Poster Session II

New Orleans, Louisiana presents a fascinating history and culture built on a duality of grit and beauty. During my three months there, I had three goals for my Marshall Fellow project: volunteering at the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans (CHNOLA), exploring New Orleans culture, and using my experiences as inspiration for a creative writing portfolio. To accomplish these goals, I worked in multiple positions at CHNOLA, including running programs such as Amy’s Art Cart and the Playrooms. I also dedicated time to taking tours, visiting popular attractions, speaking with locals, and exploring the different neighborhoods in which I was working and living. I attended the New Orleans Writing Marathon and wrote on my own at least five days a week to develop my portfolio. My writing from the summer reflects all the inspiration I drew from the city and traces its themes of celebration, tragedy, loss, and survival.  This project was supported by funding from F&M's John Marshall Fellows Program. 

Project Mentors:  Professor Nicholas Montemarano, Department of English and Professor Matthew Butterfield, Department of Music

As part of my project, I traveled to Kathmandu and worked with the Nepal Cavalry at their riding stables. While simultaneously taking riding lessons, I also learnt more about horse welfare and got to oversee trainers as they trained young horses. I also worked with an instructor to help with lessons for beginner kids.  The equestrian community in Nepal is currently almost solely centralized around the Nepal Cavalry. However, horse culture in Nepal traces back to Nepali monarchy. It is still a crucial form of transportation in the hilly and Himalayan region. Horses also hold tremendous importance in Nepali mythology. Through this presentation, I want to uncover the crucial role of horses in Nepali history/ culture and share my personal experience as a Nepali equestrian when compared to equestrians from other countries. My hope is to share my love for horses and my passion for horse riding with the audience. This project was supported by funding from F&M's John Marshall Fellows Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Meredith Bashaw, Department of Psychology

The CdS and Cu2-xS heterostructure is used in photovoltaics and solar fuel generation, however limited due to the instability of their heterostructure interfaces. Te exchange is shown to help this instability by changing the optical properties of nanoparticles with a thin Cu2-xTe shell incorporation on roxbyite Cu2-xS nanorods. In order to study Te exchange application in photovoltaics, Cd and Te exchange were performed in different orders and extents. Cd exchange on Cu2-xTe/Cu2-xS heterostructure alters its exchange regioselectivity, where CdS is formed as stripes with Cu2-xTe migration. The cation exchange shifts the Cu2-xTe without breaking up its hexagonal crystal structure to form a new structure pattern. On the other hand, the regioselectivity of Te exchange on CdS/Cu2-xS heterostructure does not change, incorporating as a shell and does not cause CdS shift. However, Te incorporation in nanorods disturbed hexagonal CdS crystal lattice, exacerbated by increase of temperature of Te exchange. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Kate Plass, Department of Chemistry

Cu2−xS nanoparticles show surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Electrons get excited by light and they wiggle back and forth due to vacancies on the valence band. Thus plasmonic particles absorb light in a different way than other materials. We monitored LSPR of Cu2−xS nanoparticles while they transformed to Cu2−xTe nanoparticles through a process called anion exchange. We saw that LSPR was quenched during the initial stage of the anion exchange transformation (the core/shell stage) when few Te ions replace S ions. LSPR then returns as copper telluride (full exchange Cu2−xTe) progresses into the nanorod. Rearrangement of atoms within the core accounts for this behavior, illustrating the complexity emergent from anion exchange. During the last school year we were able to study these particles and transformations extensively until we were able to understand this behavior. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Kate Plass, Department of Chemistry

Understanding soil biodiversity is incredibly important from an ecological, evolutionary and economical perspective. This project focuses on pathogen detection in hemp production fields in south-central Pennsylvania in Summer 2022. To analyze oomycete biodiversity, microsatellite markers, also known as simple sequence repeats (SSR) will be utilized to extrapolate the layers of genetic diversity within Pythium species. Microsatellites are specific DNA sequences with repeated base pairs that are highly polymorphic, meaning there is high variation among individuals of the same species, and are easily observed using fragment analysis with fluorescently labeled PCR primers. Microsatellite markers will be utilized on Pythium irregulare and Pythium ultimum isolates to investigate the range of genetic diversity within these commonly found pathogenic species. The results of this project will contribute to our understanding of how pathogens influence growth patterns and crop viability for past and future crop production. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Jaime Blair, Department of Biology

In the Plass lab, experimentation of anion exchange with elemental selenium on copper sulfide nanorods in dodecanethiol altered the morphology in new ways we have never seen. This data contradicted previous anion exchange with tellurium that had successfully retained morphology and remained homogenous after full anion exchange. From this research, conditions were altered and enabled us to create a solid solution containing Cu/Se/S while retaining morphology. It was shown that as time increased, the incorporation of Se increased. The process sparked curiosity and was of interest to research with Cadmium Sulfide nanorods. Cadmium exchanges can be variable and the amount of cadmium that integrates depends on how far a reaction is pushed. Knowing this, we successfully created a half cadmium sulfide and half Cd, Se, and S solid solution nanorod that maintains morphology, and the two halves have differing optical and photocatalytic properties. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Kate Plass, Department of Chemistry

This public health-related study examined the set-up of two 55+ active communities, the success of the amenities offered, and the satisfaction of the residents living there to make conclusions about healthy living practices amongst senior citizens. Through interviews with residents, participant-observation, and assessments of community documents, the goal of this research was to examine differences between the two communities, how accessible they are to their residents, what social ties are present, and how physical wellbeing is incentivized. This study assessed community structure and associated perceived satisfaction so public health experts and the Homeowners Association can make potential improvements to these residential communities. Analyses show that participants appreciated the activities and social ties provided by the communities but wanted the implementation of accessible transportation between their communities and the surrounding communities. This project was supported by funding from F&M's John Marshall Fellows Program. 

Project Mentor:  Professor Emily Marshall, Department of Sociology and the Public Health Program 

In more than 80% of colon cancer patients, the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (or APC) is mutated resulting in the inactivation of the Beta-catenin destruction complex. In this complex, APC, Axin and GSK3 together tag beta-catenin for destruction. Beta-catenin, when it accumulates in the nucleus, binds the TCF transcription factor and leads to the expression of genes like cyclin D1 which promote cell proliferation. Though the importance of the complex in regulation of development has been well established, the role of APC within the complex is not well understood. Recent research has suggested that beta-catenin may be acting as a bridge between Axin and APC. Based on this data, I hypothesized that Axin and APC may be functionally redundant within the complex. Therefore, we established transgenic Drosophila melanogaster models that express mutated APC and Axin at endogenous levels to test our hypothesis in vivo. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Hackman Summer Scholar Program and the Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor David Roberts, Department of Biology

A series of conjugated sulfonyl ketones and 2-acetopropenamides (some novel examples) were prepared and purified for attempted transfer hydrogenation using Hantzsch amide. Some examples were successfully purified and are reported here. In all cases, the goal of the project is to perform transfer hydrogenations on the synthesized material using the Hantzsch bismethylamido dihydropyridine. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Hackman Summer Scholar Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Scott Van Arman, Department of Chemistry 

Following the Gold Rush of 1849, San Francisco exploded into a dynamic urban center. Starting with a meager population of 50 people in 1844, the population skyrocketed to about 56,000 by 1860. While, early on, this growing population was overwhelmingly male, over time, single and married women came to the city in search of opportunity. In my research, I examine how elite, Protestant women made their mark on an ever-growing urban landscape through their management of social welfare institutions. While their charities provided much-needed services to those in need, it came at the price of compliance. Through their charity work, elite women sought to control and shape the behaviors of the lower class and people of color to create a more “uplifted” society. By molding and shaping the “deserving poor” to fit their idealized vision for society, these women carved out greater space for themselves as legitimate socio-political leaders. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Bolton/Humanities & Social Sciences Student Exploration Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Abby Schrader, Department of History

Uganda has high maternal mortality rates, with the number of deaths being 375 for every 100,000 births and a 3.2% infant death rate. While there has been immense improvement over the past 40 years, there is a lack of qualitative data explaining these startling rates. My research focused on gathering qualitative data to determine the differences in treatment/ patient care that cause the disparities in statistics found online. I traveled to Uganda for 1 month to shadow doctors in one of the largest public women's hospitals. During my trip I found that in combination with lack of education and access to medical care, an overall lack of funding has led to difference in treatment between people of differing socioeconomic statuses. This project was supported by funding from F&M's John Marshall Fellows Program. 

Project Mentor:  Professor Kirk Miller, Department of Biology

This project was directed at the development of previously studied nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions into projects for the organic chemistry laboratory. Reactions of halogenated pyridines and cyclic amines demonstrate good examples of nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Required reagents and solvents are safe and available, procedures are appropriate for students, and products which are easily characterizable by melting point analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and 1H-NMR. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Hackman Summer Scholar Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Marcus Thomsen, Department of Chemistry

Through the John Marshall Fellowship, Lauren Proffitt spent time in the summer of 2022 learning about the natural building material known as cob. Lauren attended 2 separate workshops to facilitate learning about this material as an artistic medium and a construction material. One workshop took place in Tennessee through the organization This Cob House. The workshop delved into the fundamental knowledge necessary to begin constructing a home or small building using cob. The second workshop took place at the Mud Dauber School in North Carolina. This workshop was a three day intensive that taught foundational skills for using natural plaster as a finish, as well as natural paint options. Attending these workshops allowed Lauren to discover a new way of interacting with and understanding the built environments she is surrounded by. They also provided new lenses with which to think about alternative materials in future sculptural and other artistic endeavors.  This project was supported by funding from F&M's John Marshall Fellows Program.

Project Mentor:  Richard Kent, Department of Art, Art History and Film

The mesolimbic dopamine system exerts primary control over motivation and behaviors that impact this brain pathway may influence the development of offspring during pregnancy. Highly palatable foods activate the dopamine pathway and may alter development in utero. To test this hypothesis, pregnant rats were assigned to either high-fat or standard chow conditions. Following pregnancy and birth, we tested the offspring for their aversion to morphine injections using a conditioned taste aversion procedure. Additionally, we tested the offspring in cocaine self-administration to determine vulnerability to cocaine reinforcement. Data from the morphine study showed the animals developed an aversion to morphine but there was no significant effect of prenatal treatment. Data from the cocaine self-administration study showed a prototypical dose response curve across a 100-fold range of doses. In that experiment, no differences between prenatal treatment were shown. Discussion of the results, alternative hypotheses, and future directions are also presented. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Hackman Summer Scholar Program and the PA Department of Health C.U.R.E grant.  

Project Mentor:  Professor Ryan Lacy, Department of Psychology 

Bumblebees are highly social invertebrates that primarily utilize visual and olfactory sensory modes to forage. These cues can come from many sources including conspecifics (other bumblebees) and florivores, other insects that damage and consume flowers. This study investigates the interaction of these cues: (1) which of the cues (social or florivory) do bumblebees follow when compounded on the same flower, and (2) which of the two key sensory modes (visual or olfaction) do bumblebees rely on more prominently when interpreting the presence of conspecifics and florivory. We tested these concepts by simulating visual or olfactory components of social and florivory cues on sunflowers and allowing common eastern bumblebee Bombus impatiens to forage within a climate-controlled space. Building on the suggestion of previous studies, these findings could have crucial benefits for large-scale crop pollination, especially in areas encountering pest interference. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program. 

Project Mentor:  Professor Aaron Howard, Department of Biology

The Nissley Grant provided funds for me to attend the 60th New York Film Festival and examine film exhibition performed on an international stage. Film exhibition is an art that requires precision to not only craft an immersive cinematic experience for the audience, but also guarantee a film is exhibited with absolute fidelity, preserving the filmmaker’s intent. What I learned then informed my approach to the After Birth Film Festival, a student film festival I co-directed that occurred December 9, 2022, in the Weis-Laiks cinema. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Jeremy Moss, Department of Art, Art History and Film

Green roofs, vegetated portions of rooftops, are becoming important tools for conservation in urban areas for their potential to increase biodiversity. The value of a green roof habitat could depend on environmental factors including surrounding green spaces, distance to water sources, and artificial light. To investigate the role of green roofs, we compared bat species diversity and activity between green roofs and conventional roof sites in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Bat echolocation calls were recorded using a passive acoustic monitor (AudioMoth). Using city maps and satellite imagery, the role of green space, tree canopy cover, water bodies, and artificial light will be compared to better understand how bats utilize green and conventional roofs in the city of Lancaster. This study provides evidence on the importance of green roofs in urban areas and how the location of green roofs in relation to surrounding environmental variables affects bat activity. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Daniel Ardia, Department of Biology

Assessing the differences between the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) and visual cortex (V1) of rhesus monkeys in different ages could help us better understand the cognitive impairment associated with aging and provide suggestions to prevent or slow cognitive aging. To examine whether there are similarities between the brightness of different biomarkers in different brain areas, we used MATLAB to apply cluster analysis on the Multiplexed Immunofluorescence (MxIF) Imaging data of three adult monkeys by two algorithms, Spectral Clustering and Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN). For DBSCAN we used the data matrix obtained after dimensional reduction by t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE). We create contingency tables for every cluster under each clustering technique to see the composition. The data was collected by Dr. Jennifer Luebke (Boston University School of Medicine). The research indicated these algorithms can be applied to more complex datasets and provide implications for future research. This project was supported by funding by the National Institute of Health/National Institute of Aging Grant. 

Project Mentor:  Professor Christina Weaver, Department of Mathematics