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OVERVIEW
April 24, 2025
Welcome to the 18th Annual RICE Symposium at Centre College!
We’re thrilled to have you join us for this exciting capstone event of Undergraduate Research
Week—five days dedicated to celebrating the spirit of discovery, innovation, and creativity at
Centre. Each day brings a unique research-focused event, culminating in today’s RICE
Symposium.
RICE stands for Research, Internships, and Creative Endeavors, and this symposium shines a
spotlight on the impressive range of scholarly and creative work produced by Centre students.
It's more than a showcase—it's a celebration of what happens when students go beyond
learning existing knowledge and start contributing new ideas and insights of their own. This is
experiential learning at its best.
Throughout the week, we also honor the people and stories behind the research. At the RICE
Celebratory Luncheon on Tuesday, April 22, we’ll recognize outstanding faculty mentors, Dr.
Amy Frederick, Associate Professor of Art History, Dr. Shanna Sippy, Associate Professor of
Religion, Dr. Jeff Heath, Professor of Mathematics and Data Science, and Dr. Prayat Poudel,
Associate Professor of Mathematics for their amazing commitment to undergraduate research
by honoring them with the Dr. John Barton Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship
award. We extend our heartfelt thanks to these dedicated educators for guiding and inspiring
the next generation of scholars. Additionally, we will highlight Centre alumni who began their
research journeys here and come together for a special event: the James W. Barton RICE
Symposium Lecture Convocation on Wednesday, April 23rd. This year, we’re excited to
welcome back a panel of Centre alumni—Dr. Erika Brewer ’18, Caleb Campbell ’20, and Me Me
Khant ’20—who will reflect on their undergraduate research experiences and share where their
work has taken them since.
This year’s Symposium features 66 student presentations from across disciplines, including 32
oral presentations and 34 posters. You won’t want to miss the J.H. Atkins Scholars Program
presentations on Thursday at 4:30 PM, where five students will share research focused on
diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. And on Friday, April 25, the creativity continues
with a student art exhibition in the AEGON Gallery at the Jones Visual Arts Center, showcasing
work from this year’s studio art classes.
Our panels come in two styles: some are interdisciplinary, grouped by themes that cross
traditional academic boundaries. Others dive deep into a single topic or collaborative project,
especially when emerging from an advanced seminar or focused research course. Each oral
presentation lasts 15 minutes—12 minutes of presenting, followed by 3 minutes for
discussion. As a courtesy, please stay through to the end of each presentation before exiting a
session. A poster session will finish out the day beginning at 5:30pm and ending at 6:30pm
located in the atrium of Young Hall.
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Oral Presentations
Poster Presentations
Abstracts
OVERVIEW
We invite you to explore, engage, and be inspired by the range of ideas and creativity on
display. Thank you for supporting our students and their incredible work. Enjoy the Symposium!
Sincerely,
Karin Gill, Matt Downen, and Eva Cadavid
2025 RICE Symposium Co-Chairs and Secretary
APRIL 24, 2025
Oral Presentations
Session 1, Young Hall
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Oral Presentations
Session 2, Young Hall
2:40 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Oral Presentations
Session 3, Young Hall
3:50 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.
Atkins Scholars, Young 110
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Poster Presentations
Lobby, Young Hall
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
APRIL 25, 2025
Art Exhibition Opening
AEGON Gallery, Jones Visual Arts Center
3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Oral Presentations, at a glance
5
Poster Presentations, at a glance
3
Oral Presentations
Poster Presentations
Abstracts
OVERVIEW
Art Exhibition
9
Oral Presentation Abstracts
12
Poster Presentation Abstracts
13
Committee
24
35
4
Oral Presentations
Poster Presentations
Abstracts
ORAL PRESENTATIONS AT A GLANCE
SESSION 1-a
Young 111
Moderator
Sarah
Murray
1:30 p.m.
1.
Combating High School Dropout: A Comparative Study of
Federal Aid Programs in Brazil, Costa Rica, and the United
States
Bianca Galves Gombos
1:50 pm
2.
Western Education: Between Dissociation and Resistance
Elni De Jesus
2:10 pm
3.
Mindfulness-Based Goal Setting: Effects on self-concordance
and student goal behavior
Erin Siler
SESSION 1-b
Young 112
Moderator
Beau
Weston
1:30 p.m.
4.
Storm Water Group
Odile Clements, Teresa Curry, Liz Dickerson
1:50 p.m.
5.
City Engineer Group
Gavin Alfon, Grace Walker, Caroline Lock
SESSION 1-c
Young 110
Moderator
Christian
Wood
1:30 p.m.
6.
Mental Wellness: Francophone and other Perspectives
Massiel Mora Fernandez
1:50 p.m.
7.
"Verlan": Linguistic complexity in the francophone world
Nora Howard
2:10 p.m.
8.
Immigration in France, who are the beneficiaries?
Jonathan Pierre-Louis
1:30 p.m.
9.
BRI as a Neo-Colonialist Project: Transforming Cambodia
Beyond Infrastructure
Wuthikah Pun
1:50 p.m.
10.
China’s Strategic Expansion of Soft Power Amidst the
Decline of USAID Funding
Isha Patel
2:10 p.m.
11.
Between a Rock and a War Zone: Predicting the Probability
of Future Conflict in Syria
Phillip-Michael Collins
SESSION 1-d
Young 102
Moderator
Sami Sweis
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Oral Presentations
Poster Presentations
Abstracts
ORAL PRESENTATIONS AT A GLANCE
SESSION 2-a
Young 101
Moderator
Laura
Chinchilla
2:40 p.m.
12.
3:00 p.m.
13.
3:20 p.m.
14.
Leveraging Love Power: The Case of the Dictator’s Wife in
Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "Autumn of the Patriarch"
Aliana Conway
(in Spanish)
The Radical Potential of Artistic Justice: Feminist Practice
and Lila Pilipina
Kayla Rogers and Laurel Wallace
‘Shut Her Legs’: Anti-Abortion Discourse as an Extension of
Rape Culture
Lilia Smithson
10 minute break
SESSION 2-b
Young 111
Moderator
Mustafa
Saeed
2:40 p.m.
15.
A Computational Study of Magnetism in CrI3 Monolayers
Marina Will and Chenji Shang
3:00 p.m.
16.
Simulations of Computing Lithium-Ion Batteries
Ezzatullah Mehrdad
3:20 p.m.
17.
Dynamical Energy Decoherence in Closed Quantum Systems
Henry Crumley and Kraig Grauer
SESSION 2-c
Young 112
Moderator
Beau
Weston
2:40 p.m.
18.
Planning and Zoning Group
Carter Smith, Lindsey Browning, Maddie Van Deventer
3:00 p.m.
19.
Parks and Recreation Group
Sasha Hauntz, Nick Kellogg, and Aaliyah Spoonamore
SESSION 2-d
Young 102
Moderator
Brett
Werner
2:40 p.m.
20.
A More Comprehensive Understanding of Glocal Crises
Ruby Nem
3:00 p.m.
21.
Across Borders: Future of Relations and Policy Toward
Northern Triangle Migration
Alivia Nettesheim
3:20 p.m.
22.
The Great Fragmentation
Mril D'silva
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Oral Presentations
Poster Presentations
Abstracts
ORAL PRESENTATIONS AT A GLANCE
SESSION 3-a
Young 112
Moderator
Eva Cadavid
SESSION 3-b
Young 102
Moderators
Chantell
Limerick
and Lori
Hartman
3:50 p.m.
23.
Balancing Lettered Identities: The Lived Queer+ Experience
in Greek Life at Centre College
Samuel Cotthoff, Atkins Scholar
4:10 p.m.
24.
The Effect of Sense of Belonging on Mental Health Outcomes
Braden Duncan, Rachel Gaynor, Pressley Swiney, and Tatum
Colvin
Experiences of Students of Color in Higher Education
Soleila Elliott Gonzalez and Adriana Gonzalez-Alvizures
4:30 p.m.
25.
3:50 p.m.
26.
Trapped in a Monolithic Narrative: The Invisibility of
Multiethnic Blackness in the United States
Kellaiah Laurent
4:10 p.m.
27.
Reimagining the Past to Reimagine the Future: Afrofuturism,
Afro-centric Visual Media and Shifting Narratives
Amanda Houston
10 Minute Break
SESSION 3-c
Young 111
Moderator
Katrin Bahr
3:50 p.m.
28.
Frauen gegen Frauen: Antifeminismus in der Rechtspartei
Alternative für Deutschland
Allison Barrows
4:10 p.m.
29.
Riograndenser Hunsrückisch: von Sprachverdrängung zu
Revitalisierung am Beispiel Südbrasilien
Sam Merritt
.
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Poster Presentations
Abstracts
ORAL PRESENTATIONS AT A GLANCE
SESSION 3-d
Young 110
Moderator
Amoz Hor
3:50 p.m.
30.
Neighborhood America: A Proposal to Improve the Economy
and Society through Local Reform
Jackson Arnold
4:10 p.m.
31.
Automating an Algorithm to Predict Variant Pathogenicity in
ADPKD Patients
Duncan McGinnis with collaborators at other institutions.
4:30 p.m.
32.
Paw-gress: An Integrated Data and Web Platform for
Informed Pet Adoptions
Sumit Sah
J.H. Atkins Scholars Program
Young 113
Moderated
by the
Atkins
committee:
Melinda
Weathers,
Hannah
O’Leary
Genevieve
Bell,
Michelle
Burdine,
and Jamie
Shenton
4:30 p.m.
to
5:30 p.m.
The Atkins Scholars Program supports research or art focused
on diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice. This year’s
scholars are:
Summer Research
Keely Faulkner
Sam Merritt
Sarah Koch
Kasey Montgomery
Creyling Guerrero
Santiago Lebron De La Paz
Taylor Webb
Fall/Spring
Samuel Cotthoff (not present)
William Watson
Bon Bartholomy
Aiden Jackson
Robyn Tribolet
Maya Anderson
Nick Minton (abroad)
Conley Combs
Jennifer Vong
Emma Njigua
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Poster Presentations
Abstracts
POSTERS AT A GLANCE
33. Development of a Point-of-Care Diagnostic System for Human Papillomavirus Types 16
and 18
Sasha Haunz, Abby Bevil, Erika Alonso (Class of Fall '24)
34. TBL3 Neutron Lifetime Experiment
Nathan Palley
35. Creating Community in the (Philosophy) Classroom
Sam Merritt, Atkins Scholar
36. Development of Automated System for Cryogel Beads
Ella Crumpton
37. The Politics of Motherhood, Women's Bodies, and Childfree Identities
Emma Njigua, Atkins Scholar
38. Perceptions of Cannabis Users Among Tobacco and Cannabis Co-Users
Tesneem Shalash
39. Investigating the role of the mitochondrial solute transporter Slc25a11 in fibroblast
differentiation
Caroline Toler
40. Simulating Surface Water Temperatures in Inland Temperate Wetlands
Abigail Brainard
41. 'Bad Blood': The Difference of Distress in Platonic and Romantic Dissolutions
Peyton Gahm, Claire Yungbluth
42. Not You, Boo: Ghosting's Impact on Self-Concept Clarity
Turner Roach, Massiel Mora Fernandez
43. The Effect of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) Stimuli on Focus
Kade Schooling, Lucy Bruemmer, Kaelyn Douglas
44. Being Asian and Pacific Islander in the U.S.
Jennifer Vong, Atkins Scholar
45. Livy and the American Women’s Suffrage Movement
Keely Faulkner, Atkins Scholar
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POSTERS AT A GLANCE
46. Species richness and flour type trends in student cultivated sourdough starters
Kayla Sharkey, Dr. Kelly E. O’Quin
47. Stradivarius Violins: Instrumental to Understanding Cognitive Bias
Jazzy Damuluri
48. 3D micro-CT Brain Reconstructions in Mexican Tetra Surface and Cave Variants
Nikhil Rao, Jade Pevley
49. The Nature of Reality Through the Lens of Buddhist Philosophy
Lauren Silva
50. Effect of Cation Choice on Transport Behavior in MeCN and DEC
Stella Green
51. The Price of Adventure: Decision Making in a Scarcity Context
Sarah Marks
52. Development of High-Porosity Polymers for Cysteine Capture
Srija Badireddi
53. Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes: Measuring Cortisol in Black Bear Hair
Layla Tahanasab, Hailey Dant, Ahn Do
54. Does Body Location Affect Hair Cortisol Concentration in Grizzly and Polar Bears.
Ahn Do, Layla Tahanasab, Hailey Dant
55. Estradiol affects cocaine-induced conditioned place preference in male Japanese quail
Ben Smith, Emma Silvert, Indy Rodriguez, Anna Bostoganashvili
56. Can this make me smarter? Exploring the effects of sorghum polyphenols on cognitive
performance?
Tripp Branch, Amanda C. Glueck, PhD Department of Neurology, University of
Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
57. Combined effects of acid pollution and elevated temperatures on the behavior of
Elima sp. snails.
Claire Whelan
58. Investigating the Effects of Bisphosphine Monoxide Ligands on Pt Centers Using NMR
Rori Traugott
10
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Poster Presentations
Abstracts
POSTERS AT A GLANCE
59. Fluid: Perceptions of Identity at Centre College
Bon Bartholomy, Atkins Scholar
60. Legislating the Crisis: Moral Panics, Parental Rights, and the Politics of Inclusive
Education in Kentucky
Sarah Koch, Atkins Scholar
61. Cultural Identity and Resistance in Afro-Uruguay: A Thematic and Critical Discourse
Analysis of Digital Anti-Racism
Sarah Koch, Atkins Scholar
62. Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud: A Rhetorical Analysis of the GOP’s 2016 Presidential
Campaign
William Watson, Atkins Scholar
63. Balancing Lettered Identities: The Lived Queer+ Experience in Greek Life at Centre
College
Samuel Cotthoff, Atkins Scholar
64. Insights for Healthcare Providers from Sexual Minority Men Who Use
Methamphetamine: Findings from a Qualitative Study
Conley Combs, Atkins Scholar
65. Young adult cancer mental healthcare: “The Young Adult Cancer Compendium”
Taylor Webb, Atkins Scholar, and Jane Daniel
66. Moving from Intent to Impact: A Critical Evaluation of Centre College’s Diversity Tag
Maya Anderson, Atkins Scholar
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Poster Presentations
Abstracts
POSTERS AT A GLANCE
Art Exhibition
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Poster Presentations
Abstracts
ORAL PRESENTATIONS ABSTRACTS
1. Combating High School Dropout: A Comparative Study of Federal Aid Programs in Brazil,
Costa Rica, and the United States
Bianca Galves Gombos
Mentor: Dr. Sarah Murray, Education and Mathematics
Rising global high school dropout rates have prompted governments to implement federal aid
programs. This research conducts a literature review of four such programs: Pé de Meia in
Brazil, Avancemos in Costa Rica, and Job Corps and the Youth Incentive Entitlement Pilot
Projects (YIEPP) in the United States. By evaluating these programs' designs, outcomes,
limitations, and areas for improvement, the study finds that Brazil and Costa Rica adopt an
assistive approach, requiring greater academic commitment from students. In contrast, Job
Corps and YIEPP take an active approach by providing training and employment opportunities
alongside mandatory school attendance. While both strategies contribute to helping increase
high school retention rates, they also present notable limitations. Key recommendations
include enhancing teaching methods to reduce failure rates by 1.5 times, fostering a more
engaging school environment, and reallocating funds to cost-effective strategies.
2. Western Education: Between Dissociation and Resistance
Elni De Jesus
Mentor: Dr. Lori Hartmann, International Studies, Politics, and African and African-American
Studies
This paper examines the impact of Western education on societies undergoing cultural and
ideological shifts, positioning it within a framework of both dissociation and resistance. It
explores how Western educational paradigms, rooted in colonial legacies and globalized
economic structures, often lead to cultural alienation, fostering a sense of detachment from
indigenous epistemologies. The paper highlights how these educational systems also serve as
sites of resistance, where individuals and communities negotiate, appropriate, and redefine
knowledge to assert agency. By analyzing historical and contemporary case studies, this study
underscores the dual role of Western education as both an instrument of hegemonic influence
and a potential catalyst for intellectual liberation. Ultimately, it advocates for a reimagined
educational approach that bridges the divide between Western methodologies and indigenous
knowledge systems, fostering a more inclusive and critically engaged pedagogy.
3. Mindfulness-Based Goal Setting: Effects on self-concordance and student goal behavior
Erin Siler
Mentor: Dr. Aaron Godlaski, Psychology and Neuroscience
The experimental study investigates how mindfulness structured goal setting interventions
impact students’ self-efficacy and goal-setting behaviors. Participants were divided into a
control group or an intervention group. Both were asked to complete a survey incorporating
written activities focused on setting goals in relation to one’s idealized future. The intervention
incorporated mindfulness prompts, such as future-visualization and value-alignment reflection.
Key variables analyzed include the time spent on questions and the quantity written. The study
reflects tenets of Self-Determination Theory and the importance of setting self-concordant
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goals. Additionally, the study reflects principles of the Goal-Setting Theory, which holds that
encouraging the pursuit of clearer goals yields greater performance. By evaluating such factors
in relation to these theories, the research aims to provide insight into the role of more
structured, self-concordant goal setting behavior in students.
4. Storm Water Group
Odile Clements, Teresa Curry, Liz Dickerson
Mentor: Dr. Beau Weston, Sociology
Our current plan is to put together a proposal/ make a plan of actionable steps for updating a
water retention pond in Danville. The retention pond itself is on the corner of East Madison
Avenue and McKinley avenue in the southern part of Danville. In the past 7 years, the basin has
not been maintained and was taken over by invasive plants (specifically cattails). As such, the
basin was not properly draining and became marshy. Our proposal was to transform the
retention pond into a bio retention garden with native plants to beautify the area (as it has
been an eyesore for the neighborhood for many years). While we are currently unsure if we will
be able to implement significant changes within our given time frame, we hope to create an
actionable plan/proposal for the kinds of plants and modifications needed to the basin.
5. City Engineer Group
Gavin Alfon, Grace Walker, Caroline Lock
Mentor: Dr. Beau Weston, Sociology
The Olympic Games represent a worldwide sensation for athletic competition and sports
entertainment while also being the subject of controversy and debate. Sparked by increasing
concern for the climate crisis, the Paris Summer Olympics (2024) has pledged to establish a
new, more sustainable Olympic model, e.g. setting unprecedented goals for halving the carbon
emissions of previous games. Examining microcosmic controversies among local francophone
populations and connecting them back to the whole of Paris 2024, this project analyzes the
environmental impact with such guiding topics as the extent to which this may or may not be a
genuine interest in sustainability and a representative interest of the people and regions
impacted.
6. Mental Wellness: Francophone and other Perspectives
Massiel Mora Fernandez
Mentor: Dr. Christian Wood, French
The subject of mental health is global and concerns us all, specifically how to understand it,
appreciate its nuances, and cultivate sustainable patterns. Contrary to popular views, having
strong mental health does not necessarily equate to an absence of problems; rather, living with
increased resilience and self-awareness are key. Moreover, considerations of support systems
and perceptions of gratitude in daily life are also strong contributors. Drawing on contemporary
research from Francophone and other regions, I foreground the importance of strategically
sustaining a good mental state. Personal development is paramount: my operational definition
is one’s ability to improve self-care and ameliorate aspects of their life. This topic is common in
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ORAL PRESENTATIONS ABSTRACTS
Francophone podcasts moreover; an ideal context for learners interested in French and mental
health. The purpose of this research highlights the importance of mental health since it is not
talked about or researched to the extent it should be.
7. "Verlan": Linguistic complexity in the francophone world
Nora Howard
Mentor: Dr. Christian Wood, French
My project analyzes the origins, basics, societal implications, and media representation of the
French slang language "Verlan." With its origins as a language game and a code used
clandestinely, "Verlan" is now used widely by French-speaking youth, specifically those living in
the often socio-economically disadvantaged "banlieues" surrounding large cities in France. Due
to the rigid systematicity of the French Academy and its influence on language, there is friction
between those who prefer standardized French and those who use French in a non-standard
way such as "Verlan." This allows for those who use "Verlan" to signal an identity that is French,
but also outside of French cultural norms. "Verlan's" reach applies to media such as rap music,
books, and films.
8. Immigration in France, who are the beneficiaries?
Jonathan Pierre-Louis
Mentor: Dr. Christian Wood, French
Immigration has become a major topic in France, where there is a history of tension in its
context. Algeria and Morocco have historically represented the majority of immigrants. The
past 25 years have seen much back and forth in terms of severe legislation and rhetoric limiting
immigration, reaching a high pitch just last year, with very recent rhetoric targeting Arab and
African immigrants. Certain politicians have deduced that these immigrants are causing
disruptions in sectors like the job market, and crime. Others suggest that these same
populations of immigrants work at a disproportionately high rate in indispensable French
industries such as healthcare, hotel/restoration, and human resources. Therefore the expulsion
of those populations would cause a major crisis in those sectors. My presentation analyzes the
mechanisms of profit around immigration and policy behind this rhetoric in both France and the
countries of origin of these immigrants.
9. BRI as a Neo-Colonialist Project: Transforming Cambodia Beyond Infrastructure
Wuthikah Pun
Mentor: Dr. Sami Sweis, International Studies
This paper analyzes the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Cambodia as a neo-colonialist project
that has profoundly reshaped the country's physical landscape and environment over the past
decade. While discussions on BRI’s impact in Cambodia often focus on aid dependency,
corruption, and internal imbalances, this study goes further by examining how these factors
contribute to a broader pattern of economic and political subjugation. Using neo-colonial
theory, this paper explores Cambodia’s evolving relationship with China, predicting that
increasing dependence on Chinese investments and political influence could turn the country
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ORAL PRESENTATIONS ABSTRACTS
into an informal Chinese colony in Southeast Asia. By positioning Cambodia within the larger
discourse on China’s geopolitical influence, this analysis can help us understand the long-term
implications of BRI beyond immediate economic gains.
10. China’s Strategic Expansion of Soft Power Amidst the Decline of USAID Funding
Isha Patel
Mentor: Dr. Sami Sweis, International Studies
This paper predicts how China will leverage the suspension of USAID funding to expand its soft
power through non-conditional aid and infrastructure investments. Unlike the U.S., which offers
conditional aid tied to democratic and economic reforms, China provides assistance with few
political restrictions, making it a more attractive partner for developing nations. Using the
Global Soft Power Index as a framework, this study analyzes how China’s foreign aid strategy
strengthens its diplomatic influence through key variables such as governance, culture and
international relations. The research focuses on China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its role in
reshaping alliances as U.S. influence declines. Understanding this shift is crucial, since China’s
growing economic and political presence will redefine global soft power structures. By
analyzing these trends, this paper highlights the implications of China’s expanding soft power
and its long-term effects on international development.
11. Between a Rock and a War Zone: Predicting the Probability of Future Conflict in Syria
Phillip-Michael Collins
Mentor: Dr. Sami Sweis, International Studies
In November, a coalition of rebels led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham launched a surprise blitzkrieg
against government forces across Syria. 11 days later, Damascus fell along with dictator
President Bashar al-Assad, who fled the country. Since the fall of Assad and the Ba’ath party,
appointed Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa has spearheaded the nation-building efforts,
leaving the entire world wondering if this is the first step towards peace in Syria and the Middle
East. Between a Rock and a War Zone will predict the probability of future conflict in Syria by
analyzing key political, economic, military, social, and physiological factors. Using historic
conflict data, political risk assessments, and conflict theories on both interstate and civil war,
this paper will provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted situation in Syria,
helping both policymakers and humanitarian groups develop strategies to prevent conflict and
mitigate future violence in the region.
12. Leveraging Love Power: The Case of the Dictator’s Wife in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's
"Autumn of the Patriarch"
Aliana Conway
Mentor: Dr. Laura Chinchilla, Spanish and Latin American Studies
The literary world of Gabriel García Márquez features a variety of powerful female characters,
including Leticia Nazareno, the dictator's wife, in the novel, “The Autumn of the Patriarch.”
Leticia is introduced to the reader as a kidnapped teenager, but, throughout the novel, she
grows into the most powerful woman in the nation. This project attempts to analyze how
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ORAL PRESENTATIONS ABSTRACTS
Leticia Nazareno uses her erotic power, or power of love, to achieve both personal goals and a
better quality of life. Ultimately, Leticia's story not only exemplifies the objectification of
women, but also the weaponization of sexualization. (This project will be presented in Spanish.)
13. The Radical Potential of Artistic Justice: Feminist Practice and Lila Pilipina
Kayla Rogers and Laurel Wallace
Mentor: Dr. Kristen Kolenz, International Studies and Gender Studies
Almost 75 years after the end of World War II, survivors of Japanese military sexual slavery
have yet to see the formal compensation, recognition, and apology they have demanded for
decades. Of the estimated 200,000 Asian “comfort women” who suffered unconscionable acts
of violence at the hands of the Japanese army, approximately 1,000 were Filipina; less than 10
of these Filipina victims are still alive today. As survivor-led organizations like Lila Pilipina
struggle against time to continue the fight for justice, one of their central demands has
remained the memorialization of the “comfort women” through public art. This paper will
explore the salience of public art and memorial as a medium of justice for those no longer here.
How may art act as hospice for aging movements, facilitating natural death while preserving the
spirit? How may art constitute justice in the afterlife?
14. ‘Shut Her Legs’: Anti-Abortion Discourse as an Extension of Rape Culture
Lilia Smithson
Mentor: Dr. Amoz Hor, Politics
The study examines how beliefs in traditional gender roles create opposition to reproductive
rights, focusing on the theory that abortion bans and surrounding discourse are an extension of
rape culture. This project proposes ideas such as “keep your legs closed,” which parallels victimblaming narratives in rape culture, where women are seen as responsible for both sexual
violence and unwanted pregnancies. The normalization of sexual harassment and victim
blaming reinforces heteropatriarchal control by denying women agency, both sexually and
professionally. Abortion bans and related discourse serve similar purposes by punishing threats
to masculinity and traditional provider roles. This study assesses this dynamic by gaging child
support allotment in scenarios involving stereotyped men and women. Consequently, rhetoric
is less targeted at those who uphold traditional roles, like children and wives, revealing how
abortion discourse supports systems of gendered power.
15. A Computational Study of Magnetism in CrI3 Monolayers
Marina Will and Chenji Shang
Mentor: Dr. Emily Crabb, Physics
Investigation of novel magnetic materials can be instrumental in the development of new
electronic components. Novel materials can be designed by altering existing materials. We
focused on exploring the properties of chromium triiodide monolayers with different point
defects to discover future novel uses in electronic components. We used density functional
theory (DFT) to simulate the relaxation of a monolayer of CrI3 with a point defect such as a
missing iodine atom. After finding a relaxed structure for a system, we used DFT to find the
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magnetization, band structure, and density of states of that system. Using these results in
combination with analysis of a monolayer system without defects and results from the current
literature on CrI3, significant differences were observed between the system without defects
and the systems with various defects. This suggests that these new systems could be used in
different applications compared to the system without defects.
16. Simulations of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Ezzatullah Mehrdad
Mentor: Dr. Emily Crabb, Physics
As the demand for electric transportation increases, developing new battery technologies, in
particular improved lithium-oxygen batteries, has become a priority. Experiments investigating
molecular-level processes are costly, but using computational methods allows us to gain deep
insight into batteries at lower cost. I used classical molecular dynamics computational
simulations to model battery systems. I used mixtures of two solvents: tetrahydrofuran(THF)
and ethylene carbonate (EC). The mixtures could have properties that would allow lithium
transport to occur faster than in pure solvent. I measured lithium ion transport properties in
the computational simulations and compared the results to experimental data. With results
such as the residence times, diffusion coefficients, coordination numbers, and densities, I
examined how mixtures of these two solvents with different composition ratios compared with
each other and with experimental data.
17. Dynamical Energy Decoherence in Closed Quantum Systems
Henry Crumley and Kraig Grauer
Mentor: Dr. Mustafa Saeed, Physics
Quantum Mechanics describes the microscopic world, which comprises interacting particles.
Two commonly used models to describe particle interaction are the tripartite system of two
spins coupled to an oscillator, and the coupled oscillator model. Decoherence is the process by
which interference is suppressed in a quantum system. It is conventionally described by
introducing “environmental" degrees of freedom to quantum systems. However, there exist
other models that include dynamical decoherence. This presentation will explore one such
model by comparing closed tripartite and coupled oscillator systems with and without this
dynamical decoherence.
18. Planning and Zoning Group
Carter Smith, Lindsey Browning, Maddie Van Deventer
Mentor: Dr. Beau Weston, Sociology
Our group will be working on reviewing the residential zoning regulations to explore ways that
they can be improved to make Danville more dense and walkable.
19. Parks and Recreation Group
Sasha Hauntz, Nick Kellogg, and Aaliyah Spoonamore
Mentor: Dr. Beau Weston, Sociology
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For our DLM project, the Parks and Rec team is looking at Henry Jackson Park to see what
improvements are needed to increase the utilization and accessibility of the park. Things we
might do is create a survey for resident feedback, look at improving signage, work to beautify
areas of the park, and take population data to understand how many people live in walking
distance from the park.
20. A More Comprehensive Understanding of Glocal Crises
Ruby Nem
Mentor: Dr. Brett Werner, Environmental Studies
Given our current climate – ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and rising tensions in Taiwan
and the Southern Seas – it is increasingly crucial to understand crises as interconnected systems
rather than isolated events. This presentation is part of my independent study with Dr. Werner
where we analyze policy solutions aimed at resolving the dilemma between economic
prosperity and environmental responsibility. However, before thinking about any effective
solution, we must explore a more comprehensive understanding of these crises in all their
complexities. While much attention is paid to high-profile conflicts, similar dynamics shape
“developing nations.” This presentation uses Kenya, Pakistan, and the Gulf War as case studies
to apply Parenti’s 'catastrophic convergence' and Nixon’s 'slow violence' frameworks to explore
how environmental crises exacerbate political problems. The aim is to challenge the common
tendency to reduce crises to merely environmental and/or political terms.
21. Across Borders: Future of Relations and Policy Toward Northern Triangle Migration
Alivia Nettesheim
Mentor: Dr. Sami Sweis, International Studies
Discussion over migration policy is at the forefront of global politics. One area of concern is
human rights issues and resulting migration of people from the “Northern Triangle.” The
“Northern Triangle” is the name given to three countries in Central America- El Salvador,
Honduras, and Guatemala- who face deep rooted and systemic issues such as economic
declines, poverty, environmental crises, and deeply rooted violence. These factors have
resulted in the mass exodus of migrants from the region, and since 2018 there have been nearly
two-million migrants leaving this region and moving towards the US, implying a significant
impact on the US immigration system. Through analyzing past policy and policy goals, this paper
predicts the future of migrants from the Northern Triangle, more specifically, where they will go
in the face of evolving immigration policies, and the implications on relations between the
United States and Mexico.
22. The Great Fragmentation
Mril D'silva
Mentor: Dr. Sami Sweis, International Studies
This paper predicts that within the next decade, the digital world will undergo the ‘Great
Internet Fragmentation’, a slow splitting of the global internet into three competing blocs: A
U.S. led alliance that will lead with the corporate tech giants and worldwide AI deployment, a
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Russia-China bloc that leads the nationalized, isolated version of the internet, and a neutral,
non-aligned bloc led by India. In sections, the paper will also discuss possible reactions to the
Great Fragmentation, such as the building of an undercover decentralized global internet that is
led by activists using peer-to-peer (P2P) channels. The paper will use case studies, popular
technological predictions, and an analysis of global and corporate developments on emerging
technologies. We will also discuss current nationalizing efforts such as China’s Great Firewall,
Russia’s Sovereign Internet law, and understand what alternatives and implications exist in a
world with a fractured Global Network.
23. Balancing Lettered Identities: The Lived Queer+ Experience in Greek Life at Centre College
Samuel Cotthoff, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Jamie Shenton, Anthropology, Social Justice, and Gender Studies
Greek Life is often framed as an exclusive cultural institution that fosters marginalization and
narrow definitions of masculinity and femininity. These institutions are often portrayed as
harmful places for queer+ individuals. However, at Centre College, a counter-narrative
emerges. After interviewing queer+, Greek affiliated students at Centre College, I found that
despite the heteronormative reputation of Greek Life, the lived experiences at Centre are
substantially positive with recognition of negative moments. These positive experiences are
framed by balancing and finding comfort with conformity, queer visibility, and opportunities for
individual and organizational growth. The complexity of the queer+ experience in Greek Life at
Centre challenges the static image often associated with Greek Life, offering a dynamic and
hopeful perspective for queer inclusion at Centre and in Greek Life writ large. This project was
generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
24. The Effect of Sense of Belonging on Mental Health Outcomes
Braden Duncan, Rachel Gaynor, Pressley Swiney, and Tatum Colvin
Mentor: Dr. Jan Wertz, Psychology
Previous research indicates that poor sense of belonging correlates with both poor
occupational/academic performance and poor mental health outcomes. Studies also indicate
college students of color experience less sense of belonging and have worse mental health
outcomes than their White peers. This study aims to determine how a sense of belonging
among college students impacts symptoms of depression and anxiety. In addition, the current
investigation seeks to analyze potential differences in sense of belongingness reporting and
mental health outcomes related to demographic information. One hypothesis is that there will
be an inverse relation between sense of belonging and symptoms of depression and anxiety. A
second hypothesis is that increased extroversion and increased campus organization
involvement will correlate with a higher sense of belonging. And a final, third hypothesis is that
students of color will report experiencing less sense of belonging.
25. Experiences of Students of Color in Higher Education
Soleila Elliott Gonzalez and Adriana Gonzalez-Alvizures
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Goetz, Psychology
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What are the variety of experiences for students of color at Centre College? It is important to
understand and uplift SOC experiences since they make up 21% of the Centre College
population (NCES, 2022) and a growing portion of the college-age population in the US (Merod,
2023). Previous research shows that SOCs at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) have
distinct challenges navigating the college environment such as cultural mismatch, language
barriers, and discrimination. These have all been shown to predict lower levels of belonging and
completion of college degrees. In the present research, we used a snowball sampling technique
and interviewed 20 students at Centre College. In semi-structured interviews, we asked
participants to discuss their transition from home to college, spaces where they feel they do
and do not belong, and the role of language in their experiences. In this talk, we will highlight
our coding method and initial findings.
26. Trapped in a Monolithic Narrative: The Invisibility of Multiethnic Blackness in the United
States
Kellaiah Laurent
Mentor: Dr. Chantell Limerick, Spanish and African & African American studies
This research examines the complexities of Black identities in the United States. The central
question: To what extent does the umbrella term "Black" in the United States invisibilizes the
multiethnic identities of Black individuals who are not African American? And to what extent
does the term “Black” in the United States hypervisiblizes African American Identity? This
research uses qualitative research, including content analysis and anecdotal narrative of
literature by multiethnic authors, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Issa Rae,Veronica
Chambers, Claudine Chiawei O'Hearn, and Jonathan Escoffery. Additionally, this study explores
representation of Black identity in songs and films from media and Pop culture. Throughout this
research we will discover how Blackness is portrayed in media and literature, how multiethnic
identities of Blackness and how African Americaness is hypervisiblized. This study proposes
that “Blackness” is not a monolithic experience and validates multiethnic Black experiences in
the United States.
27. Reimagining the Past to Reimagine the Future: Afrofuturism, Afro-centric Visual Media
and Shifting Narratives
Amanda Houston
Mentor: Dr. Lori Hartmann, International Studies, and African and African-American Studies
Through engaging global and diverse audiences, Afrofuturism and Afro-centric visual media are
successful models of challenging preconceived narratives about Africa to wide audiences in a
postcolonial landscape. Reconstructing the past with new narratives allows for a reimagining of
the future for Africa/cans/the diaspora. It allows for a reclamation of agency and identity for
Africa, removed from colonialism. My paper aims to analyze the importance of postcolonial
literature’s aim to shift stereotypes surrounding the continent, and examine how visual media
and the idea of Afrofuturism generate a more widely accessible format for shifting narratives
than a literature approach. I will be analyzing postcolonial authors Chinua Achebe and Edward
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Said, as well as the Black Panther film, the Keita film, and the current Afrofuturistic art exhibit in
the MET to highlight the importance of visual media representation for shifting narratives about
the continent.
28. Frauen gegen Frauen: Antifeminismus in der Rechtspartei Alternative für Deutschland
Allison Barrows
Mentor: Dr. Katrin Bahr, German, and African and African-American Studies
In den letzten zwei Jahrzehnten gab es eine politische Polarisierung, mit der sich der politische
Extremismus entwickelte, speziell in der westlichen Welt. In Deutschland gibt es seit 2013 eine
neue Rechtspartei, die Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Seit Gründung der Partei gab es einen
Anstieg an Mitgliedern, besonders in den letzten zwei Wahlperioden. In meiner Arbeit
vorwiegend auf die schnelle Zunahme weiblicher Mitglieder in der AfD. Die Idee von Geschlecht
spielt in dieser Diskussion über Rechtsextremismus eine wichtige Rolle, oft mit einer
Verbindung zu traditionellen und konservativen Geschlechterrollen. Trotzdem gibt es Frauen,
die die Führungselite in rechtsextremen Parteien darstellen. Der Rechtsextremismus im Kontext
der AfD gewinnt eine besondere Bedeutung in der Diskussion des Antifeminismus. Für diese
Forschung beziehe ich mich auf Theorien und Trends für Rechtsextremismus, aktuelle Beispiele
von Frauen in der AfD und die Konsequenzen für die feministische Bewegung.
29. Riograndenser Hunsrückisch: von Sprachverdrängung zu Revitalisierung am Beispiel
Südbrasilien
Sam Merritt
Mentor: Dr. Katrin Bahr, German, and African and African-American Studies
Eine erneute Debatte um nationale Sprachpolitik in den USA stellt historische Fallstudien in den
Vordergrund. Die kürzliche Bezeichnung von Englisch als Nationalsprache der USA dient als
Erinnerung an den problematischen Umgang mit Sprachen und ihre langfristigen Auswirkungen.
In meiner Arbeit diskutiere ich die Sprachkonflikte im Süden Brasiliens, besonders zwischen den
deutschen Einwanderern und brasilianischen Einwohnern, mit Fokus auf das Schulsystem.
Hierbei analysiere ich den pädagogischen Wert von bilingualen Klassenzimmern und der
Normalisierung von Mehrsprachigkeit. Die zentrale Frage der Forschung ist: Wie kann die
Einbeziehung von diskriminierten linguistischen Varietäten im Klassenzimmer Lernergebnisse
verbessern und generationsbedingte Sprachdiskriminierung überbrücken, indem gelebte
Erfahrungen mit dem Dialekt verknüpft werden? Der Aufsatz bespricht pädagogische Methoden
durch ethnographische Daten, um sprachliche Varietäten in bilingualen Klassenzimmern
aufzuzeigen.
30. Neighborhood America: A Proposal to Improve the Economy and Society through Local
Reform
Jackson Arnold
Mentor: Dr. Amoz Hor, Politics
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Housing costs across the English-speaking world have increased precipitously over the past fifty
years. Research has shown that much of this cost is due to severe housing shortage, caused by
modern systems of land use and building regulation. This has led to financial instability for
millions of people worldwide, and some academics go further to posit a “Housing Theory of
Everything,” where unaffordable homes are the root cause of many of our chronic social and
economic problems. This includes the productivity slowdown, smaller families, and higher
obesity rates. Embracing this view, I present a plan to reform city governance that will
empower local communities, while making them more receptive to the forces of socioeconomic
change. The relationship between the two structures will lower the cost of housing, improve
economic and health outcomes, and reenable a physical civil society based around “the
neighborhood.”
31. Automating an Algorithm to Predict Variant Pathogenicity in ADPKD Patients
Duncan McGinnis with
Conrad Cruz (1); Hana Yang, Ph.D (1); Peter C. Harris, Ph.D (1,2). 1 Division of Nephrology and
Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; 2 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Mentor: Dr. Steve Asmus, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is a common genetic disease which can
lead to kidney failure. Radiological imaging and clinical genetic testing are currently used to
diagnose ADPKD. Genetic testing requires knowledge of which variants are benign and which
are pathogenic (disease-causing). Building on previous work evaluating individual variants in a
large ADPKD population at Mayo Clinic, I am working to automate a developed but manual
algorithm used to predict the pathogenicity of variants found in ADPKD patients. So far, I have
helped plan the automation strategy and component pieces of the project and created scripts
to calculate the chemical significance of amino acid substitutions (Grantham Score) and retrieve
data from a large population database (gnomAD) for individual variants. Once completed, the
program I am developing will increase the efficiency of variant classification and improve the
efficacy of ADPKD clinical genetic testing.
32. Paw-gress: An Integrated Data and Web Platform for Informed Pet Adoptions
Sumit Sah
Mentor: Dr. Prayat Poudel, Mathematics
This presentation details our ongoing work with the Danville Boyle County Humane Society,
using data-driven approaches to aid with the pet adoption process. We will discuss our
motivation for our project, the development of a R Shiny app, and the creation of a one-click
web scraper designed to significantly streamline data collection for the app. We will also
discuss our future plans, which include an updated interactive R Shiny dashboard enabling realtime data analytics and visualization for informed decision-making along with a redesigned
Humane Society website aimed at enhancing user experience and navigation. Our work, which
is supported by the Centre Works Grant, builds upon contributions from previous students who
previously worked on this project.
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33. Development of a Point-of-Care Diagnostic System for Human Papillomavirus Types 16
and 18
Sasha Haunz, Abby Bevil, Erika Alonso (Class of Fall '24)
Mentor: Dr. Daniel Scott, Chemistry
Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been linked to 99.7% of global cervical cell squamous cancer.
HPV types 16 and 18 are high-risk strains, leading to a large proportion of worldwide cervical
cancer cases. Point-of-care diagnostic systems are crucial in the ever-evolving world of
medicine. Implementation of a point-of-care diagnostic system to HPV is critical for the
improvement of world-wide health outcomes. To develop an appropriate rapid point-of-care
diagnostic system for HPV 16 and 18, engineered nanoparticles with type-specific flares were
used to detect the respective DNA, the solutions were run on microfluidic paper-based
analytical devices (μPADs), and response was quantified with relative fluorescence. As a proof
of concept, nanoparticles were simultaneously exposed to known solutions of HPV 16 and 18
DNA in a process referred to as multiplexing. Eventually, this work will be developed into
tangible point-of-care devices for general consumer use.
34. TBL3 Neutron Lifetime Experiment
Nathan Palley
Mentor: Dr. Mae Scott, Physics
Since the 1940s, physicists have been investigating neutron beta decay where a free neutron
decays into a proton, electron, and antineutrino. One experimental method for investigation is
the beam method, where a beam of low-energy, free neutrons are sent through a quasiPenning trap spectrometer, where decay product protons are guided towards a detector and
counted. Along with a measurement of neutron flux, this allows us to calculate neutron
lifetime. This is the third generation of this experiment, aiming to improve precision of this
method to 0.3 seconds. To accomplish this, consideration must be taken to design the
collimation and shielding of the beam, as stray neutrons create unwanted background and
dangerous radiation. We are simulating this design using OpenMC, a Monte Carlo-based
program that can model particle transport, to confirm our design before investing into the final
experiment. This poster will cover the current state of this shielding design.
35. Creating Community in the (Philosophy) Classroom
Sam Merritt, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Eva Cadavid, Philosophy
We know that a sense of belonging is essential in helping students thrive at institutions of
higher education. This issue has become more prominent in the post-covid era, as young
people increasingly report struggling with social isolation. Although belongingness fostered by
non-academic spaces is critical to student engagement, faculty members are in a unique
position to create communities that affect learning and social well-being in positive ways. The
use of inclusive pedagogical strategies have been shown to help students feel empowered as
integral members of a learning community. Inclusive pedagogies humanize and centralize
students in the classroom. Our study focuses on two inclusive activities that we believe help
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create a collaborative learning community in introduction to philosophy courses at our small
liberal arts college. "This research project was generously funded by the James Graham Brown
Foundation."
36. Development of Automated System for Cryogel Beads
Ella Crumpton
Mentor: Dr. Andrew Hitron, Chemistry
Highly porous cyrogel beads could improve bioseparation techniques. However, they are
difficult to make in a reproduceable manner. To address this, an automated system was made
for this process. A t-junction was used to create droplets of aqueous monomer solution
suspended in an immiscible organic solvent. The droplets could then be frozen and polymerized
to produce cryogels. It was necessary to use a surfactant (Span-80 or soy lecithin) to stabilize
the droplets. Additionally, issues were found with the design system including solvent leakage,
high back pressure, and pump failure. Redesigns of the droplet generator and newly designed
syringe pumps are being tested. Incorporating further automations of this system and
characterizing the produced cryogel beads are planned.
37. The Politics of Motherhood, Women's Bodies, and Childfree Identities
Emma Njigua, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Burdine, Photography
“Do You Have a Cat?” Conversations with Child Free Women is an ongoing research
project that centers child-free women and their lived experiences as self-defined women fully
capable of living full and intentional lives. This work challenges the notion that it is a woman's
biological destiny to reproduce as well as engaging in the national conversation around
women's bodies, motherhood, and bodily autonomy. This project combines photographic
portraiture and oral histories in a non-traditional way; one that engages the subject with the
photographer, fostering a safe space where realness and authenticity feels natural and
comfortable. My focus within this research is to foreground the lesbian child-free experience
and the ways in which lesbianism is viewed as deviant and defiant of the societal norms and
expectations historically placed on women deciding what women and womanhood should be.
38. Perceptions of Cannabis Users Among Tobacco and Cannabis Co-Users
Tesneem Shalash
Mentor: Dr. Steve Asmus, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
SIGNIFICANCE: Tobacco users often co-use cannabis. Additionally, combustible cannabis and
tobacco use is common. Few studies have measured evaluations of different cannabis
administration types among co-users.
METHODS: Adults who co-used (n=2037) were categorized as primarily using combustible (92%)
or noncombustible tobacco (8%). The Cannabis Administration Stereotype Measure quantified
perceptions of cannabis users by administration types.
RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the perception of combustible cannabis users
between co-users of combustible tobacco products (M=6.00, SD=1.90) and those who did not
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(M=5.67, SD=1.83, t(2034) = -2.16, p = 0.03, Cohen’s d = 0.18). There were no differences in
perceptions of noncombustible cannabis users by combustible tobacco use (p=0.22).
CONCLUSION: Adults who use combustible tobacco products (vs. do not) view combustible
cannabis use more positively. There are no differences in evaluations of noncombustible
cannabis use.
39. Investigating the role of the mitochondrial solute transporter Slc25a11 in fibroblast
differentiation
Caroline Toler
Mentor: Dr. January Haile, Chemistry
Cardiac fibrosis involves fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation. Our lab found that
mitochondrial α-KG increases during myofibroblast activation and is required for histone
demethylation and fibrotic gene expression. The mechanism of α-KG transport to the nucleus is
unknown. We hypothesize that Slc25a11, a mitochondrial α-KG exporter, links metabolism to
the epigenome. We manipulated Slc25a11 in fibroblasts and assessed metabolism,
proliferation, and gene expression. Slc25a11 loss or gain did not affect oxidative metabolism
alone, but overexpression increased glycolysis and reduced proliferation, while deletion
increased proliferation. TGFβ raised oxidative metabolism, enhanced by Slc25a11 loss. Both
overexpression and deletion increased glycolysis. Slc25a11 overexpression enhanced TGFβdriven Fn1 and Tgfb1 expression and trended upward even without TGFβ. These results suggest
a role for Slc25a11 in regulating fibroblast behavior and promoting myofibroblast
differentiation.
40. Simulating Surface Water Temperatures in Inland Temperate Wetlands
Abigail Brainard
Mentor: Dr. Brett Werner, Environmental Studies
The Prairie Pothole Region of North America serves as a significant hub for biodiversity and
offering additional ecosystem services. Currently, the WETLANDSCAPE model (WLS) can
simulate hydrological variables, including hydroperiod and vegetation cover cycle, yet lacks
simulated water temperature. This research seeks to amend WLS in order characterize these
water quality attributes. Using level-logger monitoring data from Orchid Meadows, SD (20072010), we first determined the relationship between water temperatures, air temperatures,
precipitation, surface water volume, and groundwater support. Preliminary findings suggested,
with air temperature as the primary component, that a three-day weighted, moving average of
air temperature was best to approximate water temperature changes. Our next step is to utilize
WLS with downscaled General Circulation Model (GCM) climate data to simulate future water
temperatures. This investigation is vital in determining the future of wetland quality.
41. 'Bad Blood': The Difference of Distress in Platonic and Romantic Dissolutions
Peyton Gahm, Claire Yungbluth
Mentor: Dr. Morgan Cope, Psychology
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Romantic breakup is widely studied in young adult populations. However, there is a marked
lack of research on platonic dissolutions (i.e., friendship breakup). The purpose of this study is
to better understand how the experience of a platonic and a romantic dissolution may differ.
This study emphasizes that platonic dissolutions can be as distressing, if not more, than a
romantic dissolution. Participants will be recruited on-campus through an online survey or
through CloudResearch. Participants will answer questions regarding their individual and exfriend/ex-partner demographics, why each dissolution occurred and dissolution demographics
for both friendship and romantic dissolutions, and measures related to emotions and behaviors
they experienced after each dissolution. Discovering how platonic dissolutions affect individuals
will aid further research and for those experiencing distress after a platonic dissolution, and
who feel alone in this experience.
42. Not You, Boo: Ghosting's Impact on Self-Concept Clarity
Turner Roach, Massiel Mora Fernandez
Mentor: Dr. Morgan Cope, Psychology
Ghosting is a dissolution strategy where one person cuts off communication (ghoster) with the
other (ghostee) by eliminating possibilities of interacting, usually through online platforms. The
purpose of this study is to explore ghosting status and self-concept clarity after ghosting occurs.
Participants were recruited from CloudResearch and SONA. After consent, participants
completed a demographic survey. Then, a retrospective survey that assessed experiences with
ghosting and responded to a series of validated measures including self-concept clarity,
dissolution distress, pre-dissolution satisfaction, and breakup uncertainty, and attachment style
survey. We predict that there will be no significant correlation between ghoster status and selfconcept clarity. However, we also predict a significant negative correlation between being
ghosted and self-concept clarity. The impacts of ghosting on identity and other resulting
psychological effects will be discussed.
43. The Effect of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) Stimuli on Focus
Kade Schooling, Lucy Bruemmer, Kaelyn Douglas
Mentor: Dr. Karin Gill, Neuroscience
In an increasingly distracting world, maintaining attention is crucial for learning and
memorization, especially for students. Many turn to background stimuli like music to aid focus.
One such stimulus, Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), has gained popularity for
its calming and arousing effects, potentially supporting sustained attention. This study
compared attentional performance in students listening to ASMR versus white noise during a
high-stimulating task (studying an article) and a low-stimulating task (Stroop task). Participants
were either informed or uninformed about the nature of the stimulus. Results showed those
listening to white noise performed better on the low-stimulating task, while those told about
the stimulus focused more on the article. No significant difference was found between ASMR
and white noise in either task or group. This research highlights the need for further studies to
explore ASMR's potential beyond relaxation.
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44. Being Asian and Pacific Islander in the U.S.
Jennifer Vong, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Amoz Hor, Politics
In the United States, the portrayals and representation of Asian and Pacific Islander (API)identifying people throughout history, entertainment, and social media have conceptualized
the way we think of API-identifying people. For my research project, I conducted two focus
group interviews with students that identified as Asian American Women or International Asian
Women on their experiences of race and gender in the U.S., especially focusing on their
experiences on Centre’s campus. Additionally, I created a video essay highlighting the various
ways U.S. history, entertainment, and social media have influenced our perceptions of APIidentifying people and how that has been reflected onto our own campus. The purpose of the
study is to understand that API-identifying people are not all heterogenous and to encourage
members of campus to gravitate towards bonding and bridging for a better community. This
research project was generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
45. Livy and the American Women’s Suffrage Movement
Keely Faulkner, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Danielle La Londe, Classical Studies
In this project, I argue that American suffragettes and women’s rights advocates legitimized
their movement by drawing upon historical and moral exempla, particularly from Roman
culture and history, mirroring the broader use of Roman historical examples in American
politics at the time. By comparing the kinds of exemplarity utilized by the suffragette
movement with the female exemplars in Livy’s History of Rome, we gain insight into how the
women’s suffrage movement used this mode of exemplarity, particularly focusing on women’s
morality and patriotism, to counter opposition, legitimize their arguments, and further their
movement. This research has the potential to provide further insight into the unique
relationship between ancient Rome and the American imperial age, focusing primarily on the
use of Roman cultural and moral values for socio-political purposes in American society. This
research project was generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
46. Species richness and flour type trends in student cultivated sourdough starters
Kayla Sharkey, Dr. Kelly E. O’Quin
Mentor: Dr. Christina Garcia, Biology
Sourdough starters are a ferment that has been used as a leavening agent in bread both
historically as well as in modern commercial and artisanal settings. The ingredients and ratios
used in creation, and how they are maintained affect the microbes present in the ferment
because of yeasts and bacteria interacting with one another and their environment. Sourdough
starters are a good model for microbial ecology in student research projects, due to easy care
and ability to vary conditions. Initial data collection on student created sourdough starters
using Nanopore sequencing revealed a variety of bacteria and yeasts. Data is explored with
cluster analysis showing some trends of All purpose and unbleached flours clustering together,
with other flour types clustering outside of that group. Future work will include more samples,
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further variation of conditions being researched, and improved visualization for students
unfamiliar with the biological sciences.
47. Stradivarius Violins: Instrumental to Understanding Cognitive Bias
Jazzy Damuluri
Mentor: Dr. Drew Morris, Psychology
Stradivarius Instruments are multi-million dollar wood instruments. With a price that high,
many audiophiles and concertists wonder if the instruments have a particular quality or sound
that makes them worth the money. Previous research has shown, however, that there is no
audible difference between a Stradivarius violin and other violins of similar quality (Fritz et al.,
2012; Fritz et al., 2017). Other research that focuses on Stradivarius Instruments fails to
recognize any reasoning behind why these instruments have so much monetary value, despite
no observable qualities that make the instruments stand out. Hence, the purpose of this study
is to find where the value for these instruments seems to be stemming from. Literary analysis
has revealed that the monetary value of these instruments stems from the human tendency to
assign greater attributes to items that are more expensive (Schmidt et al., 2017).
48. 3D micro-CT Brain Reconstructions in Mexican Tetra Surface and Cave Variants
Nikhil Rao, Jade Pevley
Mentor: Dr. Claire O'Quin, Biology
The Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus) is a freshwater fish species with a surface variant and a
cave variant, which notably lacks eyes. Due to the significant anatomical differences between
the two variants, we investigated the brain structures of several specimens of these variants
and their F1 hybrids using micro-CT scans and the software Horos to reconstruct 3D brain
models. The software ImageJ was then used to measure the height, width, and length of the
cerebrum, cerebellum, and optic lobes. Using principal component analysis, we found
significant dimensional differences in brain structure between the surface and cave variants,
with some overlap between the original surface and the F1 hybrids, suggesting that the alleles
controlling these differences are likely dominant in the surface variant. Future research will
expand this dataset to over 100 F2 hybrids to identify chromosomal regions containing
mutations responsible for brain anatomy in the Mexican tetra.
49. The Nature of Reality Through the Lens of Buddhist Philosophy
Lauren Silva
Mentor: Dr. David Hall, Philosophy and Religion
Abhidharma and Yogacara are traditions in Buddhist philosophy that provide distinct
frameworks in metaphysics to understand the nature of reality. Although these two traditions
share some principles, such as impermanence, no-self, and conditioned arising, they diverge as
they are interpreted differently and raise questions about what is ultimately real. The
Abhidharma tradition offers a dualistic account of reality through its distinction between
conventional and ultimate reality. On the other hand, the Yogacara tradition rejects this
30
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Abstracts
POSTER PRESENTATIONS ABSTRACTS
dualistic nature and reinterprets these concepts by proposing the idea that reality is simply a
mental construction of the mind. This project explores how the Yogacara tradition offers a
different account of the nature of reality by reinterpreting the Abhidharma concepts of
impermanence, conditioned arising, no-self, and conventional and ultimate reality, leading to
different paths and goals in achieving liberation.
50. Effect of Cation Choice on Transport Behavior in MeCN and DEC
Stella Green
Mentor: Dr. Emily Crabb, Physics
As use of battery-powered technologies increases, an understanding of the efficacy and
potential of novel battery systems is essential. This research focused on alternatives to the
standard lithium-ion battery by examining alternative solvents and cations. The solvents diethyl
carbonate(DEC) and acetonitrile(MeCN) were combined with one of six cations: lithium,
sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, or calcium, and counteranion methyl tert-butyl
ether(MTBE). These battery systems were simulated computationally using molecular
dynamics(MD). Using the data collected from the simulations, system density and coordination
number were found. These simulations allow for many novel battery systems to be tested for
potential future applications.
51. The Price of Adventure: Decision Making in a Scarcity Context
Sarah Marks
Mentor: Dr. Stephens McAllister, Psychology
The present study observes the effect of perceived scarcity on monetary decision-making in
college students by utilizing a mini-life simulation where they have to pay a deposit for a study
abroad trip. Each participant is randomly assigned to an abundance, scarcity, or control group,
and the mini-life simulation requires participants to fully immerse themselves in the scenario
and make decisions based on the amount of money they have been told they have. We seek to
better understand how the scarcity mindset presents itself in college students since college
students are often forced to make decisions under similar circumstances to the ones we are
presenting. While data collection is ongoing, there appears to be an effect of perceived scarcity
on monetary decision-making, specifically within delayed discounting of rewards.
52. Development of High-Porosity Polymers for Cysteine Capture
Srija Badireddi
Mentor: Dr. Andrew Hitron, Chemistry
Oxidative stress triggers a variety of chronic and degenerative health conditions, ranging from
cancer and rapid aging to diseases affecting cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, and renal
health. This research focuses on developing high-porosity, surface-functionalized
polyacrylamide-based cryogels to capture cellular cysteine, an early indicator for oxidative
stress. Polyacrylamide cryogels were derivatized through a three-step reaction to modify amide
ends to add a high-energy pendant terminating in a mixed thioethyl-thiopyridyl disulfide. This
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POSTER PRESENTATIONS ABSTRACTS
activated disulfide can exchange the thiopyridine with cysteine, allowing the cryogel to capture
cysteines from a complex biological mixture.
53. Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes: Measuring Cortisol in Black Bear Hair
Layla Tahanasab, Hailey Dant, Ahn Do
Mentor: Dr. Brent White, Psychology
Wild populations of bears are monitored by wildlife authorities to maintain healthy populations
and ecosystems. Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, is commonly used as an indicator of
well-being in bears and other vertebrates. Although cortisol can be measured in a variety of
tissues and fluids, its concentration in hair can reveal the animal’s stress reaction over a period
of weeks and months. Hair samples can be obtained without trapping or anesthetizing.
However, we do not know whether hair samples from different body locations provide the
same information. In collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources, we have sampled hair from six body locations on black bears killed in the 2024
annual hunt. We expect cortisol assays of the hair will indicate whether locations differ in
cortisol concentration. If they differ, then studies of wild bears will need to use techniques that
sample consistently from particular locations.
54. Does Body Location Affect Hair Cortisol Concentration in Grizzly and Polar Bears.
Ahn Do, Layla Tahanasab, Hailey Dant
Mentor: Dr. Brent White, Behavioral Neuroscience
As hair grows it incorporates hormones, toxins, and nutrients from the blood, providing an
historical record of physiology. Increasingly, hair analysis is used to monitor the well-being of
wild and captive animals. Cortisol, a hormone linked to stress, can be a non-invasive indicator of
chronic stress and animal well-being. By analyzing hair samples from various anatomical regions
of zoo-housed bears, we aim to determine whether cortisol levels vary depending on the
location of the hair. Understanding such variation is essential for ensuring consistency in
sampling protocols, thereby improving the reliability of data collected in controlled and wild
environments. Our results from grizzly and polar bears at the Louisville Zoo do not indicate
variation in hair cortisol across body locations.
55. Estradiol affects cocaine-induced conditioned place preference in male Japanese quail
Ben Smith, Emma Silvert, Indy Rodriguez, Anna Bostoganashvili
Mentor: Dr. Karin Gill, Neuroscience
Japanese quail are equipped with high visual acuity and color vision (Kovach, 1974; Kovach &
Wilson, 1975; Mills, Crawford, Domjan, & Faure, 1997) which make them ideal subjects for use
in a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm that utilizes visual cues. Gill et al., 2016
showed that female quail exposed to long-light conditions (high estradiol) develop a preference
for cocaine, where quail exposed to short-light conditions (low estradiol) do not (Gill, et al.,
2016). The present study expands on this by determining whether estradiol has an impact on
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drug reward in male quail, to which estradiol is critical (Balthazart et al., 2009). Estradiol
enhanced cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in male Japanese quail housed
in long-light (16L:8D) conditions. Estradiol alone caused a CPP effect in short-light conditions
(8L:16D), but cocaine alone did not. The results of this study may reflect differences in genetic
sex between mammals and avians.
56. Can this make me smarter? Exploring the effects of sorghum polyphenols on cognitive
performance?
Tripp Branch, Amanda C. Glueck, PhD Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky,
Lexington, KY, USA
Mentor: Dr. Karin Young, Chemistry
Understanding the impact of dietary supplements on human health has become increasingly
important as new, innovative ingredients continue to emerge. Among these, research has
shown that polyphenols provide various benefits for health due to their antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. One new supplement, a polyphenol-rich complex derived from a
novel sorghum bicolor leaf, is a source of quercetin, luteolin, and myricetin. A previous study
suggested that sorghum polyphenols may enhance exercise recovery; however, no research has
been conducted to explore their effects on cognitive performance. The current study explored
the effects of daily sorghum polyphenols administration on cognition in healthy individuals. To
date, this double-blind study has enrolled 50 participants who were randomly assigned to
receive either 500 mg/day, 250 mg/day, or a placebo control. Progress of this ongoing doubleblinded study will be reported and presented to assess potential group differences.
57. Combined effects of acid pollution and elevated temperatures on the behavior of Elima
sp. Snails.
Claire Whelan
Mentor: Dr. Mark Galatowitsch, Biology
As climate change raises Earth’s temperature we must reevaluate whether these shifts further
exacerbate the effects of pollution on freshwater species. The legacy of coal mining has
resulted in acid mine drainage that is an ongoing source of pollution in freshwater systems in
Western and Eastern Kentucky. This study investigates whether increased temperature (23℃,
30℃) and a range of acidic conditions (pH 2.0 - 8.0) affects the behavior and mortality of
common Kentucky stream snails (Elima sp.). The change in righting time after treatments is
used as a proxy to understand the physiological health of stream organisms undergoing
combined effects of elevated temperatures and acid pollution.
58. Investigating the Effects of Bisphosphine Monoxide Ligands on Pt Centers Using NMR
Rori Traugott
Mentor: Kari Young, Chemistry
Palladium demonstrates significant catalytic applications for polymer synthesis, but is
unfortunately not NMR active. However, platinum, also a Group 10 element, is NMR active and
serves as a useful analog for studying palladium metal complexes. Using 195Pt NMR, a family of
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POSTER PRESENTATIONS ABSTRACTS
bisphosphine monoxide ligands is studied to examine their effect on the electron density of a
platinum center. Platinum metal complexes were synthesized in the presence of silver triflate,
PtdmpeCl2, and a bisphosphine monoxide ligand of choice. After synthesis, one-dimensional
1H, 31P, and 195Pt NMR spectra, along with two-dimensional 1H-195Pt HMBC NMR spectra
were obtained to analyze how these ligands influence the 195Pt NMR chemical shifts. Based on
these shifts, the donor strength of each ligand bound to platinum was evaluated. In particular,
the NMR spectra obtained from the dppeo ligand complexed to platinum will be compared to
what is known about other members of this ligand family.
59. Fluid: Perceptions of Identity at Centre College
Bon Bartholomy, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Andy Brown, Studio Art
I have conducted an exploratory study to discover Centre students’ perspectives on the
fluidity of gender identity and sexual orientation. Gender and sexuality are lenses through
which people interact with the broader social world, and college students' views reflect larger
cultural attitudes on these topics. I interviewed my peers, then investigated the social
implications of their perspectives through painting. There was a common thread weaving these
seemingly disparate identities together: every participant had experienced fluidity in some way,
consciously or not.
To artistically convey the complicated relationship between bodies, identities, and labels, I have
employed the layered metaphor of HOUSE. Labels, like houses, are meant to contain. A label
may be a permanent home, or it may be as fleeting as a dorm room. An identity may fit
comfortably into a label, it may pass between labels, or it may reside outside of labels entirely.
My paintings explore this spectrum.
60. Legislating the Crisis: Moral Panics, Parental Rights, and the Politics of Inclusive Education
in Kentucky
Sarah Koch, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Jamie Shenton, Anthropology, Social Justice, Gender Studies, and Latin American
Studies
This collaborative research, conducted by Sarah Koch and Dr. Jamie Shenton, explores how
Kentucky parents and educators have experienced and interpreted the parental rights in
education movement since the 2023 passage of SB 150, a law restricting the ways in which
schools, parents, and physicians support queer children. Drawing on two years of ethnographic
interviews, we argue that lawmakers are cultivating parental anxieties about children’s safety
and utilizing the resulting moral panic to advance a specific vision of what it means to be a good
educator, a good parent, a good child, and, ultimately, a good American. This research project
was generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
61. Cultural Identity and Resistance in Afro-Uruguay: A Thematic and Critical Discourse
Analysis of Digital Anti-Racism
Sarah Koch, Atkins Scholar
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Abstracts
POSTER PRESENTATIONS ABSTRACTS
Mentor: Dr. Philip Limerick, Spanish
This research, conducted by Sarah Koch and Dr. Philip Limerick, employs a Black feminist lens to
explore cultural identity and resistance in Afro-Uruguay through a thematic and critical
discourse analysis of digital anti-racism. We examine discourses of anti-racism and
intersectionality within Afro-Uruguay on the platform X. Findings reveal the interconnected
nature of identity and resistance for Afro-Uruguayans due to the subtle yet pervasive nature of
institutional racism. Posts highlight the power of Black women’s art and music, especially
candombe, to resist cultural erasure. Notably, users rely on specific discursive strategies (e.g.,
metaphor, first-person plural conjugations, rhetorical questions) to cultivate community and
prompt critical thinking about race in Uruguay. This study speaks to the power of social media
to serve as both a microcosm of and microphone for anti-racist discourse. This research project
was generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
62. Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud: A Rhetorical Analysis of the GOP’s 2016 Presidential
Campaign
William Watson, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Willie Costley, Spanish and Latin American Studies
On June 16th, 2015, Donald J. Trump descended the escalator of Trump Tower to give a speech
that would go on to define the next decade of American politics as he announced his candidacy
for the Republican Party nomination and for the presidency of the United States. His selfproclaimed objective was to “Make America Great Again.” I begin my investigation by
presenting historical trends in immigration to the United States and exploring how the
President’s rhetoric is rooted in neoliberal rhetoric. In the following section, I outline my
methodology. To conclude, I argue that Donald Trump draws on decades-old rhetoric which
paints foreign-born, Muslim men as a threat to American “greatness.” This research project
was generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
63. Balancing Lettered Identities: The Lived Queer+ Experience in Greek Life at Centre College
Samuel Cotthoff, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Jamie Shenton
Greek Life is often framed as an exclusive cultural institution that fosters marginalization and
narrow definitions of masculinity and femininity. These institutions are often portrayed as
harmful places for queer+ individuals. However, at Centre College, a counter-narrative
emerges. After interviewing queer+, Greek affiliated students at Centre College, I found that
despite the heteronormative reputation of Greek Life, the lived experiences at Centre are
substantially positive with recognition of negative moments. These positive experiences are
framed by balancing and finding comfort with conformity, queer visibility, and opportunities for
individual and organizational growth. The complexity of the queer+ experience in Greek Life at
Centre challenges the static image often associated with Greek Life, offering a dynamic and
hopeful perspective for queer inclusion at Centre and in Greek Life writ large. This project was
generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
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Oral Presentations
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Abstracts
POSTER PRESENTATIONS ABSTRACTS
64. Insights for Healthcare Providers from Sexual Minority Men Who Use Methamphetamine:
Findings from a Qualitative Study
Conley Combs, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Kaelyn Wiles, Sociology, Environmental Studies, and Social Justice
This study provides recommendations and reflections on wellbeing from sexual minority men
(SMM) who use methamphetamine to healthcare providers and peers. Recruited from a
national cohort of SMM who use methamphetamine, 29 interviews were conducted. Men of
color were oversampled. Interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Participants suggested that providers have open dialogue about methamphetamine and refrain
from moralizing drug use to reduce stigma during clinical interactions. Participants reported
challenges in navigating clinical services and intra-community obstacles to recovery, including
the risk of recovery groups with a high prevalence of active use, which enables relapse. They
offered harm reduction approaches to others SMM who use meth, such as testing for fentanyl,
restricting intravenous use, and understanding ones own use motivation. Ultimately, this study
amplifies the voice of a vulnerable and pathologized population.
65. Young adult cancer mental healthcare: “The Young Adult Cancer Compendium”
Taylor Webb, Atkins Scholar, and Jane Daniel
Mentor: Dr. Drew Morris, Psychology
Young adulthood (ages 18-40) is an especially difficult time to receive a cancer diagnosis
(Zebrack, 2008). It is a time of navigating relationships, employment, financial responsibilities,
and personal growth (Patterson et al., 2015). However, mental, social, and emotional centric
resources for this group remain sparse. Further, access to psychosocial care may be further
limited due to economic and geographic barriers. Developed using scholarly literature, expert
and patient testimony, and additional support resources, The Young Adult Cancer Compendium
was developed to increase access to mental health focused cancer resources in a manner
relatable to young adults and their experience. This research project was generously funded by
the James Graham Brown Foundation.
66. Moving from Intent to Impact: A Critical Evaluation of Centre College’s Diversity Tag
Maya Anderson, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Kristen Kolenz, International Studies, Gender Studies, and Latin American Studies
General education curricula exist to develop well-rounded students who are familiar with a
multitude of subjects. Centre College’s general education curriculum requires that students
earn a “D tag” (or Difference and Equity tag). This requires students to take a course, within any
division or subject that has the tag. In this project, I seek to understand the significance of the D
tag to the curriculum by evaluating D tag courses for their effectiveness in satisfying the
purpose and requirements of the Difference and Equity tag. I created a tool that faculty can use
to evaluate syllabi for the application of the D tag, assess a sample of syllabi from D-tagged
courses, and draw conclusions about the efficacy of the application of the D tag based on my
results.
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POSTER PRESENTATIONS ABSTRACTS
37
Oral Presentations
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Abstracts
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
2025 RICE SYMPOSIUM COMMITTEE
Karin Gill
Matt Downen
Eva Cadavid
Amy Frederick
Fernando Gonzalez
Andrew Brown
Jingjing Cai
Whitney Dollins
Emily Crabb
Ahmed Eddhir
Emily Roberts
Kayla Rogers
Carter Smith
RICE Committee Co-Chair
RICE Committee Co-Chair
RICE Committee Secretary
AEGON Gallery Coordinator
Assistant Professor of Library & Information
Science/Reference
Assistant Professor of Art, Drawing & Painting
Assistant Professor of Chinese
Student, Class of 2026
Assistant Professor of Physics
Visting Assistant Professor of Economics &
Business
Digital Production Artist
Student, Class of 2025
Student, Class of 2026
**The RICE Committee is thankful to all faculty mentors working with students to make this
symposium possible. **
38
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Poster Presentations
Abstracts
600 West Walnut Street ⚫ Danville, Kentucky 40422
859-238-5200
April 24, 2025
Welcome to the 18th Annual RICE Symposium at Centre College!
We’re thrilled to have you join us for this exciting capstone event of Undergraduate Research
Week—five days dedicated to celebrating the spirit of discovery, innovation, and creativity at
Centre. Each day brings a unique research-focused event, culminating in today’s RICE
Symposium.
RICE stands for Research, Internships, and Creative Endeavors, and this symposium shines a
spotlight on the impressive range of scholarly and creative work produced by Centre students.
It's more than a showcase—it's a celebration of what happens when students go beyond
learning existing knowledge and start contributing new ideas and insights of their own. This is
experiential learning at its best.
Throughout the week, we also honor the people and stories behind the research. At the RICE
Celebratory Luncheon on Tuesday, April 22, we’ll recognize outstanding faculty mentors, Dr.
Amy Frederick, Associate Professor of Art History, Dr. Shanna Sippy, Associate Professor of
Religion, Dr. Jeff Heath, Professor of Mathematics and Data Science, and Dr. Prayat Poudel,
Associate Professor of Mathematics for their amazing commitment to undergraduate research
by honoring them with the Dr. John Barton Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship
award. We extend our heartfelt thanks to these dedicated educators for guiding and inspiring
the next generation of scholars. Additionally, we will highlight Centre alumni who began their
research journeys here and come together for a special event: the James W. Barton RICE
Symposium Lecture Convocation on Wednesday, April 23rd. This year, we’re excited to
welcome back a panel of Centre alumni—Dr. Erika Brewer ’18, Caleb Campbell ’20, and Me Me
Khant ’20—who will reflect on their undergraduate research experiences and share where their
work has taken them since.
This year’s Symposium features 66 student presentations from across disciplines, including 32
oral presentations and 34 posters. You won’t want to miss the J.H. Atkins Scholars Program
presentations on Thursday at 4:30 PM, where five students will share research focused on
diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. And on Friday, April 25, the creativity continues
with a student art exhibition in the AEGON Gallery at the Jones Visual Arts Center, showcasing
work from this year’s studio art classes.
Our panels come in two styles: some are interdisciplinary, grouped by themes that cross
traditional academic boundaries. Others dive deep into a single topic or collaborative project,
especially when emerging from an advanced seminar or focused research course. Each oral
presentation lasts 15 minutes—12 minutes of presenting, followed by 3 minutes for
discussion. As a courtesy, please stay through to the end of each presentation before exiting a
session. A poster session will finish out the day beginning at 5:30pm and ending at 6:30pm
located in the atrium of Young Hall.
2
Oral Presentations
Poster Presentations
Abstracts
OVERVIEW
We invite you to explore, engage, and be inspired by the range of ideas and creativity on
display. Thank you for supporting our students and their incredible work. Enjoy the Symposium!
Sincerely,
Karin Gill, Matt Downen, and Eva Cadavid
2025 RICE Symposium Co-Chairs and Secretary
APRIL 24, 2025
Oral Presentations
Session 1, Young Hall
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Oral Presentations
Session 2, Young Hall
2:40 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Oral Presentations
Session 3, Young Hall
3:50 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.
Atkins Scholars, Young 110
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Poster Presentations
Lobby, Young Hall
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
APRIL 25, 2025
Art Exhibition Opening
AEGON Gallery, Jones Visual Arts Center
3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Oral Presentations, at a glance
5
Poster Presentations, at a glance
3
Oral Presentations
Poster Presentations
Abstracts
OVERVIEW
Art Exhibition
9
Oral Presentation Abstracts
12
Poster Presentation Abstracts
13
Committee
24
35
4
Oral Presentations
Poster Presentations
Abstracts
ORAL PRESENTATIONS AT A GLANCE
SESSION 1-a
Young 111
Moderator
Sarah
Murray
1:30 p.m.
1.
Combating High School Dropout: A Comparative Study of
Federal Aid Programs in Brazil, Costa Rica, and the United
States
Bianca Galves Gombos
1:50 pm
2.
Western Education: Between Dissociation and Resistance
Elni De Jesus
2:10 pm
3.
Mindfulness-Based Goal Setting: Effects on self-concordance
and student goal behavior
Erin Siler
SESSION 1-b
Young 112
Moderator
Beau
Weston
1:30 p.m.
4.
Storm Water Group
Odile Clements, Teresa Curry, Liz Dickerson
1:50 p.m.
5.
City Engineer Group
Gavin Alfon, Grace Walker, Caroline Lock
SESSION 1-c
Young 110
Moderator
Christian
Wood
1:30 p.m.
6.
Mental Wellness: Francophone and other Perspectives
Massiel Mora Fernandez
1:50 p.m.
7.
"Verlan": Linguistic complexity in the francophone world
Nora Howard
2:10 p.m.
8.
Immigration in France, who are the beneficiaries?
Jonathan Pierre-Louis
1:30 p.m.
9.
BRI as a Neo-Colonialist Project: Transforming Cambodia
Beyond Infrastructure
Wuthikah Pun
1:50 p.m.
10.
China’s Strategic Expansion of Soft Power Amidst the
Decline of USAID Funding
Isha Patel
2:10 p.m.
11.
Between a Rock and a War Zone: Predicting the Probability
of Future Conflict in Syria
Phillip-Michael Collins
SESSION 1-d
Young 102
Moderator
Sami Sweis
5
Oral Presentations
Poster Presentations
Abstracts
ORAL PRESENTATIONS AT A GLANCE
SESSION 2-a
Young 101
Moderator
Laura
Chinchilla
2:40 p.m.
12.
3:00 p.m.
13.
3:20 p.m.
14.
Leveraging Love Power: The Case of the Dictator’s Wife in
Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "Autumn of the Patriarch"
Aliana Conway
(in Spanish)
The Radical Potential of Artistic Justice: Feminist Practice
and Lila Pilipina
Kayla Rogers and Laurel Wallace
‘Shut Her Legs’: Anti-Abortion Discourse as an Extension of
Rape Culture
Lilia Smithson
10 minute break
SESSION 2-b
Young 111
Moderator
Mustafa
Saeed
2:40 p.m.
15.
A Computational Study of Magnetism in CrI3 Monolayers
Marina Will and Chenji Shang
3:00 p.m.
16.
Simulations of Computing Lithium-Ion Batteries
Ezzatullah Mehrdad
3:20 p.m.
17.
Dynamical Energy Decoherence in Closed Quantum Systems
Henry Crumley and Kraig Grauer
SESSION 2-c
Young 112
Moderator
Beau
Weston
2:40 p.m.
18.
Planning and Zoning Group
Carter Smith, Lindsey Browning, Maddie Van Deventer
3:00 p.m.
19.
Parks and Recreation Group
Sasha Hauntz, Nick Kellogg, and Aaliyah Spoonamore
SESSION 2-d
Young 102
Moderator
Brett
Werner
2:40 p.m.
20.
A More Comprehensive Understanding of Glocal Crises
Ruby Nem
3:00 p.m.
21.
Across Borders: Future of Relations and Policy Toward
Northern Triangle Migration
Alivia Nettesheim
3:20 p.m.
22.
The Great Fragmentation
Mril D'silva
6
Oral Presentations
Poster Presentations
Abstracts
ORAL PRESENTATIONS AT A GLANCE
SESSION 3-a
Young 112
Moderator
Eva Cadavid
SESSION 3-b
Young 102
Moderators
Chantell
Limerick
and Lori
Hartman
3:50 p.m.
23.
Balancing Lettered Identities: The Lived Queer+ Experience
in Greek Life at Centre College
Samuel Cotthoff, Atkins Scholar
4:10 p.m.
24.
The Effect of Sense of Belonging on Mental Health Outcomes
Braden Duncan, Rachel Gaynor, Pressley Swiney, and Tatum
Colvin
Experiences of Students of Color in Higher Education
Soleila Elliott Gonzalez and Adriana Gonzalez-Alvizures
4:30 p.m.
25.
3:50 p.m.
26.
Trapped in a Monolithic Narrative: The Invisibility of
Multiethnic Blackness in the United States
Kellaiah Laurent
4:10 p.m.
27.
Reimagining the Past to Reimagine the Future: Afrofuturism,
Afro-centric Visual Media and Shifting Narratives
Amanda Houston
10 Minute Break
SESSION 3-c
Young 111
Moderator
Katrin Bahr
3:50 p.m.
28.
Frauen gegen Frauen: Antifeminismus in der Rechtspartei
Alternative für Deutschland
Allison Barrows
4:10 p.m.
29.
Riograndenser Hunsrückisch: von Sprachverdrängung zu
Revitalisierung am Beispiel Südbrasilien
Sam Merritt
.
7
Oral Presentations
Poster Presentations
Abstracts
ORAL PRESENTATIONS AT A GLANCE
SESSION 3-d
Young 110
Moderator
Amoz Hor
3:50 p.m.
30.
Neighborhood America: A Proposal to Improve the Economy
and Society through Local Reform
Jackson Arnold
4:10 p.m.
31.
Automating an Algorithm to Predict Variant Pathogenicity in
ADPKD Patients
Duncan McGinnis with collaborators at other institutions.
4:30 p.m.
32.
Paw-gress: An Integrated Data and Web Platform for
Informed Pet Adoptions
Sumit Sah
J.H. Atkins Scholars Program
Young 113
Moderated
by the
Atkins
committee:
Melinda
Weathers,
Hannah
O’Leary
Genevieve
Bell,
Michelle
Burdine,
and Jamie
Shenton
4:30 p.m.
to
5:30 p.m.
The Atkins Scholars Program supports research or art focused
on diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice. This year’s
scholars are:
Summer Research
Keely Faulkner
Sam Merritt
Sarah Koch
Kasey Montgomery
Creyling Guerrero
Santiago Lebron De La Paz
Taylor Webb
Fall/Spring
Samuel Cotthoff (not present)
William Watson
Bon Bartholomy
Aiden Jackson
Robyn Tribolet
Maya Anderson
Nick Minton (abroad)
Conley Combs
Jennifer Vong
Emma Njigua
8
Oral Presentations
Poster Presentations
Abstracts
POSTERS AT A GLANCE
33. Development of a Point-of-Care Diagnostic System for Human Papillomavirus Types 16
and 18
Sasha Haunz, Abby Bevil, Erika Alonso (Class of Fall '24)
34. TBL3 Neutron Lifetime Experiment
Nathan Palley
35. Creating Community in the (Philosophy) Classroom
Sam Merritt, Atkins Scholar
36. Development of Automated System for Cryogel Beads
Ella Crumpton
37. The Politics of Motherhood, Women's Bodies, and Childfree Identities
Emma Njigua, Atkins Scholar
38. Perceptions of Cannabis Users Among Tobacco and Cannabis Co-Users
Tesneem Shalash
39. Investigating the role of the mitochondrial solute transporter Slc25a11 in fibroblast
differentiation
Caroline Toler
40. Simulating Surface Water Temperatures in Inland Temperate Wetlands
Abigail Brainard
41. 'Bad Blood': The Difference of Distress in Platonic and Romantic Dissolutions
Peyton Gahm, Claire Yungbluth
42. Not You, Boo: Ghosting's Impact on Self-Concept Clarity
Turner Roach, Massiel Mora Fernandez
43. The Effect of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) Stimuli on Focus
Kade Schooling, Lucy Bruemmer, Kaelyn Douglas
44. Being Asian and Pacific Islander in the U.S.
Jennifer Vong, Atkins Scholar
45. Livy and the American Women’s Suffrage Movement
Keely Faulkner, Atkins Scholar
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46. Species richness and flour type trends in student cultivated sourdough starters
Kayla Sharkey, Dr. Kelly E. O’Quin
47. Stradivarius Violins: Instrumental to Understanding Cognitive Bias
Jazzy Damuluri
48. 3D micro-CT Brain Reconstructions in Mexican Tetra Surface and Cave Variants
Nikhil Rao, Jade Pevley
49. The Nature of Reality Through the Lens of Buddhist Philosophy
Lauren Silva
50. Effect of Cation Choice on Transport Behavior in MeCN and DEC
Stella Green
51. The Price of Adventure: Decision Making in a Scarcity Context
Sarah Marks
52. Development of High-Porosity Polymers for Cysteine Capture
Srija Badireddi
53. Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes: Measuring Cortisol in Black Bear Hair
Layla Tahanasab, Hailey Dant, Ahn Do
54. Does Body Location Affect Hair Cortisol Concentration in Grizzly and Polar Bears.
Ahn Do, Layla Tahanasab, Hailey Dant
55. Estradiol affects cocaine-induced conditioned place preference in male Japanese quail
Ben Smith, Emma Silvert, Indy Rodriguez, Anna Bostoganashvili
56. Can this make me smarter? Exploring the effects of sorghum polyphenols on cognitive
performance?
Tripp Branch, Amanda C. Glueck, PhD Department of Neurology, University of
Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
57. Combined effects of acid pollution and elevated temperatures on the behavior of
Elima sp. snails.
Claire Whelan
58. Investigating the Effects of Bisphosphine Monoxide Ligands on Pt Centers Using NMR
Rori Traugott
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59. Fluid: Perceptions of Identity at Centre College
Bon Bartholomy, Atkins Scholar
60. Legislating the Crisis: Moral Panics, Parental Rights, and the Politics of Inclusive
Education in Kentucky
Sarah Koch, Atkins Scholar
61. Cultural Identity and Resistance in Afro-Uruguay: A Thematic and Critical Discourse
Analysis of Digital Anti-Racism
Sarah Koch, Atkins Scholar
62. Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud: A Rhetorical Analysis of the GOP’s 2016 Presidential
Campaign
William Watson, Atkins Scholar
63. Balancing Lettered Identities: The Lived Queer+ Experience in Greek Life at Centre
College
Samuel Cotthoff, Atkins Scholar
64. Insights for Healthcare Providers from Sexual Minority Men Who Use
Methamphetamine: Findings from a Qualitative Study
Conley Combs, Atkins Scholar
65. Young adult cancer mental healthcare: “The Young Adult Cancer Compendium”
Taylor Webb, Atkins Scholar, and Jane Daniel
66. Moving from Intent to Impact: A Critical Evaluation of Centre College’s Diversity Tag
Maya Anderson, Atkins Scholar
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Art Exhibition
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1. Combating High School Dropout: A Comparative Study of Federal Aid Programs in Brazil,
Costa Rica, and the United States
Bianca Galves Gombos
Mentor: Dr. Sarah Murray, Education and Mathematics
Rising global high school dropout rates have prompted governments to implement federal aid
programs. This research conducts a literature review of four such programs: Pé de Meia in
Brazil, Avancemos in Costa Rica, and Job Corps and the Youth Incentive Entitlement Pilot
Projects (YIEPP) in the United States. By evaluating these programs' designs, outcomes,
limitations, and areas for improvement, the study finds that Brazil and Costa Rica adopt an
assistive approach, requiring greater academic commitment from students. In contrast, Job
Corps and YIEPP take an active approach by providing training and employment opportunities
alongside mandatory school attendance. While both strategies contribute to helping increase
high school retention rates, they also present notable limitations. Key recommendations
include enhancing teaching methods to reduce failure rates by 1.5 times, fostering a more
engaging school environment, and reallocating funds to cost-effective strategies.
2. Western Education: Between Dissociation and Resistance
Elni De Jesus
Mentor: Dr. Lori Hartmann, International Studies, Politics, and African and African-American
Studies
This paper examines the impact of Western education on societies undergoing cultural and
ideological shifts, positioning it within a framework of both dissociation and resistance. It
explores how Western educational paradigms, rooted in colonial legacies and globalized
economic structures, often lead to cultural alienation, fostering a sense of detachment from
indigenous epistemologies. The paper highlights how these educational systems also serve as
sites of resistance, where individuals and communities negotiate, appropriate, and redefine
knowledge to assert agency. By analyzing historical and contemporary case studies, this study
underscores the dual role of Western education as both an instrument of hegemonic influence
and a potential catalyst for intellectual liberation. Ultimately, it advocates for a reimagined
educational approach that bridges the divide between Western methodologies and indigenous
knowledge systems, fostering a more inclusive and critically engaged pedagogy.
3. Mindfulness-Based Goal Setting: Effects on self-concordance and student goal behavior
Erin Siler
Mentor: Dr. Aaron Godlaski, Psychology and Neuroscience
The experimental study investigates how mindfulness structured goal setting interventions
impact students’ self-efficacy and goal-setting behaviors. Participants were divided into a
control group or an intervention group. Both were asked to complete a survey incorporating
written activities focused on setting goals in relation to one’s idealized future. The intervention
incorporated mindfulness prompts, such as future-visualization and value-alignment reflection.
Key variables analyzed include the time spent on questions and the quantity written. The study
reflects tenets of Self-Determination Theory and the importance of setting self-concordant
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goals. Additionally, the study reflects principles of the Goal-Setting Theory, which holds that
encouraging the pursuit of clearer goals yields greater performance. By evaluating such factors
in relation to these theories, the research aims to provide insight into the role of more
structured, self-concordant goal setting behavior in students.
4. Storm Water Group
Odile Clements, Teresa Curry, Liz Dickerson
Mentor: Dr. Beau Weston, Sociology
Our current plan is to put together a proposal/ make a plan of actionable steps for updating a
water retention pond in Danville. The retention pond itself is on the corner of East Madison
Avenue and McKinley avenue in the southern part of Danville. In the past 7 years, the basin has
not been maintained and was taken over by invasive plants (specifically cattails). As such, the
basin was not properly draining and became marshy. Our proposal was to transform the
retention pond into a bio retention garden with native plants to beautify the area (as it has
been an eyesore for the neighborhood for many years). While we are currently unsure if we will
be able to implement significant changes within our given time frame, we hope to create an
actionable plan/proposal for the kinds of plants and modifications needed to the basin.
5. City Engineer Group
Gavin Alfon, Grace Walker, Caroline Lock
Mentor: Dr. Beau Weston, Sociology
The Olympic Games represent a worldwide sensation for athletic competition and sports
entertainment while also being the subject of controversy and debate. Sparked by increasing
concern for the climate crisis, the Paris Summer Olympics (2024) has pledged to establish a
new, more sustainable Olympic model, e.g. setting unprecedented goals for halving the carbon
emissions of previous games. Examining microcosmic controversies among local francophone
populations and connecting them back to the whole of Paris 2024, this project analyzes the
environmental impact with such guiding topics as the extent to which this may or may not be a
genuine interest in sustainability and a representative interest of the people and regions
impacted.
6. Mental Wellness: Francophone and other Perspectives
Massiel Mora Fernandez
Mentor: Dr. Christian Wood, French
The subject of mental health is global and concerns us all, specifically how to understand it,
appreciate its nuances, and cultivate sustainable patterns. Contrary to popular views, having
strong mental health does not necessarily equate to an absence of problems; rather, living with
increased resilience and self-awareness are key. Moreover, considerations of support systems
and perceptions of gratitude in daily life are also strong contributors. Drawing on contemporary
research from Francophone and other regions, I foreground the importance of strategically
sustaining a good mental state. Personal development is paramount: my operational definition
is one’s ability to improve self-care and ameliorate aspects of their life. This topic is common in
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Francophone podcasts moreover; an ideal context for learners interested in French and mental
health. The purpose of this research highlights the importance of mental health since it is not
talked about or researched to the extent it should be.
7. "Verlan": Linguistic complexity in the francophone world
Nora Howard
Mentor: Dr. Christian Wood, French
My project analyzes the origins, basics, societal implications, and media representation of the
French slang language "Verlan." With its origins as a language game and a code used
clandestinely, "Verlan" is now used widely by French-speaking youth, specifically those living in
the often socio-economically disadvantaged "banlieues" surrounding large cities in France. Due
to the rigid systematicity of the French Academy and its influence on language, there is friction
between those who prefer standardized French and those who use French in a non-standard
way such as "Verlan." This allows for those who use "Verlan" to signal an identity that is French,
but also outside of French cultural norms. "Verlan's" reach applies to media such as rap music,
books, and films.
8. Immigration in France, who are the beneficiaries?
Jonathan Pierre-Louis
Mentor: Dr. Christian Wood, French
Immigration has become a major topic in France, where there is a history of tension in its
context. Algeria and Morocco have historically represented the majority of immigrants. The
past 25 years have seen much back and forth in terms of severe legislation and rhetoric limiting
immigration, reaching a high pitch just last year, with very recent rhetoric targeting Arab and
African immigrants. Certain politicians have deduced that these immigrants are causing
disruptions in sectors like the job market, and crime. Others suggest that these same
populations of immigrants work at a disproportionately high rate in indispensable French
industries such as healthcare, hotel/restoration, and human resources. Therefore the expulsion
of those populations would cause a major crisis in those sectors. My presentation analyzes the
mechanisms of profit around immigration and policy behind this rhetoric in both France and the
countries of origin of these immigrants.
9. BRI as a Neo-Colonialist Project: Transforming Cambodia Beyond Infrastructure
Wuthikah Pun
Mentor: Dr. Sami Sweis, International Studies
This paper analyzes the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Cambodia as a neo-colonialist project
that has profoundly reshaped the country's physical landscape and environment over the past
decade. While discussions on BRI’s impact in Cambodia often focus on aid dependency,
corruption, and internal imbalances, this study goes further by examining how these factors
contribute to a broader pattern of economic and political subjugation. Using neo-colonial
theory, this paper explores Cambodia’s evolving relationship with China, predicting that
increasing dependence on Chinese investments and political influence could turn the country
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into an informal Chinese colony in Southeast Asia. By positioning Cambodia within the larger
discourse on China’s geopolitical influence, this analysis can help us understand the long-term
implications of BRI beyond immediate economic gains.
10. China’s Strategic Expansion of Soft Power Amidst the Decline of USAID Funding
Isha Patel
Mentor: Dr. Sami Sweis, International Studies
This paper predicts how China will leverage the suspension of USAID funding to expand its soft
power through non-conditional aid and infrastructure investments. Unlike the U.S., which offers
conditional aid tied to democratic and economic reforms, China provides assistance with few
political restrictions, making it a more attractive partner for developing nations. Using the
Global Soft Power Index as a framework, this study analyzes how China’s foreign aid strategy
strengthens its diplomatic influence through key variables such as governance, culture and
international relations. The research focuses on China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its role in
reshaping alliances as U.S. influence declines. Understanding this shift is crucial, since China’s
growing economic and political presence will redefine global soft power structures. By
analyzing these trends, this paper highlights the implications of China’s expanding soft power
and its long-term effects on international development.
11. Between a Rock and a War Zone: Predicting the Probability of Future Conflict in Syria
Phillip-Michael Collins
Mentor: Dr. Sami Sweis, International Studies
In November, a coalition of rebels led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham launched a surprise blitzkrieg
against government forces across Syria. 11 days later, Damascus fell along with dictator
President Bashar al-Assad, who fled the country. Since the fall of Assad and the Ba’ath party,
appointed Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa has spearheaded the nation-building efforts,
leaving the entire world wondering if this is the first step towards peace in Syria and the Middle
East. Between a Rock and a War Zone will predict the probability of future conflict in Syria by
analyzing key political, economic, military, social, and physiological factors. Using historic
conflict data, political risk assessments, and conflict theories on both interstate and civil war,
this paper will provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted situation in Syria,
helping both policymakers and humanitarian groups develop strategies to prevent conflict and
mitigate future violence in the region.
12. Leveraging Love Power: The Case of the Dictator’s Wife in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's
"Autumn of the Patriarch"
Aliana Conway
Mentor: Dr. Laura Chinchilla, Spanish and Latin American Studies
The literary world of Gabriel García Márquez features a variety of powerful female characters,
including Leticia Nazareno, the dictator's wife, in the novel, “The Autumn of the Patriarch.”
Leticia is introduced to the reader as a kidnapped teenager, but, throughout the novel, she
grows into the most powerful woman in the nation. This project attempts to analyze how
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Leticia Nazareno uses her erotic power, or power of love, to achieve both personal goals and a
better quality of life. Ultimately, Leticia's story not only exemplifies the objectification of
women, but also the weaponization of sexualization. (This project will be presented in Spanish.)
13. The Radical Potential of Artistic Justice: Feminist Practice and Lila Pilipina
Kayla Rogers and Laurel Wallace
Mentor: Dr. Kristen Kolenz, International Studies and Gender Studies
Almost 75 years after the end of World War II, survivors of Japanese military sexual slavery
have yet to see the formal compensation, recognition, and apology they have demanded for
decades. Of the estimated 200,000 Asian “comfort women” who suffered unconscionable acts
of violence at the hands of the Japanese army, approximately 1,000 were Filipina; less than 10
of these Filipina victims are still alive today. As survivor-led organizations like Lila Pilipina
struggle against time to continue the fight for justice, one of their central demands has
remained the memorialization of the “comfort women” through public art. This paper will
explore the salience of public art and memorial as a medium of justice for those no longer here.
How may art act as hospice for aging movements, facilitating natural death while preserving the
spirit? How may art constitute justice in the afterlife?
14. ‘Shut Her Legs’: Anti-Abortion Discourse as an Extension of Rape Culture
Lilia Smithson
Mentor: Dr. Amoz Hor, Politics
The study examines how beliefs in traditional gender roles create opposition to reproductive
rights, focusing on the theory that abortion bans and surrounding discourse are an extension of
rape culture. This project proposes ideas such as “keep your legs closed,” which parallels victimblaming narratives in rape culture, where women are seen as responsible for both sexual
violence and unwanted pregnancies. The normalization of sexual harassment and victim
blaming reinforces heteropatriarchal control by denying women agency, both sexually and
professionally. Abortion bans and related discourse serve similar purposes by punishing threats
to masculinity and traditional provider roles. This study assesses this dynamic by gaging child
support allotment in scenarios involving stereotyped men and women. Consequently, rhetoric
is less targeted at those who uphold traditional roles, like children and wives, revealing how
abortion discourse supports systems of gendered power.
15. A Computational Study of Magnetism in CrI3 Monolayers
Marina Will and Chenji Shang
Mentor: Dr. Emily Crabb, Physics
Investigation of novel magnetic materials can be instrumental in the development of new
electronic components. Novel materials can be designed by altering existing materials. We
focused on exploring the properties of chromium triiodide monolayers with different point
defects to discover future novel uses in electronic components. We used density functional
theory (DFT) to simulate the relaxation of a monolayer of CrI3 with a point defect such as a
missing iodine atom. After finding a relaxed structure for a system, we used DFT to find the
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magnetization, band structure, and density of states of that system. Using these results in
combination with analysis of a monolayer system without defects and results from the current
literature on CrI3, significant differences were observed between the system without defects
and the systems with various defects. This suggests that these new systems could be used in
different applications compared to the system without defects.
16. Simulations of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Ezzatullah Mehrdad
Mentor: Dr. Emily Crabb, Physics
As the demand for electric transportation increases, developing new battery technologies, in
particular improved lithium-oxygen batteries, has become a priority. Experiments investigating
molecular-level processes are costly, but using computational methods allows us to gain deep
insight into batteries at lower cost. I used classical molecular dynamics computational
simulations to model battery systems. I used mixtures of two solvents: tetrahydrofuran(THF)
and ethylene carbonate (EC). The mixtures could have properties that would allow lithium
transport to occur faster than in pure solvent. I measured lithium ion transport properties in
the computational simulations and compared the results to experimental data. With results
such as the residence times, diffusion coefficients, coordination numbers, and densities, I
examined how mixtures of these two solvents with different composition ratios compared with
each other and with experimental data.
17. Dynamical Energy Decoherence in Closed Quantum Systems
Henry Crumley and Kraig Grauer
Mentor: Dr. Mustafa Saeed, Physics
Quantum Mechanics describes the microscopic world, which comprises interacting particles.
Two commonly used models to describe particle interaction are the tripartite system of two
spins coupled to an oscillator, and the coupled oscillator model. Decoherence is the process by
which interference is suppressed in a quantum system. It is conventionally described by
introducing “environmental" degrees of freedom to quantum systems. However, there exist
other models that include dynamical decoherence. This presentation will explore one such
model by comparing closed tripartite and coupled oscillator systems with and without this
dynamical decoherence.
18. Planning and Zoning Group
Carter Smith, Lindsey Browning, Maddie Van Deventer
Mentor: Dr. Beau Weston, Sociology
Our group will be working on reviewing the residential zoning regulations to explore ways that
they can be improved to make Danville more dense and walkable.
19. Parks and Recreation Group
Sasha Hauntz, Nick Kellogg, and Aaliyah Spoonamore
Mentor: Dr. Beau Weston, Sociology
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For our DLM project, the Parks and Rec team is looking at Henry Jackson Park to see what
improvements are needed to increase the utilization and accessibility of the park. Things we
might do is create a survey for resident feedback, look at improving signage, work to beautify
areas of the park, and take population data to understand how many people live in walking
distance from the park.
20. A More Comprehensive Understanding of Glocal Crises
Ruby Nem
Mentor: Dr. Brett Werner, Environmental Studies
Given our current climate – ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and rising tensions in Taiwan
and the Southern Seas – it is increasingly crucial to understand crises as interconnected systems
rather than isolated events. This presentation is part of my independent study with Dr. Werner
where we analyze policy solutions aimed at resolving the dilemma between economic
prosperity and environmental responsibility. However, before thinking about any effective
solution, we must explore a more comprehensive understanding of these crises in all their
complexities. While much attention is paid to high-profile conflicts, similar dynamics shape
“developing nations.” This presentation uses Kenya, Pakistan, and the Gulf War as case studies
to apply Parenti’s 'catastrophic convergence' and Nixon’s 'slow violence' frameworks to explore
how environmental crises exacerbate political problems. The aim is to challenge the common
tendency to reduce crises to merely environmental and/or political terms.
21. Across Borders: Future of Relations and Policy Toward Northern Triangle Migration
Alivia Nettesheim
Mentor: Dr. Sami Sweis, International Studies
Discussion over migration policy is at the forefront of global politics. One area of concern is
human rights issues and resulting migration of people from the “Northern Triangle.” The
“Northern Triangle” is the name given to three countries in Central America- El Salvador,
Honduras, and Guatemala- who face deep rooted and systemic issues such as economic
declines, poverty, environmental crises, and deeply rooted violence. These factors have
resulted in the mass exodus of migrants from the region, and since 2018 there have been nearly
two-million migrants leaving this region and moving towards the US, implying a significant
impact on the US immigration system. Through analyzing past policy and policy goals, this paper
predicts the future of migrants from the Northern Triangle, more specifically, where they will go
in the face of evolving immigration policies, and the implications on relations between the
United States and Mexico.
22. The Great Fragmentation
Mril D'silva
Mentor: Dr. Sami Sweis, International Studies
This paper predicts that within the next decade, the digital world will undergo the ‘Great
Internet Fragmentation’, a slow splitting of the global internet into three competing blocs: A
U.S. led alliance that will lead with the corporate tech giants and worldwide AI deployment, a
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Russia-China bloc that leads the nationalized, isolated version of the internet, and a neutral,
non-aligned bloc led by India. In sections, the paper will also discuss possible reactions to the
Great Fragmentation, such as the building of an undercover decentralized global internet that is
led by activists using peer-to-peer (P2P) channels. The paper will use case studies, popular
technological predictions, and an analysis of global and corporate developments on emerging
technologies. We will also discuss current nationalizing efforts such as China’s Great Firewall,
Russia’s Sovereign Internet law, and understand what alternatives and implications exist in a
world with a fractured Global Network.
23. Balancing Lettered Identities: The Lived Queer+ Experience in Greek Life at Centre College
Samuel Cotthoff, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Jamie Shenton, Anthropology, Social Justice, and Gender Studies
Greek Life is often framed as an exclusive cultural institution that fosters marginalization and
narrow definitions of masculinity and femininity. These institutions are often portrayed as
harmful places for queer+ individuals. However, at Centre College, a counter-narrative
emerges. After interviewing queer+, Greek affiliated students at Centre College, I found that
despite the heteronormative reputation of Greek Life, the lived experiences at Centre are
substantially positive with recognition of negative moments. These positive experiences are
framed by balancing and finding comfort with conformity, queer visibility, and opportunities for
individual and organizational growth. The complexity of the queer+ experience in Greek Life at
Centre challenges the static image often associated with Greek Life, offering a dynamic and
hopeful perspective for queer inclusion at Centre and in Greek Life writ large. This project was
generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
24. The Effect of Sense of Belonging on Mental Health Outcomes
Braden Duncan, Rachel Gaynor, Pressley Swiney, and Tatum Colvin
Mentor: Dr. Jan Wertz, Psychology
Previous research indicates that poor sense of belonging correlates with both poor
occupational/academic performance and poor mental health outcomes. Studies also indicate
college students of color experience less sense of belonging and have worse mental health
outcomes than their White peers. This study aims to determine how a sense of belonging
among college students impacts symptoms of depression and anxiety. In addition, the current
investigation seeks to analyze potential differences in sense of belongingness reporting and
mental health outcomes related to demographic information. One hypothesis is that there will
be an inverse relation between sense of belonging and symptoms of depression and anxiety. A
second hypothesis is that increased extroversion and increased campus organization
involvement will correlate with a higher sense of belonging. And a final, third hypothesis is that
students of color will report experiencing less sense of belonging.
25. Experiences of Students of Color in Higher Education
Soleila Elliott Gonzalez and Adriana Gonzalez-Alvizures
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Goetz, Psychology
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What are the variety of experiences for students of color at Centre College? It is important to
understand and uplift SOC experiences since they make up 21% of the Centre College
population (NCES, 2022) and a growing portion of the college-age population in the US (Merod,
2023). Previous research shows that SOCs at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) have
distinct challenges navigating the college environment such as cultural mismatch, language
barriers, and discrimination. These have all been shown to predict lower levels of belonging and
completion of college degrees. In the present research, we used a snowball sampling technique
and interviewed 20 students at Centre College. In semi-structured interviews, we asked
participants to discuss their transition from home to college, spaces where they feel they do
and do not belong, and the role of language in their experiences. In this talk, we will highlight
our coding method and initial findings.
26. Trapped in a Monolithic Narrative: The Invisibility of Multiethnic Blackness in the United
States
Kellaiah Laurent
Mentor: Dr. Chantell Limerick, Spanish and African & African American studies
This research examines the complexities of Black identities in the United States. The central
question: To what extent does the umbrella term "Black" in the United States invisibilizes the
multiethnic identities of Black individuals who are not African American? And to what extent
does the term “Black” in the United States hypervisiblizes African American Identity? This
research uses qualitative research, including content analysis and anecdotal narrative of
literature by multiethnic authors, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Issa Rae,Veronica
Chambers, Claudine Chiawei O'Hearn, and Jonathan Escoffery. Additionally, this study explores
representation of Black identity in songs and films from media and Pop culture. Throughout this
research we will discover how Blackness is portrayed in media and literature, how multiethnic
identities of Blackness and how African Americaness is hypervisiblized. This study proposes
that “Blackness” is not a monolithic experience and validates multiethnic Black experiences in
the United States.
27. Reimagining the Past to Reimagine the Future: Afrofuturism, Afro-centric Visual Media
and Shifting Narratives
Amanda Houston
Mentor: Dr. Lori Hartmann, International Studies, and African and African-American Studies
Through engaging global and diverse audiences, Afrofuturism and Afro-centric visual media are
successful models of challenging preconceived narratives about Africa to wide audiences in a
postcolonial landscape. Reconstructing the past with new narratives allows for a reimagining of
the future for Africa/cans/the diaspora. It allows for a reclamation of agency and identity for
Africa, removed from colonialism. My paper aims to analyze the importance of postcolonial
literature’s aim to shift stereotypes surrounding the continent, and examine how visual media
and the idea of Afrofuturism generate a more widely accessible format for shifting narratives
than a literature approach. I will be analyzing postcolonial authors Chinua Achebe and Edward
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Said, as well as the Black Panther film, the Keita film, and the current Afrofuturistic art exhibit in
the MET to highlight the importance of visual media representation for shifting narratives about
the continent.
28. Frauen gegen Frauen: Antifeminismus in der Rechtspartei Alternative für Deutschland
Allison Barrows
Mentor: Dr. Katrin Bahr, German, and African and African-American Studies
In den letzten zwei Jahrzehnten gab es eine politische Polarisierung, mit der sich der politische
Extremismus entwickelte, speziell in der westlichen Welt. In Deutschland gibt es seit 2013 eine
neue Rechtspartei, die Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Seit Gründung der Partei gab es einen
Anstieg an Mitgliedern, besonders in den letzten zwei Wahlperioden. In meiner Arbeit
vorwiegend auf die schnelle Zunahme weiblicher Mitglieder in der AfD. Die Idee von Geschlecht
spielt in dieser Diskussion über Rechtsextremismus eine wichtige Rolle, oft mit einer
Verbindung zu traditionellen und konservativen Geschlechterrollen. Trotzdem gibt es Frauen,
die die Führungselite in rechtsextremen Parteien darstellen. Der Rechtsextremismus im Kontext
der AfD gewinnt eine besondere Bedeutung in der Diskussion des Antifeminismus. Für diese
Forschung beziehe ich mich auf Theorien und Trends für Rechtsextremismus, aktuelle Beispiele
von Frauen in der AfD und die Konsequenzen für die feministische Bewegung.
29. Riograndenser Hunsrückisch: von Sprachverdrängung zu Revitalisierung am Beispiel
Südbrasilien
Sam Merritt
Mentor: Dr. Katrin Bahr, German, and African and African-American Studies
Eine erneute Debatte um nationale Sprachpolitik in den USA stellt historische Fallstudien in den
Vordergrund. Die kürzliche Bezeichnung von Englisch als Nationalsprache der USA dient als
Erinnerung an den problematischen Umgang mit Sprachen und ihre langfristigen Auswirkungen.
In meiner Arbeit diskutiere ich die Sprachkonflikte im Süden Brasiliens, besonders zwischen den
deutschen Einwanderern und brasilianischen Einwohnern, mit Fokus auf das Schulsystem.
Hierbei analysiere ich den pädagogischen Wert von bilingualen Klassenzimmern und der
Normalisierung von Mehrsprachigkeit. Die zentrale Frage der Forschung ist: Wie kann die
Einbeziehung von diskriminierten linguistischen Varietäten im Klassenzimmer Lernergebnisse
verbessern und generationsbedingte Sprachdiskriminierung überbrücken, indem gelebte
Erfahrungen mit dem Dialekt verknüpft werden? Der Aufsatz bespricht pädagogische Methoden
durch ethnographische Daten, um sprachliche Varietäten in bilingualen Klassenzimmern
aufzuzeigen.
30. Neighborhood America: A Proposal to Improve the Economy and Society through Local
Reform
Jackson Arnold
Mentor: Dr. Amoz Hor, Politics
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Housing costs across the English-speaking world have increased precipitously over the past fifty
years. Research has shown that much of this cost is due to severe housing shortage, caused by
modern systems of land use and building regulation. This has led to financial instability for
millions of people worldwide, and some academics go further to posit a “Housing Theory of
Everything,” where unaffordable homes are the root cause of many of our chronic social and
economic problems. This includes the productivity slowdown, smaller families, and higher
obesity rates. Embracing this view, I present a plan to reform city governance that will
empower local communities, while making them more receptive to the forces of socioeconomic
change. The relationship between the two structures will lower the cost of housing, improve
economic and health outcomes, and reenable a physical civil society based around “the
neighborhood.”
31. Automating an Algorithm to Predict Variant Pathogenicity in ADPKD Patients
Duncan McGinnis with
Conrad Cruz (1); Hana Yang, Ph.D (1); Peter C. Harris, Ph.D (1,2). 1 Division of Nephrology and
Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; 2 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Mentor: Dr. Steve Asmus, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is a common genetic disease which can
lead to kidney failure. Radiological imaging and clinical genetic testing are currently used to
diagnose ADPKD. Genetic testing requires knowledge of which variants are benign and which
are pathogenic (disease-causing). Building on previous work evaluating individual variants in a
large ADPKD population at Mayo Clinic, I am working to automate a developed but manual
algorithm used to predict the pathogenicity of variants found in ADPKD patients. So far, I have
helped plan the automation strategy and component pieces of the project and created scripts
to calculate the chemical significance of amino acid substitutions (Grantham Score) and retrieve
data from a large population database (gnomAD) for individual variants. Once completed, the
program I am developing will increase the efficiency of variant classification and improve the
efficacy of ADPKD clinical genetic testing.
32. Paw-gress: An Integrated Data and Web Platform for Informed Pet Adoptions
Sumit Sah
Mentor: Dr. Prayat Poudel, Mathematics
This presentation details our ongoing work with the Danville Boyle County Humane Society,
using data-driven approaches to aid with the pet adoption process. We will discuss our
motivation for our project, the development of a R Shiny app, and the creation of a one-click
web scraper designed to significantly streamline data collection for the app. We will also
discuss our future plans, which include an updated interactive R Shiny dashboard enabling realtime data analytics and visualization for informed decision-making along with a redesigned
Humane Society website aimed at enhancing user experience and navigation. Our work, which
is supported by the Centre Works Grant, builds upon contributions from previous students who
previously worked on this project.
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33. Development of a Point-of-Care Diagnostic System for Human Papillomavirus Types 16
and 18
Sasha Haunz, Abby Bevil, Erika Alonso (Class of Fall '24)
Mentor: Dr. Daniel Scott, Chemistry
Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been linked to 99.7% of global cervical cell squamous cancer.
HPV types 16 and 18 are high-risk strains, leading to a large proportion of worldwide cervical
cancer cases. Point-of-care diagnostic systems are crucial in the ever-evolving world of
medicine. Implementation of a point-of-care diagnostic system to HPV is critical for the
improvement of world-wide health outcomes. To develop an appropriate rapid point-of-care
diagnostic system for HPV 16 and 18, engineered nanoparticles with type-specific flares were
used to detect the respective DNA, the solutions were run on microfluidic paper-based
analytical devices (μPADs), and response was quantified with relative fluorescence. As a proof
of concept, nanoparticles were simultaneously exposed to known solutions of HPV 16 and 18
DNA in a process referred to as multiplexing. Eventually, this work will be developed into
tangible point-of-care devices for general consumer use.
34. TBL3 Neutron Lifetime Experiment
Nathan Palley
Mentor: Dr. Mae Scott, Physics
Since the 1940s, physicists have been investigating neutron beta decay where a free neutron
decays into a proton, electron, and antineutrino. One experimental method for investigation is
the beam method, where a beam of low-energy, free neutrons are sent through a quasiPenning trap spectrometer, where decay product protons are guided towards a detector and
counted. Along with a measurement of neutron flux, this allows us to calculate neutron
lifetime. This is the third generation of this experiment, aiming to improve precision of this
method to 0.3 seconds. To accomplish this, consideration must be taken to design the
collimation and shielding of the beam, as stray neutrons create unwanted background and
dangerous radiation. We are simulating this design using OpenMC, a Monte Carlo-based
program that can model particle transport, to confirm our design before investing into the final
experiment. This poster will cover the current state of this shielding design.
35. Creating Community in the (Philosophy) Classroom
Sam Merritt, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Eva Cadavid, Philosophy
We know that a sense of belonging is essential in helping students thrive at institutions of
higher education. This issue has become more prominent in the post-covid era, as young
people increasingly report struggling with social isolation. Although belongingness fostered by
non-academic spaces is critical to student engagement, faculty members are in a unique
position to create communities that affect learning and social well-being in positive ways. The
use of inclusive pedagogical strategies have been shown to help students feel empowered as
integral members of a learning community. Inclusive pedagogies humanize and centralize
students in the classroom. Our study focuses on two inclusive activities that we believe help
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create a collaborative learning community in introduction to philosophy courses at our small
liberal arts college. "This research project was generously funded by the James Graham Brown
Foundation."
36. Development of Automated System for Cryogel Beads
Ella Crumpton
Mentor: Dr. Andrew Hitron, Chemistry
Highly porous cyrogel beads could improve bioseparation techniques. However, they are
difficult to make in a reproduceable manner. To address this, an automated system was made
for this process. A t-junction was used to create droplets of aqueous monomer solution
suspended in an immiscible organic solvent. The droplets could then be frozen and polymerized
to produce cryogels. It was necessary to use a surfactant (Span-80 or soy lecithin) to stabilize
the droplets. Additionally, issues were found with the design system including solvent leakage,
high back pressure, and pump failure. Redesigns of the droplet generator and newly designed
syringe pumps are being tested. Incorporating further automations of this system and
characterizing the produced cryogel beads are planned.
37. The Politics of Motherhood, Women's Bodies, and Childfree Identities
Emma Njigua, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Burdine, Photography
“Do You Have a Cat?” Conversations with Child Free Women is an ongoing research
project that centers child-free women and their lived experiences as self-defined women fully
capable of living full and intentional lives. This work challenges the notion that it is a woman's
biological destiny to reproduce as well as engaging in the national conversation around
women's bodies, motherhood, and bodily autonomy. This project combines photographic
portraiture and oral histories in a non-traditional way; one that engages the subject with the
photographer, fostering a safe space where realness and authenticity feels natural and
comfortable. My focus within this research is to foreground the lesbian child-free experience
and the ways in which lesbianism is viewed as deviant and defiant of the societal norms and
expectations historically placed on women deciding what women and womanhood should be.
38. Perceptions of Cannabis Users Among Tobacco and Cannabis Co-Users
Tesneem Shalash
Mentor: Dr. Steve Asmus, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
SIGNIFICANCE: Tobacco users often co-use cannabis. Additionally, combustible cannabis and
tobacco use is common. Few studies have measured evaluations of different cannabis
administration types among co-users.
METHODS: Adults who co-used (n=2037) were categorized as primarily using combustible (92%)
or noncombustible tobacco (8%). The Cannabis Administration Stereotype Measure quantified
perceptions of cannabis users by administration types.
RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the perception of combustible cannabis users
between co-users of combustible tobacco products (M=6.00, SD=1.90) and those who did not
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(M=5.67, SD=1.83, t(2034) = -2.16, p = 0.03, Cohen’s d = 0.18). There were no differences in
perceptions of noncombustible cannabis users by combustible tobacco use (p=0.22).
CONCLUSION: Adults who use combustible tobacco products (vs. do not) view combustible
cannabis use more positively. There are no differences in evaluations of noncombustible
cannabis use.
39. Investigating the role of the mitochondrial solute transporter Slc25a11 in fibroblast
differentiation
Caroline Toler
Mentor: Dr. January Haile, Chemistry
Cardiac fibrosis involves fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation. Our lab found that
mitochondrial α-KG increases during myofibroblast activation and is required for histone
demethylation and fibrotic gene expression. The mechanism of α-KG transport to the nucleus is
unknown. We hypothesize that Slc25a11, a mitochondrial α-KG exporter, links metabolism to
the epigenome. We manipulated Slc25a11 in fibroblasts and assessed metabolism,
proliferation, and gene expression. Slc25a11 loss or gain did not affect oxidative metabolism
alone, but overexpression increased glycolysis and reduced proliferation, while deletion
increased proliferation. TGFβ raised oxidative metabolism, enhanced by Slc25a11 loss. Both
overexpression and deletion increased glycolysis. Slc25a11 overexpression enhanced TGFβdriven Fn1 and Tgfb1 expression and trended upward even without TGFβ. These results suggest
a role for Slc25a11 in regulating fibroblast behavior and promoting myofibroblast
differentiation.
40. Simulating Surface Water Temperatures in Inland Temperate Wetlands
Abigail Brainard
Mentor: Dr. Brett Werner, Environmental Studies
The Prairie Pothole Region of North America serves as a significant hub for biodiversity and
offering additional ecosystem services. Currently, the WETLANDSCAPE model (WLS) can
simulate hydrological variables, including hydroperiod and vegetation cover cycle, yet lacks
simulated water temperature. This research seeks to amend WLS in order characterize these
water quality attributes. Using level-logger monitoring data from Orchid Meadows, SD (20072010), we first determined the relationship between water temperatures, air temperatures,
precipitation, surface water volume, and groundwater support. Preliminary findings suggested,
with air temperature as the primary component, that a three-day weighted, moving average of
air temperature was best to approximate water temperature changes. Our next step is to utilize
WLS with downscaled General Circulation Model (GCM) climate data to simulate future water
temperatures. This investigation is vital in determining the future of wetland quality.
41. 'Bad Blood': The Difference of Distress in Platonic and Romantic Dissolutions
Peyton Gahm, Claire Yungbluth
Mentor: Dr. Morgan Cope, Psychology
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Romantic breakup is widely studied in young adult populations. However, there is a marked
lack of research on platonic dissolutions (i.e., friendship breakup). The purpose of this study is
to better understand how the experience of a platonic and a romantic dissolution may differ.
This study emphasizes that platonic dissolutions can be as distressing, if not more, than a
romantic dissolution. Participants will be recruited on-campus through an online survey or
through CloudResearch. Participants will answer questions regarding their individual and exfriend/ex-partner demographics, why each dissolution occurred and dissolution demographics
for both friendship and romantic dissolutions, and measures related to emotions and behaviors
they experienced after each dissolution. Discovering how platonic dissolutions affect individuals
will aid further research and for those experiencing distress after a platonic dissolution, and
who feel alone in this experience.
42. Not You, Boo: Ghosting's Impact on Self-Concept Clarity
Turner Roach, Massiel Mora Fernandez
Mentor: Dr. Morgan Cope, Psychology
Ghosting is a dissolution strategy where one person cuts off communication (ghoster) with the
other (ghostee) by eliminating possibilities of interacting, usually through online platforms. The
purpose of this study is to explore ghosting status and self-concept clarity after ghosting occurs.
Participants were recruited from CloudResearch and SONA. After consent, participants
completed a demographic survey. Then, a retrospective survey that assessed experiences with
ghosting and responded to a series of validated measures including self-concept clarity,
dissolution distress, pre-dissolution satisfaction, and breakup uncertainty, and attachment style
survey. We predict that there will be no significant correlation between ghoster status and selfconcept clarity. However, we also predict a significant negative correlation between being
ghosted and self-concept clarity. The impacts of ghosting on identity and other resulting
psychological effects will be discussed.
43. The Effect of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) Stimuli on Focus
Kade Schooling, Lucy Bruemmer, Kaelyn Douglas
Mentor: Dr. Karin Gill, Neuroscience
In an increasingly distracting world, maintaining attention is crucial for learning and
memorization, especially for students. Many turn to background stimuli like music to aid focus.
One such stimulus, Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), has gained popularity for
its calming and arousing effects, potentially supporting sustained attention. This study
compared attentional performance in students listening to ASMR versus white noise during a
high-stimulating task (studying an article) and a low-stimulating task (Stroop task). Participants
were either informed or uninformed about the nature of the stimulus. Results showed those
listening to white noise performed better on the low-stimulating task, while those told about
the stimulus focused more on the article. No significant difference was found between ASMR
and white noise in either task or group. This research highlights the need for further studies to
explore ASMR's potential beyond relaxation.
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44. Being Asian and Pacific Islander in the U.S.
Jennifer Vong, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Amoz Hor, Politics
In the United States, the portrayals and representation of Asian and Pacific Islander (API)identifying people throughout history, entertainment, and social media have conceptualized
the way we think of API-identifying people. For my research project, I conducted two focus
group interviews with students that identified as Asian American Women or International Asian
Women on their experiences of race and gender in the U.S., especially focusing on their
experiences on Centre’s campus. Additionally, I created a video essay highlighting the various
ways U.S. history, entertainment, and social media have influenced our perceptions of APIidentifying people and how that has been reflected onto our own campus. The purpose of the
study is to understand that API-identifying people are not all heterogenous and to encourage
members of campus to gravitate towards bonding and bridging for a better community. This
research project was generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
45. Livy and the American Women’s Suffrage Movement
Keely Faulkner, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Danielle La Londe, Classical Studies
In this project, I argue that American suffragettes and women’s rights advocates legitimized
their movement by drawing upon historical and moral exempla, particularly from Roman
culture and history, mirroring the broader use of Roman historical examples in American
politics at the time. By comparing the kinds of exemplarity utilized by the suffragette
movement with the female exemplars in Livy’s History of Rome, we gain insight into how the
women’s suffrage movement used this mode of exemplarity, particularly focusing on women’s
morality and patriotism, to counter opposition, legitimize their arguments, and further their
movement. This research has the potential to provide further insight into the unique
relationship between ancient Rome and the American imperial age, focusing primarily on the
use of Roman cultural and moral values for socio-political purposes in American society. This
research project was generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
46. Species richness and flour type trends in student cultivated sourdough starters
Kayla Sharkey, Dr. Kelly E. O’Quin
Mentor: Dr. Christina Garcia, Biology
Sourdough starters are a ferment that has been used as a leavening agent in bread both
historically as well as in modern commercial and artisanal settings. The ingredients and ratios
used in creation, and how they are maintained affect the microbes present in the ferment
because of yeasts and bacteria interacting with one another and their environment. Sourdough
starters are a good model for microbial ecology in student research projects, due to easy care
and ability to vary conditions. Initial data collection on student created sourdough starters
using Nanopore sequencing revealed a variety of bacteria and yeasts. Data is explored with
cluster analysis showing some trends of All purpose and unbleached flours clustering together,
with other flour types clustering outside of that group. Future work will include more samples,
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further variation of conditions being researched, and improved visualization for students
unfamiliar with the biological sciences.
47. Stradivarius Violins: Instrumental to Understanding Cognitive Bias
Jazzy Damuluri
Mentor: Dr. Drew Morris, Psychology
Stradivarius Instruments are multi-million dollar wood instruments. With a price that high,
many audiophiles and concertists wonder if the instruments have a particular quality or sound
that makes them worth the money. Previous research has shown, however, that there is no
audible difference between a Stradivarius violin and other violins of similar quality (Fritz et al.,
2012; Fritz et al., 2017). Other research that focuses on Stradivarius Instruments fails to
recognize any reasoning behind why these instruments have so much monetary value, despite
no observable qualities that make the instruments stand out. Hence, the purpose of this study
is to find where the value for these instruments seems to be stemming from. Literary analysis
has revealed that the monetary value of these instruments stems from the human tendency to
assign greater attributes to items that are more expensive (Schmidt et al., 2017).
48. 3D micro-CT Brain Reconstructions in Mexican Tetra Surface and Cave Variants
Nikhil Rao, Jade Pevley
Mentor: Dr. Claire O'Quin, Biology
The Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus) is a freshwater fish species with a surface variant and a
cave variant, which notably lacks eyes. Due to the significant anatomical differences between
the two variants, we investigated the brain structures of several specimens of these variants
and their F1 hybrids using micro-CT scans and the software Horos to reconstruct 3D brain
models. The software ImageJ was then used to measure the height, width, and length of the
cerebrum, cerebellum, and optic lobes. Using principal component analysis, we found
significant dimensional differences in brain structure between the surface and cave variants,
with some overlap between the original surface and the F1 hybrids, suggesting that the alleles
controlling these differences are likely dominant in the surface variant. Future research will
expand this dataset to over 100 F2 hybrids to identify chromosomal regions containing
mutations responsible for brain anatomy in the Mexican tetra.
49. The Nature of Reality Through the Lens of Buddhist Philosophy
Lauren Silva
Mentor: Dr. David Hall, Philosophy and Religion
Abhidharma and Yogacara are traditions in Buddhist philosophy that provide distinct
frameworks in metaphysics to understand the nature of reality. Although these two traditions
share some principles, such as impermanence, no-self, and conditioned arising, they diverge as
they are interpreted differently and raise questions about what is ultimately real. The
Abhidharma tradition offers a dualistic account of reality through its distinction between
conventional and ultimate reality. On the other hand, the Yogacara tradition rejects this
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dualistic nature and reinterprets these concepts by proposing the idea that reality is simply a
mental construction of the mind. This project explores how the Yogacara tradition offers a
different account of the nature of reality by reinterpreting the Abhidharma concepts of
impermanence, conditioned arising, no-self, and conventional and ultimate reality, leading to
different paths and goals in achieving liberation.
50. Effect of Cation Choice on Transport Behavior in MeCN and DEC
Stella Green
Mentor: Dr. Emily Crabb, Physics
As use of battery-powered technologies increases, an understanding of the efficacy and
potential of novel battery systems is essential. This research focused on alternatives to the
standard lithium-ion battery by examining alternative solvents and cations. The solvents diethyl
carbonate(DEC) and acetonitrile(MeCN) were combined with one of six cations: lithium,
sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, or calcium, and counteranion methyl tert-butyl
ether(MTBE). These battery systems were simulated computationally using molecular
dynamics(MD). Using the data collected from the simulations, system density and coordination
number were found. These simulations allow for many novel battery systems to be tested for
potential future applications.
51. The Price of Adventure: Decision Making in a Scarcity Context
Sarah Marks
Mentor: Dr. Stephens McAllister, Psychology
The present study observes the effect of perceived scarcity on monetary decision-making in
college students by utilizing a mini-life simulation where they have to pay a deposit for a study
abroad trip. Each participant is randomly assigned to an abundance, scarcity, or control group,
and the mini-life simulation requires participants to fully immerse themselves in the scenario
and make decisions based on the amount of money they have been told they have. We seek to
better understand how the scarcity mindset presents itself in college students since college
students are often forced to make decisions under similar circumstances to the ones we are
presenting. While data collection is ongoing, there appears to be an effect of perceived scarcity
on monetary decision-making, specifically within delayed discounting of rewards.
52. Development of High-Porosity Polymers for Cysteine Capture
Srija Badireddi
Mentor: Dr. Andrew Hitron, Chemistry
Oxidative stress triggers a variety of chronic and degenerative health conditions, ranging from
cancer and rapid aging to diseases affecting cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, and renal
health. This research focuses on developing high-porosity, surface-functionalized
polyacrylamide-based cryogels to capture cellular cysteine, an early indicator for oxidative
stress. Polyacrylamide cryogels were derivatized through a three-step reaction to modify amide
ends to add a high-energy pendant terminating in a mixed thioethyl-thiopyridyl disulfide. This
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activated disulfide can exchange the thiopyridine with cysteine, allowing the cryogel to capture
cysteines from a complex biological mixture.
53. Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes: Measuring Cortisol in Black Bear Hair
Layla Tahanasab, Hailey Dant, Ahn Do
Mentor: Dr. Brent White, Psychology
Wild populations of bears are monitored by wildlife authorities to maintain healthy populations
and ecosystems. Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, is commonly used as an indicator of
well-being in bears and other vertebrates. Although cortisol can be measured in a variety of
tissues and fluids, its concentration in hair can reveal the animal’s stress reaction over a period
of weeks and months. Hair samples can be obtained without trapping or anesthetizing.
However, we do not know whether hair samples from different body locations provide the
same information. In collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources, we have sampled hair from six body locations on black bears killed in the 2024
annual hunt. We expect cortisol assays of the hair will indicate whether locations differ in
cortisol concentration. If they differ, then studies of wild bears will need to use techniques that
sample consistently from particular locations.
54. Does Body Location Affect Hair Cortisol Concentration in Grizzly and Polar Bears.
Ahn Do, Layla Tahanasab, Hailey Dant
Mentor: Dr. Brent White, Behavioral Neuroscience
As hair grows it incorporates hormones, toxins, and nutrients from the blood, providing an
historical record of physiology. Increasingly, hair analysis is used to monitor the well-being of
wild and captive animals. Cortisol, a hormone linked to stress, can be a non-invasive indicator of
chronic stress and animal well-being. By analyzing hair samples from various anatomical regions
of zoo-housed bears, we aim to determine whether cortisol levels vary depending on the
location of the hair. Understanding such variation is essential for ensuring consistency in
sampling protocols, thereby improving the reliability of data collected in controlled and wild
environments. Our results from grizzly and polar bears at the Louisville Zoo do not indicate
variation in hair cortisol across body locations.
55. Estradiol affects cocaine-induced conditioned place preference in male Japanese quail
Ben Smith, Emma Silvert, Indy Rodriguez, Anna Bostoganashvili
Mentor: Dr. Karin Gill, Neuroscience
Japanese quail are equipped with high visual acuity and color vision (Kovach, 1974; Kovach &
Wilson, 1975; Mills, Crawford, Domjan, & Faure, 1997) which make them ideal subjects for use
in a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm that utilizes visual cues. Gill et al., 2016
showed that female quail exposed to long-light conditions (high estradiol) develop a preference
for cocaine, where quail exposed to short-light conditions (low estradiol) do not (Gill, et al.,
2016). The present study expands on this by determining whether estradiol has an impact on
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drug reward in male quail, to which estradiol is critical (Balthazart et al., 2009). Estradiol
enhanced cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in male Japanese quail housed
in long-light (16L:8D) conditions. Estradiol alone caused a CPP effect in short-light conditions
(8L:16D), but cocaine alone did not. The results of this study may reflect differences in genetic
sex between mammals and avians.
56. Can this make me smarter? Exploring the effects of sorghum polyphenols on cognitive
performance?
Tripp Branch, Amanda C. Glueck, PhD Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky,
Lexington, KY, USA
Mentor: Dr. Karin Young, Chemistry
Understanding the impact of dietary supplements on human health has become increasingly
important as new, innovative ingredients continue to emerge. Among these, research has
shown that polyphenols provide various benefits for health due to their antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. One new supplement, a polyphenol-rich complex derived from a
novel sorghum bicolor leaf, is a source of quercetin, luteolin, and myricetin. A previous study
suggested that sorghum polyphenols may enhance exercise recovery; however, no research has
been conducted to explore their effects on cognitive performance. The current study explored
the effects of daily sorghum polyphenols administration on cognition in healthy individuals. To
date, this double-blind study has enrolled 50 participants who were randomly assigned to
receive either 500 mg/day, 250 mg/day, or a placebo control. Progress of this ongoing doubleblinded study will be reported and presented to assess potential group differences.
57. Combined effects of acid pollution and elevated temperatures on the behavior of Elima
sp. Snails.
Claire Whelan
Mentor: Dr. Mark Galatowitsch, Biology
As climate change raises Earth’s temperature we must reevaluate whether these shifts further
exacerbate the effects of pollution on freshwater species. The legacy of coal mining has
resulted in acid mine drainage that is an ongoing source of pollution in freshwater systems in
Western and Eastern Kentucky. This study investigates whether increased temperature (23℃,
30℃) and a range of acidic conditions (pH 2.0 - 8.0) affects the behavior and mortality of
common Kentucky stream snails (Elima sp.). The change in righting time after treatments is
used as a proxy to understand the physiological health of stream organisms undergoing
combined effects of elevated temperatures and acid pollution.
58. Investigating the Effects of Bisphosphine Monoxide Ligands on Pt Centers Using NMR
Rori Traugott
Mentor: Kari Young, Chemistry
Palladium demonstrates significant catalytic applications for polymer synthesis, but is
unfortunately not NMR active. However, platinum, also a Group 10 element, is NMR active and
serves as a useful analog for studying palladium metal complexes. Using 195Pt NMR, a family of
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bisphosphine monoxide ligands is studied to examine their effect on the electron density of a
platinum center. Platinum metal complexes were synthesized in the presence of silver triflate,
PtdmpeCl2, and a bisphosphine monoxide ligand of choice. After synthesis, one-dimensional
1H, 31P, and 195Pt NMR spectra, along with two-dimensional 1H-195Pt HMBC NMR spectra
were obtained to analyze how these ligands influence the 195Pt NMR chemical shifts. Based on
these shifts, the donor strength of each ligand bound to platinum was evaluated. In particular,
the NMR spectra obtained from the dppeo ligand complexed to platinum will be compared to
what is known about other members of this ligand family.
59. Fluid: Perceptions of Identity at Centre College
Bon Bartholomy, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Andy Brown, Studio Art
I have conducted an exploratory study to discover Centre students’ perspectives on the
fluidity of gender identity and sexual orientation. Gender and sexuality are lenses through
which people interact with the broader social world, and college students' views reflect larger
cultural attitudes on these topics. I interviewed my peers, then investigated the social
implications of their perspectives through painting. There was a common thread weaving these
seemingly disparate identities together: every participant had experienced fluidity in some way,
consciously or not.
To artistically convey the complicated relationship between bodies, identities, and labels, I have
employed the layered metaphor of HOUSE. Labels, like houses, are meant to contain. A label
may be a permanent home, or it may be as fleeting as a dorm room. An identity may fit
comfortably into a label, it may pass between labels, or it may reside outside of labels entirely.
My paintings explore this spectrum.
60. Legislating the Crisis: Moral Panics, Parental Rights, and the Politics of Inclusive Education
in Kentucky
Sarah Koch, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Jamie Shenton, Anthropology, Social Justice, Gender Studies, and Latin American
Studies
This collaborative research, conducted by Sarah Koch and Dr. Jamie Shenton, explores how
Kentucky parents and educators have experienced and interpreted the parental rights in
education movement since the 2023 passage of SB 150, a law restricting the ways in which
schools, parents, and physicians support queer children. Drawing on two years of ethnographic
interviews, we argue that lawmakers are cultivating parental anxieties about children’s safety
and utilizing the resulting moral panic to advance a specific vision of what it means to be a good
educator, a good parent, a good child, and, ultimately, a good American. This research project
was generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
61. Cultural Identity and Resistance in Afro-Uruguay: A Thematic and Critical Discourse
Analysis of Digital Anti-Racism
Sarah Koch, Atkins Scholar
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Mentor: Dr. Philip Limerick, Spanish
This research, conducted by Sarah Koch and Dr. Philip Limerick, employs a Black feminist lens to
explore cultural identity and resistance in Afro-Uruguay through a thematic and critical
discourse analysis of digital anti-racism. We examine discourses of anti-racism and
intersectionality within Afro-Uruguay on the platform X. Findings reveal the interconnected
nature of identity and resistance for Afro-Uruguayans due to the subtle yet pervasive nature of
institutional racism. Posts highlight the power of Black women’s art and music, especially
candombe, to resist cultural erasure. Notably, users rely on specific discursive strategies (e.g.,
metaphor, first-person plural conjugations, rhetorical questions) to cultivate community and
prompt critical thinking about race in Uruguay. This study speaks to the power of social media
to serve as both a microcosm of and microphone for anti-racist discourse. This research project
was generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
62. Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud: A Rhetorical Analysis of the GOP’s 2016 Presidential
Campaign
William Watson, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Willie Costley, Spanish and Latin American Studies
On June 16th, 2015, Donald J. Trump descended the escalator of Trump Tower to give a speech
that would go on to define the next decade of American politics as he announced his candidacy
for the Republican Party nomination and for the presidency of the United States. His selfproclaimed objective was to “Make America Great Again.” I begin my investigation by
presenting historical trends in immigration to the United States and exploring how the
President’s rhetoric is rooted in neoliberal rhetoric. In the following section, I outline my
methodology. To conclude, I argue that Donald Trump draws on decades-old rhetoric which
paints foreign-born, Muslim men as a threat to American “greatness.” This research project
was generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
63. Balancing Lettered Identities: The Lived Queer+ Experience in Greek Life at Centre College
Samuel Cotthoff, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Jamie Shenton
Greek Life is often framed as an exclusive cultural institution that fosters marginalization and
narrow definitions of masculinity and femininity. These institutions are often portrayed as
harmful places for queer+ individuals. However, at Centre College, a counter-narrative
emerges. After interviewing queer+, Greek affiliated students at Centre College, I found that
despite the heteronormative reputation of Greek Life, the lived experiences at Centre are
substantially positive with recognition of negative moments. These positive experiences are
framed by balancing and finding comfort with conformity, queer visibility, and opportunities for
individual and organizational growth. The complexity of the queer+ experience in Greek Life at
Centre challenges the static image often associated with Greek Life, offering a dynamic and
hopeful perspective for queer inclusion at Centre and in Greek Life writ large. This project was
generously funded by the James Graham Brown Foundation.
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64. Insights for Healthcare Providers from Sexual Minority Men Who Use Methamphetamine:
Findings from a Qualitative Study
Conley Combs, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Kaelyn Wiles, Sociology, Environmental Studies, and Social Justice
This study provides recommendations and reflections on wellbeing from sexual minority men
(SMM) who use methamphetamine to healthcare providers and peers. Recruited from a
national cohort of SMM who use methamphetamine, 29 interviews were conducted. Men of
color were oversampled. Interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Participants suggested that providers have open dialogue about methamphetamine and refrain
from moralizing drug use to reduce stigma during clinical interactions. Participants reported
challenges in navigating clinical services and intra-community obstacles to recovery, including
the risk of recovery groups with a high prevalence of active use, which enables relapse. They
offered harm reduction approaches to others SMM who use meth, such as testing for fentanyl,
restricting intravenous use, and understanding ones own use motivation. Ultimately, this study
amplifies the voice of a vulnerable and pathologized population.
65. Young adult cancer mental healthcare: “The Young Adult Cancer Compendium”
Taylor Webb, Atkins Scholar, and Jane Daniel
Mentor: Dr. Drew Morris, Psychology
Young adulthood (ages 18-40) is an especially difficult time to receive a cancer diagnosis
(Zebrack, 2008). It is a time of navigating relationships, employment, financial responsibilities,
and personal growth (Patterson et al., 2015). However, mental, social, and emotional centric
resources for this group remain sparse. Further, access to psychosocial care may be further
limited due to economic and geographic barriers. Developed using scholarly literature, expert
and patient testimony, and additional support resources, The Young Adult Cancer Compendium
was developed to increase access to mental health focused cancer resources in a manner
relatable to young adults and their experience. This research project was generously funded by
the James Graham Brown Foundation.
66. Moving from Intent to Impact: A Critical Evaluation of Centre College’s Diversity Tag
Maya Anderson, Atkins Scholar
Mentor: Dr. Kristen Kolenz, International Studies, Gender Studies, and Latin American Studies
General education curricula exist to develop well-rounded students who are familiar with a
multitude of subjects. Centre College’s general education curriculum requires that students
earn a “D tag” (or Difference and Equity tag). This requires students to take a course, within any
division or subject that has the tag. In this project, I seek to understand the significance of the D
tag to the curriculum by evaluating D tag courses for their effectiveness in satisfying the
purpose and requirements of the Difference and Equity tag. I created a tool that faculty can use
to evaluate syllabi for the application of the D tag, assess a sample of syllabi from D-tagged
courses, and draw conclusions about the efficacy of the application of the D tag based on my
results.
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS
2025 RICE SYMPOSIUM COMMITTEE
Karin Gill
Matt Downen
Eva Cadavid
Amy Frederick
Fernando Gonzalez
Andrew Brown
Jingjing Cai
Whitney Dollins
Emily Crabb
Ahmed Eddhir
Emily Roberts
Kayla Rogers
Carter Smith
RICE Committee Co-Chair
RICE Committee Co-Chair
RICE Committee Secretary
AEGON Gallery Coordinator
Assistant Professor of Library & Information
Science/Reference
Assistant Professor of Art, Drawing & Painting
Assistant Professor of Chinese
Student, Class of 2026
Assistant Professor of Physics
Visting Assistant Professor of Economics &
Business
Digital Production Artist
Student, Class of 2025
Student, Class of 2026
**The RICE Committee is thankful to all faculty mentors working with students to make this
symposium possible. **
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