Poster Session III

Molybdenum adsorption to iron sulfides has been used as a paleoproxy to better understand past oceanic redox conditions. The oxidation state of molybdenum provides information about what type of redox environment it was in. This research simulates the sulfidic marine conditions by generating iron sulfide with the addition of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate. There are three factors mainly tested: amount of iron sulfide, aging time of iron sulfide and concentration of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate. Both liquid phase and solid phase are analyzed by various instruments for monitoring the aqueous concentration for each element, and understanding the identity of the solid phase. By employing the new method of synthesis, the pH is consistent among 7 experiments with an average of 8.39 土0.067. For the liquid phase, there is no signal of Mo among all adsorption groups, which means all the tetrathiomolybdate is sorbed to the iron sulfide. For solid phase, the PXRD spectra suggests the iron sulfide is amorphous . Raman spectra are run for further characterization of solid phase.  This project was supported by funding from F&M's Hackman Summer Scholar Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Jennifer Morford, Department of Chemistry

This summer, I attended the Penland School of Craft, located in Bakersville, North Carolina and had the opportunity to participate in two craft workshops over the course of three weeks. The first of the workshops, titled “Handbuilt: From Flat to Form” was a four day clay workshop, where we utilized hand building techniques to create functional objects. Workshop two “Intense Intaglio Intensive” was an 11 day intaglio printmaking workshop, during which we worked on created multiple color prints with copper plates. We learned how to utilize many intaglio techniques such as stage biting, spit biting and dry point to create prints with depth and texture. We also learned how to utilize chine collé, a technique in which very thin, often colored, paper is run with the plate and printing surface, through the press, to add further color to a print. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Lutrey Immersive Study of Craft Endowment.

Project Mentor:  Professor John Holmgren, Department of Art, Art History and Film

The use of non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) has greatly increased understanding of protein structure and function. 4-Cyano-L-Phenylalanine (pCNF) is a vibrational reporter ncAA that has been used to look at local solvation environments in proteins. More recently, work in the lab has been to explore the use of pCNF as a distance reporter in proteins. The superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) is the model system where pCNF was incorporated at two sites via Amber Codon Suppression Methodology. This summer, the possibility of a post-translational modification of cysteine was explored. Following Jo et al.'s works, the cysteine in sfGFP-N149C and sfGFP-D113C was modified to become S-4-cyanobenzyl-N-acetylcysteine. Mass Spectroscopy was used to confirm the post-translational modification of pCNF on the N149 and D133 sites in sfGFP. Future work will be done using crystallization trays and IRSpectroscopy to examine the modified protein further. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Eyler Fund and the National Science Foundation.

Project Mentors:  Professors Scott Brewer, Ken Hess and Christine Piro, Department of Chemistry

In deep learning model optimization, our research delves into the intriguing but challenging task of enhancing efficiency through token merging. Our study primarily focused on refining the token merging process by exploring alternative algorithms. Instead of the conventional token merging, where similar tokens are matched and combined, we sought to leverage machine learning techniques such as clustering to bring about more precise merging. Our research provided valuable insights and directions for further investigation into the territory. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Hackman Summer Scholar Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Brad McDanel, Department of Computer Science

This research focuses on the effects of selenium exchange on directly synthesized wurtzite cadmium sulfide (w-CdS) nanorods. The modification of nanoparticles can be applicable to challenges that are present in solar energy systems and enhance infrared cancer treatments. The synthesis of w-CdS nanorods was achieved through reacting cadmium and sulfur atoms together with other necessary chemical components. The subsequent selenium exchange process involved injecting CdS nanorods into the selenium solution at high temperatures. The synthesized CdS nanorods and selenium-exchanged CdS nanorods were characterized and analyzed by using powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and crystal diffraction. The results revealed that the selenium exchange with the CdS complex was successful, however there was not a complete exchange of Se on the CdS nanorods. The crystal diffraction showed that there was a mixture of CdS and CdSe within the samples. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Hackman Summer Scholar Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Kate Plass, Department of Chemistry

Throughout our participation in the Creativity, Innovation, and Future of Work program, we learned how to enact the following question: how might we? With this framework in mind, our work centered around the Lancaster County Health needs assessment. In collaboration with Lancaster General Health, the research delved into the groups who are notably underrepresented in the survey. The three groups in our program focused on the LGBTQ+ community, racial and ethnic minorities, and young people–all of which are underrepresented. Our methods followed the question I previously mentioned: how might we engage these underrepresented groups in completing the health needs assessment. Through observations and interviews we worked with the Lancaster community and found that making personal connections increases the likelihood of getting feedback on healthcare. We developed a technique of surveying community members about their health needs with restorative circles. We found that restorative circles created a safe space in which all community members felt comfortable sharing their needs to help better theirs and their communities health. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Creative Innovation of Future Works Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Maya Greenshpan, Department of Italian Studies and Hebrew

The protoplanetary nebula (PPN) stage is one of the final phases in the lives of low-mass stars like the Sun, lying between the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) and the planetary nebula (PN) stages. While much of the processing of molecular material between the AGB and PN phases is thought to occur in the PPN stage, the molecular composition of PPNe is not well understood. In this project, we studied the molecular composition and abundances of PPN M1-92. To do so, we analyzed radio spectroscopy observations to determine the molecules present in M1-92. Each molecular spectral line is fit with a Gaussian to determine their strengths and widths. These parameters are then used to find the molecular abundances through radiative transfer analysis. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Hackman Summer Scholar Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Deborah Schmidt, Department of Physics and Astronomy

Thioether molecules contain two carbon-sulfur bonds and have applications in organic synthesis, biochemistry, and materials chemistry. The Tasker lab recently discovered a new way of making these products with good yields. Previous work on this project has established the optimal conditions for this reaction on a small scale, including the use of a radical initiator and a hypervalent iodine reagent. This summer, we focused on optimizing the isolation conditions and testing the scope of the compounds that can be used to make new thioether derivatives on a larger scale. We discovered that removing the workup step increased isolated yields and have successfully synthesized a range of new thioethers. The way this reaction occurs is unknown which has led us to design experiments to explore the mechanism. This project was supported by funding from the Organic Syntheses Grant.

Project Mentor:  Professor Sarah Tasker, Department of Chemistry

Given the rise in worker cooperatives, scholars have continued analyzing support organizations, including incubators and accelerators, also known as ESOs, which help develop these organizations. This project worked to better understand the literature surrounding ESOs as a whole, offering an entryway for comparison and analysis of ESOs specific to cooperatives. Beginning stages included comprehensive data collection of sources pertaining to defining ESOs, case studies, special-foci groups (entrepreneurs of color, women, low-income, and immigrants), and best practices and pitfalls of ESOs. Secondarily, an annotated bibliography was crafted to emphasize key findings and aid in the construction of a literature review. This included sections on defining the role of incubators and accelerators, analyzing best practices, measuring performance, understanding the Value Added Approach, signaling challenges, introducing entrepreneurial ecosystems, transitioning to inclusive ecosystems, and articulating viable policy interventions. Research culminated in peer review, a memo summarizing primary findings, and preliminary research on cooperative ESOs. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Hackman Summer Scholar Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Biko Koenig, Department of Government

This research investigates the use of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores and financial indicators in predicting companies' future financial performance. Specifically, we compare the stock beta predictiveness of 2 Bloomberg ESG scores with 9 traditional financial ratios. By analyzing historical data for over 1770 US-traded firms from 2016 to 2021, and applying machine learning algorithms, we explore the relationship between these metrics and financial outcomes. Also, we provide insights into the variation of predictive powers across 11 Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) sectors, and within bullish and bearish markets. The results show that while ESG scores generally hold similar weight as average financial indicators, their relevance varies across market types and industries. This underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of this link in the stock market, especially for investors, businesses, and policymakers. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Hackman Summer Scholar Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Alan Glazer, Department of Business, Organizations & Society

The Conestoga Limestone-Dolomite Formation in Lancaster, Pennsylvania is a geologic formation known for its limestone deposits. It was formed around 470 million years ago during the Cambrian to Ordovician age. The formation consists mainly of limestone with shale and sandstone layers. Fossils, including brachiopods and trilobites, are found within it. The limestone has historical significance in construction and economic importance for industries like cement and steel. Today, it continues to be of interest to geologists and paleontologists. The research conducted by the students and faculty of F&M took place from June 5 to June 16, 2023. A number of core samples were extensively examined, cut, polished, photographed and logged early-on in the research span. Additionally, numerous field sites were visited and subsequent measurements and documentation were gathered in order to deduce orientation of the formation, as well as to construct a basic 3-d rendering of a sample formation. This project was supported by funding from the Richard M. and Dorothy K. Foose Endowment.

Project Mentor:  Professor Andy de Wet, Department of Earth & Environment

Understanding the structure and dynamics of biomolecules within their native environment is critical for understanding the function of these all-important molecules. Vibrational coupling between pairs of reporters such as azides, nitriles, cyanamides, and selenocyanates can be studied by two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy (2D IR) to measure distances and gain an understanding of the structural dynamics within the molecule. This research seeks to expand upon the novel use of vibrational reporters to study biomolecules by ultimately incorporating two vibrational coupling partners, a double-labeled nitrile (13C15N) at the 5-position of deoxyuridine (dU) and an azide at the 2’-position of an deoxyadenosine, into an RNA hairpin for 2D IR studies via collaboration with Matthew Tucker. Significant progress was made as DMT-protected 5-cyano-dU (2) was successfully synthesized in unlabeled (CN) and labeled forms (13CN, C15N, 13C15N). Future work will focus on the completion of the synthesis via introduction of the phosphoramidite functional group and incorporation of the nucleoside into the RNA hairpin via collaboration with Ronald Micura. Synthesis of cyanamide-deoxycytidine (17) was also completed for use in 2D IR studies on the utility of cyanamides as vibrational reporters. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Hackman Summer Scholar Program and the National Institute of Health.

Project Mentor:  Professor Ed Fenlon, Department of Chemistry

The CECILIA survey uses ultra deep observations with JWST/NIRSpec to target faint emission lines in the spectra of 33 galaxies during the peak period of cosmic star formation, allowing for a detailed investigation of the characteristic rest-optical spectrum in the wavelength range of about 5500 to 8500 Angstroms. This summer, we calculated spatial profiles for the continuum and line emission in order to extract 1D spectra from the 2D science images we received from JWST. We also used Gaussian line fits with a polynomial continuum fit in order to get the total flux for each emission line. In addition, we applied a Monte Carlo method to calculate accurate uncertainties for the continuum and emission-line fluxes. Finally, we checked for systematic differences across the two detectors and filters used in the CECILIA survey. Portions of this project were included in a paper submitted to the Astrophysical Journal (arXiv: 2308.13508). This project was supported by funding from NASA, the Pittsburgh Foundation, and the Research Corporation for Scientific Advancement.

Project Mentor:  Professor Ryan Trainor, Department of Physics and Astronomy

Molecular reporters are used to study protein folding, drug binding, RNA folding, and other structural and dynamic features of biomolecules. This project seeks to synthesize pyridine compounds containing cyano- or azido- vibrational reporters. Accordingly, 2,6-butoxycarbonylamino-4-(4-cyanophenyl)pyridine and the analogous 4-azidophenyl compound have each been synthesized in four steps with 19% and 24% yields, respectively. A nitrile peak at 2227 cm-1 and an azide peak at 2117 cm-1 in the respective IR spectra supported the assigned structure. These compounds will be paired with a deoxyuridine hydrogen-bonding partner that also has a vibrational reporter, mimicking a Watson-Crick base pair. 1D and 2D IR spectroscopy will be used to measure the vibrational coupling between the two reporters, allowing the distance and angle between them to be determined. Future research will involve the scale-up and improvement of previous synthetic pathways, synthesis of additional base-pair partners, and IR experiments. This project was supported by funding from F&M’s Summer Scholar Program and the National Institute of Health.

Project Mentors:  Professors Ed Fenlon and Scott Brewer, Department of Chemistry

The Moorish Revival movement appeared western synagogue architecture in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In the lineage from the Moorish synagogues of Toledo, Spain, the ghettos of Prague and Bohemia, and immigration to the United States, a dialectical story unfolds. These architectural works ideologically and physically manifest cyclical narratives of tolerance, persecution, identity, and memory. Moorish architecture comes from a period of peace and its revival was built upon this tolerance, a claim of heritage, and rejection of Christian forms. Socio-political conditions leading to WWII, the loosening of constraints on synagogue ornamentation, and the Art Nouveau movement created conditions that further pushed an exploration of Jewish visual language and identity. In both construction, curated preservation, and establishment of museums, the building sites tell their own history and create a cultural identity. This project was supported by funding from F&M's John Marshall Fellows Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Scott Lerner, Department of Italian Studies and Hebrew

Mutations in WDR73 are causative for Galloway-Mowat syndrome, an auto-recessive disorder including progressive microcephaly, end-stage renal disease, and significant cognitive and psychomotor impairment. Mass spectrometry analysis was used by our lab to investigate the WDR73 interactome, which identified a putative interaction with the Elongin B - Elongin C heterodimer. Elongin B and C have been shown to have roles in poly-ubiquitination and transcriptional regulation, and Elongin C has been shown to have a particular role in axonal guidance. Previous studies in our lab have shown that decreased dimerization through disrupting the dimerization site on Elongin C impairs Elongin B/C interaction with WDR73. To determine whether disrupting the Elongin B binding site influences WDR73 interaction, we disrupted the B/C dimerization site on Elongin B through site-directed mutagenesis (R29A, del31-40, 33DKEG36). Through co-immunoprecipitation assays, only Elogin B del31-40 was shown to reasonably reduce dimerization with Elongin C. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Eyler Fund and the National Institute of Health.

Project Mentor:  Professor Rob Jinks, Department of Biology

Mutations in the WDR73 gene have been identified as one cause of Galloway-Mowat Syndrome (GMS). GMS is a rare, autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by central nervous system and nephrotic abnormalities. Little is known about WDR73, and its protein interactome is of interest to better understand WDR73’s function, localization, and role in GMS. Previous studies in our lab elucidated potential WDR73 interactors: PFN1, VIME, PRMT1, HSPA5, SMN1, and UBB as well as NUP 133 using cultured cerebellar neuroblasts. After cloning the genes encoding each protein, co-immunoprecipitation was performed pairing each protein of interest with WDR73 to better understand the putative protein-protein interactions. PFN1 co-precipitated with WDR73, supporting an interaction; VIME, NUP 133, and UBB may also interact with WDR73, but findings were equivocal and additional data are necessary. PRMT1 and HSPA5 bound nonspecifically while SMN1 did not co-precipitate, and therefore is unlikely to interact with WDR73. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Eyler Fund and the National Institute of Health.

Project Mentor:  Professor Rob Jinks, Department of Biology

Power Packs provides wholesome weekend meals to families experiencing food insecurity, ensuring children are prepared for educational success. To support this initiative, we used the applied mathematics technique of linear integer programming to refine meal planning while ensuring cost efficiency. We concentrated on three criteria: the retail prices of recipe ingredients, wholesale costs for Power Packs, and a reasonable balance of nutrients. We researched recipe ingredients and associated costs carefully online. We then used a text-matching algorithm to associate each ingredient with items from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Using specific Python libraries, our tailored algorithms are capable of identifying the most value-driven and health-conscious recipes under nutritional guidelines of USDA. Preliminary results identified an optimal set of 7 recipes from a selection of 20 converted so far. This project lays the foundation for future success, as we continue to help Power Packs streamline their recipe selection strategy. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Hackman Summer Scholar Program and the Mathematics Department Research Fund.

Project Mentor:  Professor Christina Weaver, Department of Mathematics