Markus Stewart, '26, St. Louis, MO
Environmental Science & Sustainability and Geology
Rhawn Denniston and Andrew Walters
The Green River Formation is an extensive Eocene (56 – 33.9 Mya) lacustrine formation situated in Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah, which features oil shales of varying qualities as well as volcanic tuff. The timing of deposition of these various components can reveal more information about the cycles of change the lacustrine environment faced due to localized or potentially broader changes in Eocene conditions. Using the preexisting 5mm X-Ray Fluorescence data (from Walters et al., 2020) of the upper R-6 layer in the Skyline 16 core from the Uinta Basin in eastern Utah's Green River Formation, the R program Bacon, and Ar-Ar radioisotope dates from Skyline 16 tuffs, XRF data that was previously associated with depth was then associated with time. This timeseries was then used with the R program Astrochron to analyze the cyclicity of the elements K, Si, S, and Ca. Multitaper Method Spectral Analysis revealed the existence of statistically significant ~25ky and ~12.5ky cycles even while each selected element has its own cycles. Evolutive Harmonic Analysis revealed the strength of cyclicity, how long cycles were, and where these cycles present themselves in the timeline. These analytical methods revealed the cycles that existed in this Eocene lacustrine environment of the Uinta Basin, most significantly ~25ky and ~12.5ky between K, Si, S, and Ca, potentially revealing a common driver between depositional patterns such as Milankovitch Cycles. Cyclical drivers of depositional change are to be further explored.
Jonleon Pennell, '26
Logan Pausch, '27
Eric Montano, '26
Wybie Warmbold, '26
Elifsude Degirmenci, '26
Alexandria Marcoux, '27
Ella Becker, '26
Maiha Jones, '26
Valeria Nunez, '27
Luis Andres Roman Bonilla, '27
Ana Munn Carstensen, '27
Behavioral Neuroscience
Steven Neese
Obesity rates are rising in Western populations, due in part to the consumption of energy-dense foods high in fats. Importantly, obesity affects 19.3% of children and adolescents in the U.S. Alongside rising obesity levels, mental health issues have also been on the rise in western culture. However, little research has looked into a link between behavioral changes, specifically depression, that might accompany exposure to diets high in fats during development. The current study determined the impact of four weeks of exposure to a high-fat diet (HFD: 60% calories from fat sources) in developing male Long Evans rats. Control rats received a low-fat diet (LFD: 10% calories from fat sources). Depression behaviors were tested using a sucrose splash test and a sucrose preference test. Rats exposed to a HFD showed a longer latency to cleaning their fur after sucrose administration than did LFD exposed rats. However, HFD rats spent more time grooming than did LFD rats. Finally, HFD-exposed rats chose to drink less sucrose than did LFD rats during the choice task. These findings suggest short-term developmental exposure of Long Evans rats to a HFD impacts depression-like behaviors.
Isabella Strauss, '26, Barrington, IL
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Joshua Otten
Understanding overwintering behavior of terrestrial reptiles is challenging due to individuals burying beneath the surface of the soil. We assessed a novel application of light-level dataloggers to quantify the hibernation depth, activity, and thermal conditions of ornate box turtles during the winter in southeastern Iowa. Dataloggers were affixed to the shells of five adult male and five adult female ornate box turtles in May 2024. The loggers were programmed to record light level (lux) and temperature every 5 min from fall to emergence from brumation in Spring 2025. Additionally, four temperature stations were constructed at the site, recording air temp, lux, ground temp, and soil temp from 13 to 130 cm, every 13 cm. By combining lux and temperature, we inferred vertical movement within the soil column and periods of potential activity during the winter months. Distinct seasonal patterns were observed, including slow descents in the soil column during the month of November, an avoidance of the frost line during January and February, a quicker ascent during the spring, and weeks of inactivity just below the soil surface before emergence. This suggests greater flexibility in winter behavior than previously documented. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of dataloggers for identifying hibernation timing, depth, and individual variation in species that are difficult to observe during periods of inactivity.
Jordyn Gear, '26, Eldora, IA
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Joshua Otten
Population demographics are often used to understand the current structure of a population within a species and to be able to predict future trends whilst monitoring these species. With population demographics we can see age structure, sex ratio, body size, population density and much more. Using data from Ornate Box Turtles (Terrapene ornata) in a private nature preserve in southeast Muscatine, Iowa, we looked at the locations of where turtles are caught or are overwintering in two separate sections of the preserve, the North side and the South side, throughout the year of 2025. We took these locations and conjoined them into polygons containing the densest areas of turtle locations. We compared the difference of the average polygon size on the North side and the South side. We also compared the carapace lengths and the weights of the males to the females of adults and juveniles. The North section has, on average, bigger polygons but less of them, while the South side has smaller polygons but more of them. This tells us that the North side has more turtles than the South side even though the number of polygons differs. However the South side has heavier turtles with longer carapace lengths than the North side. These results help in the future restoration of this species in this nature preserve and with conservation by understanding the layout of the turtles. We can apply this information to future restoration plans such as restoring and maintaining habitat structure and using this data for future burn plans of knowing where and when to burn.
Travis J. Wells, '26, Greeley, CO
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Joshua Otten
Sand prairies are one of the most diverse and imperiled habitats in Iowa. The Big Sand Mound Preserve and surrounding habitat in southeast Iowa form one of the largest remnant sand prairies in the state, supporting 24 species of reptiles, including 14 snake species. In 2025, we surveyed the snake community using standardized drift fences, coverboards, and visual encounter methods across the active season (April–October) to assess demographic variation among species. We made 1,755 captures of nearly 900 individuals representing 9 species, recording sex, body size metrics, capture locations,and permanently marking them with PIT tags. Blue racers (Coluber constrictor) and western hognose snakes (Heterodon nasicus) were the most frequently captured species, with 258 and 198 individuals respectively. We found variation in abundance across nearly all eight species captured, with several species exhibiting drift-fence-biased capture rates. Drift fence surveys accounted for the majority of capture data at BSM. Of 851 captures recorded at four specific drift fences (Prairie, Edge, Burned Prairie, and Forest), capture totals differed substantially among them. Each fence varied in length, with the Edge fence being the longest and yielding the greatest number of captures (408 of 851) as well as the highest number of species caught. Distribution trends among the fences suggest habitat-associated differences based on occurrence. Certain species were disproportionately captured in specific habitat types, indicating potential habitat specialization. In contrast, several species were detected across all fence locations, suggesting broader ecological tolerance and generalist tendencies. These results represent the first‑year preliminary findings of a multiyear project designed to build one of the most comprehensive snake community datasets from a Midwest sand prairie, providing valuable baseline information for long‑term monitoring.
Lewis Page, '26, Smithton, MO
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Joshua Otten
The bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi) is Iowa's largest snake, reaching lengths of over 8 feet (250 cm). Historically, this snake was found throughout the prairie, from Mexico to Canada, and across much of the state. The bullsnake was once considered one of the most common snakes in Iowa, but since the 1940s, land use in Iowa has switched from primarily pasture to cropland, which has caused a decline of over 90% in its population. In this study, I used recent historical data from Big Sand Mound (BSM), a private nature preserve in Muscatine and Louisa counties (IA), to assess the most effective method to capture bullsnakes. I found that funnel traps produce more overall and more juvenile captures when compared to visual surveys, the next-most effective method. No difference was found in the number of captures or the sizes of adults between these two methods. Additionally, females on the preserve were found to be longer than males, although males, on average, had a comparatively longer tail. No difference was found in weight between sexes. These results demonstrate that funnel traps are the most effective capture method for bullsnakes, especially juveniles, though visual surveys may be beneficial when attempting to capture large adults. This study also highlights disparities in data on sexual dimorphism in bullsnakes when compared to bordering states.
Mac Graves, '27, Mililani, HI
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Joshua Otten
Turtles face high rates of nest predation, which limit the number of successful hatchlings and threaten long-term population viability. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are typically the dominant predators on freshwater turtle nests, and when controlled, predator dynamics may shift. We examined the rates of turtle nest predation at a private preserve in southeast Iowa after raccoons had been removed for four to five years. During 2024 and 2025, we recorded species, clutch size, and measured egg size and mass of 72 nests, 35 in 2024 and 37 in 2025. We excavated nests in the fall to determine hatching success and looked at characteristic disturbance patterns during the incubation period to determine predator identity. For nests confirmed to be predated by the state-endangered western hognose snake (Heterdon nasicus), we modeled the probability of predation based on egg size. We found that the dominant predator of turtle eggs had shifted from raccoons to the western hognose snake, with snakes often observed actively feeding on eggs. Of the 72 nests, 26 were confirmed to be predated by snakes. The probability of predation by snakes increased significantly with increasing egg width (p < 0.01), suggesting that nest or egg size influences detectability or energetic benefits for snakes.
Elliot Cooney, '26, Greenfield, IA
Eli Sneed, '26, Carthage, MO
Jayden Rael, '26, Tucson, AZ
Engineering
Derin Sherman
Our session at the Student Symposium will be very insightful in learning more about our final capstone project as engineering students at Cornell College. Our project explores the differences in structural bracing of mid-rise buildings to prevent damage from earthquakes. Our project includes a self-built shake plate that will simulate an earthquake and two identical buildings that use two different types of structural bracing. The main points of our session will cover the aspects of our project that are most appealing to our audience. We will discuss the formulation of the project and how we decided what to compare, and how we decided to accurately prove and show the differences in two types of structural bracing. Another point we will discuss will be the process of building the shake plate as well as the identical buildings with key differences. We then will discuss the results of our project and how we were able to determine which type of structural bracing is most effective at preventing damage to mid-rise buildings during earthquake events. Along with these points, we will explore any key findings we may make while conducting our project.
Our session will be extremely relevant to those that attend the symposium because of the aspects of engineering, experimentation, and development that are involved with our project. The attendees will be interested in how students at Cornell College learn and produce results within the environment of the school, and as well as individuality that the students bring to their projects and presentations. Our session will cover all of these points by showing how we conducted our project/experiment, what help we used throughout, and the unique project that we have chosen to explore and discuss with the attendees. We will engage with the audience by constantly reacting and speaking on the topics that we see the audience is engaging with the best. We will stick to our main talking points of the session, but adapt the order and depth of each point to best fit how the audience is reacting to our session.
Ethan Yunkers, '26, Mankato, MN
Brodie Callahan, '26
Issac Huelsenbeck, '26
Engineering
Derin Sherman
Our Capstone project is a test of a new form of renewable energy. Our aim is to harness the power of the tides. Tides are a constant source of kinetic energy, varying with a predictable cycle. Our goal was to find a way to capture this energy and turn it into electricity. Our goal presents itself with several challenges. For starters, we are trying to generate electricity while submerged in salt water, which can be dangerous if done incorrectly due to salt water’s high conductivity. It also means that our design needs to be highly resistant to corrosion. We also needed a way to generate electricity from a fairly slow process, which is another challenge in and of itself. Typically, electricity is generated from turbines with a relatively high cycle rate compared to tidal cycles. For our project, we need a way to accurately simulate and model the conditions.
Another problem to overcome is the cost of construction. The power generated must be worth the costs required to build it. Because construction would occur in the ocean, the project will require permits and compliance with federal and state maritime and environmental regulations. These regulations would have to be followed, affecting what materials are used or where these systems are built. The approval process can also affect construction.
This project aims to evaluate the feasibility and sustainability of a tidal energy generation system as a sustainable alternative to other energy sources while also minimizing environmental impact on marine ecosystems. By developing a system capable of operating in these conditions, we hope to demonstrate how predictable tidal cycles can provide reliable power.
Silas Heimos, '26, East Troy, WI
Hadley Beaty, '26, Bosque Farms, NM
Engineering
Derin Sherman
Boats are one of the oldest methods of transportation. They allowed our ancestors to explore, trade, and conquer all over the world. Even today, boats are vital to the world economy and continue to hold immense cultural significance around the world. With this comes the countless different types of boats and their variations, specifically the hull of each boat.
The hull of a boat is fundamental to how the boat behaves in the water because it is the part of the boat that interacts directly with the water. The effect we will study in this presentation is the effect of hull modifications on the hydrodynamic drag of the boat. In other words, how will certain changes to the boat’s shape affect the way it moves through the water?
At high speeds, boats are supposed to glide over the water, but they can still be held back if too much of the boat is still in the water, or if the water is not moving smoothly around the boat. This is called drag. Drag is a resistive force that opposes the motion of an object as it moves through a fluid. In this case, hydrodynamic drag would be the resistant force a boat experiences due to the water. This resistance can change due to the shape of the hull. Imagine you are sticking your hand out the window of a moving car. Depending on the position of your hand, you can either feel the wind push your arm back or feel your hand glide smoothly through the air. Since air and water are both fluids, the same concept applies to movement in the water.
To test this, we are going to analyze the performance of an RC boat by adding attachments to the hull and then observing how the addition affected the drag force experienced by the boat. To achieve this, we will tow the boat at a constant speed so that the conditions remain consistent. Since it is at a constant speed, the net force will be equal to zero. So, the force we apply on the boat to make it move will equal the force of drag the boat experiences
There are several benefits in decreasing the hydrodynamic drag on a boat. First is that it allows the boat to move faster. If the water is not resisting the boat as much, the boat can obtain higher speeds. Second, it makes the boat more fuel efficient, which can save money. If the boat experiences less drag, it becomes more efficient. The engine doesn’t have to burn as much fuel or expend as much energy to maintain a certain speed. Third, it allows boat travel to be more comfortable. If the boat is gliding through the water, it will not react to the turbulence of the water as much, making it a smoother ride.
Macy Chisholm, '26
Jack Gross, '26
Engineering
Derin Sherman
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that requires equal access for persons with disabilities in public places. Older buildings are typically grandfathered into the requirements, but equal access remains a challenge for those who require ADA compliance. In this poster, we present an on-campus case study for the design of an ADA accessible ramp in Kimmel Theater, a project notable for irregular space constraints. The design of the ramp and structural simulations were initially performed using the computer-aided design software PTC Creo, and both a virtual model and a works-like prototype will be built and installed in Kimmel Theater, time permitting. This project has successfully provided an alternative means of accessing Kimmel Theater, increasing accessibility for the College community and providing an easier way to move heavy theatre equipment.
Future work in this area could include increasing tactile/Braille signage around campus, outdoor accessibility e.g. ADA compliant path to the SAW, or exploration of accessibility in residence halls (elevators, air conditioning, ADA compliant restrooms, etc.).
Brett Pelfrey, '26
Bryce Stevens, '26
Estevan Alfaro, '26
Engineering
Derin Sherman
This is a proposal for our idea called “Blind Hill Vehicle Detection System” (BHVDS), the concept is based around Iowa's hills and not being able to tell when a car is coming up steep hills. The reference we used for testing and a maquette is a turn from Third Street SW to turn left on Fifth Street SW, the concern is that the hill is too steep to see if a car is zooming up the hill. This also poses an issue for students and people crossing the road with headphones on or who have hearing issues. We found a way to detect a vehicle speeding up the hill in a cheap and effective way. In addition to the detection system we built a trigger to an LED light, which highlighted our metal sign that would say “WHEN FLASHING CAR IS APPROACHING” and the letters are in reflective tape so light highlights the letters so no power was needed. Our sign is cheaper, fewer parts and more effective compared to other systems using similar technology.
Sowelu Naantena, '26, Madison, WI
Communications
Katy Stavreva
This project documents eight grassroots organizations across Europe and the United States that are reimagining nonprofit and volunteer work through the lens of communal support. Through interviews and qualitative research, I have created an interactive website featuring in-depth write-ups of organizations ranging from hackerspaces to timebanking cooperatives.
Each organization’s profile includes not only what they do, but practical guidance on how to create something similar in your own community. From food rescue programs serving asylum seekers to neighborhood revitalization through urban farming, these groups represent diverse approaches to community care. The project shows that mutual aid and community support systems are more accessible than they might appear. These organizations were built by ordinary people who saw a need and acted, often with minimal resources and expertise. By presenting these diverse approaches side-by-side, the project also identifies common throughlines such as asset-based development, consensus governance, and neighbor-to-neighbor solidarity.
At the 2026 Student Symposium, attendees can explore the interactive website and learn about the research process behind independent study projects. The project shows that documenting and sharing community knowledge is both academically valuable and a form of service, making grassroots organizing more visible and accessible to anyone seeking to build stronger communities.
Miles McIntyre, '27
Jessica O'Brien, '28
Chemistry
Craig Teague
Polyoxometalates (POMs) and ionic liquids offer a large experimental space for energy applications. Ionic liquids tend to have large electrochemical windows and have high ionic conductivity while also being in the liquid phase at or around room temperature. POMs are metal-oxide anions that can easily donate and accept electrons reversibly, which makes them useful in catalysis, batteries, and medicinal applications. Combining the properties of ionic liquids and POMs could allow for their use in redox flow batteries, capacitors, and other electrical devices. Our focus is to explore these properties and possibly combine them to provide foundations for future research in energy applications.
As part of building this foundation, we obtained infrared spectra of a wide range of ionic liquids. This technique measures how much infrared light a sample absorbs at specific wavelengths; from this we can find the different kinds of bonds or functional groups in a molecule. These spectra can be used to determine the chemical structure of these ionic liquids and, once other properties are determined, how the structure influences properties related to energy applications.
For the exploration of polyoxometalates we compared two sources of the POM silicotungstic acid (STA), including STA from a chemical supplier and STA we synthesized in the lab. The resulting layers of the STA synthesis were analyzed with infrared spectroscopy. The etherate layer (a combination of ether and silicotungstic acid) is of note, particularly relating to the spectral features present which do not appear in the other layers. STA was further analyzed using optical emission spectroscopy.
Because neither of the POMs tested dissolved readily in the ionic liquids, other methods to combine them are of interest. Potential future exploration includes investigation of other POMs and the development and analysis of POM-IL mixtures.
Salem DeMale, '26, Naperville, IL
Geology
Emily Walsh
The Seve Nappe Complex (SNC) in Sweden has experienced ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphism, defined by the formation of the mineral coesite, a form of SiO2. This occurred as a result of subduction of the Baltica plate under the ancient Iapetus ocean plate around 460 Ma (Bender, 2018). After subduction, the Baltica plate was exhumed to the surface, then experienced several more subduction and exhumation events before a final collision with the Laurentia plate around 430 - 400 Ma that formed the Caledonides, the mountain range that includes the SNC (Bukala, 2020). This project focuses on two samples from the SNC: sample E7803J2, a garnet-biotite schist with a high amount of kyanite, and sample E7804G, a garnet-muscovite schist, which contains very large, zoned garnets and a strong metamorphic foliation. I analyzed the mineralogy of these samples using a petrographic microscope. Then, I used thermodynamic software Theriak-Domino to model the P-T conditions of each sample.
Sample E7803J2 has little foliation visible in thin section. It consists of about 21% kyanite of varying sizes with inclusions of garnet, ilmenite, and apatite, 20% biotite, 18% quartz, 17% garnets all under 2mm in diameter, 8% plagioclase, 7% potassium feldspar, 7% muscovite, and <1% of the accessory minerals monazite, apatite, rutile, and ilmenite. Garnets show little zoning, and high-pressure rutile inclusions are found in garnet rims. The clustering of quartz and plagioclase crystals suggests crystallized melt pockets after partial melting. The main mineral assemblage is modeled between ~7 - 12 kb and ~400 - 780°C. The Mg composition of the garnet plots more specifically around 11 - 11.5 kb and 700 - 800°C, corroborating the high pressure and partial melting of the sample.
Sample E7804G has a strong foliation defined by alternating biotite-rich and quartz-rich layers. The sample is composed of about 34% muscovite, 18% plagioclase, 16% large garnets with diameters around 5mm, 13% quartz, 11% biotite and chlorite, 6% calcite in garnet strain shadows, and <1% of the accessory minerals hematite, tourmaline, allanite, ilmenite, titanite, epidote, zircon, and apatite. Garnets show considerable zoning, with higher Ca in the core and higher Mg at the rim. No rutile, kyanite, or evidence of partial melting are found in this sample, although considerable small epidotes are found throughout. Garnet zoning suggests garnet cores experienced higher pressures, within increasing temperature toward the rims. However, the zoning also records significant disequilibrium in the sample that makes it difficult to model with Theriak-Domino.
While neither sample shows evidence of UHP metamorphism, both samples exhibit similar, minimum, lower-crustal pressures. Sample E7803J2 records a snapshot of its highest-temperature conditions with little evidence of lower-pressure re-equilibration. The larger garnet size and substantial zoning of E7804G indicate more disequilibrium within the sample; the abundant, small epidote grains, as well as calcite within garnet pressure shadows suggest the rock was re-equilibrated at mid-crustal pressures during exhumation.
Garrett Roehl, '26, St. Cloud, WI
Data Science and Applied Mathematics
Fabián Candelaria and Tyler George
In the world of Major League Baseball, there is a lot of talk about the positive effect that learning from teammates can have on a player’s performance. Baseball analysts often praise the effect an experienced player can have on the success of his teammates. In this poster, I detail my findings through the development of an undirected, weighted, contact network graph that applies concepts of graph theory to represent every offensive Major League Baseball player that has played as a teammate with one another since the year 1910. Using edges weighted for the length of time spent as teammates, I have extracted 8 measures of connectedness per player per year using a graph that iteratively includes every year up to and including the given year. Using data extracted from the graph, I have fitted a model to estimate an offensive player’s weighted on base average (wOBA), a measure of offensive performance, based on those connectedness measures as predictor variables. Evidence has supported the idea that the quality of relationships is much more valuable to a player’s performance than the quantity of his relationships. Additionally, I have found that a player’s connectedness measures in conjunction with his height, weight, and handedness may be able to predict his wOBA more accurately than his previous season’s wOBA can predict his single season wOBA. The poster will be especially relevant to anyone interested in sports analytics and the symbiotic nature of team sports, the applications of graph theory and applied mathematics to sports data, or statistical analysis and statistical learning techniques.