Posters

Mentor: Dr. Luke Busta

Research Title: Predicting the Products of Triterpenoid Synthesis Enzymes Using Artificial Intelligence

Triterpenoids are a diverse class of molecules that are found in plants and have many functions. Some triterpenoids have potential to be utilized for medicinal purposes. Triterpenoids are made using oxidosqualene cyclases, cytochromes P450s, and other enzymes. Each P450 oxidizes a specific carbon on the triterpenoid backbone making different triterpenoid molecules. The goal of this project is to determine the extent to which protein language models can predict which specific carbons are oxidized by three cytochromes P450 from Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, a desert succulent that is highly drought tolerant. The genes encoding the P450s will be transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and the A. tumefaciens carrying the genes will be used to inoculate leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana. The anticipated result is that in N. benthamiana the P450s will be expressed and will oxidize the specific carbons as predicted. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry will be used to detect the products that are made. Here, I will share my results to date, as experiments are ongoing. 

Mentor: Dr. Nicholas Robertson

Research Title: Niclosamide, a Promising Future Molluscicide

We developed a method for rapidly quantifying bayluscide concentrations in solution, prepared new granular bayluscide-containing formulations, and then studied their release rates to elucidate their performance. We found that pH and ionic strength significantly impact release rates and investigated possible causes for the formation of an insoluble precipitate. We explored strategies to prevent this

precipitation by adjusting the formulation components, including using different clays such as kaolinite and bentonite, solubilizers such as cyclodextrin, and adjusting the weight percent of bayluscide to study surface area effects. Cyclodextrin and lower weight percents improved performance of the formulations; however further improvements are still needed. 

Mentor: Dr. Nicholas Sloboda

Research Title: Challenging the Romanticized: Gerald Vizenor’s Bearheart: The Heirship Chronicles

Gerald Vizenor challenges the romanticized image of the Native American in his novel, Bearheart: The Heirship Chronicles. He asserts that Native identity must be recreated through community and humor as to contribute to “survivance.” Vizenor intentionally uses a particular style to draw attention to what literary theoretician Mikhail Bakhtin describes as the  “carnivalesque” and the “grotesque.” Specifically he materializes his ideas through the grotesque image of the body, where, in the novel, Belladonna’s pregnancy becomes a symbol of Native continuation. Vizenor further applies the aspects of carnivalesque to his writing, using its ability to situate humanity in an equal sphere of collaboration and active engaging thought. His unique writing style mimics the oral tradition, leading to an ambiguous presentation of authorial ownership.  Overall, he twists the image of the Native into a moldable context to be further shaped by his created community.

Mentor: Dr. David Potter & Dr. Erin Aldridge

Research Title: Mino-bimaadiziwin: An Ojibwe Musical Pedagogy 

To date there is a lack of Indigenous voices in music education, especially pertaining to the Lake Superior Ojibwe. Because of this, I am intentionally putting the focus and perspectives on indigenous voices. I will conduct qualitative research; my method will be narrative inquiry. This will be done by purposeful interview. My interviewee is a local to the Chequamegon Bay Area. He was first taught through observing Western Musical standards and soon followed in his father’s footsteps to learn Lakota and Ojibwe ceremony practices.  My research questions include: What was the social climate for Lake Superior Ojibwe during their time of engagement with music teaching and learning? How were Lake Superior Ojibwe exposed to music? How did Lake Superior Ojibwe view the impact of music education policies and curriculum in relation to their cultural values and practices? After I had my first interview with Taskapa, I came across five major themes and from there we created a pedagogical framework; Center is self, or Spirit, which flows into Self-efficacy. From there you are able to move to community, then to the groove experience and finally to Nimama-aki. When applying this framework to the Western classroom there are two key aspects that are no longer as important as they traditionally are in Western Culture. With this framework individualism crumbles. Individuality is your Spirit; it is your true self moving in a good way, “We all have our own vibration, but it goes together...” 4:09 follow-up. Secondly, you must be willing to let notation take the back seat. We have relied on Notation, being a translator and a deciding factor of musical literacy. Music is a world language, but when put in Western notation it is dulled. For example, when you are trying to translate French to English you can comprehend, but the key bits of dialect are lost and jumbled through translation. I chose to leave my themes more open, to give educators the room to adjust the framework and make it fit for their unique classroom dynamics. This framework is to build a new foundation where all music is open to learning. 

Mentor: Dr. Gloria Eslinger

Research Title: The Healing Benefits of Nature Within Art Therapy

This research project explored how nature can be used within art therapy as a coping mechanism for young adults ages 18-24. It looks into what forms of art are the most therapeutic, along with how nature can be incorporated into the artistic process to help people process their own emotions. Current research in this field has found that nature and art have a therapeutic effect separately, and I wanted to look into how they could be combined to create an even more calming effect. To conduct research, four interviews were conducted, and a survey was sent out to 18-24-year-olds via social media. After the research was over, it was found that more than half of respondents use art as a way to cope with emotions, more than half use nature, and more than half use both. Overall, the responses show that both nature and art are common coping mechanisms for multiple reasons. 

Mentor: Dr. Amanda Zbacnik

Research Title: Effective Teaching Strategies for teaching students who are neurodiverse/ADHD.

Educators plan and implement intentional instruction for all students. Students who are neurodiverse and exhibit characteristics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) thrive on a variety of teaching interventions and strategies.  The purpose of this research is to identify the current and most effective methods and teaching styles that educators use with their students who are neurodiverse, explicitly focusing on ADHD. A literature review includes strategies on flexibility, visual timers, and environmental adaptations. Using a mixed-method survey format, educators answered eight questions varying in Likert scale and open-ended queries. Findings indicated that best practices include identifying individual strengths, reflecting on behavior perspectives, and individualizing intervention strategies. Constructive and intentional educators strive to stay current on instructional and classroom management enhancements to ensure they provide students with achievable learning outcomes. The results showed that educators effectively utilize a variety of intentional and developmentally appropriate interventions to ensure the success of all their students.

Mentor: Dr. Melissa Maurer-Jones

Research Title: Degradation of Plastic Waste: Studying Microbial Attachment to Polymeric Materials

Plastic waste in the environment is concerning for a variety of reasons including, carrying pollutants and the breakdown to microplastics, which can harm ecosystems. Additionally, plastics in the environment form biofilms that have the potential to degrade the materials, so studying the formation of biofilms on plastics can aid in tackling the challenge of plastic waste. Pseudomonas fluorescens (P. fluorescens) is a model microbial system used to study biofilm formation and is unique because it produces fluorescent pigment. This work aimed to establish the relationship between cell density and fluorescence signal in order to establish methods to study biofilm growth on plastics, with a focus polylactic acid (PLA). P. fluorescens was grown up into suspension in Luria-Bertani broth, and the fluorescence spectra (λex= 365 nm) were taken of solutions with varying cell densities. P. fluorescens has a maximum peak fluorescence intensity at  λem = ~440 nm, and a linear relationship was observed between cell density and fluorescence intensity, indicating the fluorescence signal was from the bacteria present. Subsequent experiments were performed to grow biofilms on plastic samples. P. fluorescens were inoculated into nutrient deficient broths containing PLA films, and biofilms were detected using crystal violet staining and the natural fluorescence of the bacteria. First, fluorescence detection of biofilm yielded mixed results and needs further method development. Crystal violet staining revealed P. fluorescens has a similar growth of biofilm over the course of 5 days, but showed that a 3-day incubation period for biofilm growth is sufficient for subsequent studies. These results indicate P. fluorescens will be a good model for continued study for the growth of bacteria on environmentally relevant plastic samples.

Mentor: Dr. Kenna Bolton Holz

Research Title: Informal Caregiving Students' Stress

This study focuses on informal caregivers who are students. This study explores the differences in stress, anxiety and depression between students who are informal caregivers and students who are not informal caregivers. There were no significant differences in overall anxiety, depression and stress. Although, there were significant differences in specific types of stress: academic coursework/responsibilities, family issues and work-/school-life balance. Future research should examine support for informal caregiving students to reduce these specific areas of stress.

Mentor: Dr. Danielle Sneyd

Research Title: Agricultural Economics Affects Rural Community Well-Being

The current study investigates the impact of agriculture and economic factors on the well-being of community members in Sioux County, Nebraska. Six participants were recruited through community outreach and interviewed using a semi-structured format, then given an Individual Flourishing Measure Survey. Thematic content analysis revealed four key themes: cyclical trends in agriculture, community events and involvement, policy contributions, and private ownership shrinkage. Participants highlighted the cyclical nature of agriculture, the integral role of community support and events, the challenges posed by policy and regulatory measures, and the decline in small family-owned ranches due to economic pressures and technological advancements. The study underscores the complex interplay between agriculture and community well-being in rural settings.

Mentor: Dr. Sakib Mahmud

Research Title: External Debt and Economic Growth: A Cross-Country Analysis of South Asia

This study investigates the impact of external debt on economic growth in South Asia, focusing on eight countries: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and the Maldives. The region faces a high government debt-to-GDP ratio averaging 86%, with countries like Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives exhibiting particularly severe ratios. Despite a significant increase in total external debt stocks, South Asia has largely avoided major debt crises. However, several countries are at high risk of debt distress.

This research examines the effectiveness of debt management and the role of governance in determining economic outcomes. Corruption and governance quality are crucial, as poor governance can lead to misallocation of debt resources and inefficiencies. Using the Worldwide Governance Indicators to assess governance, this study evaluates how different levels of governance impact the utilization of external debt and subsequent economic growth. The analysis aims to determine whether the increasing debt burden adversely affects economic growth in the region and provides insights into potential policy improvements for better debt management.

Mentor: Dr. Josh Stangle

Research Title: Mathematical Analysis of Kaleidoscopes in at least 2-Dimensions

This abstract explores the mathematical analysis of kaleidoscopes, emphasizing the intersection of mathematics, computer science, and art. Kaleidoscopes, renowned for their intricate and symmetrical patterns, serve as an exemplary case study to illustrate the confluence of these disciplines. The mathematical foundation of kaleidoscopes involves reflections and symmetries, which can be analyzed through the lens of group theory. In a two-dimensional space, the reflections in a kaleidoscope create complex, repeating patterns that are governed by specific symmetry groups.

In computer science, these mathematical principles are implemented using programming techniques. Java, a versatile programming language, is employed to simulate kaleidoscope patterns through graphical methods. By leveraging classes such as `BufferedImage` and methods from Java's 2D graphics API, one can algorithmically generate and manipulate the images to produce kaleidoscopic art. The process involves defining geometric transformations, applying reflection matrices, and iterating over image pixels to achieve the desired visual effect.

This interdisciplinary approach not only highlights the practical applications of theoretical concepts but also demonstrates how mathematical rigor can inspire and enhance artistic creativity. The resulting art piece showcases a harmonious blend of mathematical precision and artistic expression, revealing the beauty of kaleidoscopes through a computational lens.

Mentor: Dr. Steven Rosenberg

Research Title: Exploring Machine Learning Applications in Gaming for  Enhanced Character Locomotion and Behavior

Characters play an instrumental role in making the gameplay experience immersive and enjoyable. However, immersion in video games is often disrupted by unnatural character behavior and locomotion that stem from the limitations of manual animation and simplistic AI patterns. Traditional methods rely heavily on manual animations and predefined behavior trees, which can result in repetitive and predictable non player character “NPC” actions. Machine learning “ML” offers a promising alternative, with the potential to enable more dynamic, intelligent, and natural behaviors. This literature review aims to thoroughly examine current machine learning techniques that allow the creation of realistic characters, as well as map out potential pathways for future research and development that could further revolutionize the gaming experience. Additionally, it seeks to identify challenges and explore potential opportunities in the field that could reduce barriers for independent developers.

Mentor: Dr. Sergei Bezroukov

Research Title: Wireless Personal Pulse Oximeter

This project involves the development of a portable heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring device based on the BGM220P microcontroller, the MAX30102 Oximeter and Heart Rate Sensor, and an SSD1306 OLED display. Powered by 2xAAA batteries, the BGM220P module serves as the master, controlling the sensor and display. The device measures heart rate (in BPM) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2 in %) and displays the results on the 128x64 OLED screen. Additionally, it is capable of wireless transmission of the collected data through Bluetooth for external monitoring.

The microcontroller firmware processes the raw data from the MAX30102 sensor, filtering and averaging it to reduce noise and improve accuracy. The results are then visualized on the display in real-time, showing both heart rate and SpO2 levels. The Bluetooth functionality allows for remote data collection, enhancing the potential for medical monitoring and analysis.

Mentor: Dr. Lorena Mendoza Rios

Research Title: Scientometric Analysis and Systematic Literature Review for the Characterization of Microplastic in ISS.

My research focused on microplastic contamination in space environments, particularly on the International Space Station (ISS). Over the summer, I conducted an extensive literature review using various databases like Academic Search Ultimate, ScienceDirect, and Scopus to gather information on microplastics in both space and terrestrial environments. I learned how to use Zotero for organizing research materials and practiced scientometric analysis. Key findings included the discovery of microplastics on the ISS's exterior, likely originating from Earth, and the potential risks they pose to spacecraft operations. I explored sampling and analysis methods for microplastics, analytical instrumentation techniques, and contamination control protocols that could be adapted for the ISS environment by collaborating with the Mathematics Department. This project has led to a deeper understanding of the pervasiveness of microplastic pollution and its implications for space exploration. The research is ongoing and may contribute to larger studies on environmental contamination in space habitats.

I am from Nepal and chose to attend UW-Superior because of its close-knit community atmosphere. My interest in astronomy, which I developed during my school years, led me to pursue research on microplastic contamination in space environments, particularly on the International Space Station. This summer project and the associated funding have made a significant difference in my academic journey. The financial support has helped me cover my tuition costs, providing some relief to my parents. Additionally, the research experience has deepened my understanding of environmental contamination in space habitats and honed my skills in literature review and data analysis. Looking ahead, I plan to continue this research in the coming summer, focusing on conducting a statistical analysis of the findings. This project has not only expanded my knowledge but also opened potential avenues for future work in space environmental studies.

Mentor: Dr. Daniela Mansbach

Research Title: More Than Fun: A Personally Critical Way Of Thinking about Video Games

In this project I examined two Video Games, Season: A Letter to The Future and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice to see what kind of Play—as defined by Miguel Sicart—they have the audience experience. I discovered that they both are examples of two terms I’ve developed through this process: Forced Reflective Play and Forced Physical Play, respectively. The model is based on foundational ideas I see within these games that create the situations for the Play I experienced. The Play that we, the audience, do in Season is that of meaning making with our reflections. Season’s entire experience is the process of reflecting and creating something meaningful with that reflection. I found that this Play gave me the opportunity to reflect on what matters to me, and to the people around me, as well as what I might do with that reflection. The Play that Sekiro gives us is one that I felt with my whole body. We are given a skill to get better at with our body and through that improvement, we are forced evaluate our ability because someone we relied on has asked our permission to leave us. The physical nature of Sekiro’s skill makes this play of mercy a physical one. These two types of play seem foundational to these Video Games. Based on this, I created a preliminary model to give direct language to understanding these ideas that can be used by people who want to make, play, or learn about Video Games. This preliminary model is a reflective tool to gain further insight into our experiences with Video Games and should be iterated upon. I offer not only a new perspective, compared to academic works I am aware of, but also a conversation of how to critically think about our personal experiences with Video Games, our perception of them, and our ability to talk about them intrinsically.

Mentor: Dr. Hilary Fezzey

Research Title: The Exploration of the Unconscious: Analyzing Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s The Social Contract from a Psychoanalytic and Feminist Perspective

The present research analyzes Jean-Jacques Rousseau's The Social Contract from a psychoanalytic and feminist perspective, intertwining the concepts of repression, ideological state apparatuses, and performative identity. Through the close readings of his primary books, The Social Contract, Emile, and Confessions, the study aims to understand whether his ideals unconsciously originated from his mother’s loss or throughout his philosophical career. From theorists such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Sigmund Freud to modern philosophers like Judith Butler, this literary investigation provides a wide-new vision of many other ways Rousseau can be studied. This research is grounded in the historical and social context of the Enlightenment, finding that educational and economic advancements developed but at the cost of gender equality that represented the patriarchal society in Europe and, consequently, the inhumane conditions for women.

Mentor: Dr. Olawole Famule

Research Title: Joan Mitchell Revisited in the Twon Ports

The abstract expressionist movement redefined art and moved the center of the art world from Paris to New York City. The art world was male-dominated, but Joan Mitchell became a successful and accomplished artist whose work can be found around the world today. This project looks at Mithcell's social history and her painting methods, and how those methods can inspire landscape art in the Twin Ports area. Research themes include:

Deconstructing gender biases and learning how Joan Mitchell made her way as an artist in a male-dominated art world.

Analyzing her painting techniques: examine her work both in texts and museum contexts. ​

Applying her methods: Experiment with her methods to create abstract expressionist paintings inspired by local landscapes​

Mentor: Dr. James Lane

Research Title: Investigation of Bioactive Compounds Derived from Cinnamon and Vanilla

Finding new, plant-based bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity is an important part of scientific research and drug discovery programs. Both cinnamon and vanilla are known for their therapeutic properties.  The goal of our research was to obtain the essential oil from cinnamon and vanilla, identify and isolate their major organic compounds, create derivatives of these compounds, and finally test those compounds for their antioxidant and antibacterial qualities.  We used the techniques of hydrodistillation and Soxhlet extraction to isolate the major compound from cinnamon called cinnamaldehyde.  We then carried out oxidation, reduction, and Schiff-base forming reactions to produce derivatives of the cinnamaldehyde.  Similar reactions were also carried out on vanillin, the principle chemical component of vanilla. Once these derivatives were purified, they were assayed for antioxidant and antibacterial activity and our initial results indicate that some of the compounds showed observable activity. 

Mentor: Dr. Eleni Pinnow

Research Title: Best Practices for Mentally Preparing and then Reintegrating Students who are Studying Abroad

This research focused on the best practices for mentally preparing and reintegrating college students who are studying abroad; the literature used related to mental health, studying abroad, reintegration, and culture shock. Students must be mentally prepared for all of the changes they are going to experience. Helpful changes to the UW-Superior campus include working with student health and counseling services for the pre-departure process, giving students coping skills, standardizing course equivalents, and creating opportunities for students to share their experiences upon returning.

Mentor: Dr. David Potter

Research Title: Pamoja and Music: A study of music teaching and learning in Uganda

Discourse surrounding the hybridization of Western and African music content in Uganda is prominent in music education research. For example, the celebrated Ugandan music educator, Adolu-Otojoka, indicated that “an appropriate balance between Western and African music content is necessary for a progressive Ugandan music education program” (Wabyona, 2023, p. 272). Moreover, what makes the partnership of music education programs from Central Uganda and Wisconsin to be of particular interest is that it allows for an open approach to sharing songs–including classical, traditional and popular–which diverges from previous music syllabi in Ugandan schools, where popular styles were largely omitted. (Kigozi, 2008). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore how music teachers of schools from Central Uganda collaborated with their counterparts from Wisconsin (United States) to engage with songs previously performed in the United States. Research questions included: How did Ugandan music educators’ pedagogical approaches inform their use of music from the United States?

Mentor: Dr. Sergei Bezroukov

Research Title: Real-Time Solar-Event Calculation Device

The aim of this project is to develop a silicon-labs microcontroller-based system that calculates sunrise and sunset times using geographical positioning data from a GPS module. This device is the assembly of a Silicon Labs EFR32BG22 development board and Interface Ublox Neo-6M GPS Module. It operates independently of internet connectivity and is programmed with C language, in Simplicity IDE, to retrieve GPS data through UART communication. Critical data such as time, latitude, longitude, direction indicator and date are received, parsed then converted into information that is useful to the system. This information is then used to find unix time, time zone, and apply Daylight Savings Time adjustments. A mathematical model with parameters like Julian Day, Solar Mean Anomaly, Local Apparent Time, Solar Declination, etc. is then  used to calculate the solar events. The results are finally displayed, in a readable format for humans, on a Simplicity Studio terminal. Applications of this device include automating garage porch lights, integrating smart home systems to control blinds or shades and, in larger sectors, optimizing lighting and ventilation schedules in agricultural settings enhancing efficiency and reducing manual effort.

Mentor: Dr. James Lane

Research Title: Synthesis of Eugenol Derivatives and Evaluation of Their Bioactivity

Both antibiotic and antioxidant properties are vital in the scope of medical research. Studies of the antioxidant and antibiotic properties of these eugenol derivatives are important for addressing pressing global health challenges, such as antibiotic resistance and oxidative stress-related diseases. Eugenol, also known as clove oil, and its derivatives have the potential to express these properties at an efficient rate. We looked at a green alternative for synthesizing the epoxide derivatives using oxone with the same or a similar yield to harmful alternatives. To increase yield by using a more stereospecific reagent, acetyl eugenol and allyl anisole were synthesized, and epoxidation procedures were run. After all derivatives were synthesized, their bioactivities were investigated, determining what derivatives could possibly show either antioxidant or antibiotic properties.

Mentor: Dr. Kyle Roskoski

Research Title: Consumer Behavior Analysis Around Sustainable Fashion

This research compares the consumers’ perception of sustainable and fast fashion by analyzing Tweets, in order to identify approaches companies can take to promote sustainability to their potential customers. Overconsumption of clothing is one of the biggest contributors to the fashion industry being one of the most polluted industries. To assess what encourages sustainable consumer behavior within the industry, sentimental analysis on Tweets and social network analysis of hashtags related to sustainable fashion. The sentimental analysis shows that consumers are perceiving sustainable fashion more positively than fast fashion. Word clouds indicate that consumers recognize the impact fast fashion gives, but cheap accessible clothes still attract people. Therefore, companies should focus either on reducing the price or justifying the higher price of their products to better promote their effort to consumers of fast fashion. From social network analysis, it is effective to advertise businesses’ sincere effort towards sustainability using hashtags such as “ethicalfashion,” “sustainability,” and/or “slowfashion” to attract more conscious customers.

Mentor: Dr. Sergei Bezroukov

Research Title: Bluetooth Human Voice Transmitter and Receiver

This project aims to design two devices that function like classical walkie-talkies using Bluetooth technology. One device can transmit, and the other can receive human voice over short distances. The project involves learning and utilizing digital sound processing techniques, Bluetooth communication protocols, and microcontroller development. One of the big advantages of the devices over normal walkie-talkies is that their energy consumption is lower. Moreover, the audio data is digitized, so the final products could be used as the first step of controlling the device over voice commands by combining other voice recognition systems.

Mentor: Dr. Emilee Howland

Research Title: Spectral Versatility: Ghost Stories Across Genres

In this project, I investigate how different genres tell ghost stories by exploring text, film, and television ghosts across five genres: mystery, science fiction, horror, comedy, and urban fantasy/romance, demonstrating that the ghost is a versatile element of storytelling. Several themes follow ghosts across genres, including haunted settings, unfinished business, explorations of the afterlife, and rationalizing the supernatural. Though ghost stories across genres share similar elements and themes, each genre presents its ghost stories differently. In mystery ghost stories, the ghost acts as the kernel of the mystery, and the question of whether the ghost is real plays throughout the story. In science fiction ghost stories, the ghost needs to be scientifically defined, and a scientific–or science-fictional–answer is generally provided. Horror ghost stories create scary, impure, and/or inverted images of humanity with their ghosts. Comedy ghost stories parody traditional ghost story conventions by placing the classically-scary ghost into comedic situations. Urban fantasy/romance ghosts are incorporeal manifestations of lost opportunities, and characters are transformed in some way after their interactions with ghosts. Ghost stories aren’t just rattling chains, flickering lights, cold spots, and spirits from beyond the grave; they are also multi-genre modes of human expression and exploration.

Mentor: Dr. Eleni Pinnow

Research Title: ACEs as a Risk Factor for Behavioral Addictions 

Behavioral addictions are behaviors that can become addictive and compulsive; unlike substance use disorder, behavioral addictions do not involve ingesting addictive substances. Common examples of behavioral addictions include gambling, food addiction, and problematic internet use (i.e. social media, smartphone, gaming). There is evidence that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which are traumatic experiences during childhood, are associated with behavioral addictions. The current research examined the variables that mediate the relationship between ACEs and behavioral addictions. The presence of many mediating variables would indicate that ACEs are a risk factor that predicts the mediators, rather than directly predicting behavioral addictions. Common mediators in this area are coping styles, depressions, anxiety, body image dissatisfaction, etc. Based on the existing literature, there seems to be many variables (depression, attachment style, emotion dysregulation, etc.) mediating the relationship between ACEs and internet-based behavioral addictions, though there is less evidence for this with other behavioral addictions. There is also a lack of null findings reported in this realm, which suggests a publication bias. Given the lack of null findings, future research should look at how universal these mediators are between behavioral addictions. An excellent starting point would be with problem gambling, since there seems to be few studies examining the mediating variables for ACEs and behavior addictions.

Mentor: Dr. Khalil "Haji" Dokhanchi

Research Title: An Analysis of Wisconsin Menstruation Education

Menstruation education is a vital form of education for all students, yet many students receive limited education on the topic. Providing students with a comprehensive menstruation education creates equality within the classroom and beyond. This study, when combined with previous studies conducted by Zoe Tietz and Dr. Khalil (Haji) Dokhanchi provides an understanding of the educational resources available related to menstruation and the challenged faced by those who menstruate.

The researcher analyzed lessons from five school districts within Wisconsin, with differing student populations and funding. Submitted lesson plans were analyzed to understand how menstruation is addressed within classrooms. These lessons were analyzed to identify existing gaps within menstruation education. Educational standards, relating to health education, were analyzed as well.

Upon the competition of this research, the researcher developed lessons plans that can be adopted within the existing class curriculum as well as a website to aid educators, families, and students with the topic of menstruation. 

Mentor: Dr. Khalil "Haji" Dokhanchi

Research Title: Segregated Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)

After four years of intense war, Bosnian War, the Dayton Peace Accord was signed in 1995 to end the war and it also created the political framework for the new state, Bosnia and Herzegovina(BiH). However, it created a decentralized state, composed of two political entities; Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), governed by Bosniaks and Croats, and Republic of Srpska, governed by Serbs, each with their own political and educational system. And it causing segregated education, known as “two schools under one roof”. This phrase reflects that students are taking different curriculum based on their ethnicity, and the worst case, even physically completely separated such as in classrooms or school yards. As a result of this segregated education, BiH has made reconciliation among ethnic groups in postwar society even more difficult. Thus, in order to unravel the complex educational system in BiH, this study examines the ethnic make up of each political entity and the educational system in each unit.

Mentor: Dr. Deborah Augsburger

Research Title: Vampires: Folklore to Fiction

Vampires: Folklore to Fiction focuses on various subsets of vampire history - first, it takes an anthropological approach and looks into the roots of vampire folklore in Eastern Europe. Then, it analyzes the changes made to vampires in modern memory by literature, with famous and widely-read books such as Dracula and Twilight taking the spotlight as prime examples of the shifting nature of these stories. Finally, by analyzing the goth musical, aesthetic, and philosophical subculture, a subculture that derives much of its artistic inspiration from vampiric literature, a case is made for vampire’s unending grasp on modern popular culture. By tracing through time and documenting, comparing, and cataloging vampires of different eras in human history, Vampires: Folklore to Fiction posits that there is a strong and historic link between culture, the vampire, and human nature itself.

Mentor: Dr. Sergei Bezroukov

Research Title: Working with ToF and Ultrasonic Proximity Sensors

Self-driving vehicles rely heavily on sensor technology to navigate safely in dynamic environments. This research project focuses on exploring two types of proximity sensors, namely ultrasonic and Time-of-Flight (ToF) infrared sensors, commonly employed in autonomous systems for obstacle detection. The goal is to evaluate the accuracy of these sensors in measuring object distances, followed by their integration into a small self-driving car model designed to avoid obstacles. Using a microcontroller, sensor data will be processed and displayed, enhancing understanding of their practical applications. Through hands-on experimentation, the project aims to compare the performance of both sensor types and develop a functioning car model that is capable of obstacle avoidance. The final output includes a comprehensive report on the sensors’ accuracy and a simple operational self-driving car model. This research offers foundational experience in embedded systems, sensor interfacing, and real-world application.