SENIOR SYMPOSIUM | ABSTRACTS April 27, 2017

HONORS

2

Name, College…….………………………Poster Location………………………Page

Daniel Amrhein, COB 1 6

Caitlyn Bailey, CHP 2 6

Carlee Balzer, CAS 3 6

Ashley Bauman, CAS 4 7

Brooke Bennett, CAS 5 7

O’Malley Bosanic, CAS 6 7

Jacie Brown, CAS 7 7

Chelsey Burr, CAS 8 8

Carissa Campbell, CAS 5 7

Ryan Chrencik, CAS 9 8

Leesa Deadwyler, COB 10 9

Savannah Decker, CHP 11 9

Kyle Denney, CAS 12 9

Shaelyn Domansky, CAS 13 9

Rachel Dubuisson, CAS 14 10

Meri Dzielinski, CAS 15 10

Janalyce Fletcher, CHP 16 10

Tania Gonzalez, CHP 17 10

Ashley Gorney, CAS 18 11

Alicia Gotz, CHP 19 11

Luke Hill, CAS 20 11

Heather Hornbrook, EHS 21 12

HONORS PROGRAM 2017 GRADUATES

3

Name, College…….………………………Poster Location………………………Page

Victoria Hudgins, CAS 22 12 Marc Jaruzel, EHS 23 12

Alyssa Jenkins, CAS 24 12

Nicholas Keel, CET 25 13

Bridget Keene, CAS 26 13

Jason Keinath, CAS 27 14

Gabrielle Kelly, CAS 28 14

Andrew Klarecki, CET 29 14

Evan Klein, CAS 30 15

Rachel Krahulik, CAS 31 15

Amanda Kruse, CAS 32 15

Makayla Larabell, CHP 33 16

Angela Lovegrove, CET 34 16

Kathleen Lucas, CHP 35 16

Daniel Ludema, CAS 36 17

Shaylin Mccann, CAS 37 17

Katelyn Michalski, CAS 38 17

Christopher Morgan, COP 39 18

Amoreena Most, CAS 40 18

Dawn Nguyen, CAS 41 18

Joshua Olszewski, COB 42 19

Danielle Pacella, CAS 43 19

HONORS PROGRAM 2017 GRADUATES

4

Name, College…….…………………….Poster Location……………………..…Page

Stephanie Parker, CAS 44 19 Morgan Payne, COB 45 19

Briana Pierson, EHS 46 20

Megan Polisuk-Balfour, COB 47 20

Monica Polkowski, COP 48 20 Clarissa Rademacher, CHP 49 21

Kylee Reetz, CAS 50 21

Quinton Rice, CAS 51 21

Alexandra Rueger, CAS 52 22

Daniel Ruland, EHS 53 22

Tyler Ryan, CAS 54 22

Melanie Schafer, CAS 55 23

Jamie Seppanen, CHP 56 23

Jaden Shirkey, CAS 57 23

Colin Skromme, COP 58 24

Abbigael VanDusen, CAS 59 24

Tori VanOeffelen, EHS 60 24

Alex Warju, CAS 61 24

Shelby Washkevich, COB 62 25

Kathleen Williams, CAS 63 25

Samantha Wingerter, CAH 64 25

Danielle Winkler, CHP 65 26

Michael Wyman, CHP 66 26

HONORS PROGRAM 2017 GRADUATES

5

Daniel Amrhein Music Industry Management The Evolution of the Music Industry: How Digital Music Sales and Streaming Have Impacted the Industry As technology advances, it impacts the way we live. Technological innovations improve the way we communicate, learn, consume music, and so much more. From vinyl, to cassette tapes, to online streaming, music technology advancement has made music more accessible than ever through a diverse range of formats. This advancement not only effects the listener, but also all of those involved in creating music. Digital music sales have recently surpassed physical formats with 837.2 million units sold in 2016. How does this affect the music industry? In this project, I will explore the impact this continuous change has on those involved in the music industry. Poster Location: 1

Caitlyn Bailey Health Care Systems Administration Lean Management in Health Care Lean management is a method that allows organizations to reduce the amount of waste and inefficiencies in their processes. Toyota was the first to implement the idea in the 1930’s, followed by the manufacturing sector, and more recently health care organizations have started to use lean to help improve patient care. An important aspect of lean is the Training Within Industry program that teaches supervisors the essential skills they will need to be able to correctly train employees, define standardized work, and develop employee skills. The Spectrum Health Big Rapids Radiology Department recently used lean to improve the process of changing patients in preparation for their exams. My presentation will show the process that they went through and the results they achieved by using lean management in the department and my proposal for how they should implement the Training Within Industry program to sustain their new lean process. Poster Location: 2

Carlee Balzer Biology – Pre-Optometry Clinical and generic features in Bietti crystalline dystrophy patients Bietti’s crystalline dystrophy (BCD) is an inherited eye disease named for Dr. G. B. Bietti, an Italian ophthalmologist, who described three patients with similar symptoms in 1937. BCD can also be referred to as Bietti’s crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy. A study was conducted to describe the clinical and genetic features of fifteen Italian patients with BCD. All study participants underwent a complete ophtalmological examination, including standard electroretinogram (ERG), optical coherence tomography, microperimetry, autoflourescence and multifocal electroretinogram. There were eleven exons of the CYP4V2 gene that were sequenced. The participants included eight women and seven men. Their ages ranged from 29 to 60 years old. Sequencing of CYP4V2 revealed nine sequence variants in four unrelated families and six isolated individuals with BCD. Seven new variants were found. Considerable variability in phenotypic expression with different degrees of accumulation of the typical intraretinal crystalline deposits was detected among the patients. More than 50% of patients had recordable standard ERG responses and in two patients the responses were within normal limits after 20 years of symptom onset. The study was able to report seven new mutations and illustrated the large range of genotypic and phenotypic variability in BCD, highlighting the lack of a clear genotype-phenotype correlation and underlining the existence of less severe clinical manifestations, probably linked to relatively mild mutations. Poster Location: 3

6

Ashley Bauman Biology - Pre-Optometry The Use of Medications to Slow Myopia Progression Myopia, or near-sightedness, is a common vision problem that begins to show up in children and adolescents. It is projected to affect half of the United States by the year 2050; double the amount for people who had it in the early 2000s. Its increase is likely due to changes in environmental factors, such as school conditions and decreased time spent outdoors. Eyeglasses and contact lenses can manage the symptoms of myopia but do not stop it from progressing. If severe enough, myopia can lead to vision-threatening conditions later in life. Research is being done to look at the efficacy of medical treatments like atropine, Pirenzepine, and 7-methlxanthine in the slowing or even reversing of myopia. This presentation investigates these medications and their viability of being implemented in the field of optometry. With successful treatment, the onset and severity of myopia can be reduced in our youth, leading to better vision and healthier eyes. Poster Location: 4

Brooke Bennett and Carissa Campbell Biology - Pre-Pharmacy Using Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors to Treat Dementia Dementia currently affects 47.5 million people worldwide with 7.7 million new cases each year. Individuals with this syndrome suffer greatly, but dementia also has physical, psychological, social and economic impacts on caregivers, families, and society. Currently there is no cure for dementia, but various new treatments are being discovered. One type of treatment is the use of antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs work by increasing the amount of serotonin levels in the brain, affecting mood, social behavior, sleep, and memory. The use of this treatment is growing, yet there is still more research that needs to be done. Poster Location: 5

O’Malley Bosanic Biology – Pre-Optometry Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) – Michigan, Dominica Mission I will be presenting on the annual Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) mission I take part in. This medical eye-care mission takes place on the West Indies Island of Dominica. Each year, under the direction of Dr. Daniel Wrubel, a faculty member at the Michigan College of Optometry, a team of doctors, students and volunteers travel around Dominica for four clinic days to provide free vision screenings to the island citizens. These men, women and children will get fitted and dispensed glasses that they would not otherwise have means to obtain. The doctors and team also perform other optometric services in addition to routine exams such as medical treatment for diseases and conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. Vision impairment is the single most prevalent disabling condition among children and although very curable in our society, it can be devastating in underserved areas of the world. I look forward to presenting on this great endeavor! Poster Location: 6

Jacie Brown Psychology Preceptions of Police Use of Force Based on Race Perceptions of the use of force when race differs between officers and potential perpetrators will be investigated. My hypotheses are that there will be differences in perception of the guilt of the suspect based on the arresting officer’s race, as well as that based on the race of the arresting officer their use of force will be perceived as appropriate or inappropriate.

7

Experiments dealing with similar issues have been done in the past, but with differing manipulations. These experiments suggest that there are racial biases in civilians who do not have proper training. In this study, everyone will be given the same report to read over and examine; the report will include photos of the officer and the suspect. The only difference between the reports will be the race of the officer and the offender. There will be several groups being administered the survey, at the end of the reading. They will all be given the same reports just with different photos being shown. Perceptions will be measured using a between groups design. A chi-square test will be used to analyze the data. Poster Location: 7

Chelsey Burr Psychology Fake it ‘Till You Make It: A Multi-variable Study of the Effects of Sports on Body Image in Student Athletes With the evolution of professional sports and the media, athletes are under more scrutiny than ever before. The pressure to look and perform a certain way has caused more athletes to undergo a body image crisis that can lead to unhealthy and risky lifestyles to obtain the “ideal” body. While there has been adequate research done involving the effects of body image on female athletes, the same cannot be said about their male counterparts. Even in studies which the male perspective is evaluated, they usually involve collegiate or professional athletes. This study sought to evaluate the difference between male and female interpretations of body image by using a Likert scale to measure each athlete’s likelihood for meeting criteria for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) or a form of eating disorder. The aim of this study had 3 goals: (1) gauge the effect of individual sports on athletes’ perception of their body, (2) assess the impact of age as a significant factor, and (3) determine the impact – if any – biological sex has on perceptions of body image. The data found that male athletes were more likely than their female counterparts to meet criteria for BDD in contact sports such as football and wrestling, while female athletes were more likely to meet criteria for a BDD and an eating disorder in general. Poster Location: 8

Ryan Chrencik Biology – Pre-Optometry Ortho-K is OK! The purpose of this analysis was to compare and contrast five different studies on the effectiveness of orthokeratology (ortho-k) in controlling the progression of myopia in children. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common eye disorder in the world, and there is no cure. It is a condition that develops the quickest at a young age; therefore, it is crucial to control the rate at which it progresses as soon as possible. Orthokeratology is a method of myopia control that involves the patient wearing a hard, gas-permeable lens overnight, which gradually reshapes the front surface of the eye to correct the patient’s vision. This was a meta-analysis. PubMed was the main search domain for all five studies. BMC Ophthalmology, Elsevier, and iovs were the publishers for the five studies. Each study has similar methods, where orthokeratology lenses were fitted to patients who wore them nightly over a specific extended period of time, with eye exams being performed at certain intervals. Each study concluded that orthokeratology is an effective method in controlling myopia progression. Poster Location: 9

8

Leesa Deadwyler Operations Supply Management The Application of Lean Supply Chain Methodology in Health Care In the pursuit of continuous improvement, the health care field has adopted supply chain principles to optimize its processes. Both patient and staff satisfaction are affected by the ability of facilities to redefine success, visualize the flow of materials and information, and quantify performance. The purpose of this project is to examine how lean methodology and Toyota Production System fundamentals have transformed the way that health care facilities deliver value to their patients. Supply chain principles have had a profound impact in the areas of material management, facility design, and patient experience. By understanding how lean methodology is applied to health care, medical professionals are able to create an experience that is more patient-centric and less wasteful. Poster Location: 10

Savannah Decker Nursing The Association Between the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Developmental Disorders In order for a newborn to survive outside of the mother’s body a number of physiologic functions need to happen to sustain life. This alone is a tremendous feat, and with the addition of other stressors like difficult labor or maternal health issues, it may seem impossible. The neonatal intensive care unit is where newborns go when there are issues sustaining life after being born. A newborn who is struggling to survive may be at an increased risk for developmental disorders later on in life. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the relationship between infants being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and the prevalence and recognition techniques of developmental disorders. Poster Location: 11

Kyle Denney Applied Mathematics/Computer Science Solutions to the ‘Fake News’ Crisis ‘Fake News’ has become an increasing threat to our society. Both sides of the aisle are succumbing to articles with no basis in reality. Is there a way to stop the spread of fake news? This poster will summarize the recent rise in fake articles and show ways to effectively combat misinformation. Poster Location: 12

Shaelyn Domansky English Literary Gender Theory – Female Character Stereotypes Broken by J.K. Rowling Among other criticisms, gender theory is one that is studied often among literary critics. This states that there is a bias toward the way females are shown through their characters in literature, such as Shakespeare plays, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and even Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight. Often, females are shown as demonstrating weakness, submissiveness, and dependability on their male superiors. On the other hand, the male figures are shown as smart and powerful. This is partly due to the fact that female authors are often excluded from the canon in education. Because of this, students are only getting to read and learn from the male perspective. The portrayals of males and females in literature then becomes the norm for representation in society. J.K. Rowling, on the other hand, attempts to break this stereotype by creating strong, powerful, and highly intelligent female characters in her Harry Potter series, such as Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley, which are often not found within literature. Poster Location: 13

9

Rachel Dubuisson Biology – Pre-Pharmacy Camp Gives Kids a World of Good More than 15 percent of children in the United States live with chronic health conditions, from cancer to congenital heart problems to diabetes. Many of these children are life-long patients, spending extended periods of time in hospitals, unable to participate in typical childhood activities due to their conditions. Several studies have proven the positive impact of the camp experience on the lives and well-being of children, especially those with serious health challenges. SeriousFun Children’s Network continues to provide life-changing opportunities for children with health challenges around the world for discovering hope, pursuing joy, and experiencing camp just like anyone else. Poster Location: 14

Meri Dzielinski Biology – Pre-Medicine Early-Onset Dementia As humans live longer, we are seeing a wider range of diseases arise. Alzheimer’s is a disease that is becoming more and more common. Early onset Alzheimer’s is a subset of the disease that presents itself earlier in life than usual. Genetics are most certainly a part of this diagnostic oddity. However, other comorbidities may play a factor as well. Early onset Alzheimer’s can be considered alcohol related, frontotemporal, and trauma-related. Poster Location: 15

Janalyce Fletcher Diagnostic Medical Sonography How do patients make decisions based on the message of a diagnostic sonogram? People use the message of a diagnostic sonogram to make decisions. This process of decision making uses the Elaboration Likelihood Theory (ELT) which demonstrates how patients use reasoning or emotion to evaluate a message and the way a person is persuaded to act upon the message. A common message of ultrasound is the sex of a fetus which is an ethical issue because fetal sex is not diagnostic or medically necessary information. There are also cross-cultural issues involved in deciding whether or not to keep a fetus such as female fetide in Asian cultures. Ultrasound should only be used for medical purposes with the patient’s best interest in mind, upholding law and regulations. Poster Location: 16

Tania Gonzalez Nursing Continuity in Nursing Care in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Developing a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), is of importance to the patient, their family and the nurse. Continuity of care is directed towards a more patient-focused environment as the same nurse is assigned to the patient, which in turn can improve the patient and nurse outcomes. Familiarity with the families or patient’s preferences can adhere to better and safer patient care and in making clinical judgements that meet the individual’s needs. Certain studies examined the continuity of care and noted that it is preferred by the families since they do not have to continuously explain how they prefer the completion of certain tasks, and their child’s preferences. Therefore, the effects of continuity of care promotes the importance of developing a therapeutic relationship with the patient and their family and this develops the parent’s confidence in the quality of the care that their child is receiving. Poster Location: 17

10

Ashley Gorney Biology – Pre-Optometry Compliance with soft contact lenses replacement schedules and associated contact lens-related ocular complications: The UCLA contact lens study Many complications including giant papillary conjunctivitis, conjunctival injection, chemosis conjunctiva, corneal neovascularization, superficial punctate keratitis, and corneal infiltrates arise from patients overwearing their contact lenses. In this study, patient compliance with replacing contact lenses was evaluated to see if patients obeyed the manufacturers’ recommended replacement frequency. In addition, this study quantified the number of days patients overwore their lenses and determined if there was a correlation between contact lens compliance and contact lens-related complications. 271 patients, who were at least 18 years old and wore soft contact lenses, presented at two university optometry clinics. The majority of patients wore contact lenses with a recommended replacement frequency of two weeks, while the rest of the population included daily, monthly, quarterly, yearly or used mixed replacement frequencies for each eye. On average, patients in this study overwore their contacts 33 days beyond the manufacturers’ recommended replacement frequency. Results indicated that 36% of patients had less than one complication per eye, 39% had one complication per eye, and 25% had more than one complication per eye. There was no difference between men and women regarding contact lens overwear, but men had a higher rate of complications. This study concluded that overwearing contact lenses was most prevalent in 18-19 year old patients, patients wearing two week disposable lenses, patients wearing nonsilicone hydrogel lenses, and patients using multipurpose solution. Noncompliance was hypothesized to be caused by lack of patient education, asymptomatic contact lens-related complications, and cost. Poster Location: 18

Alicia Gotz Nursing Who should by holding their hand? In the hospital when a patient goes into cardiac arrest it has always been custom for medical professionals to rush in, ask the family to leave and begin the resuscitation efforts. Up until a few decades ago it was never thought to be wrong to make the family leave the room. Now, across the country, hospitals have begun to implement policies allowing family members to be present during resuscitation measures. However, many hospitals still do not have a policy. Through this culmination of research the reasons for and against family presence during resuscitation are discussed. The studies have found many benefits to the family members but there is still resistance from many healthcare professionals. Poster Location: 19

Luke Hill Biology – Pre-Pharmacy Gel Electrophoresis: A Deeper Look Gel electrophoresis is arguably one of the most essential techniques in molecular biology. It is frequently used by biologists to separate different pieces of DNA, RNA, or proteins. Separation occurs through an electric field that differentiates the negatively charged DNA and RNA through an agarose gel matrix. The agarose gel matrix also allows fragments to be separated by size since smaller molecules will move through the gel faster than the larger molecules. Gel electrophoresis has a lot of purpose in the real world, including testing DNA in criminal cased and diagnosing diseases. In my project, a gel electrophoresis chamber is used to compare molecules in different colors of food coloring dye. Poster Location: 20

11

Heather Hornbrook Criminal Justice – Generalist Your Cause of Aggression is in Another Castle As new forms of media are created, there are always those who will condemn it for being detrimental to younger generations. Radio, movies, and television were all placed under society’s microscope, and today the blame falls on violent video games. Given the lack of clear and convincing evidence that there is a connection between real world violence and video games, it implies that video games are merely a convenient scapegoat. Poster Location: 21

Victoria Hudgins Applied Speech Communication Professionally Vulgar Display of Power Social convention holds that professional attire is a necessity in the workplace. Social norms are fluid, however, and fashion trends are becoming more “customer friendly,” raising the question is professionalism so important anymore? Comparing and contrasting the positive and negative outcomes of various dress codes in the workplace lays groundwork for the study of future professional fashion patterns. Current standards for both men and women in the workplace include wearing a neutral colored suit or pants and a button-up with closed toed dress shoes. Employers feel as though professionally dressed employees signal both confidence and knowledge. Personal testimonies challenge the standards by noting that dressing casually allows employees to minimize any intimidation the customer may have. Disadvantages of casual dress in the office, however, attribute to laziness, lateness, and absenteeism. The present study made use of extensive online materials such as reported online polls, Pinterest posts, and articles from image experts. Findings support the idea that employers are beginning to accept visible tattoos and/or piercings, heavier facial hair/makeup, and more casual clothing in colors other than neutrals. This evidence proves that changes in professional attire and appearance will continue to change, but at a very slow pace. Poster Location: 22

Marc Jaruzel Criminal Justice – Generalist Effects of the Full Moon on 911 Calls The purpose of this research is to determine if the full moon affects human behavior. Prior research into the lunar effect shows a correlation between the full moon and certain medical cases (Mikulecky & Rovensky, 2000). However, no impact on human behavior was found (Schafer, Varano, Jarvis & Cancino, 2010). For my research, a survey was conducted on 85 respondents in police, fire, EMS, dispatch, and medical professions. All respondents indicated they had heard of the lunar effect and 85% expressed support for it. To test for a correlation, 911 complaints from Meceola Central Dispatch received between September 2001 and December 2016 were analyzed. 285,000 complaints were received during this period of 189 lunar cycles. No statistical significance was found between mean daily complaints during the full moon and the remaining lunar cycle. Poster Location: 23

Alyssa Jenkins

Biotechnology Detection of Mycoplasma pulmonis in FSU Anophyhalmic Rat Colony Rats within the FSU anophthalmic colony have displayed undiagnosed symptoms consistent with infection with Mycoplasma pulmonis for years – such symptoms include but are not necessarily limited to torticollis (head tilt), porphyrin

12

staining, decreased fertility and increased infant mortality, and respiratory distress. Being that it lacks a cell wall and is not particularly hardy outside the body, M. pulmonis will not grow on common media and is difficult to diagnose using routine clinical methods. As such, this study has employed selective media and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to evaluate randomly selected members of the colony for infection with M. pulmonis. While the procedure employed for isolation of genetic material from the collected samples requires further refinement, the Mycoplasma spp. selective media displayed a distinct color change when samples were collected via post-mortem bronchoalveolar lavage. These findings strongly suggest that members of the anophthalmic rat colony are infected with Mycoplasma, though determintation of species via PCR will be the subject of further study. Poster Location: 24

Nicholas Keel Mechanical Engineering Technology The Development of a Kayak Roof Rack System for an Extended Cab Truck The purpose of this capstone project was to design, build, and evaluate a roof-rack intended for an extended cab pickup for the purpose of transporting up to three kayaks, while the truck is pulling a fifth-wheel travel trailer. The project was meant to be simple to set-up, easy to handle, and a rigid construction on top of the vehicle while in motion. The structure was designed using CAD software and tested using FEA before fabrication. After fabrication, LabVIEW™ was used for data acquisition of strain gages during dynamic testing. Poster Location: 25

Bridget Keene Biology – Pre-Optometry Development of Human Congenital Cataracts I chose to investigate the development of human congenital cataracts because I realized I knew very little about the subject. If adults live long enough, almost every person will develop cataracts, which is due to the nature of the lenses in our eyes aging and discoloring over time. It is known that there are various environmental factors such as exposure to UV light that contributes to the development of age-related cataracts, but what causes babies to be born with them or to develop them in the first twelve months of life? Do the lenses prematurely age or is there a different reason why congenital cataracts develops? I will investigate further by conducting a literature search and discussing my own personal opinions regarding the subject matter. (I am a prospective optometry student who will begin doctoral studies in the Fall of 2017, and this project serves as an introduction to one of the many diseases I will have to learn about, learn how to diagnose, and learn how to treat.) I aim to define congenital cataracts and their causes. I will highlight some of the genes and proteins involved and discuss associated disorders which individuals can look for as a sign indicating the possibility of congenital cataracts. I also want to explain the treatment options in order to educate the general public so if and when the situation becomes applicable, they will be equipped with the knowledge to avoid the causal agents to decrease the risk of the unborn child from developing congenital cataracts. Poster Location: 26

13

Jason Keinath Biology – Pre-Pharmacy The Role of Pharmacists in Drug Abuse Prevention Prescription drug abuse is a growing issue in the United States. In the U.S. alone, more than 15 million people abuse prescription drugs. Pharmacists have the responsibility and the skills necessary for having an important role in substance abuse prevention and education. If pharmacists have a concern about a prescription they have the right to contact the prescriber and other pharmacies that have filled the prescription. Pharmacists also counsel patients on medication use and can refer them for addiction treatment. This project is a compilation of research that has been collected from various academic articles and other reliable sources that discuss the current techniques that pharmacists use in trying to decrease presciption drug abuse. The purpose of this project is to make the pharmacist’s role in drug abuse prevention more recognized. Poster Location: 27

Gabrielle Kelly Biology - Pre-Pharmacy An Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Therapeutic Response of Alzheimer’s Disease in Transgenic Mice Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and any research in humans is done post mortem. This study examined the effects of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT) on AD transgenic mice to determine whether or not the treatment could slow the progression of amyloid-β plaques, a hallmark of the disease. They found that the DAPT treatment significantly decreased the amount of plaques formed by inhibiting y-secretase, allowing them to accept their hypothesis. They also found that these findings could be seen on MRI images through voxel normalization. Poster Location: 28

Andrew Klarecki Plastics Engineering Technology The Effects of Recycling and Oil Immersion on Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene/ Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Rubber Thermoplastic Vulcanizate This study evaluates the effects of recycling and oil immersion on the properties of an oil resistant thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), created through the dynamic vulcanization of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). To evaluate the properties of the ABS/NBR TPV, three grades were created at the following ratios; 50% NBR/50% ABS (50/50), 70% NBR/30% ABS (70/30), and 85% NBR/15% ABS (85/15). The change in properties due to recycling was evaluated by recycling 100% scrap material into test bars until 3 recycling phases were completed. ASTM D-471 Fluid Immersion Test standards were used to evaluate the oil resistance of the ABS/NBR TPV grades and PP/EPDM and NBR samples for comparison. The samples were submerged in paraffinic oil for 73 hours at 90 degrees Celsius. The following percent change tolerances were used to determine if property changes were acceptable or too significant for both the recycling and oil immersion tests: +/- 30% change in tensile strength, +/- 50% elongation, and +/- 15 point change in hardness. One would expect to see an increase in modulus and decrease in tensile strength and elongation as a result of recycling. The results from testing recyclability show the 50/50 grade and 70/30 grade passed the property change test, while 85/15 failed due to an unexpected increase in tensile strength by 44%. The oil immersion study proved the ABS/NBT TPV grades to be more oil resistant than the PP/EPDM TPV. This is most likely due to the polar character of ABS and NBR’s polymer chains. All three ABS/NBR TBVs had a percent change in mass of under 1%, while the EDPM/PP’s increased by roughly 162%. However, only the 50/50 and 70/30 grades of NBR/ABS TPV passed the allowable property change criteria, while the 85/15 grade failed due to an increase in tensile strength by 89%. The unlikely increase in tensile strength could have been

14

the result of continued curing in the rubber phase due to the presences of heat energy. Data from both tests presented unexpected trends with poor reproducibility. This is thought to be the result of un-optimized dynamic vulcanization process. A more optimized dynamic vulcanization process would provide greater rubber phase dispersion, fully cured rubber particulates, and through coating of the rubber phase by the plastic phase. An optimized process would likely produce high repeatability and data trends that more closely reflect the expectations. Poster Location: 29

Evan Klein Psychology Acute Spinal Cord Injury Alters the Acquisition It is well known that spinal cord injury (SCI) affects regions of the body below the site of injury by damaging sensory and motor neural pathways. A few studies have also shown that SCI affects regions above the site of injury and affects higher cognitive processes such as learning and memory similar to traumatic brain injuries (concussions for example). Previous studies in our lab have shown that the acquisition phase of learning was altered two weeks after injury in young male rats. In addition, several studies have shown possible sex and/or age differences in neural responses after SCI. The current study was designed to determine if there are any differences between male and females on the effect of SCI on learning and memory. Young male and female Long Evans rats were anesthetized with ketamine and xylazinc, and a C2 hemisection (=4), or a sham surgery (n=4) was performed. Male and female rats were given two weeks to recover, before using the Morris water maze to examine learning and memory performance. Rats completed four trials a day for 5 days followed by probe trial. This study will provide data to help our understanding of the impacts of SCI on higher brain function. Poster Location: 30

Rachel Krahulik Biology – Pre-Pharmacy Effect of environmental levels of pharmaceuticals on wild-life Many pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) end up accumulating in the environment due to their small, hydrophobic properties, long half-lives, and filtering systems that are ill-equipped to remove them. There is a concern that these environmental concentrations could affect a variety of wild-life. In Mexico, environmental NSAID concentrations were seen to cause oxidative stress on the crustacean Hyalella azteca. In a laboratory setting, a variety of PPCPs in environmental concentrations negatively impacted reproduction, development, and kidney, liver and ovary function in zebrafish. Carbamazepine, an anti-depressant, was proven to cross the placentral barrier in pregnane mice, which indicated potential neurodevelopmental effects in mammals. Overall, environmental concentrations of PPCPs, while low, seem to have a negative impact on a variety of types of living organisms. Poster Location: 31

Amanda Kruse

Biology – Pre-Optometry Determination of Gene Function in Arabidopsis Thaliana Arabidopsis is a model organism with many characteristics that allow plant genes to be efficiently studied. When gene function in Arabidopsis is determined, that knowledge can help produce better crops because most Arabidopsis genes are also present in crop plants. Arabidopsis has many mutated plant lines, allowing us to study the function of the mutated genes. Each mutant plant line has a mutation in one gene, causing the gene to no longer function. We screened ~4000 mutant plants to look for any differences in appearance. All 4000 lines had mutations in genes of unknown function. Any change in appearance may be caused by the mutation of the gene, suggesting that the gene functions in the affected aspect of plant development. When a mutant with altered appearance was identified, the mutant line was regrown to

15

confirm this result. We also performed a series of bioinformatics tests to better understand the mutated genes. We identified several plant lines with altered appearances. We confirmed that the mutant plants with observed alterations had both gene copies mutated by performing PCR. A better understanding of gene function will be beneficial for producing crops with more desirable properties. Poster Location: 32

Makayla Larabell Medical Laboratory Science Red Blood Cell Genotyping and How it Could Revolutionize the World of Blood Banking In 2014 the Food and Drug Administration licensed the first red blood cell genotyping test, the Precisetype™ HEA Molecular Beadchip™. This technology has been around for a long time in the field of transfusion medicine but because it wasn’t approved by the FDA it couldn’t be used directly for patient care, but now it can. Red blood cell genotyping has many benefits and using it in donor centers could revolutionize the world of blood banking. This test is an underutilized commodity and with how technology is constantly changing and with the increase in automation in the laboratory, red blood cell genotyping has the potential to become a new standard of care in the blood bank. Poster Location: 33

Angela Lovegrove Plastics Engineering Technology Rubber Engineering Technology The purpose of this research is to determine how well different grades of Silica used as reinforcing fillers disperse within Natural Rubber at different loadings. This study uses five different types of Silica that vary in particle size and structure. Dispersion is studies using the Payne effect. Payne effect is a sress strain behavior of rubber that is dependent on the fillers within the rubber. This dependency allows the Payne effect to show how well various fillers and filler amounts disperse within a rubber. Theoretically smaller particle sizes give more reinforcement but worse dispersion. The research shows that the smallest silica particle sizes offered the best deformation resistance, meaning the best reinforcement. Also, larger particle sizes had better dispersion. Poster Location: 34

Kathleen Lucas Nursing San Jose Costa Rica Medical Campaign This project will cover my experience volunteering for Maximo Nivel through International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ) in San Jose, Costa Rica and the surrounding communities. The information will include statistics on how many people volunteer with IVHQ and Maximo Nivel in Costa Rica and how this has an impact on the communities there. My project will also include different testimonies from past volunteers on their experiences and how it has impacted their lives. Poster Location: 35

16

Daniel Ludema

Biology – Pre-Medicine Concussions in Ice Hockey Concussions are a serious risk in ice hockey today due to the high speed and big hits found in the sport. For my senior symposium, I will report on the prevalence of concussions currently at the professional and junior level of hockey. I will also outline some of the biggest causes of concussions in ice hockey as well as new methods for diagnosing them. Poster Location: 36

Shaylin Mccan Social Work Implications of Cyber Security and Domestic Sex Trafficking The current study was part of a project carried out by the Social Work 320 class of the Fall 2016 semester. The class was divided into three separate groups, the needs assessment group, the research group, and the presentation group. The current study was conducted by the needs assessment group. The need assessment group created a survey and distributed it to students in Ferris State University Seminar (FSUS) courses to determine their need regarding cyber security and internet safety. The survey included nine questions pertaining to use of electronics, cyber security, and social media usage. The results of the survey showed that, of those who answered the survey, 52% of females, 63% of males, and 72% of other participants reported receiving messages through email from someone they did not know and 71% of females surveyed, 63% of males, and 54% of other participants reported receiving messages from people they did not know through social media. However, 64% of females surveyed, 74% of males surveyed, and 72% of other participants surveyed reported ignoring messages from people they did not know. Furthermore, 37% of females surveyed, 58% of males surveyed, and 36% of other participants surveyed reported using default security settings on their electronic devices. In sum, although most participants reported receiving messages from someone they did not know, most participants also reported using default or low settings on their electronic devices and social media accounts. These findings call for increased education regarding security settings as having higher security settings could lessen the number of messages received from unknown persons. The research conducted by the need assessment group will also be presented at the Human Trafficking Conference held at Ferris State University in April 2017. Poster Location: 37

Katelyn Michalski Biology – Pre-Medicine Optogenetics for Exploring the Neural Circuitry of Depression Optogenetics is an innovative technique that allows researchers to moderate the activity of targeted neurons with light. It is being used to uncover the neurological circuitry responsible for complex mental processes. A significant area of optogenetic research is finding neural pathways related to the etiology of complex psychiatric disorders, and also to find reliable biomarkers for diagnosis. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is an active field of study, MDD is a mental disorder characterized by at least two weeks of low mood that is present across most situations. Optogenetics offers a means to better understand the pathophysiology of MDD to better treat and diagnosis this disorder. Poster Location: 38

17

Christopher Morgan

Pharmacy Pharmacogenetics As technology is constantly evolving, so is the medical field. In this project, I will present the basics of Pharmacogenomics, which is a newly evolving field studying how individual genes can influence the effect of pharmaceutical drugs. Further, this project will also explore how some therapies can be changed to account for those varied effects. Lastly, this project will look at a couple of the new advances being made to how we test for these gene variations. Poster Location: 39

Amoreena Most Biology – Pre-Pharmacy A Closer Look at Rising Prescription Drug Costs in American and the Impact on Consumers Every year, more and more Americans struggle to pay for their medications. Prescription drug prices have soared within the past decade, while pharmaceutical companies have produced record-breaking profits. Even with insurance coverage, patients struggle to afford their necessary medications. On average, United States citizens pay two to three times more than other high-income countries for the same prescription medication (Kane, PBS). The rising costs of pharmaceuticals forces patients to either spend a larger percentage of their income on medications, to find alternative ways to obtain and administer medicine, or to abstain completely from taking the medicine. Factors such as patent and exclusivity laws, regulations against price negotiation, and drug shortages have created a monopolistic environment for pharmaceutical companies. Companies are thus able to control the sales and profit of prescription medication in the United States. Overall, this complex issue has no single fix-all solution. However, raising awareness and educating others on this important topic is the first step towards achieving fairer pricing in the pharmaceutical industry. In this work, various approaches were utilized to develop a well-rounded understanding of the topic at hand. Interviewing Professors at Ferris State University’s College of Pharmacy provided personal experiences regarding patients who struggled to fill their prescriptions. Secondary sources were used heavily in the research of this topic. Interpretations of finding from various studies provided insight on the past decade of major pharmaceutical company profits, how regulations implemented by the FDA promotes pharmaceutical company price fixing, as well as the highly unrecognized problem of drug shortages. All of these factors creates a uniquely high prescription drug cost experienced in the United States, one that is not found in other highly industrialized countries. Poster Location: 40

Dawn Nguyen

Biology – Pre-Pharmacy The Efficacy of Well-Known Allergy Medications Have you ever walked down the medication lane during allergy season and are bombarded with well-known brands such as Zyrtex, Allegra, Claritin, and Benadryl; and asked yourself which one should I grab? There are many other things you also need to consider such as drowsy or non-drowsy, orally dissolving tablets or not, liquid gel form or not, 12 hour or 24 hour form, are some examples of questions that you need to consider while deciding which medication to buy. The ultimate purpose of buying allergy medicine is to reduce and eventually get rid of the symptoms. However, which one of these brands is the best is not clearly labeled to the public. These four types of medication are not antibiotics and they are used to treat allergies caused primarily by non-living antigens. These four types of medications are antihistamines which reduced the inflammation that the body normally produces to counteract the invasive antigen. Through the use of the Disk Diffusion Assay, 3 + 1 Streak Procedure, and measuring the Zone of Inhibition, the efficacy of these 4 well-known allergy medications can be tested. Poster Location: 41

18

Joshua Olszewski Public Relations The Power of Story Stories are all around us. They helped us drift off to sleep as children, get to know how grandma and grandpa met, and learn how our cousin came to have that scar on their forehead. In his book Suddenly They Heard Footsteps, Dan Yashinksy explains that everyone, no matter what country of origin, first language, favorite color, etc. grows up in web of narrative. In other words, stories shape who we are and how we see the world. In my study, I hope to look at where stories come from, how people use them, and how understanding of them can help us use the power of story to create a better world. Poster Location: 42

Danielle Pacella Biology – Pre-Medicine Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Complications Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a recurrent upper airway obstruction that causes apnea events, breathing pauses, that can expose the cardiovascular system to varying oxidative stress and elevated blood pressure – both at night during sleeping hours and during the day in waking hours. Cardiovascular complications and heart failure results from an inadequate pumping of blood to the body, which can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and elevated heart rate. Research has shown a correlation between OSA and heart failure. Heart failure and OSA can induce each other; OSA can lead to heart failure, while patients with heart failure can develop OSA and have an increased risk of mortality. Although therapy is available, there remains a deficit in knowledge of the pathophysiology relating OSA, heart failure, and the mechanisms of treatment therapy. Further research can improve therapy and mortality rates between these diseases. Poster Location: 43

Stephanie Parker Biology – Pre-Optometry Efficacy of Common Contact Solutions on Sterilization of Bacteria The eye health of a contact lens wearer depends on length of wear and, most importantly, cleanliness of contract. Many contact solution brands claim the ability to maintain comfort and increase bacterial sterilization of the lens; all while maintaing the natural composition or environment of the tears produced and the eye itself. This project will test the accuracy of the sterilization claim with three common drug store brands of contact solution, observing colonies obtained and their relative numbers. The contact brand’s ingredients will also be analyzed to find commonalities and ultimately determine the abilities of each solution, identifying the best of the three. Poster Location: 44

Morgan Payne Public Relations The Creation of an Integrated Public Relations Plan for the Music Program at Ferris State University The music program at Ferris State University has an opportunity. The program is open to both students and community members, and follow the philosophy of “Music for Life.” Interested parties can participate for free in a variety of musical programs including jazz band, symphonic band, choir, and string orchestra. These programs are free to all participants, or students may pay for the class credit if needed. Over the past couple of years, the program has begun to expand. However, attendance at the program’s concerts has not dramatically changed. The program would like to determine if awareness is the cause of the discrepancy. Research was done about the awareness and interest levels of current students at Ferris

19

State University regarding the music program. From this research, a comprehensive public relations plan was developed in order to increase the awareness and interest of current students and to determine the most efficient way to distribute information about the music program. Poster Location: 45

Briana Pierson Criminal Justice – Generalist Barking Orders – Canine Units in the Law Enforcement Profession For nearly 400 years, Law Enforcement has been a concept in America. From the first watch to todays advanced trainings and expanding technology, the profession has grown immensely. One of the additions to the police force that had only been introduced about 100 years ago is the partnerships with canines in police work. Even though these dogs have only been used for a fourth of the time that we have seen law enforcement in our society, they have been pronounced assets to the force. They continue to make strides that impress many from year to year and work side by side with their human counterparts to protect the citizens of the United States of America. The use of a canine in police work has started to develop with many different concentrations and trainings that allow for several different dog breeds to become advantageous that were not thought to be before. Poster Location: 46

Megan Polisuk-Balfour Music Industry Management Why Music Should Not Be Eliminated From Schools Eliminating the music program from schools has detrimental effects on students. With weaker educational skills, schools losing money, and important traits being neglected, there is a strong need for music in schools. Poster Location: 47

Monica Polkowski Pharmacy Antimicrobial Stewardship: Combating Antibiotic Resistance With the signing of Executive Order 13676: Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, the Federal Government of the United States affirmed its commitment to a deadly issue described as a national security priority: the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections. Published in March 2015, The National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria outlined five goals to help the nation rise to the health challenge: showing resistant bacteria emergence and spread of infections, strengthening bacterial surveillance efforts of hospital systems, improving and advancing diagnostic testing methods, accelerating new antibiotic development, and improving collaborative efforts for resistance prevention, control, and research around the globe. While the Task Force carefully identified each of these five goals as a ‘piece’ of the larger puzzle that is antibiotic resistance, one component stood at the forefront of the fight against resistant bacteria: antimicrobial stewardship programs. The implementation of such programs was deemed so essential, the member of the interagency force called for bold and immediate action: by 2020, antimicrobial stewardship programs would be established in all acute care hospitals. These mandates, while outstanding goals for reducing the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, are a tall order for hospitals around the country both large and small, particularly those who have no formal antimicrobial stewardship program currently in place. The National Action Plan provides incredible detail as to the outcomes health systems must achieve and the subsequent criteria they must meet for evaluation. However, it lacks a comprehensive description of how hospitals go about establishing these program in the first place, information which would provide invaluable to those systems which currently lack direction. By establishing programs with three key components, health systems will stand a chance in reducing the reach of these scheming pathogens and endure their respective programs have

20

the strong foundation required to meet the therapeutic needs of patients while continuing to evolve with the enemy they seek to eradicate. With a pharmacy leader at the helm, knowledge of antibacterial strengths and weaknesses, prescription patterns among specific patient populations, and the hospital’s own microbial profile can all be disseminated to members of an all-star clinical team who can then use this information to ensure antibiotic therapy is truly the best course of action, from the moment an antibiotic is chosen to the end of treatment and patient discharge. Poster Location: 48

Clarissa Rademacher Nursing Effectiveness of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in Bipolar Disorder When many people think of ECT, they imagine a patient strapped-down, writhing in pain. This is not the case. ECT is a procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which electrodes are placed on the patients scalp and a finely contolled electric current is applied. ECT is used for many different types of medical conditions, the most common of these being major depressive disorder. This project informs people about what ECT is, the uses for it, and how it works. The main purpose of this project is to explore the effectiveness of ECT on bipolar disorder, specifically with mixed episodes. It is important for nurses to be informed about ECT when treating patients who are undergoing ECT. Poster Location: 49

Kylee Reetz Biology – Pre-Optometry Improving You Eye Health One Berry at a Time Plants produce a number of pigments including anthocyanins, which are of current interest due to their multiple health benefits. These pigments display red, purple, and blue hues of color when expressed in fruit and other plant tissues. Examples of common fruits rich in anthocyanins are cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Another fruit, which is a relative to the blueberry, and very rich in anthocyanins is the Vaccinium myrtillus, or the bilberry. The bilberry also goes by the name of bog blueberry and European blueberry due to it being found in boggy areas and regions of the Rocky Mountains along with parts of Europe and Asia. This fruit has been sought after for years by mammals, birds, and especially humans due to its delectable taste and many health benefits. In WWII this fruit was said to have been eaten by pilots to improve night vision, and has since then been researched to determine its effectiveness. More recent studies have found that taking bilberry extract does in fact improve eye health and vision by reducing dry eye symptoms and alleviating symptoms associated with retinal inflammation, due to being so rich in anthocyanins. This presentation has two purposes. The first is to inform people about the eye related health benefits bilberries could provide due to their abundance of anthocyanins, and the second is to determine which method of ingestion is the most beneficial. Poster Location: 50

Quinton Rice Biology Becoming a College Basketball Coach College basketball coaches come in all shapes and sizes. While many come from playing backgrounds, there are those like 2017 Final Four head Coach Frank Martin from the University of South Carolina who never played college basketball. Scott Drew, the head coach of the Baylor men’s basketball team, is another example. Coach Drew never even played high school basketball, but learned the game from his father, Homer Drew, who was a hall of fame coach. This study is based on the research done by Dr. Chris Croft and Dr. Pete Van Mullen. The study surveyed 344 college head coaches, evaluating their career path to becoming one of the top coaches in the game today. This study will look at specific coaching paths along with the research done as a whole.

21

Poster Location: 51

Alexandra Rueger Biology - Pre-Pharmacy Medication Therapy vs. Deep Brain Stimulation Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that affects over half a million people in the United States alone, and about 50,000 new cases are being reported annually. Parkinson’s disease occurs when nerve cells in the motor area of the brain die or become impaired, which limits the necessary communication between different areas of the brain. Currently, the standard treatment for Parkinson’s is a medication regiment of carbidopa-levodopa, which helps control the symptoms of the disease. However, an up-and-coming therapy, Deep Brain Stimulation, has been recommended for patients whose symptoms can no longer be controlled by medication alone. Using multiple sources of primary literature and research articles, this project will research, explain, and differentiate between these two treatment options and hopefully determine in which cases each treatment should be utilized. Poster Location: 52

Daniel Ruland Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement Attitudes Toward Law Enforcement As a recruit in the Law Enforcement Academy who will hopefully soon be entering the work force as a police officer, I have asked myself: “What do students at Ferris State University really think about the police?” I set out to find the answer with the help of Dr. Kris Poleski. We compiled a survey that was sent out to the students at Ferris and then examined the results. An email was sent to 9,545 Ferris State University students, inviting them to take part in an anonymous online survey. There was approximately a 12% response rate, with 1,223 students submitting responses. The survey revealed some participants who did not think police officers are trained appropriately, but also showed a majority of the participants supported law enforcement. While the majority did show strong support for law enforcement, the importance of continual training to keep officers properly prepared for the job was also stressed by the participants. Poster Location: 53

Tyler Ryan Psychology Ocular Convergence Insufficiency (OCI) Ocular Convergence Insufficiency (OCI) is a visual condition resulting from weak eye muscles. Individuals with OCI often develop physical distress in the form of tension headaches when completing tasks that require visual convergence. Discontinuing these tasks results in relief. Students with OCI may appear to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) due to frequent discontinuations in work. OCI has been shown to lead to elevated scores on ADHD self-reports and parent reports. The current study examines the impacts of an artificial OCI condition on the Conners Continuous Performance Test 3rd Edition. Poster Location: 54

22

Melanie Schafer Social Work A Social Worker’s View on Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that impacts the lives of many people around the globe. This disease has become the 6th leading cause of death in the United States, and without a cure, it frightens most of the population. Numerous professors are concerned with Alzheimer’s disease for different reasons, but social workers have a unique way of interpreting and intervening with this condition. The social work profession emphasizes the importance of the interaction of biological, social, cultural, psychological, and developmental factors. We take all of these factors into consideration when working with our clients and use unique techniques to approach potential complications. Through literature analysis and personal experience I have summarized the various interacting factors of Alzheimer’s disease as well as the most successful ways to intervene. Poster Location: 55

Jamie Seppanen

Allied Health Science The Effect of Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound on Detection and Characterization of Liver Lesions In April of 2016, the FDA approved Lumason, an ultrasound contrast agent, for use in characterizing focal liver lesions. Contrast enhanced ultrasound allows real-time visualization of the vascular characteristics within a lesion through three vascular phases, thereby allowing differentiation between malignant and benign lesions – a function not possible with conventional ultrasound. It also plays a role in detecting metastatic liver disease and in guiding percutaneous liver biopsies in cases in which the lesion is not visualized with other imaging modalities. The aim of this project was to examine the extent to which contrast enhanced ultrasound effects the detection and characterization of liver lesions. Through literary review and the review of both prospective and retrospective studies, I have concluded that contrast enhanced ultrasound significantly improves the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound for the characterization of liver lesions, as well as the detection of metastatic liver disease and lesions for percutaneous biopsies not seen on other imaging modalities. Poster Location: 56

Jaden Shirkey Biotechnology The Isolation and Characterization of EphA2 Cytoplasmic Domains Eph Receptors, a type of Tyrosine Receptor Kinase, play an integral role in cell-cell interactions. These receptors, having membrane-bound ligands, are heavily involved in processes such as cell migration, axon guidance, and angiogenesis. As such, they are closely correlated with many aspects of certain cancers. The intracellular portion of these transmembrane receptors contains three major domains: a linker region, a kinase domain, and a Sterile Alpha Motif (SAM). An understanding of Eph structure and function could serve as a potential therapeutic target for some types of cancer. In this work, various segments of the intracellular domain of the EphA2 receptor were expressed in BL21 Competent E. Coli. While two vectors were initially attempted in the transformation (pEt-28a and pET32-LIC), higher success was found with pET32-LIC vector, which coded for a fused thioredoxin tag (in addition to a His-Tag). Purification of the expressed proteins was successful, utilizing Ni-affinity and gel-filtration chromatography. Upon isolation of both the full intracellular portion and a truncated segment (lacking the SAM domain), kinase activity was determined through a luminescence assay. Finally, HSQC-NMR was used to identify potential protein-protein interactions involving the SAM domain and/or the kinase domain. Mixed observations were made; more analysis must be conducted to solidify any definitive correlation. Poster Location: 57

23

Colin Skromme Pharmacy The Opioid Epidemic This research looks at the opioid problem in America and more specifically in Michigan. The goal is to inform the average person who may not know about the problem that is affecting the people around them. The opioid epidemic is affecting people ranging from heroin abusers to people battling pain. The information gathered is from 4 different pharmacists who have practiced in different parts of the state. It will look at the problem and how it is faced daily at pharmacies across the state of Michigan. This project addresses how these pharmacists have been affected by the epidemic and how they help stop it. Poster Location: 58

Abbigael VanDusen Biotechnology Discrimination of Complex Vibrotactile Stimuli Vibrotactile perception is useful for the design of vibrotactile application in haptic devices. The study of the Pacinian corpusele and its extreme sensitivity to high-frequency vibrations can help us further understand vibrotactile perception. The goal of this project was to determine the extent of Pacinian corpuscle discriminability in the fingertips via vibrational stimuli. A waveform generator was controlled via MATLAB code to transmit the signal to a vibrating disk. Experiments used the same-different model and found that amplification of four times threshold is most discriminable against two times threshold. Complex sinusoidal waveforms of 10+30 Hz and 100+300 Hz did not show significant discriminability between phase shifts or between each other; however, the square wave of 100+300 Hz were more discriminable than the corresponding sine waves. Psychophysical experiments such as these will aid in further understanding of vibrotactile perception. Poster Location: 59

Tori VanOeffelen English Education The Effect of Reading Fictional Literature on the Classroom The research underwent for this senior symposium project reflects the research question: How does fictional literature affect the people who read it, and what impact can it have on the classroom? Research indicates that reading literary fiction results in higher levels of empathy. The reader must put more effort and thought into interpreting the inner workings of character, which is also necessary to practice empathy in real-life interactions. Furthermore, these interpretations help build critical thinking skills. Therefore, the impact on the classroom has many possibilities, such as changes in curriculum, behavior correction, and higher scores. Poster Location: 60

Alex Warju Biology A Comprehensive Look at Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a group of disorders that are inherited and affect the connective tissue in the body. Mainly, deformed collagen structures are the source of the disease. There are six classifications and although symptoms vary between the types, hypermobility, skin elasticity, and tissue fragility are seen throughout the disease. The disease is systematic in nature which contributes to challenges in health and daily functions for those who suffer from Ehlers-Danlos

24

Syndrome. Treatment is limited for sufferers and symptomatic treatments are the most common. In the included case study, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome greatly impacts everyday life for student of Ferris State University. Poster Location: 61

Shelby Washkevich Advertising Integrated Marketing Communication Brazilian Culture and Higher Education If the appeal increased and ability of information for attending Ferris State University to students who are interested in studying abroad from Brazil to the United States became easier to access, then more students would want to learn more information on how to study abroad and the benefits it could hold for them in their future. Understanding the dimensions of the Brazilian culture towards the value of higher education and reasons to study abroad will solidify the knowledge of how to capture the attention of the targeted publics to become interested in studying at Ferris State University. Brazilians enjoy being a part of a group setting and genuinely care about the wellbeing of its members. This is important to note because it can play a major role on how potential Brazilian foreign exchange students will react to the culture at Ferris State University. If Ferris State University is able to cater to the needs of Brazilian students in a sense of creating an environment that allows them to work in collection groups, there is a possibility they will be more interested in pursuing an education at the university. Uncertainty Avoidance deals with the idea of the future being unknown, if a group or culture is more likely to ‘go with the flow’ or needs to be in control. Brazil has a high Uncertainty Avoidance rating, because of this the Brazilian students will enjoy a highly structured educational environment. Power distance had a higher index compared with the United States. This cultural dimension provides the understanding of the roles they look for to follow and guide them. It is important during this study to look at how it affects a student/teacher relationship. Poster Location: 62

Kathleen Williams Biology – Pre-Veterinary Diaphragm Muscle Function After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Dysfunction below the site of spinal cord injuries (SCI) include loss of respiratory muscle function. Respiratory dysfunction is the primary cause of death of individuals with SCI. Hemisection of the second cervical vertebra causes paralysis of the ipsilateral hemidiaphragm. After spinal cord injury there is a small recovery of diaphragm function. The aim of this study was to see if there is a difference in the recovery of diaphragm function in male vs. female rats. Long Evans rats were divided into 4 groups (male sham n=4, male SCI n=4, female sham n=4, female SCI n=4). Spinal cord injury was induced via a C2 hemisection in SCI rats. Rats were allowed to recover for 5-6 weeks before measuring diaphragm function. An approximatley 3mm section of the diaphragm was removed and connected to a force transducer and a stimulator. Diaphragm muscle strips were used to plot length-tension curves, and measure tetanic force and fatigue. We hypothesized that recovery after cervical spinal cord injury is reduced in male compared to female rats in diaphragm tetanic contractions and fatigue. Poster Location: 63

Samantha Wingerter Healthcare Marketing The Effects of the Aging Population on the U.S. Healthcare System With an aging population that continues to grow, our healthcare system will be changed forever. Are we ready for it? What are the implications of the aging population on healthcare? The purpose of this project was to outline the current trends in the United States’ population and healthcare system, as well as identify the issues that are arising due to the drastic

25

increase in elderly patients pouring into our healthcare facilities. These findings illustrate potential solutions to current and arising problems, and help predict the future of the United State healthcare system. Poster Location: 64

Danielle Winkler

Public Health Characterization of Vaccination Trends in Young Adults Low vaccination uptake among young adults may be explained by individual social determinants of health. To identify this relationship, a cross-sectional study at all Ferris State University campuses in Michigan was performed. The data were matched with county-level poverty rates, health insurance status, primary care provided rates, and local population size. Descriptive and binary analyses were performed to identify the relationship. The social determinants at the county level are significantly correlated, however they do not appear to exert any influence on individual vaccination status. Further studies are needed to quantify the relationship between demographics and vaccinations among young adults. Poster Location: 65

Michael Wyman Pharmacy Without An Inner Eye: Aphantasia Everyone knows what it means to visualize, but is everyone’s definition the same? This project explores the facts around the recently discovered phenomenon known as aphantasia, presenting information about the inner workings of imagination as well as the details that have been uncovered surrounding this mysterious condition. Additionally, I will be presenting my own experiences and giving a personal insight into what it is like being unable to visualize. Poster Location: 66

26

27