amounts of healthier foods available to these
minorities needs to be reformed.
An example of where a minority group has adapted to the American food system and has fallen
victim to health concerns is the Navajo people and their long struggle with diabetes. It is no
question that Diabetes prevention programs and events should be more culturally appropriate and
open for the community to participate in. The programs need to be aware of the history of the
Navajos with Western foods, the culture's staple foods, and techniques to connect traditional
knowledge with the contemporary. By analyzing the prevention programs and events targeted
towards Navajos, we may be able to improve their effectiveness and help the rest of America as
well.
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Burt, Banning
Faculty mentor: Dr Odem
Dr Nelson, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
NAU Solar Distillation Team
Our presentation is in regards to solar distillation of brackish water
Butler, Tara
The Prevalence of Alcohol Abuse and Acquaintance Rape
Older methods of sexual violence prevention were geared toward women in protecting
themselves from strangers. Recent empirical research shows that the majority of rapes are done
by an acquaintance or someone the survivor knew. Recent studies also show that the majority of
perpetrators were intoxicated during the sexual violent crime. The increase in acquaintance rape
involving alcohol has caused scholars to look at possible causes of this increase. Scholars like
Jackson Katz relate the media perception of what it means to be masculine is highly related to
the increase of alcohol related acquaintance rape. Possible solutions would be to change sexual
violence prevention education towards developing safe relationships, knowing a bad relationship,
and how to prevent yourself or someone else from committing the crime.
Buttacavoli, Dean
Faculty mentor: Peggy Pollak, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
KARES Educational Youth Garden
Since the advent of the Green Revolution in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, the industrial food
system has been deteriorating the health and prosperity of the American public and the
environment with its frequent use of nitrogen-based fertilizers, toxic chemical pesticides, and
carbon emitting farm machinery. More specifically, the adverse effects of an industrialized food
system have severely affected the health of American children. Today, the onset of diet related
illnesses among children steadily climbs past levels that are unprecedented. In an effort to
educate children about the importance of healthy and sustainable eating, Friends of Flagstaff’s
Future (F3) established its Kids, Art, Reading, and Eating for Sustainability (KARES) program.
Looking to advance the program’s initial efforts, we established a KARES educational garden
space where children will have the opportunity to maintain an organic vegetable garden. Through
engaging young students in basic sustainable gardening practices, F3 hopes to get more children
interested in growing and eating healthy, organic food. By educating the city’s youth on the
importance of sustainable and local eating, the program will cultivate a food ethic within these
young students that will quietly yield political change as these students consistently choose to
support healthy food products and environmentally responsible companies. By essentially voting
with their food dollars, these students will be empowered to move the market with their new
consumer demand for healthy and sustainably grown foods.
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Byrne, Kaitlin
Legalizing Prostitution in American Society
This research presentation focuses on the legalization of prostitution in America. This report
begins with a brief history of prostitution throughout the world, as well as brief description of
legal cases pertaining to the subject. The presentation then delves into research on the pros and
cons of legalizing prostitution in the United States. Pros discussed include: full rights to the
human body, freedom of choice, economic growth, decreased unemployment, and decreased
crime. The con focused on in the presentation is the moral backlash that would arise as a result of
legalization. In addition to the pros and cons of legalizing prostitution, this presentation also
details the regulations needed to safely and effectively legalize prostitution in America.
Campbell, Corbin
Corbin Campbell Robyn Johnson
Faculty mentor: Walter Vanette, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Phuket vegetarian festival
A poster presentation discussing the ritual context of the annual vegetarian festival held in
Phuket Thailand? Why do festival devotees skewer themselves with metal rods and various
objects as devotion to Buddha?
Caniglia, Patrick
(CEFNS)
Studies on the effect of 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol supplementation on algal and bacterial
cultures
Plants, bacteria and green algae all use the Methyl Erythritol Phosphate (MEP) Pathway to
synthesize isoprenoids, which are vital for the survival of all forms of life. Dephosphorylated
methyl erythritol (ME) was supplemented to Botryococcus braunii green algae colonies to test if
they take in the ME as a precursor to their isoprenoid synthesis. This supplementation showed a
change in the overall health of the algae itself, as well as exponential increase in the population
of symbiotic bacterial cultures present with the algae. Further supplementation of ME to
reproduce these results with individual bacterial colonies have shown little difference in growth
when given and restricted ME in nutrient minimal media. While ME was capable of exerting
physical modifications to B. braunii cultures, our results suggest this modification is not a result
of the bacteria consuming the ME.
Canterbury, Sean
As of 4-19-13
Faculty mentor: Paul Gazda, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Project
My internship was with the Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Project, which is a student
Green Fund project at Northern Arizona University. The goal of the project was to reduce and
eventually eliminate the use of toxic herbicides on campus grounds. I, along with two other
interns and the project leader, worked from May until November of 2012 documenting weeds on
selected plots. There were three project sites, each consisting of a control plot and a test plot. The
control plot was managed by the grounds department and had regular herbicide treatment. The
test plots were managed by the project team and had no herbicide application. The weeds on
these sites were eliminated by manual labor, being either pulled up or dug up. The main problem
weeds that were encountered consisted of dandelion, plantain, clover, and black medic. It was
found that weed abundances were generally higher on the lawns, which weren’t sprayed with
herbicides. However, the grass on the test plots did appear to be much healthier than the control
plots. It was shown that it is possible to go herbicide free however there does need to be a level
of tolerance when it comes to weed presence. More experimentation would need to be done to
determine if the NAU grounds department has the capability of implementing such practices in
the near future.
Carlson, Annamarie
Faculty mentor: Kathleen M. McGeever, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
The Enduring and Culturally Relevant Image of Mother Ireland in the Plays of John B.
Keane
The idea and image of Mother Ireland is an incredibly important symbol that has been seen
throughout Irish history. Mother Ireland, the feminine expression of the nation, is articulated in
the triple goddess form of maiden, mother, and matriarch. This paper will explore the
reoccurring figure of Mother Ireland as she transforms in John B. Keane’s plays Sive, The Field,
and Big Maggie as a living culture legacy of Irish history.
Carranco, Jackson
Hill, Aryel & Laws, Terry
Faculty mentor: Matthew Anderson, Jason Whetten, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
(SBS)
Dont Stress it, Sweat it!
In order to determine if exercise reduces perceived stress levels, we constructed a study in which
we provided an in-class survey for undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 50
enrolled in a section of Research Methods in Psychology at Northern Arizona University. This
topic is very intriguing because many students deal with high stress levels on a daily basis and
are interested in coping mechanisms. Also, this topic should interest students because many
want to spend free time exercising but feel it is something that they cannot justify affording time
for. Upon conducting our research we expect to find negative correlations between the amount of
As of 4-19-13
exercise one typically engages in and the average perceived stress levels they experience and
between the intensity of their exercises and perceived stress. We also expect to find a stronger
negative correlation between aerobic exercises and perceived stress (as opposed to strength
training, yoga, and sports). We will be using one t-test to test the relationship between the yes/no
close-ended question ("Do you exercise regularly?") and perceived stress, two product-moment
correlations to test the correlations between duration and intensity and perceived stress, and one
ANOVA to test which type of exercise (if any) is correlated to having the lowest levels of
perceived stress. Past research on this subject performed by different researchers concluded that
exercise does reduce perceived stress. We are predicting that exercise does indeed reduce
perceived levels of stress, as other studies suggest; however, we are also attempting to produce
more information as to which variables (duration, type, and intensity) have the strongest effect in
determining reduction of perceived stress levels among those who do regularly exercise.
Carroll, Katherine
Margo Dufek, Andrew McCarthy, Leanne Willey
(CEFNS)
Harnessing Wind Energy From Recycled Materials
The goal of this project is to provide inexpensive electricity to citizens of third world countries
who have limited access to electricity. The scope of this goal is to design an inexpensive,
portable wind turbine system to harness wind energy and supply enough energy to power a light
and a fan (approximately 100W combined) for five hours per day. The wind turbine system will
include both a wind turbine to generate electricity, and a means of storing the electricity
generated. The constraints include a maximum budget of $50, maximum weight of 100 lbs, and a
minimum of 0.5 kWh generated and stored per day. The final design will be made from recycled
and scrapped materials, including blades cut from PVC piping, a shaft from an evaporative
cooler, a recycled generator, scrap lumber and sheet metal, and a car battery to store electricity.
The turbine will be five feet in diameter, and is designed to be mounted either on the roof or side
of a house, or on a wooden post sunk into the ground. The prototype is meant to serve as an
example to show individuals in remote locations how to create their own wind turbines, based on
the materials they can salvage.
Castagnaro, Felicia
The Effect of Older Single Women in American Society
My presentation will look at the reasons behind the lifestyle choices women are making today in
order to benefit themselves personally and later on if they decide to have families. Women are
waiting longer to marry and make families which has positive and socially founded negative
affects within American Society.
Castagnaro, Felicia
As of 4-19-13
Teen Dating Violence
Teen dating violence (TDV) is a preventable issue in our society, but it requires a coordinated
and comprehensive prevention approach. There are numerous TDV programs available to
schools that aim to decrease and eventually end TDV, but these programs are not getting through
to students nor is their importance being taken seriously by schools. Evidence provided by
organizations, like the CDC, show that the statistics of TDV are still high within the U.S. Despite
domestic and sexual violence coalitions and community-based efforts, schools and students are
not benefitting fully from TDV programs.
Caudill, Blaise
Faculty mentor: Robyn Martin, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS), Honors
Program
Exploding the Collective Structural Imaginarium: The Black Widows of Chechnya as Actors
on the International Stage
The myths of polarized dichotomies that prohibit women from behaving in a violent, aggressive
and outwardly powerful manner are decimated by women taking assertive roles in violent
terrorist events-- such as the taking of over 200 hostages at Moscow’s Dubrovka Theatre in 2002
and the 2004 hostage situation at the Beslan school in Northern Ossetia, in which more than 300
individuals (including school children) lost their lives. The women involved in these terrorist
acts, labeled the Black Widows by western press, are the only women to have dawned the
ominous ‘suicide belt’ (Banner 2009:1) and have participated in “every terrorist attack launched
by Chechens against Russia” (Nivat 2005:419 cited in Banner 2009:1). Underneath the obvious
questions of why this group turned to terrorist acts begs the question: why were women the vital
actors within these acts? This study will defend that the extent to which women were (and
continue to be) involved within the Black Widow movement is directly related to the collective
imagination of societal structures in which they were and are forced to obey.
Cavin, Langston
Faculty mentor: Jason Wilder, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Examining the Frequency of a Neanderthal-Introgressed Variant of STAT2 Across a
Linguistic Contact Zone in North Maluku Indonesia
The islands of North Maluku, Indonesia occupy a central position in the major prehistoric
dispersal streams that shaped the peoples of Island Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Within this
region a linguistic contact zone exists where speakers of Papuan and Austronesian languages
reside in close proximity. A haplotype, known as the N haplotype, is carried by many Eurasians
and shares close sequence similarity as well as a recent common ancestor with the Neanderthal
sequence. The N haplotype is found at a ~10-fold higher frequency in Melanesian populations
(~54%) compared to Eurasian populations (~5%). Here the frequency of the N variant of STAT2
is examined across North Maluku, a contact zone between Melanesian and Eurasian populations.
As of 4-19-13
Cawley, Megan
Kristin Coady, Liam Andrus, Amy Cook, Yaohui Wang
Faculty mentor: Srinvas Kosaraju, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Elk Ridge Ski Area: Poma Lift Stick
The Elk Ridge Ski Area operates a Poma surface lift. Poma lifts are designed for skiers so that a
small round disk sits between their legs and they are able to lean back and be towed up the
mountain. This presents a problem for snowboarders whose riding orientation is perpendicular to
that of skiers forcing snowboarders to hold onto the pole with just their arms while riding the
Poma. To remedy this problem, a new design has been created that maintains most of the
functionality and dynamic systems of the old Poma lift while providing equal comfort and
support for both skiers and snowboarders of varying body types. A new outer pole has been
created that has been reoriented into a flattened “U” shape so that there is back and hip support
for riders of any orientation. There is a plate located on the newly designed outer pole that better
supports skier’s backs and snowboarder’s hips. A current Poma lift pole has been disassembled
to allow the inner dynamic spring assembly to be removed. This inner spring assembly allows
the pole to change heights for different sized riders and varying terrain. This will be maintained
in the new design. The new design will be prototyped and tested for practicality at Elk Ridge Ski
Area. The long term goal is to replace at least half of the Poma poles on the mountain which
should increase sales because snowboarders will feel more comfortable using the lift.
Charles, Noah
Josie Harding
Action Research and Engaged Learning: Art through All Mediums
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Cheifetz, Sydney
Maria Dicosola, Brandon Rivera, Nicholas Stump, Blaise Caudill, Kendra Straub
A New Generation of Afghans: How Children in Post 9/11 Afghanistan will Understand the
World.
Our project will discuss the various effects of September 11th and the War On Terror to the
children and future generations of Afghanistan. It will focus on psychological issues, such as
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Furthermore, this research will discuss the changing view of
women in society, Afghanistan's assimilation to western culture and changing views of religion.
In addition, this project will discuss the political future of the country as well as the ideologies of
future politicians. Similarities and differences will be presented between past, current and
perhaps future generations of Afghans.
Chen, Diwei
Paul Garrett, Wen Cui
Faculty mentor: Robin Tuchscherer, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Hazard Evaluation of an Abandoned Dam in the Kaibab National Forest
The goal of the project is to evaluate the potential failure modes of the Ashfork- Bainbridge Steel
Dam in order to classify the current hazard potential of the dam. To ensure accuracy of this
project, the dam will be analyzed by hydraulic, geotechnical, seismic, and structural means. In
this presentation, the structural evaluation for two different hydraulic modes will be presented,
and the potential geotechnical failure of the abutment will be analyzed. Additionally, the critical
intersection will also be analyzed for its potential failure. Based on all the information above,
recommendations for proper maintenance will be given as the result.
Chen, Jingtang
Water/Energy Nexus
This paper is about the water pumping and hydroelectricity in the states of Arizona and
Colorado. The research focuses on the dams and pump stations in the Colorado River.
Chico, Austin
As of 4-19-13
Environmentalism on the Tohono O'odham Nation
My presentation will talk about the environmental justice problems on the Tohono O'odham
Nation. There are many factors that contribute to the different types of environmental issues that
occur on the Tohono O'odham nation. After discussing these issues, I will discuss how the
research has provided some ideas to make solutions towards the problem.
Chien, Kolby
Isaac Pitterle, Cody Thompson
Faculty mentor: J. Gregory Caporaso, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
ISIS Pipeline Infrastructure
The United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Astrogeology Research Program uses the
Integrated System for Imagers and Spectrometers (ISIS) to process data and satellite images
from missions throughout our solar system. ISIS uses hundreds of command line tools to
manipulate these satellite images for use in research. While a useful and powerful tool, ISIS
requires users to write their own scripts to use multiple tools in succession, which is a skill most
new users of ISIS do not possess. This lack of a user-friendly interface makes it difficult for
scientists to use without a lengthy training process and causing frustration for its users.
Our solution to this problem is to integrate ISIS with Galaxy, a workflow processing tool.
Galaxy allows users to easily use tools in succession by creating a workflow via a graphical user
interface. Instead of writing scripts, users simply need to click, drag, and specify parameters as
necessary for each tool. The use of this graphical user interface will lead to a reduction in
training time and provide an easier means for scientists at the USGS to interact with ISIS.
Christie, Ryan
Ronald Stepanek, Cory Donavon, Jason Dikes, Joseph Mudd, Nathan Duray
Combined Heat and Power System
Supreme Manufacturing, based in Houston, Texas, develops displacement pistons for use in
today’s modern oil fields. Their operations require a moderate and consistent supply of power
which is currently being purchased from local power companies at high costs. Supreme
Manufacturing approached our design team for an alternate power source that can reduce their
energy costs, as well as their carbon footprint. After rigorous analysis, we concluded that
combined heat and power (CHP) from a natural gas system can be successfully implemented in
this application. To prove the concept, we designed a 1/10th scale prototype CHP system that
can generate 3kW of electrical energy along with sufficient amount of heat to maintain a scaled
oven at a temperature between 93-105o C. To achieve higher efficiencies, we designed a Heat
Recovery System (HRS) based on a concentric, cross-flow heat exchanger. The HRS exchanges
heat with the inner exhaust duct via forced convection from a centrifugal blower to heat the
scaled oven. Integrated into the CHP is a temperature sensor network, a valve assembly and
control switches that are all autonomously maintained through our microcontroller-based Control
As of 4-19-13
System. Our prototype design delivers energy-efficiency, reliability and a grid-independent
power source specific to the needs of our sponsor.
Clark, Dwight
Erika Nowak, Karen Haubensak
Faculty mentor: Erika Nowak, Karen Haubensak, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
How do Northern Arizona Herpetofauna Communities Respond to Thinning Treatments and
Residual Slash Piles?
The responses of native herpetofauna to forest management treatments designed to reduce the
probability of wildfire in northern Arizona is currently unknown. In this study we are comparing
herpetofauna activity in mechanically thinned stands to activity in adjacent unthinned stands by
conducting fixed-time and fixed-area surveys over seven months. We are also constructing slash
piles within each stand to measure their selective use by herpetofauna over the same period. We
expect reptiles to occur more frequently in warmer thinned stands due to their reliance on
environmental energy to produce and maintain body heat. Alternatively, amphibians require
humid environments; therefore, we expect them to occur more frequently in unthinned stands.
Further, we expect that herpetofauna use of slash piles will interact with stand treatment type.
We hypothesize that reptiles and amphibians will utilize slash piles more frequently in stands
they are found inhabiting. However, we also expect slash piles to provide suitable habitat for
migrating amphibians. Therefore we may observe no difference in amphibian usage of slash piles
among both types of stands. This study will document previously unknown patterns of
herpetofauna behavior and distribution in management-altered environments in the southwestern
region of the U.S.
Clawson, Bret
Rebecca E. Colman, Adina L. Doyle, Christopher J. Allender, Amy Vogler, Joseph D. Busch,
David M. Wagner.
Identifying flea species associated with early phase transmission of plague
Yersinia pestis, the pathogenic bacterium that causes plague, survives exclusively within a cycle
of fleas and mammals. The traditional model of plague transmission involves rapid esophageal
blockage in the flea, leading to increased feeding rates and regurgitation of contaminated blood
that infects new hosts. However, many North American flea species can transmit plague long
before blockage occurs, in a process known as early phase transmission (EPT). EPT is thought to
result from plague bacteria that reside in mouthparts, rather than the esophagus. In a 2001 plague
outbreak in Flagstaff, AZ, individual fleas of unknown species were found to carry a wide range
of Y. pestis loads, ranging from low (EPT model) to very high (blockage model). In the current
study, we are identifying each of these fleas to the species level by sequencing a 700 bp region of
the cytochrome oxidase II (COII) gene from the mitochondrial genome. This widely used
barcoding gene contains many species-specific mutations that allow us to unambiguously
identify North American fleas found on prairie dog colonies, including Oropsylla hirsuta, O.
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tuberculata, and Pulex simulans. Using our species-level information from the 2001 fleas, we
will compare differences in Y. pestis load among flea taxa and determine which species, if any,
are more important for EPT versus blockage transmission. These data will strengthen our
understanding of plague transmission in North American ecosystems.
Cleland, Jessica
Faculty mentor: Abbe King, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
An Assessment of Pre-operative Skin Preparations: Recommended Practice
One of the most significant risk factors associated with invasive surgical procedures is the
development of surgical site infections. According to the Association of Perioperative Registered
Nurses (AORN), the current recommended practice for prevention of surgical site infections
includes two preoperative showers with chlorhexidine gluconate solution, in addition to the
operative site being cleansed immediately prior to the start of the procedure with either an
alcohol-based or iodine-based skin preparation. After comparing the current practice standard at
Flagstaff Medical Center for preoperative skin preparation in adult patients receiving total hip or
knee arthroplasty with the standard recommended by the AORN, it is determined that Flagstaff
Medical Center maintains current policy standards. In addition, after compiling and analyzing
literature from a variety of studies, it is determined that the use of chlorhexidine-alcohol is
associated with fewer infections within the superficial incision at the surgical site.
Coady, Kristin
Megan Cawley, Kristin Coady
Faculty mentor: Perry Wood, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Teaching Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing to Students of Differing Engineering
Design Backgrounds
The goal of this research project is to implement the topic of Geometric Dimensioning and
Tolerancing (GD&T) into a freshman Computer Aided Design (CAD) class. The project’s
effectiveness is determined by comparing the class discussion and written results of assignments
completed by students in a first year CAD class at Northern Arizona University (NAU) to the
class discussion responses from a second year drafting class at Xi’an University of Science and
Technology (XUST) in Xi’an, China. This comparison will help determine if first year CAD
students are prepared to learn GD&T or if another year of engineering design is necessary for
them to understand the subject. The materials presented at both universities were developed
based on a literature review of publications on implementing GD&T into an engineering degree
program and a research survey of other American universities currently teaching tolerancing in
their engineering graphics courses. The university survey was limited to universities similar to
NAU offering only a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. From the
literature review, a hands-on teaching method was selected involving the use of physical models
manufactured from SolidWorks drawings toleranced using the ASME Y14.5 standard. The
university survey allowed researchers to obtain syllabi and schedules from other engineering
graphics courses, and from these determine what topics of GD&T to present and at what point in
the current curriculum to implement them. The final materials developed include a lecture and
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several homework problems. The lecture covers why GD&T is important, how to develop a
datum reference frame, and how to select material condition modifiers. A student survey will be
conducted to determine opinions of the materials presented. This survey and homework, along
with the class discussions from both universities, will be used to determine if design background
knowledge in engineering is required before introducing GD&T to students.
Cody, Jennifer
Faculty mentor: Karna Otten, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Community Supported Agriculture: The Need for More Public Exposure
The objective for my internship at the Flagstaff CSA was to promote the CSA’s efforts to reach
more of the city’s consumers. In order for this non-profit to continue to grow and serve the
public, more seasonal shares have to sell. I achieved this objective by enhancing the market
portion of the website, contacting vendors to tell me about their products for Facebook
promotion, updating the social networking sites, canvassing local businesses, education, filling in
a map at the market with the locations of major vendors, and organizing a cleanup day in the
surrounding neighborhood. The public has been very responsive to my efforts to promote the
CSA, especially on the social networking sites. My efforts have brought new people to the CSA,
who had previously only heard of a CSA, and have made the public more aware of the products
that are carried at the CSA market.
Coiro, Taylor
Jessica Gaddy
Faculty mentor: Laura Crouch, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
NPO after Midnight: An outdated Practice
The practice of “NPO after midnight” or nothing by mouth has long been maintained in the
hospital setting. This practice involves no food or liquids after midnight the day of surgery. This
is done in order to decrease the amount of gastric contents therefore lowering the risk of
aspiration during surgery. This brought forth the question: for hospitalized healthy adult patients,
does the use of NPO (nothing by mouth) after midnight reduce the future risk of aspiration
during surgery compared with allowing clear fluids two hours before surgery?
Through our review of the current research, it was found that the practice of “NPO after
midnight” is outdated and unnecessary. The focused population was hospitalized healthy adult
patients. Healthy is defined as those without diabetes, hiatal hernia, obesity and gastroesophageal reflux, ileus or bowel obstruction, emergency care, pregnancy, or enteral tube
feedings. There is no significant difference between the amount of gastric contents between a
patient who fasts after midnight, and those who ingest clear fluids up to two hours before
surgery. Even with the current findings these guidelines are not implemented into practice, and
many patients abstain from both solids and liquids for far longer than necessary. Patients should
be placed NPO according to their surgery time, individual needs, and the American Society of
Anesthesiologists guidelines. It is recommended that hospital staff be further educated on the
current guidelines of preoperative fasting, so that care can be patient-centered, and thereby
improve the outcomes of patients pre and postoperatively.
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Colbert, Randi
Corina Kellner
Faculty mentor: Corina Kellner, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Investigating the Relationship between Diet and Weight Status
In this study we are examining the relationship between weight status and diet using stable
isotopes from hair of Flagstaff residents. In the United States, "obesity" is perceived as a
problem by many in the medical field and the general public. Contrary to popular opinion,
"obesity" has many complex causes and consequences, some of which are social and others
biological. High fructose corn syrup has been identified as a major contributor to a rise in
"obesity" in the United States, as it is put in almost all conventional foods. What are the
relationships of corn products to weight status in the US and how do they relate to our measure
of body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat (PBF)? There is growing evidence that the
latter may be a more accurate indicator of weight status, but BMI is currently the most widely
used method. We will be using a mass spectrometer to analyze the stable carbon and nitrogen
isotopes of the hair samples, and use questionnaires to illicit specific information about the diet
of participants. We expect to find a positive correlation between the stable isotope values
indicative of corn in hair and the measured PBF and BMI of the participants. If our expectations
are founded, this could greatly influence future methods of assessing diet and weight status, and
call for a reassessment of subsidy policies pertaining to corn.
Colombo, Cassandra
Danita Cookston, Meghan Harting, Heather Ramsden, Jennifer Rojas, Samantha Smith, Emily
Wallace, and Robert Young
Faculty mentor: Katherine Mahosky, Matthew Wangeman, College of Social and Behavioral
Sciences (SBS)
Why Disability Studies?
Northern Arizona University has been a leader in promoting diversity, not only among students,
but also within its curriculum. Fostering awareness and understanding about the diversity of the
world is one of the main goals that NAU has set for its students. One way this is being done is
through the undergraduate minor in Disability Studies. This minor is offered to any
undergraduate student and introduces a way to think critically about disability. Disability Studies
challenges students to examine their perceptions about disability and promotes a realistic view of
disability within social, cultural and political contexts. Students critically assess their views on
disability and examine society’s views on people with disabilities (PWD). In doing so students
are able to gain an understanding of the impact society has on people with disability, while
developing a view of PWDs within a minority model that reflects and honors their collective
voice.
Our poster presentation will explore our collective growth in understanding disability as diversity
and how understanding disability issues has influenced each of us in our major areas of study. In
addition we hope to raise awareness about the minor in Disability Studies on campus.
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Colombo, Cassandra
Jennifer Dack, Madalyn Hungate, Athena Chavez, and Rebekha Feit
Faculty mentor: Andrew Gardner, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
An Evidence-based Practice Review: Music Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum
Disorders
A literature review was conducted to analyze all accessible empirical research on the effects of
Music Therapy on the behavior of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Accessible
databases were searched for articles investigating the efficacy of Music Therapy. Only “databased” articles obtained in this search were reviewed (summary articles, case studies, and
anecdotal studies were not included) according to the 21 quality indicators outlined by Horner, et
al (2005) for Single Subject Design studies. The search resulted in 22 articles being identified as
“data-based” and specifically related to Music Therapy and ASD. Only 11 of these articles could
be scored for quality indicators of good science with 100% of these articles scored by two
independent reviewers. The two independent reviewers scored these data-based articles and those
scores were compiled into a database and compared. Scores of the 11 articles were compared and
tested for reliability, then labeled as “acceptable” if the article included between 17 - 21 quality
indicators or “not acceptable” if the article included 16 or fewer quality indicators. All 11 articles
testing Music Therapy with individuals with ASD were found to be “acceptable” articles,
according to the Horner, et al guidelines. Quality Indicators and other criteria can lead to
establishing interventions as evidence-based practices. These results suggest that there may be
some emerging empirical support for Music Therapy for individuals with ASD. However, issues
in diverse methodologies and similar dependent variables need to be addressed in future
research.
Compton, Daniel
Zane Morgan, Crystal Olivarez
Faculty mentor: Dierdra Bycura, Hendrik deHeer, College of Health and Human Services
(CHHS)
Dartfish analysis of de-weighted running on an Alter G treadmill from a side view
The Alter G antigravity treadmill is a treadmill that can de-weight a person up to 10% of their
body weight decreasing gravity’s effects on the lower body joints. With regard to injury, disease,
or severe obesity, weight could be a factor in properly exercising. For this reason there is a need
to study the effects of gravity on the biomechanics of running. The purpose of this pilot study
was to determine which biomechanical gait factors could be measured by observing persons
running at different percentages of body weight on an Alter G treadmill using Dartfish computer
software. Specifically we examined ankle angle from a side view at first contact point with the
ground at three different body weight percentages.
1. What changes are observed when de-weighting a person on an Alter G treadmill?
2. Did using different running protocols affect ankle angle from a side view?
3. Did the de-weighting from the Alter G affect heel strikers more than toe strikers?
We incorporated four participants in this pilot study with two protocols.
Warm up:
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• 3 minute walk at 3.5 MPH 100% bodyweight
• 3 minute jog at 5 MPH 100% bodyweight
Protocol 1
• 3 minute jog at 70% HRR 100% bodyweight
Protocol 2
Results indicated that all participants experienced changes in ankle angle and heel to toe striking
in both protocols. In this pilot study we found as bodyweight decreased plantar flexion increased.
We did not find much, if any difference between the two protocols. In addition, toe strikers
experienced less change in ankle angle compared to heel strikers.
Contreras, Karri
Faculty mentor: Cynthia Pardo, Moran Henn, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
Friends of Flagstaff's Future Internship
This study seeks to explain the benefits of a non-profit organization that aspires to build a strong
localized community. Issues such as city planning, community involvement and education are
evaluated to show the benefits that such programs has on the community as a whole. Topics of
sustainability are explored due to benefits in many aspects of a community such as a strong local
economy. Based on internship experience it seems that a main factor that strengthens a
community is collaboration between many different stakeholders. These collaborations create an
environment with a more informed population regarding city planning issues and new
legislations. In addition these collaborations allow local businesses to work together to increase
their success. This success creates a stronger economy, which in turn can support increased
funding to important areas like education, and additional job creation. Education ties this all
together by creating a community that understands the importance of sustainability, and showing
people how it benefits them directly.
Contreras, Karri
Emily Gaddo, Rob Helmkamp, Elliot Hosch
The Use of Road Salts on Roads in Northern Arizona
Salt is the quickest and cheapest method for deicing roads during a storm; however there are
many negative environmental aspects associated with it. The leaching of road salts into local
water tables, rivers, and streams can have a detrimental effect on local fish, amphibians, and
countless other wildlife species. Long-term introduction of chloride into natural water supplies
harms the development stages of fish species and become so acidic that fish and amphibian
species cannot survive. Research shows that nearly 70 percent of road salts used end up in local
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water tables. Concentrations of sodium have also been proven to cause harmful effects on
vegetation. The soils and vegetation alongside roads that are applied with the salt application
have shown permanent soil alternations, which in return cause damages to the root systems,
which causes dehydration and decay in the vegetation. Using ice on roads additionally has
negative consequences for vehicles. Due to the presence of Magnesium Chloride, accumulation
occurs, which causes premature deterioration of a variety of car parts including breaks. Some of
the most popular alternatives to using salt on roads are Calcium magnesium acetate and
potassium acetate, but they have not had the chance to replace salt due to high cost. New
technologies such as the volcanic mineral, Ecotraction are promising but require more research
on their effectiveness on a large scale. Other alternatives are predominantly centered on the use
of chlorides, so unfortunately there are limited options for relying on salts during storms.
Cooper, Kaele
Faculty mentor: Anne Scott, Adam Hoffman, Honors Program
College's Tiring Venture
This art piece is made up of thoughts of current college students on literature, reading, and
thinking about these subjects. Many responded and gave good ideas on what to put into this
piece. It is a collage of this subject, done with charcoals, pencil, and watercolor, on watercolor
paper, a mixed media piece. I have taken these students’ ideas and looked up ideas of each piece
that they have suggested, as images and will take those to create the piece. There are varied
descriptions of this subject and the collage involves a piece from another artist, and other ideas
such as stacks of books. Some of the responses that I have gotten were, “Literature: a very
defined art form, Reading” and escape, a new perspective, Thinking: is intimate”, “Reading is
knowledge, you can’t know anything if you don’t read about it…” “Literature and reading are
either super boring…or very artful and meaning full while expressing something,” I will also be
going over how I got the idea, what inspired me, I will involve the quotes from the students that I
asked for an opinion on. I will also go over the aspect of surrealism and how it inspired my
piece, and how these aspects are related to surrealism. I have tried and studied the aspects of
surrealist art, and although hard to understand I decided my piece will incorporate different types
of literature. It will not only be just surrealist influence. There will me mystery, fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, science fiction, autobiography, and biography.
Coulombe, Mary
Faculty mentor: Roderic Parnell, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Makauwahi Cave Reserve Internship
Hawaii`s largest limestone cave, the richest fossil site in the islands, and a uniquely preserved
archaeological site, the 17 acre park was created by Paleoecologist David Burney and Lida Pigott
Burney. Excavations have yielded a picture of the entire prehistoric landscape. Using the fossil
record as a guide, the project’s main goal is to re-create a landscape in the region surrounding the
site that the first Polynesians may have encountered when they arrived. Another recent goal of
the project is to evaluate the use of African Spurred Sulcata Tortoises as a control for invasive
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weeds. Internship tasks included acting as a docent for the cave, assisting with behavioral
sampling and controlled experiments for the tortoise project, coordinating a summer fun daycamp for the County Parks & Rec Department, and creating a promotional video for the website.
The most important accomplishment of the internship was effectively using public outreach to
gain support and raise awareness for the organization and the problems facing Hawaiian
endangered species. Field data was provided for the ongoing tortoise experiment. The main
significance of the internship was ensuring another summer of educational outreach with the
County Parks & Rec school groups, and spreading the word of the organizations innovative
restoration tools by posting an attractive video for the site.
Covarrubio, Tanis
California's Water Management: Present and Future Problems
This paper explains the present water management problems California has and how they will be
affected in the future. Also, some guidelines to possible management solutions are stated so they
can be use in other states or countries.
Covington, Keanaloha
Tiesha Douglas, Chris Connolly, Troy Kemp
More exercise means more sex drive!
Sex and fitness are two popular topics in daily life today. They are linked together due to the
possible way it can increase a person’s self-esteem and body satisfaction; therefore it is
important to realize the positive correlation between sex drive and exercise. In addition, there is
not enough information on sex drive and how exercise effect’s it. Previous research suggests the
differentiation between male and female sex drive (specifically, in the areas of male and female
hormone levels as well as the frequency of exercise). In this study two participant samples were
used. One was composed of 100 volunteers in the Recreational Center and the other was made
up of 100 students in the Research Methods classes. Asking participants how often and how long
they engage in physical activities assessed the measure of exercise. They also answer questions
relating to their current or past relationships and how they would measure their sex drive levels
on a regular basis. Based on the research results between sex drive and exercise, there was a
positive correlation is hypothesized. In other words, the more a person exercises, the higher
levels of sex drive they will have. Furthermore, it is predicted that there is no difference in sex
drive between men and women. If these findings are supported, one should exercise if they want
to achieve a higher sex drive.
Cravens, Natalie
Faculty mentor: Robyn Martin, Honors Program
Native American Healthcare
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This presentation is about Native American Healthcare with a focus on the Navajo tribe. In the
presentation I will first address the history of Native American healthcare and why I chose to
focus on the Navajo tribe. Then I will discuss the Navajo beliefs and what their health is like
today. I will finish with reasons for their poor healthcare and the improvements that are needed
for their healthcare and Native American healthcare as a whole.
Creager, Erica
Amanda (Sal) Webber
Faculty mentor: Corina M. Kellner, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Stable Isotopic Evidence of Ancient Globalization in the Cotahuasi Valley of Peru
The Middle Horizon (AD 500-1000) period was a time of great change in Peru. The influence of
the Wari Empire was felt throughout Peru, even in areas that the Wari likely never came into
contact with, such as the Cotahuasi Valley in the central highlands. This indirect influence
provides an example of ancient globalization. Understanding the impact that the social and
economic changes of the Middle Horizon had on the people in the Cotahuasi Valley helps us to
understand how the actions of modern dominant cultures can affect others even without directly
contacting them.
Analysis of human tooth enamel from individuals buried at Cotahuasi provides us with carbon
and oxygen stable isotopic values. Carbon stable isotope values in enamel are correlated with the
type of diet consumed in childhood, while oxygen stable isotope values are an indicator of your
water source and possible migration. The oxygen results suggest the migration of individuals into
the Cotahuasi Valley and the carbon values may indicate differential access of food within our
tested population.
Migration and social stratification due to differential access to food may have happened in the
Cotahuasi Valley because of the dramatic social and economic changes of the Middle Horizon.
Evidence of this influence already exists in the architecture, funerary practices, and ceramics of
Cotahuasi. Our results support the conclusion that through globalization, the Wari Empire and
the Middle Horizon impacted the life and culture of the people in the Cotahuasi Valley.
Credo, Jonathan
Faculty mentor: Jani Ingram, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Detecting a Subtle Toxin: Assessing Arsenic Levels in Unregulated Wells on the Navajo
Reservation
Arsenic is a naturally occurring toxin and carcinogen found in many water supplies around the
United States. The western United States naturally has higher levels of arsenic in the water due
to the specific geology of the area. Because of this fact, unregulated wells may contain levels of
arsenic that exceed the EPA’s limit of 10 ppb. This research sought to determine the total arsenic
concentration in a number of unregulated wells, still in use, on Navajo Reservation lands north of
Flagstaff, Arizona. At present, there exists little to no quantitative information surrounding
arsenic contamination in water supplies for this region.
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Due to the low concentrations expected in the water, all samples were analyzed via inductively
coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) which allowed for accurate detection of arsenic in
concentrations less than or equal to 0.5 ppb. Prior to analysis, examination of arsenic with the
ICP-MS had to be validated due to spectral interference from Ar40Cl35 species. Application of
correction equations, which calculate the interference from Ar40Cl35 and compare it to As75,
was found to be a valid way to address any spectral interference issues. To ensure
reproducibility, samples were run in duplicates. A number of sites were determined to exceed the
EPA’s legal drinking limit, some approaching concentrations of 50 ppb. Water analysis from the
Southwest Navajo Nation will be discussed. With this knowledge, communities can be alerted to
which wells exceed this limit and create action plans to mitigate exposure. We acknowledge NIH
for supporting this work.
Crockett, Amy
Engaging and Reviving a Community: The Development of a Sustainable Community Center
in Winslow, AZ
The main focus of this project was to create a community education center for residents to find
their sense of place and their love for Winslow. The community center idea results in more
community involvement, and positive contributions. Sustainability and positive land values are
the roots by which the Winslow Community Center is grounded. Natural materials, biomimicry,
and new technologies are all interwoven into the design of the space to create the harmony that
Winslow seeks.
Traditional Native American architecture and values have been taken into consideration and by
creating a balance between new and old within the interior, it helps to represent the evolving
cultures of Natives in the community. Natural, low impact materials, earthy textures, and
organic colors come together in harmony in order to create this balance. Lighting in the space is
utilized as an important tool to create rhythm, proportions, and layering. The inherent shape of
the building and interior is used as a tool to create rhythm as well.
Overall, the Winslow Community Center is used as way to create a stronger awareness, and
empower the residents to strive for personal and community wellbeing.
Cupper, Cayden
Monica Gallegos, Xavier Petty, Austin Schroeder, Allison Tussing
Gender and Sexuality Issues and Social Movements
This panel explores contemporary social movements, generally, and feminism, women's rights,
marriage equality, transgender rights, and AID/HIV specifically.
Cvach, Kelsey
Faculty mentor: Meg Bleakley, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
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Causes of Egyptian Revolution
My presentation will explore the origins and main actors of the 2010 revolutions in Egypt.
Specific attention will be given to the role of religious organizations, diversity of civilians
participating, and the political climate of the area during and preceding the protests. Of religious
organizations, I will pay particular attention to the role of the Muslim Brotherhood and its social
contributions to the climate leading to the revolutions as well as its direct role in getting activists
into the streets. The Muslim Brotherhood, an 80 year-old organization has shaped political
participation and even Egyptian identity throughout the decade preceding Mubarak’s ousting. I
will next investigate the role of diversity in the Egyptian revolutions. The revolution was only
successful because groups of all backgrounds and views participated. Though disputes would
erupt afterwards, secularists, Christians and Muslims stood side by side in opposition to
Mubarak’s regime. The uneducated working class were joined by young adults with university
degrees. Additionally, the military’s refusal to quell protesters placed them in the eyes of many
on the side of revolutionaries. I will also pay attention the political climate which rendered
Mubarak’s regime illegitimate in the eyes of the Egyptian. Three factors were the basis of the
political climate: recent widening of class inequality, the regime’s connection with the United
States and the West, particularly the West, and the deteriorating relationship between the police
and her civilians. The basis of each of these factors was corruption, which will be explored
further in the presentation.
Daley, Zachary
Faculty mentor: Colonel Herman Brunke, Matthew Schmidt, College of Engineering, Forestry
and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Environmental Compliance at Nellis Air Force Base
I performed my internship at Nellis Air Force Base where I affiliated myself with the 99th
Environmental Squadron there and helped performed daily tasks for four weeks. The reason for
this particular interest was to see if the military had different environmental views than the
civilian world and whether I could perform these functions in my future career with them. I
worked with many groups and performed annual inspections within the squadron. We went out
daily to inspect building conditions and ensure standards were being followed along with state
permits. This consisted of going to surrounding shops on base and inspecting hazardous
materials and MSDS sheets. I filed paperwork after the inspections to document progress. I
attended weekly meetings were taking place to allow for fluid communication between
squadrons to keep up with current regulations. Having a flow of communication keeps everyone
up to speed on current activities around base. Having this experience will allow me to understand
these squadrons better and better utilize them when I am working on an active base. Compliance
related work involves a lot of different people to accomplish one task within regulation. This was
easily viewed throughout my internship here. One change to this experience would be to have
been attached to one group within the squadron to be able to get more involved rather than
changing between the groups. This will help future interns have more of a focus and be a part of
the compliance work in an interesting field.
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Daniels, Kevin
Melanie L. Schroer, and Catherine R. Propper
Faculty mentor: Catherine R. Propper, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Morphological and Behavioral Differences between a Fish Population from a Wastewater
Effluent Pond Compared to a Reference Lake
Globally, reclaimed wastewater effluent (WWE) is an important resource for irrigation,
recreation, creation of wetlands, and direct recharge of aquifers. However, in the last decade
many studies have found that exposure to WWE affects several aspects of endocrine function in
aquatic vertebrates, including their behavior. To evaluate the effects of WWE on a local fish
population, we compared several morphological traits in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)
populations from a WWE pond to a nearby reference lake receiving no WWE. Fish from the
WWE pond were significantly larger, had greater testes and ovarian weights (though not
gonadosomatic indices), and were less active than fish from the reference pond. There were
significant differences in the age structure of the two populations that may explain the
morphological differences, with animals from the reference lake having significantly more
juvenile fish. Reference lake fish had high tapeworm burden (100% of juveniles and 0% adults)
that may contribute to the lack of adult fish in this population. WWE pond fish had brain cysts
suggestive of a trematode infection. The finding of age structure and parasitic infection between
these two bodies of water suggests that understanding the impact of exposure to WWE on
populations of organisms needs to take into account more than the chemicals potentially released
in the water system.
Daniels, Kevin
Faculty mentor: Catherine Propper, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Morphological Differences between Fish from a Wastewater Effluent Pond Compared to a
Reference Lake
Globally, reclaimed wastewater effluent (WWE) is an important resource for irrigation,
recreation, creation of wetlands, and direct recharge of aquifers. However, in the last decade
many studies have found that exposure to WWE affects several aspects of endocrine function in
aquatic vertebrates, including their behavior. To evaluate the effects of WWE on a local fish
population, we compared several morphological traits in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)
populations from a WWE pond to a nearby reference lake receiving no WWE. Fish from the
WWE pond were significantly larger, had greater testes and ovarian weights (though not
gonadosomatic indices), and were less active than fish from the reference pond. There were
significant differences in the age structure of the two populations that may explain the
morphological differences, with animals from the reference lake having significantly more
juvenile fish. Reference lake fish had high tapeworm burden (100% of juveniles and 0% adults)
that may contribute to the lack of adult fish in this population. WWE pond fish had brain cysts
suggestive of a trematode infection. The finding of age structure and parasitic infection between
these two bodies of water suggests that understanding the impact of exposure to WWE on
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populations of organisms needs to take into account more than the chemicals potentially released
in the water system.
Dart, Susanna
Faculty mentor: Egbert Schwartz, Honors Program
Making Sense of Smell: Odorant Receptors and the Organization of the Olfactory System
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2004 was awarded to Richard Axel, USA, and
Linda Buck, USA, for their work towards unraveling the mystery surrounding the olfactory
system. This poster discusses the laureates' 1991 publication outlining their discovery of the
family of genes responsible for coding odorant receptors, as well as subsequent findings by the
laureates relating to the organization of the olfactory system as a whole.
Davidson, Dalton
Faculty mentor: Kerri Quinn, Honors Program
Shaping the Future
My presentation shall consist of an introduction of myself and of my children's book, The Lazy
Iguana and the Happy Chameleon, followed by a video of me reading the book to a nearby
elementary school class.
Davis, Jacquelyn
Faculty mentor: Emily Nelson, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Mexican Gray Wolf Reintroduction
The purpose of this internship with the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project was to learn about
working for a non-profit organization. An additional objective of the internship was to help gain
support for Mexican gray wolf reintroduction. The focus was on education of the general public
in the importance of Mexican gray wolf reintroduction to the Grand Canyon area. This was
achieved through a 400-mile relay hike from Alpine, Arizona to the South Rim of the Grand
Canyon. Volunteers hiked sections of the trail, and were educated in wolf behavior, importance,
and typical habitat. The author’s duties were: to organize volunteers by providing them with
essential tools for hiking, to participate in the hike and educate volunteers, and to meet
volunteers at the end of the section to drive them back to their cars. The author was also assigned
paperwork and office tasks. By the end of the internship, the hike was halfway complete, and
many volunteers were more educated in wolf reintroduction and its importance. The author
learned about the difficulties of working for a non-profit organization. The main
accomplishments of the internship were the completion of the relay hike and the spread of wolf
information to volunteers.
Dehlin, Miles
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Leland Doyle, Salazar Grey, Katherine Hewey, Paul Owen, Rogelio Blanco
(CEFNS)
Automated Mirror Cover for NPOI
The Naval Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI) is a naval observatory that uses multiple
smaller mirrors to create a composite image with an image resolution comparable to that
produced by a much larger single mirror telescope. Manual covers currently protect these
mirrors; however, an automated cover is desired. The problem with the current system is that it
requires staff to climb into the mirror housing to remove the manual mirror cover. The cramped
conditions in the mirror housing have led to accidental damage of equipment and put the staff in
danger, especially during the winter months when ice is an issue. Constraints for the automated
cover include, it must not block any light from the mirror’s lens. The full range of motion of the
mirror cell (siderostat) must be maintained after installation of the automated cover. The cover
must be able to close in the event of a power failure. It also must maintain a nitrogen purge to
blanket and protect the mirror surface.
The final design is best described as a camera iris mechanism. This 30-inch iris with its 23 iris
blades is mounted to the face of the mirror cell. The iris is actuated by a friction drive that is
mounted at the top of the mirror cell. By rotating the top ring of the iris mechanism it actuates
the blades to cover the mirrors surface. An orifice for the nitrogen is integrated into the irismounting ring to provide the inert environment the mirror requires.
DeMar, Zack
Arizona's Most Important Water Uses
There are far too many uses for water for a climate with scarce water resources. Using
Philosophical and Economical concept, it is theoretically possible to determine which uses are
the most important for people and the environment, and which uses can be eliminated.
Dempsay, Emily
Michael Combrink
Who Owns Your Body? The Politics, Policies, and Implications of the Criminalization of
Pregnancy
Since the creation of the United States of America, equal human rights for everyone has been
one of the founding principles. However, in the politics surrounding reproduction, the rights of
the fetus are becoming more and more valued over those of the mother. This has resulted in the
criminalization of pregnancy. The criminalization of pregnancy is a complex issue and through
our research we have looked at the different aspects of it. First in this project we will examine
the concept of "Who owns your body" and why that is important to our research. Next we will
look at current policies concerning reproduction and what those policies imply for the care and
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treatment of women and infants. Following that we will use several case studies that illustrate
just how strongly the policies are impacting women. Our research focuses mainly on events and
policies within the US but we will briefly include cross-cultural comparisons. Finally we will
provide suggestions for future policies and changes in current ones that reflect our research.
DePaola, Taran
Alex Velez, Dr. Woodruff
Faculty mentor: C. Chad Woodruff, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Mirror Neurons and Muscle Tone
This research project is focusing on the link between muscle movement and mirror neuron
suppression. The goal is to look for a relationship between mirror neuron activity in conjunction
with the observation of movement of certain muscles, specifically facial muscles. Presently, it is
known that moving muscles in the face or any other area of the body can be detected on an EMG
in regards to their respective bandwidths and electrical activity. The hypothesis is that
"observing" the actions of another person will result in mu suppression of the same area of the
brain responsible for one's own actions. An example: Viewing a person smiling should increase
mirror neuron activity in the sensorimotor cortex region responsible for that same action as if the
observers did the smiling themselves. Hypothetically it is not far-off to claim that observing
actions will in return elicit a Mu response on an EMG. We believe that this research can be
applied to educating those afflicted with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The actions that are
observed would give a response in the brain, and the second part of the hypothesis would be
whether or not "bold" actions would give a greater Mu suppression than their less-bold
counterparts. In accordance with ASD, those who suffer from the disorder could receive better
education by having their instructors teach with emphasis; that is, people with Autism might
need stronger emotions to allow them to be able to understand those emotions better.
Descourouez, Morgan
Kim Curtis
Faculty mentor: Kim Curtis, University College
Yuma Just Food & Immigration Trip
This is a compilation of the trip for food and immigration sects of the ARTS to Yuma studying
the immigrant farmers and the different sources of aid for these men and women, including
CITA and Yuma Interfaith. Included is conversations with these different sources of aid as well
the farmers themselves, their employers, and Border Patrol, touching on the moral and social
justice issues within immigration and the way farms are run in and around Yuma.
Devolites, Mary (Mardi)
Faculty mentor: Paul Helford, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Orchestrating Community
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Dillingham, Elise
Jesse Maestas
Faculty mentor: Tad Theimer, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Interactions of Rabies Host Species
This research project is a collaborative study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Dr. Tad
Theimer’s NAU biology lab. This study’s objective is to determine the behavior and interactions
of host species that are most susceptible to rabies viral outbreaks and to investigate how
urbanization affects outbreaks. Rabies is transmitted by infected saliva through a bite or wound.
Rabies infects the central nervous system of mammals and results in brain damage and ultimately
death. The host species that our study focuses on are foxes, skunks, raccoons, and bats. To
establish host species interactions, we have trapped, radio collared, and are now tracking these
species in designated urban areas in Northern Arizona. The radio collars that we use record when
they come within a 5 foot radius of another collar. Through this, rabies host interactions are
documented. We also manually radio track our collared animals and set up motion-activated
cameras at their den sites. Our results since May 2012 have determined that frequent interactions
between these host species are common and that many of these species share den sites. This
study is still ongoing, but further insight into how host species interact could help to reform
rabies management plans and prevent future outbreaks.
Dillingham, Elise
Kevin Daniels
Faculty mentor: Scott Anderson, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Implementing Bird Baths to Counteract the Effects of Reclaimed Water Consumption on
Wildlife at Northern Arizona University
Potable water resources are being depleted at an alarming rate worldwide. As an alternative to
potable water, many countries, cities, and institutions have been implementing reclaimed water
for many purposes, such as for irrigation. Within reclaimed water, organic compounds exist that
are proving to be harmful to organisms and are having deleterious effects on natural
environments. Many of these organic compounds are endocrine disruptors that affect several
aspects of an animal’s endocrine system and their behavior. For these reasons, reclaimed water is
not allowed for human consumption in the United States, yet there are no restrictions on the
consumption of reclaimed water for wildlife. Due to this, it is crucial that we provide wildlife
with water that is not contaminated with harmful chemicals, such as those found in reclaimed
water. Since Northern Arizona University uses reclaimed water for irrigational purposes, our
project outlines the need of NAU to provide the wildlife that resides on and around its campus
with sources of potable water, such as bird baths. Through providing alternative sources of
drinking water to wildlife, NAU will promote the reduction of the unnecessary harmful effects of
reclaimed water and progress its commitment to sustainability.
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Dominguez III, Alfonso
Faculty mentor: Max Holmes, Karen Frey, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
Cross Channel Variability of the Kolyma River and its Major Tributaries in the Siberian
Arctic
The Kolyma River in northeast Siberia is one of great rivers which drain into the Arctic Ocean.
Its estimated watershed area is roughly 650,000 km2 (250,965 mi2).Water from every river has
unique properties, like temperature, specific conductance, pH, light transmittance, suspended
sediments and organic matter content. This allows us to make a distinction between them. As
smaller tributary rivers join the main stem of the Kolyma, we can see their influence in the
change in water chemistry across the width of the river. Some of these tributary channels include
the Malinky and Bolshoi Annui Rivers that join together just before they meet the Kolyma, and
the Stadukhino River that meets the Kolyma further downstream.
We do not yet understand why there is minimal mixing between Kolyma waters and some of its
tributaries. At one of our measuring sites we identified three separate water masses across the
Kolyma just downstream of where it meets with the Stadukhino River.
Our data suggest these waters originated from the Annui Rivers along the right bank of the
Kolyma, the Stadukhino River along the left bank, and Kolyma waters in the center of the
channel. Upstream of the Stadukhino confluence, we identified only two distinct water masses
including those from Annui waters on the right bank, and Kolyma waters along the rest of the
channel. These differences could be explained by the shape of the river bottom and flow patterns
at the time the measurements were taken. This research shows that we can further understand the
transport of carbon and other materials across arctic rivers as they move downstream.
Doty, Michael
Adrian Ortega, Ryan Olson, Waleed Alzahrani
Faculty mentor: Constantin Coicanal, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Application of MR Fluid in a Bike Suspension System
Car companies have adopted the practice of using MR fluid in their damper systems to improve
the performance of their vehicles. Our task is to take the same technology and apply it to a
mountain bike suspension system. We are designing a device capable of changing the strength
of a magnetic field with an adjustable current source. This change in magnetic field strength will
change the viscosity of the MR fluid to compensate for certain ground conditions. The current
produced by our circuit will adjust to changes in terrain, which will be translated from data
gathered from accelerometers attached to the damper itself. This results in a responsive bike
damper system, allowing for a smooth and comfortable ride for the rider. In conclusion this
damper will not only effectively eliminate bumps on the road, but will give bike riders a damper
capable of traversing multiple terrains seamlessly and efficiently.
Doyle-Lawrence, Sara
Jamie Simpson, Alexander Townsley, Cindy Browder, Cornel Ciocanel
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Faculty mentor: Cindy Browder, Cornel Ciocanel, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
Energy Storage Solutions
Current energy storage methods are insufficient for today's world energy demand. Batteries lack
power, the ability to rapidly charge and discharge, and have adverse environmental
consequences. Traditional capacitors remedy this issue; however, they have a limited ability to
store an electrical charge known as capacitance. Our group has been optimizing the electrical
formulation of a structural supercapacitor characterized by high energy density. A structural
supercapacitor (SSC) developed by our group is an electrical double layer capacitor utilizing a
solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) and a high tensile strength composite material. This allows for
the SSC to have structural integrity within an infrastructure. SSC may take over applications
currently dominated by batteries because the SPE offers an extended shelf life and prevents
hazardous chemicals from permeating into the environment. In addition, our capacitors will be
an effective option for storing and accessing solar and wind energy due to the combination of
high power and high capacitance. Prototype SSCs were fabricated in varying manufacturing
conditions and formulation; the curing temperature and pressure, as well as the amount of
lithium salt in the SPE. Capacitance and leakage resistance were evaluated using cyclic
voltammetry and Ohm’s law to determine conditions yielding capacitors with the optimum
electrical properties.
Drain, Matt
Water Quality and Scarcity Issues in the Southwestern United States
My project will discuss current issues in the Southwest United States regarding the quality and
the scarcity of water. Some things that will be briefly discussed are global warming trends that
affect the quality of water and how it is affecting the supply of underground water as well.
Water use and how illicit drugs have been found in water supplies which affect our health.
Growing populations and demands for different water uses will be discussed and the actions that
are being taken regarding these issues.
Drake, Chelsea
Faculty mentor: Nancy Barron, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Rhetoric of Food and Travel Writing
Drummond, Olivia
Jen Cody, Patty Rees, Bo Stevens, Kyle Thornton, Uche Okwuokei
(CEFNS)
The Effects of Using De-Icing Chemicals on Flagstaff Roadways
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Icy winter roadways present significant hazards in terms of driving conditions. To reduce these
risks, it is necessary to coat the roadways with cinders or chemicals that lower melting
temperatures and increase traction. Until recently, cinders were the primary option for de-icing
roadways but due to their effect on vehicle aesthetics, communities have focused on using
chemical salt solutions instead. Studies have shown negative impacts of salt chemicals for deicing purposes lead to plant damage, erosion, water contamination and animal poisoning.
Because of environmental impacts from the chemicals used, a comparative analysis is needed to
quantify the best choice for removing ice from roadways.
Drummond, Olivia
Faculty mentor: Russell Benford, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Defining Personality Through the Observation of Phoenicopterus ruber ruber
This research intended to identify if flamingos demonstrated individual personalities, and to
demonstrate the need for more research on this topic. With two flocks, one raised by humans and
the other void of human interaction, the two could be compared. I hypothesized that a personality
would be present with similar trends within individuals and differences between individuals.
Five birds from each flock were observed for five consecutive days outside of the aviaries. A list
of behaviors were ranked for each individual and each of these behaviors related to a human
based personality analysis, the Big Five, which was adapted to represent the behaviors of
flamingos. Because significant behavioral differences were present between individuals in both
flocks and the similarities between, the question if flamingos had personalities was supported.
These findings support the need for a continuation of this pilot study on the presence of
personality in non-human species Overall, research on flamingo personalities can help humans
better understand the causes for personality traits and how the individual can vary due to the
environment and lead to more research of both human and non-human species.
Drumright, Beau
Nathan Heckathorne, Grant Masters, Patrick Schimmelbauer, Emerson Jones
(CEFNS)
Alternative Power Source to Draw Underground Water
The team was enlisted by Babbitt Ranches to research and design a power generation system that
pumps underground water utilizing alternative energy resources. The water must be pumped
from depths of 400 feet at a flow rate of 18 gallons per minute. The team examined and analyzed
a number of potential resources and found wind energy and solar energy to be the most reliable
and abundant resources available. Initial design efforts proved that such a system would require a
large capital investment. Because the implementation of such a large system requires a large
capital outlay, the team was challenged with analyzing a system with real time data utilizing
Simulink®. The output of the simulation will detail power generated from a wind turbine, a solar
array, and a diesel generator. The system utilizes a control system that chooses the resource to
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meet the need of 32 kW in the preferred order: wind turbine, solar array, diesel generator. Inputs
into the system simulation are: solar irradiance and wind velocity. Outputs from the system
include: power generated by the wind turbine, power generated by the solar array, power
generated by the diesel generator (if the needs are unmet by the previous two sources), and the
total power sent to the pump as chosen by the controller system.
Duffer, Brittany
Renaldo Holgate, Brittney Terberg, Steven Bryant, Dulce Rico, Lorenzo Ford, Nastashia Harris,
Demaurice Basile.
Faculty mentor: Ethnic Studies.
Samuel Banales, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Racism and the Power of Film
Our project is to show people that we should be more aware of the racism around us through
independent films. We are also trying to show people the importance of Ethnic Study classes.
Dugan, Donald
Water Sustainability and Current Warming Trends in the Southwestern United States
In this presentation I well be discussing water sustainability and how this is affected by current
warming climate. This will focus primarily on the Southwestern U.S. and areas of Arizona.
Durkee, Maria
Allison Rains, Kayla McMinimy
Faculty mentor: Brant Short, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
How Communication Theory and Strategies Are Implemented to Persuade Lawmakers to
Support Medicaid Expansion in Arizona’s 2014 Budget
Arizona is currently one of 23 states planning to expand its Medicaid program in 2014, providing
more residents with access to affordable healthcare. By accepting the Medicaid expansion,
Arizona stands to expand healthcare coverage to at least 300,000 new enrollees, while also
making healthcare more affordable to thousands more who are already enrolled. On the contrary,
for the states that choose to decline the expansion of Medicaid, results may have negative effects
for the individuals living in poverty. In the following research analysis we will refer to two
contrasting news articles. The first, “Medicaid Expansion Math Makes Sense”, argues to support
Medicaid expansion in Arizona while the second, “Medicaid Expansion is Wrong Choice for
Arizona”, expresses the opposing argument. Delving into these two contrasting articles will
allow us to analyze which communication tactics are used in order to persuade citizens to agree
with a particular position on Medicaid expansion in Arizona.
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Dye, Lindsay
Faculty mentor: Peter Kosso, Honors Program
The 1919 Solar Eclipse Presentation
This research paper looks at how evidence provided by the Solar Eclipse Expedition in 1919
confirmed that Einstein’s theory of general relativity is more accurate than Newton’s Principle of
Equivalence. Researchers calculated the bending of starlight during the eclipse. Those
measurements were then compared to the measurements predicted by the general theory of
relativity and the Principle of Equivalence and conclusions were drawn.
Dyer, Mekenzie
Snow
The poem is titled “Snow” and is about how hate is tainting our world even though we try to
cover it up, and how we need to stop it.
Eastman, Heather
Sexual and Domestic Violence and Navajo Nation Courts
This presentation examines the concepts and manifestations of sexual and domestic violence
among Native American populations and the remediation of these issues through the Navajo
nation courts. Current scholarly research on Native American sexual and domestic violence,
including possible causes and effects, is included and informs later discussion of Navajo courts
and justice. The presentation links the Navajo legal systems with these crimes, and explores how
effective the courts are at delivering "justice", as determined by the community. Analysis of
scholarly sources and further research is demonstrated through concept building, and includes
discussion of the phenomenon of sexual and domestic violence, as well as the legal solutions for
the Navajo nation. Conclusions are presented regarding the current status of these crimes in the
courts on the Navajo nation and future recommendations.
Ebel, Kaitlyn
She Will
A short poem about a girl finding her strength and independence. She is finally standing up and
saying that she is not going to be invisible anymore, and that she wants to, no, she will be heard.
Eddie, Rachelle
Ethan Paddock, Matthew Gage Ph.D.
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Faculty mentor: Matthew J. Gage, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Determining the Purification of Angiogenic Proteins (CD47, TSP-1, VEGFR2)
Angiogenesis is a physiological process that occurs in wound healing and embryonic
development. Many protein interactions are involved in regulating and maintaining this pathway
to prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The focus of this project is to understand the
molecular interactions between three proteins involved in this pathway: Integrin Associated
Protein (CD47), Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor2 (VEGFR2). Currently, the goal of my work is to design expression and purification conditions
for the CD47 protein, while others in the lab work with VEGFR2 and TSP-1. We have
determined that ideal expression occurs when transformed E. coli cells are induced at OD600
about 0.6, 25 degrees Celsius, and 90 rpm. The protein of interest is HIS- and GST-tagged and
has been purified to about 80 percent purity using affinity Ni2+ chromatography. We are
currently assessing using GST chromatography to further purify the protein. Once we have pure
protein we can study the binding of this region to the other proteins it associates with and those
studies could facilitate drug development in the future.
Edenhofer, Nathan
Faculty mentor: Lori Poloni-Staudinger, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Feminicide's Relationship to the Genocide in Guatemala
Aims: This research seeks to understand the feminicide, the gender specific killing of women
with state responsibility, that is occurring in Guatemala, and how it is related to the events that
took place during the country’s 36 year civil war, the genocide, and the amnesty granted to those
involved in the war. This seeks to understand why this feminicide is happening, and who the
perpetrators are. Methods: This paper used a synthesis of scholarly work on the subjects of
feminicide and the Guatemalan civil war and genocide, which were compared to show
similarities in the violence against women during the war period and the present. Results: The
tactics used by the military in the civil war were characterized by extreme brutality, especially
against women. This learned brutality has continued into the present, as the impunity granted to
the perpetrators has allowed the violence to continue. This is evident in the brutality that is
especially present in female homicides. This feminicide is also fostered by misogynistic laws,
and continues unchecked due to police and legal system failure. Gangs, perpetrators of domestic
abuse, and the police, who are likely to be more responsible than is reported, are committing the
feminicide. Conclusion: The feminicide in Guatemala is happening because of gender related
aspects of the civil war and genocide that, because of impunity, continue to influence
Guatemalan society until the present. To combat this, possible action can include police reform,
education over the war and genocide, and trying war criminals.
Eide, Stefania
Cary Grossart, Ryan Reardon, Madison Whybark-Marshall
Faculty mentor: Calvin Brant Short, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
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Crisis Communication and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
When disasters occur across the United States, there are various resources that survivors can
utilize in order to get back on their feet. However, these programs and services do not necessarily
grant enough time, money, and attention to the survivors that is needed for their recovery.
Organizations such as FEMA, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have developed
programs to aid with these disasters, but many are still remaining homeless and helpless after
their needs haven’t been met by agencies such as FEMA.
The various ways in which FEMA communicates with the public in regards to these disasters is a
major influence on whether or not these people being affected are able to get back on their feet.
Communication's Structuration Theory can be utilized in specifying these publics as being
unique from other groups of homeless individuals; therefore, requiring personalized attention
from FEMA. This theory can also be used to understand the state of those impoverished by
disasters. These people become a structure in themselves who are different from those who are
homeless and in poverty due to other circumstances. Due to the immediate effect on those
dealing with a disaster, and therefore, living in poverty, they become a separate structure.
This category of impoverished peoples needs to be more specifically focused on in order to bring
them back to their feet. By evaluation of FEMA's current communication process when dealing
with those put into poverty due to natural disasters, the case can be made towards how to get
them back to good economic standing.
Eliason, Jessica
Faculty mentor: Cat Sullivan, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Farm to Fork on Northern Arizona University Campus
The accessibility of local foods appears to be a challenge due to two specific factors: cost and
seasonal growing. This internship allowed cooperative teamwork with Catherine Sullivan who is
the Sustainability Specialist on Northern Arizona University’s dining staff to challenge these two
specific factors. The main goal of this internship was to deliver a Farm to Fork meal to Northern
Arizona University’s campus, while also learning how to illustrate the benefits of local
consumption, organize a non-profit event, and grow produce seasonally. During this internship,
there were tasks of writing letters, communicating with Arizona Farms (i.e Duncan Family
Farms), attending meetings, researching seasonal produce charts, and organizing the Farm to
Fork event. As a result, this internship displayed how priceless local foods are. This internship
delivered knowledge on when to grow certain produce for the best yields. The Farm to Fork meal
was hosted on January 29, 2013 at one of Northern Arizona University’s main dining halls.
Elliott, Cassidy
Faculty mentor: Deborah Craig, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy: An Alternative to Surgery in Musculoskeletal
Conditions
Context: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is becoming a more popular alternative to
surgical treatments of musculoskeletal conditions. The more common conditions are plantar
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fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathies, lateral epicondylitis, and tendinitis of the rotator cuff.
Researchers are still unsure of how this therapy works, but many studies show positive results.
Purpose: This literature review is to look at how extracorporeal shock wave therapy works and to
determine if it is an effective alternative treatment to surgery for soft-tissue conditions.
Methods: The following databases were used to for research EBSCOhost, CINAHL Plus,
Cochrane Library and Medline (PubMed). Keywords used were, but not limited to:
extracorporeal shock wave therapy, shock wave therapy extracorporeal shockwave therapy,
shock waves, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendon.
Results: Patients who were treated with ESWT for Achilles tendinitis, patellar tendinopathy, and
plantar fasciitis had positive mainly positive outcomes for pain and activity levels. The studies
showed a lower time average in return to activity. Several studies with the outcome on the side of
surgery still discussed the benefits of ESWT, and how the treatment is still an option worth
noting.
Conclusion: Although very little is understood on how ESWT works, studies are showing
positive results. This could be a beneficial alternative to surgery, after the failure of conservative
treatment, for athletes with chronic musculoskeletal conditions such as plantar fasciitis or
Achilles tendinopathies.
Ellsworth, Joshua
Faculty mentor: Cindy C. Browder, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Design of Inhibitors of Methionine Biosynthesis
The rise in prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria looms as one of the great threats
to public health in the coming decades. Methicillin and Vancomycin resistant strains of
staphylococcus have been found in hospitals throughout the United States, and reports of drug
resistant strains of tuberculosis are on the rise across the developing world. The goal of this
research is to generate a new class of antibiotic compounds by focusing on the disruption of
methionine biosynthesis in bacteria. While methionine is one of the nine essential amino acids
that humans must obtain from their diet, plants and bacteria are capable of methionine
biosynthesis. The process relies on the cystathionine γ-synthase enzyme (CGS), which converts
O-succinyl homoserine (OSHS) into cystathionine. The CGS enzyme is dependent on pyridoxal5’-phosphate (PLP), and previous work in our group has determined that both OSHS and PLP
are involved in bonding to the active site on the enzyme. The focus of this research has been to
create a library of compounds that are structural analogs to the OSHS-PLP complex, similar
enough to bond to the active site of the enzyme but possessing substituents that inhibit further
activity. Inhibition of CGS would kill bacteria but have no effect on humans as they lack the
enzyme. These compounds have been synthesized by converting aryl amines into the
corresponding aryl azides, then reacting them with terminal alkynes to form triazoles. The
triazoles that demonstrate CGS inhibition will serve as templates for the next generation of
compounds.
Emig, Christina
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Estrella-Lopez, Alejandro
Faculty mentor: Crystal Peebles
Tom Sheeley. School of Music., College of Arts and Letters (CAL), Honors Program
Neocasticismo Y Algo Mas: Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez"
In response to late romantic musical ideals, the 20th century experienced blooms of new musical
trends. Some composers used Neoclassicism to return to the past and other composers embraced
the new harmonic techniques. Joaquin Rodrigo (1901-1999) embraced them both. His blending
of 20th century harmony and the aesthetics of traditional music is a staple of Rodrigo’s
compositional technique; however, there are also elements of Spanish folk music in his
compositions. This folk aspect of composition is something that set Spain apart from the
mainstream neoclassical trend. In my research, I analyzed the first movement of the Concierto
de Aranjuez Para Guitarra Y Orchestra and examined how this piece exemplifies Rodrigo’s
fusion of these compositional techniques, which has been dubbed as Neocasticismo. With the
lens of Neocasticismo, we are able to fully understand the compositions of Joaquin Rodrigo and
the compositions of his contemporaries in Spain. To be able to comprehend the concerto, I took
an ethnomusicologist approach and studied the folk music of Spanish guitar, particularly
Flamenco. I also did an in depth analysis of the Concerto itself. Finally, I studied the life of
Rodrigo, including the events that led to the composition of the Concerto. Through the eyes of
Neocasticismo, we can see that this concerto is a prime example of the unique trend in
composition that happened in Spain. As a beautiful personification of Spain itself, the Concerto
has come to inspire a new generation of composers and guitarists to carry on the ideals of
Neocasticismo.
Extract, Steven
Brok Butts, Yassmine Lopez, Kathleen Short
The marginalized society outside poverty
In contemporary society we are facing a new wave of people that are currently outside the
poverty line. We are also facing governmental limitations that do not allow these people to gain
government aid. We are looking at this group of people that fluctuate outside the poverty line in
American society. By looking into the economic conditions of this country, current poverty
policies and aid, along with how the dominant society classifies stereotypes this group, we can
see how there is the formation of a new class of citizens. By using the media artifact of the move
"Company Men" we can see a more accurate portrait of this working class poor society. After
gathering research, we can find possible solutions on the way that society communicates about
this new class of people.
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Fader, Zach
M T. Isbell, C M. Pace, K C. Nishikawa
Faculty mentor: Kiisa Nishikawa, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Joint angles and jump variation between wildtype and mutant mouse mdm genotypes.
Jumping is a locomotor behavior used by many organisms, including mice, that can help us
elucidate how muscles work. Animals performing vertical jumps are thought to utilize elastic
components to store energy and increase jump height. The protein titin is known to contribute to
the elastic properties of muscle. MDM mice have a deletion in the N2A region of their titin
protein and exhibit different active and passive in vitro muscle properties compared to wildtype
mice. MDM mice have also been shown to have lower jumping performance than wild type
mice, but the limb kinematics of jumping are unknown. It is also unknown how jump kinematics
change with increased jump performance Therefore, the goal of this project is to determine
whether MDM genotypes differ in their joint angles from wild type mice over a range of jump
heights. Homozygous mutant and wild type mice were filmed performing voluntary jumps using
a high-speed digital imaging system. Locations of the mouse hind-limb were digitized and
metatarsal, ankle, and knee joint angles were calculated. For both genotypes the ankle had the
largest excursion. For wild types the metatarsal joint usually had a larger excursion than the
knee; whereas, the mutant showed the opposite pattern. Additionally, wild type mice exhibited a
greater range of movement in both the metatarsal and knee joints. By combining different kinds
of whole animal locomotion studies, such as jumping, with our muscle lever studies, we will
broaden our understanding on how titin contributes to muscle function and movement.
Farley, Sam
(CEFNS)
Mean Crowding of the leech, Helobdella stagnalis in a Laboratory Setting
Helobdella stagnalis is a benthic predacious leech that exhibits postzygotic parental care. From
2007 to 2010, we demonstrated in the field at Montezuma Well that a sister species, Helobdella
blinnii has demonstrated a tendency to crowd into groups at all the life history stages, especially
during the brooding season, but this crowding behavior has yet to be replicated in a laboratory
environment. We created a microcosm experiment to investigate whether H. stagnalis also
exhibits this crowding behavior. We set up four tanks with leeches from the White Horse Lake
population, half containing unrelated leeches and half containing related leeches. The
“unrelated” tanks meant that no two leeches shared the same parent, while the “related” tanks
contained leeches such that every leech shared a parent with at least one other leech. Five other
tanks were set up the same way, three “unrelated” and two “related” tanks with leeches from the
Rio de Flag population. Each tank was separated into quadrants with two rock choices to
determine the degree of patchiness with respect to populations and life history characteristics.
Lloyd’s (1967) index of patchiness is the ratio of mean crowding of a population to its mean
density, defining mean crowding as the mean number of neighbors per individual per unit area.
We found that these leeches do exhibit mean crowding, especially during the time of brooding.
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Farr, Carly
Angela Moline
Faculty mentor: Angela Moline, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
The Impact of Invasive Plant Species on Carbon Storage and Reservoirs
Global climate change is suggested to increase the expansion and survival of invasive plants
species. Since invasive species exhibit different pytomorphology than native plants (especially in
root structure), it was predicted native plants have greater proportions of belowground carbon
biomass than non-native plants. This could cause an increase in carbon movement from a carbon
sink (growing plants) to a carbon sources (decomposing or volatized plant matter). Five selected
sites near Kane Ranch in northern Arizona are currently experiencing a non-native plant species
invasion. By sampling and analyzing percent carbon for invasive non-native plants (Cheatgrass,
Russian Thistle, and Crested Wheatgrass) and their respective native pairings (Six Weeks
Fescue, Wedgeleaf Draba, Fendler Three-Awn, Mutton Grass, Rabbit brush, and Squirreltail
grass), proportions will be determined proportions of above and belowground carbon biomass
storage that will describe carbon sequestration and determine the consequences of changes in
ecosystem composition. From the results, a GIS kernel density map illustrating areas with
potentially large carbon outputs due to exotic species invasion will be generated.
Farrell, Kevin
The Effects of Worshiping a Cow
This research paper will look at the Hindu religion and the animal which they see as sacred, the
cow, in order to identify the effects that worshiping cows has on their economy. In the Hindu
society it is forbidden to kill cows; however this has not always been the case. In the early Vedic
days having cow meats was a sign of wealth. Gradually, due to the influence of Buddhism, many
middle and low caste citizens began to dislike the killing of cows, eventually leading to the total
ban on killing cows. In modern times Hindus do not kill cows and use them solely for milk and
farming and move them to animal shelters when they grow old.
Fermaint, Kati
Alexandra Brewer
Remodeling the Community Center
As with any project, redesigning the game room for the Chabad Jewish Center posed some
design challenges, first and foremost being the size of the space as well as the existing fixtures.
An important requirement for this space was to hold both a mobile ping-pong table and a small
sized pool table, which is difficult to achieve considering the amount of open space needed to
surround the tables. We were able to overcome this challenge by placing the heavy pool table so
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it wasn’t an obstruction to the space and placed the ping pong table where it could easily be
moved out of the way for large gatherings. Another challenge we faced was the client’s budget
for the space. The client wanted some new elements added such as paint, furniture and new
cabinetry. However, the budget was very limited. We found cheaper alternatives for seating and
accessories for the space, saving most of the budget for the more expensive items, like cabinetry.
This allowed us to stay within the client’s budget. Although the amount of space and money
available posed a challenge, we were able to design a flexible floor plan that worked great for the
space and the client.
Fernandez, Oscar
An Economic Analysis of Indian Water Rights in Arizona
This presentation will focus on the water allocated to Indian tribes in Arizona and the impact on
economic development.
Fisher, Michael
Matthew Wray; Adam Skinner
Faculty mentor: Allison Kipple, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Ionization Break Down of Carbon Dioxide Vehicle Emissions
Carbon dioxide is a major byproduct of automotive internal combustion engines. CO2 is
relatively harmless, though in massive quantities, it is believed to be one of the leading causes of
global warming. While greener technologies are being developed to reduce emissions, the
number of automobiles worldwide continues to grow, increasing greenhouse gases. Our goal
was to develop a device that would break down CO2 emissions from a car into Carbon and
Oxygen. A Van De Graaff generator was to be used to prove the concept. A carbon dioxide
monitor was obtained to detect decreasing CO2 concentrations in parts per million over ten
minute intervals. Once proven, the data would be used to develop an efficient CO2 breakdown
device. Our research determined that too many environmental and health concerns exist to
proceed within cost constraints. A detailed plan of approach will be provided to our client,
should he want to continue proof of concept.
Flegenheimer, Kendal
Faculty mentor: Egbert Schwartz, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Barbara McClintock's Jumping Genes
Barbara McClintock discovered transposable elements within DNA. In 1983, she won the Nobel
Prize for physiology or medicine for her discovery of mobile genetic elements. In my poster I
describe what these are and discuss her research methods. McClintock faced hardship in
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receiving recognition for her work as one of the first female geneticists. She didn’t receive the
Nobel Prize until 30-40 years after publishing her discovery of the “jumping genes.”
Ford, Audrey
Hans Machula
Faculty mentor: Brent Nelson, Robert Kellar, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
Characterizing the Mechanical Properties of Tropoelastin Protein Scaffolds
Biomaterials are used in many implantable applications. While the first requirement for any
implantable biomaterial is that it be biocompatible, in reality most biomaterials are only
minimally biocompatible, invoking immune responses by the body. This has led to a trend
towards natural protein-based biomaterials. This poster reports on mechanical characterization
of electrospun tissue scaffolds formed from blends of collagen and human tropoelastin, an elastic
structural protein found in skin, vasculature, and other tissues. The electrospun tropoelastinbased scaffolds have an open, porous structure conducive to cell attachment. Mechanical
properties were tested for scaffolds consisting of 100% tropoelastin, 100% collagen, and 1:1
tropoelastin/collagen blends. The mechanical testing results showed that the materials exhibited
vastly different mechanical properties when tested dry vs. hydrated, exhibiting a three order of
magnitude change in elastic modulus for tropoelastin. Crosslinking similarly changed the
mechanics by increasing the stiffness. The elastic modulus of a pure collagen scaffold was
higher than the pure tropoelastin scaffold and the modulus of a 1:1 blend fell between the two.
Finally, the scaffolds demonstrated a viscoelastic character when tested at variable strain rates,
with the materials becoming stiffer at the higher strain rates. By systematically varying strain
rate, protein composition, and crosslinking, these results demonstrate how protein scaffolds
might be manipulated as customized biomaterials, potentially improving biocompatibility
through minimization of compliance mismatch between the scaffold and the tissue environment.
Future investigation will continue to characterize the mechanical behavior of tropoelastin tissue
scaffolds in effort to tune them to specific mechanical characteristics.
Ford, Audrey
Matthew Anderson, Chris McLaughlin, Matthew Petney, Edwin Tenney
(CEFNS)
An Improved Foot and Ankle Prosthetic Design
Passive lower limb prosthetics provide greater mobility to amputees without the cost limits of
more advanced pneumatic and electrically operated prosthetics. El Centro de Miembros
Artificiales is a non-profit prosthetics clinic in La Paz, Bolivia. They provide low or no cost
lower limb prosthetics to low-income Bolivian amputees. The clinic faces challenges with
premature deformation and failure of their current foot and ankle prosthetic designs. This project
aims to design an improved foot and ankle prosthetic for use in the clinic. The foot must be low
cost, easily manufactured using the limited equipment in the clinic, be compatible with their
current knee and leg design, and be durable enough to perform in the mountainous terrain at the
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satisfaction of its user. The new design retains the forefoot design that is currently in use with the
addition of a ‘C’ ankle. The ‘C’ ankle design is widely used in passive prosthetics to improve the
energy storage of the ankle. It will absorb some of the impact of heel strike and relieve some of
the stress from deflection seen in the rest of the foot to improve the overall fatigue life of the
design. The manufacturing process uses a concrete mold held in a wooden press to form stacked
sheets of heated polypropylene copolymer into the designated foot shape. Post-process cuts are
then required to complete the foot. The resulting prototypes were tested both statically and
cyclically at the toe and the heel by modifying the press to administer a controlled load.
Forest, Emily
Lucy Schuh, Willie Hines, Andrew Cummins, Jackson Ramler, Zanden Hogrelius, Ayan
Aunario, Robert Weber, Alli Ritter, and Taylor Venezio
Faculty mentor: Season Ellison, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Echoes of Flagstaff
A theatrical experience of the history of Flagstaff and many of its buildings, told through the
many historical figures of Flagstaff. The project was compiled using oral histories from Special
Collections, as well as interviews taken about the rich and vibrant history and culture of
Flagstaff.
Fotino, Giovanna
Escaping the Ivory Tower: Parenthood within Academia
In this essay, after exploring personal accounts of student who are parents and faculty who are
parents, I examine how the social constructs of parenthood are constructed in the through the
socio-cultural contexts in which specific behaviors take place. I argue that these behaviors and
contexts create a binary in which certain traits are deemed as being “good” and socially
acceptable for motherhood and fatherhood compared to other traits labeled as “bad” and
unacceptable for motherhood and fatherhood. These binaries and the public policy that surrounds
them uphold and perpetuate a distinct hierarchy— a patriarchal hierarchy with a core of
heteronormativity. By discussing how race, class, age, gender, and sexuality intersect have been
historically and are currently utilized to construct the concept of parenthood. I assert that college
students and faculty who identify as parents face specific barriers and challenges within
academia. In the conclusion of this essay, I examine the ways in which the “ivory tower” can
eliminate these barriers and create a bridge between the current academy-community gap that
currently exists.
Fox, Amanda
Native Nations and the Ever Growing High Suicide Rate
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In my presentation I will be discussing the problem of the extremely high suicide rate in Native
Nations. I will go over what some of the reasons could be and what steps must be taken to end
this epidemic. With this project I have been trying to find what chain of events or issues in
certain community’s led to this becoming such a major problem in the youth of Nation Nations.
With what I have been able to read from books and research and my own opinion on the matter, I
will explain the reasons that lead up to this and what can be done to help people today and in the
future.
Francisco, Hope
Alex Myers and Alisha Hyer
Faculty mentor: Linda Paul, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
Prophylactic Antibiotic Treatment in Patients with Mitral Valve Replacements Before Dental
Work
The use of prophylactic antibiotics in patients with mitral valve replacements before all dental
work was seen as the gold standard until 2007 when the American Dental Association (ADA)
and the American Heart Association (AHA) updated these guidelines. The use of prophylactic
antibiotics was believed to prevent the development of endocarditis secondary to bacteria
entering the blood stream during dental work. This is a literature review of the evidence
warranting a change in previous recommendations. Reviewed resources indicate that there is not
a need for prophylactic antibiotic use in patients with mitral valve prolapse, rheumatic heart
disease, etc.; however, the continued use of prophylactic antibiotics in patients with mitral valve
replacements when having invasive dental work is still recommended to prevent endocarditis and
other complications.
Frank, Smith
Applications of Forest Thinning beyond the Wildland Urban Interface
The project will look into the application of forest thinning beyond the wild land urban interface.
Much work has been done regarding thinning and healthy forest projects close to towns and
cities but large scale, cost effective projects concerning thinning in the forest at large are limited.
This project will look into other examples of forest health projects and draw on past research to
formulate a plan for the forest surrounding Flagstaff.
Fredrickson, Marcus
Faculty mentor: Tom Paradis, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Blending Theory and Interactive Learning: The San Francisco Volcanic Field
It is important to understand the how geologic processes and also to have an understanding of
physical landforms in a region. Technology has greatly changed the way that we approach
teaching and learning. It is now possible to learn in a more hands-on way that can help to make
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learning more fun and also easier to understand the subject. This type of learning will be
accomplished by creating a map that plots volcanic features as points. When these points are
clicked on a picture of the feature will appear along with a brief description of this landform.
This will supplement more conventional learning in a new and hands-on way. The purpose of
this research is twofold. First, this paper provides a geographical description and various
theoretical explanations for a defined physical region. This material will provide the background
understanding for various educational approaches to understand the region. Second, the research
here identifies and applies one interactive platform that will help to promote education and
hands-on learning. This research therefore attempts to integrate theoretical knowledge of
physical geography into an interactive learning program.
Frey, Emmaline
In a Pickle: Food Waste in America and Potential Solutions
Food waste in America today is large and important issue and one that continues to grow. While
this is a discouraging topic, there are a variety of interesting and effective actions being taken at
a grassroots level to begin to combat the problem. Individuals have taken matters into their own
hands and have adopted methods such as composting, buying local, and even “freeganism” to
lessen their impact on the earth when it comes to food waste. While there is still a long way to go
to resolve this complicated issue, these small steps will lead the country in the right direction.
Friend, Madeline
Faculty mentor: Angie Moline, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS),
Honors Program
Experiential Education: The Difference Between Learning and Truly Understanding
Education reform within the United States is floundering under competing political agendas,
standardized teaching mandates, nationwide fear of losing proficiency in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, and a de-emphasis on liberal studies
education. However, experiential and field-based education programs within the private sector
are increasing in prominence. Despite the growing popularity of field programs such as the
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and Outward Bound, experiential education is
uncommon in most American K-12 schools and universities.
The lack of interdisciplinary field-based courses in the education system neglects the vibrant
necessity of humans to engage in creative responses to problems and ignores the methods
through which most people retain information. Experiential programs, such as field-based and
service-learning experiences, enable participants to learn multidisciplinary leadership skills and
enjoy education through holistic opportunities for learning. Experiential education should be
implemented in school curriculums because real-world application leads to greater knowledge
retention.
Through this paper, literature pertaining to experiential education was analyzed and used to
create and implement an experiential education curriculum in a local Flagstaff middle school.
By using these approaches to learning, students are able to transition from rote memorization and
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regurgitation of facts to applicable understanding. In my highly interactive presentation, I
highlight current education concerns and address the value of experiential education, using my
research as a case study.
Frische, Richard
Vivian Jordan, Kendra Petersen, Zoey Tonn, Alexandra Vlachos, Chase Winstead
Interconnections: Nature and Nurture
Nature. Nurture. Both. This diverse panel presentation explores human psychology and quiet
ego, emotional expression in non-human species, plants, healing and spirituality, and how we
learn best.
Fry, Elisabeth
Faculty mentor: Zsuzsanna Gulacsi, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Ritual and Religion in Holocaust Photography: Lodz Ghetto 1939-1945
Based on the study of photographs taken by Mendel Grossman and Henryk Ross in the Lodz
Ghetto during the German occupation of Poland in WWII, this presentation explores ways in
which these photographs document an important aspect of Jewish identity and reflect changes
due to the extreme environment.
Fuentes, Elisa
Elisa Fuentes, James Moench, Eric Sotelo, Andrea Hieser, and Teri Croy
Faculty mentor: Constance Brown, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Dance Program for Special Needs Individuals
This customized dance program was developed using the effective-based program design to
address the combined physical, social, mental and cultural needs of individuals with physical
disabilities within the Prescott and Prescott Valley and quad-city region. This experience is
aimed to promote kinesthetic development as well as foster community cohesion amongst this
population. At the Dance Studio we provide all the necessary resources for dance instruction,
choreography and kinesthetic development. The components of the activity-based program
enable special needs persons to experience a fun and motivating community that promulgates
trust, commitment, and personal accountability. In addition, this program provides a framework
and network for other special needs activity-based programs in the quad-cities. A complete
session of this program is designed to run every two weeks for one year with eight classes per
session. Over the period of the session, participants will be measured for flexibility, weight loss,
music awareness, self-esteem, and mobility. Both formative and summative evaluations will be
done over the duration of a session. At the end of each session, participants will be evaluated to
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determine the degree to which dance and music contributes to the improvement of the
participants overall well being in terms of social, mental and emotional health.
Fulton, Brooke
Body Image In America
My presentation will focus on the history of body image in the United States, including how
average girls and women perceive themselves today. It will include things like statistics
involving plastic surgery, models in today's society, depression rates, and how fashion and
beauty affect American life.
Gaddo, Emily
Faculty mentor: Paul Gazda, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Internship
This study’s objective was to find a sustainable alternative to using herbicide and pesticide
applications to the Northern Arizona Universities landscape. The research conducted was then
published to educate the community about the findings. Students on five test and five control
plots around campus completed fieldwork. The transect method was used to count the number
and types of weeds found on both test and control plots. On the test plots, weeds were extracted
using weed eaters and hand tools. On the control plots, the weeds were untouched and
continually sprayed by the grounds department as normal. An overall appearance test was
conducted weekly on both test and control sites. The collected data was input into excel
spreadsheets and analyses were conducted. It was found that the aesthetic appeal of the grass was
found to be higher of the test plots. This is a continuing study, and more research is being
conducted to target the specific weed types, as they have been identified in the data. Currently
the use of an organic corn meal has been found to create a healthy grass color and appearance on
the test plots. Soil pH levels are also being tested and it has been recommended to the grounds
department that the mower height should be altered.
Gamez Molina, Vivianna
Faculty mentor: Terry Baxter, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Exchanging Gases Between Algae and Biogas in a Life-Support System
Earth is a natural life support system providing oxygen, food, shelter, and water for our survival.
NASA has interest in life support systems that would enable humans to survive space
exploration. This project considers one aspect of a life support system; the integration of
anaerobic digestion and algae biomass production. Anaerobic digestion decomposes organic
wastes, producing methane and carbon dioxide in biogas without consuming oxygen. Algae
biomass production uses carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and produces oxygen, which can be
used to breathe or to combust methane gas. Laboratory tests were conducted to demonstrate how
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biogas can be bubbled through liquid from an algae growth process to exchange biogas carbon
dioxide needed by the algae for oxygen needed to combust methane. Both of these processes can
benefit one another.
Garcia, Ashley
Kaitlin Booth and Caitlyn Rogers
A Theoretical Approach to Understanding the Culture of Poverty: A Call for More Positivity
Poverty can be considered as a non-dominant culture in the United States. Stereotypes and the
dominant views of the poor have led to a negative perception of people living near or below the
poverty line. More positivity is needed regarding the portrayal of the poor and in remedying the
problem. One such area where more positivity is needed is in the media and its portrayals of the
poor. First, communication theories are used to demonstrate how poverty can be considered as a
socially constructed culture, which is often portrayed negatively or overlooked entirely by
society. Next, the philosophies of philanthropists that positively impact the culture of the poor
are explored. Lastly, nations that have a more positive outlook about remedying poverty are
discussed. The issue of poverty is not just about money; it is about stereotypes, portrayals, and
perceptions. America needs to have a more optimistic view that does not consider people living
at or below the poverty line as “the other” by following the examples of philanthropists and other
nations that are more optimistic. This would serve as the first step in addressing the ever-looming
problem of poverty.
Garcia, Lorissa
Acoma Pueblo Womens Leadership Roles
Garcia, Ralph
Sarah Thomas, Jacob Barrow, Matthew Valente
Faculty mentor: Matthew Anderson, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Espresso Yourself
The main purpose for the study was to establish a relationship that caffeine has between a
person’s habitual sleep schedule and stress level. College students of both men and women
(N≈100) participated in our study. Participants were selected using convenience sampling based
on those enrolled in a Psychology 302W class. Besides being asked to take part in our Sleep and
Stress survey, there were no treatment conditions present in our study. The Sleep and Stress
survey included questions such as, “I have difficulty falling asleep,” and “In general, I remain
confident when I make a mistake.” Results for these questions were assessed using a Likert
rating scale. We utilized a Pearson’s r correlation to establish a relationship where caffeine will
decrease sleep and increase stress. With these conclusions we hope to promote awareness
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regarding caffeine consumption producing a negative impact upon students’ college experience
if not moderated appropriately. From these findings, we hope to have a better understanding
upon whether caffeine has a substantial influence on sleep and stress compared to other student
activities in college. Future research is still essential for caffeine’s effect on the human’s
biological system and coping mechanisms that can help establish homeostasis.
Gardner, Edward
Gardner, Jessie
Garduno, Brittany
Homophobia linked to Athletic uniforms
Why is there a difference in the types of uniforms that Athletes where depending on their
gender?
Garza, Jasmine
(CEFNS)
The First Female Nobel Prize Winner in Physiology or Medicine, Gerty Cori 1947
The history on both Gerty Theresa Cori, née Radnitz herself and her works that allowed her to be
the first female to win a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in the year 1947. Her prize was
joint with that of Carl Ferdinand Cori "for their discovery of the course of the catalytic
conversion of glycogen." They also shared the other half of this Nobel Prize with Bernardo
Alberto Houssay "for his discovery of the part played by the hormone of the anterior pituitary
lobe in the metabolism of sugar". Gerty Cori was the first of only a handful of women to be
awarded the Nobel Prize in this category, even today.
Gelety, Christopher
Faculty mentor: Melissa Birkett, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Comparison of the Effects of Conscientiousness on Iowa Gambling Task Performance
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This presentation will discuss the interaction between self reported conscientiousness and
physiological measures, skin conductance and heart rate, on performance with the Iowa
Gambling Task (IGT) in Undergraduate Psychology students at Northern Arizona University.
This study also examined any differences between two unique administrations of the IGT in this
population: the officially licensed Bachura administration and that of the freely available and
open source PEBL psychological battery version. The IGT is a evaluation of cognitive decision
making where participants are tasked with picking a card from 4 unique decks where each card
will either give a reward or penalty in the form of cash payout or deduction. The participants are
instructed to maximize the amount of cash earned from a starting 2000 dollars in the 100 card
choices they are permitted. Of these decks, two are rigged to be disadvantageous and two decks
are set to be advantageous. The decision making prowess of participants is evaluated in their
ability to reliably and quickly distinguish between these decks by consecutively choosing cards
from the two advantageous decks. It is expected that there will be no difference in recorded heart
rate and skin conductance measures between the groups of different administrations. It is also
expected that with an increase in conscientiousness there will be an increase in time spent
between each card choice and an increased frequency of advantageous deck choices.
Gene, Erelda
Miranda Yellowhorse
Faculty mentor: Roger Bounds, Hendrik De Heer, Scot Raab, College of Health and Human
Services (CHHS)
The pathway of academic success programs for AI/AN students, how is it used and where does
it lead?
Arizona and tribal institutions of higher education offer many academic success programs that
support Native American & Alaskan Native students. Such programs are typically created to
meet specific funding requirements and are created in isolation from each other. Student
participants, however, often participate in many of these programs throughout their time in the
higher education system. Based on the evaluation data from The Partnership of Native American
Cancer Prevention (NACP), the separate programs are presented here such that inferences can be
made regarding how these separate programs have been used by AI/AN students and preliminary
observations are presented about the impact these programs have on AI/AN student trajectory.
Although direct relationships are difficult to articulate, this project attempts identify and clarify
how these various programs have been used as a pathway to success by the AI/AN students.
Gennarelli, Joseph
Josh Stone, Chris Allender, Dr. Apichai Tuanyok
Faculty mentor: Apichai Tuanyok, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Genomic Islands in Burkholderia pseudomallei
The Burkholderia genus is composed of Gram-negative, rod-shaped, bacteria with members that
can cause disease in human, animal, and plant hosts. Our work centered around B. pseudomallei,
which causes the life-threatening disease Meliodosis in humans, and seven species of close
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genetic relatives, some of which do not cause disease. We aimed to discover if any mobile
genetic elements called genomic islands (GIs) were shared between these pathogenic and nonpathogenic species, and if any GIs may confer fitness advantages to B. pseudomallei for
overcoming host defenses and causing disease. We used in silico methods to search for tRNA
coding genes in the DNA sequence to locate GIs because they are frequently inserted next to
tRNA genes. There GIs were then characterized according to their predicted function based on
their genomic content. The GIs contained multiple genes that may affect overall fitness and
virulence in each strain. Also, some elements were shared among these Burkholderia spp.
Therefore, we have further evidence that GIs may indeed help certain isolates cause disease
while others do not.
Geraldo, Michael
Essential Fast Food
After reading Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, I have concluded that the fast food industry
needs some justification and deserves a better rap. With numerous published articles and books
about the negativities surrounding the fast food industry, it is no wonder why it is thought of as a
detriment to the American and our diet. We are merely blinded by ideas spilling from books like
Fast Food Nation; ideas as bountiful as the stars. And that being said, I wish to open up the eyes
to the blinded and show them the many benefits of fast food. Fast food, as an entity of the most
encompassing culture in the world, brings many a joy and simplicity in a happy humble way
through cost, taste, and convenience.
Through some diligent and thorough research, I hope to uncover the lighter side to fast food.
With fast food having a reputation of a detriment to everyone and everything, there has to be
some silver lining to the “dark cloud” of fast food. I can think on my own, some ideas that are a
benefit of fast food. Cost, taste, and convenience of fast food open up topics in fast food that
enlighten to the bright side of the industry. And with these topics, stem subtopics. Some
subtopics are alternatives to fast food, the cost of the alternatives, relative taste of the
alternatives, convenience of the alternatives, and preferences of the American. And with these all
encompassing topics and subtopics, I can gather a broader understanding of what fast food has to
offer.
Gerardo, Gina
Faculty mentor: Cindy Browder, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Development of Novel Antibacterial Drugs
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid in humans and plants, meaning it cannot be produced in
one’s body and must therefore be acquired from a food source. Bacteria are unique in that, unlike
humans, they can produce their own tryptophan. Tryptophan biosynthesis requires several
enzymes that, when inhibited, could disrupt the production of that essential amino acid. Many of
these given enzymes in the tryptophan pathway have been shown to have no human homologues.
This is important because a drug with no human homologues will not interrupt the human
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biosynthetic pathways when introduced into the system. This is because it is not a molecule that
is active in the body’s necessary processes. Due to these findings, inhibitors of these enzymes
have been investigated for the development of antibacterial drugs. Our research focuses on
producing inhibitors that target the forth step of the tryptophan biosynthesis pathway, where 1(o-carboxyphenylamino)-1-deoxyribulose 5-phosphate (CdRP) is converted to indole-3-glycerol
phosphate (IGP) via indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthase (IGPs). The compounds that are being
produced will mimic CdRP, which we intend to use to prevent the pathway from producing IGP.
Using promising results from a first generation library of compounds, our research focuses on
emphasizing the design and production of a second-generation library of potential inhibitors.
These compounds are synthesized through a nitrile oxide cycloaddition. Our experimental design
rationale, methodology, and preliminary results from in vitro screening studies will be presented.
German, Sabrina
Owen P. Leiser, Jeff T. Foster, Paul S. Keim
Faculty mentor: Jeffrey Foster, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Isolation and Characterization of Clostridium botulinum from Commercial Honey
Clostridium botulinum is a gram-positive, anaerobic, endospore producing bacterium that
produces the botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), which is one of the most toxic bacterial neurotoxin
to humans. BoNT is known to cause botulism in infants and adults who ingest the bacterium, yet
is also widely used in medical and cosmetic procedures. C. botulinum is found in a number of
environments, including commercially produced honey. In this pilot study, we surveyed 32
commercial honey samples for the presence of C. botulinum spores. Honey samples were
obtained from a diverse geographical range, and were of a variety of types (e.g. raw, processed,
etc). Two confirmed C. botulinum isolates were obtained from a single sample of honey and
were further characterized by their BoNT gene sequences, and placed into our current
phylogenetic understanding of this organism. Although the number of isolates we obtained in
this proof-of-concept study is limited, we have validated our isolation and characterization
techniques. Our aim is to broaden the understanding of true global diversity of C. botulinum by
obtaining novel toxin-producing isolates from around the world.
Gilbertson, Selina
Faculty mentor: Dana Ernst, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Investigations of T-avoding elements of Coxeter groups
Coxeter groups can be thought of as generalized reflections groups. In particular, a Coxeter
group is generated by a set of elements of order two. Every element of a Coxeter group can be
written as an expression in the generators, and if the number of generators in an expression is
minimal, we say that the expression is reduced. We say that an element w of a Coxeter group is
T-avoiding if w does not have a reduced expression beginning or ending with a pair of noncommuting generators. In this talk, we will state the known results concerning T-avoiding
elements and discuss our current work in classifying the T-avoiding elements in Coxeter groups
of type F.
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Gilbertson, Selina
Faculty mentor: John Tingerthal, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Obstacle Wall Design for the NAU Challenge Course Team 2
The purpose of this project is to design a challenge wall in Flagstaff, Arizona. The challenge wall
will serve as a team-building exercise. Groups of people will use the wall with the goal of getting
every person over the wall. The wall is 12 feet high with a platform that is 9 feet from the
ground. The project consists of designing two support poles for the wall, two support poles for
the platform, and the deck-to-wall and wall-to-pole connections. Geotechnical analysis is used to
determine the length of the pile and the foundation design. Structural analysis is used for the rest
of the design with a focus on the construction of the platform.
Gillman, Kelli
Nick Rutherford, Wieland Mego
Faculty mentor: Mathew Anderson, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Thumbs Up!
In Flagstaff, hitchhiking is a topic that is not widely discussed, but highly utilized. We, as a
group, found a common interest to find what makes individuals choose to pick up hitchhikers in
our city. Our hypothesis that was tested is that college students at Northern Arizona University
are more likely to pick up a hitchhiker that is a Caucasian female with blonde hair and a
mesomorph body type. The variables that were tested are gender, ethnicity, hair color, and body
type. Participants filled out surveys for both male and female potential hitchhikers, and were
able to choose from options such as ethnicity, hair color, and body type. We also asked the
participants if their choices were based on attraction, in order to eliminate or confirm that there is
an outside variable contributing to and possibly skewing our data. We hypothesize that both male
and female participants will not vary by gender in their selection of the previously defined
“perfect hitchhiker.”
Gobster, Chelsea
Cierra Winters, Amanda Anderson
Faculty mentor: Dierdra Bycura, Hendrik deHeer, College of Health and Human Services
(CHHS)
Biomechanical Analysis of Running on an Anti-Gravity Treadmill from a Rear View
The Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill is a relatively new piece of equipment designed to support the
user’s body weight during running and walking activities. The Alter-G has a lower body positive
pressure chamber that has the ability to de-weight an individual in an effort to decrease the
effects of gravity and participant weight on joints and soft tissue. The purpose of this study was
to determine biomechanical gait factors such as length of time of the stride cycle, inversion vs.
eversion of the foot, and point of contact by observing persons from the rear view at 40, 70, and
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100% body weight on the Alter-g treadmill using Dartfish computer software. Our research
questions for this project were:
•
From the rear view does inversion and eversion change from the three body weight
changes on the Alter-G treadmill?
•
From the rear view does length of time of the stride cycle change from the three body
weight changes on the Alter-G treadmill?
•
From the rear view does point of contact with the treadmill change from the three body
weight changes on the Alter-G treadmill?
The equipment used in this study was an Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill, timer, measuring tape,
flashlights, heart rate monitors, video cameras, and Dartfish Software. The design protocol was
tested on one person and included 3 minutes at each stage which were a walking warm-up,
running warm-up, and a heart rate at 70% max 100, 70, 40% body weight. Results indicated that
at a lower body weight stride cycle lengthened in time, inversion decreased, and point of contact
changed from forefoot to toe.
Godwin, Kyle
Blake Lawrence, Eric Brettner, Adam Compton, Yuchen Liu
(CEFNS)
Solar Autoclave for Rural Areas
Developing areas around the world do not possess the technology to efficiently sterilize medical
equipment. As a result, nurses and doctors at remote health clinics in these rural areas are
continually challenged with the decision to operate with unsanitary equipment, risking the spread
of infection, or to not operate at all. A solar autoclave provides an alternative solution to this
problem. Using only solar radiation, a solar autoclave can provide remote health clinics with an
inexpensive, efficient way to sterilize medical equipment.
Our objective is to create a solar autoclave for use in rural areas that can be operated by any
relatively inexperienced client. To begin, a parabolic trough was constructed to harness the
irradiation from the sun and heat up a boiler located at the focal point of the trough. The water
inside the boiler becomes pressurized, creating steam at temperatures no less than 121°C, which
is eventually used to sterilize medical equipment. Interchangeable parts used in the design allow
for various modifications and easy repairs. This allows for the autoclave to function with
minimum maintenance.
Goldtooth, Audrey
Faculty mentor: Octaviana Trujillo, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
History of Uranium Mining Impact on Traditional Navajo Lifeways
This research examines factors affecting community members of the Navajo reservation living in
or near areas of where there are abandoned uranium mines and the lack of awareness and
education about them. The results indicate that there are numerous hazardous and life threatening
anomalies affecting the livelihood of the Navajo population in these areas. It is apparent that
most of the community members of the Navajo Western Agency are concerned whether these
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areas will ever be cleaned and/or properly shut down. What are the federal and Navajo Nation
government doing to achieve this goal of a mass clean-up?
Gottschalk, Helen
Madelyne Felsch, Kelsie Lawson
The Efficacy and Outcomes of ESL Programs in American Public Schools K-12
The poster will be focused on the teaching of the English language in American public schools
K-12. We will not only be exploring ESL programs' effectiveness within the classroom, but also
its policies, as well as the treatment of students. We will be defining for the public what we have
found in our research in detail, addressing topics such as the effects that ESL training may have
on a child’s cultural identity, and whether ESL is truly effective in aiding second-language
students in English-dominated school systems and nation. In relation to the shortcomings of ESL
classes, we will be exploring how ESL students are tested, what alternatives may exist, or
improvements that may be made to programs across the country. Lastly, the teaching of ESL
classes in public schools has a reputation for increasing multicultural sensitivity among teachers,
and we will be looking for evidence of this as well.
Gould, Jessie
Gould, Jessie
Rhetoric of Food and Travel
Graf, Alessandra
Faculty mentor: Jeff Rushall, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS),
Honors Program
A New Graceful Labeling for Pendant Graphs
Graceful labelings are a particular type of graph labeling that is used to create models in a variety
of fields such as coding theory, radar astronomy, and circuit design. I have specifically been
working on finding new formulas that produce this type of labeling for a family of graphs called
pendant graphs. Thus far, I have found 3 new formulas for 2 particular types of pendant graphs
and am currently working on finding labeling formulas for the other 6 types.
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Green, Paisley
Michael Combrink, Mikayla Cutlip, Mia Aguirre, Elisabeth Sorg, Elizabeth Fry, Gerald Lamb,
Gabriella Perez-Mendoza, Gabrielle Mortellaro, Blaze Valencia, Justin Bigelow, Gage Williams
Faculty mentor: Bjorn Krondorfer, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Life and Death in the Bedzin Ghetto: An Interdisciplinary Holocaust Research Project
In fall 2012, the Martin-Springer Institute at Northern Arizona University provided an
opportunity for students to research and create a public history exhibit about the Bedzin ghetto in
Poland during World War II. Twelve students from multiple disciplinary backgrounds were
selected to participate in the project. Students have researched various aspects of the ghetto
before, during, and after Nazi occupation. Additionally, they have faced questions about
translating their research into an interesting and educational exhibit. These questions include:
whose voices to feature, what themes to showcase, and the practical constraints of the project. In
this presentation, the student researchers will outline their findings and the process of creating a
piece of public history about Bedzin. From multiple perspectives, including that of a survivor, a
perpetrator, a student, and a historian, students will discuss the importance of their research and
the challenges and successes of the project.
Greenhalgh, Jake
Pattern Recognition and Decision Making
Performance on the Iowa Gambling Task (a decision making measure) is compared to
performance on a pattern recognition task called the “probability monitor,” in which a number of
dials behave randomly, with a red “needle” jumping around. The participant is asked to indicate
when they believe a particular dial is no longer behaving randomly, eventually, more and more
dials are added to the monitor.
Griffin, Allison
Faculty mentor: Kerri Quinn, Anne Scott, Honors Program
Positive Notes - Pass Them On
The ideal is to make people look at the wonderful things in the life, the little things, or the silver
linings of their days. I want people to know that their acts of kindness and personalities do not go
unnoticed. People need to know that their actions make a difference and this is just the way to do
it.
Groyer, Molly
Faculty mentor: Rod Parnell, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Project Assessment of Structures Certified by the Coconino County Sustainable Building
Program
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The purpose of my internship was to analyze 9 structures that were certified by the Coconino
County Sustainable Building Program (CCSBP) for energy and water savings and carbon dioxide
emissions, as compared to a conventionally built structure. This was done to determine the
efficiency of sustainable structures. Each assessment included collecting data from 9 residences
certified from 2004-2011 in a face-to-face interview with a data tracking form. The report
incorporates the general information about the structure, passive systems, home indoor air
quality, water and electrical use with consideration of energy star and water conserving
appliances, alternative and fuel use and a holistic narrative. The final report includes energy and
water consumption graphs, a carbon dioxide emissions graph, table of specific building structure
information, and a narrative from the residents. The assessment indicated that more active
systems are not necessarily better because of the large energy consumption (even with solar
panels, etc.). Also, I found that passive solar and gravity fed systems are excellent ways of
reducing consumption without creating consumption. By creating an initial project assessment,
future interns are able to compare their results to mine, and thereby provide the citizens and
leaders of the county with valuable information about the practicality of sustainable building and
ways that structures can meet the needs of residents and be eco-friendly.
Grundy, Morgan
Anna McCabe, Molly Ewbank, Ethan Goodman, Cecilia Garcia, Dr. Nora Dunbar
Improving College Freshman Retention and Enhancing Various Correlated Factors
This research investigated factors related to retention of college freshman students attending
Northern Arizona University. Social problem solving and resiliency were discovered as
positively correlated factors to retention. The team designed an experimental and control
educational training hypothesized to enhance problem solving ability and resiliency, thus
improving retention. Results from a paired sample t-test indicate that participants who were
randomly assigned to the experimental group had significantly lower negative problem
orientations (.027) when faced with a problem than the control group.
Guice, Kristina
Faculty mentor: , College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
The Language of Harry Potter
In this presentation, I detail how I created my own corpus comprised of the seven Harry Potter
books, then analyzed word frequencies of sixty-eight terms (thirty-four with positive
connotations, such as ‘happy,’ ‘smile’, and ‘light;’ and thirty-four with negative connotations,
such as ‘dark,’ ‘death,’ and ‘Voldemort;’) over the course of the series to determine how word
frequencies affected the tone of the story. New York Times book reviews have described the
series as getting “progressively darker,” and this analysis provides data on how that was
achieved through the language used in the series. It also relates this change in tone to how it was
portrayed in the movie adaptations of the books for further proof that the tone does, in fact, get
darker and more ominous.
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Gutierrez, Estefania
Lauren Sanchez
RAPE
Our presentation will be describing rape and the cons and mostly some of the pros that have
come out of it as well. It gives a one-on-one interview with a man from jail who is in jail for rape
and answered our questions. Along with the interviews we give statistics and charts about people
who have been raped and those who have lied about it as well. Around the poster we also
described different emotional quotes from victims of rape.
Hagan, Tayler
Jennie Long, Greg Robertson, Zach Klinefelter
The Effects of Audience Size on Nervousness
This research assessed audience size and the effects it has on nervousness during a public
speaking task on thirty students from undergraduates attending a small university in the
Southwest region of the United States. Physiological, observe-report, and self-report methods of
measurement were used to evaluate nervousness on participants in a public speaking task. The
physiological and observational measurements were taken to assess change in nervousness. The
public speaking task consisted of standing in a classroom setting in front of an audience while
speaking about a familiar topic. Participants were placed in front of an audience size of 2, 4, or 6.
Participants showed an overall increase in nervousness as audience size increased. Also, an
increase from 2 to 4 was more substantial than an increase from 4 to 6. In conclusion, it was
found that nervousness significantly increased as the negative accelerating power function grew.
Hager, Brett
Michelle J. Lee and J. Richard Coast
Faculty mentor: Michelle J. Lee, J. Richard Coast, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
The Effect of Posture Change on Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity and Cardiac Output
The aim of this study was to evaluate pulmonary diffusing capacity and cardiac output during
steady state posture change. Ten healthy, non-smoking individuals of both sexes, ranging from
20 to 26 years of age, were selected to participate. Each subject was administered a pulmonary
function test to ensure normal lung function. The participants then underwent rebreathing
maneuvers in three different body positions: supine, sitting, and standing. Each rebreathing trial
consisted of eight breaths at a rate of 33 breaths/minute . Subjects breathed in a gas mixture with
known concentrations of acetylene, helium, and carbon monoxide which enabled the calculation
of lung diffusing capacity as well as cardiac output. After data was collected, it was analyzed
using a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Mean lung diffusing capacity for
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carbon monoxide (DLCO) in the supine position was 28.521 ± 5.633, in the seated position was
26.800 ± 5.239, and in the standing position was 25.429 ± 3.924. The data showed significant
differences across postures (P<0.05). Further testing showed that there was a difference
between standing and supine DLCO, but not between standing and sitting or sitting and supine.
Similar results were seen for cardiac output. In conclusion, posture change from supine to
standing effectively lowers the diffusing capacity of the lungs and their ability to extract oxygen.
It also decreases cardiac output, indicating an effect of gravity on this variable as well.
Hahn, Hunter
Faculty mentor: Adam Hoffman, Honors Program
Memoir of the Subconscious
Readings from a "subconscious journal."
Hallman, Robert
Faculty mentor: , College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Chopin on Bass
A musical performance of Chopin’s Nocturne in G minor for bass.
Halvorsen, Tiffany
Faculty mentor: Egbert Schwartz, Honors Program
Prions: Proteinaceous Infectious Particles
Prions are infectious agents of neurodegenerative diseases, unprecedented by other pathogens in
their ability to alter protein structure and in their lack of any nucleic acids. Prions may be
infectious, genetic, or sporadic in effect, but in all cases the prion attack arises from modification
of the prion protein, a component of all regular mammalian cells, and causes complications in
the Central Nervous System (CNS). Prions are responsible for some well-known diseases, such
as scrapie of sheep, bovine spongiform encephalopathy of cattle, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
of humans. Dr. Stanley Prusiner of the University of California was awarded the Nobel Prize in
Physiology and Medicine for his discovery of prions and the implications of his research, and his
discoveries will be outlined and discussed as they pertain to current molecular biology and
medicinal research.
Hamilton, Sarah
(CEFNS)
Comparison of Soil Microbial Communities of Native and Non-Native Grasses
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Fire danger in the desert Southwest is an issue made more hazardous by invasive species such as
cheat grass which out compete sagebrush and other native species in the region. Fire from the
dry and dense cheat grass can spread rapidly across landscapes killing sagebrush which is less
dense and fire prone, and assisting in the reproduction of more cheat grass. Remediation efforts
to reintroduce sagebrush species instead of cheat grass have not been very successful. Soil
samples from military bases in the southwest were collected to compare the soil microbial
communities around the roots of cheat grass and sage brush. In the lab of Dr. Schwartz I
complete DNA extractions from these soil samples using DNA extraction kits that separate DNA
from the cells within the soil samples. The products of these extractions are further analyzed to
ensure DNA has indeed been isolated through will be used to compare and understand the soil
microbial communities these of invasive and native species. Changes to the extraction protocol
were required to successfully isolate the DNA from the samples which are poor in organic
material. Further DNA sequencing and processing of new data is the next step to determine the
differences in these soil communities. Insight into the effects of soil on the plants that grow there
and vice versa may lead to better remediation efforts in the future.
Hamilton, Susanna
Faculty mentor: Karin Wadsack, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Wind for Schools
Children are the future. Giving children information about ways they can change the world is
crucial. Northern Arizona University is currently working with Wind for Schools (WfS) to
provide an education supplement to the rising generation (K-12 students). Wind for Schools has
worked with over 1000 students and over 100 teachers to bring the topics of wind and energy
into the classroom. This year, we have taken WfS an extra step further, and have included this
program in special education classrooms. Bringing WfS into the special education classroom
gives these students the same opportunity to be informed about climate change. WfS is
continuing to support schools in an effort to install wind turbines which provide information
about energy use, and can be a method of hands-on learning. Every child, specials needs or not,
has the right to learn how to better the environment. WfS is attempting to do just that.
Hamm, Deborah
Searching for Kuiper Belt Objects using Ground-Based Telescopes
Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) are icy bodies in the outer solar system and are remnants of the era
of planet formation. In 2007 and 2008 we acquired data from the MMT and Magellan telescopes.
We are currently searching this data for objects with the expected motion of KBOs. Specifically,
we will measure the distribution of KBOs as a function of their size, distance, and orbit. Thus,
this project will contribute to our understanding of how the Sun's family of planets and minor
bodies originated and tell us more about how the solar system evolved to what we currently
observe.
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Handel, Michael
Arlyssa Watts, Kelly Curry, Kristyn Nielsen
Poverty in Contemporary America
Our presentation will identify how popular culture has defined poverty by analyzing the film The
Grapes of Wrath. We will present a case study for how The Grapes of Wrath has turned into an
iconic statement for defining poverty. Although aged, we feel this film still holds value in what
we view as poverty in contemporary America. Many of people live in poverty, and many more
are just above the poverty line and have the potential to fall within it. There are many ways in
which our society can relate to poverty through this film. We will look at the advantages and
disadvantages of using this film to argue our case in defining poverty in contemporary America.
Different opinions were formatted after The Grapes of Wrath was premiered. We will look at
different critiques and references to compare the differences in each time period. Within the case
study we will study closely and use different theories to describe the film as a rhetorical
statement of poverty. Our goal is to not only define poverty in contemporary America but also to
determine if The Grapes of Wrath will be used not only for entertainment in the future but allow
the future to respond to poverty in a positive way.
Hanf, Ian
Faculty mentor: Kyle Paffett, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Assessing Water Rights for National Forest Springs
The Northern Arizona University Geology Department is currently conducting a study assessing
the water rights status for all known springs on the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests. The
purpose of this study will be to develop a complete listing of springs that are available for
restoration projects based on their water rights status. My main task as an intern for this project
was to inspect the water rights records housed at the two National Forest supervisors’ offices, as
well as electronic records from the Arizona Department of Water Resources. Using the Arc Map
geographic information system (GIS) program, I cross-referenced National Forest Service and
Arizona Department of Water Resources records with Northern Arizona University springs data
and helped to identify springs that are available for restoration based on their water rights status.
Many springs were originally developed for the purpose of making a claim for a water right.
Typical improvements include construction of diversion boxes, installing piping, creating
storage, tanks and other structures, which may be removed or modified to improve a spring’s
ecological condition if the water rights status allows. If water rights claims are valid, they may
affect the process and prioritization for doing restoration at the spring. An updated springs
database will be created with water rights claims information and a report indicating the status of
the water right claim for each spring.
Hanlon, Ashley
Olivia Timothy, Jeanette Hernandez, Emacia Tsosie
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Does Being Blue Mean Seeing Green? An Analysis of Depression and Jealousy
Past studies have left a gap in collected information between jealousy, gender, and depression,
leaving out important information on the distinction of the correlation between depression rate
and jealousy rate. Our research will add to previous data involving gender differences in
jealousy and depression. This research hopes to fill the gap by contributing to gender differences
between depression and jealousy. 200 undergraduates at a small mountain college in the
Southwest United States took a survey consisting of twenty-five questions related to hypothetical
situations evoking feelings of jealousy. The participants also took Beck’s Depression Inventory
measuring depression levels. The survey was given in a classroom setting in a packet including
a demographics page. The study found that in men who were moderately to severely depressed
correlated positively to higher amounts of jealousy. In women who were moderately to severely
depressed there was also a positive correlation to higher jealousy rates. Males and females who
were not depressed demonstrated less jealousy in the self-survey. Research proved that jealousy
is an instinctual trait found in both men and women, differences originating in variations
between men and women through evolution. Recommendations would include a modern
exploration into gender, jealousy, and evolutionary theory and its correlation to depression.
Harnois, Christopher
Harper, Jael
Garth Calderon, William Parrish, Austin Simmon
iPhone vs. Android: Cell Phones and Sex
This study looks at the possibility of a correlation between cell phone ownership and the amount
of sexual activity engaged in between users. The study was composed of survey questions
administered to college students in PSY 302w classes, asking about their phone ownership and
sexual activity over the past month. Statistical tests will then explore a connection between the
phone ownership of an individual and the amount of sexual activity they engage in.
Harper, Heather
Applying Agricultural Methods Discovered in the Archaeological Record to the Modern
Farmer
This presentation will review several studies of agricultural methods present in the
archaeological record and the possibly ways that these methods could benefit modern
agriculture. Many of these archaeological methods involve intercropping or the use of
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biodiversity as an advantage to counteract climate and weather changes, so information will be
presented about those topics as well. Information will also be presented about the current use of
monoculture and its disadvantages and lack of sustainability.
Harrison, Candace
Suicide
This study investigates the concept building of the application of attachment patterns and
suicidal rates among indigenous communities. Bowlby attachment theory described a connection
between the infant and caregiver, which eventually impacts the child’s attachment to others. This
been hypothesized that the attachment theory is related to suicide and depression in young adults
when the attachment is to be preoccupied and avoidant. This paper furthers shows the
connections linking the attachment theory, which means that many young adults in the
indigenous community struggle with depression and are more likely to experience suicidal
thoughts. There are suggestions for future research to help decrease depression and suicidal rates
in Indigenous communities.
Hart, Kendra
Bruce Hungate, George Koch, Zhuoting Wu
Faculty mentor: Bruce Hungate, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
The Response of Aboveground Net Primary Production to Climate Change in Northern
Arizona Grasslands, 2002-2012
Changes in temperature and precipitation influence ecosystem structure and function, including
species composition, plant growth, nutrient cycling, and water use. In the US Southwest,
temperature and aridity are expected to increase during the current century. The present study
built on a long-term experiment begun in 2002 that has used soil and vegetation transplants along
an elevation gradient to examine how northern Arizona grassland communities respond to
climate change treatments including 1) warming with increased precipitation, 2) warming with
decreased precipitation, and 3) warming with ambient precipitation. The current study extended
the analysis of the ANPP response an additional two years. ANPP was examined using high
definition photography processed in Adobe Photoshop and related to direct measurements of
aboveground biomass. Early results showed that warming initially increased aboveground net
primary productivity (ANPP) due to increased nitrogen mineralization, but the magnitude of that
increase declined over time.
Harter, Elizabeth
Faculty mentor: Chad Woodruff, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Self Other Discrimination of the Mirror Neuron System
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Mirror neurons a system of cortical neurons in the motor cortex that may contribute to our
empathetic abilities. Empathy is defined by as the ability to understand and share the feelings of
another (Davis, 1983). Mirror neurons are thought to be activated during imitation and
acquisition of social skills, shared understanding, and observations of actions and emotions. This
system is also activated during the planning and execution of an action. The ability to take on the
perspective of others is a fundamental aspect of the empathetic response. The ability to
differentiate between one’s own actions and emotions is an important part of this response. Dr.
Woodruff et.al, 2011 hypothesized that mu suppression of mirror neuron activity differs between
self and other, and that this differentiation is correlated with perspective taking abilities. This
research looks at the difference in mu suppression when seeing one’s self perform an action
versus seeing another person performing the same action. The importance of this research is to
determine if there is a significant difference in mu suppression between self and other.
Hatch, Hailey
Devin Bierl, Maddison Savage
Faculty mentor: John Houser, Brooke Edwards, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
(SBS)
Analysis of Emotion Through a Colorful Perspective
The purpose of this study was to determine the emotional effects of specific colors. The colors
red, yellow, green, and blue were chosen as well as a clear control set to measure the influence of
each color on happiness, anger, sadness, and anxiety levels. The participants were in residents of
a small south western United States mountain community and were randomly assigned to a color
and given a task to complete. Before and after the task an assessment of emotion was conducted.
Red and yellow were found to cause the greatest increase in both anger and anxiety. Anxiety and
sadness levels were maintained or decreased in the results of blue and green participants and
happiness levels increased. In future studies variations of hue intensity may be taken into
account. The affect of each color on productivity may also be an interesting variable.
Hawkinson, Jeffrey
Action Research and Engaged Learning: Foodlink Community Gardens
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Healy, Faye
Daesik Park, Rex R. Bergamini, Kevin Daniels, Catherine R. Propper
(CEFNS)
Evaluating naturalized populations of western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, in the Verde
River watershed for biomarkers of endocrine disruption
Invertebrate and vertebrate aquatic organisms exhibit a number of responses to xenobiotics,
making them excellent bioindicators of environmental contamination. Rivers in the arid
Southwest may be particularly vulnerable to chemical pollution as there is limited availability of
surface water for dilution effects. Based on a prior study of benthic macroinvertebrate
community structure in the Verde River watershed, Arizona, we identified five sites that may
represent different pollution loads and a site that receives only spring-fed water. To determine
whether these sites may also affect endocrine function in aquatic vertebrates, we used naturalized
populations of western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) as a bioindicator for estrogenic or
androgenic markers of pollution. There were no significant intrasex differences in anal fin
lengths among all sites, suggesting that fish raised in these waters didn’t experience feminization
or masculinization during development. However, body length in females and mass in males
differed among sites, but these were not related to predicted pollution levels. The lack of
differences in anal fin length suggests that there isn’t overt disruption of androgen activity in
these sampled reaches. However, the differences in body size and mass may be related to
complex biotic and abiotic interactions within the watershed. Our results suggest that water in
the areas sampled may not affect androgenic activity in these fish. Furthermore, this study
illustrates that within a watershed’s geographic microscales there are differences in population
traits. These differences must be taken into account when trying to find correlations between
pollution and physiological outcomes in natural populations.
Heap, Alissa
A Sustainable Passive Solar Home for a Veteran with PTSD
Every year thousands of US soldiers come back from overseas, suffering from Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder. Extreme paranoia and anxiety makes it hard to deal with normal situations
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without discomfort and stress. These veterans do so much for our country; they deserve to live
in a home that helps ease these irregular discomforts. My research involves texts on PTSD and
potential triggers and symptoms shown by different individuals with PTSD. I also conducted
interviews with two local Psychologists that have experience with veterans and individuals
affected by PTSD, and an interview with a close friend that served in Afghanistan and now
suffers from PTSD. There are many similar symptoms that veterans with PTSD show: they
constantly check windows and doors for someone coming or watching, they arrange themselves
so they can have their backs to a corner or wall, they have trouble sleeping, they startle easily by
sudden sound or visual motion, they are uncomfortable in unfamiliar, shadowy or busy places,
etc. Although these symptoms seem to be very common for veterans with PTSD, they actually
vary greatly depending on the individual and the origin of their PTSD.
I implemented ‘green technology’ into my design, with the goal of creating a sustainable and
eco-friendly home, as well as a therapeutic one. Sustainable living is achieved by a complex
combination of systems, product choices, and practices. To make the greatest impact on energy
savings, a combination of solar panels and a Passive Annual Heating System were implemented
in the design.
Heitzinger, Christina
Kylie Suter, Nicole Flanagan, Meghan Harting
Faculty mentor: Trina Spencer, Mandana Kajian, College of Health and Human Services
(CHHS)
DIS 485: Undergraduate Research Through IHD
Helmkamp, Robert
Faculty mentor: Paul Gazda
Information Technology Services
Northern Arizona University, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Project
The aspect of sustainability is one that has become a necessity in the world we live in today.
While most focus is placed on conserving non-renewable resources, it is also important to place
an emphasis on the sustainability of our lands soil. The Sustainable Landscape Maintenance
Project places focus on conducting research and experimenting with methods in which toxic
chemical pesticides and herbicides can be removed from the NAU grounds, without losing
aesthetic appeal of the lawns. Spanning from the months of May 2012- October 2012, a team of
two undergraduate students and myself conducted research and collected data on a variety of test
and control plots located on the grounds of NAU campus. Using manual methods of weed
removal, transect counting and turf quality measurements our team was able to make
measurements of particular weed variety and quantity, aesthetic turf quality of lawns, and
successful sustainable methods. At the end of our research period through data input and
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graphing, our team found that not only did our test plots aesthetically look more pleasing than
the control plots; they also contained lower salinity levels. Also by increasing the length of the
mower heights, allowing the lawns to grow a bit taller, weed suppression and turf quality greatly
increased. In conclusion our team believes that by using sustainable methods such as over
seeding with corn meal and gluten solution in the beginning of the spring, as well as increasing
mower height, the NAU lawns can become more sustainable and chemical free.
Herder, Denyse
Navajo Philosophy as a Protective Factor for Navajo Youth Against Risky Behaviors
The prevalence of various risky behaviors among youth is not uncommon to indigenous peoples
and their communities. Risky behaviors can range from, but are not limited to, substance abuse,
violence, and engaging in sexual behaviors. Currently there is a movement among several other
tribal communities and members of the research community to address the risky behaviors stated
above through the incorporation of cultural knowledge and cultural involvement. The results of
this research suggest that aspects of indigenous culture such as sense of belonging and
involvement in cultural activities can be influential in deterring Native youth from engaging in
risky behaviors. With this in mind, at the core of Navajo philosophy is the sacred idea of
Hozho, which translates to harmony and beauty. Furthermore, through the methodological
approach of concept building, one may perhaps see that Navajo philosophy may contain
fundamental elements vital to the physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological well-being of
Native youth; thus providing Navajo youth with a protective factor against risky behaviors.
Hernandez, Jorge
Ian Braun, Andrew Halley, Haikal bin Maamor
Faculty mentor: Charles Schlinger, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Complete Civil Engineering Site Plan and Design for a Proposed Hualapai Museum
This project will design a museum site for the Hualapai tribe in Peach Springs, AZ. The site
design includes four major parts: land survey, traffic analysis, drainage modeling, and pavement
specifications and layout. The museum is an expansion on the existing Hualapai Cultural Center
site. This expansion will result in a modern building which meets the United States Federal
Museum standards. These standards allow Hualapai tribe possession of their artifacts, and store
them in an archive. This museum will educate the current and future generations of their culture
and heritage.
Herrera, Crispin
Dane Eccles, Charles Manchen, Bryce Smith, Marcus Tallman, Blake Willmes
(CEFNS)
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NAU Portable Rain Room
W.L. Gore & Associates are known to be a creative, technologically advanced enterprise
producing highly reliable products. Gore® thrives to provide customers with the highest quality
of products from medical products, electronics, to the one of a kind GORE®-TEX® fabrics. The
primary objective of this project is to design and build a portable rain simulation chamber to
demonstrate the waterproof and breathable garments effectiveness of GORE-TEX®. The
portable rain room consists of three primary components: the base, water system, and room
structure. The base is a 3' by 3' fabricated abs plastic, which contains all the water to be cycled
and recycled through the water system. The water system produces various rain conditions from
a light drizzle to a heavy driven rain with wind like conditions. The structure of the portable rain
room is 3' by 3' by 8' room constructed from 80/20 aluminum square rods. The aluminum rods
are useful because of the ability to place acrylic sheets in the slits to provide a view of the
effectiveness of GORE®-TEX® fabrics. The Northern Arizona University portable rain room
will provide W.L. Gore &Associates with an efficient way to display the effectiveness of
GORE®-TEX® fabrics in various rain conditions at trade shows and demonstration events.
Herrera, Luis
Koll Christianson, Zheng Lian, Shaun Shultz
(CEFNS)
Separation Connector Improvement for Orbital Sciences Corporation
Orbital Sciences Corporation is an engineering design company that contracts in space vehicles
and missile defense systems. Within each space vehicle or missile, there is a separation
connector that allows the communication wires, located between each stage of the vehicle, to be
safely disconnected. The current design of the separation connector uses many small pieces and
requires an excessive pulling force to de-mate. Our team has designed the ‘Ball Bearing Detent’
separation connector to solve these problems. Based on the customer’s requirements and
constraints, we developed a reliable connector that: leaves the male end of the connector
unchanged, separates with a reasonable amount of force, is easy to manufacture, withstands
military specification testing, and can de-mate under static and dynamic conditions. The Ball
Bearing Detent design also reduced the number of internal components; thus, reducing the
manufacturing process. The new design can statically de-mate with a pulling force less than 30
lbf and sustain dynamic shock loads up to 200 lbf. Lastly, the new design can achieve higher pull
angles, which increases the chance of separation; thus, making it more reliable than its
predecessor.
Heyert, Alexanndra
Faculty mentor: Jennifer Duis, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Cell Phones in The Classroom
With cell phones becoming more prevalent within the college community, an important question
has arisen: how does cell phone use affect academic performance? A 16 question survey was
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completed by 374 freshman chemistry students. The student responses were compared to their
class grade. A significant correlation between the reasons a student used their cell phone, as well
as the frequency of use during a class period was found. A more precise survey, distributed to a
larger test group will follow.
Hickman, Will
Faculty mentor: Kevin Ketchner, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Enumerating Sockeye Smolt in Chilkoot River, Haines, Alaska
This study observed the migration of adult and juvenile Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka,)
in the Chilkoot River system. Closely monitoring the strength of salmon runs is a cornerstone in
managing the commercial fishing industry and preventing overfishing. Adult salmon are simply
counted as they swam upstream through a single gate in the weir. Incline plane traps were used
on the downstream side of the Chilkoot weir to gather juvenile salmon smolt. The traps were
emptied twice a day and the numbers of fish were recorded for statistical analysis. A sample
group of sockeye smolt from each counting period was taken aside to have some of their scales
taken for observation. The length and mass of these fish were also recorded. Each week of the
summer five hundred sockeye smolt were taken aside and dyed using Bismarck Brown. These
fish were then released back upstream of the weir, in order to estimate the fraction of the total
smolt run the traps were catching. Using simple statistics and the values from the mark-recapture
experiment, it was estimated that approximately 2.6 million salmon smolt passed through the
Chilkoot weir during the summer of 2012. The adult sockeye return to Chilkoot Lake reached
140,000 before the counting period ended, meaning that both the adult and juvenile salmon runs
were strong, contributing to a strong commercial fishing season.
Hill, Jennifer
The Power of Faith in The Laramie Project
In Moises Kaufman’s play, The Laramie Project, the members of the Tectonic Theater Project
conduct interviews with citizens from the town of Laramie, Wyoming. In 1998, a young gay man
named Matthew Sheppard is kidnapped, tied to a fence, tortured, and left to die by two of
Laramie’s own sons. Differences in religious beliefs and practices sometimes separate a
community, thus breeding hatred. But, religion also has a miraculous way of bringing people
together and giving birth to hope. Hope is important in any community and can be a unifying
factor both in times of great joy and times of great loss. In the wake of this tragedy, fear sets in
and many members of the Laramie community find strength in religion. In The Laramie Project,
religion creates conflict almost as much as it brings people together. Although religion gives
justification to differing values and judgments, it allows individuals to connect to one another
and is a tool that helps families heal during the grieving process, which ultimately enables the
people of Laramie to overcome their struggle to find peace after Matthew’s death.
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Hill, Joseph
Faculty mentor: Bryan McLaren, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
A Way to Clean by Being Green
My objective for this project was to develop, author and implement a business plan that promotes
the use of green cleaning products, especially with students. This project not only researches a
hypothesis regarding the importance of green chemicals but it also investigates their positive
effect on human health. In addition to these objectives, I gained experience in project
management, policy navigation and community organization. I worked with the Office of
Sustainability at Northern Arizona University to plan and develop methods of scanning and
research, networking within the campus community, pitching ideas and striking discussions with
top level stakeholders at the institutional level. Fostering a culture of sustainability is an
overlying principle to this project. The results include a research scan of institutional green
cleaning use and importance, informational fliers regarding green chemicals and an authored
business plan. The information attained from this project has led me to believe that green
chemicals promote human health and reduce sick days. The future of this project requires
additional funding through either grants or scholarships in order to be put into action, and the
Office of Sustainability should consider giving this project to future interns for that
advancement.
Hite, Addie
Controlling Pain in Postoperative Joint Replacement Patients
Pain control in postoperative patients is a priority for nurses. Poor pain control can lead to
hypertension, tachycardia, poor wound healing, delayed discharge, and transition to chronic pain.
Current research suggests that pain control methods be chosen based on the type of procedure,
the patient’s psychological status, and the patient’s comorbid conditions. Pain assessments
should be conducted regularly to ensure that pain is identified, evaluated and managed
appropriately. Scheduled oral (PO) pain medications and patient controlled analgesia (PCA)
pumps provided better pain control than as needed (PRN) oral pain medications. Patients should
be educated on the availability and efficacy of pain management strategies available prior to
surgical procedures. Effective pain management plans should be put into place that recognize
current evidence-based practice.
Hochhalter, Christian
J. Gruendike, Michaela Harbeck, Dawn Birdsell, Katy L. Parise, Julia M. Riehm, Holger C.
Scholz, Paul Keim, and David M. Wagner
Technical considerations for robust confirmation from ancient DNA samples: Yersinia pestis
DNA in 6th century skeletal remains
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Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, has been implicated in three historical global
pandemics that killed millions of people. The third and second pandemics occurred during the
19th-20th and 14th-17th centuries, respectively. The first pandemic spread during the Justinian
era of the 6th-8th centuries. DNA evidence firmly links Y. pestis as the cause of the two most
recent pandemics but such evidence was missing for the Justinian plague. Recent genetic
analysis of ancient DNA, extracted from skeletal remains of suspected plague victims from the
Justinian era, confirmed the presence of Y. pestis DNA and identified its likely geographic
origins. Central to the robustness of this confirmation was the use of synthetic positive controls
in the genetic tests. Here we present the construction of the synthetic templates that were used as
positive controls in the genetic tests that successfully linked Y. pestis as the cause of the
Justinian plague.
Hogrelius, Zanden
TH 485-3 Class
Faculty mentor: Kate Ellis, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Shadow Puppets
This will be a production of four to six short (no longer than ten minutes each) shadow plays that
are being produced by the Theatre Department's Shadow Puppetry research class. The plays will
be adapted from folk tales and myths from around the world.
There are twelve students in the class.
Hontz, Kelsey
The Way Nancy Smiles
The Way Nancy Smiles is a short-short story, or "flash fiction," which means it is under 5 pages.
It details the awkward experience of being in love for the first time in the setting of a slightly offkilter sixth grade. The characters James Riled Flack and Nancy Towers have strange, blushworthy interactions. Also, the phrase "octopus tendrils of hair dancing around her head" is used.
Hontz, Kelsey
Red, White, and Green: Veganism in America
What do Woody Harrelson, Weird Al, Bill Clinton, and Mike Tyson have in common? Hint: it's
not a good old red-blooded American steak. These prominent American figures are all vegans,
which is an often misunderstood lifestyle that includes abstaining from any and all animal
products. I am to explore why veganism is misunderstood by introducing some cold, hard,
crunchy green facts about the diet.
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Hopper, Austin
Kelsey Deckert Stephanie Sarty
Faculty mentor: John Tingerthal, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
NAU Challenge Course - Climbing Wall Design
The goal of the project is to design a climbing wall for the Northern Arizona University (NAU)
Challenge Course. The purpose of this wall is to improve the challenge course by adding
another team building activity to the site. The project was proposed by NAU outdoors, will be
designed by our Civil Engineering Capstone team, and will be constructed by the Construction
Management Program later in the spring.
Hosch, Elliot
Internship at Phoenix Comicon
I worked with my contact at the Phoenix Comicon which is a yearly convention centered on geek
and nerd culture. I helped transition the organization from using in person meetings to using an
online collaboration set of programs using Google's Apps. I helped create a culture of
sustainability in the organization. I learned important real world skills such as time management
and work ethic. I was able to work and collaborate with different teams throughout the
organization. I was able to use what I learned at NAU and blend it with my love for business.
The internship gave me invaluable knowledge and prepared me for the work force.
Hottel, Sarah
Faculty mentor: Nashelly Meneses, Stepehn Shuster, Russell Benford, College of Engineering,
Factors Influencing Metallic Blue Ladybird Beetle Abundance
Heteropsylla cubana is a sap-sucking psyllid that attacks tangan-tangan (Leucaena leucocephala),
an economically important tree. To control this psyllid, a natural predator, the metallic blue
ladybird beetle (Curinus coeruleus), was introduced in different regions. Yet, few studies have
been conducted to understand factors impacting beetle abundance within tangan-tangan habitats,
which could influence their effectiveness as a control. I studied how geographic location, edge
composition, time of day, and prey abundance affect beetle abundance. I recorded these factors
and counted for five minutes the number of beetles present on each tree at seven randomly
selected tangan-tangan edge habitats across the island of Saipan. I tested the effect of:
geographic location and edge composition on beetle abundance using a Wilcoxon test, time of
day on beetle abundance using a Mann-Whitney U Test and the effect of prey abundance on
beetle abundance using a Spearman test. Beetle abundance was significantly affected by
geographic location (N=130, X2 =65.45, P=0.0001), edge composition (N=150, X2 =62.8,
P=0.0001), time of day (N=80 X2=18.02, P=0.0001) and prey abundance (N=310, r =0.45,
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P=0.0001). These results may inform more efficient management strategies for metallic blue
ladybird beetle populations in tangan-tangan edge habitats.
Huang, Lixiong
Desalination in San Diego
San Diego's water supply is now depending on the water transfer from northern California and
Colorado river, as it is near the ocean, desalination is becoming another good source of supply.
In the article, I will introduce the current supply and demand in San Diego County area. And
briefly introduce how desalination works, and find the costs of doing desalination projects.
Compared with current costs will aid in deciding if the government or the private company will
pay for and running the projects, and set up how the new market of desalination water should
work.
Hughes, Phoebe
Postmodernism in Slaughterhouse-Five
This paper looks at the Postmodernist features of the novel "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt
Vonnegut. Delving into specific examples from the text I look at the historical context of
Vonnegut's writing as well as context found within the novel itself. And from this context I then
look at how it translates into the Postmodernist style of writing and how it is relevant to modern
American literature.
Hulina, Chelsea
Fluoridation Program Cost/Benefit of Water Quality
This presentation is a comprehensive study of the effects of fluoridation on consumer health.
Fluoridation programs costs for implemented and studies on the benefits of preventing dental
caries, tooth decay.
In recent years the World Health Organization has raised concerns about the level of fluoride in
consumer drinking water and the adverse health effects of consumption above the maximum
contaminant level set by the Environmental Protection Agency. A contingent valuation will
model the net present value of the fluoridation program. To account for additional consumer
health costs first it must be established how much an average consumer is exposed to through
other products such as toothpastes, and foodstuffs. Consideration of non-market values such as
consumer health costs are reflected in contingent valuation.
Humphrey, Helen
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Helen Humphrey, Christina Rico, Sarah Turner, and Alissa Heintz
Does Skin Exposure Affect Perceived Attractiveness?
The concept of physical attraction plays a major role both positively and negatively in the lives
of human beings. What makes someone beautiful or attractive? There are many factors that
contribute to this question, and although there are many reasons, attire itself can distort how an
individual is perceived. With the majority of past research regarding this subject manner being
outdated, the current study attempts to update previous studies. The participants were a selection
of students from Northern Arizona University’s Research Methods in Psychology classes. They
were instructed to look at a picture that depicted a female wearing a shirt that was either
extremely conservative in its cut, mildly conservative in cut, or revealing in cut. Then, using a
simple rating scale, the effect that clothing types have on the overall beauty of women was
recorded by participants. It is hypothesized that the more provocative the clothing, the greater the
attractiveness ratings.
Humphries, Sarah
Alex Messina, Carrie Bindschadler, Jered Kral, Eric Susak
Faculty mentor: Constance DeVeraux, Honors Program
AWP Writer's Conference
Along with the four other participants, I will be describing my experience at the Boston AWP
Writer's Conference. This will most likely include the conference as a whole, our stay in Boston,
and my favorite session at the conference entitled "Video Games, Comics, and Fanfiction:
Alternative Genres as Legitimate Literature."
Hungate, Madalyn
The Scent of Memory
According to the Proustian Phenomenon, people often associate scent with memorable
experiences; when they are later presented with that scent, it can rekindle emotions and
memories associated with that event. These memories are typically highly emotional, aged, and
vivid recollections of the individuals' sentimental experiences (Herz, 2000). To explore these
effects, the researchers designed an experiment to test the effect scent has on the recall of factual
information. The participants in this experiment were students enrolled in a developmental
psychology course. Volunteers were informed with the details of the study, and they signed up
for one of two experiment sessions. This experiment took place at the Northern Arizona
University Cline Library. In this experiment the researchers measured the amount of recall by
the participants through the administration of a quiz and comparing the results between groups.
The researchers aim to find that recall is better among participants exposed to the same smell
when learning the material and when being tested on it. The results of this experiment will
possibly enhance study techniques for students.
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Hunt, Mackenzie
Creating the Ultimate Boutique Hotel Experience in Revelstoke, BC
The purpose of this project was to explore the necessary interior elements needed to create a
luxury boutique hotel located in the hidden hills of Mount Mackenzie in Revelstoke, British
Columbia, Canada. Because of the small, intimate qualities of the hotel and the desirable
location, this space was designed to provide guests with an experience that is one of a kind.
Inspired by the concept of sustainability, as well as the surrounding nature, and the beautiful
views found in Revelstoke, BC, the design incorporated harmony, conformity, and tranquility
throughout the hotel. Revelstoke's culture was embraced through bright colors, rich woods, and
textured materials, reminding guests of the natural beauty that surrounds the areas. Because of
the a scenic landscape, large windows were used to make the outdoor spaces the focal point in
every room. Throughout the design, this establishment also used many features that have local
ties to the community to create a one of a kind design.
Research was conducted to determine what would make this space a unique experience.
Interviews with boutique hotel mangers helped establish the criteria necessary to run a successful
hotel and customer satisfaction reviews were read to ascertain what design features and
amenities rating highly for overall guest experience. Case studies and scholarly journals were
also used to understand the science behind natural daylighting, color theory, and sustainable
building construction. With this information, the designer created a space that would integrate
well into the Revelstoke landscape and culture while providing an exquisite boutique hotel
experience which the clientele was looking for.
Ing, Calvin
Michael Bechtel, Ryan Mahar
American Society of Civil Engineers Student Competition Steel Bridge Design Team 1
The steel bridge design will be competing in the 2013 ASCE PSWC (Pacific Southwest
Conference) Student Steel Bridge Competition. This competition gathers students from different
universities and challenges them to create a model steel bridge with different constraints.
Students are responsible for analyzing serviceability (vertical and lateral loading) of the bridge,
testing material properties, fabricating the bridge, improving construction time and cost analysis
of the bridge. This competition helps student gain a better understanding of the design process
and real world application. The competition will be held at the University of Southern California
(USC) on April 4-6, 2013. Results of the competition and analysis of possible improvements
will be included in this presentation.
Irving, Louis
Marc Brewer, Sara Tackett, Brianna Welker
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Fear and Loathing in Psychology Majors
Neuroticism is a personality trait characterized by low mood, anxiety, and emotional instability.
Neuroticism is a major predictor of a variety of mental disorders including depression, panic
disorders, and anxiety disorders. The purpose of the study is to determine if there is a difference
in mean neuroticism trait scores between psychology and non-psychology majors. The
information gathered from this study may be applied to awareness and treatment of mentalhealth issues in college students. Participants included over 100 psychology majors enrolled in a
Psychology 302W course at Northern Arizona University and over 100 non-psychology majors
recruited from the student union. The sample was composed of over 80 females and over 80
males ranging in age from 18 to 30. A quasi-experimental research design implementing a fivepoint Likert scale variation of the Eysenck Neuroticism Personality Inventory survey was used.
We hypothesize that the findings will indicate that neuroticism scores will be significantly higher
amongst psychology majors than non-psychology majors. These results will be congruent with
previous findings that exposure to information regarding psychological disorders and instability
is related to an increase in self-worry and other behaviors characteristic of neuroticism.
Jackson, Randy
Matt Garcia, Jeremy Mountain, Qian Tong, Hui Yao
(CEFNS)
Design of Material Testing Fixture
The goal of this project is to redesign a material testing fixture which is used to test a Magnetic
Shape Memory alloy (MSM). The material is a composition of Nickel-Gallium-Manganese,
which, when introduced to a magnetic field, can elongate by up to 6%. The current testing fixture
has poor axial alignment, which applies eccentric loading on the specimen, ultimately leading to
fatigue failure in the specimen. In order to measure the deformation of the specimen, there must
be a least 12 mm of exposed specimen, which is observed by a camera. It is also crucial that the
fixture not damage the specimen, or interfere with the applied magnetic field. The new fixture
corrects this axial alignment by reducing the number of parts and using the testing rig for
alignment. The new fixture is also capable of performing tension and compression tests, as the
current fixture can only perform compression tests. This new fixture allows the specimens to be
tested repeatedly without breaking, leading to more consistent results, and a more accurate model
of the material. The collet style fixture that was designed as the solution ensures that the
specimen will be axially aligned by applying equal force on all sides of the specimen during
testing. A silicon sleeve was added to the fixture to compensate for any size variation in the
specimen, as well as ensure that there is no damage to the specimen.
Jacobson, Dane
Michael Woodward
Faculty mentor: Dana Ernst, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
The mathematics of the game Spinpossible
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The game Spinpossible is played on a 3 by 3 board of scrambled tiles numbered 1 to 9, each of
which may be right-side-up or up-side-down. The objective of the game is to return the board to
the standard configuration where tiles are arranged in numerical order and right-side-up. This is
accomplished by a sequence of "spins", each of which rotates a rectangular region of the board
by 180 degrees. The goal is to minimize the number of spins used. It turns out that the group
generated by the set of spins allowed in Spinpossible is identical to the symmetry group of the 9
dimensional hyper-cube. A number of interesting results about Spinpossible have been shown
either computationally or analytically. Using brute-force, Sutherland and Sutherland verified
that every scrambled board can be solved in at most 9 moves. In this talk, we will relay our
progress on finding a short proof of this fact.
Jaramillo, Katelyn
Faculty mentor: Gretchen Knudson Gee, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
MNC's in the Developing World: India and China
Many have argued whether or not MNCs have been beneficial to the developing world or
whether they are just another way for the West to exploit the developing world. This paper will
illustrate how MNCs have actually improved the quality of life for the people living in
developing countries, their increase in standard of living, and how they have also increased the
economic growth in the states, specifically focusing on the countries of China and India. The
issue that this presentation will discuss is how MNCs have been and are beneficial to the
developing world in improving the quality of life, increasing the standard of living, and
increasing their economic wealth. This presentation will compare and contrast the findings and
statistics that have been previously researched. The time period that will be specified in this
presentation for illustrating the economic growth, increased standard of living, and quality of life
will be from the 1978 to the present year. The quality of life will be measured by certain
freedoms that are indicated in the Freedom House score and report. Standard of living will be
measured by the Human Development Index (HDI), and the factors that go into the statistical
findings of the HDI. Measuring economic growth we will look at the increase in the amount of
goods and services produced by each of these countries over time or their GDP.
Jarpe, Joel
Kaitlyn Patterson, Adam Rogers, Tyler Lee
Faculty mentor: Julie Heynssens, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Geological Data Transmitter
This project is to upgrade field geological equipment with wireless data transmission
capabilities. At the moment, these field probes store all data they have obtained in removable
memory drives and these drives must be obtained by a user from time to time to read the data.
The system we are creating will allow for wireless data transmission, this will allow all the data
to be transmitted to a computer at another location and prevent the need for a person to have to
drive out to these remote locations and physically obtain the data.
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Jeffrey, Daliza
American Food Deserts and its Threat to Minorities
The term “food deserts” may be foreign to many, but it is reality most Americans face every day.
A food desert is defined as an area where there is little to no accessibility to healthy foods and an
overwhelming presence of food insecurity among inhabitants. These areas have created certain
barriers (i.e. a lack of transportation, a low quantity of chain supermarkets, and/or a high cost of
living) that prevent people from having a nutritious diet. The lack of nutritious foods in
metropolitan cities causes the creation of food deserts, which negatively affects the physical
health, the financial success, and the identity of the minorities in these cities.
Minorities make up a large percentage of the population in food deserts. The obesity epidemic in
America, which minorities and low income households are more likely to be victim of, can be
linked to the ease of accessibility of fast food and junk food versus chain supermarkets in a food
desert. Food insecurity in food deserts has the indirect costs of low high school graduation rates,
high unemployment, and poverty. Food is one of the main symbols that identify a culture. With
the lack of nutritious or diverse foods, traditional dishes from native lands must adapt to the new
low quality foods present in food deserts.
Jenkins, Darbi
Ciera Lund and Kayla Frosaker
Effect of Personality Type and Greek Affiliation on Substance Abuse
The purpose of this study was to observe if individual personality types are related to substance
abuse habits that people may possess. It was speculated that Greek organization affiliates would
be subjected to drugs and alcohol, which therefore might perpetuate substance abuse habits
among members. It was further hypothesized that individuals with more extroverted personality
characteristics including those in Greek organizations would be more likely to have substance
abuse problems, as opposed to those who embody introvert personality characteristics, and,
specifically, display a higher rate of alcohol abuse tendencies. There were 75 participants
enrolled in the Research Methods courses from which samples were drawn. Of the participants,
61 scored high in extroversion, labeling those with lower scores as having introvert personality
types. Of the 15 who reported high levels of alcohol use, 13 of them also had a high score in
extroversion. In contrast, 14 of the 75 scored low in extroversion, indicating introversion
qualities reported having alcohol abuse tendencies. Furthermore, we support our hypothesis.
Jensen, Deidra
Faculty mentor: Kiisa Nishikawa, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
The Effects of Demembranation on Passive Force in Skeletal Muscle
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Demembranation is an important method used in muscle physiology and research. Titin
(Connectin) is a large spring-like protein present in muscles that is responsible for passive force
when a muscle is stretched. Demembranation (skinning) removes the muscle’s membrane and
allows other molecules to easily diffuse into the muscle. Previous studies suggest that the
skinning procedure could degrade titin and affect the passive force of a muscle. Optimizing the
skinning protocol could effectively improve how we learn about titin and its different
components in active muscle. In this study, I measured the passive force from mouse soleus
muscles at different lengths before and after the muscle was skinned. First, passive force is
measured in physiological Kreb’s solution. Then muscles are submerged into a relaxing solution
(to prevent rigor mortis) for an hour, followed by a skinning solution for 24 hrs. After the 24hr
skinning period, muscles were placed into another relaxing solution. Again passive force data
was collected. Both sets of passive tension data was analyzed and compared to determine if there
was any significant effect of skinning on passive tension. The results from my experiment
showed there was a decrease in passive force after the muscles were skinned. This suggests that
the skinning solution does affect muscle elasticity and may have degraded some of the titin
protein. This work will improve how we perform and understand how skinning methods affects
muscle proteins such as titin.
Jimenez, Yordano
Alice C. Gibb, Ian MacDonald
Faculty mentor: Alice Gibb, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Do California halibut develop different escape responses between their larval and adult life
stages?
Flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes) are an unusual group of fish that, as adults, have both eyes on one
side of their head; however, as larval fish they are bilaterally symmetrical. Because of this
unusual, asymmetrical adult anatomy and their commercial importance as a food fish, this group
is of interest to biologists from various fields. We will investigate and describe the behavioral
development of the escape response (i.e., the ability to evade potential predators) in California
halibut (Pleuoronectidae) and to determine if behavioral patterns suggest changes in the neural
pathways that triggers the escape response occur as fish change from symmetrical (as larvae) to
asymmetrical (as adults) anatomy. We will analyze high-speed recordings of California halibut
escape responses to identify any changes in escape response behavior that may correspond to
particular life stages. We hypothesize that pre-metamorphosed halibut perform “typical” (i.e.,
similar to those seen in other fishes) C-start escape responses, then transition to S-start escape
responses after metamorphosis. To determine potential changes in the neural pathway that
controls the escape response, we will analyze high-speed footage to determine the fish’s response
time to a stimulus. Different neural pathways are known to have different response times; thus,
by determining response times to stimuli in different life stages we can extrapolate whether
halibut exhibit any neuroanatomical changes throughout different life stages. Our predictions are
based on the observation that halibut larvae are free-swimming and encounter different forces of
resistance from when they become benthic, cryptic adults and must therefore develop behavioral
and neuroanatomical adaptations for effective predator evasion.
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Joffroy, William
Marika Meassick, Margaret Sheble, Gabriela Perez-Mendoza, Rush Moore, Edan Maoz
Faculty mentor: Melissa Santana, Bjorn Krondorfer, Martin Kalb, College of Arts and Letters
(CAL)
Collaborative Service-Learning: The Berlin Wall Relocation Project
The purpose of this project was to bring a variety of students from different disciples to relocate
a piece of the Berlin Wall that was donated to the university. Students’ backgrounds range from
(art) history majors to museum studies and interior design. Currently, the historical item is
located in a small hallway in Babbitt with no real presence and a new space for the artifact was
secured a small, out of the way alcove on the second floor of the Union. The problems the group
aimed to solve was twofold: (a) how can the Berlin Wall be relocated to its new location while
giving it a strong presence and appeal at the university and (b) how can the history and
significance of this piece be best represented in a 33’ long alcove?
Together the group used their skills to create a collaborative and cohesive idea. Being from
different backgrounds they educated one another on how their individual disciples and specialties
would contribute to this project. Members of the group teamed up to either do historical and
fact-finding research while others investigated the design and construction process. Meeting bimonthly the group then came up with a solution that not only incorporated the initial goals but
really created a space the university can be proud of.
Johnson, Erika
Ammon Burdge
Plea Bargaining
Our presentation is intended to educate the public on everything they don't know about plea
bargaining. When accepting a plea bargain, many people are not aware of the rights they are
giving up and what the judge’s rule says.
Johnson, Lauren
Christopher Gelety, Melissa Birkett
Sex Differences in Immune Response to a Social Stressor
Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) is an immune antibody in which levels of sIgA are
associated with stress reactivity. The sIgA response to stress can be measured using noninvasive salivary measurement techniques. This study seeks to evaluate sex differences in
immune response to acute stressors and draws correlations between immune and stress response.
To examine the effects of sex on immune response to a social stressor, males and females
completed the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). The TSST included speech preparation, speech
performance, and mathematics periods. Measures of self-reported anxiety, physiological
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reactivity, and sIgA revealed significant increases in sIgA immediately following stressor
exposure. The TSST elicited significant increases in state anxiety and increase in skin
conductance throughout the stressor. Altogether, the results of this research suggest that
significant sex differences exist in immune response to the TSST.
Jones, Burrell
Power of Language that Influences the Significance of Water in the Soutwest
The premise of this research is based on the struggle about water rights in the southwest. More
importantly, the contrasting ideas between Indigenous and American worldview in settling
Navajo and Hopi water rights in Arizona. These ideas stem from Indigenous language and
conflicts with mainstream cultural perceptions on water. Therefore, the idea from language of
both cultures dispute in resolving the Little Colorado River Settlement Act. This research
examines the concept of using language or the discourse of language in settling Navajo and Hopi
water rights.
Jones, LouGene
Faculty mentor: Michael J. Falk, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Hyperplane Arrangments and Linear Syzygies
The purpose of my research is exploring hyperplane arrangements. More specifically, my hope
was to find new examples of hyperplane arrangements such that their master functions form a
linear syzygy. A polynomial master function is a multivariate polynomial that splits into linear
factors, where multiplicity may occur. These linear factors define hyperplanes of the
arrangement. A linear syzygy is a linear relation among polynomial master functions. Through
my investigations, I've found that these arrangements can be derived from graphs. From these
graphs I've been trying to construct these linear syzygies using combinatorics. The existence of
such a linear syzygy has deep implications for geometric, topological, algebraic, and
combinatorial objects associated with the arrangement.
Jones, Madison
Sex Trafficking in the United States
Sex trafficking is in all towns across the United States, whether it is on the streets or behind
closed doors. It effects people of all genders, races, ages, religions and countries of origin. Sex
trafficking is on multiple levels which causes some people to support sex trafficking rings
unknowingly. Through education people can help society to grow and decrease the trafficking
rings. Education provides services for people that are involved in the rings without
discrimination about their demographics or the actions that have taken place within their time in
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the sex trafficking rings. Lack of services and support for people is the first problem that has to
be corrected in order to be effective in decreasing or stopping sex trafficking all together.
Karge, Colin
Processes Contributing to Avalanche Danger in a Unique Snow Climate: A Case Study on
The San Francisco Peaks
Using observations and various sources, this project will examine the three major snow climates
in the Western United States; Intermountain, Continental, Maritime. The project will examine
the major processes associated with avalanche danger on the San Francisco Peaks in order to
describe the snow climate of the Mountain.
Kaumaya, Alexa
Faculty mentor: Constance DeVereaux, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Rediscovering Identities: Improving Arcosanti through Arts Marketing
The objective of this oral presentation is to tell about my experience being in ACM 310 which is
an arts marketing class that is grouped with a merchandising class in which we construct a
marketing research plan and a marketing plan in which at the end of the semester, we will pitch
our ideas to the staff at Arcosanti. I will be doing an oral presentation that chronicles the project
over this semester and our projected end results of this project. The merchandising class will be
created a product list of items that Arcosanti can sell to increase monetary support and also redesigning the gift shop space. I believe that the combination of these two classes will help
Arcosanti progress to what they strive to be.
Kay, Robert
Kian Bidanjiri, Tasha Harder
Faculty mentor: Stan Lindstedt, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Examining the Effects of Titin in Animal Locomotion Energetics
The energetic cost of locomotion is the single most costly energetic activity in mammals. For
that reason, it is not surprising that animals, and their muscles, have experienced thousands of
years of evolutionary pressure to minimize the energy cost of movement. The consequence of
strong and unrelenting selection is that animals employ a diversity of structural and functional
characteristics to move about. For that reason, one might expect that any change in muscle
properties might result in a measurable increase in the “cost of locomotion”. In particular, the
giant protein “titin” is thought to play a major role in the storage and recovery of elastic recoil
potential energy. The mdm mutant mouse has been a model system for studying muscular
dystrophy. These animals have a defect in their titin molecule that could also impact their cost of
locomotion. It is the hypothesis of this study that if titin cannot function as a normal muscle
“spring” the cost of locomotion will increase. To test this hypothesis we measured oxygen
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consumption of normal and mutant mice while running on a motor driven treadmill. Our
preliminary results suggest that these animals require more energy than predicted (increased cost
of locomotion) relative to mice with intact titin.
Keeling, Aleigha
Understanding Rising Food Insecurity in the New Millennium
In 2009, the United States hit a fourteen-year record for food insecurity with 15% of households
struggling to secure enough food for their families. As of 2011, that number had not changed. In
a country known for its prosperity, this high number is both shocking and appalling. In order to
better understand this problem, I propose that one must look into recent changes in the economy.
In my presentation, I present the issue of food insecurity as one of economic inequality,
emphasizing how the relationship between stagnant wages and rising food prices has led to an
increased struggle on the families of the United States.
Keller, Allie
Karly Matthews
Action Research and Engaged Learning: H.E.A.L.T.H.
Kellie, Cluff
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Las Vegas Water Programs
Las Vegas is suffering a drought and their conservation system and restoration is important to
sustaining Las Vegas as a lively and active city. So their future plans are what will make or break
the city.
Kellie, Cluff
Las Vegas Conservation and Restoration
Las Vegas has a serious drought and with the supply of water decreasing with their few sources
available and demand increasing through growth, finding ways to conserve and restore their
current water supply is becoming increasingly important to sustain their livelihood .
Kelly, Meghan
Kettelkamp, Jessica
Jessica Kettelkamp and Danny Washburn
Faculty mentor: Robin Tucshscherer, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
PCI Big Beam 2
Student team participating in the 2013 “Big Beam Contest” sponsored by TPac Precast Phoenix,
the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI), and Sika Corporation. In the eight year history
of the contest, the team represents the first group of students to participate from the State of
Arizona. Each student team must collaborate with a PCI Producer Member (TPac Precast
Phoenix) to build a 20-ft. long precast-prestressed concrete beam. Students design the beam to
carry 20,000 lbs. without cracking and to fail at a load less than 39,000 lbs. Prior to testing,
students must predict the cracking load, ultimate load, and ultimate deflection. Teams summarize
their design in a comprehensive report which PCI judges based on the accuracy of their
predictions and thoroughness of their approach.
Kimble, Leigh
The Role of Literature in Nazi Germany
I analyze the role that literature played in Nazi Germany in swaying the thinking of a logical
people into believing the backward political ideology of the Nazi party. Drawn from my research
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project from Honors 190 this previous semester, I will argue that literature played a crucial and
large role in this significant transition in history. My research spans across three phases of the
National Socialist takeover until it dominated all German life. First is exactly how the Nazis first
infiltrated literature in order to make the German people accustomed to Nazi ideology, then, how
the Nazis manipulated and reinterpreted existing literature to persuade the German people into
siding with Nazi beliefs even further. Finally, the Nazis took this accepted presence in literature
and translated this domination into all aspects of German life, resulting in the Third Reich. The
Nazis used existing popular literature, placed taboos on other literature and distributed their own
literature throughout the rise and height of their power. These actions and the role literature
played in all of this are crucial, because literature signifies the social reconstruction that the
Nazis first had to accomplish if they were to gain power. Without literature and the societal
importance it played, the Nazi party would not have reached the power and the trust of the
German people that it did.
Kimble, Leigh
"Always Enough"
My presentation will be creative short story I have written for an Honors class. I will be reading
my story, which is about a young woman trying to find her identity when everything she knows
is being questioned.
King, Dakota
Binary Thinking: Humanity's Construction
Since the beginning of human existence, we have attempted to turn our world of many
components into a series of binary states of mind; male or female, peasant or ruler, with us or
with them. Rather than deviating from such a simple minded view, humanity as a whole has
turned to using this Boolean thinking in every aspect of life, from education to moral judgment.
However, in nature and at the depths of humanity it is never as simple as hot or cold or happy or
sad. If we are to progress as a human race, we must pull away from such either/or reasoning,
easy as it is, and develop into a pluralist system, allowing for many other options from what is
immediately thought of. Rather than “Is your skin color white?” we can ask “From where do
your forefathers come from?” Instead of “Are my actions morally right or wrong?” we can
question “What consequences will my actions hold?” This way of thinking would not only
destroy all social norms and rid our society of discrimination; it is how nature and the world truly
work.
King, Marlee
Celena Leland, Rolando Yazzie, Desyre Diaz
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What's Hot - Taken or Not?
The feeling of attraction is arguably one of the most salient aspects of the mate selection process.
Attraction is a common experience which affects the vast majority of people world-around, and
for this reason it is the topic of countless research studies. These studies explore the many
different facets of attraction, including the effect of relationship status on perceived
attractiveness (O’Hagen, Johnson, Lardi, & Keenan, 2003), which was the source of inspiration
for the current study. We hypothesize that an individual’s relationship status does have an effect
on how attractive others find them to be. To test this, the researchers gathered a sample of
college students (male and female) for an experiment which manipulated relationship status of an
individual using two separate vignette descriptions, and measured participants’ attraction to that
individual using a brief questionnaire. While the hypothesis is nondirectional, based on the
results of previous research the team expects to find a somewhat lower level of attraction to the
individual described as in a relationship compared to the individual described as single. Such
findings would be of interest for future research due to the sociocultural implications; it would
open new perspectives on what makes people attractive and why, as well as raise even more
questions about the practice of mate poaching.
Kinser, Rebeca
Valerie Gibbs
Faculty mentor: Nadine Barlow, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
A New Database of Craters 5-km-Diameter and Larger for the Moon: Wetern Nearside
We are using the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Wide Angle Camera (WAC) imagery (100
m/pixel resolution) to identify and classify all impact craters ≥5-km-diameter in the 45°N-45°S
270°-360°E region of the lunar nearside. Where available, LRO Narrow Angle Camera (NAC,
0.5 m/pixel resolution) imagery is used to help classify crater morphology. We are using the
crater counting routine in the JMars for the Moon software package to measure crater diameters
and determine central coordinates of each crater. We also use the JMars for the Moon software to
obtain topographical profiles of the craters in our study areas using the LRO Lunar Orbiter Laser
Altimeter (LOLA) data. To date, we have cataloged 1114 craters within the study region. The
area contains both mare materials (with formation ages ~3.0-3.7 x 10^9 yrs) and highlands
materials (dating to ~3.8-4.4 x 10^9 yrs), allowing us to investigate the role of terrain differences
on crater morphometry. To date, we have completed depth measurements of 989 craters in the
study region. We have divided the craters into those occurring on mare versus highlands
materials and computed depth-diameter (d/D) ratios for each. A rough analysis of the simple to
complex transition diameter for both the mare and highlands regions within our study area has
also been completed from the information gained from these ratios. We have also completed
ejecta and inferior morphology analysis for 379 craters both in highlands and the mare region for
the Northwestern section.
Kish, Nathan
Daniel Andenmatten, Brandon Hoffman, Chris Simpson, Pengfei Wu
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(CEFNS)
Nestlé Purina Dryer Efficiency Improvements
Nestlé Purina has a facility in Flagstaff, AZ that produces pet food. The final product is dried to
reduce moisture content using four steam dryers. The purpose of this project is to diagnose and
solve the problems dryer 3 has been experiencing using mechanical engineering design.
Constraints include: reducing moisture content to below 12%, increased overall efficiency and
safe operation for the facility personnel. After investigation of the plant systems, our team
determined that condensation of steam in the heat exchanger coils leads to reduced heat transfer
between steam and air. After reviewing dryer design from Nestlé Purina facilities, we proposed
a new dryer design that replaces steam as the heat source to a natural gas fire. The team also
found that cost savings in removing the transmission losses between the plant boilers and the
dryers are significant. The proposed new design replaces steam heat exchangers with individual
natural gas heaters. By making these changes in design, the team hopes to achieve 20%
improvements in efficiency, which translates to savings of $38,000 per year. The team estimated
a payback period of 2 years for the additional investment required for modifications.
Klaas, Danielle
Faculty mentor: Peter Fulé, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Climate Sensitivity of Co-Occuring Species on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
My project investigates how different tree species respond to different climatic conditions in a
unique protected area, the Grand Canyon. Only very limited data is available for higher-elevation
forests of the park, but these ecosystems are vulnerable to climate change impacts. The
information gained from this project is crucial in understanding the relationship between tree
growth and climate change across different topographic positions for key tree species: Abies
concolor, Pinus ponderosa, Populus tremuloides, and Picea species. Plots have been established
on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon varying in elevation, slope, aspect, and slope position,
allowing us to compare the sensitivity of rings for topographic position. Tree cores were
collected, dried, glued to mounts, and sanded until their cells are visible under magnification.
The cores are then cross-dated, measured, and analyzed to determine how tree growth sensitivity
differs across different topographic positions and how sensitivity differs among co-located
species. The relationship between climate and tree growth is crucial to management decisions on
the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The results of my study will also allow predictions to be
made about which species and topographic positions are most vulnerable to drought effects such
as insect attack, wildfire, or cavitation, and to provide guidance to National Park managers that
will be useful as they plan fire and wildlife habitat management.
Klein, Jerimiah
Zealot in Combat
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This is a drawing made of an alien in the middle of combat on a foreign planet, with battle ships
in the skies in the background. This drawing took a couple of weeks to complete in my art class
at Sandra Day O’Connor. The art itself meant a lot to me at the time because it took a lot of my
time and attention to detail, as well as it had a lot of deeper meaning with what I was going
through at the time.
Klein, Lucas
Faculty mentor: James Swift, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
The Physics of a Violin String
My own experience with the violin led me to research and mathematically map the physical
movement of a violin string as a bow is drawn across it. Musicians and listeners alike take
advantage of the different qualities in sounds that bowed and plucked string instruments make.
The different tones we hear are determined by the frequency of vibration of the string. Then, why
do plucked A-strings sound different from bowed A-strings? The answer is in the solution to the
wave equation.
As the bow begins to move along the string, its pressure creates a static friction that allows the
string to stick to the bow and be pulled a small distance. At a certain distance from its
equilibrium position, the friction turns into kinetic and the string begins to slip backward. These
cycles of stick and slip are called Helmholtz motion. The cycles have the same period as the
vibration of the string, and also as the wave we hear propagating through the air.
At the nut at the end of the fingerboard and at the bridge, the string cannot vibrate. Therefore,
our function, U(x,t) (the distance of the string away from its equilibrium position at any length x
and time t), is equal to zero at these x-values. These and other boundary and initial conditions
can be used to satisfy the wave equation.
Kotowich, Shantelle
Faculty mentor: Bruce Aiken, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Painting in Progress
This painting, although unfinished, is meant to give the friends, faculty, and students of NAU
some insight into what the students of the Fine Arts department are working on, and what they
are capable of. Throughout the duration of the symposium, the artist will be present, working on
the piece, and answering any questions.
Krementz, Dana
Faculty mentor: Micheal Lerma, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Disability, Gender, and Indigenous Status; Assessment of and Proposals for Overcoming
Intersectional Barriers to Public Health Service
Despite Indian Health Services claiming a goal to providing comprehensive, accessible and
culturally appropriate public health services to all American Indian and Alaska Natives since
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1787, these communities suffer from some of the worst health disparities in the world. According
to the National Indian Health Board, when compared to other groups American Indians are 650%
more likely to die from tuberculosis, 318% more likely to die from diabetes and 204% more
likely to suffer accidental deaths. What’s even more disheartening than these severe health
disparities is the fact that they are all preventable. Public health measures are vital to combating
and preventing these causes of deaths, yet they have all but failed on the parts of these
communities. However, it is not these programs that fail, rather it is the physical and social
barriers that prevent people from initially accessing these services that make them ineffective.
These exclusions are not universal and tend to be exacerbated in the populations that need them
most. Indigenous populations are already at disadvantaged by having to rely on the notoriously
underfunded IHS but when different forms of oppression intersect, barriers to public health
services are dangerously compounded and become virtually insurmountable. Living in the cross
roads of racial, gendered, and ability based oppressions Native Women with Disabilities (NWD)
face some of the most barriers to public health services.
This paper attempts to outline common barriers to public health services encountered by NWD
as well as to propose methods for determining and applying solutions.
Kruse, Samantha
Female Sex-Positivity
For my presentation, I would like to present my project for my HON291 class, in which we are
supposed to “Pay it Forward” through writing. The goal of my project is to promote sexpositivity. In a nutshell, sex-positivity is giving people the empowerment to make their own
decisions regarding their sexuality without being judged for it. I want to focus on the female side
because it is a bit closer to my own heart, and while I care about every aspect of human
sexuality, focusing on the female side will narrow my project to a manageable size. I understand
that many people are tough nuts to crack, and they may never change their opinions regarding
female sexuality, but if I help even one person avoid the mental strain of society’s judgment, I
will feel like I accomplished my goal. The project will be in two parts. The first part will be a
blog, where I will do biweekly-weekly posts about some part of positive female sexuality. The
second part is that I plan to present at a junior high or high school, either in the form of a small
assembly or to individual classes. For the symposium, I will present what I have learned and how
the school presentations went in a PowerPoint.
Kutsop, Nicholas
David Trilling
Thermal Inertia of Uranian Satellites Surfaces
The moons of Uranus enter into Uranus' shadow, called an eclipse, only every 42 years due to
Uranus' high obliquity, or angle of axis of rotation. While the moons enter the shadow of Uranus
they are still visible from Earth. When these moons are eclipsed the temperature on them
decreases from when they were in sunlight. Using infrared telescopes we can analyze this
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temperature change. The moons of Uranus have no atmosphere and so the surface is in thermal
equilibrium with the sun's radiation and therefore has a predictable and calculable temperature.
From this analysis we can make claims about the thermal inertia properties of the surface. We
examined the two largest moons of Uranus, Oberon and Titania. The data was taken using the
Thermal-Region Camera Spectrograph at Gemini South in Chile in July of 2008.
Kuykendall, Kayla
Cortney Shriver, Rebecca Frodsham
Faculty mentor: Fred Solop, Emily Schnurr, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
The Performance of Top Two Primary Elections in Washington and California
The emergence of top-two primaries has shaken up the political world. Third party candidates
now have the same access to primary elections that major party candidates do. This in turn
makes state legislature elections in California and Washington more competitive and more
representative of the population.
Laird, Ian
Desalination (Cost Benefit Analysis)
This presentation will cover the costs and benefits of desalination techniques that may be
implemented, and used in arid areas depending on river systems, which may not be around much
longer. Fresh water is our earths most precious resource, and is constantly being relocated to
other areas, and lost due to runoff into the ocean. Human beings require fresh water for survival,
and it is becoming more and more sparse. One doesn't miss their water until their well runs dry.
Laird, Taryn
Faculty mentor: Jeff Rushall, Honors Program
Trees of Irreducible Numerical Semigroups
This past year I have been working with the Interns to Scholars research program initiated by the
Office of the Vice President for Undergraduate research with Jeff Rushall in the mathematics
department. We have been able to prove some new results in relation to the Trees of Irreducible
numerical semigroups. This research was inspired by a 2011 paper by Blanco and Rosales which
describes an algorithm for constructing a directed tree graph of irreducible numerical semigroups
with fixed Frobenius numbers. After providing background information, I will explain the
algorithm, construct some examples, and state several conjectures about these directed tree
graphs.
Laird, Taryn
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Jose Martinez
Faculty mentor: Jeff Rushall, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Trees of Irreducible Numerical Semigroups
This past year I have been working with the Interns to Scholars research program initiated by the
Office of the Vice President for Undergraduate research with Jeff Rushall in the mathematics
department. We have been able to prove some new results in relation to the Trees of Irreducible
numerical semigroups. This research was inspired by a 2011 paper by Blanco and Rosales which
describes an algorithm for constructing a directed tree graph of irreducible numerical semigroups
with fixed Frobenius numbers. After providing background information, I will explain the
algorithm, construct some examples, and state several conjectures about these directed tree
graphs.
Lamy, Tyler
Sidney Michl, Krystal Khuu
Faculty mentor: Cassandra Dakan, Ted Martinez, Honors Program
Enough Water?
Water scarcity and overallocation is a growing problem in the arid Southwest and around the
world. Where and how is the most water used? What is the state of rivers in this country? What
is the psychology behind water use, abuse and conservation?
Lamy, Tyler
Brian Western and Andrea Heppner
How Fear Affects Memory Recall
In fearful situations, having a clear memory of critical details can be very important. Instead of
the direct relationship between fear and recall, most previous research focuses on fear memories
or negative emotions. The effect of fear on memory recall included students of age 18-27 years
old (mostly European American females) who were enrolled in the Research Methods (PSY
302W) course at Northern Arizona University. An experimental design was completed in which
the participants were given a word list to memorize and then were required to finish a computer
maze. Moreover, the maze given to the experimental group produced fear in the participants.
The expected outcome is that those who were scared during the experiment will remember fewer
words from the list than the control group. The results would suggest that participants who are
fearful recall significantly less words than those who are not fearful.
Landis, Margaret
Faculty mentor: Nadine Barlow, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Impact Crater Analysis of Southcentral Arabia Terra, Mars
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Impact crater morphologies, ages, and locations give significant insight into the history of near
surface and surficial ices in a particular region. This Honors thesis presents results from an
impact crater analysis of the south-central region of Arabia Terra, Mars. Arabia Terra has shown
signs of water enrichment and a significant resurfacing event through other studies, and we have
confined the timing and locations of near surface volatiles by tracking morphologies that occur in
ice-rich target material.
Landis, Margaret
Lesbian Bond Girls: Bond’s Greatest Challenge and Conquest
Lesbian Bond girls appear in many of the Fleming novels, but are portrayed much differently in
the early Bond films. This difference in portrayal highlights differences in sensibility of the
audience as well as reflecting the gendered narratives of the time.
Landis, Margaret
Faculty mentor: Kevin Ketchner, Honors Program
American Women in the Sherlock Holmes Short Stories
The character of Sherlock Holmes has been persistent in the popular imagination since the late
19th century. While Holmes uses modern methods of thinking and collecting evidence to support
his deductions, his attitudes often represent a more traditional British social viewpoint. The
balance between imperialistic British themes, particularly with respect to American female
characters, and interesting puzzles makes Holmes and enduring character and relevant today.
These elements will be discussed in the context of A Scandal in Bohemia and The Adventure of
the Dancing Men.
Lane, Taylor
James Maxcy
Faculty mentor: Marianne Nielsen, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Women and Crime
This presentation illustrates the gender gap between male and female offending rates as it relates
to the criminal justice system. Furthermore, it explores the types of offenses committed by
women and how these crimes differ by those committed by men. Through the analysis of
homicide, child abuse, serial murder, and theft, conclusions are drawn regarding female
offending.
Lassiter, Linda
David K. Elliott
Faculty mentor: David Elliott, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
As of 4-19-13
An Investigation of Eurypterid Arthropods as Predators on Early Vertebrates
Eurypterids were marine arthropods that existed from the Ordovician through the Permian
periods (450-260 million years ago). The fact that eurypterids and armored early vertebrates
(agnathans) are often found in the same strata has led to the speculation that eurypterids were
predators on agnathans. Direct fossil evidence is rare because successful predation generally
results in the destruction of hard parts. However, an Early Devonian agnathan,
(italics)Lechriaspis patula, was recently described, exhibiting three aligned punctures in the
dorsal armor, presumably from predation. It was deduced that the most likely predator was the
pterygotid eurypterid (italics)Jaekelopterus howelli.
Despite this evidence there is still a question as to whether eurypterid pincers could have
generated enough force to pierce agnathan armor. A recent study calculated the force needed to
puncture non-bony material by the pterygotid genus (italics)Acutiramus. The unique
configuration of the Acutiramus pincer led to the conclusion that it could not have penetrated the
armor of an agnathan without failure. Additionally, the experimental data suggests that a
different configuration of the pincer could enable penetration of bony armor. A second question
is how frequently pterygotid eurypterids (that have grasping pincers) co-occur with agnathans in
the fossil record. Analysis of the distribution of these two groups of organisms shows that they
consistently co-occur. We therefore conclude that there is a strong likelihood that pterygotid
eurypterids were capable and frequent predators of agnathans.
Lauren, Campbell
Nick Schafer, Michael Donelson, Aaron Hansen, Erin Grenko
(CEFNS)
Quick Change Electrical Connection
This project works with the defense company Raytheon to design a self-aligning, simplyinstalled quick change electrical connection for one of Raytheon’s current missile designs. The
current electrical connection design does not allow for a simple and effective connection
between the nose and body of the missile. As the design stands, the electrical connection must be
manually connected, which is both inefficient and does not assure that the connection is properly
made. Our team has been given the opportunity to be a part of the Raytheon Company by
creating a design that quickly mates the electrical connection assembly. This includes electronic
connections that self-align and provide a secure contact of that connection for all environmental
factors the weapon will experience in normal conditions. The current design is easily
implemented, field replaceable, and is able to be mated by one person. It contains two selfaligning areas that allow for the missile to be mated even with a misalignment. It is also made
using a material that can resist the corrosive environment. With the implementation of our design
we believe that Raytheon will be able to quickly mate and align the two parts of their missile
system under the environmental conditions.
Lavarias, Mitchell
Faculty mentor: Matthew Gage, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
As of 4-19-13
Ionic Charge and the Hofmeister Series Effects on Model Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
The structure of a protein is important as it affects how proteins function because binding is
highly controlled by shape and size of the ligand. The structure of globular proteins depends on
the formation of a hydrophobic core and stabilizing ionic charges. Recently, a new class of
protein was discovered called intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that lack a stable structure
under physiological conditions until they bind to a cellular target. Since IDPs have a large
amount of charged amino acids but no hydrophobic core, we predict that IDPs secondary
structure will be affected by the ionic strength of a solution. As the crowded cellular environment
has a high ionic strength, this could be part of the reason that IDPs are able to change structure.
Various salts from the Hofmeister series (KCl, NH4Cl, MgCl2, (NH4)2SO4, and MgSO4) are
added in varying ionic strength to the model IDP FlgM. The secondary structure of the protein is
measured using Circular Dichroism (CD). Preliminary results have shown that most salts help
the IDP FlgM form more alpha-helical content, which increases over time. The information
developed through this study will provide new insights into why IDPs change their structure and
could provide new understanding of the altered protein structures that lead to diseases such as
cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Ledgerwood, Madison
Frankie Beesley
Action Research and Engaged Learning: WACBAT
Lee, Ryan
As of 4-19-13
Faculty mentor: Paul Lenze, Jr., College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Leadership Aspects of Public Administation
My presentation will summarize a semester long research project under the direction of NAU
Professor Paul Lenze, Jr. My presentation poster will highlight the important principles of
leadership in the field of public administration. These leaderships aspects have been tested and
monitored within ASNAU, NAU’s student government and research finding will be used to train
future leaders within the organization.
Leefers, Alex
LAIT
A man ventures to the grocery store to buy milk, but can't decide which percentage he wants.
This is a tale of adventure, decisions, and dairy. A French film made by American students.
Lenkaitis, Shea
Lerma, Carlos
Clinton Moran
Faculty mentor: Alice Gibb, Clinton Moran, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
A Tail of Two Fishes: Evolutionary Convergence and Divergence in Caudal Peduncle
Morphology in Southwestern Native Fishes.
Waterways in the lower Colorado River basin were habitats defined by periodic flooding events
as a result of snow melts and seasonal rains. With the implementation of dams those waterways
have been drastically altered to represent an equilibrium habitat that is the same year round. The
roundtail chub (Gila robusta) and bonytail chub (Gila elegans) are species of fish native to the
Colorado River Basin. Investigation of the morphology of these species helps us understand the
habitats in which they once thrived. We looked at the vertebral column morphology, red muscle
location in the peduncle and shape of the fins. Fish were placed in a dermestid beetle colony to
have the skeletons cleaned for analysis of the vertebral column. For investigation of red muscle
location, seven sections were cut based on a percentage of standard length. Lastly fin aspect ratio
was taken from pictures of specimens using imageJ. We compared the roundtail chub and the
bonytail chub to the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and mackerels (members of the family
Scombridae). We saw similarities in the vertebral structure of the bonytail and the mackerels
which suggested evolutionary convergence in response to swimming modes. The mackerels
developed a caudal peduncle vertebral morphology that is specialized for constant swimming.
As of 4-19-13
The bonytail has developed similar morphology as a response to times of high flow during
flooding. It is important to understand how these fishes once interacted with their environment,
to truly know what kind impacts dams, diversions and reservoirs have on these native species.
Leyva, Alysha
Sara Ditmanson
Poetry Workshop: Body Image & Media
It is evident that the present generation is strongly influenced by the media, which motivates
them to act and think negatively towards others and especially themselves. Our topic is beauty
and confidence. We will demonstrate, through our Pay It Forward Project, the simple beauty a
young child sees in the world and in his- or herself. We will share a PowerPoint made for a class
of seventh graders we visited as well as their poems that declare how they are beautiful
themselves. Our whole point of this presentation is to inspire others, primarily by way of the
children's poems, to see beauty for what it truly is, in everything, and in everyone.
Lin, Weiqiao
Water/Energy Nexus
With the rapid growth of population in California and Arizona, people need to launch some
project to seek a reliable water and energy supply. As CA and AZ are located in southwest with a
lack of water, dams were built to produce electricity and water. The net use of energy of these
states in irrigation, pumping water and so on is what I am trying to find out.
Lipar, Brent J
Spice da Future
Spices have always been an important part of many diversified cultures throughout the world.
There are many social, economical, physical, and psychological roles that spice play within a
society. Indeed, certain spices provide amazing health benefits; however, in the United States
spices are undervalued for a variety of reasons. In order to be a healthier nation, US citizens
should use more spices that provide important health and medicinal benefits.
Littleben, Crystal
What are the Affects of Historical Intergenerational Trauma Among the Navajos on the
Navajo Reservation
As of 4-19-13
As of today, there are over 173,987 enrolled members on the Navajo Reservation. Majority of
Native Americans were/are still affected by historical trauma today. What are the effects of
historical intergenerational trauma among the Navajos on the Navajo Reservation? This
dissertation will analyze psychological historical trauma within the Navajos. It will give you a
closer look of what the Navajo people went through historically. Historical trauma is defined as a
cumulative emotional and psychological wounding, over the lifespan and across generations,
emanating from massive group trauma experiences. Horrible events damage people, families and
communities. Trauma creates distance, distrust and disconnection between people. Based on
definition alone, is this the answer to help heal the Navajo people on the Navajo Reservation?
The methods I will be using will be from oral accounts, books, articles, videos, and some
personal interviews with Navajos.
Litvack, Emily
Jackson Leonard, Emily Litvack, Allison Whiteford
Faculty mentor: Joseph Shannon, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Using the Phylum Bacillariophyta to Determine Ecological Conditions of Streams in Northern
Arizona's Rim Country
As the intensity and frequency of wildfire increases, it has become ever more important to
understand its effects on the environment. The goal of this research is to determine long-term
effects of wildfire on stream ecology using the phylum Bacillariophyta (diatoms) as a
bioindicator. By estimating diatom density in sediment samples taken from streams affected by
wildfire 23 years ago and streams affected by wildfire 4 years ago, we can compare and contrast
recovery. It was hypothesized that either
H0: There is no difference in levels of each parameter between streams or
H1: Streams impacted by wildfire will show decreased levels of biological parameters.
Silt samples were taken from 6 first-second order streams throughout Northern Arizona’s Rim
Country; each was affected by either the 1990 Dude Fire or the 2009 Rim Fire. Samples were
taken 3 times across 3 randomly selected sampling stations per stream. Diatoms were cleaned
and isolated using a standardized procedure of the USGS National Water Quality Assessment
Program and prepared on microscope slides. A self-created approach to diatom counts was used;
slides were magnified 400x and 30 views per slide were counted. A total of 31 slides from Fall
2012 were counted for statistical analyses. Average diatom counts per turn are as follows:
Bonita: 14.85416667
Dude: 0.866666667
E. Verde: 21.04761905
Ellison: 56.11666667
Pine: 29.6037037
Comprehensive results will contribute to current understanding of long-term effects of wildfire
on stream ecology.
Lofgreen, David
Andrew Baker, Timothy Haynes, Styson Koide, Carly Siewerth, Christopher Temme
As of 4-19-13
(CEFNS)
Release Lanyard Redesign
Raytheon is a defense company engaged in government security contracts worldwide. Several of
Raytheon’s weapons use lanyards to mechanically activate devices upon release. The current
lanyard system is highly susceptible to extreme temperature changes and contaminates which
lead to failures in activation. As a result, we have been working to find a new design that will:
operate between -50⁰C to 150⁰C, have an activation force of 50N, be assembled and installed in
under 30 minutes, cost less than $300 in materials and components must fit within current
housing constraints. Based on Raytheon’s current design, we’ve noted several areas for
improvement. These areas pertain to exposed surface area, cost of materials and machining,
complexity of components and installation. Our proposed design reduces the surface area by
41% and eliminates a number of hardware components. This simplified design should improve
installation time and reduce failures due to contamination. The design will be experimentally
tested according to Raytheon’s constraints and modified appropriately. It is predicted that this
testing will identify the most suitable solution to Raytheon’s current problem.
Loney, Ivy
Ivy Loney, Ashton Dunphy, Shane Sumonsavadit,
Faculty mentor: Anne Medill, Yvonne Luna, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Espana-Vive el Sueno
Longley, Michael
Faculty mentor: Robyn Martin, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Virtual Games as Art
Virtual games have been developing since 1947 when sheets of paper were laid over a cathode
ray tube. In the past, the creators have been limited to images comprised of blocks and
movement and story were limited to the memory that the device or disk could hold. It is only
recently that technology has been able to fulfill the creator's full vision. Without the shackles of
old technology, developers now are able to create entire worlds and situations that are artistic in
nature. But copying artistic ideas and placing them in a virtual world does not necessarily qualify
virtual games as an artistic medium. It needs to contribute to the artistic community and bring
something new to the table. Virtual games do contribute new ideas and ideas that cannot be fully
realized in a novel, painting or motion picture. It is through the interactive nature and the choice
to ignore, save or destroy characters that brings new content to the artistic community. Also, the
medium is able to create entire worlds that critique the status quo and comment on the human
condition, religion and morality. This presentation will analyze how this is possible through
visual examples from current, popular video game franchises.
As of 4-19-13
Loritz, Brenda
Faculty mentor: Gretchen Gee, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Capitalism Verses Ethnic Values
I am examining the sustainability of ethnic values of a region despite the introduction of
capitalism by way of tourism. The area I have chosen is Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Lovell, Lindsey
Kevin Drees, Jeffrey Foster, Katy Parise
Faculty mentor: Jeffrey Foster, Kevin Drees, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
Genetic Diversity of North American and European Geomyces destructans Isolates from Bats
and Cave Sediment Determined with Multi-Locus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis
The recent emergence of Geomyces destructans (Gd), the causative agent of epizootic WhiteNose Syndrome (WNS), has resulted in the death of approximately 5.5 million hibernating bats
in 22 U.S. states and 5 Canadian provinces in eastern North America. Gd is a cold loving fungus
that not only causes disease in hibernating bats, but is also a prominent member of the sediment
microbial community in WNS-affected caves. Gd has been isolated from bats in Europe as well,
but the mass mortality associated with WNS has not occurred there. Our current hypothesis is
that Gd is an exotic species that was introduced to North America from Europe rather than a
native species that developed pathogenicity. We developed a panel of 24 Variable Number
Tandem Repeat (VNTR) assays to explore Gd genetic diversity. Results indicate low genetic
diversity in North American strains relative to European strains, supporting a recent introduction
of an exotic strain to North America followed by rapid spread. Furthermore, we detected
variation between North American bat and sediment isolates consistent with a divergence of the
organism’s niche from bat pathogen to soil microbe.
Lowery, Mary
Faculty mentor: Francis Smiley, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Acrchaeological Correlates of Gopalpur Culture
The “Archaeological Correlates of Gopalpur Culture” poster illustrates village life in Gopalpur, a
small village of less than one thousand people in southern India. My research focuses on three
key aspects of Gopalpur culture: religion, agriculture, and social life. The poster highlights
material correlates of each cultural aspect, like tools, ceremonial objects, and personal decoration
items. The poster examines each material correlate's integrity and patterns of use to make
predictions on the availability of archaeological correlates in 2,000 years. My research hinges on
the ethnographic account of Gopalpur by Alan Beals in 1964, with updated demographic
supplements.
Lytikainen, Sarah
As of 4-19-13
Mikaela Land
Faculty mentor: Nora Dunbar, Christina Moyer, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
(SBS)
Relationship Satisfaction & Anxiety
There are many psychological disorders that can play a role in intimate relationship satisfaction.
Previous research shows that anxiety is one of the leading psychological disorders that directly
impact relationship satisfaction. There are many forms of anxiety so there may be many different
characteristics for the problems in a relationship. Though there have been many studies on the
relationship of relationship satisfaction and anxiety using various age groups, little to no research
has been conducted using college aged participants specifically. The purpose of this study is to
find out if there is a negative correlation between anxiety and intimate relationship satisfaction
within this age group. The participants were heterosexual individuals who had been in a
relationship for more than 3 months. Those in dating relationship and those who were married
were included in the survey. Most of the participants in the study were between the ages of 18-25
and female. All participants took a survey, containing an anxiety measure and relationship
satisfaction measure. It is anticipated that there was a negative correlation between anxiety and
relationship satisfaction. These results could add to previous findings and could possibly be used
to form strategies for couple's therapy or other such means
MacKenna, Perry
William Huffman, Ann Huffman, Joseph Barbour
Faculty mentor: Ann Huffman, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Students’ Texting Behavior: What Role Does Narcissism Play?
The study investigated predictors of in-class texting behavior, hypothesizing that, while boredom
contributes to an increase in overall texting, those students who are more likely to text during
class display narcissistic tendencies above and beyond feeling bored. Students were surveyed on
texting frequency (in and out of class), reasons for texting (Flanagin, 2005), and levels of
narcissism (NPI; Raskin & Terry, 1988). Results showed that boredom is a common reason for
texting in many situations, yet also found narcissism to be a unique predictor of texting in
socially unacceptable situations, such as during class. Students who displayed narcissistic
tendencies cited the need to impress people as a significant factor in the decision to text in class.
Madi, Melody
Faculty mentor: Christine Lemley, College of Education (COE)
Ethnicity in the Classroom
The overarching question to be answered through this Oral History Project is, "How do teachers
effectively integrate students’ ethnicity into the elementary classroom?" I have interviewed a
teacher from Puente de Hozho magnet school in Flagstaff where the students are exposed to
English, Navajo, and Spanish. This project reviews practical ideas of how to foster an awareness
among students where people of different races feel respected, welcomed, and celebrated. In this
As of 4-19-13
increasingly diverse nation, such questions must be critically processed in order for the teacher to
foster diversity and equality in the classroom.
magoffin, caitlin
Teresa Butman
Reducing Catheter Related Bloodstream Infections: Which disinfectant is most effective to
clean needle-less access ports on central venous access devices, 70% Isopropyl alcohol or 2%
Chlorhexidine in 70% Isopropyl alcohol?
Every year 15 million central line catheters are placed in patients across the country. It is
estimated that 80,000 bloodstream infections result from these catheters in the ICUS, and
250,000 across all units, annually. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2010).
The cost of these catheter related bloodstream infections, CR-BSI, is considerable, especially in
terms of patient safety and morbidity, and in terms of financial consequence. Central lines, more
than any vascular access catheter, are more susceptible to infection. The cost of these nosocomial
infections is estimated to have exceed 1.8 billion dollars thus far (The Joint Commission [TJC],
2012). An estimated 50,000 lives each year are claimed by infections related to CR-BSI's. CRBSI's are one of the most deadly nosocomial infections, with a morbidity rate of 12%-25%
(TJC,2012). The ramifications of these infections are so severe that the Institute for Health
Improvement listed them as one if six major health initiatives (Hadaway, 2006, p. 52).
The bacteria responsible for CR-BSI's can be introduced to the body through many
modes. One major source of infection comes from the hubs, or injection caps, of the needless
systems. Disinfecting these hubs prior to, and after access the central line is a pivotal component
of preventing CR-BSI's. But which disinfectant is most effective? The CDC recommends using
Chlorhexidine, Iodine or 70% alcohol, but gives no specifics as to which is preferred, while The
Joint Comission suggests 2% Chlorhexedine Gluconate/70% Isopropyl alcohol (TJC, 2012). This
literature review considers the most recent research to investigate this question.
Malone, Shari
Shari Malone, Kevin Moorhouse, and Allison Ritter
The Pursuit of Happyness: Poverty in the Media
In our research project, we will analyze the movie “Pursuit of Happyness” (2006), which was
created to act as a vehicle to promote dialogue about poverty. The purpose of our research is to
determine the media’s portrayal of poverty, wealth, and the working class. Additionally, we will
conduct an in depth analysis about the challenges that prevalent media images and notions pose
to those who are homeless or live below the poverty line in the United States. To conclude, we
will use prominent theories in communication studies to respond to poverty in a positive way.
Maltinsky, Sara
As of 4-19-13
Where is the genomic break that delineates the high copy and low copy regions in pancreatic
cancer cells?
Pancreatic tumor cells have high expression levels of proteins associated with cellular growth,
such as the KSR2, ERRB3, CDK2, STAT2, TBK1, and IRAK3. These proteins are encoded on
chromosome 12 in independent arrangements. DNA analysis of all of these regions detected an
8-fold higher copy number in cancer cells compared to non-cancer cells. This striking
observation is most parsimoniously explained by a hypothesis wherein all of these regions are
linked together at the genomic level due to a genomic rearrangement not observed in non-cancer
states. To test this hypothesis we wanted to identify the fusion regions that may link the high
copy regions by delineating the break between high copy and low copy regions. We located this
break by a primer walking strategy combined with real time PCR. This enabled us to detect copy
number differences at 100-200 base pair increments in genomic regions spanning 4,000 base
pairs. Because we identified the precise location of the break, we will be able to decode the
sequence of the region that directly flanks the high copy region in the cancer cells.
Manrique, Siobhan
Faculty mentor: Adam Hoffman, College of Arts and Letters (CAL), Honors Program
Why the Dead Man Loves Hot Tea: Several Poems
I will be presenting several original poems based on a theme of hope or nostalgia. Along with my
oral presentation of the poems, I will show a powerpoint, a series of photographs associated with
the themes and images of the poems (architecture, animals, nature, etc.).
Maoz, Edan
Designing a home for the ADHD user
While it may not seem like a debilitating affliction, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD) affects millions of people throughout the world in ways that many of us have trouble
relating to. Perhaps some of the most common issues ADHD sufferers encounter all occur in the
home. Simple things like getting caught on door handle, getting distracted by furniture patterns,
or not being able to find something you need in storage are all problems encountered on a daily
basis by ADHD sufferers living in a world built for a majority population. However, their
constant inconveniences in their homes can be mitigated by some deliberate and specific design
considerations.
This is where my research comes in. My project includes an analysis and examination of
everyday distress that ADHD sufferers deal with, and more importantly, how to eliminate these
problems. In my research, I have uncovered several design concepts and how they assist in the
lives of ADHD sufferers.
To go with the design problems unique to those with ADHD, as a designer, I would have
to address other design needs like plumbing trenches, existing and immoveable structural walls,
and dealing with a homeowners association. Combining these issues, I must overcome them to
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make an ADHD friendly house so those afflicted can live their lives in their homes as
comfortably and stress free as possible.
Marshall, Cassandra
A Comparison of the Predictors of Problematic Alcohol Use in Family History Positive and
Family History Negative College Students
In the last few decades, drinking among American undergraduate college students has been on
the rise. The Northern Arizona University’s annual Clery Report documented 1,181 alcohol
violations in 2010, compared to 1,004 in 2009. Researchers have pointed out that binge drinking
is by far the single most serious public health problem confronting American colleges. The
purpose of this study was to identify how specific predictors of problematic alcohol use differ
between Northern Arizona University undergraduates with (FH+) and without (FH-) a family
positive history of alcohol abuse. Two hierarchical multiple regressions will be conducted (one
for each family history group) in order to examine differences in how demographics, drinking
expectancies, religious commitment, and academic involvement predict problematic alcohol use.
The researcher expects to find differences in the magnitude of the predictive relationships
between each variable and problematic drinking based on whether or not the student is from a
family with or without a history of problematic drinking. The purpose of this research is to
determine which factors interventions should focus on for students with alcohol use problems
from each type of family. The researcher hopes that universities will, based on the study’s
conclusions, create programs tailored for their undergraduate populations to increase the
currently low rates of success of past programs.
Marshall, Colton
Margaret McKever, Paul Doose, Ryan Lessley
Faculty mentor: Wolf-Dieter Otte, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Classroom Attendance Solution Using Facial Detection and Recognition
Attendance in university classrooms can be a difficult to manage, especially in large classrooms
with hundreds of students. Unfortunately, because attendance is often not taken in classrooms,
students are less likely to attend classes. Research shows that regular attendance is directly
correlated to a student's success in a classroom.
There are many methods instructors use to take attendance at NAU, but these procedures are
time consuming and allow students to misrepresent their attendance. This project aims to provide
an automated attendance system that works in a wide range of classroom sizes and is quick and
simple for instructors to apply. Our system utilizes facial recognition technology by
photographing a classroom using multiple cameras, then compiling a list of known present
students.
During our development work there were several requirements we had to consider. One of the
main goals was to ensure a highly accurate rate of recognition. We designed our system using a
pipe and filter architecture, allowing it to be easily upgraded or adapted to different needs.
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Although our system is presently a long way from being integrated with NAU’s current
infrastructure, this proof-of-concept shows that a facial recognition system which is quick, easy
to use, and ensures the privacy of those photographed is both feasible and useful.
Martinez, Bennet
Emily Brown
(CEFNS)
Efforts to isolate and quantify the siderophore petrobactin from various environmental
bacteria
Siderophores are small molecules produced by bacteria to find usable iron in the environment.
They work as a chelating agent, with a high iron affinity. Siderophores bind to iron in the
organism’s environment in a manner which allows it to be easily re-absorbed by the bacterium.
Bacteria require iron in order to grow and thus siderophores can be very influential in their
ability to cause disease. However, little is known about the siderophores used by many strains of
bacteria. In this project, we have examined production of the Siderophore petrobactin by several
strains of Bacillus thurungiensis. These strains were grown in an iron deficient environment to
encourage the production of siderophoresm and the compounds were identified with the use of
the Chrome azurol S assay. This assay has an iron-containing dye within it and serves as an
indicator of molecules with a higher affinity for iron such as a Siderophore. The results of our
assays will be discussed.
Martinez, Jessica
Nicholas W. Gengler, Kristen J. Fouts, Rachael N. Greer
Faculty mentor: Erika Nowak, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
River Otters – Possible Ecological Impacts on Threatened Riparian Species of Arizona
After being extirpated from their former range, river otters (Lontra canadensis) were
reintroduced to the Verde River of Arizona in the 1980s. Since that time they have expanded
their range to include areas inhabited by the increasingly threatened Mexican gartersnake
(Thamnophis eques) and the narrow-headed gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus). Previous
research revealed the river otters in the Verde Valley have a diet consisting primarily of nonnative species. However, the impact those otters have on aquatic snakes has not been
documented, prompting the investigation into the diet composition of otters in areas known to be
co-inhabited by the threatened gartersnake species. Otter scats were collected in the Verde
Valley between 2010- 2012 from otter latrines in verified co-occurrence areas. Fecal samples
were washed, removing excess debris with a two-part filtration system. The washed samples
were weighed prior to blunt dissection and sorting. Prey items found in each sample were
separated by type and weighed after identification to determine percent composition of the
individual’s diet. Common prey items identified in the samples thus far include: crayfish,
terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, mammal hairs, fish otoliths and bones, anuran bones, currant
(Ribes spp.) berries and seeds, and vegetative material. Continuation of the project will reveal
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possible positive or negative predatory interactions of river otters with Mexican and narrowheaded gartersnakes, as well as provide data for future research projects.
Matthews, Sarah
Michael Phillips, Austin Shannon, Kristy Silva, Kristina Simpson, Meagan Waltz, Carlos
Zaragoza
Youth, Arts and Free Speech Movements
This panel presentation looks at contemporary social movements generally, and specifically at
reggae, jazz, rock and punk music, free speech on college campuses, musical theater, hactivism,
and education reform.
Maughan, Weston
Dr. Stephen Tegler, Dr. Will Grundy
Faculty mentor: Stephen Tegler, Will Grundy, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
Indentification of Absorption Characteristics of Oxygen Ice for Comparison to Icy Celestial
Bodies
We present laboratory FTIR transmission of O2 ice diluted in N2 over the 30K to 60K
temperature range. The spectra yielded absorption characteristics of O2-ice bands residing in the
infrared wavelength range. We found that the O2 bands are sensitive to the temperature, phase,
and concentration of O2. Such sensitivity could help measure the temperature and surface
compositions of icy bodies residing in the outer solar system. Next, we will compare our lab
spectra with telescope spectra of Kuiper belt objects to look for O2-ice on the surfaces of these
bodies. Detecting O2-ice on Kuiper belt objects is of interest as it would provide evidence of
solid state chemistry on their surfaces as well as indicating the presence of a resource that could
be used for fuel or life support.
Mayoral, Joshua
Faculty mentor: Fernando Monroy, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Mucin gene expression during Toxoplasma gondii infection
Intestinal epithelial cells are among the first cells in the gastrointestinal tract exposed to
numerous microorganisms. These cells are shielded from the external environment by varying
layers of mucus fundamentally composed of mucin proteins. Mucin proteins are heavily involved
in innate immune mechanisms, deterring microbes both at mucus membranes and at epithelial
cell surfaces. Toxoplasma gondii is a highly prevalent parasitic infection worldwide. Infection is
usually asymptomatic in a healthy host but very lethal in immune-compromised individuals. The
common route of infection brings the parasite into contact with intestinal epithelial cells.
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However, the role of mucin proteins during this initial infection has not been previously
investigated. Evaluation of mucin gene expression during infection was performed by extracting
RNA from both human and mouse intestinal epithelial cells. RNA was converted to cDNA and
mucin genes expression was analyzed by PCR methodology. Results demonstrated significant
increases in several mucin genes in mouse intestinal epithelial cells, but no significant changes in
mucin genes were observed in human cells. These results suggest differentiated immune
responses by these two species in terms of mucin gene expression, and a further understanding of
these immune responses may lead to potential preventative therapies against a highly successful
parasite.
McCormick, Michael
Greg Andolshek, Alex Koch
Faculty mentor: Eck Doerry, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Group Wrangler: A Web-based Group Management System
Groups are a fundamental concept in any large organization or social circle. Managing groups is
a complex challenge that encompasses managing the group/subgroup hierarchy, analyzing group
characteristics, and supporting intra-group and inter-group communication. While there are a
number of software systems available for group management, many of these systems are
designed for workflow management or casual social groups. Existing systems are unable to
handle efficient creation, reorganization, and communication within complex, hierarchical group
structures. The lack of a suitable group management system is the primary motivation for the
establishment of Group Wrangler, which is being developed to support the Global Science and
Engineering Program (GSEP) at Northern Arizona University. As Assistant Director of GSEP,
our sponsor, Melissa Armstrong, manages a rapidly growing group of GSEP students that fall
into multiple overlapping groups and subgroups, defined by academic status, language, major,
and other characteristics.
Group Wrangler is an open-source, web-based application that supports an intuitive experience
for creating and managing groups and subgroups. It combines the analysis tools of group
management software with the communication aspects of social sites. The system provides (a)
visual analysis tools (charts, graphs, and tables); (b) secure communications channels (blogs,
forums, etc.); and (c) group management methods (automated grouping and manual grouping).
Additionally, Group Wrangler emphasizes usability, extensibility, and maintainability.
Although we are developing Group Wrangler to meet the specific needs of our client, we
envision this system being useful for a wide variety of group management needs.
McLean, Kathryn
Stephanie Wolff, and Dr. Catherine R. Propper
(CEFNS)
Gene regulation of Triiodothyronine during Gonadal Differentiation in Xenopus laevis
Thyroid hormones regulate many important processes during development and are vital in
amphibian metamorphosis. The thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)
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circulate in the blood and the active form T3 acts on target tissues to regulate transcription of
gene products. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of T3 in regulation of
specific genes involved in the process of gonadal differentiation in Xenopus laevis. This study
tests the hypothesis that TH’s affect gonadal differentiation through induction of changes in
expression of SF-1 and CYP19, two key genes directing gonadal development. In this study
Xenopus laevis was used as a model to study the effects of exogenous T3 on gonadal
differentiation during metamorphosis. X. laevis tadpoles were received at NF Stage 53 and
acclimated to pond water before dosing. The control group (n=10) was raised in the absence of
T3 and the test group (n=10) was dosed with 10nM T3. After 72 hours tissues were collected,
RNA was extracted from the gonads and PCR was performed to determine the relative
abundance of genes responsible for gonadal development. We found no significant difference in
mRNA abundance between the treatments suggesting that short-term exposure to T3 has no
affect on gonadal development. Longer term exposures are necessary to determine if thyroid
hormone is important to gonadal differentiation.
Mcnabb, Roxanne
Navajo Generating Station and the Best Available Retrofit Technology: An Economic Impact
on the Navajo Nation
The pollution haze over the Grand Canyon is one main air pollution concerns regarding the
Navajo Generating Station (NGS). Even though the NGS creates vast economic opportunities
within the Navajo tribe the EPA has deemed that this is a pollution hazard and needs regulations.
Theses new limits can negatively affect the Navajo tribe economy, which can result in severe
secondary effects such as higher unemployment.
McTyre, Ellie
Hannah Christensen
Action Research and Engaged Learning: AGWA
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Meinel, Eileen
Nolan Bade, Dean Buttacavoli, Ian Hanf, and Lindsey Nicks
Landscape Connectivity: Maintaining Corridors for Wild Animal Movement in Urban Areas
Landscape connectivity describes how the structure of the landscape facilitates or impedes the
movement of species between patches of habitat. Connectivity is positively associated with
population viability, and can be measured by the presence and use of wildlife corridors. Wildlife
corridors are linear habitats that connect patches of similar habitat and promote the movement of
organisms across a fragmented landscape. Corridors provide vital access to resources including
food, water, shelter and mates, and support the life cycles of broad-ranging predators, roaming
ungulates, migratory birds, and habitat specialists. Landscape connectivity guards against genetic
isolation of populations, and enables movement in response to climate change. Human
development, urbanization, and land use change contribute to habitat fragmentation and threaten
connectivity. Corridors are also susceptible to degradation and loss of function due to fire,
weather events, predation, and disease. In northern Arizona, freeways, railways, pipelines,
fences, and even neighborhoods bisect wildlife corridors. Diverse stakeholders and land
management agencies also pose a challenge to maintaining connectivity in the region. Strategies
for conservation ecology must include identification and preservation of existing corridors and
creation of wildlife linkages where there is discontinuity between patches.
Meinel, Eileen
Faculty mentor: Tina Ayers, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Microorganisms in Vermicompost Tea
The purpose of this study was to investigate the microbiological activity of vermicompost tea
and develop a working vermicompost tea production system in the N.A.U. Teaching
Greenhouse. An aerated vermicompost tea system was chosen for its low odor potential and
faster brew time as compared to a non-aerated, anaerobic tea. Fresh vermicompost was obtained
from the greenhouse worm-composting bin and suspended in a 1:5 part volume of dechlorinated
water, at varying temperatures from 18-28ºC, and with the addition of various microbe nutrients
including unsulphured molasses, kelp meal, and oat flour. Dropper sampling was done at 24, 48,
and 72 hours and direct microscopic counts were conducted to determine the number and type of
microbes present. Microbes were identified as belonging to one of four categories: bacteria,
protozoa, fungi, and nematodes. Qualitative comparisons of samples revealed differences in the
dominant type and relative number of microorganisms at each phase and between brews with
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differing additives. Results from this study suggest that time, temperature, and the availability of
nutrients are vital factors in microbial growth. Warmer temperatures and the addition of nutrients
increase the growth rate of bacteria and protozoa, while extended brewing times and oat flour
encourage the growth of fungal hyphae. Nematodes, which are generally common in
vermicomposts, were not well-represented in the liquid extracts. Further study is needed to
determine how the quality of the parent material fed to the worms, and the age of the
vermicompost used, affects the quantity and types of microbes present in the tea.
Merrell, Bryn
Sean Canterbury, Hannah Stitizer, Kiersten Wilber
(CEFNS)
A Strategic Plan to Eliminate Plastic Bag Use in Flagstaff
The continued use of plastic bags to meet the demands of modern society has proven to be a
prevalent ecological issue. Plastic bags make their way into the environment causing pollution
and unnecessary waste. The motives for production are the inexpensive costs to manufacture and
to provide convenience to consumers. However, this does not outweigh the long-lasting
environmental damage they cause. This poster presentation will focus on a strategic plan that
aims to eliminate the use of plastic bags in Flagstaff, Arizona. This plan incorporates a wide
variety of approaches to reach the ultimate goal. These include: education, outreach, working
with local businesses and management, and an increased availability of reusable bags and boxes.
Each of these is based on research of similar programs and the success and/or failures these have
had. With the elimination of plastic bags, it is anticipated that the local Flagstaff environment
will be improved, waste will decrease, and citizens will become more conscious of their choices
and thus be more receptive to sustainability. The poster will further discuss the projected success
and impact of the plan and where improvements may need to be made once implemented.
Merrell, Bryn
(CEFNS)
Sea Turtle Migration Study in Uruguay
The migration of sea turtles along the Uruguayan Coast was analyzed to create a migration
prediction model of turtles in the Atlantic Ocean. This is a study created by the non-profit,
Karumbé, that studies migration patterns and focuses on conservation and rehabilitation. Of key
interest was the species of turtle caught along the coast and the estimated age and health
condition. Although the project is still continuing, it is hypothesized that the sea turtles caught
along the Uruguayan coast migrate from Surinam, or possibly the southwest tip of Africa. In
2011, over 300 turtles were caught, measured, tagged, and released in the Cerro Verde site on the
border of Uruguay and Brazil. The method for capturing the turtles consisted of placing a 50meter net to a stationary buoy off the coast and wait for the turtles to swim into the open net.
Caught turtles were quickly collected and brought to shore for tagging. Thus far in the study, it is
found that the most common species to include Uruguay in their migration is the Green Turtle.
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Turtles that have been tagged by a group in Surinam and Brazil have been re-captured in
Uruguay, which suggests that their migration is south along the coast from northern South
America. With further studies and data, the full migration of these Green Turtles can be mapped
out and predicted and could help in conservation efforts in the future.
Merz, Brandon
Karen Haubensak
Faculty mentor: Karen Haubensak, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Examination of Scotch Broom Effects on Soil Chemistry in Washington State, USA
Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) is a non-native invasive perennial shrub that proliferates into
large thickets following Douglas-fir removal in western Washington. Its establishment in sites
following timber removal inhibits reforestation efforts, potentially due to changes in the soil
environment. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of scotch broom on the soil
chemistry of invaded sites that have been replanted with Douglas-fir, to understand the
relationship between Douglas-fir growth and soil characteristics. Soil samples were collected in
Washington at the beginning of the Fall 2012 semester from five invaded sites that had been
treated with herbicide and manual cutting to remove scotch broom. Sixty Douglas-fir were
tagged in each site and randomly assigned to five different control treatments: (no broom
removal [control], herbicide spray in the fall, manual cut in the fall, herbicide spray in the spring,
manual cut in the spring). The types of soil analysis will include: soil texture, nitrogen
availability, carbon to nitrogen ratio, and organic carbon pool size. Results will be compared to
Douglas-fir growth and mortality in order to better understand the relationship between Douglasfir success in invaded sites, and effects of the invader on soil chemistry.
Meyer, Sam
Meyer, Samuel
Miao, Shiqi
Water Energy in Nevada and New Mexico
My research is about the water energy nexus and economy in Nevada and New Mexico.
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Miller, Luke
Faculty mentor: Chad Woodruff, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Retro-analysis supporting a distinction between upper and lower mu-suppression band-ranges
as indicators of mirror neuron activation
Mirror neuron activity has become entwined with many social psychology models of how we
interact with, and feel empathy for, others around us. In the past ten years, considerable focus has
been placed on the relevance of Mu-suppression, a discernable range of electroencephalography
measures that overlap Alpha wave ranges closely and have been demonstrated to be indicative of
mirror neuron activation. A study completed previously has benefited from recent developments
in our understanding of these band-ranges, specifically a distinction between the upper and lower
end. Where previously the entire range from 8-12hz was considered entirely representative of
mirror system activity, emerging research indicates that dividing this range and analyzing
suppression separately between the 8-10 and 10-12 band-ranges lends further precision when
determining mirror activity within a task. This analysis was retroactively undergone to further
support this hypothesis.
The study itself recorded mu-suppression during a task in which the participant observed a
simple video of a hand moving while experiencing attentional distraction. Three blocks are
encountered by each participant, one with no distraction, one with an imagery distraction task,
and another with a word generation distraction. The last of these showed to be devoid of musuppression compared to the no-distraction block implying that at least some focused attention is
necessary to induce mirror neuron activity.
Milligan, Anica
Faculty mentor: Walter Vannette, Francis Smiley, and Corina Kellner, College of Social and
Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Blast From The Past
In the Vietnam War, the Northern Vietnamese army scattered the Cambodian countryside with
land-mines in the event that allies of South Vietnam would invade and fight the Northern
Vietnamese. Today, there are still millions of active and concealed land-mines in Cambodia,
which has created a harsh environment for the Cambodians to live in; therefore, the Cambodians
have attempted to find and rid themselves of the land-mines. The most common practice for
land-mine removal, however, is to pay children to unearth the mines, remove or salvage the parts
for re-sale or disposal. This practice, along with the land-mines themselves, causes social,
political, and environmental problems for Cambodia.
Milton, Jacob
Development of Expression and Purification Protocols for Signaling Proteins Involved in
Angiogenesis
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Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels are created from existing blood vessels.
After reaching a certain size, growing cancerous tumors send signals to stimulate angiogenesis.
This signaling process involves many complex interactions between different proteins. Three
specific proteins involved are the cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47), vascular endothelial
growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). It is known that both
VEGFR2 and CD47 are required to begin this intracellular signaling cascade for cells to signal
for angiogenesis. TSP-1 inhibits this process by blocking this interaction. While it is known that
these three proteins interact, the molecular interactions between the three proteins are largely
unknown. The focus of this project is to develop expression and purification systems for
immunoglobulin domain 7 of VEGFR2 to characterize its interactions with both CD47 and TSP1. It is currently know that domain 7 of VEGFR2 can be expressed in Roestta Escherichia coli
cells, but methods of purification are unknown. The purpose of this project is to discover the
purification methods for domain 7 of VEGFR2 so that its interactions with CD47 and TSP-1 can
be observed. If the interactions of the proteins can be characterized, then drugs could be
developed to inhibit their interactions and prevent cancerous tumors from obtaining nutrition.
Mitchell, Taylor
Sarah Janwari, Amber Saunders, and Yaiza Van Horn
Sexual Harassment Victims or Agressors: Who is Less Masculine?
There is very little research on how people view the masculinity of men involved in sexual
harassment with a woman, but this perspective is important to understand the nature of sexual
harassment and its aftermath. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if there is a
difference in how people viewed the masculinity of a man when he is the victim of sexual
harassment and when he is the perpetrator of sexual harassment. Students from PSY 302W
classes took surveys with attached vignettes which described a sexual harassment situation. Half
of the vignettes described a man named David harassing a woman named Melissa, and half
described Melissa harassing David. Once the data was collected, a two-way ANOVA was done
to compare the results of male and female participants who took each survey. Our hypothesis is
that there would be no difference between male and female participants, and that they will both
view David as being less masculine when he is the victim of sexual harassment.
Mix, Ashley
Cassie Marshall, Courtney Denevi
Alcohol Consumption among College Students: A Look into Age and Drinking Expectancies
to Predict Drinking Behaviors
Problematic drinking in college students has become more prevalent today than in the previous
years. In 2012, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reported that
over 80% of college students drink alcohol and at least half of that portion binge drink. This
study was designed to determine the degree to which age and drinking expectancies predict
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drinking behaviors, and to evaluate whether the relationship between drinking expectancies and
drinking behavior depends upon the age of a college student. A sample of 380 NAU
undergraduate college students completed the Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire (DEQ) in
order to assess assertion, affective change, sexual enhancement, cognitive change, and tension
reduction expectancies, and the Alcohol Use Inventory (AUI) in order to measure overall
drinking behavior. A hierarchical multiple regression was used to identify whether age and
drinking expectancies were important predictors of alcohol consumption, and whether the
interaction between these two predictors helps to explain drinking behavior above and beyond
the unique contributions age and expectancies make separately. The researchers expect to
discover that overall drinking behaviors change in regards to age and specific drinking
expectancies. Results may help pinpoint age-specific interventions appropriate for specific types
of expectancies.
Monahan, Ryan
The James Bond Theme Song
Today, the music of the Bond films is synonymous with espionage and adventure. What started
off as simple scoring to veritable ‘B’ movies has evolved into sweeping musical scores and
iconic themes. What musical motifs are hidden within the scores? Why is Bond’s theme song so
iconic? We’ll explore these issues in a short presentation as part of our Bond, James Bond
segment.
Montgomery, Ashleigh
Ma-Li Metcalf
Risky Business
This study examined the correlation between family structure for the majority of time before a
student graduated high school and levels of risk behaviors engaged in during college. Research
has shown that students engage in higher levels of risk behavior in college than during other
parts of life, and those from non-traditional homes also engage in higher levels of risk behavior.
Over 100 students in NAU’s Psychology Research Methods course were surveyed on their
family structure before graduating high school and current levels of risk behavior. We predicted
that there would be a significant different in the amounts of risk behaviors between participants
who lived with both of their biological parents for the majority of the time before graduating
high school and participants in all other family structures.
Montoya, Marilu
Courtney Notah, Trevor Terpening, and Scott Graupensperger
Faculty mentor: Joseph Barbour, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Post Decision Dissonance in Desirability
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The last Ad Hoc Rationalization was performed in 1969, with a purpose of unveiling any
reasonable insight into the human brain. It has been almost 50 years since the last Ad Hoc
Rationalization so current research is aiming to bridge the gap and find differences in thought
processes and desirability, using current college students. The methodology involved self-report
from participants and once this data is evaluated, it will disclose more information about how
human thought processes are influenced by cognitive dissonance. In order to manipulate levels of
desirability that participants were randomly assigned to, prior to administering the test, each
participant ranked the desirability level of each given option, researchers altered the availability
of one of their choices, and then participants were asked to re-rank the options once more.
Researchers expect to see a (1-tailed) negative change in the levels of desirability for the
participants’ second choice (i.e. the option that was not manipulated by researchers). The
desirability level of the second option is expected to decrease from its initial ranking.
Researchers believe there will be a change in the Ad Hoc Rationalization of the students that are
tested and the post-decision making process of current students will not differ from the process
that was observed in the similar test, almost 50 years ago.
Moody, Brian
Erin O'Keefe, Mara Pfeffer
Action Research and Engaged Learning: Public Achievement
Moore, Rush
Faculty mentor: Jennifer McLerran, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
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Native American Painting During the 20th Century: A Study of an Imposed Cultural Locus
The purpose of this presentation is to define the term imposed cultural aesthetic locus and how it
relates to Native American painting of the first half of the 20th century. An imposed cultural
aesthetic locus is to be seen as a cultural aesthetic locus that is created by an outside group and is
in some way imposed upon the group that actually makes use of it. A closer look at how Native
American painting was taught, how it was marketed, and what were its main stylistic choices
during this period denotes the presence of an imposed cultural aesthetic locus. However, despite
the dominance of this imposed cultural aesthetic locus, there still existed some measure of
resistance to it among Native American painters working during the first half of the 20th century.
Mora, Carolina
Christina Davis, Robert Zizo, Jordan Putt
Primal Attraction
For this experiment, priming effects were employed to determine the general attraction people
preferred whether based on personality or physical traits. Research in similar areas has been
conducted to find that personality was favored in an experiment while there was no direct effect
of priming on physical attractiveness. An experimental survey was used to test both the
effectiveness of priming personality and the effectiveness of priming for physical attractiveness.
More than 100 psychology 302W students participated in taking these surveys by answering a
simple Likert rating scale questionnaire on priming for personality or priming for attraction and
kept a control group throughout. The hypotheses for this experiment were: Using priming of
perceived societal views we will manipulate the importance rating of physical attractiveness over
the importance of personality traits and; using priming of perceived societal views we will
manipulate the importance rating of personality traits over physical attractiveness. Based on the
hypotheses stated, the results will indicate manipulation of perceived attraction will favor
personality or physical.
Morales, Jordan
Faculty mentor: Leah Mundell, Honors Program
Somos Humanos
Somos Humanos is a film detailing the experience of one class of students as they journey to the
other side of the US-Mexico border. Watch as they gain a fuller understanding of the injustice
that too many immigrants have been subject to over the years. Hopefully viewers will walk
away with a strong sense of the international and systemic imbalance occurring between the
United States and Mexico, and will be able to make more informed decisions on where they
stand in the great immigration debate.
Moreland, Jessica
Melissa Pimentel, Stephanie Sherban, Katelyn Hamel
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Gender Role Socialization/Partner Preference
While plenty of research has delved into the vast field of human sexuality as well as gender
roles, this research looks to combine the two subjects. With two broad topics in mind for the
independent variable, the researchers intended to identify a link between gender role
socialization and partner preference. The researchers were interested in looking at a link between
these two subjects rather than replicating research that has already been conducted. The purpose
of this research is to attempt to find out information linking adult sexual partner preferences and
the learned gender roles during childhood. The researchers utilized available resources to gather
participants as well as use existing measures to gather data from the participants. To acquire
data, the researchers are utilizing Recalled Childhood Gender Identity/Gender Role
Questionnaire, Bem’s Sex Role Inventory, and a basic scale on attraction of an individual’s
profile. The researchers hypothesize that the extent to which the individual is exposed to gender
socialization during childhood will correlate to the levels of masculinity and femininity they
desire in their partner.
Morgan, Malie
Chad Woodruff and Luke Miller
Faculty mentor: Chad Woodruff, Luke Miller, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Brain Electrophysiological Correlates of Facial Affect Recognition
Recent research suggests that mirror neuron mechanisms are not only involved in motor behavior
but also act as key players in emotional interpersonal cognition. Our research expands on
previous research done by Shulte-Rüther et al. (2007) showing significant interplay between
emotional interpersonal interaction and brain areas involved in emotion processing, mirror
neuron mechanisms, and theory-of-mind (ToM). In this study, we recorded mu and beta rhythms,
two putative correlates of mirror neurons. Empathic ability as measured by the Interpersonal
Reactivity Index (IRI) compares to Electroencephalographic (EEG) mu rhythms (8-13 Hz) and
beta rhythms (15-30 Hz) from electrodes over the sensorimotor cortex. We interpret data within
a self-other discrimination model of empathy. Additionally, we hypothesize that mu and beta
rhythms, as well as accuracy of emotional judgment will correlate with empathy, as measured by
the IRI scores.
Morin, Andrew
Richard Barnes, Kenny Elgin, Scott Lederhos, Kyle Wiedeman
Transformer Condition Assessment
Premature failure of large transformers is costly and threatens the transmission of safe and
reliable power. Recent tests conducted as a part of Arizona Public Service (APS) routine
transformer maintenance have shown the development of hot spots and abnormal levels of gasses
within a transformer’s mineral oil at the Cholla Power Plant in Joseph City, Arizona. We
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examined possible sources of these problems. To accomplish this, we researched several
transformer failure case studies, developed a program to rapidly analyze years of dissolved gas in
oil data, and carefully examined other crucial data gathered during the life of this transformer.
Our assessment of the transformer is a tool for APS to indicate if the transformer is near the end
of its operational life. The results of this work will help APS continue to serve its customers with
a reliable source of power.
Morris, Bobbie
How have Supreme Court cases affected sovereignty among Native Nations?
The purpose of this research is to provide insight into Supreme Court cases and how they have
affected tribal sovereignty and its current effects. The goal is to develop ways to assert tribal
sovereignty as well keep it from further diminishing. This was done by examining court cases
and various tribal governments and how they work with the United States federal government.
Through this, I was able to determine how tribal governments have been impacted by Supreme
Court cases. This research allow for tribal governments to better defend themselves against
Supreme Court cases that aim to diminish tribal sovereignty.
Morris, Jackson
Faculty mentor: Pam Stephens, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Slam Poetry
Combining elements of performance and poetry, slam poetry is a medium for the expression of a
myriad of emotions and artistic styles. Drawing from my personal interests in education and
philosophy, I write with the goal of using art to improve peoples' attitudes and interactions with
one another. Poetry takes advantage of humans' need to communicate effectively and creatively
and (when done well) opens a whole new avenue for self-reflection and interpersonal exchange.
Check it out, I promise it's not quite as pretentious as it sounds.
Moxley, Emily
The World's Largest Navajo Weaving
My presentation on the World's Largest Navajo Weaving project will be a brief video that was
shot by the media program's interns. The video presents all aspects of the project up till now
perfectly, while also providing insight into the Undergraduate Research program and its benefits.
In addition to showing the weaving that the project is based around, the video also includes
interviews with Professor Jennifer McLerran, Allan Affeldt and Daniel Lutzick.
Moyer, Heidi
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Andrew Schwiekert, Nick Magnusson, Dr. Tinna Traustadottir
Faculty mentor: Tinna Traustadottir, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS), Honors Program
The Effect of High versus Low Velocity Training on Muscular Power and Balance in College
Aged Women
Fourteen college females were selected to undergo an eight week exercise intervention on a
pneumatic resistance leg press under moderate training intensity to better understand which
exercise protocol resulted in maximal muscular adaptations in terms of strength, power, and
balance. This presentation will briefly outline several aspects of the research including:
• Scientific background of previous research completed on this topic
• The rationale for such procedure
• Details about the intervention (methods)
• Data collected (Statistics, graphs, population data, and pre and post intervention analyses)
• Explanation of the data collected
• Application of this research
• Future implications of such research
Moynihan, Katie
Faculty mentor: Maxine Janis, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
Mainpat, India: Dental Hygiene Story 2012
In December 2012, Northern Arizona University dental hygiene students and faculty participated
in a Multidisciplinary Global Learning Project in Mainpat, India. The dental team of four
students, one faculty, and one dentist spent two weeks providing dental cleanings, fillings,
extractions, and oral hygiene education to seven Tibetan Refugee Camps. With minimal
electricity, clean water, and common resources, the dental team worked efficiently to provide
these grateful patients with much-needed treatment. After giving our services to those who need
it the most, we discovered that this experience did more for us than we could ever do for them.
Mulhern, Shayla
Stephen Shuster, Rebecca Beresic-Perrins, Kelsey Banister, Echo Sun
(CEFNS)
Reciprocal transfer demonstrates effect of wastewater effluent on reproductive behaviors in
the leech, Helodbella stagnalis
We conducted an experiment to determine if endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) present in
wastewater effluent have an effect on the leech, Helobdella stagnalis. We designed a reciprocal
transfer to evaluate the differences in offspring fitness between three local populations of H.
stagnalis and their respective water sources: Whitehorse Lake and JD Dam: our reference sites,
and Rio de Flag: our wastewater site. Filtered water was used as our control. Wild-caught
leeches collected from the sites were randomly distributed among the four different water
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treatments and we observed time of brood onset, brood size, growth rate, and progeny survival
rate between and among water treatment type. We also documented the progression of individual
leech's reproduction through pictures taken daily or bi-weekly. Our results demonstrated that the
leeches from Rio de Flag, in all water treatments, were the most prolific breeders; most likely
due to the presence of EDCs known to induce certain hormones implicated in reproduction and
social behavior.
Murray, James
Zachary Daley, Molly Groyer, Sarah Hamilton, Helena Van Winkle
(CEFNS)
Arizona State Climate Change License Plate
Climate change is quickly becoming an issue for the entire global community. With climate
change growing and affecting all aspects of society, the creation of a license plate in Arizona to
fund environmental organizations can bring awareness to the issue, as well as support actions to
mitigate the problem. Arizona has already successfully implemented alternative fuel and
environmental awareness license plates and we would like to propose a climate change plate
option for Arizona. This would have to be proposed to Arizona Department of Transportation
who would evaluate visibility with police. Our design promotes people taking on responsibility
to actively participate in their local community to lower CO2 emissions and restore the earth to
its original healthy state. If then approved it would have to be passed through legislation. In
accordance with Arizona law a fee of $25 would be charged to plate holders, $8 would go to
ADOT and $17 goes to the organization. The money would go to the Arizona Climate Change
Fund. This would fund research and projects leading to reduce CO2 emissions. The plate will be
available to all vehicle owners. An incentive for this plate would be receiving discounted rate for
emissions testing. We would not only like to see this implemented in Arizona but across the
United States.
Murray, James
(CEFNS)
Summer Internship With Arizona Game and Fish
In completing an internship with Arizona Game and Fish Department, I wanted to learn different
data collection techniques. I was a part of four diverse projects over the summer in order to
achieve this. I worked on Camp Navajo Army National Guard Base trapping and banding bats,
inventorying snags, outside of Williams, Arizona maintaining trees a part of a restoration effort,
and in the Dry Lakes Wind Farm mapping fences. These activities recorded data on animals,
vegetation, and manmade items. I learned different measurements to take for each situation and
how to take them. Throughout the process difficulties arose and I learned how to adapt to those
challenges in the field. The data that other interns and I collected is to be used in making land
management suggestions in the interest of the client hiring us to complete the work.
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Nagel, Brian
Faculty mentor: Thomas Paradis, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Reaching the Sound Barrier: Civilian Population Encroachment on Military Air Bases
This presentation brings up the issues associated with the civilian population and military
installations. When these bases where originally built, they were placed a decent distance away
from civilian communities, for protection against accidents and noise pollution. As time
progressed, these communities slowly began to be built closer and closer to the bases, slowing
placing the civilians into dangerous areas with the military performing their jobs. This looks into
how both the military and cities have adapted and some regulations that the civilian population
must follow in order to build under these flight lines, looking specifically at Luke AFB in
Arizona, and how they should prepare for an increase of civilian communities.
Nash, Levi
Extracting the West: Mining and its impact on sustainable community development
My research has been conducted over the global copper economy and how it directly relates to
the development of cities and towns in the West. Case study sites include Jerome/Clarkdale.
Natseway, Jacob
Laken Cooper
Faculty mentor: Mark Schwarzlaender, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
A case of indigenous specialist herbivore (Gnophaela vermiculata) as a potential biological
control agent for an invasive weed (Cynoglossum officinale)
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of an indigenous species in
controlling an invasive plant, unlike classical biological control. Two tiger moth species
(Gnophaela vermiculata and Gnophaela latipennis) were employed as control agents for
houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale), a noxious weed that quickly proliferates by its barbed
nutlets.
Lab studies were conducted to evaluate the growth of the moth’s larval stages on
houndstongue relative to two natural host plants, Mertensia sp. and Hackelia californica.
Caterpillar growth was measured by body weight and by quantifying the amount of frass
excreted. Bioassays examined adult females’ visual and olfactory attraction to each plant. Field
studies involved a visual assessment of houndstongue defoliation by caterpillars in the wild.
Total reduction in plant dry weight was subsequently calculated. The volatile organic
compounds used in bioassays were collected from wild houndstongue.
Our results indicated that houndstongue is capable of supporting all life stages of both Gnophaela
species. In addition, houndstongue in the wild is heavily attacked by G. vermiculata. Although
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not significant, we noticed a general trend in that both a decrease in seed production (160 seeds
produced per non-attacked plant; <50 seeds produced per attacked plants, fig.1) and in seed
weight of heavily attacked plants was present (approximately 4.2 grams per non-attacked plants
versus 1.0 grams per heavily attacked plants, fig.2). It is unknown if adult moths seek out
houndstongue in the absence of natural hosts. The net impact of defoliation on houndstongue
population dynamics is also targeted for future studies.
Naumann, Amber
Phylogeography of Bacillus anthracis isolates from the country of Georgia
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is a proven biological weapon. This bacterium
forms distinct phylogenetic groups, as revealed by single nucleotide polymorphism markers, and
the ecological dispersal of these groups extends globally. We have little genetic understanding of
B. anthracis recovered from numerous geographic regions, including the Eurasian country of
Georgia. To address this knowledge gap, we phylogenetically placed 283 Georgian B. anthracis
strains on the existing global phylogeny to determine that Georgian B. anthracis strains belong to
two distinct genetic groups, TEA and Aus94. Aus94 was the dominant genotype. We whole
genome sequenced an Aus94 Georgian strain to discover new SNP signatures to increase
resolution within the Aus94 group. Screening 273 Georgian strains and a global panel of 179
strains across these signatures resulted in the identification of six new subgroups with Turkish
and Georgian samples being closely related.
Nelessen, Adam
Faculty mentor: Tom Acker, Honors Program
Power Prediction Modeling for Wave Energy Devices
Ocean waves offer a significant source of energy that could be captured and converted into
usable electricity in the United States. Several wave energy converters (WECs), which convert
the kinetic and potential energy contained in ocean waves into electricity, are presently under
development. As developers continue to test and refine their devices, models that can accurately
and efficiently predict loads, motions, and power performance are necessary to improve device
reliability and reduce the overall cost of energy.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently developed a numerical simulation
tool, WEC-Sim [Chris McComb, Carnegie Mellon University], that models the motions, loads,
and the power performance of WEC devices operating in realistic sea states. This numerical
model combines the multi-body code SimMechanics, the frequency-domain boundary element
code WAMIT, and the application of wave theory. WEC-Sim is still in the early stages of
development and needs to be improved and validated.
This presentation will begin with an overview of the basics of wave energy conversion. Then, it
will detail the improvements made to the WEC-Sim modeling tool. A discussion of the validity
of WEC-Sim results, as demonstrated by comparison to experimental and computational fluid
dynamics data, will be given. To conclude, the presentation will discuss the steps that will be
necessary to maximize this tool's effectiveness in the future.
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Nelessen, Adam
Brandon Perez, Aaron Lostutter, Jacob Vincent, and Zev Vallance
(CEFNS)
The Wright Stuff Aircraft Design
Over the course of the 2012-13 academic year, NAU’s student team, “The Wright Stuff”, has
been designing and manufacturing a remote-controlled aircraft for participation in the Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) Aero Design West competition. This event showcases the
engineering abilities of seventy-five international and western United States student teams. It
also provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in aerodynamic and structural
design, team organization, time management, cost and budgeting, and manufacturing. In the
competition, teams gain points by maximizing the payload their plane carries in flight
demonstrations, as well as effectively reporting and presenting their designs in technical format.
Following a year of conceptual design, engineering analysis, and construction, “The Wright
Stuff” has fulfilled all requirements laid out by SAE for the competition. From the outset, the
design objective of the team was to introduce the latest precision-manufacturing techniques to
remote-controlled airplane design. This was accomplished through the use of NAU’s 3D printing
facility which allowed the construction of consistently precise, streamlined wing surfaces.
Overall, this design process sufficiently reinforced the coursework of the mechanical engineering
curriculum and provided an excellent opportunity for the students to apply their in-class learning
to the development of an engineering design.
NeSmith, Jalen
Ka 'Aina i ka Pono: the Loss and Pursuit of Hawaiian Sovereigty
I discuss the ~two hundred years between the beginning of Hawaiian-American relations and
Hawaii’s illegal ratification as a state. I also explain the lasting effects of American
commercialism on Hawaiian culture and economy. The paper begins with a review of the
discovery of the Hawaiian islands, the friendly trade between Hawaii and Western countries, and
the violent end of Capt. James Cook. Despite Capt. Cook’s death, Western interest in Hawaiian
commodities kept trade both lively and friendly. Meanwhile, the political unrest in the islands
concluded with the uniting of the islands under King Kamehameha I. After a period of peace,
Continental interest in Hawaiian trade increased with international competition for the abundant
fertile land in the isles. As a result, large spans of Hawaiian land were obtained by wealthy
haoles or white people. To preserve land for her own kingdom, Queen Liliuokalani attempted to
cease land trade. However, she was foiled when a party of haole, self-named “The Committee of
Safety”, brought troops from the U.S. Marines, held the Queen hostage, and established a
Provisional Government. The U.S. Senate soon annexed Hawaii as a territory and, despite the
promise made by President Cleveland to restore Hawaiian land, ratified as a state. Despite this
ratification, the United Nations still recognizes Hawaii as an occupied territory, rather than a part
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of the U.S. Hawaiian culture remains strong, but blighted by American influence. Today, the
Hawaiian Sovereignty movement seeks to restore the monarchy and secede from the U.S.
Nez, Kendra
Kendra and Ernestine
Faculty mentor: Scot Raab, Dirk de Heer, Roger Bounds, College of Health and Human Services
(CHHS)
The effect of using a foam roller on muscle tightness and flexibility: a pilot study
Over the years, the use of foam rollers has become increasingly popular. Claims have been made
that foam rolling helps with muscle tension, reduces pain, and increases flexibility. To date,
however, there is hardly any scientific research on the effectiveness of the foam roller on any of
these outcomes. This poster describes the preliminary findings of a study that looked at whether
foam rolling would lead to greater reductions in muscle tightness and greater improvements in
range of motion compared to stretching or no stretching at all. Participants (n=60) were
randomly assigned to one of three groups (all n=20): 1) foam roll, 2) static stretching and 3) a
control group. Main outcomes were muscle tightness and flexibility of the quadriceps,
hamstrings and IT-band. Researchers taking the measurements were blinded to the group
assignment to reduce potential bias. Muscle tightness was measured using an algometer, pressing
into the muscle at a depths ranging from 0.5cm to 1.5cm and measuring the required pressure to
get to that depth. Flexibility of hamstring and quadriceps were measured by active movement as
far as possible by the participants. Participants were measured at baseline and immediately after
2 minutes of either foam rolling, stretching or no activity. Participants were measured again after
3 weeks of 4 times per week of foam rolling, static stretching or no stretching, depending on
group assignments. Preliminary findings evaluating differences in muscle tightness and
flexibility between groups will be described. Recommendations for future research are discussed.
Nichols, Elizabeth
Faculty mentor: Keri Quinn, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Everything is Permitted
“Everything is Permitted” discusses what the world would be like if God existed as a human-like
entity on earth and then died. Through the lens of the narrator, Deborah, the qualms of conflicted
virtue between divine command and personal belief are explored. The story follows Deborah in
the wake of God’s death where, after a life of blindly following God’s laws, she is forced to
struggle with her personal beliefs over lying, stealing, and premarital sex.
Nicks, Lindsey
Faculty mentor: David Williamson, Wendy White, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
Kind Vines Sustainability Report
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Studies show that the wine industry utilizes unnecessary energy during manufacturing and
transportation processes. The sustainable business model Dave Williamson created for his
product, Kind Vines, presents solutions to reducing the waste associated with traditional
processes. The model used reduces waste by using reusable bottles with permanent labels which
are filled and distributed locally. Kind Vines, located in Flagstaff, Arizona offered an
opportunity to learn about sustainable methods through hands on experience. The experience
included participation in all aspects of the Kind Vines operation, including washing and filling
bottles, delivering and picking up of bottles, and product awareness through tasting events at
Bashas. Study objectives included development of a deeper understanding of what it takes to be
a successful, sustainable business. Other alternative packaging solutions for standard glass were
researched; however, the options were very limited, and better suited for areas immediately
surrounding wineries. This study concluded that the practices implemented by Kind Vines are
ones that could easily be incorporated into towns and cities within a reasonable driving distance
from various wine countries around the world. Further studies on how to get this concept
accepted on a global level are recommended.
Nimer, Adrianna
Faculty mentor: Nashelly Meneses,Russell Benford, Steven Shuster, College of Engineering,
The Demographics, Distribution, and Public Perception of Free-Roaming Dogs on Saipan
During World War II, working dogs were brought to Saipan to aid in the Battle of the Marianas.
After this battle, the dogs were abandoned. Today, there is an overpopulation of mix-breed dogs
on the island that pose a threat toward humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. In response to
this, the government of Saipan is attempting to manage the free-roaming dog population.
However, information is lacking regarding the demographics, distribution, and the public
perception of this population. I documented the age, gender, sociality, and behavior of the freeroaming dogs. To test how human land use (rural, coastal, urban) and urbanization level (0100%) affect their abundance, I surveyed dogs within rural, coastal, and urban areas. Using
public surveys, I investigated how the public views this population. I found that: 1) The majority
of dogs were adults, males, in a group, and generally aggressive toward humans. 2) Dogs were
more abundant in urban areas (N=21, F= 9.5, p=0.0001) and in areas with highest urbanization
levels (N=20, F=14.85, p=0.0001). 3) The public views these dogs as a safety hazard. To better
manage the free-roaming dog population, spay-and-neuter campaigns, leash laws, and dog
collection operations should be focused in highly urbanized areas.
Niu, Jin
Jiaqi Xie, Francisco Heath, Ningbiao Jiang, Nizar Almansouri
(CEFNS)
Alternative Power Source for Dental Hygiene Device
The NAU department of Dental Hygiene provides humanitarian aid to some parts of the world.
Many of these places have limited access to electricity. This creates a problem for the
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Department of Dental Hygiene since many of their tools require electric power. Therefore, they
need a power source which can provide continual electric power for their devices. Meanwhile,
this power source has to be portable in both size and weight. The task of our team was to design
a power source that would allow the Department of Dental Hygiene to operate their Wig-L-Bug
mixer/amalgamator tool off the grid for a full day. This design consisted of a lithium polymer
battery, an inverter, and a charger. At the end of the last semester in 2012, a portable power
source was designed and built. With this power source, the Department of Dental Hygiene
successfully provided the humanitarian aid to children in Mainpat in December, and reported that
they were satisfied with the performance of this power source.
In this semester, our team began with another design idea, mechanical Wig-L-Bug which
requires only manual power to operate. The main advantage of the mechanical Wig-L-Bug is that
no charging process is required and it is much more portable. This design is estimated to be
completed and tested in April.
Nolan, Eric
Faculty mentor: Karin Wadsack, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Putting Flagstaff Sustainability Plans in Context
This presentation will take a look at what the word "sustainability" means to the city of Flagstaff.
Human populations in Flagstaff have tripled since the 1960's under a fossil-fuel based economy.
This influx of human settlement has created unique challenges that require unique solutions.
Local food production, local activism, recycling, energy production, and a finely-tuned drive
toward economic development have all directed the city on its current course as a sustainable
community moving away from the use of fossil-fuels. Energy-resource transitioning, regional
food availability, social inclusivity, and education are some of the more formidable focuses on
how this sustainability can be achieved. Research shows several organizations who have
dedicated their resources toward building a sustainable framework centered around community
resiliency. The focus of these organizations has been to find a balance between establishing a
strong economy while upholding the integrity of the natural environment. Because of the efforts
of the studied organizations, and many others, the City of Flagstaff has incorporated its Regional
Sustainability Goals. My presentation will demonstrate a "big picture" perspective of what can
be done when collaboration and innovation work together in building a sustainable future in
Flagstaff.
Noriega, Joy
Faculty mentor: Robyn Martin, Anne Scott, Honors Program
Butter vs. Margarine
This paper will discuss the debate of butter vs. margarine by examining health issues,
ingredients, and research done to support both sides of the argument. The paper takes the side
that butter is a better food choice.
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Obermeyer, Dion
Darrell Kaufman
Faculty mentor: Darrell Kaufman, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Hydroclimatic Variability Inferred from Subannual Sediment Pulses in Lake Linnévatnet,
Svalbard
Hydroclimate variability is readily recorded in glacial-fed Arctic lakes containing annually
laminated (varved) sediment. Although most previous studies associate varve thickness with
summer temperatures, precipitation is also an important variable. Lake Linnévatnet (4.7 by 1.3
m, 35 m depth) is on the main island of the Arctic archipelago, Svalbard. The lake receives melt
water from the Linné Glacier, located 6 km south of the lake, via the Linné River. Additional
discharge is derived from snow melt and precipitation. Previous studies focused on temperature
increases during the early summer freshet as the dominant hydrological process causing
sedimentation in Lake Linnévatnet. In contrast, this study highlights the importance of lateseason rainfall for generating sediment input to the lake.
Sediment traps, an intervalometer (a device was used to record timing of sediment pulses), and
weather stations were deployed from September 2011 to July 2012. Biogenic silica (BSi)
analyzed from the sediment traps was inversely correlated with mean grain size, suggesting the
primary control on BSi is dilution. One fall sediment pulse and two summer pulses were
recorded in the traps. The fall pulse contains a high proportion of fine particle sizes, is associated
with a significant rise in lake level, and was rainfall-generated. The summer pulses produced
coarse sediment sizes, had little effect on lake level, and were products of snow ablation. The
differences in the pulses are related to the differences in hydrology of snowmelt and rainfall.
These results show that late-season rainfall can produce a significant proportion of annually
deposited sediment.
O'Boyle, Corey
Developing a Clearinghouse for Water Transfers
The development of a clearinghouse for water transfers will serve to facilitate water transfers
while also building liquidity in the marketplace.
Okwuokei, Uche
Faculty mentor: Richard Lavin, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
LA County Public Health
Objectives
This Internship was done in order to understand and experience the duties that entail being an
Environmental Health Specialist. In doing so a 3 month internship took place, in which I worked
alongside Environmental Health Specialist inputting bacteriological data into Los Angeles
county system database. In addition, I went out to inspect water wells that service multiple
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municipalities as well as commercial places in Los Angeles County. The internship resulted in a
gain of experience on programs that environmental health specialist deal with like the drinking
water program. The programs also conveyed the efforts needed scientifically as well as the
bureaucracy behind being able to put out suitable quality of water for residence in Los Angeles
County. Also, an understanding of the process on how businesses are serviced their water and
what steps on attaining a water permit are done in the process. Moreover, the internship was an
experience that showed that a future as an Environmental Health Specialist is a great stepping
stone towards a career with the federal government or any other private firms that deal with
environmental health. Further internships are advisable since experience is major feat to have on
ones resume or CV when applying for jobs.
Methods
• Collect and review water permits issued by the County of Los Angeles
• Input Bacteriological sheets sent in from companies tested water systems
• Go out to sites in which County supplied water systems are in use and inspect their usage.
• In addition, is gaining experience by working with Chief Environmental Specialist and
Environmental Health Specialist on other Public Health Projects the County has like Air Quality
Results
Los Angeles County Public Health Department has distinct programs regarding the health of the
environment. With the drinking water program as part of my internship the main focus was to
gain a perspective on how to make sure Public Water Systems are functioning properly and in
compliance with state issued standards.
As part of checking whether public water systems were compliant visits to Cerrititos College in
Cerritos, CA were made to check whether decommissioned water well there had properly been
put out of use. Upon arrival we were escorted to where the well was used and observed that the
well had been cemented and blocked off from public access as issued by state standards.
Furthermore, is before going to check out these public water systems review of their water
permits were done to check whether or not they are up to date. From checking these permits it
was discovered that many of LA counties older Public Water Systems have had their permits
outdated for a very long time. Those that have been outdated have been contacted and also
followed up upon with Environmental Health Specialist going out to review their public water
system and having them to renew or reapply for a permit.
Discussion
After doing the internship I realized that work as an Environmental Health Specialist is very
busy and that there is plenty to learn. Experience is golden. After learning about how water
Public health safety is done, one can later then branch out on his or her own and try private
companies since you have familiarized yourself with federal and state regulations.
Olivas, Araceli
Meghan Warren, Steve Palmer
Faculty mentor: Meghan Warren, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
PE Effects on Physical Activity
Introduction: The Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2) measures selfdetermined motivation for physical activity. The purpose of this study was to assess the
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relationship between self-determined regulation and leisure-time PA and describe differences
between 7th grade boys and girls.
Methods: 143 boys and 137 girls completed surveys at baseline as part of a physical education
intervention study. The PA score was calculated from a validated self-report of weekly activity.
The BREQ-2, a 19-question survey, consists of five subscales measuring PA motivation: 1.
Amotivation (no intention to engage), 2. External regulation (unwilling motivation through
external pressures, and unlikely to continue), 3. Introjected regulation (self-pressure to act), 4.
Identified regulation (motivation through acknowledgement of PA benefits), and 5. Intrinsic
regulation (motivation from the enjoyment of PA). The mean and standard deviation of each
BREQ-2 subscale for the total sample, as well as by sex were calculated. Two-sided independent
t-tests assessed the differences between boys and girls. The relationship between each BREQ
subscale and PA score was calculated with Pearson correlation.
Results: 51% of the students were boys, and the majority self-reported race/ethnicity as
Caucasian, Native American, or Latino (39%, 26%, and 26%, respectively). There were no
statistical differences between boys and girls for any BREQ-2 subscales. PA score and intrinsic
regulation was weakly, but significantly correlated (r=0.23, p=0.0002).
Conclusion: There were no differences between 7th grade boys and girls in PA motivation.
Students with greater physical activity had scores of enjoyment motivating PA.
Olivas, Sonora
Faculty mentor: Talima Pearson, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii ST20 and ST8 in Global, Commercial, and Rural
Environments
Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever and is found in many mammalian hosts,
primarily in livestock. In a previous study we found that at the herd level, milk from
approximately 1 in 5 cows tested positive for C. burnetii DNA. Additionally, 99% of nearly 500
commercial milk samples were also positive. The majority of these samples were divided
amongst two sequence types (ST20 and ST8) and dependent on animal source (cow versus goat).
To determine whether the prevalence of these two genotypes is similar among rural U.S. farms
or at the global, commercial level we collected milk from both areas and tested them for C.
burnetii DNA. Our results show that while prevalence of C. burnetii DNA is lower in these
environments, ST20 and ST8 are still present, indicating that these genotypes are not solely
characteristic of commercial U.S. milk.
Olsen, Xena
Faculty mentor: Jayme Lyn Davis, University College
The Representation of African Americans in Film Noir: Whitewashing the Screen
Race relations in postwar American society were volatile. The nation experienced the influence
of an emerging African American culture through The Great Migration, which increased racial
anxieties that were compounded by the growing civil rights movement. The ideologies regarding
the stereotypical representations of African Americans were being challenged and this served as
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a threat to the dominant white culture. The growing pressure from the Communist party
regarding race relations flushed out the United States government’s ineffectual and ambivalent
stance concerning the resolution of racial tensions and social injustice. All of these historical
factors contributed to the outright racist depiction of African Americans in postwar American
film noirs. Therefore, the representation of African Americans in postwar American film noirs,
such as Kiss Me Deadly, The Killers, Out of the Past, Sudden Fear, The Big Clock, Detour, The
Asphalt Jungle, and Double Indemnity reflect the stereotypical socio-political depiction of race
in American culture.
Olson, Samuel
Colin Gray, Alex Mazzeo, and Nicole Williams
Faculty mentor: Maggie Hamill, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Online Scholarship Application
The College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS) processes hundreds of
scholarship applications each semester. CEFNS has received poor results from other application
processing tools, and has reverted to the archaic method of paper applications. Team Six Sigma
has proposed their Online Scholarship Application (OSA) as the solution to CEFNS’ application
processing needs. The OSA is a web application built on the Ruby on Rails framework and uses
a MySQL database to store application and scholarship data. It will automatically manage
scholarships and all associated data, applications and letters of recommendation, as well as
provide a variety of convenience features. Students will be able to log into the system to view
and apply for available scholarships as well as upload letters of recommendation. When
applications have been submitted, authorized CEFNS employees will use the OSA to view the
list of applicants. The OSA provides suggestions based on applicant qualifications, and allows
CEFNS employees to collaborate in the selection process. When the selection process has
concluded, authorized CEFNS employees will use the OSA to award scholarships to those
deemed qualified. The OSA also includes a suite of administrative features that allows
authorized CEFNS employees to manage the system. It will allow CEFNS’ employees to add
new scholarships to the system, each of which is customized in accordance with the donor’s
requirements. The OSA has been designed with CEFNS’ needs in mind and will revolutionize
the way scholarship applications are handled at Northern Arizona University.
Onofry, Mackenzie
Michelle Roesch, Kristen Johnson, and Emily Wiseman
Arousal and Memory
The uncertainty created by contradicting findings in previous arousal and memory studies led a
group of researchers to study the effects of various levels of arousal on recall memory. The study
at hand aimed to reduce these discrepancies by employing the utilization of music. Participants
were randomly assigned to one of three conditions. All groups were presented with a list of 20
words for a short time segment while either being exposed to no music, low arousal music, or
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high arousal music. Arousal levels were manipulated as a function of beats per minute. A oneway ANOVA statistical test indicated that there was a significant difference between the three
conditions. Further examination of a Tukey post-hoc test revealed that participants in the low
arousal music condition recalled significantly more words than in the other two conditions.
Participants in the low arousal music condition, on average, recalled four more words than the no
music and high arousal music conditions. The results of this study can have far-reaching effects
in educational settings. Further research should be conducted on this complicated relationship to
enhance the reliability and validity of this study.
Ordean, Kevin
Action Research and Engaged Learning: Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Cooperative
Economics
Orduno, Jose
Faculty mentor: I do not have one, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Techniques of Ceramic Production in Song Dynasty China
This is an overview of the advancements that took place in art during the Song Dynasty in the
area of ceramics. How artists in that time were able to create new pieces of work not seen before
using revolutionary techniques that are still being used today. The new uses of kilns, carving, and
the use of saggers when firing work were all essential tools that these artists used.
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Ortiz, Alexandra
Brianna Layser and Luis Diaz
Health Habits and Their Relation to Short-term Memory Performance
This study investigates the relationship between daily health habits and short-term memory
performance. The participants in the study included 100 undergraduate students enrolled at a
university in the Southwestern United States. 40% of the students were male and 60% of the
students were female. In order to test the hypothesis, the group of researchers administered a
short-term memory test where students looked over a 20-word list for 60 seconds and then were
asked to record all of the words they were able to recall from the list. This study found that
higher scores of reported health habits (sleep, nutrition, and exercise) had a positive correlation
with short-term memory performance.
Oyama, Kimberly
Chihiro Sasaki, Daren Rodhouse, Blayne Kennedy
Faculty mentor: John Georgas, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Localization Functionality for MCM, a Mobile Commerce Application
MoneyClip Mobile (MCM) is a web-based payments infrastructure providing fee-free
transactions to customers and merchants through the use of mobile devices. Dr. Joshua Cross of
Hermes Commerce, Inc. is planning to make this mobile payment system more robust by
providing targeted advertisements, coupons, and management of customer’s loyalty programs.
This project involves implementing a localization function that notifies MCM merchants when
MCM customers are in their vicinity, allowing the merchant to push a payment request to the
customer’s MCM account if the customer makes a purchase. This functionality allows true
moneyless transactions. Another piece of functionality we are adding is directed advertisements
and coupons based on the customer’s location and transaction history. The customers will have
the ability to select the amounts and sources of advertisements that are pushed to their account
via the iPhone application, Android application, or website. Customers will be able to customize
their settings to choose differing levels of participation from the advertisements. Merchant
settings will also be available for change on the website or either mobile application. After the
implementation of the merchant and customer interface, which includes Android, iOS, and
website platforms, integration testing and user testing will be performed, and documentation for
each will be provided.
Paddock, Ethan
Jacob Milton, Rachelle Eddie and Matthew J. Gage, Ph.D
Purification of Receptor Proteins in the Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway
The process of angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels) is a common step during
development, wound healing, and tissue damage. Angiogenesis is also one of the 6 hallmarks
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associated with tumor growth. Regulation of angiogenesis involves several different proteinprotein interactions. This study focuses on three interacting proteins: Cluster of Differentiation
47 (CD47), Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2
(VEGFR-2), which are all involved in Nitric Oxide (NO) signaling. The IG domain of CD47 has
been shown to interact with TSP-1, inhibiting NO signaling, preventing angiogenesis. It was
recently shown that VEGFR-2 associates with CD47 to upregulate NO signaling and this
interaction can also be disrupted by TSP-1 but the molecular nature of these interactions are not
fully understood. The goal of this project is to characterize the molecular interactions between
CD47, TSP-1, and VEGFR-2. The work presented here is focused on the purification of the G1
domain of the TSP-1 protein TSP-1 expression is induced at an OD600 of 0.6 and expressed
overnight in BL21 (DE3) E. coli at 25°C and 90 rpm. Cells were collected and lysed with the
addition of 1mM EDTA to prevent protease activity and purified using a Ni+2 chelating gradient
column to ~90% purity. GST affinity and ion exchange chromatography is being explored to
complete the purification.
Padilla, Cassie
Cassie Marshall, Kristina Guglielmi
“Everyone Else Is Doing It”: An Examination of the Motives Behind Binge Drinking
Behavior Among Greek-Letter and Non-Greek-Letter Students
In today’s college setting, binge drinking and Greek-letter organizations seem to go hand-inhand. Substantial research has been conducted on the prevalence of drinking among Greek-letter
students. The motives behind drinking behaviors have also been examined by researchers, and
an array of different and varying motives have been implicated. The purpose of this study was to
examine the relationship between drinking motives and involvement in Greek-letter
organizations. A total of 380 undergraduate students at Northern Arizona University, 16% of
whom were involved in Greek-letter organizations, were surveyed on their drinking behavior and
drinking motives. Two groups – Greek students and non-Greek students – will be analyzed for
significant differences in specific drinking motives, such as social improvement, mental
improvement, mood management, and function enhancement. Independent t-tests will be used to
conduct the analysis. The purpose of this research is to provide a better understanding regarding
the reasons why college students engage in binge drinking, and specifically why Greek-letter
students engage in such behavior. More information on this topic may provide valuable
information for intervention and education programs that can specifically target both Greek-letter
students and non-Greek students.
Padilla, Kelsey
Chace Gear, Garland Clark, Laura Warden, & Robert Till
Faculty mentor: Robert Till, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Effects of Mindful Breathing on Mind-Wandering and Reading Comprehension
Mind-wandering occurs when one’s attention is drawn away from the primary task at hand. The
current study sought to manipulate the conditions immediately preceding a sustained attention to
As of 4-19-13
response task (SART) in an effort to increase or decrease the level of mind-wandering. One
condition involved a benign essay, the second gave participants a disturbing essay, and the third
condition asked participants to do relaxed, mindful breathing for 8 minutes.
Following the essays or mindful breathing, all participants went on to perform a SART task in
which they read stories presented one phrase at a time on the computer. For each line,
participants pressed the spacebar to advance to the next phrase. Participants were instructed to
withhold their spacebar response in the rare situation that the phrase on the screen contained the
word “student.” In those cases, the computer would advance the text. Any spacebar response
here was counted as an error. Readers were asked to self-report whether they had done any mindwandering.
Results showed that those in the disturbing chemical-essay condition reported significantly more
mind-wandering than those in the benign instruction-essay condition. Those in the mindfulbreathing condition reported significantly less mind-wandering than those in the instructionessay condition. Those in the chemical-essay condition had significantly lower accuracy in
withholding response to “student” than either of the other two groups. In sum, it appears that the
disturbing essay induced more errors on the sustained attention task than did the other groups.
Pak, Alexa
Faculty mentor: Jennifer Musial
Women and Gender Studies, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
The Control of Birth Control
Birth control is something that continues to controls women's bodies well into the 21st century.
For my presentation, I want to focus on the various ways these contraceptives control women
ranging from biologically, socially, and even through the new implementations of Obamacare. I
will also be researching and presenting the direction birth control is headed towards in the future.
Pak, Alexa
The feminist discourse of Self-defense
Self-defense is an area of self-protection that helps women question the male-dominated,
patriarchal culture in which we live. It demands that feminism gets physical. This is important
because feminism is a cultural, educational, mental, and political movement and self-defense, for
women, encompasses the physical capabilities that need to be included in the feminist
movement. It empowers women on more that just a level of physicality.
Paladini, Joseph
Navajo Generating Station's Importance to Our Water
As of 4-19-13
This presentation will cover the economic importance the Navajo Generating Station (NGS) and
its role in providing water to the southern portion of Arizona.
Palmer, Ryan
Miles Roux and Dolores Gallardo
(CEFNS)
Christmas Ornament Display Structure
My Star of Bethlehem LLC is a small online business that sells Christmas ornaments
manufactured in Germany. In order to help promote and highlight these Christmas ornaments,
the client requested that a portable ornament display stand be designed and manufactured. This
structure should have the ability to support up to three ornaments at a time, while elevating them
at least six feet above the ground. The design must be collapsible, lightweight, and be assembled
or disassembled in less than 30 minutes.
Based upon the client’s requirements, our team designed the structure largely out of recyclable
materials such as aluminum. It can elevate the largest ornament 8 feet off the ground when
measured from the lowest point while elevating the other two ornaments 7 feet off the ground.
The structure is divided into 6 sections for ease of manufacturing and future assembly. The
heaviest section weighs no more than 25 pounds so that the average adult can carry each piece
with minimal effort. The structure is portable when disassembled allowing each section to be
transported in a compact sedan. All conceivable safety aspects have been taken into account in
the design process. The final structure can withstand gale force winds without bending or
toppling. The prototype was also designed with aesthetics in mind making use of polished
surfaces.
Parafiniuk, Adrah
Action Research and Engaged Learning: SSLUG
As of 4-19-13
Parkhurst, David
Differences in Affective Decision-Making Between Types of Drinkers as Assessed by Different
Formats of the Iowa Gambling Task
This research seeks to better understand how types of drinkers differ in their decision-making
capacities. Specifically, this study looks at how binge drinkers differ from other levels of nonbinge drinkers in terms of their affective decision-making abilities, which involves an integration
of affective and somatic states into decision-making to bias decisions towards more positive
long-term outcomes and away from negative ones. Past research has shown that those who
engage in binge drinking patterns may have a deficiency in this area, leading to a myopia of
future consequences that may account for some of this pattern of drinking behavior.
The Iowa Gambling Task is a well-established neuropsychological measure used to assess
affective decision-making, and since its creation it has been converted into several alternate
versions and computerized iterations. One such example is part of the PEBL battery, an open
source battery of classic cognitive and neuropsychological tests. The second goal for this project
was to compare the “official” computerized IGT with this open source version in order to
contribute to the validity assessment of the free-to-access PEBL task.
Subjects were given a survey that differentiated them into discrete categories of various levels of
non-binge drinking behavior and binge drinking behavior. They were then administered either
the “official” IGT or the PEBL version and completed the task while somatic responses of heart
rate and skin conductance were collected.
Parkhurst, Diamond
Danielle Perry, Emily Wilson, Claire Lower
Traumatic Events as Predictors of Substance Abuse in Adolescents
Substance abuse among youth is detrimental to the welfare of society as a whole. The purpose of
the study was to assess the factors related to the decision to abuse drugs, and to ascertain
information that can be applied to treatment and prevention. Specifically, this correlational study
examined the relationship between exposure to a traumatic event and substance abuse. The
participants were Psychology students at Northern Arizona University, mostly EuropeanAmerican females, aged 18-25. Data was gathered using a survey assessing the frequency of
exposure to trauma, and the severity of the traumatic event. In addition, the survey included a
measure of substance abuse, and questions about the age of onset. It is expected that findings will
indicate that as frequency of exposure to trauma increases, the frequency of substance abuse
increases. Similarly, as the severity of the traumatic event will increase, the frequency of
As of 4-19-13
substance abuse will increase. Age of onset of substance abuse and the frequency of traumatic
events are expected to be positively related and age of onset is predicted to be positively related
to the severity of the event. It is expected that individuals who were more frequently exposed to
traumatic events and events of greater severity were more likely to begin drug abuse earlier in
life and were more likely to abuse drugs frequently.
Parrott, Joe
Brittany Smith; Christian Valadez; Kara Roof; Mary Rhoades
Faculty mentor: Neil Cobb, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Ground-dwelling arthropod community structure across nine vegetation types in the
Canyonlands region
One of the most important parts of terrestrial biodiversity is arthropods, which make up the
major part. Arthropods are able to show a reflection of the type of habitat they occupy, although
little is known about the distribution of arthropod species. The purpose of this study was to
determine the occurrence of ground-dwelling arthropod species by sampling nine different
habitats in the Canyonlands region of Southeast Utah. It was concluded that the community
structure between all nine habitats was unique, and that arthropods respond differently to microhabitats.
Patch, Dreux
DL Patch, AL Krohn, G Allan, CA Gehring
Faculty mentor: Andrew Krohn, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Soil microbial community response to the introduction of pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) seedlings
Pinyon pines (Pinus edulis) are a foundation tree species of the southwestern United States, and
are more drought-sensitive than other regional tree species. Pinyons are facilitated under
stressful conditions via symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi. Many lines of evidence indicate that
soil bacteria are likely to participate in this symbiotic relationship, but little is known about their
ecological roles or their taxonomic identities. In 2009 a P. edulis common garden was installed
near Sunset Crater National Monument, AZ. As a subset of trees was transplanted from a
greenhouse environment, soil was collected from the planting sites, as well as from the potting
soil used to cultivate the seedlings. A year later, soil was recollected from the base of the
seedlings to examine how the soil community changed with the introduction of a pinyon pine.
DNA was extracted from the soils, quantified via fluorometry and subjected to community
amplicon sequencing using variable regions in the ribosomal RNA operon for phylogenetic
characterization and taxonomic classification. On average, the introduction of a pinyon seeding
approximately doubled the amount of DNA in the soil. Alpha diversity showed in excess of 200
operational taxonomic units (OTUs) present in our study system. A change in beta diversity
from pre-tree soil to post-tree soil indicates that the soil microbial community has shifted in
response to the introduction of a pinyon pine seedling. Efforts to further characterize the fungal
and bacterial communities and determine their relative contributions to the total soil DNA
complement are ongoing.
As of 4-19-13
Patino, Jessica
Perez, Edgar
Causes of the Obesity Crisis: Education & The Fast Food Industry
Obesity is an epidemic that is currently a health issue facing the United States. The lack of food
education of the American populace combined with the fast food industry's overwhelming need
to produce cheap food, with little nutritional value, to rake in large amounts of money is to
blame. Once this epidemic is recognized by the U.S. government and its people then ways to
solve this health issue can be discussed and implemented. Through means of education and more
government regulations, the fast food industry would have less control over the American people
and reduce obesity rates in America.
Perez, Martha
Kiara Weathersby, Brette Martin
Overall health and wellbeing
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between overall health and well-being.
The research participants were approximately one hundred students from Northern Arizona
University, recruited from psychology students enrolled in 302W during the spring 2013
semester. This correlational study employed the use of two self-report questionnaires and data
was collected in the measures which consisted of seven questions apiece. The International
Physical Activity Questionnaire and a modified version of Perceived Health and Subjective
Well-being questionnaire (Judge, Ilies, & Dimotakis, 2010) were administered during regular
class time and took approximately ten minutes for each participant to complete. The International
Physical Activity Questionnaire requested information on different forms of recent physical
activity in varying amounts from vigorous, to moderate and no activity. While the modified
perceived health and subjective well-being questionnaires inquired about the individual’s selfperception by rating their health and current internal views on life. Once review of findings, is
complete it is believed that physical activity will influence self realization and promote desirable
morale, therefore promoting healthier behaviors which will positively correlate with well-being.
Peterson, Alexandria
As of 4-19-13
Peterson, Ricardo
(CEFNS)
Communications System with Error Correcting Codes
In this project, I will be analyzing the idiosyncrasies of sending data from a transmitter to a
receiver. The sent codewords are impaired by noise existing between the transmitter and
receiver. Using low-density parity-check (LDPC) code, which is a linear error correcting code,
the received code is corrected to match the transmitted code. Ideally, the received and
transmitted code match. However, this is not always the case. This project focuses on analyzing
the relationship between the Signal-to-Noise (SNR) ratio and the Bit Error Rate (BER) of the
communication system.
Petra, Jacobsen
School Lunches in the United States: History, Politics, and Change
School lunches provided in the United States have always been a controversial issue. There is the
ongoing debate about the unhealthy options offered, while the politics behind the big
corporations running the school lunch programs get in the way of a nationwide reform. In this
poster I talk about the school lunch system across the United States as a whole, and how it has
and hasn’t changed over time and the many factors that go into reforming the system. I also
compare school lunches in the United States to other countries as well and analyze the
differences throughout time, bringing up the question, “What happens now?”
Phillips, Brandon
Davis Zanot, Mike Austin
Faculty mentor: John Georgas, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
ArchSim: Real-Time Model-based Architectural Simulation
This presentation will consist of explanation and demonstration of Software Systems, through
the use of software architecture modeling. The presentation's goal is to provide a tool that can be
used for education and commercial purposes. This tool attempts to solve the problem of
visualizing a Software System. This web-based tool will be able to let the user upload a software
architecture model, which will be displayed as a dynamic graph. This dynamic graph will show
the behavior of the software architecture that has been uploaded, solving the problem of
"invisible" software systems.
Pichnarcik, Jenna
As of 4-19-13
Psychological Reflections: An Ordered Reality in Painting.
Although reality is greatly self-perceived, it is also a shared experience. Despite psychological
distinctions and developmental differences, human beings create pictorial images which
exemplify the ubiquity of reality through time and space. Paintings from around the world depict
images where cultural and temporal influences differ, while spatial relationships tend to be
extremely similar, or shared. Space is a psychological reflection of reality, yet not all artists are
created psychologically equal. With some exceptions, artists that have disorders and diseases
(schizophrenia, cerebral-palsy, developmental disability) have been categorized within a genre of
their own. Though, their ability to depict images that resonate no differently than the paintings of
psychologically 'normal' artists. The appearance of a grid, and the representation of space and
time (reality) in painting has a long and diverse history and one that tells a story about humanity.
Piepiora, Kaitlynne
A Magical World of Inspiration
Walt Disney was a visionary of his time that has inspired many others to follow in his creative
foot-steps. One of Walt Disney's most noted contributions to the world is the first theme park
ever to come into creation: Disneyland. Disneyland has been the model for other theme parks
around the world, but yet has still remained the most successful of them all. This paper explores
the multiple reasons that Disneyland has managed to stay on top all of these years, including the
real-life inspiration for the park, the Disneyland themes, the Disney inventions, and the overall
Disney experience. It also covers the many concepts that other theme parks, including Knott's
Berry Farm and Universal Studios, have attempted to replicate and why they have not been as
successful for them as it has been for their Disney counterpart.
Piepiora, Kaitlynne
Just Do It!
This is a short story about a college hockey reporter who is trying to overcome her fear of asking
one of the hockey players out. Kayhlen Andrews must establish that her best friend, another
hockey arena employee, would not be mad if she asked out Dylan, as she has also thought him to
be cute in the past. Through much encouragement from her best friend and her boss, Kayhlen
eventually gets up the courage and the confidence to ask out her guy, but she needn't have
worried about it in the first place.
Porter, Katelyn
Nina Porter
Faculty mentor: Jennifer Duis, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Characterization of Students’ Quantitative Reasoning Skills in Chemistry
As of 4-19-13
The method in which students interpret knowledge has been a question circulating education
professionals since the creation of the modern school system. Our research aims to better
understand and characterize how students’ quantitative reasoning skills develop in their college
general chemistry coursework in order to improve the course instruction. The use of graphs and
tables as a teaching tool is common practice. Our research indicates that the ability to apply
previously taught chemistry concepts such as density, and recognizing what is being held
constant or is constant in the mathematical relationship is difficult for students. The presentation
of these concepts in a table versus graphical format may alter the students' ability to apply them.
Potential items and qualitative analysis of students’ developing quantitative reasoning in
chemistry will be presented.
Porter, Nina
Abby Davidson
Action Research and Engaged Learning: Queer and Ally
Poseyesva, Rachel
Hopi Life and Culture
My presentation is based on the Hopi culture and their way of life. This presentation would be to
inform people of Hopi people way of life and how their religion is based on cycles with the sun
and moon.
As of 4-19-13
Prawzinsky, Hannah
Faculty mentor: George Gummerman, Honors Program
Food Taboos in the United States
Food once served merely the purpose of sustaining life, but over the course of hundreds of
millions of years, the meaning of food has transformed tremendously. More recently, in the past
several hundred years, food has become a symbol for culture and identity. There is an integral
understanding by many people that certain cultures ban specific food items from consumption
for religious or spiritual, ethical, or health reasons. In the United States, however, there appears
to be a large stigma surrounding dog, horse and human meat. Many of the food taboos in the
United States originate from our domestication of animals.
Qian, Junfeng
Qi Wang, Shiyu Wang
Faculty mentor: Robin Tuchscherer, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Prestressed Concrete Institute Big Beam Design Student Competition Team 2
The PCI Student Education Committee, one branch of the PCI Committee, is inviting students to
participate in the Engineering Student Design Competition for the 2012-13 academic years. Each
student team must work with a PCI Producer Member to build a precast-pre-stressed concrete
beam which is 20 ft. long and tested as an 18 foot span. The beams will be tested and prizes
awarded for best performance in the stated areas. Students must discuss both the structural
design and the concrete mix design for the beam. The contest begins August 15, 2012 and ends
June 15, 2013. All beams must be fabricated and tested within this time frame. A student team of
3-4 members is optimal, but teams of any size may participate.
Team 2 must make sure the design load is between 32kips and 39kips which is required in the
contest rules. In addition, the beam must resist load primarily through flexure. Trusses, arches
and other non-flexural members are prohibited.
Quinn, Courtney
Faculty mentor: Maxine Janis, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
NAU Campus Community Collaboration in Mainpat India
Being in India allowed Northern Arizona University’s dental hygiene students to work in
conjunction with a local Arizona dentist. The dentist gave assistance when needed, but mainly let
the students be as hands on as a possible and put his full trust in the team. The dental experience
in India was a modified version of how an advanced dental hygiene practitioner could function
Quintana, Carolina
As of 4-19-13
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: Implications in Sports
Context: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease
that has been linked to repetitive head trauma, especially with participation in contact sports such
as American football. Individuals suffering from CTE experience a progressive decline in
memory and cognition, often experience depression and other emotional disturbances. CTE has
been considered responsible for suicidal behavior, poor impulse control, aggressive and violent
behavior. Clinically, CTE can lead to Parkinson’s, dementia or ultimately death. It is believed
that accumulations of hyperphosporylated tau and TDP-43 proteins in the brain form as a result
of repeated trauma. These proteins are thought to be the cause of CTE. With more research and
exploration, researchers will be able to help protect individuals against the disease and develop
methods of treatment for those who are already suffering from the disease, and possibly save
lives.
Objective: To research the prevalence of CTE in modern day sport and seek information on how
to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.
Results: In those individuals whose brains have been given to researchers to evaluate for cause of
death and possible CTE, a high percentage of them have returned positive for CTE. These brains
also have notable tau-protein hyperphosphorolaytion, beta-amyloid deposits and TPD-43 protein
deposits.
Conclusion: With research showing that repetitive concussions are the cause of
neurodegenerative diseases later in life, it is important to evaluate and treat every mild traumatic
brain injury with scrutiny. The degeneration of the brain is serious as it progresses and could lead
to death.
Quiver, Melanie
Melanie H. Quiver, Kevin P. Drees, Paul S. Keim, Ruby Hammond, Jeffrey T. Foster
Faculty mentor: Jeffrey T. Foster, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Avian Malaria Prevalence in Hawaiian Birds
Avian malaria is an infection of birds caused by the haematozoan parasite
<Italicize>Plasmodium relictum<Italicize>. This blood parasite, along with its mosquito vector,
was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands in the 1800's. Since then, avian malaria has been a
leading factor in the decline and extinction of numerous native bird species in the islands. In this
study, DNA was extracted from various Hawaiian bird blood samples from the island of Kauai
and screened for the presence of malaria parasites. Presence of these blood parasites was
determined using haematozoan-specific primers and conventional PCR methods to detect
parasite presence. In a population of birds not believed to be exposed to malaria, we detected a
high prevalence of malaria infection. This suggests that Kauai populations of birds from new
areas are contracting this disease and may soon be threatened with high levels of disease caused
mortality.
Raber, Sarah
As of 4-19-13
Evidence of Selective Breeding and Habitat Use in Lambis lambis
Spider conchs (Lambis lambis) play an ecological role in controlling macroalgal growth.
Unfortunately on Saipan, overharvesting of L. lambis has negatively impacted their population.
Little is known about their life history concerning sexual dimorphism and habitat preference. To
characterize sexual dimorphism, I measured shell size, digitation length, digitation angle, and
presence or absence of curved digitations. In addition, to determine if spider conchs prefer a
specific substrate, I quantified their abundance on seagrass, coral reef flats, and reef rubble.
Female shells were larger than male shells (N=41, F-ratio=8.15, P=0.007). They also had longer
(N=29, F-ratio=5.61, P=0.02) and curved anterior digitations compared to males (N=41, X²=7.3,
P= 0.007). Spider conchs were significantly more abundant on coral rubble substrate (N=12,
X²=7.49, P=0.02). These findings suggest L. lambis exhibit reverse sexual dimorphism and reef
rubble is the preferred substrate. This information might be beneficial for habitat management
and implementation of captive breeding programs.
Rains, Allison
Regulating Sexuality: How American Law Serves to maintain Heteronormative Sexualities
I will be examining sexuality and the law. I will begin by describing what one scholar has termed
the “sexual hierarchy” where certain sexualities and subsequent expressions of sexuality are
deemed socially acceptable and to what degree. From there, I will explore the historical forces
that have shaped sexual law in America, namely religion. I will then use these findings to
determine in what way they shape current U.S. laws that regulate the prohibition of oral sex in
certain states, the prohibition and criminalization of prostitution, and the prohibition of
gay/lesbian marriage. I will explain the laws that govern each of these forms of sexuality, explain
how the law criminalizes/prohibits them, and explore to what extent these laws are robbing
individuals of rights and freedoms.
Ramirez, Brittany
Femininity
Analyzing the intersections of femininity. With different cultures, comes different beliefs of what
is "feminine". The definitions of femininity are believed to be different with different ages, what
about race and ethnicity? Within race and ethnicity a culture is born and the "norm" is created.
Intersectionality plays a key role on the various ideas of what a woman is expected to do to be
considered "femme".
Ray, Ryan
As of 4-19-13
Faculty mentor: Cindy Browder, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Development of a More Efficient Synthesis Method for Myriaporone 4
Many naturally occurring molecules show great promise in the fight against cancer and
infections. The search for new medicinal compounds has often turned to nature for new lead
drugs that may become a cure for these maladies. Myriaporone 4 (M4) is a naturally occuring
molecule found in coral that shows promise as an anticancer agent. M4 is, however, very rare in
nature and cannot be harvested efficiently and without causing significant ecological damage.
Synthesis of this molecule avoids these problems. Previous syntheses of M4 were very time
consuming and the goal of our research is to find a more efficient synthetic methodology. In
order to synthesize the central portion, or core, of the M4 molecule, we are making use of
intramolecular nitrile oxide cycloaddition (INOC). This INOC reaction forms a 2-isoxazoline
that will make a suitable substrate to synthesize structures similar to the M4 molecule. This
process converts a molecule containing an ester linked alkene and nitro group into a cyclic 2isoxazoline using mild conditions. During this process new carbon-carbon and carbon-oxygen
bonds are formed within the molecule. The substrate for the INOC reaction is formed via an
ester synthesis joining a carboxylic acid containing alkene and a nitroalkane. Conditions for a
successful INOC reaction are currently being explored.
Rebecca, Largent
Homosexuality and the Military
This research will analyze sexuality, heteronormativity, and the history and policy of
homosexuals serving in the United States military. It will focus on the don’t ask, don’t tell
policy, its history and current policy regarding same sex couples. The history will focus on
policy created to prevent homosexuals from serving openly, and what discharges for homosexual
conduct meant for service members. I hope to provide information about the repeal of don’t ask,
don’t tell and official policy lifting the ban on homosexuals serving. The research will also focus
on current policy changes that have shifted to better serve same sex couples and what restrictions
are still in place. I hope to also present ways in which equality of marriage would help benefit
same-sex couples serving in the military.
Rees, Patricia
Bo Stevens
Faculty mentor: Rich Hofstetter, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Erwinia tracheiphila as a Biological Control of Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
Cirsium arvense is an aggressive invader from Europe. Commonly known as Canada Thistle, this
perennial weed is a nuisance for agriculture and livestock industries, infesting tilled and
overgrazed land. So far no biological control agent has effectively managed the spread of C.
As of 4-19-13
arvense. Synthetic biology gives us a new approach to this problem. Any source of genetic code
is now a potential source of information for the manufacture of a target specific bacteria. Erwinia
tracheiphila is a pathogenic microbe known to cause bacterial wilt in cucurbits. It is vectored into
the xylem of C. arvense by a non-specific host, the striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma
vittatum). The specific gene that encodes for bacterial wilt could be identified and sequenced. If
Canada thistle is susceptible to bacterial wilt, this may provide a means to create cheap and
simple controls, eliminating non-target effects that plague other biological control methods. This
study is an investigation into the possibility of E. tracheiphila as a source of genetic material for
use as an engineered biological control agent against C. arvense. Two approaches were used to
test the hypothesis that E. tracheiphila causes bacterial wilt in C. arvense. 1) Using PCR and
DNA sequencing, we tested for the presence of E. tracheiphila by culturing bacteria from wilted
samples of C. arvense. We anticipate verification of E. tracheiphila within these samples. 2)
Inoculation of C. arvense with E. tracheiphila (ATCC# 33245) with observation of wilting
symptoms followed by reisolation of the pathogen from wilted plants. Successful verification of
this causal relationship could lead to an efficient biological control, alleviating the need for
energy intensive and unsustainable methods of mechanical and chemical control.
Rensel, Mitch
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s Problem and Solutions
What are the current and future economic conditions that are facing the Los Angeles Department
of Water and Power? With California running out of water, what are some of the possible
solutions? Which solutions are economically and environmentally feasible?
Ressell, Joel
Adam Raterink, Garrison Pope, Kyle Crockett, Sam Bloomfield
Faculty mentor: Elizabeth Brauer, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Insulin Dosimeter for Pets Using Apple® Products
The purpose of the Insulin for Kitties (I4K) Apple product application is to provide a means for
owners of pets with diabetes to properly dose, record administered dosage, and graph blood
sugar and syringe volume using the Apple® iPad. The current method for insulin administration
varies between users; however, all current methods are prone to human error through improper
measurement inside the syringe or data recording. Feline patients are particularly difficult to
dose proper due to the small amount of insulin required. Apple Developer Tools along with
OpenCV visually track a syringe in real time and estimate plunger to prong distance for volume
calculations. The application successfully tracks and measures the volume in the syringe.
Further testing is required to establish the error in measurements using the built in iPad camera.
The application promises to ease the book keeping burden of diabetes treatment.
Reynolds, Robert
As of 4-19-13
Maria Espinola-Romero
Faculty mentor: Niranjan Venkatraman, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
BeagleBoard Capstone Redesign
Contaminated water harms ecosystems and the people who drink it; however, with proper
detection the pathogens in the water can be accurately identified, and the water can be effectively
treated. A difficult task for people, who live near non-potable water, or those living in rural
areas, is to
test their water inexpensively. The BeagleBoard XM is a small processor with standard features
that
can be found on most laptops and computers today; consequently, some components are
unnecessary
and add bulk to the design that is specific to water contamination detection. We addressed this
challenge by adding and removing components from the multipurpose BeagleBoard XM so that
it
would be optimized for this application. The optimized BeagleBoard adds Wi-Fi, GPS, a
webcam,
and a smaller LCD, in a smaller volume. Software testing determined the compatibility of the
new
components with the BeagleBoard's operating system to provide a cost effective product with
ease of
use to test water contamination. We will provide a schematic for the optimized BeagleBoard, and
a
documented test analysis of the potential components for the board will be included in our report.
Rice, Johnathan
(CEFNS)
2700 Years of History in Coastal Sagescrub, Southern California
MOD III pond is located near Santa Barbara, California and provides a unique opportunity to
study a marsh/wetland area in southwestern California. Lake and marsh records for the
southwestern United States are not completely known due to the recent increase of human
development combined with the arid environment. A fire regime associated with MOD II pond
was reconstructed by separating charcoal particles from a sediment core that was obtained in
2009. The isolated charcoal particles were counted and entered into the program ‘CharAnalysis’,
which uses a running average of the counted charcoal particles to isolate fire events. The
identified fire events were then correlated with a vegetation record that was already
reconstructed based on pollen that was extracted from the same sediment core. No fires were
observed in the upper portion of the sediment core. The lack of fire is correlated with an increase
in grasses that are common for grazing and a proclamation by a Spanish Governor in 1793
ordering fire suppression in the area. Fires occurrences below this portion of the sediment core
have been correlated with algae that are known to flourish during fires. The bottom of the
sediment core, at approximately 2700 years b.p., shows a higher fire occurrence. The
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reconstructed record for this area can now be used to help guide future management practices
and contribute to the understanding of human interaction in areas that have seen recent
population growth.
Rice, Johnathan
Carly Farr
(CEFNS)
Using GIS Data to Examine the Health of the Coconino Forest Over a Ten Year Period
The Coconino National Forest in northern Arizona has had varying degrees of anthropogenic
interaction for the past 200 years. The focus of this study was to analyze the health of the forest
over a ten year period, from 2002-2012. Bark beetle infestation, ponderosa pine population, and
fire occurrence were considered when determining the health of the forest. Two maps were
constructed using ArcGIS to create polygons showing where the aforementioned factors
occurred. The first map showed where the factors occurred in 2002 and the second map showed
where the factors occurred in 2012. The map area was chosen to represent a general cross-section
of the forest that included wooded regions and a riparian environment. It was found that
ponderosa pine populations increased as a result of grazing being mitigated in the area. The bark
beetle infestation increased along with fire occurrence. Restoration efforts in this area have been
largely responsible for the changes in forest health concerning the increase in ponderosa pine.
However, a correlation can be made with increase in anthropogenic interaction, climate change,
and the increase in both bark beetle infestation and fire occurrence. The knowledge gained from
this study can help to guide future restoration efforts and help understand the effects of climate
change in the Coconino National Forest.
Rice, Rebecca
Giovanna Fotino, Katherine Kurpierz
Helping Granny Cross the Street: How Stereotypes of Seniors Keep Them in Poverty
This research paper aims to analyze the effect rhetoric has on the topic of poverty and examines
the effects of stereotypes on senior citizens. Specifically, this study demonstrates how
stereotypes can cause seniors be subjected to poverty. Using the fantasy theme style, we
researched how stereotypes created about seniors can gain broad support in public thought. As
the mass media and the public perpetuates these stereotypes, seniors suffer. Seniors become
susceptible to the self-fulfilling prophecy, and begin to define themselves using the stereotypes
to which they are exposed. These internalizations can prevent seniors from being able or willing
to attain employment or other outside help for their poverty. By changing the ways in which we
stereotype seniors, we empower them and can help them move out of poverty.
Richardson, Joshua
Faculty mentor: Francis Smiley, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
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Problems in Public Education: Why High Schoolers Drop Out
My presentation concentrates on the difficulties many high school students of different cultures
and races face that lead them to drop out. Many factors can accompany this including teachers
not understanding cultures of Native Americans. Other factors may include bullying,
inappropriate rumors and false ideas about their cultures, and lack of educational support for
Native students. Dropout rates in this group category have reached 40 percent and are still
rising. This presentation is also meant to bring awareness to anyone who has not been made
aware of this growing problem in the Southwestern United States, as it shows mostly in the state
of Arizona.
I have learned that in 2007, the dropout rate for Native American students was at its highest at
19.3 percent, compared to the highest percentage of 91 percent for Asian/Pacific Islanders in the
2007-2008 Freshman year. Native students continue to suffer lack of jobs like other dropouts do
as their unwillingness to graduate seems to prevent them from getting the right job to care for
themselves and their families. With this presentation, people will realize how their children will
affected by their choice to drop out.
Richter, Bethany
Stormie
Action Research and Engaged Learning: Immigration ART
Rightheart, Roland
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Heidi Hornstra-O’Neill, Jamie Beckstrom, Jason Sahl, Stephen Beckstrom, Paul Keim, Talima
Pearson
Faculty mentor: Talima Pearson, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Genomic Reconstruction of Extinct Common Ancestors
Phylogenetics has added much to our understanding of evolution by allowing us to better
understand relationships among living organisms. The field of phylogenetics is undergoing
continuous improvement. Where phylogenetics once used morphology, protein similarities, and
genes as its primary tools, it now uses whole genome sequences. The promulgation of whole
genome sequencing can lead to better defined phylogenetic relationships, which, in turn, allows
for better evolutionary understanding of phenotypic attributes. Here we discuss a
phylogenetically based hypothetical ancestor reconstruction process (HARP), which can be used
to reconstruct the genomes of extinct common ancestors. We demonstrate this process by
reconstructing the genome of the common ancestor of the clonal organism Coxiella burnetii
(Cb)—the causative agent of Q fever. By means of HARP, we compared extant whole genome
sequences of Cb to identify regions of genomic similarities and mutations. The genomic regions
where mutations are present were regressed to their inferred ancestral state by means of
phylogenetically guided cross-strain comparison. By reconstructing the extinct hypothetical
ancestor, we have gained insight into the evolution of Cb. For example, genome reduction has
occurred in the species and a functional comparison of lost genes suggests that the ancestor
survived in a more variable niche. HARP thus allows us to better understand the evolution of
phenotypic qualities, and speculate about the environmental conditions and selective pressures
that led to their evolution.
Rigoni, Alexis
Faculty mentor: Allen Woodman, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Tormentor
This is a fiction, creative writing short story. It is about a teenage girl and her tormentor, the bane
of her existence.
Rigoni, Alexis
Bond Villains “Black Claws, Orange Sunburns, and White Cats: A Catalogue of Villainous
Props”
Bond films and novels revel in outrageous props for their villains, so bizarre that one might
dismiss the villains as outlandish and ridiculous. However, this perverseness comes to symbolize
quintessential evil and things that go bump in the night. Props from several Bond novels and
films will be analyzed with this thesis in mind.
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Roberts, Daniel
Faculty mentor: Elizabeth Brauer, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Mentor Graphics Automation
Efficient time usage for simulations is an important concept to the engineering field. Engineers
not effectively utilizing time will fall behind on various projects they seek to complete because
much time is be wasted in the simulation phase. Task automation is one tool used to reduce the
amount of time spent on tasks. This research project investigates the use of Tool Command
Language (Tcl) in the automation of simulation analysis in the Mentor software used in the
Electrical Engineering department at Northern Arizona University.
The main two tasks to be automated were calculating propagation delay and analyzing the
voltage transfer characteristic in standard CMOS circuits. The EZWAVE package of the Mentor
Graphics software was automated using Tcl scripting, while still employing the mathematical
functions and tools native to the software. The result is that the user is able to commence many
simulations and collect all of the data rapidly. The use of Tcl prevents the user from having to
manually perform each simulation one at a time.
Roberts, Cisneros, Sydney, Toni
Toni Cisneros
The Correlation Between Self-Perception and Social Interaction
Self-perception has been found to have an effect on social interactions. Self-esteem has
previously been researched and found to have a positive correlation with sociability. The
correlation between self-perceived attractiveness and self-esteem of female undergraduate
college students was assessed with the likelihood of approaching male undergraduate students
based on attractiveness. Participants were exclusively female undergraduate college students in
PSY302W. All participants were assessed through surveys on self-perceived attractiveness and
self-esteem. After the surveys were taken the participants were shown pictures (one attractive
male, one unattractive male) and were asked to choose which one they would feel more
comfortable approaching. It is hypothesized that the participants with higher self-perceived
attractiveness and self-esteem will be more likely to approach the attractive male. The results
could provide evidence that self-perception correlates with comfort when approaching others.
Robinson, Amanda
(CEFNS)
Tim Hunt and the Key Regulators of the Cell Cycle
From a basic viewpoint, cancer is caused by an imbalance in the regulation in the cell cycle
where the cell continues to divide indefinitely. As it turns out, a protein known as cyclin is an
important factor in the regulation of cells because it controls the cell's switch between various
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stages of the growth cycle. The discovery of this protein was made by Tim Hunt and his
colleagues, Paul Nurse and Leland H. Hartwell, and in 2001, they were awarded the Nobel Prize
in Physiology or Medicine. This poster presentation outlines the work of Tim Hunt and his
colleagues as well the merit of this discovery in the field of physiology and medicine.
Robinson, Kyle
Access to GIS Resources in Arizona's Higher Education Institutions
This presentation will look into the institutions of higher education in Arizona and how well they
have access to funds for GIS (Geographic Information Systems) products or other institutions'
GIS products. This includes GIS for educational purposes as well as campus/facility
management.
Rodriguez, Ricinda
Faculty mentor: Abbe King, Laura Crouch, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
Contact Precautions and Adverse Patient Effects
Contact precautions in the hospital setting are important for controlling and preventing the
spread of Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms. In many situations patients are placed in a private
room setting with signs on the door stating these individuals are isolated. Personal protective
equipment (gowns, gloves, and mask) are donned before entering the room. Current policy at
Flagstaff Medical Center identifies individuals with (or a history of) MRSA, VRE or other drug
resistant organism by flagging them with a Disease alert in the computer system. Once identified,
the patient will be placed in isolation until the organism can be ruled out. Patients will remain in
insolation until results of cultures are obtained. No recommendation from the CDC can be made
regarding when to discontinue Contact Precautions, leaving individuals isolated for long periods
of time.
My research found placing patients in an isolation setting have been associated with adverse
patient outcomes. These adverse outcomes include fewer interactions with healthcare workers
and physicians and a decrease in patient satisfaction. It some situations it can cause patient
psychological and physical distraught.
Rodriguez, Veronica
Pornography and Sex Life
I will be deconstructing themes in sex life such as masturbation, sexual orientation, body image,
as well as other themes in sex life and pornography's effect on these themes. My research will be
geared towards why these themes in our sex lives are constructed as they are and giving reason
as to why these deeply rooted mentalities of sex life and pornography should be changed. Using
research studies in these themes, I will enlighten the need for change in the area of pornography
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and the media as a way to change the depressing matters of misogyny, phallocentrism, racism,
and sexism in sex life. I will also include developed trends in sex life that support these
depressing premises such as “Vagazzling” and body hair politics. My goal in this research is to
shed light on and unearth these dangerous common themes in sex life and pornography, so that
we may challenge our society’s definition of “normal” sex and its principle.
Rolik, Scott
Rainfall vs Economic Growth
My research is to determine if the economic growth of major metropolitan statistical areas relates
to their population growth, indigenous rainfall, annual water consumption, land area, and
population density. By gathering data from the past century, I will determine if the above
independent variables do in fact influence economic growth. Once that information is
established, I will be able to answer two questions. First of all, is it economically feasible to be
urbanizing in arid locations of the western United States? I will also determine if the majority of
our country’s population is settling in locations with high or low rainfall and if westerners are in
fact breaking away from the norm of living near water.
Rolph, Hasley
The Effects of Wild Pollination on Food Security
How would a collapse of wild pollination affect society in every way- large and small?
Roof, Karah
Dr. Nashelly Meneses
Predation of the Small Giant Clam (Tridacna maxima) in Saipan
Giant clams are keystone species that are being overharvested in Saipan. Many of them have
brightly colored mantles, which may make them more vulnerable to predation. To determine if
small giant clams (Tridacna maxima) are harvested in a sustainable manner, I compared the sizes
(an indicator of age class/sexual maturity) of live clams in the Saipan lagoon and dead clams in
harvest piles. Also, to determine if mantle coloration has an effect on survivorship, I looked for
a significant association between mantle coloration and age class, an indicator of survivorship. A
Wilcoxon Test showed that the size of harvested clams is significantly different than the sizes of
live clams (N = 173, Z = -3.66, p=0.0002). Clams are being harvested before they are sexually
mature. In addition, a G-Test showed that there are significant differences in the age classes
between mantle patterns (N=60, G=35.95, p=0.01). The more brightly colored clams are not
surviving to sexual maturity. Giant clams are not being harvested in a sustainable manner. This
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could be detrimental to the viability of the population. Implementing size and quantity harvest
restrictions, and reinstating an aquaculture program are ways that Saipan can help recover its
clam population.
Roome, Stacy
Runia, Roslynn
The Feasibility of Increasing Flows from Grant Lake Dam
This paper will conclude if it is an optimal decision for overall society to increase flows from
Grant Lake Dam in Mono County, California. The research also concludes who would benefit
and who would bear the costs of the increased water flows.
Ryan, Amanda
Nick Rogel, Jalisa Martin
To Inflate Or Not To Inflate?
There is a discrepancy regarding the practice of pre-inflating a urinary catheter balloon prior to
insertion into a patient to test for integrity of the balloon. Some sources state that such a practice
is necessary to determine if leaks are present in the balloon; other sources state that such a
practice causes structural changes to occur in the urinary catheter. Our poster aimed to determine
which practice was safer and most effective. We have determined where current evidenced based
practice lies in the issue of whether to inflate or not to inflate.
Saltzman, Marissa
Spencer Ropte
(CEFNS)
Relationships of Genomic Composition and Virulence Within B. pseudomallei in Soil from
North-East Thailand.
Burkholderia pseudomallei, a Gram-negative bacterium that thrives in soil and water, is the
causative agent of melioidosis. Melioidosis is tropical disease which is endemic in Southeast
Asia and northern Australia. It causes an on-going issue with no vaccine and high mortality rates
in humans which makes B. pseudomallei considered to be a possible bioterrorism threat. It is not
known whether all environmental isolates can cause disease. Thus, isolates from an intensively
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sampled site in Thailand were examined for genetic diversity and the ability to cause disease in
an animal model. In this study, we examined the presence and genetic diversity of B.
pseudomallei in soil samples, collected from Northeast Thailand, during the dry season in 2007.
At least 400 B. pseudomallei strains were analyzed for genetic diversity using multi-locus
sequence typing (MLST). Interestingly, 14 unique genotypes were identified in a single soil
sample (INT2). In the surrounding intensive sites, B. pseudomallei was not as prevalent as
previously found in INT2. Due to high genetic diversity within the sampled population, a
BALB/c mouse model was used to monitor rates of infection and illness by 30 representative
isolates. The study has confirmed that not all tested isolates caused disease in mice. Based on
the mortality rate, further genetic analysis was conducted on genomic islands (GIs) to determine
if any relationship between genomic composition and virulence were present. Our results suggest
that not all strains of B. pseudomallei cause disease due to the differences of their genomic
compositions.
Sanchez, Briana
Lance Lopriore, Chantal Kescoli, Erinn DeMarco
The Food and Mood Connection
This study examines the relationship between diet and depression. The independent variable was
the amount of healthy versus unhealthy food consumption in a college population. The sample
consisted of 125 undergraduate students in a mountain city located in the southwest region of the
United States. Participants took a self-report study to indicate the amounts of healthy versus
unhealthy food consumed in a 24 hour period. This was then related to the scores reported on the
Beck's Depression Inventory. The relationship discovered within the study indicated higher
amounts of healthy foods were associated with lower scores in the BDI, while higher amounts of
unhealthy foods correlated with higher scores on the BDI. This study found that depression rates
were found to have a positive correlation with a consumption of unhealthy foods.
Sanchez, Daniel
Assessment of phylogenetic resolution in a diverse panel of Pasteurella multocida isolates
using variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis
Avian cholera is an extremely destructive wildlife disease caused by Pasteurella multocida, a
host density-dependent bacteria that swiftly cause thousands of waterfowl mortalities each year
in North America. In this study, we tested a diverse panel of P. multocia isolates to assess
phylogenetic diversity in highly mutable loci known as variable number tandem repeats
(VNTRs). A total of 15 VNTR markers were tested against 60 globally acquired samples of P.
multocida, collected from a diverse sampling of avian hosts, bacterial serotype, sequence type,
and collection location. Genetic variation was observed when comparing samples collected in
distant geographic proximity, which was to be expected. Results then provided evidence that
using VNTR markers to compare distantly related, geographically dispersed, and host-specific
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genotypes may be sufficient in identifying phenomena such as avian host-crossover and other
stochastic ecological interactions leading to deadly outbreaks.
Sands, Will
Josiah T. Huggins, Casey Ellito, Kimmi Philips
The Effects of Sleep and Depression
The study of sleep and depression is essential to research because it is important to understand
the possible link between the variables of sleep and depression. The study will not only clarify
knowledge, but also relate this information to the public. The objective of the study is to find a
correlation among sleep quantity and qualify as well as depression. The study will add to current
research by studying the differences and similarities among correlations of sleep quantity and
quality of sleep in relation to depression; as well as adding to current research by using three
different methods to accurately measure variables: Becks Depression Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep
Quality Index, and finally a few short questions designed by researchers who's primary focus is
studying sleep quantity. The survey was combined into a packet and given to Northern Arizona
University psychology 302w during normal class hours. The participants consisted of both men
and women ranging in age of 18-22 while the majority consisting of European-American
women. The anticipated results include a positive and negative correlation. That is, an expected
positive correlation among sleep quantity and depression, meaning depression could be related to
many hours of sleep; the negative correlation is expected among sleep quality and depression,
showing that the more times a person may wake up during the night, the more likely hood they
are to be correlated with depression.
Saucedo, Johanna
Bond Girl or Bond Animal?
Ian Fleming tends to associate animalistic or instinctive behaviors and qualities with women in
his espionage novels From Russia, With Love, Dr. No, and Goldfinger. In the films adaptations,
their behaviors are reduced to the point where they are purely bodies present for Bond’s
enjoyment.
Scandura, David
Faculty mentor: Anne Scott, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Raoul Silva: Reinventing Evil in Skyfall
Among its many reinterpretations of the James Bond franchise, 'Skyfall' also brought a new
villain to the franchise unlike any we have seen before: Raoul Silva. Javier Bardem's thrilling
performance creates a new Bond villain altogether; a villain with an intriguing past, a complex
personality, and a personal vendetta that will shake James Bond's world to the core.
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Using discussion, film clips, and analysis, this presentation will explore how the "Bond villain"
has moved into the 21st century through the lens of Bardem's performance of Silva. The world
domination schemes, white Persian cats, and high-tech doomsday machines are long gone. In a
world where our enemies don't wear uniforms or are restricted by lines on a map, the villains of
the Bond franchise have become equally complex, layered, unique, and dynamic antagonists to
the British super spy. Silva is the perfect representation of the "new Bond villain," and this
presentation will explore Silva's character, master plan, and Bardem's wonderful interpretation of
the character in order to illustrate this point.
Schellinger, Robert
Impacts of Ski Tourism on Smaller Communities in the American West
This presentation consists of the impacts of Ski Tourism on smaller communities in the
American West. The research is focused on Sunrise Park Resort, located in the White Mountains
of Arizona. The communities near Sunrise Park Resort consist of Pinetop-Lakeside,
Springerville-Eagar, and Show Low, Arizona. . The smaller communities will be conducted on
research of whether Ski Tourism is a big factor for seasonal tourism. The effects of Ski Tourism
will consist of the long term impacts, short term impacts, and the seasonal impacts on the nearby
communities of Sunrise Park Resort. The impacts will consist of economic development based
on ski tourism.
Schmiester, Amanda
Faculty mentor: Dorothy Dunn, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS), Honors
Program
Communication strategies and stress management techniques for unpaid caregivers of
individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
Last semester, I worked with Dr. Dorothy Dunn, faculty for the NAU Nursing Program, to better
understand the role of the unpaid caregiver. Unpaid caregivers are those who voluntarily care for
their family, friends, or neighbors. My research specifically focused on those with loved ones
who have been diagnosed with any form of dementia. Many of these caregivers do not
understand how to best communicate with their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and related
disorders. The stress of this lack of communication and the role as the caregiver in general, can
be incredibly rewarding; however, it can also be overwhelming, frustrating, and stressful. For
this reason, I believe it is of utmost importance to develop coping strategies for unpaid
caregivers.
My instructor acted as a consultant for a support group newly founded at the Peaks, which is a
senior living facility with a skilled nursing department and memory unit. I was able to observe a
meeting. Through my observations and my research, I found several common themes among
unpaid caregivers. I also developed a list of five stress relieving strategies I would recommend
specifically for individuals in this role.
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Schroeder, Hannah
Faculty mentor: Adam Hoffman, College of Arts and Letters (CAL), Honors Program
Life Through My Lens
What’s really interesting about photography is that it is considered both an art and a science; I
feel that this is why photography is so interesting to me, because it appeals to both my scientific
and my artistic sides. Photography is the art and science of using light to capture an image either
digitally or via film. Photography is not only the process of capturing light and images, but also
of capturing emotions, ideas, and moments in time that can never be retrieved. Photography is
somewhat paradoxical in that, despite the fact that the literal and tangible moment itself is gone,
it is still view able in the photograph. Photography is indeed the process of using light to capture
an image, but to me, it's so much more.
Scott, Jeremy
Nose Bleed
Nose Bleed is a short film. The goal of the film is to draw attention to the humanitarian crises
being generated both inside and outside the U.S. as a consequence of the War On Drugs. Drugs
have become so stigmatized over the last 40 years that it's is nearly impossible to have a rational
public discussion on the issue. The great majority of politicians are unwilling or unable to bring
up the topic. This is having a detrimental effect on our society. In spite of statistics that tell us
that the more drugs are available now than ever before, incarceration rates in the U.S. are the
highest in the world, drug laws are unfairly enforced throughout society primarily target the poor
and minority communities, the status quo of drug law remains the order of the day. Prohibition
creates a market for organized crime which is becoming more and more violent and lucrative as
the stakes get raised.
Scott, Justin
Desalinization
Should San Diego utilize desalinization of ocean water for their municipal water supply?
Scott, Meaghan
Xu Beihong: the Traditional Roots of the Father of Modern Chinese Painting
The formulation of an identity representative of China following the collapse of its imperialist
tradition in 1911, and its transition into republicanism in 1912, required the cultivation of a new
national aesthetic. Under the impact of great internal change, the Chinese were met with the
challenge of preserving elements of their artistic heritage in the development of a modern
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identity. The position of the Chinese in the 20th century is perhaps best exemplified in the art of
Xu Beihong who, for his conceptualization of this identity as a synthesis between the progressive
Western attitudes toward the arts and the maintenance of the Chinese artistic tradition, is honored
as the father of modern Chinese art. Through the adoption of the Western visual language of
realism and foreign techniques, Xu Beihong effectively synthesized the modern currents of
European painting with classical Chinese approaches to subject matter, artistic principles, and
media. By the middle of the century Xu Beihong, having established a successful career as an
artist, political activist, and art educator, exhibited his own and as well as other Chinese artists’
works across Europe and Asian with the intent of generating global appreciation for Chinese art,
in addition to expose to a greater awareness of the Japanese occupation of China. In 1941, Xu
Beihong’s desire to display a survey of influential Chinese artists before an American audience
at the Denver Art Museum was almost actualized. However, it was the attack on Pearl Harbor
merely a day before his departure to the United States and the escalating climate of WWII that
ultimately deferred his plans. In homage to Xu Beihong’s legacy and accomplishments, between
late 2011 and early 2012, the Denver Art Museum exhibited a collection of artist’s works entitled
Xu Beihong: Pioneer of Modern Chinese Painting. The goal of this project is to evidence the
traditional roots of the father of modern Chinese painting through the utilization of pieces from
the Denver Art Museum exhibit in the comparisons of two iconic paintings of past Chinese
masters housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art,. Moreover, it explores Xu Beihong’s
innovative approach to this artistic synthesis produced with the objective to reflect the Chinese
people during a time of national struggle.
Scranton, Rebecca
Erelda Gene
Faculty mentor: Priscilla Sanderson, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
Understanding Hopi perspectives on tobacco use and cancer in both the Urban and
Reservation populations through conducting focus group sessions
The purpose of the focus groups were to obtain qualitative data regarding Hopi perspectives
toward cancer and tobacco use. Seven focus groups were conducted- four on the Hopi
reservation and three in Flagstaff, Arizona using the CBPR (Community Based Participatory
Research) method. Preliminary results show that unless an individual was closely impacted by
cancer, their desire to seek knowledge was limited. Participants perceived an increase in
susceptibility in the past generation as well as an increase in awareness. Fewer urban participants
shared personal stories about cancer. The urban focus groups seemed to be more influenced by
media in their knowledge of cancer whereas the reservation groups shared their experiences. All
focus groups associated cancer with negative emotions.
Hopi people believe that traditional tobacco has a sacred meaning and is seen as a way to carry
the Hopi prayers to the sky. Commercial tobacco, on the other hand, is connected to increased
health problems and is seen as contaminated and impure. There is a mindset that people have to
make their own decision to change and others can only do so much to help them. There were
Tewa participants in the urban focus groups that felt that the purpose behind the smoking was
more important than what was actually being smoked. Also, the women in the urban focus group
were hesitant to voice an opinion about traditional tobacco because they felt like it was not their
place.
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Scranton, Rebecca
Caitlin Magoffin, Maria DiCosola, Jillian Curtis, April McCue, Mikaela Ray
Faculty mentor: Leslie Schulz, Betty Brown, Dot Dunn, Laura Camden, Maxine Janis, Emily
Babcock, Peter Fule, Eric Curtis, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
Mainpat Interdisciplinary Project
The Mainpat Interdisciplinary Project focuses on bringing aid to the Tibetan refugees residing in
Mainpat, India. Last December, students and faculty from the dental hygiene, education, forestry,
physician assistant program, public health, journalism and nursing departments traveled to
Mainpat, India to provide medical care to the Monastery as well as the surrounding refugee
camps and local Indians. The overarching goal was to provide aid and preventative health care to
the locals while documenting their story to bring awareness to their living situation. The students
and faculty spent eight days in the camps, working on achieving discipline-specific goals as well
as collaborating on interdisciplinary projects. Some unexpected challenges included working
with a predominantly elderly age group, encountering communication barriers, and limited
transportation. The health care groups also met political barriers when trying to provide care.
Many group members were surprised by the difference in the level of health between the Tibetan
refugees and the local Indians. By the end of the trip, the dental hygiene and nursing groups
assisted 500 patients. The journalism group interviewed approximately 20 people from six of the
seven camps. The public health and education groups spoke with community leaders and camp
members from six of the camps and also helped out with the nursing and dental clinics. The
forestry group measured several plots of land for research and the physician assistant professor
along with Dean Schultz distributed Vitamin A doses and anti-parasitic medicine to the local
children under five years old.
Senini, Natalie
The Effect of Sewage Effluence on Coral Reefs
Sewage effluence negatively affects organisms and environments, including coral reefs. Healthy
coral reefs are key in the success of coastal marine ecosystems in tropical areas. On the island of
Saipan, a sewage outfall pipe dumps treated sewage effluence into the Saipan lagoon, a marine
habitat surrounded by fringing and barrier reefs. To determine the effect of sewage effluence on
fringing reef diversity, richness, and recruitment, I measured these factors at seven sites around
the lagoon. I compared those values to the percent days of Enterococci violations, an indicator of
the presence of sewage effluence. My results showed a significant relationship between richness
(N = 21; Kendall's τ = -0.61; p = 0.003) and recruitment (N = 112; Kendall's τ = -0.24; p =
0.001) and the percent days of Enterococci violations only. Sewage effluence does not seem to
affect the diversity of fringing reefs in Saipan, it has a negative effect on fringing reef richness
and recruitment, which can eventually cause an overall decline in diversity. A decline in coral
reef richness and recruitment could be prevented by 1) using alternative water treatments, 2)
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creating a buffer zone when planning sewage outfall pipes, or by 3) having sewage outfall pipes
located in areas where they would not affect coral reefs.
Shainin, William
Behavioral Economics and Water Markets
The neoclassical economic model assumes that consumers are perfectly rational, and effectively
maximize constrained utility on the basis of complete information. Research in behavioral
economics suggests that individuals often make mistakes in logic, and these mistakes may be
exacerbated in the case of markets for goods in which non-market valuation is a stronger
determinant of allocation. This research investigates the applicability of the behavioral economic
model in analyzing the market for water.
Shan, Junyi
Dr. Chun-Hsing Jun Ho, Darius Ishaku
Faculty mentor: Chun-Hsing Jun Ho, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
The Pervious Concrete Research
The project is to help Dr. Jun Ho with the development of the pervious concrete mix design
formula that can be used in cold climate zones, namely in Flagstaff. The research involves
specimen productions and laboratory experiments. If the results from laboratory testing are
satisfied, the university will adopt the mix design formula and implement it on campus. The
ARD (Applied Research and Development) building parking lot pervious concrete pavement
failure in 2012 is the reason why the university is initiating the research; the ARD parking lot
was the first installation (2007) in the state to use pervious concrete. However, due to cold
weather affect and inadequate load capacity, the pavement failed and was replaced by asphalt
pavement for safety consideration. The failure of the ARD pavement raised the interest of the
university to develop an improved pervious concrete pavement, which may be used in more
places on campus to manage the storm-water on site.
Shaw, Kenneth
David Koenig, David Marcus, Abdulaziz Abdulfatah
Faculty mentor: James Palmer, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
NAU Fitness Mobile Application
In collaboration with the NAU Fitness Center, we are proud to introduce our new mobile fitness
application for Android Phones. This application will help students of NAU to not only stay in
touch with all the current events and promotions happening at the Fitness Center, but also to
track and log their own fitness and rate/review current Fitness course offerings. Current staff
members can also benefit from fast and easy access to notifications from other members of the
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staff as well as quick communication with Fitness Center Supervisors in case of any
emergencies. This Android application will allow the Fitness Center to connect with the
thousands of students on campus with capable devices, providing them with important fitness
information and health tips that will help students and faculty to lead a healthier and more active
lifestyle. Through the use of News Updates and Videos directly from the Fitness Center, to the
innovative Smart Fitness Logging System that works with QR Codes placed on fitness machines
and equipment, this application will help the Fitness Center promote health and wellness here on
our campus.
Sheble, Margaret
Erin Carter and Kiran Haynes
Reflections of Flagstaff: An Interactive Photography Exhibit
For the current 2012/2013 academic year, students have worked hard to create Reflections of
Flagstaff: An Interactive Photography exhibition. The exhibition’s main mission was to promote
interaction between NAU and the larger Flagstaff community, and to provide opportunities for
reflection on the multiple histories and contemporary realities of this unique place. The
individuals who participated in this exhibition made it possible by submitting their photos and
sharing their stories. Visitors to the museum space were asked to freely become part of the
exhibition by sharing any thoughts, memories, or inspirations they have by writing on the gallery
walls. The symposium presentation will outline the exhibition process from start to finish.
Sheble, Margaret
Faculty mentor: John Doherty, Anne Scott, Alyce Jordan, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
The Once and Future Mordred: The Great Betrayer in Art
The middle ages were a complex time of war and famine, what some even refer to as ‘the dark
ages.’ From this time legendary British hero, King Arthur, emerged who freed the people from
the land and created the utopian kingdom Camelot. But this golden age could not last, as all good
things must come to an end. Mordred, the bastard son of Arthur and his sister Morgana, enters
the scene and brings about Arthur’s death and the ultimate downfall of Camelot. Mordred’s
traditional role as villain has expanded into a character study of what is not desirable in a society
and demonstrates the very human fascination with the act of betrayal Mordred embodies. The
interest in betrayal can also be seen in the portrayal of another major medieval villain, Judas
Iscariot.
In the academic year of 2011-2012 I completed an undergraduate honors thesis titled “The Once
and Future Mordred: The Great Betrayer in Art” in which I examined the question: ‘Must
Mordred remain the villain within art to teach morals?’ To answer the question of whether or not
Mordred must stay the villain, I analyzed the various historic movements in which Mordred’s
character greatly changes in art.
Shipley, Alysha
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Kelly Benderman
Advantages and Limitations of the Indian Child Welfare Act
The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 was passed by the federal government as an attempt to
keep Native American children with Native American families. This project approaches ICWA
from an anthropological perspective, beginning with a thorough examination of the formation
and implementation of ICWA in 1978. This project will also cover ICWA as it relates to child
welfare policy. ICWA has created both advantages and limitations across the United States
regarding the legal process that occurs when placing Native American children in permanent
homes. Through the analysis of the advantages and limitations within the legal process which
determines permanency for Native American children we can determine where changes in policy
can be made in order to promote child welfare and preserve cultural heritage within Native
American communities in the future.
Shippy, Kenzie
Kenzie Shippy, Carina Hall, Jason Sahl, Mark Mayo, Rebecca Colman, Jim Schupp, Bart Currie,
Paul Keim, Talima Pearson, Apichai Tuanyok, Joseph Busch, David M. Wagner
Faculty mentor: Joseph Busch, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Finding unique genomic elements in the bacterial pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei
through whole genome comparisons with closely related species
Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp) is a gram-negative soil bacterium native to Australia and
southeastern Asia that causes the disease melioidosis. Developing diagnostic assays to detect Bp
in environmental and clinical samples is a high priority due to the potential for this pathogen to
be used as a biological weapon. To design diagnostic assays that are specific to Bp, it is
imperative to avoid genomic regions that are shared with other closely related species (Bp nearneighbors). However, such genomic differences are poorly characterized and require a
comprehensive genomic analysis of many related Burkholderia species. In this study, we
cultured Burkholderia spp. from soil samples in the U.S. (n=36) on Ashdown’s agar and
compared them to isolates cultured with the same methods (n=120) by our collaborators in
Australia. We identified all soil isolates to the species level using DNA sequences from two
genes, recA and 16S rRNA, and then performed a phylogenetic analysis to determine which
species were most closely related to Bp. In the U.S., we identified eight Bp near-neighbor
species, with most isolates (n=23) belonging to B. vietnamiensis. We then generated wholegenome sequences (WGSs) from phylogenetically distinct Bp near-neighbor isolates (n=5). All
WGSs were compared with Bp isolates (n=150) to determine unique genomic components in Bp.
We found 15 potential genes in the core genome of Bp that do not overlap with closely related
species that could be targeted for diagnostic assays. This preliminary dataset shows promise for
developing highly specific diagnostic tools for Bp detection.
Shorty, Rochelle
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Resolutions to Contemporary Navajo Policing
American Indian police services originated approximately around 1869 when Indians were
employed as police officers for the Iowa and Sac-Fox tribes in Nebraska, the Navajo Nation
formed its own police headquarters at its own authority until 1959. Today, while many Navajos
continue to live a simple traditional lifestyle — raising livestock or staying in close contact with
their culture — the Navajo Nation is also dealing with the same modern 21st Century challenges
as nearly every other Native or non-Native community in America. Police officers and
employees complete duties very similar to those performed in most or all police departments in
the United States with one major difference…
The solutions to Navajo Nation “problems” vary among their government. However, there are
three models identified which may exist in the Native American community: (1) the crime
control model, (2) the community policing model, and (3) the political sovereignty model. Other
than a model, it would be a sign of respect and recognition, as per the self-determination act, of
the Navajo way of life if the federal government allowed the Navajo Nation to address their own
problems within their boundaries. Navajos must control the law enforcement proceedings on
their own reservation.
Siclovan, Dina
Keaton Henriksen, Austin Bell, Helena Herrera, Rob Atkins
Modernity and Environment: A study of Air Pollution in China from 2000 to Present Day
The literature on growth and development, often understood as modernity, has indicated that
there is tension between securing economic growth and environmental security and
sustainability. China is no exception. A major issue that has resulted from this tension in China
is air pollution. For this research, we will focus on the issue of air pollution in this country. We
will examine the history of air pollution, the regulations China has, current health consequences,
the future impact of continued economic growth, and the measures that China is taking
pertaining to air pollution. Throughout the paper, we will discuss whether the tensions between
economic development and environmental security and sustainability are necessarily as
oppositional as critics make them out to be. Is there a way out of this oppositional predicament?
Silberschlag, Amanda
Study of Low-Level Lasers
Many are familiar with modalities such as ice, ultra sound, and electrical stimulus, which all
have their place in medicine; however they are unable to provide some of the healing aspects as
low-level lasers are able to produce. Lasers are an apparatus that have been around for
generations and originated in the United States in the 1960’s, but did not make its début in
medicine until the 1980’s. The low-level lasers described in this paper received Federal Drug
Administration (FDA) approval in 2002 and have been used in various medical settings. Lowlevel laser therapy is considered a relatively new modality in the world of medicine, and is used
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sparingly in athletic training. There are three major low-level lasers used in medicine, which
include gallium arsenide (GaAs), gallium aluminum arsenide infrared semiconductor (GaAlAs),
and helium neon (HeNe). Each type of laser can provide different therapeutic outcomes, which
range from a shallow, to deep tissue penetration.
Low-level lasers are a fairly new modality being used to treat a variety of athletes and in
different settings because they are portable, non-invasive, and easy to use. Although the lowlevel lasers can be expensive, they are gradually making their way onto the sidelines of sporting
events and being used as another option of treatment for athletes. Similar to other treatment
modalities, low-level lasers have had mixed results in research studies, have been accepted
gradually in the field of athletic training, and can affect injuries and athletes differently. An
athletic trainer can use low-level lasers in conjunction with other modalities, or independently
depending on the response.
Sindelar, Audra
Camila Scott, Miles Sorensen
How Video Recorded Emotional Expressions Affect Sexual Attraction
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of emotional expression on sexual attraction
and determine whether or not this effect is moderated by gender. The researchers hypothesize
that displays of happiness will result in higher ratings of sexual attraction by male participants
than displays of confidence, shyness, sadness, or a neutral control. The researchers also
hypothesize that displays of confidence will result in higher ratings of sexual attraction by female
participants than displays of shyness, sadness, happiness, or a neutral control. In order to test
these hypotheses, the researchers created five short scripts, one for each emotional expression,
and video recorded one male actor and one female actor reciting these scripts. Participants of
each gender were shown videos featuring the opposite gender and asked to rate the sexual
attractiveness of each emotional expression. The current study seeks to extend previous research
by using different materials and by considering, in part, largely unexplored emotional
expressions. This study is important because the answer to how sexual attraction is affected by
emotional expression has very practical, real-world applications; for example, mate attraction.
Skilsky, Violet
Toolset of Reconciliation: The Economies of Modern Native American Reservations
The paper is about the economy of modern Native American reservations. It starts by giving a
brief history from an economic perspective of the reservations. Ever since the non-native settlers
came to America, they wrongfully assumed that everything was theirs. The tribes were treated as
obstacles in the way of our “manifest destiny.” Since then, there have been policies switching
back and forth between allowing the tribes limited sovereignty and forcing the tribes into
“civilization.” Both are ineffective for the Native Americans and have resulted in their extreme
poverty. With background and research to defend its position, the paper argues that the only way
for Native Americans to have economic prosperity is to allow them to be self-governing as long
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as they adhere to the US Constitution. Instead of handouts that cause them to be dependent, we
should offer them toolsets to create their own wealth. Private investors and businesses rarely
thrive on reservations because of the unstable, inefficient tribal governments. If the US provided
regulations that encourage business on reservations instead of inhibit them, the tribes could
experience economic success.
Slosky, Daniel
Discovering Interior to Earth Objects
Near Earth Objects are bodies whose orbits bring them close to the orbit of Earth. Interior to
Earth objects are of particular interest and cannot be discovered using traditional nighttime
telescopes as they face away from the sun. We are using data from the sun-looking STEREO
spacecraft, from which we are able to successfully discover Near Earth and Interior to Earth
Objects unseen from the Earth's surface. Interior to Earth Objects offer the opportunity for us to
study material from elsewhere in the universe at a location close to home. They also carry a
higher impact risk than any other type of body in the solar system. In analysis of our data, we
will make conclusions pertaining to the size of the Interior to Earth Object population, taking the
first step to understanding the posed impact threat.
Smarzinski, Andrew
Agricultural Water Management
Smith, Brett
Faculty mentor: Zachary Smith, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
How do YOU define Sustainability?
This project’s objective was to analyze the international response to calls for sustainability and
sustainable development since the release of the Brundtland Report in 1987 by the United
Nation’s World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). The goals of this
study were to assemble and organize information about the international reaction to calls for
sustainability, to improve my research and communication skills, and to better understand the
state of global sustainability efforts. The methods of research used in the project included
providing annotated bibliographies of government website content, completing word counts of
National Sustainable Development Strategies, and review and analysis to a book under
development by Dr. Smith. The conclusions of Dr. Smith’s work are first that the ambiguity of
the definition of sustainability is both the concept’s greatest asset and its greatest flaw, because
the definition can be manipulated to mean different things to different people. The second
conclusion is that there is a need to develop a clear, exact and universally accepted definition for
sustainability and sustainable development. This is because problems can arise when definitions
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inform policy-making, impact organizational operations or provide framework for decision
making. The recommendations developed by Dr. Smith, to which my research was designed to
contribute, are to develop a precise and universally accepted definition for sustainability that
includes stricter adherence to the authority and limits of natural systems, and provides an
increased emphasis on systems thinking.
Smith, Matthew
Faculty mentor: Kathleen Ganley, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
Considerations for Functional Goals Following Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the knee range of motion (ROM) necessary to
perform functional tasks such as squatting and kneeling, and to determine if physical therapists
should focus treatment on regaining this needed ROM for patients undergoing total knee
replacement (TKR) surgery. Methods: Two separate literature searches were performed on
PubMed. Activities of Daily Living AND Knee Range of Motion were the key words for the first
search, and Knee Range of Motion OR Outcomes AND Total Knee Replacement OR Total Knee
Arthroplasty were used as keywords for the second search. Results: Two studies on functional
knee ROM were reviewed to answer the first question reported the average necessary knee
flexion ROM to perform a squat and to kneel was 111°-165° or full ROM. Five studies were
reviewed to determine the maximum knee flexion ROM gained after undergoing a TKR. The
maximum knee flexion reported was 150°, with 110°-132° being the average reported knee
flexion ROM. Discussion: The data suggests that most patients undergoing total knee
replacement surgery will not regain enough knee flexion range of motion to be able to squat or
kneel without modifications. In regards to physical therapy, this suggests that interventions that
focus on restoring > 135° of knee flexion range of motion may not be worthwhile. An example
for context is provided involving a patient who returned to physical therapy 1.5 yrs after TKR
surgery to regain the ability to squat and kneel. Conclusion: Patients undergoing total knee
replacement surgery are not likely to be able to squat or kneel without modifications, and
therefore, physical therapists should focus interventions on other aspects of care.
Snelling, Sarah
Faculty mentor: Ryan Kashanipour, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Flagstaff's Mexican Community in the Early 20th Century
Settlement of Flagstaff began in the late 1800's along the proposed path of the railroad. The rail
builders and workers, as well as lumberjacks, mill workers and ranch hands were some of the
town's first inhabitants and directly contributed to the growth of the railroad and lumber
industries, and consequently the town. A large percentage of these workers were of Mexican
origin and thus this separate community of migrant laborers became crucial to the development
of Flagstaff and Northern Arizona. Their experiences include instances of embrace and neglect
by the larger community, because their labor was so critical to the town’s economy but racism
and xenophobia at times kept them at a distance. This population of workers and the families
they would bring with them has been largely overlooked in the narratives of Flagstaff’s history.
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Sobek, Colin
Kevin Drees, Paul Keim, Jeffrey Foster
Optimization of DNA Extraction from Sediment and Bat Fecal Samples for the Real-Time
PCR Detection of Geomyces destructans
Geomyces destructans (Gd), the fungus responsible for White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), has killed
millions of hibernating bats in eastern North America since its emergence in 2007. WNS spread
from its epicenter in New York to include 20 U.S. states and 5 Canadian provinces, but the
mechanism of transmission of the organism is still unknown. Gd has been isolated from the
sediments of bat caves in areas with infected bats. Bats surviving hibernation in a WNS-affected
cave can groom themselves to clear the infection, and Gd may therefore occur in bat feces. Both
cave sediment and bat feces may serve as long-term reservoirs for the organism until bats are
exposed to these materials at the onset of future outbreaks. In order to explore the potential of
cave sediment and bat feces to harbor Gd, we modified a commercial soil DNA extraction kit
(MO BIO PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit) to optimize DNA yield and quality for purposes of
rapid Real-Time PCR detection of Geomyces spp. (including G. destructans). Modifications
included pretreatments with lyticase to weaken the cell wall of fungal cells and spores, and
several methods to nullify PCR inhibition (multiple washes, template dilution, BSA) common in
sediment and fecal DNA extracts. The optimized extraction method was used to screen for
Geomyces spp. and G. destructans in cave sediments from outside of the North American WNS
epizootic zone (Arizona, Texas), sediment from a bat hibernaculum in Slovakia, and bat feces
from within the epizootic zone (NY, TN).
Solheim, Jonathan
Sophie Woodward, Austin Troth
Parenting Style and Sexuality
Adolescents and young adults are at high risk for negative health consequences that stem from
unsafe sexual practices. In this article, sociosexual activity and whether or not such activity is
conducted in a safe manner will be examined, alongside the parenting environment in which one
was raised in. Parenting styles in this study were defined as either authoritarian, authoritative, or
permissive. The sample included mostly female, European-American students from Northern
Arizona University. Current literature will be reviewed to give the reader a background in how
parenting styles utilized in this study were derived, as well to show how this study builds upon
prior knowledge of promiscuity and parenting style. A significant negative correlation is
expected to be found between an authoritative parenting style and promiscuity.
Somsel, Heidi
Faculty mentor: David Trilling, Cesar Fuentes, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
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Searching for High Inclination Kuiper Belt Objects Using Archival Data from Hubble Space
Telescope
Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) are icy bodies that lie beyond the orbit of Neptune and are remnants
from the solar system formation. High inclination KBOs are those with orbits between 20 and 90
degrees latitude above the ecliptic (the plane of our solar system). These high inclination KBOs
had much more interaction with the large gaseous planets than their low inclination counterparts.
By measuring the physical properties of these interacting KBOs, we can constrain the early
history of the Solar System. We use archival data from the Hubble Space Telescope to study
these KBOs. I present our results to date, which include finding objects and measuring the
efficiency of our search.
Sopp, Tyler
Kate Porter, Nina Porter, Alexanndra Heyert
Faculty mentor: Jennifer Duis, Jennifer Claesgens, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
Visual Representation Methods In Chemistry Education
While it may often be overlooked in today’s society, presentation of data is critical for scientific
literacy and success in science classes. In chemistry, a basic graphical relationship of two simple
chemistry units variables can be interpreted in a wide variety of ways by students. Finding the
best way to present the conceptual information is a challenge, and our research is indicative of
results providing a basic yardstick of measuring how well a graph can perform.
Speer, Kimberly
Faculty mentor: Cathryn Ellis, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Walmart Wedding
I will show a wedding dress made entirely of grocery bags. I will talk about recycling and the
affect of grocery bags on the environment.
Statham, Sally
Jennifer Ginther, Josh Stone, Chris Allender, Paul Keim, Apichai Tuanyok
(CEFNS)
Genomic Comparisons of a Predicted Antifungal Compound in Burkholderia spp.
Antifungal drugs on the market today are known to cause adverse side effects such as liver
damage, severe allergic reactions, and changes in hormone levels. As such, novel anti-fungal
therapeutics are continually being investigated. An uncharacterized soil bacterium, K481-B101,
from the Order Burkholderiales was shown to produce an antifungal, antitumor compound
known as glidobactin that acts to inhibit eukaryotic proteasomes. A homologous glidobactin
biosynthesis gene cluster was found on chromosome II of B. pseudomallei, the causative agent of
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melioidosis. The goal of this study was to analyze the glidobactin-like gene cluster in different
Burkholderia species to predict the production of a glidobactin-like compound. Published and
unpublished genomes from multiple Burkholderia species were used to identify the glidobactinlike genes. The study showed differences in the amino acid sequences within the gene cluster in
five Burkholderia species. All B. pseudomallei isolates contained all five glidobactin-like
biosynthesis genes but demonstrated variable numbers of tandem repeat (VNTR)-like sequences
in one gene. B. mallei, the causative agent of glanders, contained all five genes but had insertion
events in one gene that may disrupt the production of the antifungal compound. Non-pathogenic
soil bacteria, B. oklahomensis and B. ubonensis, contained varied gene content within the
cluster, while the gene cluster was absent in B. thailandensis. The presence and diversity of the
gene cluster among Burkholderia species indicates that these species may produce different
glidobactin-like compounds. Phenotypic studies of Burkholderia will be conducted to verify
these genomic findings.
Stevens, Bo
Bo Stevens, Patricia Rees
Faculty mentor: Richard Hofstetter, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Erwinia tracheiphila as a Biological Control of Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
Cirsium arvense is an aggressive invader from Europe. Commonly known as Canada Thistle, this
perennial weed is a nuisance for agriculture and livestock industries, infesting tilled and
overgrazed land. So far no biological control agent has effectively managed the spread of C.
arvense. Synthetic biology gives us a new approach to this problem. Any source of genetic code
is now a potential source of information for the manufacture of a target specific bacteria. Erwinia
tracheiphila is a pathogenic microbe known to cause bacterial wilt in cucurbits. It is vectored into
the xylem of C. arvense by a non-specific host, the striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma
vittatum). The specific gene that encodes for bacterial wilt could be identified and sequenced. If
Canada thistle is susceptible to bacterial wilt, this may provide a means to create cheap and
simple controls, eliminating non-target effects that plague other biological control methods. This
study is an investigation into the possibility of E. tracheiphila as a source of genetic material for
use as an engineered biological control agent against C. arvense. Two approaches were used to
test the hypothesis that E. tracheiphila causes bacterial wilt in C. arvense. 1) Using PCR and
DNA sequencing, we tested for the presence of E. tracheiphila by culturing bacteria from wilted
samples of C. arvense. We anticipate verification of E. tracheiphila within these samples. 2)
Inoculation of C. arvense with E. tracheiphila (ATCC# 33245) with observation of wilting
symptoms followed by reisolation of the pathogen from wilted plants. Successful verification of
this causal relationship could lead to an efficient biological control, alleviating the need for
energy intensive and unsustainable methods of mechanical and chemical control.
Stevens, Bo
Faculty mentor: Ophelia Wang, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Measuring Habitat Loss in Southwestern Nicaragua
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Nicaragua contains the world’s largest remaining tropical dry forests despite losing half its forest
cover since the 1950’s. Habitat loss and fragmentation of these forests have devastating effects
on species diversity and habitat connectivity. Characterizing land use and land cover changes for
broad conservation planning necessitates the use of remotely sensed satellite imagery.
Classification of land cover is being developed using the red, green, and near-infrared spectral
bands, the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index from SPOT imagery, in addition to terrain
variables, aerial photography, and ground truthing data. The resulting land cover map will be
used by local agencies to prioritize areas for reforestation and conservation within the province
of Rivas, Nicaragua, benefiting local conservation organizations by recognizing the greatest
deforestation contributors and highlighting areas that need urgent conservation effort.
Stevens, Nigel
Stevens, Nigel
Stevenson, Peter
The Non-Market Valuation of Water
This presentation will be looking at different methods of valuation for non-market goods, in this
case water. It focuses on the three best methods of non-market valuation for water; travel cost
value, option value, and contingent valuation. These valuation methods will be applied to Slide
Rock State Park.
Stewart, Haley
Patterns From Nature
The idea for my oil paintings came from close up of patterns in nature I found on rocks and
trees~
Stirzl, Vicki
Adrian Fischer, Shannon Washburn, Dana Steward
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Reationship between Happiness and Locus of Control
The purpose of this study was to fortify previous research into the positive relationship between
happiness and an internal locus of control. It was pertinent to operationally define what was
measured in the surveys, such as a person's perceived level of happiness (life-satisfaction), as
well as differentiate the qualities of a person with an internal vs. an external locus of control. Our
demographics were mostly female of European-American descent. All participants were
conveniently chosen from Northern Arizona University. This quasi-experimental study
consisted of two surveys, one measuring happiness the other locus of control. These measures
have been reliable in previous studies and have been found to be consistent in this study as well.
Results were expected to compliment previous findings that a person with a stronger internal
locus of control will have a greater level of perceived happiness. In other words those that
believe that they have an element of control over their life, goals, and fate have a higher level of
happiness than those that believe their fate is pre-ordained and that they do not have this same
control. Ultimately, it is anticipated that a stronger correlation will appear between happiness and
internal locus of control over an external locus of control.
Stitzer, Hannah
(CEFNS)
Promoting Sustainability Through Recycled Crafts: Engaging Children in the Community
My oral presentation will be focused on my internship experience. The purpose of this internship
was to promote the concept of sustainability and the "reduce, reuse, recycle" idea in children in
the community. The goal is to instill an appreciation of the environment and the choices children
can make to work towards a more educated and sustainable future. The internship was part of the
KARES program through the non-profit organization, Friends of Flagstaff's Future (F3).
Children ages three to twelve were engaged in recycled crafts and sustainability-based activities
at events where F3 was present or at specified KARES gatherings. Activities included
bookmarks and bird feeders made from recycled objects. The internship included planning
activities, prepping necessary materials, and developing new KARES activities that were
educational and engaging. I worked with other KARES interns and F3 staff to promote and
develop the program. Throughout the summer and fall of 2012, children completed KARES
crafts and were able to gain a better understanding and appreciation of how their choices
impacted the environment. Kids were very responsive to the crafts, and their creativity was
sparked as they learned about new ways to transform old materials into a new and fun project.
The KARES project was further developed and promoted in the community. Children, parents,
and F3 as a whole all benefitted from the positive outcomes of the internship.
Stone, Hannah
Mastering the Art of Painting
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In order to represent the Fine Arts in the Undergraduate Symposium, several works have been
chosen. The artists will be working on new works, too, in order to demonstrate the skills gained
in the Master Painting class.
Stone, Nathan
Pia Olafson, Greta Buckmeier, Deanna Bodine, Jeanne Freeman, Glen Scoles, Joseph D. Busch,
and David M. Wagner
Novel mechanism of acaricide resistance found in invasive Rhipicephalus microplus ticks in
southern Texas
The southern cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, serves as a vector for cattle fever parasites
(Babesia). This tick-vector system was eradicated from the U.S. but remains endemic in Mexico,
which exports 1-2 million cattle per year to the U.S. Acaricide resistance is rampant in Mexico,
and now resistant tick infestations have been observed in southern Texas. Nearly all resistant
infestations in the U.S. are associated with pyrethroid acaricides. Pyrethroid resistance in
arthropods is typically due to mutations in domain II and III of the Para-sodium channel gene.
However, the mechanism underlying resistance in ticks is poorly understood. We addressed this
problem by screening ticks from 51 locations (N=1,343) for known single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs) in both domains. We identified 20 locations with resistant genotypes.
Although we expected to observe the domain III SNP that is found in all known resistant
Mexican populations, we only found this SNP in three locations. In contrast, the majority of
resistant locations in the U.S. (19 of 20) carry a domain II SNP, which is found in Australia and
South America. We also discovered an additional domain II SNP in four tick collections that is
associated with extreme levels of resistance in other insects. This SNP has never been described
previously in R. microplus and suggests that either resistant ticks were transported into the U.S.
(from Mexico or another country), or that convergent evolution has recently occurred in U.S. tick
infestations. This is the first description of domain II Para-sodium channel resistance
mechanisms in the U.S.
Stratton, Todd
Anti-Aging Effects of Aerobic Exercise
Honors Symposium Proposal: Anti-aging Effects of Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise has several benefits to people not only in the short term, but along the
life span as well. However, while most people know that aerobic exercise is healthy, most people
do not know exactly why. I propose to present my academic essay of the subject, entitled “Antiaging Effects of Aerobic Exercise”. I will discuss the effects of aging with a sedentary lifestyle,
look at the benefits of different amounts of aerobic exercise, examine how much aerobic exercise
is too much, and point out ways to counter the negative effects of too much aerobic exercise.
Stratton, Todd
As of 4-19-13
Faculty mentor: Wolf Gumerman, Anne Scott, Honors Program
How to Start Exercising: Nutritional Differences between Non-athletes and Athletes
The components of optimal nutrition between athletes and non-athletes differ because of the
biological changes and requirements of the body of an athlete. A person can get by on almost any
diet and still be alive, but it is not necessarily optimal. We know that there are certain
requirements in a diet to keep a person healthy, but these requirements are not universal.
Compared to non-athletes, athletes require additional nutrients in order to optimize health than a
person who does not exercise because of the additional strain on their bodies. In this paper, I
address differences in nutrition requirements between non-athletes and athletes.
Sun, Jingran
Rebecca K. Beresic-Perrins and Stephen M. Shuster
Faculty mentor: Rebecca K. Beresic-Perrins, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
Cross-Fostering in a Leech Species, Helobdella stagnalis
The tendency of Helobdella stagnalis, a leech species that provides parental care, cross-fostering
adopted offspring is poorly understood. Cross-fostering in a closely related species, Helobdella
blinnii has been documented. We hypothesize H. stagnalis will demonstrate the same crossfostering behaviors as H. blinnii. We set up family groups with four different treatments;
Treatment 1, a parent and its own offspring as a control; Treatment 2, a parent with half own
offspring and half non-own offspring; Treatment 3, a parent with non-own offspring; and
Treatment 4, a non-brooding adult with non-own offspring. We found in the leech H. stagnalis
does cross-foster too. We will use this information for future studies on maternal effects.
Sutton, Tanya
Stephanie E. Wolff, Caren C. Helbing, Nik Veldhoen, Catherine R. Propper
(CEFNS)
Thyroid hormone induces dose dependent up regulation of two genes demonstrated to be
sensitive to endocrine disruption during amphibian metamorphosis
Thyroid hormones (THs) are critical to developmental pathways and essential in the normal
function of the cardiovascular, central nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems. In
amphibian metamorphosis, THs are vital in reorganization. Previous results from our lab using
microarrays found that expression of two genes in particular, fibroblast activation protein alpha
(FAPalpha) and corticotropin releasing hormone binding protein (CRHBP), were highly THresponsive and were disrupted by exposure to environmental contaminants. In order to further
evaluate these genes as TH sensitive, we exposed <i>Xenopus laevis</i>, a common amphibian
model, to 0, 0.1, 1.0, 10 and 50nM of triiodothyronine (T3) for 48 and 72 hours. We then
performed real time PCR relative quantification to measure shifts in transcript levels in the
intestine. The transcript levels were then compared to morphometric shifts. FAPalpha and
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CRHBP transcript levels were upregulated as early as 48 hours down to a concentration at 10nM
and 50nM T3 exposure. By 72 hours post-exposure, FAPalpha expression was upregulated in a
dose-dependent manner and was sensitive to 1 nM T3 exposure, while CRHBP also showed dose
responsiveness, the lowest effective dose being 10 nM. These results indicate that FAPalpha and
CRHBP are potential gene expression markers for thyroid sensitivity. CRHBP has been shown
to be an important modulator of amphibian metamorphic timing, and FAPalpha expression is
linked to several human cancers. As expression of these genes is clearly under TH control
during development, it is important to gain a better understanding of the functional role they play
in tissue organization.
Tabor, Kylie
Matthew Beyak, Chelsea Glantz, and Ginger Haviland
What Predicts the "Freshman Fifteen"?
The "freshman fifteen" is a common expression used in the United States to refer to an amount of
weight that is often gained during your freshman year of college. There has been plenty of
research done to support that weight is gained during your freshman year, but the predictors of
this weight gain are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to link specific variables to the
"freshman fifteen" or any weight accumulated in the freshman year of college. More specifically,
this study was used to determine the correlation between the "freshman fifteen" and these three
criteria (academic stress, nutrition, and physical activity). Data was collected in a survey format
using three different questionnaires given to second semester freshman attending Northern
Arizona University. The questionnaires focused on levels of academic stress, servings of food
groups per day, and amount of physical activity in a week. These scores were analyzed in
relation to whether or not the participant gained weight their first semester of their freshman
year. All three predictors are expected freshman weight gain. Moreover, academic stress is
predicted to be the least significant criterion while nutrition and physical activity are thought to
be the most significant criteria related to freshman weight gain. These results should support
other research that confirms there is freshman weight gain and begin to explain specific
predictors for this weight gain.
Taggart, Devon
Alicia Miller, Nicolas Walker, Daniel Iribe, Ethan Gunzel
The Evolution of U.S.-Pakistan Relations
Pakistan has held a contentious position in U.S. foreign relations since its declared independence
in 1947. Established as a secular governed Muslim state, Pakistan's politics have warred
between these two ideals for decades; from military coups to foreign interference, the line
between religion and politics in Pakistan is constantly blurred. With the onset of hostilities in
Afghanistan during the Cold War, Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, played a major role as
a proxy between the U.S. and its Afghan allies against the Soviet invasion. Again with the
terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Pakistan became an uneasy ally with the U.S. in its
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struggle in Afghanistan. During this time, unmanned aerial drone strikes along the AfghanistanPakistan border and deep into Pakistani territory tested the strength of the U.S.-Pakistan
Alliance. These different contentions, from the United State's direct involvement in influencing
the government of Pakistan to repeated drone strikes into Pakistani territory, serve as a map
illustrating the history of the tenuous relationship between these two states and projects a
startling view of the future of U.S.-Pakistan relations should the patterns of the past continue.
Tallant, Tiana
Drew Felton, Lisa Desimone, Graham Black, Dr. Suzanne Daiss
Faculty mentor: Suzanne Daiss, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Compassionate Weight Management Groups
Weight management is an issue of paramount importance as more and more American adults
continue to become overweight and obese. The "Small Changes" approach encourages
individuals to make small lifestyle changes that can be maintained over time as opposed to
promoting radical behavior changes that can lead to immediate weight loss but eventual weight
regain. Research is also beginning to explore how incorporating different types of body
movement techniques (e.g, yoga, pilates, or simple walking) can contribute to weight loss. In
addition, a shift toward more compassionate approaches to weight management (including body
movement techniques) could be beneficial. This research suggests that incorporating body
movement techniques into a small change weight loss paradigm could contribute to developing a
more compassionate approach to weight management. Further research exploring how
compassionate body movement interventions contribute to weight loss is needed.
Tenorio, Jennifer
Indian Water Rights in the Western United States
The current stand on Indian water rights and how Native American Nations in the western
United States are implementing their rights.
Terrazas, Jasmine
Faculty mentor: Cassandra Roberts, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Understanding Communication Channels in Non-Profit Organizations, interning with Willow
Bend, Environmental Education
The purpose of this internship was to observe, experience, and analyze how Willow Bend
Environmental Educational Center communicates their values, while embracing a non-advocacy
approach to environmental education, to the Flagstaff community. My tasks as the Outreach and
Craft Consultant Intern during the Fall 2012 semester were to observe how the employees
communicated with each other and the Flagstaff community, and to organize, plan, and execute a
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program that utilized recycled crafts. After observing how Willow Bend communicated their
values at events, programs, and meetings, I was able to successfully design and execute a
program that created a sense of community with Flagstaff residents and Willow Bend. By
bringing families from the Flagstaff community together to create gifts made out of reused and
recycled materials, I was able to experience and understand how people view and communicate
with non-profit organizations about their intended values. Based on my experience, I would
recommend that Willow Bend seek to compile a detailed list of duties that would mutually
benefit both the interns and the organization so that both parties feel like their time is being
sufficiently utilized. I would also recommend that Willow Bend employees have a monthly
meeting to communicate with each other about their individual values compared to the
organization's as whole so as to continuously evaluate how they are communicating about the
organization's values to the Flagstaff community.
Terrazas, Jasmine
Joseph Hill
Faculty mentor: Cassandra Roberts, Program Manager at Willow Bend Environmental
Educational Center (Jasmine Terrazas); Bryan McLaren Office of Sustainability (Joseph Hill),
College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Landscape Connectivity: Maintaining Corridors for Wild Animal Movement in Urban Areas,
Flagstaff, Arizona
Wildlife Corridors are continuous pathways that support migration of a focal species of animal
from one wildlife population to another. These corridors appear in urban areas that may
otherwise obstruct successful migration from one habitat to another. The Flagstaff area has over
twenty wildlife corridors that are meant to assist local focal species to survive while migrating
from one wild land block to another. The Flagstaff corridors focus on a wide array of species
including pronghorn, mountain lion, mule deer, black bear, elk etc. This promotion of landscape
and habitat connectivity allows successful migration of animals between habitats, which reduce
the risk of isolating populations. Furthermore the wildlife corridors prevent the risk of human
motorist accidents with wildlife. The benefits of wildlife corridors in urban development sites
include understanding how the interactions between all forms of life affect the continued
successful growth of the environment as a whole. Taking a systems approach towards
incorporating wildlife corridors into urban development plans allows residents to see and
experience the natural environment in their daily life and develop a connection to the
continuation of development as a consideration of all aspects of life. An interdisciplinary
approach towards wildlife corridor development will allow all perspectives and values to be
involved in the discussion of future projects. Incorporating new structures and integrating habitat
loss effects into zoning and land use regulations will help decrease the negative effect of human
and wildlife interactions.
Tesso, Erica
Jeanette Peterson
As of 4-19-13
Kwat'san language and cultural revitalization
My research is on the Kwat'san Indian tribe located in Ft.Yuma,CA. There are approximately
3,500 enrolled tribal members. Throughout the past few decades the culture and language of the
Kwat'san has been dying. My studies are on the development of a program that will enable
individuals to learn their culture that merges traditional learning with current learning
techniques. The revitalization is important and urgent for this tribe with less than 70 traditional
knowledge-holders and language speakers.
Thompson, Chad
Tate Reed, Cassie Field
Faculty mentor: Joe Barbour, John Houser, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Personality Type and Sports Choice
This study focuses on the relationship between the personality types of athletes and the choice of
sport they have made. The teams being studied are tennis, hockey, track, and soccer. Through the
use of the Big 5 Personality Test, participants of NAU sports teams will take a personality
inventory to be examined. Although the Big 5 breaks personality down into individual traits
(Extroversion, Agreeableness, Openness, Neuroticism, and Conscientiousness), it will be the
composite variables that are actually tested. A series of ANOVA analyses will be run on each
category to determine the relationship between the sport choice and personality type, and how
strong the correlation actually is. Based off of these results, the correlations will be compared to
the F values of each category to see how strong the correlations are. The findings will be able to
contribute to areas of psychology such as sports psychology, and how each sports team may
require a different approach to helping athletes psychologically, and to be able to cater to the
needs of those athletes better.
Thornton, Kyle
Faculty mentor: Rodric Parnell, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Advancing Energy Efficiency on a Federal Level, Interning for the U.S. Department of
Energy
This report describes the internship I spent for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy (EERE) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in Washington, D.C. DOE is a
governmental department whose mission is to advance energy technology and promote related
innovation in the United States. The purpose of this internship was to gain experience for a
career in the federal government. The main focus of this internship was to assist staff members
of EERE’s Office of Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs (OWIP) with the Better
Buildings Challenge (BBC). As a program analyst intern, my primary duties included, but not
were not limited to, the following: 1] assisting OWIP staff with various BBC initiatives; 2]
developing and managing a systematic database containing comprehensive data of BBC
resources; 3] aiding in a proposal to implement a water & wastewater conservation category into
the BBC. My objectives were to 1] to gain an understanding of the various aspects involved in
running a successful federal program; 2] to enhance my skills in organization, communication,
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and computer software; 3] to learn the processes involved in writing effective proposals. In
cessation of my internship as a program analyst intern, I successfully completed each of my
objectives and strengthened my skills in financial analysis, research, writing, organization and
communication. As this internship required a comprehensive understanding of computer
software and fundamental business knowledge, my recommendations are for the Environmental
Studies program at Northern Arizona University to implement required coursework in the fields
of business and computer sciences.
Thurston, Nicole
Faculty mentor: Rebecca Javorsky, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Teaching Ancient Languages in Schools
A "dead" language is one that is no longer spoken as a native tongue. Languages naturally
mutate and come into or fall out of favor through the centuries as different groups come to power
and cultural trends come and go. However, though these ancient languages are no longer learned
as native languages, they still exist in documents written when they were native languages, and
can therefore be studied and learned as foreign languages. Two of the most common ancient
languages studied today are Latin and Ancient Greek, but their study is rarely mandatory for
students; rather, they are offered as optional language electives. At a time when the United
States is seeking to empower its youth with the knowledge to succeed in an increasingly global
and competitive world, the study of these dead languages should be given priority. Studying
ancient languages such as Classical Latin and Greek is beneficial for students in all areas of their
education, and my presentation will focus on why this study should be promoted and encouraged
at all levels from middle school to college.
Towne, Colin
Non-market Valuation Methods
This presentation discusses and evaluates the different types of valuation methods of water and
natural resources
Townsley, Alexander
(CEFNS)
Supermilage: Engine and Drivetrain
As one of the teams in the Shell Eco-Marathon, our group's main focus was on the development
of the engine and drivetrain. The selected engine was the Honda GX 100 miniature 4-stroke.
Computer modeling showed that the GX 100 exhibited the greatest fuel efficiency at the engine
output levels that we planned on operating at during the competition. The drivetrain is a chain
and sprocket system. A sprocket based system was selected because of it exhibited very little
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torque loss during transmission, was light weight and was versatile in possible gear ratios. The
wide variety of gear ratios was of particular importance. The ability to optimize the transmission
of torque and rpm for fuel efficiency was crucial in our designs. Our group was also responsible
for the electrical, braking and safety systems of the vehicle. Our designs for the brakes and safety
features were loosely based on those of the previous vehicle entered in the competition by NAU.
Tucker, Megan
Hannah Naumann, Barbara Kozlowski, Rachel Rohrer
The Effect of Communication Methods on Friendship Quality
Previous research on friendship generally focuses on online communication and its effects on
friendship. This narrow focus results in a gap in the research because researchers neglect the
amount of time spent using different types of media to communicate versus to face-to-face
interactions. The purpose of this study is to see if the type of communication (online social
networks, texting, phone calls, Skype, and face to face) and amount of usage affect friendship
quality. A survey was given out to a sample of 125 undergraduate students at a small rural
university in the Southwest region during class time. The study found that there is a negative
correlation between high media usage and low friendship satisfaction. The research indicates that
the more types of communication technology used increased reported quality of friendship, while
the use of one method of communication stagnates friendship satisfaction. In other words, it is
easier to preserve friendships when using multiple media sources such as calling, texting, and
Facebook simultaneously. The research has also shown that distance between friends
encourages media usage. Gender affects friendship quality and preference of type of
communication. Overall, the data shows that communicative technologies negatively affect
friendship bonds.
Turner, Elyce
Cassie Rodriguez, Hunter Mudgett
Self-Esteem and Social Networking
In this study we are measuring self-esteem and its correlation with social networking. Students
from Northern Arizona University were selected using convenience sampling. The participants
then completed a Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965) and a brief questionnaire pertaining to
their social networking use, which included such sites as Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. The
questions that were included on the questionnaire ask about their time spent on the social
networking sites and how frequently they use them per day. The results will explain whether or
not there is a correlation between social networking and an individual’s self-esteem.
Tyler, Ariana
As of 4-19-13
How Taboo is too Taboo?
My presentation is based on food taboos in the United States, specifically the taboos against
eating animals considered "pets." Many American people view their pets as "part of the family,"
and because of this mentality, eating animals such as, but not limited to, dogs, cats, and horses is
frowned upon and considered taboo. There are a few major reasons why these taboos continue to
exist, among those are availability and lack of need. These two reasons will be broken down and
examined to determine their influence in American taboos, along with a few other reasons that
may be contributors.
Udall, Jordan
Burnell Jones and Thaddeus Bahl
Faculty mentor: Paul Gremillion, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Flow Restoration of Verde River for Native Fish Downstream of the Diamond-S Irrigation
Diversion
Design of a fishway in the Verde River to bypass a fish barrier created by the construction of the
Diamond-S ditch.
Ulibarri, Zachary
Ahmed Habib, Jacob Lamb
Faculty mentor: Allison Kipple, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Reduction of Harmonic Distortion in Off-Grid Power Systems
Off-grid energy sources are frequently utilized when connecting to a conventional power grid
would be prohibitively expensive. However, many off-grid systems experience problems because
non-linear electrical devices create harmonic distortion in the system’s power lines. A system
with significant harmonics causes increased temperatures in electronics thereby shortening their
lifespan while also damaging the power system itself. The purpose of this project was to create
and test a shunt active power filter that reduced harmonic distortion in off-grid energy systems.
The filter designed and created by the team reduces harmonics injected by a wide array of nonlinear electrical devices commonly found in off-grid energy systems thus increasing their
efficiency and longevity.
Ulmer, Mattew
Faculty mentor: Walter Vanette, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Underwater Archeology
Exploring the field of underwater archeology and what that field accomplishes and studies both
academically and in the field. The presentation will look into what projects are currently being
conducted in the field of underwater archeology. It will also look into what is required to be an
underwater archeologist as well as the locations that a potential underwater archeologist might
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work in. Finally the presentation will look at the programs offered for underwater archeology at
the graduate and undergraduate level.
Unruh, David
Faculty mentor: Nancy Riggs, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Lava dome viscosity and associated structures
In the San Francisco Volcanic Field of northern Arizona, lava domes have varying effects on the
rocks they must intrude to reach the surface. Some domes sit on the surface with no visible
deformation of the rocks above, while others deform several layers of rocks above to reach the
surface. This study seeks to correlate viscosity of the intruding lavas with the deformation the
domes create. The domes studied are the Wright Hill Rhyolite, the White Horse Hills Rhyolite,
and the Mt. Elden Dacite. For this study, field mapping was used to determine deformation of
sediments by dome lavas. Viscosity was calculated using geochemical data from a 1987 survey
of the San Francisco Volcanic Field by Wolfe et al. The equation used to determine viscosity
was a modified form of the Arrhenius model (Genova et al 2013), which relates viscosity to
temperature. The composition of plagioclase phenocrysts was calculated to determine at what
temperature the lava cooled. Viscosity was found to be related to dome deformation, but other
factors also have a large effect. A factor that is important to deformation is the storage depth of
the magma before the lava is extruded. If the magma is stored higher up in the crust before being
extruded, it is more likely to deform rocks above. Due to the limited time and budget allotted for
this study, it is difficult to determine what the most important factor in deformation of rocks by
lava domes.
Van Meter, Danielle
Carolyn Cunningham, Atalie Brumfield
Faculty mentor: Lonnie Wederski, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
The Use of .12% Chlorhexidine in the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
The principle objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of preventing ventilatorassociated pneumonia (VAP) through the use of .12% chlorhexidine gluconate versus the use of
.12% chlorhexidine gluconate and toothbrushing in providing mouth care to ventilated adult
patients. By comparing the current Kingman Regional Medical Center (KRMC) policy with that
of current evidence, our research indicates that no difference in VAP risk is noted between the
studies that compared both mouth care techniques and therefore, the current KRMC policy
should continue to remain the same.
Van Winkle, Helena
(CEFNS)
Southeast Alaska; A Learning Experience
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Preparing for a career in the Environmental Sciences, I spent five weeks traversing the
wilderness of Southeast Alaska by kayak. Daily life in this wilderness included tasks such as
setting up camp, using navigational materials to plot a safe course through tidal shifts,
identifying and differentiating poisonous plants from harmless plants and safely scouting out an
area for hazards such as bears. The skills learned in this educational opportunity will be
beneficial in the future in many possible areas of life from outdoor field research to teaching
children basic survival techniques. By being totally immersed in the wilderness of Southeast
Alaska I was able to extensively learn the interactions between organisms, habitats, and the
impact and influence of human policies and interactions. The knowledge gained during this time
will continue to influence my future actions and has already changed the manner in which I
interact with my local environment.
Vargas, Brianda
Vargas, Brianda Isabel;Brown, Riann Gabrielle Renee; Descheny,Renica Ann; Duplessis, Caley
Eileen; Whittet, Kellie Kristina
Are You Satisfied? A Study Looking at Divorce and Relationship Fulfillment
Family structure has a great influence on adolescents’ own personal relationships. Divorce is
becoming more common in American society, which means that more adolescents are forced to
deal with the long-lasting social and emotional effects. Previous research has mainly focused on
the negative effects of divorce on children; therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the
effects of family structure on college students in romantic relationships. Data was collected from
more than 100 Northern Arizona University Psychology 302W students through a survey
measuring romantic relationship satisfaction. We hypothesize that students from non-divorced
families will show significantly higher levels of satisfaction within their romantic relationships,
compared to students coming from a divorced family. We hope to conclude that the negative
experience of divorce can impact young adults’ future and personal romantic relationships.
Overall, the study will reveal the importance of the roles that parents play within their children’s
social interactions throughout their lives.
Vavra, Grant
Walls
This piece of fiction focuses on a young man forcibly admitted to a mental facility. Through the
main character's backstory, society's perspective of "crazy" people is challenged and readers are
made to question what truly defines insanity.
Veglia, Anthony
Location, Location... Geographic Luck Determines the Success of a Culture
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There is an immense difference in the success of a culture when one is a Papuan tribe while the
other leads the Roman army. These differences took many years to form and may have a number
of variables but one constant in all cultures is food. The available food for a culture is what
decides their efficiency and future success.
Venezia, Allison
Nick Jurik, Timothy Tormey, Joseph Cavaretta, John Hills, Peter Journell
(CEFNS)
Small-Scale Solar Irradiance Measuring Device
The Institute for Sustainable Energy Solutions (ISES) at NAU is working with WindLogics, Inc.
to evaluate the reliability of the solar resource to determine the viability of a large scale energy
generation project at the COBar Ranch, near Flagstaff, AZ. The current evaluation method uses a
square mile monitoring station with many data collection devices to determine the reliability of
the irradiance. The small-scale solar irradiance project implements a device which refines the
existing system, and accurately models the irregularities of solar irradiance. The goal of the
project is to streamline data collection while minimizing cost, land area usage, and system
assembly time. This is achieved by implementing five pyranometers, arranged in a cross pattern
located 40 feet apart, connected to one centrally located Data Logger. To reduce the overall set
up time for the site, and to create an easier experience for the client, the sensors are mounted to
tripods secured to the ground. A statistical analysis of the current site’s irradiance data
determined average cloud event speeds as well as the corresponding direction vectors. Using this
information as well as the chosen sensor spacing, the data sampling rate was set at 4Hz to ensure
the system accurately models the variance in the solar product.
Vernon, Daniel
(CEFNS)
The Challenges of communicating climate change issues to the public
In communicating climate change issues to the public, one must realize that this term has been
used and misused to describe a multitude of topics that the greatest challenge will be in finding
common ground with the audience on which to begin positive discussion. Begin any discussion
of climate change with a basic definition so that the audience understands the correct meaning.
With this definition you can begin to build your case on a common foundation. The type of
audience you are addressing will determine the language you will use: scientists, politicians,
community leaders, students or general public. Know your audience and make your
communication issues personal and easily understood. There are seven key concepts of climate
change that need to be communicated so that the audience knows and understands that this is not
just some made-up theory or political agenda. When the concepts are described and the
consequences understood, then solutions can be presented. Involving the public in determining
possible solutions will build the team spirit that will be taken home by each individual to create
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positive changes in their home, work place, community, and schools. The main challenge of
communicating climate change issues is getting the public to realize that it is real, and that they
have a choice to work towards solutions and determine their own future. In determining their
own positive solutions, they will contribute to a better environment and make a difference in our
world.
Vernon, Daniel
Soil Science in Northern Arizona
The opportunity to intern as a volunteer Earth Team Soil Scientist with the Natural Resource
Conservation Service (NRCS) has introduced me to various types of environmental careers with
actual hands-on experience in many of these fields. My goals that were set at the time of my
request for internship have not only been met but have been surpassed. These accomplishments
include mapping, classifying, describing, and correlating soil survey data; assisting in the field
and observing ecological sites and their state in transition; gaining knowledge of soils and plants
as well as collecting and identification of types and species; introduction to specific soil survey
procedures, field-testing, and laboratory activities; discussion on required documentation and
publication requirements; range-land management; measuring snow depth for data studies on
absorption, evaporation, and spring runoff; observation studies of the almost extinct condor; and
working as a team member in various situations. Northern Arizona, especially the Flagstaff
area, was the District area that I worked in, extending over to the Navajo and Hopi Tribal Lands
as well. This vast area allowed me to observe the diverse ecological environments ecosystems. I
was also introduced to ancient archeological history and settlement sites. Working with the
professionals at NRCS gave me the opportunity to learn from their experience and to actually
observe the process of a government agency assisting and guiding private individuals in a joint
effort to protect, conserve and restore the various ecosystems in Northern Arizona. With over
300 hours of internship, I have accomplished my goals.
Villalobos, Matt
Bureau of Reclamation and Water in the West
Exploring the future of water reclamation in the southwest and analyzing the current
Reclamation Bureau's ability to meet Municipal needs
Virgo, Richard
Faculty mentor: Crystal Peebles, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
The Influence of Pitch Proximity on the Aesthetic Judgment of Unfamiliar Melodies
This study investigates a listener’s melodic expectations and the perception of closure in three
melodies that represent different musical styles. Prior research in the realm of tonal harmony
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indicates that listeners are predisposed to expect a stepwise progression at the end of melodies to
conclude musical thoughts. This study will determine if listeners prefer stepwise progressions
regardless of musical style. Within the common-practice style, tonal syntax also may influence
the participant’s perception of closure. Other research suggests that each note of a scale conveys
a varying degree of “restfulness” or “forward motion.” Instead of relying on stepwise motion,
participants may interpret endings as sounding more closed if they conclude with a scale-degree
that implies “restfulness” in accordance with common-practice patterns. Within this study,
participants actively listened to examples of music from the Baroque, Romantic, and Modern
eras. Using a probe-tone methodology, the last note of each example was translated up and down
six semitones from the original pitch. Participants proceeded to rate each of the thirteen versions
of each example twice: first determining the strength of the completion, and then indicating an
aesthetic judgment regarding how satisfying the ending sounded. This research supports the
perceptual validity of music theories and provides insight about cognitive mechanisms in musical
expectation and judgment.
Wabli, Khalid
Kristen Milligan, Luke Contreras
Faculty mentor: Christopher Mann, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
REAL TIME IMAGING OF BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURES USING DIGITAL
HOLOGRAPHY AND TOMOGRAPHY
Digital Holography and Tomography captures high resolution images of biological cells in real
time. This technique allows the monitoring of changes in intracellular features along with surface
topography. The motivation of this research is to provide the biomedical field with a noninvasive approach for obtaining a greater breadth of information on cellular morphology and
structure. Furthermore observations of biological morphology are able to be conducted with
great speed using a self-calibrating/self-adjusting microscopic system as well as automated
analysis of acquired data. Biological movements in transparent objects that yield refractive index
changes or variations of the shape are very pertinent to biological and clinical research.
Biological events in transparent objects that produce refractive index changes or variations of the
shape are a focal point for biological and clinical research. It is often the case that bright field
imaging is used to observe these events; however they are limited in their capabilities. First, they
have a small depth of focus at high magnifications; secondly they have inadequate ability to
effectively observe transparent samples such as living biological cells which exhibit very little
intensity contrast, and thirdly but most importantly they cannot capture the phase information.
The phase information is very important as it provides structural or refractive index information
about the sample. By using both digital holography and tomography, we now have access to a
refractive index via the phase information capture, with single nanometer precision, allowing for
detailed data retrieval.
Wachs, Kurtis
Harper Alfred, Daniel Baronsky, Nicholas Rowe, McKenzie Schmidt
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(CEFNS)
Radio Inter-Module Communication Testing
Cobham Aerospace is designing a radio to be used in various aircraft, which is split into different
modules that will communicate with each other. They want to avoid the possibility that
important data may be corrupted due to noise and interference. Our team developed a test
system to analyze communications between the radio modules when noise is introduced. This
was accomplished by writing code for a field programmable gate array board and developed a
graphical user interface (GUI) to display the results on a computer. Using the Verilog
programming language, we simulated the communication link between different radio modules
and analyzed it when noise is injected into the system. The GUI allows the user to monitor the
communication link and test the communication reliability with different parameters. With the
software we created, Cobham will be able to test how their radios will be affected by noise in
their application.
Wagner, Kent
Faculty mentor: Kurt Lancaster, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Behind the Scenes at Digital Bolex
A behind the scenes look of how a concept camera got its start on Kickstarter.com and has
become the underdog cinema camera for those wanting to shoot raw video. The camera is based
on the classic 16mm Bolex camera, and it has become one of the most innovative video cinema
cameras to come out in the last decade.
Walsh, Jessica
Faculty mentor: Melissa Santana, Carl Clark, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Creative Healing at Any Age: Designing an Arts Therapy Center for Older Adults
Art therapy is a form of holistic therapy that which focuses on a connection between the mind
and body and uses healing approaches that do not involve medication. These approaches include
art forms such as painting, sculpture, drawing, and even performance art such as dancing. Art
therapy can be beneficial to anyone, regardless of age and reason for seeking therapy. Art
therapy is a blend of the therapeutic, psychological, and natural creative processes. When a
patient expresses himself or herself through a medium of art such as drawing or painting, it
allows them to communicate thoughts and feelings that they cannot expresses verbally, which
has proven to be very beneficial to the older adult and elderly population.
As we age, we are susceptible to a number of health conditions that can change our perceptions
and our way of life. Some of these health conditions include visual impairment, arthritis,
osteoporosis, muscular degeneration, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Art therapy
can effectively aid older adults in coping with and accepting these life changes by stimulating
memory/brain function, providing a sense of meaning and responsibility, and providing a
distraction from physical pain. Many studies have shown that older adults who participate in art
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therapy programs experience improved physical and mental states and thoroughly enjoy
experiencing in the creative process.
The goal of this project is to design an arts therapy center in Flagstaff, Arizona, for older adults
that comfortable and functional for both the patients and the staff. The concept for the center is to
create an open and simple space that is welcoming and easy to navigate for the patients, while
incorporating a clean and contemporary aesthetic, with touches of natural and organic elements.
Walters, Julya
Warden, Laura
Dr. Robert Till
Faculty mentor: Robert Till, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Influence of Mind-Wandering and Reading Comprehension on Inference Making
Mind-wandering is associated with poor performance on reading comprehension tasks
(Mooneyham & Schooler, 2013. We reasoned that lapses of attention might be harmful to the
literal understanding of stories and to thematic inferences that can be drawn from them. We
asked NAU students to read a disturbing essay about chemicals before testing their
comprehension of experimental stories. They then wrote a response to how chemicals affect
them. Experimental stories were then presented on a computer screen, one phrase at a time. We
also included yes/no questions referring to the chemical essay to revive the disturbing aspects of
that topic. We asked for yes/no self-reports of mind-wandering at four points. Each story was
interrupted with lexical decision tasks in which a target appeared (a word or non-word) and the
reader made a yes/no decision.
Our 48 participants were split into high vs. low groups on two factors: literal comprehension and
mind-wandering. We looked for inferences by comparing lexical decision latencies for target
words that named a probable inference to latencies for targets that did not name an inference
from the story. Some targets appeared at timely locations; others were delayed and appeared
after trivial story details were given. Results showed that readers low in mind-wandering drew
thematic inferences, whether the inference targets appeared at timely or delayed points. Those
readers high in mind-wandering, on the other hand, rarely drew inferences. Only those high in
literal story understanding did so and only at the optimal, timely point in the stories.
Warfel, Patrick
Incinerated Revenge
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This is a short story that I am currently writing and would like to eventually get published. It
takes place during WWII starting with the tragic death of a family that was all close to one
another.
Warrington, Nicole
Ashley Brown, Scott Eidson, Katherine Lovejoy (LANL), Rico Del Sesto (Dixie State
University), David Fox (LANL), and Andrew T. Koppisch (NAU)
(CEFNS)
Effects of 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bistriflimide (BMP-NTF2) on the Viability of S.
aureus and P. aeruginosa Biofilms
Room-temperature Ionic Liquids (RTILs or ILs) are molten organic salts that are fluid at ambient
temperatures. Many ILs contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, and this affords
them many unique characteristics as a solvent when compared to molecules that are strictly
hydrophobic (such as oil, or many hydrocarbon solvents) or strictly hydrophilic (such as water or
ethanol). For example, ILs have been shown to be able to dissolve materials that could not be
dissolved by water or an organic solvent—i.e., wood, sawdust, and wool. In this project, we
have tested the effects of 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bistriflimide (BMP-NTF2), an IL, on
established bacterial biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in
conjunction with known antibiotics. Many infections, including those of the skin or of surfaces,
are due to bacterial biofilms, and biofilms are known to be much more resilient towards
antibiotics than cells in solution. Bacteria within the biofilm are protected by a thick
polysaccharide layer produced by the cells, which contributes to their resistance to antibiotics.
Our experiments tested if the IL could increase the potency of antibiotic treatment against
biofilms or improve the shelf life of an antibiotic (gentamicin).
Wash, Ethan
Faculty mentor: William Culbertson, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
Phonological Awareness in Spanish ESL Students
Locality, culture and socioeconomic status play a major role in language acquisition. Native
speakers of a given language learn socially acceptable productions of the native tongue, but they
often have difficulty adopting the native phonology of a different language. Second-language
acquisition comes with a myriad of challenges that must be overcome if one hopes to achieve
fluency and comprehension in their second language. This study will assess specifically the
phonological awareness of Spanish ESL (English as a second language) learners in hopes of
finding patterns in phonological insufficiencies. At the same time, it will seek out any possible
correlations between such insufficiencies and the subject’s prior academic background. This
project will specifically address the question: “are there certain patterns of phonological
deficiencies among beginning Spanish ESL learners based upon their educational backgrounds?”
Findings from this study could potentially play a contributing role in English phonological
pedagogy.
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Watson, Rachel
Shelby Wade and Natalie Holmes
The Myth of the American Dream Perpetuating Poverty in the Media
Negative stereotypes have become embedded in American society about the poor. Societal
conceptions about the poor have shaped the way people react to the poor, the policies put in
place to deal with poverty, and the perceptions that people in poverty hold about themselves.
These stereotypes may be fueled by the myth of the American Dream. This myth suggests that
material success can be achieved through hard work and diligence within our egalitarian
community. Therefore, stereotypes often represent the poor as lazy or unwilling to work for a
better life. In reality, research today suggests that this cycle of poverty is challenging to escape.
Even hard working individuals often struggle to succeed due to class constrictions. The
American Dream that there is opportunity for upward mobility has been used to define our
nation, yet it tends to misrepresent the reality of poverty today.
The media plays a major role in shaping our society and defining how we view the poor. This
study uses a mythic analysis to examine media stories that perpetuate the myth of the American
Dream. We focus on media’s attention to success stories that involve people’s ability to move
from rags to riches. Part of solving current the problem of poverty today involves rewriting this
idea of the American Dream to more accurately address the issue of poverty. Rather than fueling
stereotypes that keep certain people in poverty, the American Dream’s emphasis on equality
could be used in a more positive way to counter the class constrictions and disadvantages present
within our system.
Watson, Zachary
Nashelly Meneses, Karah Roof, Russell Benford
Faculty mentor: Nashelly Meneses, Russel Benford, College of Engineering, Forestry and
Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Erythrina Gall Wasps on Coral Trees Promote Visitations from Endemic Bird in Saipan
Galling insects are considered ecological pests worldwide. Heavy infestations of these insects
can negatively impact plant communities and therefor may be detrimental to local fauna. In
Saipan, we identified the galling insect infesting native coral trees (Erythrina variegata var.
orientalis) and tested the potential effect this insect has on bird visitations. To identify the insect,
we reared insects from five leaves of five haphazardly selected Erythrina trees and taxonomically
identified them. To quantify differences in gall abundance amongst trees, we counted gall
abundance on 32 trees. To evaluate the potential effect galls have on birds, we quantified bird
visitations to trees with high and low gall abundances. Insects reared from leaf samples fit the
description of the introduced Erythrina gall wasp (Quadristichus erythrinae). A Wilcoxon
analysis showed significant differences in gall abundances amongst trees (n = 32, χ2 = 296.87, p
< 0.001). A Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant increase (n = 14, χ2 = 18.23, p < 0.001)
in bird visitations to trees with high gall abundances. The endemic bridled white-eye, a species
of conservation concern, comprised around 90% of all bird visitations. These data suggest that
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the Erythrina gall wasp, though considered a pest in other tropical communities, may be a source
of food for bridled white-eyes and other birds in Saipan.
Watts, Sara
Kelli Rider, Elise Cheever, Jonathan Brusnahan, Naser Aljaberi
ASCE Concrete Canoe: Night Fury
The purpose of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Concrete Canoe Competition
is to design, build, and race a unique and innovative canoe that satisfies the requirements set
forth by the National Concrete Canoe Competition (NCCC). Participating in the concrete canoe
competition allows students to practice skills they have gained in engineering classes. The
regional and national competitions are held to increase the importance of ASCE membership in
civil engineering profession and build awareness of concrete as a major construction material.
Tasks of the project included unique concrete design, structural analysis, hull design and post
tensioning. This year's team built Night Fury, meant to improve greatly on previous NAU
concrete canoes.
Webber, Michelle
The Perverse: Sociopathic Tendencies of the Bond Villain
Ian Fleming often emphasizes the sadistic and the sociopathic as means to characterize Bond
villains. Their lack of human compassion presents a fascinating dichotomy of depicting good
versus evil, minimizing Bond's flaws in comparison and, in essence, championing Bond as the
clear hero.
Weber, Alana
The Environmental Impact of Food Waste in America
As Americans, we have a mentality that we can we buy any type of food we want and if we do
not like it, or if we do not want the rest we can then just throw it out. Our fast-pace culture has
given us the opportunity to not care about where our food goes once it leaves our kitchen. Yet
this mentality has created a detrimental impact on the environment. In my research poster, I will
talk about how this American way of thinking has come about, the environmental concerns that
have come from wasting American food, and how we as Americans can change this mentality.
Weber, Brooke
Lindsey Thurston and Patty Valenzuela
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Faculty mentor: Walter Vannette, Miguel Vasquez, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
(SBS)
The Marginalization of Chicana Identity in Arizona versus California
In both Arizona and California, according to 2007 census data, one in five people speak Spanish
at home, yet these two states represent the Hispanic minority in very different ways. Our poster
examines the political creation of Chicana women’s identity, considering the roles that bodypolitics, representation, and the economy play in the cultural formation of both individuals and
groups. By creating a model of the factors involved in the external creation of Chicana identity
we hope to demonstrate how dominant culture marginalizes peoples and groups, and to create a
framework for future activism.
Weir, Matthew
Energy Water Nexus
This project discusses water and energy in Arizona.
White, Emily
Faculty mentor: Scot Raab, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
Alternative Treatments for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)
Patellofemoral pain (PFPS) occurs in up to 40% of active adults and is described as anterior knee
pain. This study addresses functional inequities. It’s hypothesized that ultrasound (US)
treatment joined with therapeutic exercise will reduce subjects’ pain. Finding evidence based
treatments (EBT) for PFPS is difficult. This study has the potential to establish EBT for PFPS.
Individuals with chronic PFPS will be included. Structural abnormalities or contraindications to
US will be exclusionary. Random assignment to US or sham US will occur. A pre-post pain
assessment using a visual analog scale, questionnaire, and functional screening will take place. It
is expected that US will decrease pain when compared to those receiving sham US. Participants
will attend therapy three times weekly for six weeks avoiding any treatments outside of the
study.
Whitlatch, Aaron
Patricia Countryman, Aaron Whitlatch, Anthony Everett-Osvog, Sindia Perez, Lynda Chaprnka,
Rose Eitemiller
Faculty mentor: Constance Brown, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
NAU-Yavapai Civic Forum
What is community engagement and why is it important? The presence of the fairly new NAUYavapai campus within the Prescott Valley community represents an important asset. As such
the students of the Community Development and Sustainability Program identified community
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engagement as an important way of connecting to the community. The objective of this project
was to identify ways in which to engage the public on issues of community development and
sustainability. Following the problem identification and needs analysis approach to program
planning and evaluation, we determined that a community forum would be the most effective
medium for engaging the public within the limitations of our time frame. Over a period of seven
weeks a promotion campaign consisting of multiple forms of media including radio, television,
newsprint and social media was implemented to generate interest in a civic forum. The forum
was attended by a cross section civic leaders and community members. The forum facilitated a
dialog by means of presentations and roundtable group discussions on community development
and sustainability issues. The outcome of the forum allowed us to gauge the sentiment of the
community's issues of importance and shared meaning as well as to establish a foundation upon
which we can continue to build community awareness and connection. As the NAU-Yavapai
campus grows along with the community of Prescott Valley it is important that there be an
exchange of ideas and information. The organizers of the forum hope that such an ongoing
dialog will foster the type of social capital needed to build a strong and sustainable community.
Wiggins, Kristin
Faculty mentor: Jolene Bowers, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Evaluation of Molecular Methods of Coccidioides Detection in Clinical Specimens
Laboratory methods currently used to diagnose coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) include
serology (IgM screening) in conjunction with patient history, as well as culture with DNA probe
confirmation. Methods such as these can delay diagnosis because the turn-around time is
remarkably slow. Coccidioidomycosis usually presents as a pulmonary infection, a condition that
can be caused by myriad bacterial, fungal, and viral agents, which further complicates proper
diagnosis and can lead to improper treatment. Direct detection of pathogen RNA in a clinical
specimen by real-time PCR to diagnose the cause of an infection is rapid, specific, and sensitive.
This method requires only a standard RNA extraction from the clinical specimens at the BSL2
level, followed by a quick, easy PCR setup. Other detection methods require the isolation and
growth of the Coccidioides, and the culture is restricted to BSL3 labs. This assay can give more
clinicians access to Coccidioides detection tools because it eliminates the need for culture and
BSL3 level work. RNA detection is more sensitive than DNA detection because the assay targets
protein synthesis. It will be at an even higher copy in RNA than it is in the genome itself. The
high copy target can still be detected at lower levels in DNA, so even this form of detection is
more efficient than standard methods. This novel assay can routinely detect Coccidioides in
clinical specimen RNA. More rapid and accurate diagnosis of Coccidioides infections could lead
to faster and more accurate treatment of this disease that could alter patient outcomes.
Wilber, Kiersten
Nature Education in Southeast Alaska
In my internship, I was focused on learning effective techniques of teaching children about
science, outdoor skills, and the environment while fostering an appreciation for nature. I worked
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for Discovery Southeast, a nature education non-profit in Juneau, Alaska as an Assistant
Naturalist. My main task was co-leading a summer day camp called Outdoor Explorers for
children ages 7-12. With my co-leader, I helped create weekly themes for the camp focusing on
different environmental topics. I planned outings, organized guest speakers, and designed
environmental education activities that focused on each week’s theme. I implemented these
programs and led campers on daily hikes to different environments in the Juneau area. Some
environmental education strategies I used in the camp were: guest scientist speakers, naturethemed games, tending to a community garden, science activities, outdoor adventures, and
creative exercises. I discovered the effectiveness of very hands-on, kinesthetic activities for kids,
and the importance of nature awareness activities. After several weeks of striving to run a very
educationally focused, pre-planned camp, I realized how vital unstructured, free playtime is to
kids’ creativity, discovery, and exploration. These strategies all worked toward inspiring in
campers a sense of wonder about the world around them. The Outdoor Explorers camp is a
wonderful program, and I felt that by connecting these children to nature I was helping to inspire
a future generation of more environmentally aware citizens.
Wilcox, Morgan
The Life You Are Given
The paper is comparing the two Wes Moore’s in Wes Moore’s The Other Wes Moore. The two
men grew up in the same part of town, went through childhood with common criminal actions.
As Wes Moore grew up, his mother could no longer stand her son doing the wrongful things he
had been getting himself into, so she sent him off to a military school for a second chance. Sadly,
the Other Wes Moore’s mother did not take action in cleaning up her sons act, and he ended up
getting a life sentence in jail. Some people have similar qualities, it is what they do with them
that makes them who they are. These two men grew up in a place where almost everyone in their
community had some sort of connection with drug dealing. If these boys were to have grown up
in a different area of their state, they would not have been put in the situations that they were in.
The Other Wes Moore would most likely not be in jail. Their social status did not help them in
any way. Their parents were both divorced and tried their best to take care of their Moore’s, but
it was the best they could do for the city they lived in. The two had too many options of being a
drug dealer that it would have been hard for their mothers to keep them from it, because it was
on every corner. If they had another chance with different surroundings, the boys would have
had a better childhood.
Wiley, Kory
Faculty mentor: James Sample, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Analysis of Shallow and Deep Water Carbonates from the Cascadia Subduction Zone
Carbonate minerals that form from the precipitation of fluids provide key insight into the
conditions under which they formed. Carbonates can often precipitate from fluids that migrate
through faults. The accretionary wedge of the Cascadia Subduction Zone contains numerous
faults, which serve as conduits for fluids to travel. The composition of fluids that travel through
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the wedge will change over space and time, altering the chemistry of the precipitated carbonates.
The purpose of this project was to study the chemistry of deep and shallow sediments at the
Cascadia Subduction Zones. Previously collected samples from drill sites 892 and 891 near the
coast of Oregon were analyzed as thin sections for this study. Petrography was used to locate
calcite veins and create a photo mosaic of collected thin sections. Scanning electron microscopy
was used to study vein composition and vein growth textures. Elemental analysis was performed
using inductively coupled mass spectrometry. Finally, x-ray diffraction was used to determine
mineral composition. Differences in the composition and mineralogy of samples were compared
using the collected data. Changes in the vein composition over time were determined using cross
cutting relationships. This research has provided a better understanding of the conditions present
during the formation of veins within the accretionary wedge of the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
Wilkins, Thomas
Doug Freeman, Luke Tytor
Faculty mentor: Steven Jacobs, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Project Mjolnir: Plasticity Modeling Software with MATLAB
Plasticity is how a material behaves when stress is applied over time. Current models poorly
predict material behavior, leading to inefficient design, less structural reliability, and increased
potential for structural failure. Dr. Heidi Feigenbaum of NAU’s Mechanical Engineering
Department is currently researching new models to better anticipate how materials react to stress.
More accurate models could lead to lower maintenance costs, as well as improved structure
designs.
Dr. Feigenbaum has software that assists her in testing new models, but that code is difficult to
maintain and change. While the code performs as intended, it was developed as a set of
independent functions, making the program difficult to work with. Much of it is redundant,
requiring changes in several locations for simple revisions. Runtimes are long, and pre and post
processing are inefficient, requiring time intensive user interaction.
In order to solve these problems, the previous code base was analyzed for its essential functions.
Mjolnir was designed to provide the same functionality in a more convenient, efficient, and
easily maintainable manner.
Accomplishing this, Mjolnir creates an easy to use interface, maintains accuracy, and reduces
processing time by 50%. This allows for more efficient research, possibly leading to more
accurate models, and improving the quality of engineering projects.
Williams, Cody
McNeill, D., de Heer, D., and Coast, J.R.
Faculty mentor: J. Richard Coast, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
(CEFNS)
Decrease in Metabolic Cost of Running across Trial Using a Treadmill that Unloads the
Runner
Purpose: This study investigated the metabolic response to running at reduced body weight in a
lower body positive pressure treadmill (anti-gravity treadmill – Alter-G). We sought to examine
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how oxygen uptake (VO2) accommodated to repeated bouts of exercise in the reduced body
weight environment, at sub-maximal intensities of running. It was hypothesized that the VO2
would decline and eventually stabilize with repeated bouts of un-weighted running in people
already engaged in regular training. Such a decline would reflect accommodation as the person
got more comfortable with the sensation of decreased body weight. Methods: Five trained male
runners (average age 24.4 years-old) completed an incremental treadmill test in order to measure
maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) and maximal heart rate (HRmax). The subjects then
completed seven identical trials on the anti-gravity treadmill at body weights of 50%, 70%, and
90% and at running speeds corresponding to 70-80% of their VO2max in a normally weighted
environment. Results: Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance showed a significant
difference across trials, with trial 1 having a significantly higher VO2 than either trial 5 or 6.
There were also differences across levels of unloading, as expected. Conclusions: The results of
this study show that the unloading provided by the Alter-G treadmill is sufficiently novel that a
minimum of 4-5 trials must be completed by the subject in order to obtain reliable metabolic cost
of running on the device.
Willis, Evan
Brent Nelson
Faculty mentor: Brent Nelson, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Study of Calcium-Dependent Binding of Titin's N2A Region to Thin Actin Filaments Using
Atomic Force Microscopy
The purpose of this study is to advance the collective knowledge regarding titin in skeletal
muscle contraction. The current sliding filament theory is generally accepted throughout the
scientific community as a model describing muscle contraction. However, this model does not
explain all the mechanical behavior of skeletal muscle. An alternative hypothesis, the “winding
filament” model, states that in the presence of calcium ions in active muscle, a receptor in titin’s
N2A region binds to actin filaments and is wound onto the filament during contraction.
This study focuses on applying mechanical engineering knowledge and using an atomic force
microscope (AFM) to measure the binding interaction between actin and the N2A region of titin.
Titin fragments are attached to the AFM tip and brought into contact with actin filaments. The
force to separate the two is then measured. Preparation for AFM imaging includes utilizing a
fluid cell attachment to image filamentous actin in a salt buffer on epoxysilane-coated glass. For
the final experiment, force measurements will be made with N2A region and calcium ion
presences as variables.
The impact of this research will be to provide data that supports or opposes the winding filament
model. Acquisition of such data will also result in the broadening of fundamental knowledge of
titin-actin interactions, as the results from this study will be used to springboard further research
pertaining to titin-actin interactions. Furthermore, obtaining such knowledge could play an
important role in the usage of the winding filament model for control systems in prosthetics.
Wilson, Gregory
Faculty mentor: Robyn Martin, Honors Program
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Pillars of Instability
There is a commonly held notion that Afghanistan is the “graveyard of empires.” While purely
sensationalist and in many degrees untrue, this saying gives an interesting perspective into
Afghanistan itself. The “graveyard of empires” implies that foreign powers have tried, failed, and
suffered as a result of intervening in this Central Asian country. Yet it ignores the plight of the
average Afghan and the impact foreign powers have had. Through an ever growing pattern of
invasion and intervention, Afghanistan has been in the hands of world powers over and over, in
varying degrees. Despite our continued involvement, and reflections on previous interventions,
have they really benefited from what we have forcefully given them? Afghanistan and its people
have been given the part of a poor fool, strutting his way across the world stage to the tugs and
yanks of a cruel puppeteer. Afghanistan is nothing but a victim of the conflict between the world
powers, and in spite of its slow and painful modernization, these powers have done far more
harm than good.
Wilson, Gregory
Faculty mentor: Grecthen Gee, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Dissolution of the State
This paper will look at the reasons for the collapse and destabilization of the state and the
empowerment of the nationalist movement. This failure to stay intact is a direct result of the state
failing to create a coherent national identity, compounded with the empowerment of separatist
movements through the application of ethnogenesis, imagined communities, and nation-building.
Two examples will be used as a case study, the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, and the
ongoing struggle of the Kurdish people.
Wilson, Janice
Diane M. Stearns
Faculty mentor: Diane Stearns, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Detection of Heat- and Piperidine-Labile Sites in Plasmid DNA Exposed to Uranium
Current work in our laboratory is investigating the ability of uranium to damage DNA in ways
that may lead to cancer. We have previously shown that uranyl acetate (UA) is activated by
ascorbate (vitamin C) or UV radiation to form DNA strand breaks. The purpose of the current
project was to measure the adduct-type lesions in these reactions. Plasmid DNA was exposed to
UA in the presence and absence of ascorbate, UVA light (368 nm), or UVB light (302 nm), and
DNA damage was visualized by gel electrophoresis. Post-treatment incubations of DNA at RT,
60 °C or with 30 μM piperidine at 60 °C were carried out to measure the propensity of adducttype lesions to be converted to strand breaks. We hypothesized that if DNA adducts were
present, than heat or piperidine would degrade more DNA compared to the same reactions in the
absence of heat or piperidine. Results supported our hypothesis: DNA lesions produced by
reactions of UA with ascorbate were heat sensitive, lesions from UA and UVA light exposures
were piperidine-sensitive, and those from UA and UVB light exposures were neither heat- nor
piperidine-sensitive. Results suggested that these reactions were synergistically damaging, but
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by different mechanisms. Therefore, U-DNA adducts may serve as a “parent lesion” for other
types of secondary damage such as abasic sites and single strand breaks. This work is significant
because it establishes a new method to explore potentially mutagenic U-DNA adducts. Funding
was provided by NIH #ES019703 and #U54CA143925, and the NAU Ottens Program.
Wiser, Jennifer
Hannah Wall
Music Makes Merry
The purpose of this project is to make people smile through music. In addition we will be noting
the reactions of the audience and recording our findings on a blog. We will perform two of the
songs and then talk for a couple minutes on our experiences in the field.
Wolz, Frank
Archaeological uses of DNA
The presentation is about how DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid, is used in modern archaeological
research projects. The presentation looks into current archaeological digs that have been using
DNA to determine either the evolution of humans or the domestication of animals. Another
aspect in which DNA is used is to determine lineages in a group of people, and the data can be
compared with genetic information from other locations around the world to piece together an
evolutionary history of the human species. The presentation goes into how archaeology started
incorporating DNA into the research procedure, and will also go into the future possible uses of
genetics in archaeology.
Wood, Stephanie
Dr. Kevin Covey
Faculty mentor: Kevin Covey, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Mid-Infrared Variability and Color in Young Stellar Objects
It is difficult to classify faint mid-infrared sources as protostars or background stars/galaxies
without additional information. Multiple epochs of mid-IR data or sensitive near-infrared
observations may be useful for understanding these objects and distinguishing between them. We
studied multi-epoch Young Stellar Object Variability light curves to help differentiate between
objects based on their variability. There was no clear separation in variability between the faint
mid-infrared sources. We then analyzed the source’s colors by combining mid-infrared
observations from the IRAC infrared survey with deep near-infrared data from the UKIDSS
infrared survey and plotting a color-magnitude diagram. From this diagram we identified 288
candidate protostars in the Serpens Molecular Cloud; 217 of which are new identifications.
Analysis of the multi-epoch mid-infrared CMD indicates that variability of most objects is
As of 4-19-13
consistent with what is expected from dust extinctions, supporting our conclusion that the
identified candidate protostars lye within the Serpens Molecular Cloud.
Wright, Kayla
Faculty mentor: Egbert Schwartz, Anne Scott, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
Sir Paul Nurse's Discoveries on the Regulation of the Cell Cycle
Sir Paul M. Nurse’s lecture, “Cyclin Dependent Kinases and Cell Cycle Control,” shows how
Nurse came to discover how the cell cycle is controlled by certain genes that encode for proteins
that regulate each phase of the cell cycle. Nurse focuses especially on the gene labeled cdc2.
Nurse first discovers that in fission yeast, cdc2 is required for activating mitosis (the process by
which a cell produces another cell), and for controlling the onset of S-phase (the phase in the cell
cycle where DNA is replicated). Nurse then tries to discover the molecular role of cdc2, finding
that it encodes for a protein kinase, and that this protein is encoded by other genes in other
eukaryotes as well. Eventually, Nurse’s lab experiments lead to the ultimate discovery of how
the protein cyclin and the protein kinase work collaboratively to regulate the cell cycle.
Yang, Yang
Faculty mentor: Wilbert I. Odem, Brent Nelson, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural
Sciences (CEFNS)
WERC Environmental Education Consortium Student Competition: Solar Distillation System
Design
This presentation is a design summary of an improved solar distillation still. The content of
presentation includes the background of solar distillation still, problem statement, design process,
design alternatives, final design and cost analysis.
Yellowhorse, Miranda
Erelda Gene
Faculty mentor: Roger Bounds, Hendrik De Heer, Scot Raab, College of Health and Human
Services (CHHS)
Connecting the Circles and Creating a Path for Native American Student Success
A comprehensive overview of the many academic success programs that support Native
American & Alaskan Native students will be presented from a Native American student
perspective. While there are many programs from various funding agencies available to AI/AN
students, such programs are typically created to meet specific funding requirements and are
created in isolation from each other. As a consequence, transitions between programs are
challenging and there is no clear pathway for utilizing these programs to enhance academic
success. For this project, descriptive characteristics of educational programs aimed at AI/AN
students were compiled and organized by the academic level (pre-college, undergraduate, and
As of 4-19-13
graduate) for which the programs are designed. Analysis included the identification of overlaps
in offerings and program outcomes as well as observations about commonalities in funding
streams and populations served. Finally, suggestions are presented for future programing in
relation to the promotion of resiliency among AI/AN students. This project offers a unique
AI/AN perspective and interpretation of the availability and appropriateness of academic success
programs designed for AI/AN students.
Yurk, Aaron
Water Desalination in Southern California: A Cost Benefit Analysis
An analysis of the costs and benefits to the city of San Diego regarding the construction of a
water desalination plant. The water desalination plant will help ease the future water demand in
the area.
Zang, Ying
Ying Zang
Water Desalinization
Among the Earth's surface, almost 72% is covered by water while there is only a small part
approximately 3% is fresh water and the rest is salt water. Desalinization is absolutely a good
way to transfer salt water to fresh water and thus increase the fresh water supply.
There are several methods for desalinization.Each has its benefits and cost. To analysis the
revenue from the fresh water produced by desalinization method and the cost like the capital
cost, operation cost and maintenance cost would be the key part of the project in order to judge if
the desalinization industry can make profit and the method can be widely used.
Zarcone, Kelly
Faculty mentor: Jennifer Musial, Karla Hackstaff, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
(SBS)
Art and Activism
The presentation will be looking at how art, particularly street art, has challenged politics
regarding public space and reclaimed voices that have been marginalized in dominant culture.
The presentation will demonstrate how street art has and can in the future be used by feminists as
a way to represent marginalized voices in society and challenge dominant ideologies.
Zhou, Majun
Long Li, Clinton Harris
As of 4-19-13
American Society of Civil Engineers Student Competition Steel Bridge Design Team 2
The new Hill Music Hall and Marian Paroo Memorial Library sparked revitalization of the River
City waterfront with restaurants, theaters, and luxury condominiums scrambling for space in the
old brick warehouses. The River City Development Corporation (RCDC) is requesting
design/build proposals for a bridge to provide direct access from suburbs across the river. In
addition, the RCDC also requires the submittal of a 1:10 scale model capable of demonstrating
the full-scale bridge properties. The bridge will be erected under simulated field conditions and
will be tested for stability, strength, and serviceability using standardized lateral and vertical
loads. The RCDC has selected a panel of engineers to judge the models by multiple criteria
including durability, constructability, usability, stiffness, construction speed, efficiency,
economy, and attractiveness according to the ASCE/AICS Steel Bridge Competition Rules.
The bridge will need to provide direct access from suburbs across the river in RCDC.
Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) is mandated in order to minimize travel delays and
financial losses to waterfront businesses caused by disruption of traffic during construction. The
bridge will provide clearance for tour boats, and will cantilever over the historically significant
billiard parlor. RCDC specifies steel because fast erection is essential to ABC, and because
steel’s durability and high level of recycled content contribute to exceptional sustainability. The
total width of the river is 120 ft. One side of the bridge necessitates the use of a cantilever. The
distance between the bridge and the bridge construction material storage area is limited.
Zhou, Wuke
Faculty mentor: Astrid Klocke
___________________________, College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Chinese Genre Film Rises
During last Chinese New Year, one particular film seized every Chinese filmmaker's attention.
The film is called "Lost in Thailand", directed and performed by Zheng Xu, one of the famous
Chinese comedy actors. This film, which the total cost was no more than 400 million dollars,
brings him 2 billion box-offices that defeats every other director at the time and becomes the
most popular commercial movie in China.
The success of Xu is considered the success of genre film by most of Chinese film critics. The
concept of genre film has not been bring to China not until recently, but this concept grabs
media’s attention almost immediately after the success of Xu. Most Chinese people wonder what
it is and how it can cause such a great influence on commercial success.
In my presentation, I’ll compare other two famous directors, Xiaogang Feng, and Yimou Zhang
with Xu’s lastest success. By comparing their works to Xu, we can see noticeably how Chinese
audience becomes much mature about choosing films and gradually seeking for “genre” films
instead of “director style” films.
Zhou, Wuke
As of 4-19-13
Zhu, Lulan
Government Intervention and Market Pricing in Efficiency Water Allocation
A research about the balance between government intervention and market pricing to achieve the
efficiency of water market.
Zowada, Michael
Faculty mentor: Jeff Rushall, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS)
Generalizations of Hadamard Matrices
An overview of complex Hadamard matrices, Vandermonde matrices and Yang's product
construction will be presented in order to show how a three dimensional complex Hadamard
array of every order can be created. Several images will be given to show how these three
dimensional arrays can be depicted.
As of 4-19-13

Aaron, Lostutter Faculty mentor: John Tester, College of Engineering

Transcription

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