Category: Poster Presentation
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Graph Theory for AI
By Kaylie Curran Faculty Mentor: Dr. Debra Hydorn Abstract This project explores how the BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) language model embeds text based on word context. By analyzing excerpts from famous novels, the study examines how BERT generates different embeddings for the words. Techniques such as co-occurrence graphs, dot product similarity, and pairwise…
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Serotonin has anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages
By Ryan Scheiderer, Saud Abdul Aziz Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laura Sipe Abstract Serotonin (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter and hormone involved in immune regulation. This study examines inflammatory modulation by exposure of RAW264.7 macrophages. At 10-5 M, serotonin significantly reduced inflammatory markers. An MTT assay revealed reduced cell viability across all conditions, thus necessitating the normalization…
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From Worms to Wonders: Improving Phenotype Recognition in C. elegans for Genetics Students
By Stephanie Bailey Faculty Mentor: Dr. Theresa Grana Abstract Genome sequencing has significantly advanced our understanding of biological pathways across organisms, with Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) serving as a widely used model due to its short generation time and well-characterized genetics. In undergraduate genetics labs, students often use RNA interference (RNAi) to explore gene function…
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Iditarod’s effect on DM1 disease progression in a Drosophila melanogaster model
By Carleigh Wood Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ginny Morriss Abstract This research investigated how increasing Iditarod (Idit), the Drosophila melanogaster homolog of irisin, affects the progression of Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1). DM1 is caused by an expansion of CTG repeats in the DMPK gene, which leads to muscle weakening and wasting. Given irisin’s role in…
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Beyond Langmuir and Freundlich: Quantifying Adsorbate-Adsorbate and Adsorbate-Substrate Interactions Using the ABC Isotherm.
By Grayson Camp Faculty Mentor: Dr. Leanna Giancarlo Abstract Adsorption processes are essential in environmental science and industry, especially for contaminant removal. Many of these adsorption processes have been described utilizing traditional adsorption isotherms such as the Langmuir and Freundlich. Even with these known isotherms a clear understanding of the underlying adsorbate-adsorbate and adsorbate-substrate interactions…
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Observing HSPG Subtype Interactions with Tau Fibril
By Samantha Mitzel, Gracie F Faculty Mentor: Dr. Deborah O’Dell Abstract Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating, neurodegenerative disease that is diagnosed with the build-up of neurofibrillary tangles(NFTs) and amyloid plaques. Various studies on Alzheimer’s investigate mechanisms that can prevent NFT build-up, including the micropinocytosis of fibril. Heparin Sulfate Proteoglycans(HSPGs) have been observed to be a…
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The Effects of PFOS Exposure on Zebrafish Dopaminergic Neurodevelopment
By Allison Fletcher Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dianne Baker Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of environmental contaminants that have been found to cause disruptions to the nervous and endocrine systems. One PFAS, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) is considered one of the most disruptive PFAS to the nervous system. PFOS has been found to disrupt…
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Artemisinin and Artesunate Decrease Inflammatory Effects in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages
By Sierra Williams, Amara Zavala Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laura Sipe Abstract Artemisinin, and its derivative, artesunate, are compounds extracted from the plant Artemisia annua. They are both known for their use as antimalarials, however, artesunate is a more widely used treatment due to its higher levels of bioavailability. In previous literature, both treatments were shown…
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Analysis of Mapped Breccias in Oasis Valley, Nevada
By Carter Bussey Faculty Mentor: Prof. Sarah Morealli Abstract Oasis Valley, NV, is located within the Basin and Range Province of the United States, part of a zone of continental rifting. This region is distinguished by alternating mountain ranges and valleys that form as blocks of rock drop due to the crust stretching. Valleys formed…
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Discovering Gene Function in Phage Zapner
By Lucca Muta, Emily Wills Faculty Mentor: Dr. Theresa Grana Abstract SEA-GENES, a Howard Hughes research initiative, is an evolution of the SEA-PHAGES project, which sequenced and annotated the genomes of many bacteriophages. SEA-GENES expands on this project to determine the functions of genes coded by specific phages. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to…
