Copper selenides are an important class of metal chalcogenides with a range of applications from thermoelectrics to photovoltaics to ion transport to catalysis. While a large library of synthetic procedures is available for direct (bottom-up) syntheses of these materials, post-synthetic modifications of starting synthons are a route to create tailored nanostructures. Herein, we report recent developments in Se2– anion exchange procedure by way of combining elemental Se(0) and 1-octadecene for partial substitution of S2– in roxbyite Cu2–xS nanorods to achieve wurtzite Cu2–x(S1–ySey) solid solutions. By studying the Se2– complex in isolation, we propose two possible mechanisms by which the post-synthetic modification can occur, mainly driven by mild production of toxic H2Se(g). For nanocrystal products, the evaluation of their size parameters was completed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), of the crystal structure with powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and of elemental composition with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).  This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program, Hackman Summer Scholars Program and the William A. Snavely Academic Year Award.

Project Mentor:  Professor Kate Plass, Department of Chemistry

As human development expands, one of the biggest threats to bird populations is habitat loss and fragmentation. Urban and agricultural development reduces habitat, causing species declines and extirpations. Indirect consequences like pollution also contribute to declines. Green spaces emphasizing habitat restoration and preservation are a commonly cited solution, though how the size of these spaces and their subhabitats, and proximity to developed areas, affects bird populations is a crucial point of study. Differing impacts on migratory and residential birds also remains understudied. Closer proximity to agricultural and urban development likely correlates negatively with species diversity. Larger protected areas, and habitats within them, likely correlate positively.  To test species diversity, avian presence is monitored using passive acoustic recording. Recordings are processed to verify bird species, and diversity is mapped for each site. Identifying the success and limitations of nature preserves is necessary to reduce threats to already declining bird populations.    This project was supported by funding F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Daniel Ardia, Department of Biology

This project investigates the biochemical mechanisms by which cyanobacteria, particularly Spirulina platensis, metabolize crude oil. Oil spills pose significant environmental risks, and conventional remediation methods such as detergents can introduce additional ecological harm. As interest in sustainable bioremediation increases, certain cyanobacteria have emerged as promising organisms capable of degrading petroleum-derived compounds. The primary objective of this study is to identify the enzyme or enzymes responsible for crude oil metabolism in Spirulina. Cultures of Spirulina will be grown and fractionated into cellular components using established biochemical separation techniques. Each fraction will be screened for oil-degrading activity using a colorimetric assay designed to detect naphthol-like products formed during the oxidative metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Correlating enzymatic activity with specific cellular fractions will enable identification of the biochemical machinery involved in crude oil degradation. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Gabriel Brandt, Department of Chemistry

Over 8 weeks, our group for the Reckoning with Lancaster project reviewed an extensive amount of material, concentrating on the relationship between the system of incarceration in Lancaster County and Franklin & Marshall College. We related this research to the greater theme of abolition (in the senses of both slavery and prison abolition) in the United States. We read hundreds of archival records at Lancaster History, including records going back to the late 1700s, noting anyone who was imprisoned and/or in power. We also combed through Franklin & Marshall’s archives, recording all instances of arrests that occurred on campus. Additionally, we were thoughtful of the context of our research, and how it fits into a greater understanding of abolition. For our final project, we created a website that includes an outlined description of the research we did, and makes what we found more accessible to the general public. This project was supported by funding from Mellon Humanities for All Times: Reckoning with Lancaster.

Project Mentors:  Professor Peter Jaros, Department of English and Cristina Perez, Department of American Studies

Nitrile reporters have proven to be useful tools in probing local protein environments for their structure and solvation environments, as their spectroscopic features are in a generally clear region. The genetic incorporation of nitrile-containing unnatural amino acids (UAAs) such as 4-cyano-L-phenylalanine via the Amber codon suppression method has been thoroughly investigated. However, this method suffers from reduced protein yields relative to the wild-type protein.  Here, an aryl nitrile has been incorporated post-translationally into superfolder Green Fluorescent Protein (sfGFP) via cysteine alkylation, while hopefully maintaining normal protein expression levels. The synthesis and characterization of the model monomer 4-cyanobenzyl-L-cysteine will be presented, along with the optimized incorporation of the aryl nitrile into two unique sites of sfGFP and temperature-dependent FTIR results illustrating the sensitivity of the nitrile reporter to local protein environment. X-ray crystallography will be utilized to ensure that the incorporation of the aryl nitrile reporter into sfGFP has no structural implications. This project was supported by funding from  the F&M Committee on Grants, the National Science Foundation, the Henry Dreyfus Foundation, and the National Institute of Health.

Project Mentor: Professor Christine Phillips Piro, Department of Chemistry

One week summer experience at Penland School of Craft in Asheville, North Carolina. The class I took was titled throwing with intention, this was a pottery throwing class. Prior to taking this class, I had no experience and learned so much in an environment filled with like minded artistic people from all over the country. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants.

Project Mentor:  Jason Thompson, Winter Visual Art Center Studio Manager/Sculpture Shop Technician, Department of Visual Arts

The nitrile vibrational reporter has shown great promise to serve as a site-specific, effective probe of local protein environments when coupled with temperature-dependent infrared (IR) spectroscopy due in part to the location and sensitivity of the nitrile stretching frequency to local environments.  Here this small, minimally invasive reporter group was utilized to probe a variety of unique local protein environments in the Caldanaerobacter subterraneus heme-nitric oxide and/or oxygen (CsH-NOX) protein. Specifically, numerous sites throughout the protein were explored through the genetic incorporation of the non-canonical amino acid (ncAA) 4-cyano-L-phenylalanine (pCNF) using the Amber codon suppression methodology. The heme pocket was specifically explored though cyanide bound directly to the heme. Each of these constructs were probed with temperature-dependent IR spectroscopy to extract information regarding the hydration state of the nitrile reporter. These results, in addition to X-ray crystallographic data, will be presented. This project was supported by funding from the F&M Committee on Grants, the National Science Foundation, the Henry Dreyfus Foundation and the National Institute of Health. 

Project Mentors: Professors Christine Phillips-Piro, Edward Fenlon and Scott Brewer, Department of Chemistry 

Soft-bodied invertebrates that rely on hydrostatic skeletons often require muscles that can produce force over unusually wide operating length ranges. Obliquely striated muscles are thought to meet these demands through “superelongation,” maintaining relatively high active force across large length changes. The bloodworm Glycera dibranchiata provides a strong model for testing this idea because it uses an eversible proboscis for burrowing and prey capture, and proboscis retraction is powered by a serial system of strap-like retractor muscles that run along the intestinal tract. Prior work has documented exceptionally broad length–force relationships (LFRs) in anterior retractor muscles, but it remains unknown whether more posterior retractors share the same design or are mechanically specialized for different functional roles. This project tests whether retractor muscle LFRs vary systematically with position along the body, with the hypothesis that posterior muscles exhibit lower maximum force and narrower LFRs than anterior muscles near the proboscis. This project was supported by funding from F&M’s Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Joseph Thompson, Department of Biology

This study investigates ontogenetic changes in fin kinematics and morphology in the hummingbird bobtail squid (Euprymna berryi), a cephalopod that relies on muscular-hydrostatic fins for maneuvering and propulsion. Cephalopod fins are composed of muscle fibers and reinforcing connective tissues that together enable diverse fin motions across swimming behaviors. Hatchling squid experience disproportionately high viscous forces relative to inertia and are hypothesized to rely more heavily on continuous thrust generation than adults. Using high-speed videography, fin and whole-body movements of hatchlings will be quantified during routine swimming, maneuvering, and prey capture. Following behavioral trials, fins will be analyzed using paraffin histology and confocal microscopy to characterize muscle organization and collagen fiber orientation. Through the integration of kinematic and anatomical data, this project aims to clarify how fin structure and function change through early ontogeny to meet the hydrodynamic challenges faced by small-bodied cephalopods. This project was supported by funding the F&M’s Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Joseph Thompson, Department of Biology

Modern human disturbances, such as urbanization and recreation, threaten the state of many bird and bat populations across the globe. I studied how proximity to urbanization and human recreation impact local-scale species diversity and abundance of bird and bat populations. To analyze this question, I used passive acoustic monitoring and point counts to assess spatial and temporal patterns of habitat use of birds and bats at F&M’s Spalding Conservancy and on the Sunnyside peninsula. I will present data on the functional diversity of birds and bats across the two sites. I used a GIS approach to assess spatial trends in distribution in light of land use, proximity to development, and as a function of human recreational use. My research provides insight into how urbanization and human use interact to influence wildlife populations. In the long term, my research will inform conservation management at two critical green spaces in Lancaster. This project was supported by funding the F&M’s Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Daniel Ardia, Department of Biology

This research focuses on finding beaver sedaDNA to determine how beaver extirpation during European colonization could have contributed to wetland loss in Mid-Atlantic North America. Two sediment cores from Little Conestoga Creek and two cores from a trench dug at White Clay Creek were used. Both sites are former wetlands buried by layers of legacy sediment from eighteenth century milldams, whose failure incised the streams to expose ancient wetland soils. Subsamples were extracted from each core and sent to Dr. Nevé Baker at the University of Minnesota for analysis, with more sent to the Penn State Radiocarbon Lab for dating. Three subsamples from Little Conestoga Creek returned positive results for beaver sedaDNA, with radiocarbon dating placing them at ages of 1,155-2,762 yrs BP. The historic presence of beaver at Little Conestoga Creek has significant implications for wetland restoration there, with beaver possibly being essential in the wetlands’ formation. This project was supported by funding the F&M’s Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Dorothy Merritts, Department of Earth and Environment

Lancaster City, with its large and diverse immigrant population, is a great opportunity for anthropological research about migration and belonging. Although, for this research to happen, there must be a connection between the researcher and the immigrant. This summer, it became clear that there was something between me and the people that I tried to talk to. Twice, I was told that given the political climate, I would not be allowed to interact with the community. This is mistrust, which is not simply a lack of trust, but, like trust, a strategy to predict behavior and outcomes. For them, engagement with unknown citizens could easily lead to interaction with a state and people that are excessively hostile, and therefore must be avoided. This project was supported by funding the F&M’s Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor: Professor Christine Chalifoux, Department of Anthropology. 

While the modern carousel is often seen as a repository for childhood innocence and joy, its history reveals something a little less whimsical. The carousel originated in the twelfth century as a training game that prepared warriors for horsemanship and war. In discovering this history, I wanted to see how I could bring it forward and overlay it with the carousel’s inherent nature of time and repetition to create a metaphor for the ongoing conflicts in humanity. I was curious about the different traits people possess that can instigate, perpetuate, and permit war to occur, both historically and contemporarily. I narrowed this wide scope down to four traits: Apathy, Ignorance, Fear, and Greed. My completed work represents that despite society’s movement through time, these traits– and thus war– will always follow. Scrap metal proved ideal for this project because, much like war, it is corroded, scarred, and impure.  This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Magnolia Laurie, Department of Visual Arts

Recent research on political conspiracy theories has focused on why people believe them, but less attention has been paid to how voters evaluate candidates who promote them. Building on Noble and Carlson’s study of QAnon endorsement and trust in mainstream media, we replicate their experimental design while adding new conspiracy treatments. In a randomized survey experiment, participants read a short news article about a hypothetical congressional candidate under different conditions, including neutral coverage, negative coverage, and several endorsements from conspiracy theorists. We will also collect data on trust in the media, familiarity with conspiracy theories, and demographic factors. Our study tests whether the electoral penalty found for QAnon in "CueAnon" extends to other current conspiracies and whether Democratic candidates face similar punishment. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor David Ciuk, Department of Government

Malaria is caused by several species of the Plasmodium parasite, with Plasmodium falciparum responsible for the majority of malaria-related deaths worldwide. A key driver of P. falciparum virulence is its ability to remodel the host red blood cell (RBC), altering cell shape and rigidity to promote cytoadherence to vascular endothelium and evade splenic clearance. Central to this process is the FIKK family of protein kinases, which are secreted by the parasite into the RBC cytoplasm and are dramatically expanded in P. falciparum compared to other Plasmodium species. This project aimed to produce soluble, folded, and active FIKK kinases in Escherichia coli. To mimic the reducing environment of the RBC and prevent improper disulfide bond formation, a DsbC-based folding system was employed using the pExp-DsbC vector. The ultimate goal is to crystallize FIKK kinases for structural characterization, enabling identification of potential antimalarial drug targets and advancing understanding of P. falciparum pathogenesis. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Gabriel Brandt, Department of Chemistry

Maladaptive daydreaming (MD), characterized by persistent, immersive fantasy, significantly interferes with daily functioning. Although current studies (Somer et al., 2025)  have linked MD to attentional dysregulation and distress, its underlying cognitive mechanisms remain unclear. The present study tests whether working memory deficits—a core component of executive control—represent a cognitive risk factor for MD, particularly under boredom. In a within-subjects design, undergraduate participants will complete trait measures of MD and attentional symptoms, followed by a working memory task (Recent Probes). Participants then will undergo a boredom induction (repetitive peg-turning) and a neutral video condition, and will be asked to report momentary boredom, urge to daydream, mind-wandering intensity, and off-task attention after each task. We hypothesize that lower working memory performance and higher MD traits will predict stronger daydreaming urges and greater off-task attention during boredom. Findings will clarify whether working memory deficits and boredom interact to heighten vulnerability to MD, informing cognitive models of spontaneous thought and potential intervention targets. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentors: Professors El-Lim Kim and Cade Mansfield, Department of Psychology

The precise interaction of successive anion and cation exchanges is much less understood. This project examines the compatibility of a variety of cation and anion exchanges on Cu1.8S nanorods, working towards the ultimate goal of developing a modular framework for rational synthesis of new NPs. This will specifically further the understanding of how the order of exchange affects anion/cation incorporation and the interplay between specific metal cations, crystal structures, and ion exchange conditions. The material properties of each sample were characterized via PXRD, TEM, and SEM-EDS. STEM-EDS (scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) was used to monitor the regioselectivity of the NPs across each PST. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor: Professor Kate Plass, Department of Chemistry 

Human recreation in outdoor ecosystems has increased substantially particularly in urban environments like Lancaster Pennsylvania. As human presence increases, wildlife interactions follow, altering wildlife behavior, spatiotemporal distribution and population health. Previous research demonstrates non-consumptive recreation activities including hiking and biking influences wildlife activity patterns and overall ecosystem function. These interactions can modify habitat use and alter levels of nocturnality. The presence of trails leads to differences in predator prey interactions, habitat fragmentation and vegetation degradation.  The current study assesses human impact on wildlife behavior in two urban forested habitats; Sunnyside Peninsula (Lancaster City) and Spalding Conservancy using camera traps. Collecting data and utilizing previously collected data on species richness, relative abundance, temporal distribution, spatial distribution and nocturnal vs diurnal behavior we provide information about the impact of human presences. Understanding human impacts on wildlife will inform management strategies to find balance in recreational activities and wildlife conservation in urban environments. This project was supported by funding the F&M’s Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Dan Ardia, Department of Biology

Post-synthetic transformations (PST), such as anion and cation exchanges, are important techniques for creating complex nanomaterials for solar energy conversion and thermoelectrics. The interplay of consecutive Te2- exchange and Cd2+ exchange on Cu2-xS nanorods resulted in distinct CdS/CdTe/Cu2-xS/Cu2-xTe nanoheterostructures. The regioselectivities are a result of diffusion rates and phase selectivity. To better clarify regimes of behaviors seen at different temperatures of Te2- and Cd2+ exchange, experiments focusing on improving the morphology of the Te-exchanged products and thermal annealing of nanoparticles post-Cd2+ exchange to investigate potential rearrangement of ions across the nanoparticles were completed. The regioselectivity of the nanoparticles was monitored using scanning transmission electron microscopy - energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDS), scanning electron microscopy - energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS),  powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Understanding this regioselectivity could have applications in creating novel cadmium chalcogenide/copper chalcogenide geometries with exciting optical properties.  This project was supported by funding the F&M’s Committee on Grants Program and the National Science Foundation.

Project Mentor: Professor Kate Plass, Department of Chemistry

Oomycetes are common aquatic and soilborne microbial eukaryotes that have the capacity to infect a broad range of plant and animal hosts. Understanding the relationship between genetic diversity and virulence is crucial for developing effective management strategies to control disease. In this study, we focus on two oomycete species, Globisporangium irregulare and G. ultimum, which vary in their reproductive mode and pathogenicity on agricultural crops. We have assessed both genetic diversity (nuclear microsatellite, nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequencing) and functional traits (pathogenicity assays, fungicide resistance) across isolates to explore variation in virulence levels within these two species. Fungicide sensitivity assays showed higher levels of mefenoxam resistance for G. irregulare compared to G. ultimum, although variation among isolates was observed for both species at different exposure levels. Our results suggest that despite different modes of reproduction, both species exhibit low levels of variation for the functional traits measured here. This project was supported by funding the F&M’s Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Jaime Blair, Department of Biology

Unnatural amino acids (UAAs) have become a useful tool for understanding protein structure and solvation environments, and are frequently used as both vibrational and fluorescent spectroscopic reporters. 4-cyano-L-phenylalanine (pCNF) is one of the most well-studied UAAs, a probe due to its small size, minimal structural perturbation, and strong sensitivity of its nitrile stretch to local electrostatics and hydrogen-bonding interactions. The goal of this CHM 390  is to incorporate pCNF into superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) using Amber codon suppression methodology individually at F101, F146, and Y93 to probe buried or partially buried environments. Specifically, I will express and purify these protein constructs, measure temperature-dependent IR spectra for each construct, and attempt to crystallize the constructs for structural characterization. This project was supported by funding from the F&M Committee on Grants. 

Project Mentor: Professor Christine Piro, Department of Chemistry 

This project analyzes U.S. labor turnover across ten major industries from 2009 to 2024 using monthly data from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). After assembling a combined dataset from the original industry-level files, descriptive trends and year-to-year statistical comparisons were used to study long-run patterns and short-run disruptions. The results show clear and persistent differences across industries: Retail maintains the highest quits, Construction displays strong cyclical swings, and State and Local Government remains unusually stable. The COVID-19 period stands out sharply in the data, with layoffs surging in early 2020, job openings rebounding in 2021, and quits rising by roughly 35 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. ANOVA tests confirm that these shifts were statistically meaningful. Taken together, the findings show how labor-market pressures gradually intensified over the 2010s and were dramatically amplified during COVID-19, with recovery patterns that differed widely across industries.  

Project Mentor:  Professor Yi-Ching Lee, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

We use the transfer matrix method to count the number of locally flat-foldable mountain-valley assignments of the Miura-ori and triangle lattice crease patterns. We note several similarities between these and make wild conjectures. This project was supported by funding from the National Science Foundation.

Project Mentor:  Professor Thomas Hull, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

This project investigates whether the hydrostatic skeletons of annelid worms contain elastin-like proteins and whether these proteins can be isolated and mechanically characterized, while also examining how muscle stiffness varies along the proboscis retractor muscles Elastin is a common vertebrate protein that provides elasticity and passive recoil in connective tissues, but invertebrates lack true elastin and may instead possess functionally similar elastin-like proteins whose roles remain poorly understood Understanding these proteins in annelids could clarify how their muscles and hydrostatic skeletons achieve flexibility and strength Bloodworms will be dissected to isolate the proboscis retractor muscles, and formic acid will be used to extract elastin-like proteins, with mass changes used to estimate protein composition Elastase digestion will help confirm the presence of elastin-like material in the samples. This project was supported by funding the F&M’s Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Joseph Thompson, Department of Biology

Behavior monitoring is the regular, standardized observation of an individual animal’s condition and activities using defined, observable indicators. This enables good care: timely intervention to reduce distress, responsive management of physical health and social relationships, and data-informed decision-making. At F&M, student volunteers monitor our capuchin groups using an ethogram that focuses on abnormal behaviors, activity budgets, social interactions, and engagement with the environment. Working in person with a team leader and asynchronously using a Canvas course, volunteers learn to identify individual monkeys, systematically record behaviors, and use professional software to collect data. After live inter-observer reliability testing shows that they have mastered these techniques, students officially join the “Research Team” that collects data on each monkey every week. Their data is shared with caretakers and researchers and helps adjust the monkeys’ environments, diets, and medications to improve their welfare. This project was supported by funding the F&M’s Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Meredith Bashaw, Department of Psychology

As awareness grows for the importance of wetland ecosystems, restoration projects are underway to improve natural streamflow disrupted by human activities. Monitoring their success includes identifying the response of wildlife to restoration efforts, with birds serving as especially useful bioindicators of ecosystem health. My research aims to study the Little Conestoga Creek as a case study of how floodplain restoration impacts bird diversity. Great Marsh (Chester County) will serve  as a historical analog for pre-settlement local wetland conditions. To assess avian habitat use I use  passive acoustic monitoring and point counts. I tested whether the restoration status of a stream or its surrounding land use (urban, agricultural, forested) has a larger impact on the biodiversity of birds, especially wetland specialists and urban/suburban generalists. This research will be useful for conservation and restoration planning to determine what practices should be used to ensure the biodiversity of birds is preserved. This project was supported by funding the F&M’s Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Daniel Ardia, Department of Biology

This work applies structure-based computational screening to identify inhibitors of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) from Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia. F. tularensis is an airborne bacterial pathogen and a potential bioterrorism threat, motivating the development of new therapeutic strategies. A structural model of F. tularensis GAPDH was generated using AlphaFold and used for virtual screening of large chemical libraries. GPU-accelerated molecular docking was employed to evaluate approximately three million compounds from the ZINC22 database based on predicted binding to the GAPDH active site. Top-ranked candidates were selected for experimental validation against purified GAPDH. This combined computational–experimental workflow provides an efficient approach for identifying enzyme inhibitors and establishes a framework for antibiotic discovery targeting essential bacterial metabolism. This project was supported by funding the F&M’s Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Gabriel Brandt, Department of Chemistry

This project examines the history of Franklin & Marshall’s Public Safety Department and examines the role of police on campus and how it has evolved over time. Drawing on archival LNP and College Reporter articles, our research traces incidents involving public safety officers and how they were reported and framed by the college. We paid special attention to incidents that seemed to indicate bias in campus policing, such as reports of racial profiling and the mistreatment of female students. We were able to create a detailed history of Franklin & Marshall’s campus policing from 1969 to the present. To conclude our project we created a google form to provide a space for F&M students, staff, faculty, and Lancaster community members to share their experience and perspectives on F&M's campus policing, as well as proposals for reform. This project was supported by funding from Mellon Humanities for All Times: Reckoning with Lancaster.

Project Mentors: Professor Peter Jaros, Department of English & Professor Cristina Perez, Department of American Studies 

Obsidian geochemistry is  a useful window into the volcanic eruption from which it formed. When analyzed for its major and trace elemental concentrations, it is possible to create a “chemical fingerprint” for each unique volcanic eruption. A 2014 Keck Research project looked at samples from a variety of locations surrounding Mt. Taylor and Mule Creek regions of New Mexico using portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF). Building upon this foundation, our summer research at Franklin & Marshall College focused on preparing thick sections from raw obsidian samples and obtaining mineral chemical compositions via scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), to: (a) test the validity of pXRF data, and (b) document the geochemical evolution of these obsidians for the first time. Our work is providing new insights into the origins of volcanic activity in New Mexico.  This project was supported by funding the F&M’s Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor James Jolles, Department of Earth and Environment

Socially Assistive Robots have shown promise in initiating effective interactions with young children to support their learning experiences. While much of the Child-Robot Interaction research has focused on children's perceptions and learning outcomes, the nuances of these interactions, such as the impact of robots' gestures on children's social behaviors, remain understudied. In efforts to address this gap, we employed an exploratory approach to examine whether the deictic and conventional gestures of 5- to 8-year-old children (N=32) were associated with the frequency of gestures produced by a social robot during an educational interaction. We found significant positive correlations between robots’ deictic gestures and children's conventional gestures, as well as with children's deictic gestures. These findings suggest that children may mirror a robot’s gestures, indicating that robot behavior can shape children's social and communicative behaviors, and potentially enhance learning. This opens a new direction for studying gestures in the context of CRI and calls for further research on gesture-focused interactions that can improve social learning outcomes. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Willie Wilson, Department of Computer Science