Presentation Date: April 5, 4:30pm

Project Title: "My Hands are Magic!"

Presentation Video

Abstract: 

This project provides a platform, in the form of a children's book, for children to be exposed to the beauty and complexity of American Sign Language (ASL). Having this project portray a complex language in a easy to understand manner will spark the interest in becoming educated and aware of ASL. 

Tessa, a senior this year, chose St. Kate’s because of the community’s focus on justice and empowering women. She also was drawn to the ASL courses and the fantastic nursing program on campus. Because of her “love of tiny humans of the world”, she has chosen to pursue pediatric nursing after graduation. While researching children's books for her honors project, Tessa noticed there is an extreme lack of inclusivity for Deaf children and information about the Deaf community as a whole. Because of this, Tessa aims to bring more awareness to Deaf culture and create more representation for the community in children’s literature. In her project, she will

convey complex concepts in the form of simplicity through the use of pictures and minimal, but intenful words to ensure understanding of the topic. 

Presentation: March 22, 4:00pm

Link to Project Presentation Video

Project Title: “Qualitative Research Study: What are the Methods and Impacts of Supporting Rural Community Development? A focus on Women’s Nutrition and Food Access, Financial Literacy and Economic Independence in Rural Senegal” 

Abstract: Gendered social norms in Senegal dictate the roles that women can play in rural economies while also placing limits on their access to the tools needed to invest in income-generating activities. Research has shown that many women are also responsible for the food chain (from production to consumption). There is a direct link between gender, culture, agriculture, food security, health and wellbeing, and economic perseverance. More research is needed into the strategies that women in rural communities engage in an effort to mitigate gender gaps and limited opportunities. Over the years, agricultural development organizations have implemented projects to empower rural women. These projects provide access to technologies, resources, and plans that increase women's financial literacy in the agricultural sector. The purpose of the current research study is to critically analyze the methods and sustainable impacts of organizations that prioritize nutrition and food accessibility interventions, financial knowledge, and economic independence for women in rural Senegal. I will focus on the work conducted by three organizations: Students for Senegal in Lambaye, Senegal and Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA). Applying the lenses of food distribution, gender and the capability of sustainable rural development principles, the following questions will be addressed: 1) How do women in rural Senegal experience economic and nutrition based hardships?; 2) How do modern agricultural advancements support and increase women’s health and economic opportunity?; and 3) In what ways do culture, familial relationships and male dominance impact the equal distribution of food resources in communities? The findings from field interviews will offer a diagnosis of health and economic justice for rural women connecting limited availability and affordability of food and educational resources to womens’ health longevity and economic sustainability. Recommendations for proposed interventions for applying justice principles in relation to nutrition and economics aligned with frameworks that incorporate gender equity and sustainable support from local and national organizations. 

From Lansing, Michigan, Gabrielle is now a senior at St. Kate’s studying economics. She came to campus because of the caring community for BIPOC students and their well-being. During her time at St. Kates, she has received great support from the Economics departments and says her professors have played a larger role in helping her realize her passion for economic development. Gabrielle spent a month this past summer in Senegal where she conducted interviews and research to collect data for her honors project. Through her project, she intends to offer a diagnosis of health and economic justice for rural women connecting the limited availability and affordability of food and educational resources to women’s longevity and economic output. Gabrielle chose this as the goal of her project because she wanted a better understanding of how to conduct community analysis to better women’s financial ownership and overall well-being in the agricultural sector. This project better prepares Gabrielle to pursue her hopes of obtaining a global development degree and conducting research in Sub-Saharan Africa through the Fullbright program. 

Presentation: February 20, 7:30pm

Project Title: "Mary had a Little Lamb: A One-Act Play"

Abstract: Mary had a Little Lamb is a one-act play written by Lauren Trowbridge. This play follows Mary, a girl who has never fit in. She’s been ostracized from her classmates because of an event years before, and now that Mary has her government assigned ESA, a sheep, she’s forced to confront the past and stand up for herself in this story of unexpected resilience. 

Lauren, who has been a vibrant part of the St. Kate’s community for the past few years, will be graduating this spring with a degree in Interpreting and a double minor in English and the Arts and Humanities. Inspired by her love of theater and always welcome to a challenge, Lauren chose to create a one-act play for her honors project. The basis of the play will be out of nursery rhymes and she has decided to do a mash-up of Mary Has a Little Lamb and Baa Baa Black Sheep. She believes we all could “gain from embracing the childish and silly parts of ourselves more often” which is why her project aims to get the audience to reconnect with their younger selves. Lauren is thankful for the fantastic interpreting program on campus and is looking forward to interpreting throughout the Twin Cities after graduation.

Presentation: April 26, 3:30pm

Project Title: "Nurture the Nurse: Resources to help prevent nursing burnout"

Abstract: Nursing burnout, which can be 

described as mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion, has recently been highlighted throughout all forms of media. One potential cause of burnout is sustained work-related stressors such as long hours, the need to make quick decisions under pressure, and caring for patients who may have poor outcomes (Mozafaripour, 2020). As a result of those stressors, burnout is a real issue dealt with by many nurses and other healthcare workers, and it is essential to provide them with resources to help deal with the stress that can lead to burnout. Exercise, nutrition, mindfulness, including yoga, and many other forms of self-care can alleviate those stressors. The purpose of my project will be to develop an informational website that healthcare workers, especially nurses, can use to find the resources available to help them increase or expand their knowledge of exercise, promoting better nutrition, different forms of mindfulness, and yoga practices that will lead to happier and healthier lives and will ideally curtail the frequency of burnout. The resources will be found through websites, books, videos, and articles that have extra emphasis on helping to alleviate stress. 

Emma loves St. Kate’s because of its welcoming environment. She found her honors TRW (The Reflective Woman) course to be one of her favorites of her coursework as it pushed her to think about things in a more out-of-the-box manner, as well as develop a broader perspective overall. After graduation, Emma plans to pass the NCLEX and pursue a career working in the ICU. Her honors project aims to give nurses and other healthcare workers resources to prevent burnout. To do so, Emma has created a website that contains all of the components and resources needed to start their journey of exercising, nutrition, mindfulness, and yoga, which are all things that can help alleviate stress and therefore decrease the chances of burnout in healthcare workers. She chose to organize all of this information into a website because, in her opinion, it is the most accessible form for information and is a great way to implement links to certain resources. 

Presentation: April 5, 3:00pm

Project Title: "Pharmaceutical Evolution: Demonstrating the Interplay Between Scientific Advancements and Cultural Transformations in Healthcare"

Abstract: The evolution of pharmaceuticals over time has been demonstrated through transformative scientific discoveries and their profound cultural implications. Scientifically, advancements in development over time have expanded treatment options. These include some of the earliest findings to newer, cutting-edge biotechnological breakthroughs. These advancements have not only broadened the spectrum of available treatments but have also revolutionized the very nature of healthcare. Culturally, pharmaceuticals have shaped our societal attitudes toward health, altering the dynamics of patient care and overall disease management. This intermixed evolution shows the reciprocal relationship between scientific developments and cultural values, influencing how societies perceive, access, and utilize medications to improve overall quality of life. The intricate connection between pharmaceutical evolution and cultural transformation continues to shape the healthcare landscape, further highlighting the dynamic interplay between science and societal well-being. These relationships are described and shown through the connections of pharmaceuticals to reproductive rights, neurodiversity, and the AIDS/HIV crisis. 

Maiah, a senior student pursuing a career as a pharmacist, plans to address three questions in her honors project:

• “How were drugs first discovered, and what were they used for?”

• “How have some of the “original” drugs evolved over time?”

• “How do new pharmaceuticals emerge?”

She intends to choose ten pharmaceuticals and group them into categories where she will then relate the drugs from how they were discovered and used back then to how it is used now or what their replacement is in modern medicine. Maiah’s studies at St. Kate’s have allowed her to pursue such an ambitious project. She originally chose St, Kate’s because of the welcoming community and in her senior year, Maiah still feels that she always knows she has students and faculty on campus who care about her.

Presentation: April 12, 3:00pm

Project Title: "Application of the Envelope Theorem and its Converse in Art Auctions"

Abstract: The purpose of art auctions is to allocate a piece of artwork to the bidder with the highest bid. An auction is efficient if the winning bidder also has the highest valuation of the artwork. To find the optimal bidding strategy for the bidder and the optimal style of auction for the seller, we can solve maximization problems with changing parameters. The goal of the bidders is to maximize their expected utility from winning the artwork where the parameter changing is the signals received. A signal includes information that the bidder receives that may change their valuation of the artwork. On the other hand, the goal of the sellers is to maximize their expected revenue from selling the artwork where the parameter changing is the reported valuations of the artwork from the bidders. In solving the maximization problems, the envelope theorem can be used to solve the problem once and change the parameters accordingly, instead of resolving each time the parameters change, to determine the effect the parameters have on the optimal outcomes. A recent proof of the converse of the envelope theorem has been shown that the converse has applications in mechanism design. I apply the envelope theorem and its converse to an art auction example. I use an optimization problem to solve for the optimal bidding strategy for the bidder and the optimal type of auction for the seller. The results highlight how we can use the envelope theorem to solve for an optimal solution in art auctions. The results also illustrate the applicability of the converse envelope theorem in art auctions as a mechanism design from the seller’s point of view. 

From her hometown of Chandler, Arizona, Isabel says that The Reflective Woman Honors course has been the most impactful because it was the first time she felt she had a say in what she was learning. For Isabel's senior honors project, she intends to understand and explain the applications of the envelope theorem and its converse in relation to art auctions. She chose this as her project topic in hopes of challenging her economics skills and also because she is fascinated by the art market. Reflecting on her time at St. Kate’s before she goes on to pursue a Ph.D. in Economics, Isabels is grateful for the many opportunities St. Kate’s has assisted in providing her as well as all of the amazing friendships she had made during her time on campus. 

Presentation: April 5, 4:00pm

Project Title: "Nutrition Resources to Address Hypertension for People Who Are Unhoused"

Abstract: High blood pressure is considered a “silent killer” as there are often no symptoms, but it can be deadly. For people who are unhoused, barriers to optimal cardiovascular health, such as lower access to health care and nutrition education, may lead to high blood pressure or a diagnosis of hypertension; people who are unhoused may not know they have hypertension or how their diet influences their blood pressure. Additionally, people who are unhoused are often subject to foods that are accessible and available, which typically include options high in salt, fat, and processed carbohydrates that are not recommended for cardiovascular health. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension eating plan provides a framework that recommends nutrient-rich, heart-healthy foods such as leafy greens, almonds, and chicken to manage hypertension. Research shows there is a lack of literature addressing interventions focused on people who are unhoused and solutions for managing hypertension. This honors project aims to create resources to support people who are part of the unhoused community in Minnesota to have more confidence in their ability to manage their blood pressure and, ultimately, their health using food and nutrition. More specifically, the project addresses the necessities of community partner Agate Housing and Services, who expressed the need for instantaneous resources that support nutrition education for hypertension management and the development of flavorful, cost-conscious meals.

Chloe, a senior this year, originally chose St. Kate’s because of the great nursing program and found many leadership opportunities during her time on campus that have allowed her to grow immensely both personally and professionally. Planning to pursue a career as a nurse in an intensive care unit, Chole found her IPE 1030/1040 honors class to be her favorite as it focused on healthcare improv which taught her skills to be effective in working with patients. For her honors project, she intends to provide the unhoused population with food options and recipes that are heart-healthy using foods commonly carried at food shelves. Additionally, her project aims to increase the population’s knowledge surrounding hypertension interventions that are feasible. Chloe has chosen to present her project in the form of a pamphlet as it is a resource that can be easily distributed and it takes up minimal space while also providing an abundance of information.

Presentation: March 1, 3:30pm

Project Title: "Agriculture and Agencies: The need for systemic agricultural change to ensure national nutrition"

Abstract: Nutrition is the basis for many aspects of health, including physical, psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual health. With this relationship, there is also a deep and complex association between nutrition and agriculture. Systemic agricultural change on a policy level must occur for national nutrition and health. This is in part due to social determinants of health, which encompass the many barriers to health, such as race, socioeconomic status, environment, and more. With this, a shift from production centered agriculture to nutrition sensitive agriculture is vital. This work investigates flaws in the current system, such as lack of quality products and harm to the environment; previous attempts to remedy these problems, like fortified foods and GMOs; and solutions, such as nutrition sensitive agriculture, with an awareness of the barrier of capitalism to widespread agricultural change in the U.S. There is a profound need to stabilize and improve food systems globally, many findings in low- and middle-income countries can provide insight into how nutrition sensitive agriculture and an emphasis on female empowerment will facilitate this goal. Overall, change is necessary to alleviate decreasing health in the U.S. and negative environmental impacts of agriculture, as well as ensure a stable food supply and thus nutrition for all.

Samantha, a student in the dietetics program, intends to answer two major questions through her honors project:

• “How have agricultural policies affected the nutrition of modern food?”

• “How have agricultural policies affected the pricing of food?”

She plans to do a comprehensive literature review on agricultural policies and their effect on nutrition in their region of effect. Primarily interested in the effect of subsidization policies on their prevalence in market foods, Samantha will also explore the vast price discrepancies in subsidized products versus non-subsidized products. She chose this topic because she would like to increase her understanding of food accessibility and also aims to improve the health of her future clients. With the knowledge and experience from her honors project process, Samantha plans to become a nutritionist specializing in eating disorder recovery. 

Presentation: April 5, 3:30pm

Project Title: “Investigating Metal Concentrations in the Nectar of Cucurbita pepo Flowers Across Time and Sexes"

Abstract: My honors project applies skills learned through my data science and biology classes to the research question of whether there are significant differences between the concentration of metals found in the nectar and nectaries (nectar-producing tissues) of Cucurbita pepo (squash) flowers across time points and sexes. Nectar is a sugary substance secreted by plants to attract pollinators who use it as a food source. Besides a plethora of nutrients, the concentration of metals in nectar can also influence its interaction with pollinators. Research into this topic has real-world applications, as the number of dissolved metals and chemicals in the soil has been increasing through anthropogenic activities. The project is broken into two sections. The first section began with a literature review introducing me to the field of plant and nectar biology. Using this, I wrote an introduction for a publishable scientific paper focusing on metals in nectar. In the second section, I conducted a data analysis on previously collected nectar/nectary metal concentrations in C. pepo. I analyzed the data in the statistical platform R and identified key variables, significant relationships, and relevant variable comparisons. From these findings, I constructed figures and wrote the results section for the paper we plan to submit. I then discussed the figures and tried to provide plausible explanations for the observations. This work will contribute to the field of nectar chemistry and how it potentially affects pollinator health while helping me synthesize my two majors of biology and data science. 

Home to the city of St. Paul, Anneke chose to come to St. Kate’s because of the small class sizes and close-knit community. As a woman in STEM herself, Anneke found the Hidden Scholars: Woman Scientists in Historical and Cultural Context honors course to be particularly impactful as she learned about the contributions of many female scientists who helped shape the field of science into what it is today. Her honors project seeks to answer the question  “Are there significant differences in the concentration of metals found in the nectar and nectar-producing tissues of squash flowers?” The project will apply the skills she has learned through her data science and biology classes and the goal is to act as a capstone to her interdisciplinary education in both areas of study. Through running rigorous data analysis and statistical tests, her project will be able to inform the audience of the concentration of metals in nectar. Overall, her project synthesizes both her majors and contributes to timely and pertinent research in plant biology. 

Presentation: April 19, 3:00pm

Project Title: "Developing an Optimized Clean-up Method and Contaminant Assay for Mass Spectrometry-based Proteomics"

Abstract: Studying proteins is key to understanding neurodegenerative diseases like Alzeimer’s and Parkinson’s. Salts and detergents, particularly sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), are commonly used to help break open cells to extract proteins for analysis. However, detergents contaminate analytical instruments and reduce data quality if not properly removed. Existing tests for contaminants are not sensitive enough to detect nanogram quantities and require 50 to 100 μL of sample. For example, the ProFoldin NanoGram SDS Assay Kit is a commercially available test that is simple to use and gives accurate results, but only detects down to 0.002% SDS. Therefore, we developed ContamSPOT, an improved method of contaminant testing that has a better sensitivity, uses 50-fold less sample, and rapidly detects contamination. The ContamSPOT uses image processing to quantitatively correlate color intensity to contaminant concentration, from which linear calibration curves are constructed to calculate the concentration of contaminants present in unknown samples. ContamSPOT was able to detect quantities of SDS down to a 0.0004% concentration, an excellent result as even 0.01% SDS remaining in a sample has been shown to impact mass spectroscopy (MS) results. Using this developed assay, we optimized liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) of detergents using ethyl acetate. LLE via ethyl acetate was found to be a greener and more efficient method of removing SDS from contaminated samples compared to common commercial peptide purification methods, as LLE removed over 99% of SDS while retaining 93% of peptides. 

Katharine chose to come to St. Kate’s because she was looking for a small liberal arts university. During her time on campus, she has taken advantage of participating in undergraduate research through the Summer Scholars program which helped give her some of the skills she will need to complete her honors project. This past summer, Katharine was a part of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at George Washington University in Washington D.C. where she used mass spectrometry, an analytical technique, in hopes of better understanding neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. She chose this topic for her project because it relates to her field of study, Chemistry, and will also prepare her for future hopes to attend graduate school for chemistry. 

Presentation: April 19, 4:00pm

Project Title: “Play and Art: An Analysis of Play Therapy and Art Therapy"

Link to Presentation Video

Abstract: Play is a natural, easy outlet for children to express their feelings and emotions. It is one of the few instances where the child controls the therapy: they drive the story, which is often unguided by the therapist/adult, bringing the true deep feelings to the surface. Art has a similar effect and allows children to express their feelings without words. Play therapy and art therapy are not commonly known by most, and it is essential to note the impact the two therapies have on children and everyone, really. This project will meld the two together while also keeping them separate, allowing them to shine for their distinct purposes. Through researching books on play and art therapy, I’ve gathered past and present information and findings on these therapies. The second part of this project is interviewing registered art therapists (ATR) and registered play therapists (RPT). I will combine these two parts for an analysis of the two therapies. Interviews allowed me to go directly to the source and get firsthand experiences and knowledge from these providers to make meaningful, real-life connections to the book research I did. This analysis found that play therapy and art therapy have similar goals and structures while being an easy means of communication for children. All participants mentioned that meeting the children where they are developmentally is one of the best things about play and art therapy, given the natural, instinctual nature of it in children. In extreme cases like abuse or trauma, these two therapies are ones that take away the pressure to talk and manufacture words to describe their experience. Play and art are excellent natural outlets for children, especially when dealing with behavior issues, trauma, and mental illness.

Sara’s honors project intends to meld art and play to convey to rese,bance between the two and how they can assist children in expressing their emotions and feelings. Together, the two of them can tell a story and even help therapists and psychologists help children with their troubles and diagnoses. The research will be conducted through literature reviews on art and play therapy, as well as interviews with psychologists and play therapists. The findings will be integrated to answer three main questions:

• “What role does art have in a child’s life?”

• “What role does play have?”

• How can the combination of art and play help a child with their diagnosis?”

Sara chose this as the topic of her project because she hopes to go into school psychology or counseling after obtaining her bachelor’s degree this spring.

Presentation: May 3, 3:30pm

Project Title: "Interconnected & Intertwined: Naming, Labelling, & Identity"

Abstract: This project seeks to examine the impacts and connections that naming and labelling has on identity within the queer community at St. Kate's. The project will take the form of an oral history project with an emphasis on chosen/given names and labels as they connect to one's identity. The interviews after conducted are then analyzed using narrative forms of analysis to examine the connection between one's name and how they label themselves with their own greater identity. At the end of the process, the project will be housed on a website dedicated to the project. In addition to interviews, there will be an introduction and a conclusion outlining the background of the project and the studies around naming's impact on identity and the overarching themes throughout the findings of the project respectively. 

From Chippewa Fall, WI, M chose St. Kate’s because of its mission to educate women and underrepresented groups to lead and influence. M’s honors project intends to answer the question “How is naming and labeling tied to identity/ self-identity?” The project will be an oral history of St. Kate’s queer alumnae and current students’ experiences with identity and self-labeling, including chosen names. The purpose of the project is to collect and document the numerous stories and experiences of queer alumnae and students regarding naming, labeling, and identity. Her project will be conducted through background research on identity and interviews with willing participants. M plans to apply for the Young Professional Journalist Fullbright in Germany and also attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison for her Masters in Mass Communications. 

Presentation: May 3, 3:00pm

Project Title: "Understanding Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions Towards Resuable Menstrual Products"

Abstract: This study investigates how commonly reusable menstrual products are used among women dealing with housing instability in the Twin Cities through surveys and focus groups with a community partner organization. It explores the factors that either hinder or promote their usage. The research also looks into the international application of the Days for Girls model, which focuses on menstrual health, education, and sustainable enterprises. Days for Girls is known for its global efforts, but this research delves into its impactful initiatives within the United States, particularly in addressing menstrual health barriers and promoting sustainability.

The organization is actively involved in education and providing reusable menstrual products, working with communities and schools to dispel myths, conduct workshops, and distribute menstrual kits. The focus is not only on providing products but also on creating supportive environments for open conversations about menstruation. In the U.S., there is a growing emphasis on sustainability in menstrual products, addressing affordability challenges faced by various populations, including those dealing with housing instability.

Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about reusable menstrual products among women in the Twin Cities, especially those facing housing instability, is crucial. This research aims to fill a gap in existing studies by focusing on this specific demographic, revealing their unique challenges and needs. It also contributes to the broader discussion on menstrual health and sustainability, seeking to inform targeted interventions and support systems that consider the diverse experiences of women in different socio-economic circumstances. 

Mumtaz has appreciated the constant empowerment of women while being on campus and plans to work in the emergency department as an EMT after graduation while awaiting acceptance into PA school. 

Presentation: April 19, 3:30pm

Project Title: "Where are All the Women? Exploring Women's Stories for an Integrative History Course"

Abstract: The current High School and University curriculum hasgeneral History Courses separate from the Women’s History Courses. This separation is exemplified by Women’s History being a distinct academic discipline. In these general history courses, only a handful of women are included, primarily white women. Why only these women? What about the others whocontributed to history? In an effort to integrate more women into the traditional US history curriculum, this project aims to identify additional American women who should be taught in these courses. After a deep analysis, seven women whose contributions to history should be taught to the nation’s high schoolers have been identified. These American women come from all walks of life and different periods of United States History. What makes these women’s stories important to learn? This project will also investigate how these women were able to make an impact during their time and why their stories were lost to the general public. 

Regan, from West Fargo, ND chose to come to St. Kate’s because of the small class sizes and has found immense support during her time receiving her education on campus. She plans to attend medical school after graduation to achieve her dream of becoming an OB-GYN physician. For her honors project, Regan intends to create a presentation that highlights the lives and accomplishments of women that history and the general public have forgotten to acknowledge. Another goal of her project is to investigate why women aren’t talked about as much as men and what it takes for a woman to be a part of the curriculum

Presentation: April 19, 4:30pm

Project Title: “Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Students at St. Kate’s”

Abstract: My project creates safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students to thrive on St. Kate’s campus. In academic environments, heteronormative bullying and a lack of support, safe spaces, and resources can significantly impact the mental health of queer people. The rate of mental health issues and suicide among LGBTQ+ young adults is alarming, as legislatures across the United States are currently passing bills that will restrict the rights of schools to mention the word “gay” or for transgender youth to access necessary healthcare or use a bathroom that fits their gender identity and expression. 

Currently, St. Kate’s does not have a living setting solely for LGBTQ+ students, which can increase risks to queer student safety on campus. I am working with Residence Life staff to form a Pride Living Learning Community, planning events for the residents and ensuring an inclusive environment, like gender-neutral bathrooms. Additionally, I have advocated for and acquired a lounge for LGBTQ+ students and am making this space feel welcoming and accepting. It provides a place for queer students to study or relax on campus while also offering various resources for LGBTQ+ matters.

Lastly, I believe instituting an Annual Queer Prom is important for building a sense of community among the LGBTQ+ community on campus. This year, I collaborated with multiple ACTC campuses to throw an extravagant multi-campus Queer Prom. By forming queer spaces and events on campus, St. Kate’s is better suited for supporting incoming queer students and making them feel welcome.

Home to St. Paul, MN, Hannah completed PSEO classes at St. Kate’s and fell in love with the campus environment. Hannah’s honors project intends to create more safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students on campus. The goal is to create a website highlighting St. Kate’s inclusivity to give prospective students insight into what is being done on campus to provide resources to queer students. To meet the needs of queer students, Hannah’s project will create events and activities for LGBTQ+ students to build community, as well as provide a safe space lounge within the next year. Additionally, they plan to work on a Pride LLC and an LGBTQ+ office that will assist in alleviating any feelings of isolation and lack of support for queer students. After graduation, Hanna plans to pursue a Ph.D. in molecular biology, specializing in biomedical regenerative sciences with a focus on treatments and prevention of chronic diseases. 

Presentation: April 12, 4:30pm

Project Title: "Alexander and his Friend Diego: Alexander y su amigo Diego"

Abstract: To address the need for educational children’s books that access both English and Spanish learners, I plan to write and illustrate a fiction book focusing on Type I Diabetes. This book will be written at a 2nd-grade reading level, a common grade children are diagnosed with Type I Diabetes (Mayo Clinic, 2023). This reading level involves multiple sentence structures, words with multiple syllables, and using context clues such as images to better understand the meaning (Ready, set, read!, 2023). I will educate readers on the use of blood glucose monitors, insulin pumps, insulin injections, and carb counting to adequately describe this diagnosis at an appropriate level. With English and Spanish being the predominant languages spoken in the United States, I chose to write this book in both languages (World Economic Forum). Additionally, I found it important to incorporate the Spanish language as very few children's books on Type 1 Diabetes are written in Spanish. Each page will tell the story in both English and Spanish using a direct translation. The goal of this story is to provide awareness for Type I Diabetes and educate students on what their fellow peers may experience. 

Madelyn’s honors project will provide a written and illustrated children’s picture book on type 1 Diabetes written in both English and Spanish. She chose this project primarily due to her interest in pediatric healthcare. The idea came to Madelyn while she was participating in clinical in the elementary school setting, in which she noticed a student asking another student what he was doing while giving himself insulin. The book will answer four main questions:

• What is type 1 Diabetes?

• How does someone get type 1 Diabetes? 

• What is insulin?

• What is an insulin pump?

After graduating from St. Kate’s, Madelyn plans to work in pediatrics as a nurse and also continue her education to receive a doctorate in nursing practice. 

Project Title: “Markov Chains of St. Kate’s Students"

Abstract: My goal is to create a Markov Chain population model of St. Kate’s CFW majors over time. This will involve linear algebra and some coding in R. Trends of certain major change pipelines or growth or decay of certain majors would be of interest to me. My project will hopefully culminate in some sort of suggestions on which majors to advertise and who to advertise them to so each department can reach their full potential. My audience would be administrators (including the Institutional Research team) and faculty (such as Deans and Chairs) who make choices about what majors and classes to offer, as well as students who wish to understand what is goin on at this university in terms of majors. I have chosen this project because I want to understand the trends I am seeing in majors dying out and where new majors are drawing from. My major is Data Science, and many people changed into it because they didn't know about it or it didn't exist when they came in as first-years. I know two people who switched into DSCI from public health, which is a surprising coincidence. I want to find out if there are patterns that exist and what lessons we can learn from them.

Janelle chose to continue her education at St. Kate’s because of the community’s commitment to social justice as well as its culture of feminism and social activism on campus. The goal of Janelle’s honors project is to create a Markov Chain population model of St. Kate’s CFW majors over time through the use of linear algebra and coding. She is specifically interested in trends of certain major change pipelines or the growth or decay of certain majors. Janelle hopes that the project will culminate into some suggestions on which majors to advertise and who to advertise them to in order to help each department reach its full potential. Graduating this winter with an undergraduate degree in Data Science, Janelle plans to work in data analytics for her career.

View Janelle's presentation

Presentation: April 12, 3:30pm

Project Title: “Scientific Storytellers: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Society” 

Abstract: Science communication describes a variety of practices in science by explaining ideas and research in a way that the general public can understand. It is easy to digest and assists in explaining the mechanisms of specific topics in science. It combines the humanities with science and allows communicators to make information accessible to people without advanced scientific knowledge. Young students typically absorb new information in the form of short videos on social media, such as TikTok, Instagram, and X. Topics that range from social justice to mental health advocacy are often utilized by the youth. Mental health disorders are a common point of discussion in college students. Many students are aware of these disorders, but the biological processes that cause these disorders aren’t discussed very often. Hence the chances of biased or nonscientific information being proliferated is high. Science communicators can provide accurate information on these processes to guide consumers of social media in the right unbiased direction. This project uses the principles of good science communication to produce a short series of informational videos on mental health disorders that many young students experience or have experienced, such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. They explain the biopsychological aspects of mental health disorders in the form of an entertaining video. I used short (<1min) videos since adolescents have grown accustomed to watching short, entertaining videos, causing their overall attention spans to decrease over time. I will create scripts, film, and edit 1-minute videos. I will research effective science communication and collaborate with my committee to improve my scripts and filming techniques to pilot a release on social media platforms to track views and feedback. This will address an important topic in science communication based on scientific literature to combat misinformation and boost the interest and retention of students in STEM fields.

For her honors project, Asanti will apply the principles of science without advanced scientific knowledge through a short series of informational videos in various areas of science. The project aims to create a video series intended for high school or early college students with beginner to intermediate knowledge of various science subjects. She chose this as her topic because it combines humanities and science and allows communicators to make information more accessible to those who do not have advanced scientific knowledge. Asanti chose St. Kate’s because of the university’s mission to educate women to lead and influence. She knew she wanted to go to a school that would teach her to become a leader and voice her opinion to make improvements in society and she has found that through the support of the St. Kate’s community. After graduating, Asanti plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in pediatrics.

Presentation: March 22, 3:30pm

Project Title: "A pathological people-pleaser: Analyzing the Evolving Personas of Taylor Swift from a Feminist Perspective" 

Abstract: Taylor Swift is perhaps the most famous artist currently dominating today’s pop music landscape. With The Eras Tour drawing fans in droves to concert venues around the world and TIME naming Swift Person of the Year in 2023, her appeal to the masses is undeniable. The academic world has begun to take notice of Swift’s significance as well, with her discography being the topic of multiple undergraduate courses, including ones at Stanford and New York University. With Swift at the height of her fame, it seems more relevant now than ever to take a deep dive into Swift’s lyricism. Specifically, looking at Swift’s various constructed personas from a feminist lens—from the “good Christian girl” of her early years to the victimized celebrity of the present—reveals not only how Swift’s songs are feminist, but also how they are not. As Swift constructs her image to appeal to as broad of an audience as possible, she also limits the ways in which her feminism can be progressive.

Natalie’s honors project will examine how Taylor Swift has constructed womanhood and girlhood through her song lyrics as well as how she represents various aspects of the (constructed) female experience. The project will provide a brief background on theories of gender construction in addition to basic information on Swift and her career in order to make the analysis digestible for a wider audience. Natalie feels that it seems more relevant now than ever to take a deep dive into Swift’s lyricism because of the way her lyrics speak to an audience of millions of (young) women and girls by navigating the themes surrounding them. She has chosen to present her project in the form of a paper that will analyze how Swift constructs various facets of the feminine experience through her songwriting, seeking to draw on previous feminist analyses of Swift’s discography and deconstructions of gender within the wider context of Western society. As she approaches graduation, Natalie feels privileged to work alongside her friends and classmates every day and is looking forward to exploring her place in the world. 

View Natalie's Presentation

Presentation: April 12, 4:00pm

Project Title: "Improving Balance in Women 50 and Older Through Immersive Virtual Reality Training: An Analysis of Balance Confidence"

Abstract: As adults age, the risk of falling substantially increases. Many falls occurring in older adults can be attributed to deficits in the somatosensory, vestibular, and visual systems that combine to provide stability during walking and standing. For women, deficits in balance and walking speed tend to occur earlier than they do in men, increasing the risk of falls. To study a new method to possibly improve balance in women who are 50 and older, we tested the Bertec Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) Immersive Virtual Reality System as a balance training intervention for women 50 years and older. Fourteen women were randomly selected to participate in either 18 (Group A) or 9 (Group B) 20-minute balance training sessions. The women also went through pre, middle, and post assessments (Group B started training after the first 3 weeks) that consisted of physical balance assessments, standard Bertec dynamic balance tests, and the Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC). The Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale was delivered to participants in an interview style format. This validated tool assesses balance confidence, rather than fear of falling, doing a variety of every day (non-clinical) tasks. ABC scores were analyzed to see if the Bertec balance intervention had an effect on balance confidence. Additionally, to see if the amount of training had an effect on balance confidence, we compared the ABC scores from participants in Groups A and B. Finally, based on the data gathered from using the ABC in a balance training study, we will discuss if we found it to be a useful assessment tool for this study. 

For Skylar's honors project, she will be using the Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) as a pre-, mid-, and post-assessment in a balance training study to see if it is an effective assessment to use to gather interpretive data from participants. She will be conducting her project through the KARE research experience in which the ABC will be given to all female participants who are 50 or older and have no major balance deficits. This project seeks to answer the question of whether or not the ABC is an effective assessment tool and also to observe the changes in one’s confidence in their balance change throughout a 3 or 6-week balance training period. 

Presentation: May 3, 4:00pm

Project Title: Searching for home in temporary spaces

Abstract: The film is a captivating exploration of the universal quest for happiness and a place to call home, bridging the gap between the past and present and revealing the shared humanity that binds us all. Through archival and recent footage, the film attempts to answer the question, what does home mean to you?