KAPP HONORS DAY A CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE IN THE LIBERAL ARTS AT ALMA COLLEGE
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2020
KAPP HONORS DAY
A CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE IN THE LIBERAL ARTS AT ALMA COLLEGE
THE 24 TH A NNU A L
KAPP HONORS DAY
A CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE IN THE LIBERAL ARTS AT ALMA COLLEGE
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Dear Students, Families and Friends, COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Janie Diels, Chair
Traditionally, the first Thursday in April is a day of celebration on the Alma College Prathim “Maya” Dora-Laskey
campus. On Honors Day, we recognize the scholarly and creative work our students Deborah Dougherty
have produced during the past academic year and gather as a community to show
our support and appreciation for so much of what makes an Alma education special. Morgan Fonley
Though the COVID-19 pandemic prevents us from gathering together in person for Nanette Freed
presentations and poster sessions, we nonetheless celebrate and applaud the many Alexander Montoye
successes of our students. We remain, even in difficult times, a community deeply
committed to our students and their learning. We share this program as a testament to Benedict Munisteri
their accomplishments — we are very proud of them and know that you are, too.
Kathleen Poorman Dougherty, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs
2020 NO M I N E E S
The Barlow Trophy Award
Established in 1949 by Dr. Joel Barlow, a
1929 honors graduate of Alma College, the
award recognizes academic achievement
for students in the top 10 percent of their
class as well as contributions to campus
and community. The Barlow winner is
determined by a vote of Alma’s Student
Congress and faculty.
Asiel Clark’s involvement on campus has been devoted to helping other students and serving her commu-
nity. A double major in English and secondary education with a minor in Spanish, she has been involved
with Alma College Theatre and various academic honoraries. They include Sigma Tau Delta, English hon-
orary; Alpha Psi Omega, theatre honorary; and Kappa Delta Pi, education honorary. Her roles in theatre
included acting in several plays and working behind the scenes to build sets and assist with costume repair.
Clark, of Lincoln Park, has thrived academically and through travel. She studied abroad in fall 2019 at
University of Aberdeen in Scotland where she was a history course representative for “Europe in the 20th
Century.” Additionally, she used a Posey Global Leadership Fellows Program to intern with MadDog2020
Casting in London. The internship was complemented by a course focusing on intercultural issues and
professional development.
Clark has served fellow students in multiple capacities. She participated on campus in the Presidential
Honors Program and has worked as both a First Year Guide and King-Chavez-Parks mentor helping
students adjust to their time in college. She also served as Student Congress secretary and helped redefine
the role on campus.
Clark, a graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School, is the daughter of Lola Clark of Lincoln Park.
Monroe Molesky, of Alma, has dedicated his time to not only bettering the campus community but also
to research. A double major in integrative physiology and health science (IPH), and history, he has been
involved in many different clubs on campus including choir, Catholic Student Organization, and Rota-
ract. Active in his service with clubs, Molesky has written grants for community organizations.
In addition to being a co-founder and holding leadership roles on the Pre-Med Club and Justice and
Advocacy Group, including serving on their executive boards, he volunteers frequently. He has aided
at Science Blowout, Kids Night Out and with other organizations. He also was a U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services Digital Health Innovation Fellow.
Academics have been important to Molesky who has published several academic papers, presented at
national conferences and worked with military colonels. He has been a tutor in physical science, history
and IPH; a research assistant for the Psychology and Biology departments; and a teaching assistant for
the History Department. Molesky is a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the history honorary; and the IPH
Honorary.
Molesky, a graduate of Alma High School, is the son of Elizabeth Cameron and Michael Molesky of Alma.
Monika Tomica, of Newberry, has served not only her campus community but also global community
through her experiences at Alma College. A foreign service major with a minor in German, she plans to
pursue her master’s degree in international studies. An opportunity aided by her leadership skills on and
off campus.
Tomica has helped students on campus as a tutor for German and world religions, and was a peer consul-
tant at the Writing Center. Additionally, she was the president of German Club and competed two years
with the Model United Nations team, winning Outstanding Delegation both times.
Tomica has had ample opportunity to travel during her time at Alma College. She was able to study
abroad at Freie Universität Berlin in the winter of 2019. She also interned with the Forum for Protection
of Public Interest in Kathmandu, Nepal where she researched government efforts to decrease the num-
ber of uterine prolapse cases. The internship was funded through the college’s Posey Global Leadership
Fellows Program.
Tomica, a graduate of Newberry High School, is the daughter of Deanna and Lubos Tomica of Newberry.
1
2 0 19 W IN NERS
The Kapp Honors Day Prize
The prize is named for the late Ronald O. Kapp, who was an Alma College biology
professor for 32 years and vice president of academic affairs for 20 years.
Student presentations on World War I
poetry, the toxicity of road salts and the
Civil Rights Act of 1957 were selected
for recognition at Alma College’s 23rd
annual Kapp Honors Day.
Megan Wilcox, Hunter Wilson, Logan
St. John and John Stefanek are the 2019
recipients of the Ronald O. Kapp Honors
Day Prize for their out-standing Honors
Day presentations in the humanities,
natural sciences and social sciences.
A panel of judges from each division
selected the prizewinners after assessing
the presentations for quality of schol-
arship as well as how well the materials
were presented. The prize is open to all
students and groups.
Wilcox, a senior English major from
Hillsdale, presented “’We’ll Grasp Firm
Hands’: Themes of Cultural Conflict
in the Poetry of the First World War.” From left: Logan St. John, John Stefanek, Hunter Wilson, Megan Wilcox.
In her study, Wilcox contextualized the
poetry of Charles Sorley, Wilfred Owen,
Siegfried Sassoon, Thomas Hardy, Aquatic Ecosystems.” In their study, Wilson and St. John analyzed the risks to surface-
Rupert Brooke and other English and water macroinvertebrates that are exposed to road salts through run-off from snow melt.
Scottish poets.
Stefanek, a senior history major from Alma, presented “Not Your Typical Southern
Wilson, a junior environmental studies Strategist: Lyndon Johnson and the Civil Rights Act of 1957.” In his study, Stefanek
major from Mayville, and St. John, a examined LBJ’s role as Senate majority leader in the passage of the 1957 Act. The
senior environmental studies major from paper argues that the bill paved the way for future civil rights legislation that LBJ
Lake, presented “Toxicity of Road Salts in would champion as president.
2
P RO G RA M O F P RE S E NTAT I O N S
The day’s program is listed in chronological order, by session. The information provided includes title, presenter(s), department,
advisor and page number to find the abstract. Co-authors who are not presenting are indicated with an asterisk*.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS I: 8:30–9:30 A.M.
I-A SAC 109; Moderator: Sianna Atwell
“Destructive Consumption”; Calum Clow (ART — Dickson).....................................................................................................6
“Imagery and the Creative Process in Dance”; Alejandro Betancourt (DAN — Conz)................................................................7
“From Children’s Toys to High Art: Critically Analyzing the Relationship Between Film and Video Games”;
Zachary Bosley (ENG — Cicci)..............................................................................................................................................7
I-B SAC 110; Moderator: Matthew Garland
“The Sikh Genocide of 1984: A History of Oppression”; Harmandeep Kaur (ANT — Wilson-Rood)........................................7
“‘Can I Touch Your Hair?’ How to Plan a Racial Justice Workshop”; Ijanea Riggs, Joy Johnson (GEN — Blake).......................7
I-C SAC 113; Moderator: Hunter Nash
“Quantitative Study of the Effects of the Medicinal Properties of Protium pittieri in Relation to Light Exposure”;
Madeline McDonnell, Bernadette Garibay, Johanna Harvey (BIO —Neumann)...................................................................8
“Quantitative Taqman PCR Mapping of Antibiotic Resistance Gene tetW in Gratiot County Drainages”;
Morgan Letzkus, *Jack Montgomery (BIO — Keeton)............................................................................................................8
I-D CLACK, FLORA KIRSCH BECK GALLERY
“2020 Senior Art Exhibition”; Mikahla Koehler, Whitney Miller, Meaghan Nanasy, Logan Rettell, Elizabeth Shaffer,
Paige Shaw, Ivy VanPoppelen, Spencer Wehner (ART — Connolly, Dickson, Shea, Zablocki)...............................................8
CONCURRENT SESSIONS II: 9:45–10:45 A.M.
II-A SAC 109; Moderator: Kayleigh Reilly
“Entrepreneurial Media: The Importance of Client-Related Experiences”; Christopher Nouhan (NMS — Collamati)...............9
“Educational Game Design — A Trip to China”; Haoran Zhang (NMS — Woolbright)............................................................9
“How Small Businesses Can Benefit from Search Engine Optimization (SEO)”; Julia McTaggart (NMS — Collamati).............9
II-B SAC 110; Moderator: Skylar Briggs
“Effects of Social Interactions on Geriatric Patients’ Well-being”; Alexis Miller (IPH — Kim)....................................................9
“Differing Exercise Intensities’ Effect on Mental Stress”; Cameron Diaz (IPH — Montoye)......................................................10
“The Effects of Acute Electrolyte Consumption on Anaerobic Power and VO2 max in College Athletes”;
Corbin Thompson (IPH — Montoye)...................................................................................................................................10
II-C SAC 113; Moderator: Emily Diener
“Analysis of Social Welfare Measures”; George Murphy (ECN — Taylor).................................................................................. 11
“Bayesian Models of Time Series”; Brianne Giddis (MTH — Westgate)......................................................................................9
II-D Dow L-4; Moderator: Savannah Doyle
“Creation of a pH Sensitive Safety Switch for Probiotic Use”; David Viguilla (BCH — Camenares)......................................... 11
“Investigation of an Aqueous Ene Reaction”; Parker Fitzgerald (CHM — Hill).........................................................................10
II-E REMICK HERITAGE CENTER, DANCE STUDIO
“Reinterpreting Dance Canon”; Allison Muenzer (DAN — Munisteri)..................................................................................... 11
“Chance Operations in Dance”; Magdalene Schneider (DAN — Munisteri)............................................................................. 11
3
P RO G R AM OF PRESENTATIO NS
CONCURRENT SESSIONS III: 11:00 A.M.–NOON
III-A SAC 109; Moderator: Hannah Fairfield
“Aesthetical Trailers: Teasing the Tension Between Commerce and Art in Movie Trailers”; Emma Wood
(NMS — Collamati)..............................................................................................................................................................12
“Deceit by Tweet: The Spread of Political Fake News on Twitter”; Sean Pauley (NMS — Woolbright).....................................12
“Objectively Better Subjectivity: An Analysis of and Call for Emotional Subjectivity in Film”; Zachary Bosley
(NMS — Collamati)..............................................................................................................................................................12
III-B SAC 110; Moderator: Keira Hatch
“Computer-Mediated Communication and Young-Adult Romantic Relationships”; Emily Kayden (COM — Gilbert)............13
“Social Media Marketing — Reaching Customers and Tracking Success in the Digital Age”; David Suidgeest
(BUS — Baleja)......................................................................................................................................................................13
III-C SAC 113; Moderator: Victoria Mithen
Pine River Anthology; Natalie Truxall, Allison Woodland, Whitney Miller, Olivia Harkins, Alaina Ettema, Kelsey Taylor
(ENG — von Wallmenich).................................................................................................................................................... 15
“Poor Noble Beast: Imperialism and Romance in A Court of Thorns and Roses”; Asiel Clark (ENG — von Wallmenich)..........13
“Marvel’s Thor Odinson as an Epitome, Yet and Inverse, of Modern Masculinity”; Madelyn Winnie (ENG — Cicci).............13
III-D Dow L-4; Moderator: Jenna Vargas
“Arm and Leg Vascular Responses to a Weekend of Reduced Physical Activity”; Garrett Heaney (IPH — Vranish).................14
“Effects of DDT Exposure on Skeletal Muscle Glucose Uptake”; Grace Erickson (IPH — Harfmann).....................................14
“Biomechanics and the Relationship to Golfing Performance”; Jennifer Kowalczyk (IPH — Andre)........................................14
CONCURRENT SESSIONS IV: 1:00–2:00 P.M.
IV-A SAC 109; Moderator: Abigail Davenport
“In God We Trust: The Rise of McCarthyism, Evangelicalism, and the Lavender Scare”; Caden Wilson (HST — Bu)............16
“History of Corruption: How Corruption Can be Both Harmful and Beneficial”; Sara Swaneck, Foster Weiss
(HST — Peterson).................................................................................................................................................................16
“Willful Reinterpretations in Dance and the Synoptic Gospels: Giselle and the Crucifixion”; Allison Muenzer
(REL — Blanchard)...............................................................................................................................................................16
IV-B SAC 110; Moderator: Ava Gardiner
“Validity and Reliability of the VO2 Master Pro Portable Metabolic Analyzer for Assessing Oxygen Consumption
and Ventilation”; Joe Vondrasek (IPH — Montoye)..............................................................................................................16
“Expression Patterns of the Giant Elastic Protein Titin in Cardiac Left Ventricle Tissue of High-Running-Capacity
Rats and Low-Running-Capacity Rats”; Jonathan Groening; *Mark Hiske, Wayne State University (IPH — Ball)..............17
“Octopaminergic Expansion in Drosophila Brains During and After Chronic Exercise”; Kate Westphal;
*Kirsten Richardson, Wayne State University (IPH — Ball).................................................................................................17
IV-C SAC 113; Moderator: Connor Hart
“Between Witchcraft and Possession: The Devil’s Influence on Women in Early Modern Germany”;
Cassandra Florian (HST — Wasserman)...............................................................................................................................17
“The Occultist and the Lord: Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa and the Catholic Church”; Seth Lester (HST — Wasserman)........18
“Politics and Dance: The Unintended Consequences of Government Aid as Intervention in the Performing Arts”;
Kathryn Todd (POL — Cartrite)...........................................................................................................................................18
IV-D DOW L-4; Moderator: Ellen Laurenz
“Male Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs Levels of Aggression and Their Correlation to Morph, Presence of Females, and
Number of Bromeliads”; Zita Tranquilla and Zoie Tranquilla (BIO — Neumann)............................................................... 19
“The Influence of Beliefs About Gender Variance on Sex Typing”; Cosette Coston (PSY — Mills)...........................................18
“Biological and Phytochemical Analysis of Podophyllum peltatum (Mayapple) Fruit”; Kaleb Ramon, Grace Erickson
(BIO — Doyle)......................................................................................................................................................................18
4
P RO G RA M O F P RE S E NTAT I O N S
CONCURRENT SESSIONS V: 2:15–3:15 P.M.
V-A SAC 109; Moderator: Julia Neuvirth
“Making the Invisible Visible: Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man and Black Lives Matter”; Kara Andersen-Denike
(ENG — von Wallmenich)....................................................................................................................................................20
“The Novel Shooter: Analyzing School Shootings in Literature”; Kelsey Weiss (ENG — von Wallmenich).............................. 19
“The Sword of ‘Revelation’: Grace in the Fiction of Flannery O’Connor”; LaShawnda Lampley
(ENG — von Wallmenich).................................................................................................................................................... 19
V-B SAC 110; Moderator: Briana Sharpsteen
“Analyzing the Contributions of VO2 max, Muscle Oxygenation, Ventilatory Threshold and Running Economy
to 8,000m Cross Country Race Performance”; Luke Reed (IPH — Montoye)......................................................................20
“Troponin-I Phosphorylation in Hibernating 13-Lined Ground Squirrels”; Maighdlin Patterson (IPH — Ball).......................21
“The Physiological Impact of Pack Weight and Load Positioning in a Simulated Ultramarathon Activity”;
Monroe Molesky (IPH — Montoye)......................................................................................................................................21
V-C SAC 113; Moderator: Abigail Sykes
“How Much is Too Much? Developing a Quantitative Modeling Tool to Assess Agricultural Impacts”; Chelsea Faber
(ENV — Borrello).................................................................................................................................................................22
“Factors Affecting Road Salt Toxicity to Hyalella azteca”; Isabella Centurione, Camera Stevens (ENV — Harwood)...............22
“The Effects of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Oncorhynchus mykiss Embryos During Different Stages in
Their Larval Development”; Naomi Mason (ENV — Harwood)..........................................................................................21
POSTERS SESSION: 3:30–4:30 P.M.
REMICK HERITAGE CENTER, LOBBY
“The Assessment of Molecules as Neuraminidase Inhibitors”; Christian Lund (CHM — Turk)................................................24
“Ankle Stabilizers in Soccer”; Garrison Mast (IPH — Harfmann).............................................................................................22
“Concussions in Soccer”; Kyle Farmer (IPH — Andre)...............................................................................................................23
“The Effect of Prenatal Feeding Education on Feeding Choice: Breastfed or Bottle-fed”; Allexis Kluisza,
Kendra Smarsty, Sarah White (NUR — Chaplen)................................................................................................................23
“The Effects of Reminiscent Therapy on Depression in Assisted-Living Residents”; Jaclyn Ney, Ruslana Gill,
Olivia Flemming (NUR — Chaplen)....................................................................................................................................23
“Parental Education on MMR Vaccine”; Madison Hill, Gabrielle Saum, Kaylee Martin, Madison Rieboldt
(NUR — Chaplen)................................................................................................................................................................24
“The Impacts of Physical Exercise on Levels of Stress Experienced by Undergraduate Students”; Shelbi Adams,
Dana Froggett, Julianna Greenleaf (NUR — Chaplen).........................................................................................................24
“Fabrication of a Microstructured PDMS Interferometric Optical Sensor on Glass Substrate for Industrial
Applications”; Nathanial Wilburn (PHY — Argueta)............................................................................................................24
“A Path Model Study of Anxiety as a Mediating Variable Between Urban Versus Nature Walks and Executive Functioning”;
Callie Hale, Julia Ettema; *Dr. Mark Mills, Alma College (PSY — Mills)............................................................................25
“Determining the Effects of Musical Stimulation on Stress”; Chelsea Cooks, Darius Kinney (PSY — Swalve).........................25
“Determining the Effects of Musical Stimulation on Anxiety”; Darius Kinney, Chelsea Cooks (PSY — Swalve)......................25
“The Impacts of a Head Coaching Change on Division Three Collegiate Athletes”; Georgia Miller (PSY — Stupica)..............26
“Gaze Cueing in Canines”; Rachel Cicotte (PSY — Mills).........................................................................................................26
“The Influence of Angular Disparity and Impulsivity on Attentional Control”; Taylor-Nicole Kissel (PSY — Mills)................26
“Cultural Perceptions of Color and How They Affect Theatrical Design”; Samantha Moretti (THE — Jackimiak).................26
5
A BS TR A C TS: CONCURRE NT S E S S IO NS I
Destructive Consumption
My perceptions of American consumer
culture, human waste, and the
commodification of animals raised for
food drove me to create these pieces.
This series interrogates consequences
of consumer choices through revealing
factory farming conditions. These ideas
are explored through mark making,
abstraction, collage, and alternative
surface treatment. My experiences as
a vegan, animal rights activist, and
collector of trash in community parks
have further influenced this body of
work. I have become hyper-aware of
the global waste crisis in addition to
growing concerns about treatment of
factory farmed animals. In my research, I
became inspired by the visual vocabulary
of art and advertising mediums from
the turn of the 20th century. I sampled
printing processes and color schemes
of this nostalgic time and juxtaposed
them with grotesque depictions of
current factory farming conditions,
confronting the idealized origin of the
contemporary choices and practices
I critique. I created backgrounds and
frameworks of systematic rows and layers
of industrial, mass-produced waste upon
which I unleashed my interpretation of
factory farming. The result was charged
and revealing surfaces where mechanized
and contorted animals could emerge. I
have created work reflecting my feelings
about the need to reuse and recycle waste
materials and expose the consequences
of consuming mass-produced animal
products.
Calum Clow ’20
Shelby Township, Mich.
Major: Art and Design
Faculty Sponsor: Ms. Jillian Dickson
6
ABSTRA CTS : CO NCU RRE NT S E S S I O N S I
From Children’s Toys to High Art: The Sikh Genocide of 1984: A History societies from hate crimes to cultural
Critically Analyzing the Relationship of Oppression appropriation. In part, the purpose of
Between Film and Video Games One account of the long history of this project is to reconstruct the Sikh
Saying films based on video games genocide and oppression of the Sikh narrative and solidify it within academia,
developed a bad track record stands among population is the Sikh genocide of 1984. preventing alterations or erasure by India’s
the least controversial statement possible To understand it, we must first examine current political climate. Another aspect
in regards to media, but not for much the social structure and context in which of this research is to provide a voice to a
longer. Between the improved reception it occurred, including but not limited to community that has been silenced through
and box office pull of films like Detective the parties involved and the long-term oppression and genocide.
Pikachu and Angry Birds 2 and the markers conflict between them. Although most of Harmandeep Kaur
piling up left and right, a new day for these the killings subsided within four days, the Zeeland, Mich.
adaptations seems right on the horizon, consequences and continued oppression of Majors: Sociology, Psychology
and new film techniques travel right along ’84 remains evident in India via the high Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Colleen Wilson-Rood
with it. Thanks to the legitimization of rates of incarceration of Sikh youth, as well
the video game medium and an oncoming as the systematic extermination of Sikh “Can I Touch Your Hair?” How to Plan
generation filled with filmmakers who grew language and culture, which persists today. a Racial Justice Workshop
up playing video games, the film world In the aftermath of the genocide, there In this presentation, we will discuss the
remains ripe for a renaissance of video game was an influx of immigration to Western
planning and the implementation that
adaptations using the same techniques that nations by the Sikh population, this paper
went and goes into conducting multiple
the industry uses for literature, theater, focuses on the immigration to America,
racial justice workshops on campus. We
and comic books, and film stands to grow where Sikhs found themselves facing
new forms of oppression, discrimination, will also discuss what we’ve learned during
as it integrates video games just as it grew
by integrating other mediums. When and maltreatment than those present in this process in discussing racial injustice
considered together, the makers make it India. The genocide of ’84 continues on campus, and how other students can be
clear that this shift will come within the to impact the Sikhs of India and those inspired to do the same.
next generation and stick around long after, that immigrated and found refuge in Ijanea Riggs ’20
benefiting everyone involved. Western countries. Using sociological Warren, Mich.
Zachary Bosley ’20 thought, I investigate the oppression of Majors: Philosophy, Psychology
Howard City, Mich. my community through the historical Joy Johnson ’20
Majors: New Media Studies, English context, trajectory, and aftermath of the Romulus, Mich.
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Matthew Cicci Sikh genocide of 1984. I also shed a light Major: English
on the maltreatment Sikhs face in Western Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Donnesha Blake
Imagery and the Creative Process in Dance
Emotion through creation. This study will look at how
choreographers, at all levels, utilize imagery in their creative
process to paint a physical picture unto the audience.
Through interviews and observation of specific dance
pieces, this project will point to the different strategies
that choreographers and performers apply to their work.
Ultimately it will help to understand how emotion and
feeling in movement create mental images as the medium
and the message of the choreographies analyzed.
Through an interdisciplinary study done by an English
major, and an appreciator of the arts, I will engage
in the challenging task of translating images and
process into words.
Alejandro Betancourt ’21
Wheeler, Mich.
Major: English
Faculty Sponsor: Ms. Rosely Conz
7
A BS TR A C TS: CONCURRE NT S E S S IO NS I
Quantitative Study of the Effects of the Medicinal Properties of
Protium pittieri in Relation to Light Exposure
For centuries, plants have been used to heal ailments and infections of various degrees and
types. Phytomedicines exploit metabolites and other compounds produced by plants for their
own survival and growth, but that happen to be beneficial for humans. The quality and quan-
tity of these chemical metabolites in plants may be influenced by a multitude of environmental
factors (e.g., light availability) that the plant experiences. The Protium pittieri tree is found in
Central America, specifically Costa Rica and Panama, and is from a genus that is known to
have medicinal properties to help treat anti-inflammatory problems. During the spring term of
2019, we studied the efficiency of Protium pittieri leaf extracts taken from trees grown in low
vs. high light on zones of inhibition of human saliva bacterial cultures compared to penicillin.
The Protium pittieri extracts actually yielded higher zones of inhibition in comparison to the
penicillin on the bacterial cultures. We performed this research at La Selva Biological Center,
with an experimental design of 2 light levels (low vs. high) x 9 adults x 2 leaf samples. We
found that the extracts from Protium pittieri trees found in high light environments reduced
bacterial cultures more than the extracts from adults found in low light environments. Johanna Harvey ’20
Madeline McDonnell ’20 Bernadette Garibay ’20 Ishpeming, Mich.
Grosse Pointe, Mich. Lansing, Mich. Major: Biology
Major: Biology Major: Chemistry Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Sarah Neumann
Quantitative Taqman PCR Mapping of
Antibiotic Resistance Gene TetW in
2020 Senior Art Exhibition
Gratiot County Drainages
A culmination of all the senior art and design
Previous studies by this lab indicated
major’s best work. A show of mixed media art-
that runoff from agricultural fields which
works including, 2D, 3D, and digital works.
were fertilized with Confined Animal
Mikahla Koehler ’20 Feedlot (CAFO) manures appears to be
Muskegon, Mich.
concentrating clinically relevant bacterial
Majors: Art and Design, Political Science
antibiotic resistance genes in Gratiot
Whitney Miller ’20 County drains, and ultimately the Pine
Sparta, Mich. River. We have shown that coliform
Majors: Art and Design, New Media Studies bacteria in ditch sediments are using these
Meaghan Nanasy ’20 genes, which is a concern for human
Swartz Creek, Mich. health. The origin of these genes is likely
Major: Art and Design the feedlot animals themselves – USDA
Logan Rettell ’20 data indicates up to 80% of all antibiotics
Cheboygan, Mich. used in the U.S. are used in livestock. We
Major: Art and Design are applying a new quantitative Taqman
Elizabeth Shaffer ’20 PCR procedure in order to determine
Portage, Mich. just how serious this “DNA pollution” is
Major: Art and Design along the Pine River watershed. Validation
experiments showing the usefulness of this
Paige Shaw ’20
Ithaca, Mich.
procedure will be explained, along with
Major: Art and Design
the preliminary data we have from field
samples collected in the fall. We will also
Ivy VanPoppelen ’20 present plans for the coming summer.
Dryden, Mich.
Majors: Art and Design, New Media Studies
Morgan Letzkus ’21
Midland, Mich.
Spencer Wehner ’20 Major: Biology
Saginaw, Mich.
Major: Art and Design
Co-author: Jack Montgomery ’20
Mikado, Mich.
Faculty Sponsors: Dr. Daniel Connolly, Ms. Jillian
Major: Biology
Dickson, Ms. Roxanne Shea, Mr. Alex Zablocki
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Timothy Keeton
8ABSTRA CTS : CO NCU RRE NT S E S S I O N S I I
Entrepreneurial Media: The this game is facilitating people who are Effects of Social Interactions on
Importance of Client-Related interested in China and Chinese culture to Geriatric Patients’ Well-being
Experiences have better intercultural communication. The geriatric population within the United
In the current “gig-based” economy What’s more, it can help tourists have some States has been steadily increasing over the
many undergraduate media students face basic knowledge and ideas about their trip past two decades, and the aged population
increased pressure of securing employment before they arrive in China. The content is currently at its highest level in human
related to their creative skills. In order of my game include Chinese food culture, history. A higher rate of elderly individuals
to remain competitive, it is essential that travel culture, history knowledge, festival are turning to assisted-living and nursing
students have experiences working with culture, landmarks of four cities, etc. I homes for care, and the transition into
clients and that institutions identify and think this video game will be a meaningful assisted-living and nursing homes can be
implement new ways in which they can and interesting project, and it’s significant challenging. The objective of this study
directly support pre-professional programs. for me to present it to more people. is to investigate: 1) how patients’ social
However, many Haoran Zhang ’20 interactions with different groups of indi-
institutions have not Handan, China viduals are associated with their happiness;
yet fully explored Major: New Media Studies and 2) how their happiness is associated
“client-based learning.” To address this, I Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Lauren Woolbright with their perceived health status. The
will first identify the history of academic sample includes those aged 65 and above at
institutions implementing client-based How Small Businesses Can Benefit Masonic Pathways. The study also includes
learning into their curriculum. I will then from Search Engine Optimization those with depression or anxiety to further
discuss the field work that I have been (SEO) look at the differences in the level of hap-
doing, which consists of consulting various Small towns and locally owned busi- piness and perceived health status. Data on
sized academic institutions and inquiring nesses are failing in part due to the costs demographic information, health condi-
about their approaches to client related of advertising in a market where large tion, social interactions and happiness is
course work. In doing so, I will explain national or international franchises are collected and analyzed. Results show that
a structured approach through a model competing for attention. I argue that small there exists a positive association between
that I developed that can be implemented businesses frequently overlook a more social interactions and the level of happi-
at various institutions to give students a inexpensive option with the potential to ness. Individuals with depression or anxiety
greater opportunity for these experiences. put their business on the first page of a are more likely to be affected by social
This approach is called Entrepreneurial google search. Search Engine Optimiza- interactions, and that is, they seem to get a
Media, it’s a structured, pre-professional tion creates an environment that makes higher level of happiness after meeting with
response that applies client-related learning consumers aware of the smaller businesses volunteers and friends. They are also likely
to curriculum and will lead students surrounding them, and what products to view their health status as more positive
to learn, create and communicate at a they carry that large franchises might not. than those without depression and anxiety.
professional level. As the job market In my presentation, I will examine Frank Research on social interactions and mental
continues to change and the relevance of enmuth businesses and their relationships health is important to address well-being
these experiences grows, institutions must with consumers. Specifically, the three of the aging population, and therefore, this
address current market shifts and grant million tourists that visit Frankenmuth study can give better insight for quality of
their students the best opportunities for and the 400 businesses that reside there. life in assisted living and nursing homes,
professional growth. Then, I analyze this particular network of especially for patients with mental health
Christopher Nouhan ’20 relationships and use my senior project as disorders.
Eastpointe, Mich. a case study to bring light to the problem Alexis Miller ’20
Major: New Media Studies small businesses are facing. Finally, I will Taylor, Mich.
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Anthony Collamati demonstrate an online portal I designed to Major: Biology
provide small businesses in Frankenmuth Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Hyun Kim
Educational Game Design — A Trip to an opportunity to connect with consum-
China ers in a new and dynamic way. Through Bayesian Models of Time Series
To demonstrate my specialty and interests online sales, this has the potential to save The progress of a tennis player’s career can
in game design and graphic design, I am a small business and offers them new tools be represented using the individual’s Elo
working on the best thing I’ve ever made, to help avoid closure. ratings, measured yearly in January. In this
which is an educational game focuses on Julia McTaggart ’20 paper, I use Bayesian modeling to examine
Chinese culture. It is a Role Play Game Millington, Mich. how a player’s Elo ratings change through-
(RPG), and one of the purposes is about Major: New Media Studies out their career. I introduce basic Bayesian
educating children and teenagers on Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Anthony Collamati statistical models and discuss Bayesian
Chinese culture in a more interesting concepts such as the prior and posterior
way. Another reason for me to develop distributions. Additionally, I examine the
9A BS TR A C TS: CONCURRE NT S E S S IO NS II
Metropolis-Hastings algorithm and Gibbs be prescribed a specific target heart rate to there is currently little direct investigation
sampling in the context of the data. I maintain while stationary cycling and/or into the effects of sports drinks on aerobic
conclude that a tennis player’s Elo rating running on a treadmill for three days/week, and anaerobic performance. Therefore,
changes can be modeled by a Normal and the control group will not participate this study’s purpose is to investigate the
distribution with autoregression. Over- in any aerobic exercise above their normal effects of acute sports drink consumption
all, player’s mean rating changes remain levels. After two weeks, midpoint data will on college athletes’ aerobic and anaerobic
positive but decreasing through the first be collected on participant stress levels performance. Subjects will include male
10 years of their careers before becoming using questionnaires, blood pressure, and and female college athletes aged 18-22
negative. Interestingly, players in their 40s heart rate variability. Participants will then years. Each day of testing will consist of a
have positive mean rating changes. Finally, continue their training for another two self-paced, 10-minute warm-up prior to
I find that players born after 1970 have weeks before having stress levels evaluated performing the following tests: 1) a Win-
higher mean rating changes across all ages at the conclusion of the study. Endpoint gate maximal power test, where subjects
than those born before or during 1970. stress data will be compared between all will maximally pedal on a stationary cycle
Brianne Giddis ’20 three groups using ANOVA statistical ergometer at a resistance of 7.5% of body
Traverse City, Mich. analysis to determine how the groups’ final weight for 30 seconds; 2) isokinetic power
Majors: Mathematics, Music stress compared. Stress data at each time tests of maximal quadriceps extension and
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Bradford Westgate point during the study for each individual hamstrings flexion at three velocities (80,
group will also be analyzed using repeated 160, 240 degrees/sec), performed with
Differing Exercise Intensities’ Effect measures ANOVA to investigate how the dominant leg; 3) a maximal aerobic
on Mental Stress stress levels changed over time in relation exercise test, where subjects pedal on a
Mental stress is both common and often to the exercise training. This study may stationary cycle at an intensity which
severe in today’s college-aged student help college students as well as college increases by 25-50 watts every two-to-three
population. Stress can, and usually does, wellness centers design workout plans that minutes until exhaustion. Subjects will
negatively affect cognitive functions such are best geared towards effective stress complete these tests on three separate test
as establishment of goals, planning, self- management. days. For one full day prior to each test,
regulation, and task monitoring that are Cameron Diaz ’20 subjects will consume 20 oz of either reg-
critical for high academic performance. It West Branch, Mich. ular Powerade (130 calories, 34 grams of
is well known that physical exercise can Major: Integrative Physiology and Health Science sugar), Powerade Zero (0 calories; 0 grams
help in the management of stress, but the Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Alexander Montoye of sugar), or water three times per day as
optimal exercise intensity for managing part of their normal fluid consumption.
stress is unknown. Thus, this study’s The Effects of Acute Electrolyte Then, they will consume 20 oz of fluid
purpose is to determine if moderate- Consumption on Anaerobic Power and the morning of testing. Order of drink
or vigorous-intensity exercise is more VO2 max in College Athletes consumption will be randomized across
effective in managing stress. Alma College Consumption of sports drinks (e.g., subjects, and subjects will act as their own
students will be recruited to participate Powerade) totals ~191,750,400,000 control. Repeated-measures analysis of
in this study. Baseline stress levels will be fluid oz. annually in the United States, variance tests will be performed for each
collected through the means of mental yet the effects of sports drink consump- aerobic and anaerobic test to determine
stress questionnaires, blood pressure, and tion for sports performance are not well if the type of fluid consumed affects test
heart rate variability measurements. The understood. While the positive effects of performance.
participants will then be randomly assigned sodium, calcium, and potassium ions — Corbin Thompson ’20
to moderate-intensity exercise, vigorous- ingredients in sports drinks — are well Traverse City, Mich.
intensity exercise, or control groups. The documented for neuromuscular junction Major: Integrative Physiology and Health Science
moderate and vigorous exercise groups will stimulation and whole muscle contraction, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Alexander Montoye
Investigation of an Aqueous Ene Reaction
This project involved the investigation of a unique rearrangement that occurs under aqueous reaction
conditions. Initially, we thought that this was based on a traditional Diels-Alder or 4 + 2 cycloaddition.
However, subsequent spectroscopic analysis of the products suggests that this is not a concerted reaction
and is more likely to be an ene reaction. From what we knew about the first reaction, an extended applica-
tion was performed with a variant: an imine instead of an ene. The substitution of a different reagent led
to complications in the mechanism and spectroscopic analysis supported this result. An analysis of the key
spectroscopic data will be presented for both scenarios.
Parker Fitzgerald ’20
Grand Ledge, Mich.
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Scott Hill
10ABSTRA CTS : CO NCU RRE NT S E S S I O N S I I
Creation of a pH Sensitive struct includes the asr promoter followed by an antitoxin
Safety Switch for Probiotic immediately upstream of the CII repressor gene. The toxin
Use will be under control of a promoter that is sensitive to
Probiotics are supplements the CII protein, where CII will repress the transcription
of microbes, often bacteria, of the toxin under acidic conditions. Using this genetic
used to promote certain health construct, the bacteria would only survive in the pH range
benefits. Developments have of 4.0-7.5 which matches the pH range of the proximal
been made in synthetic biol- small intestine, where nutrients re highly absorbed. These
ogy over the recent years to probiotics are likely to produce a valuable metabolite that
develop genetically modified organisms that may be used will be absorbed into the blood stream at the small intestine
as probiotics. Although there are numerous benefits for the which has a pH of 6-7.5. This construct is to be used with
use of probiotic GMOs, there are some concerns relating a capsule that endures the extreme acidic conditions of
to the spread of antibiotic resistance and non-natural genes the stomach so that the probiotic is selectively active only
into the normal human microbiota. To combat this, genetic where it is intended to be active. If bacteria are released into
constructs called “Safety-Switches” are of high value as they the stomach, they will likely die due to the extreme acidic
are added to genetically transformed bacteria as a way to environment, and if the bacteria move into the distal small
control their survivability under certain conditions. The intestine (pH of 6.8-8) the toxin will be produced, and the
aim of this study is to create a pH sensitive safety switch for bacteria will die before leaving the body.
enteric probiotics to only allow them to survive at a specific David Viguilla ’20
acidity level. To do this, the acid-inducible (pH 4.0-5.5) asr Roscommon, Mich.
promoter naturally found in Esherichia Coli. The con- Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Devin Camenares
Analysis of Social Welfare Chance Operations in Dance Reinterpreting Dance Canon
Measures Merce Cunningham, Nora Gibson, The tradition of concert dance
In this study, I will explore measures Anna Halprin and other modern includes many major works from
of economic welfare such as the choreographers have used chance artists that are included in the dance
Happy Planet Index (HPI) and Gross operations in their choreographic canon. They have received canonical
Domestic Product (GDP). It is clear process to create unique dance works. status due to their significance and
that different countries face different Through my research and interviews impact on dance history. While works
trade-offs between these two measures with choreographers about their within the dance canon are not often
of welfare; for example countries aleatory processes, I have developed altered or reworked, the act of rein-
with high GDP tend to have worse my own chance procedure and created terpreting these works allows for new
ecological footprints, which in turn a self-choreographed solo. I am also perspectives and experiences to be had
impacts HPI. I will deconstruct some delving into the performers’ experi- by choreographers, performers, and
of these trade-offs through both qual- ences dancing choreography that was viewers. Through crafted research and
itative analysis, via case studies; and created with chance operations. Per- movement invention, the reworking
quantitative analysis, via econometric formers working with a choreographer of a dance can be used to understand
methods. I hypothesize that different using chance operations face different it in a different context. This presen-
trends will occur, both qualitative and challenges than a performer working tation aims to use the reinterpreta-
quantitative, for countries of different with a traditional choreographer tion of a major dance work in solo
developmental classifications. would, e.g., creating a seamless flow performance to discuss its relevance to
George Murphy ’20 through phrasing transitions without contemporary dance performance and
Middleville, Mich. choreographic guidance. Using both the dance canon.
Major: Economics the choreographers’ and dancers’ Allison Muenzer ’20
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Sarah Taylor perspective, I reflect on my creative Fenton, Mich.
process using chance procedures and Majors: Dance, Religious Studies
the tasks as the performer. Faculty Sponsor: Mr. Benedict Munisteri
Magdalene Schneider ’20
Lakewood, Ohio
Majors: Integrative Physiology and Health
Science, Dance
Faculty Sponsor: Mr. Benedict Munisteri
11A BS TR A C TS: CONCURRE NT S E S S IO NS III
Deceit by Tweet: The Spread of Political Fake News on Twitter
A large number of Twitter users get their news from the platform. However, getting one’s news from Twitter is risky
because fake news spreads rapidly on the platform and reaches a wide audience. Technology plays an important role
in fake news’ dominance: online advertising services like Google AdSense incentivize the production of fake news
and automated accounts — or bots — play an important role in helping it go viral. The sheer amount of fake news
on Twitter influences our beliefs, making it difficult to form true beliefs about the world while scrolling through
our Twitter feeds. Nevertheless, Twitter seems reluctant to take meaningful action against fake news, despite the fact
that some algorithmic solutions have proven successful. Although Twitter seems ambivalent towards the problem,
users can change the way they use the platform to reduce fake news’ potency.
Sean Pauley ’21
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Major: New Media Studies
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Lauren Woolbright
Aesthetical Trailers: Teasing the disrupt assumptions of movie trailers rent American film industry seems
Tension Between Commerce and as an advertising tool. Ultimately, the noticeably afraid of using emotional
Art in Movie Trailers presentation aims to bring a more subjectivity. When properly matched
The original movie trailer premiered open discussion on the consequences with a film’s themes, emotional
in 1913 and has since been dismissed of labeling media as commerce or art. subjectivity takes a film’s impact to
as a form of advertisement. Few Emma Wood ’20 incredible heights, increasing both
today would categorize it as “fine Dearborn, Mich. notoriety and financial returns in
art.” However, this market-driven Major: New Media Studies the process, a fact modern American
approach to the trailer has erased Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Anthony Collamati filmmakers and major studio heads
some of its history and raised doubts need to learn from and critics and
of its artistic integrity. To counter- Objectively Better Subjectivity: those teaching future filmmakers
balance this prevailing view, I will An Analysis of and Call for need to protect. While not the only
first discuss the history of the movie Emotional Subjectivity in Film valid technique, emotional subjectiv-
trailer to examine how it aligns with ity remains a highly effective one in
Filmmakers find thousands of
critical and philosophical definitions the right situations. This presentation
different ways to make a film,
of art. Using observations from summarizes both the findings of my
each presenting its own challenges,
interviews I conducted with profes- academic research and the ways I
advantages, and effects. One of the
sional and amateur video editors, I explored and applied it for my NMS
most powerful techniques, when used
will then compare and contrast their capstone project.
properly, is emotional subjectivity —
views on trailers’ artistic merit and using camera angles, editing tricks, Zachary Bosley ’20
commercial value. Finally, I will delve Howard City, Mich.
and sound design to put the viewer in
into my own efforts to explore the Majors: New Media Studies, English
the shoes of the subject. I learned this
boundaries of what makes a movie Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Anthony Collamati
not only through my research but by
trailer by showcasing a series of exploring the technique in my own
re-edited, experimental trailers that work. Despite its power, the cur-
12ABST RA CTS : CO NCU RRE NT S E S S IO N S I I I
Computer-Mediated Communication customs, often provides a fresh and humor- serves as an example to young boys, that a
and Young-Adult Romantic ous perspective to the dialogue, a feature man can grow, change, and feel and still be
Relationships that has developed positively during his masculine and powerful.
Now, more than ever, relationships are Avenger’s storyline character arc. How- Madelyn Winnie ’20
experiencing constant connections online. ever, despite the fun, Thor embodies the Milford, Mich.
The way modern technological forms of epitome of manliness. The god’s character Major: English
communication, or computer-mediated arc begins with a cocky prince, caught up Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Matthew Cicci
communication (CMC), affect romantic in his privilege, aloof to its luxury. Slowly,
relationships is explored through the analy- as the series progresses, the audience sees a Poor Noble Beast: Imperialism and
sis of survey responses from undergraduate well-rounded man emerge from the chaos. Romance in A Court of Thorns and
college students in dyadic, heterosexual A large portion of this growth happens Roses
romantic relationships. Closely examining within Thor: Ragnarok, the latest install-
This paper analyzes the use of fae in Sarah
previous scholarship, the gap in the litera- ment in Thor’s story. Thor’s progress,
J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses, and
ture becomes clear. Although scholarship though a display of masculinity, tears at
A Court of Mist and Fury, as a deconstruc-
has focused on relationships on Facebook the Western notion of what defines a man.
tion of a trend in literature where elves
and the appearance of maintenance and Thor is the epitome and yet a subversion
inadvertently act as a vehicle for imperial
jealousy (Dainton and Stokes, 2015), of masculinity. He embodies every trope,
nostalgia. This construction of the elf fig-
cell phone usage, romantic relationships yet through humor his character actively
ure gained momentum with the popularity
channels and intimacy (Borae and Peña, points out the flaws in accepted modern
of works by J.R.R Tolkein, and underlines
2010; Morey et al. 2013), and the way in masculinity. This allows him to be a more
a lot of fantasy-based pop culture. The
which social media can make romantic emotionally involved character than largely
undercurrent of coding elves as a colonial
relationships vulnerable (Abbasi, 2018), anyone in the MCU. While exposing the
figure becomes especially insidious, as
the current investigation augments existing illusory nature of Western masculinity, he
well as harmful, when these figures play
research by connecting different forms of
CMC to several variables that constitute
perceived relational satisfaction within
Social Media Marketing — Reaching Customers and Tracking Success in
romantic relationships.
the Digital Age
Emily Kayden ’20
Midland, Mich. With the evolution of the digital age, traditional marketing methods are becoming
Majors: New Media Studies, Communication less effective each day. For businesses to survive and thrive in the business world
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Joanne Gilbert today, expansion into updated forms of advertising and promotion are necessary for
success. One form of emerging media that is crucial to be present in a company’s
Marvel’s Thor Odinson as an Epitome, marketing mix is social media. Social media provides brands with a way to connect
Yet and Inverse, of Modern Masculinity with their customers and potential customers. For this reason, effective utilization
of social media has major payoffs for almost any type of business. Due to the nature
The idea of maleness, what creates a man, of social media, it is becoming increasingly difficult to measure its success as there is
has been criticized recently within the no direct correlation between social media interaction and sales. In turn, businesses
Western world and the United States. often have an unclear vision of what should be focused on in their advertisements
Questions of gender-confirming and and how to effectively reach their target market. In my research, I look further into
proper behavior arise, breaking down different factors that marketers can focus on when creating advertisements on social
each incarnation of masculinity presented media. I then turn to multiple case studies where I analyze historical instances of
through the media. Within many recent social media marketing campaigns that had success and some that were unsuccessful.
years, this presentation has been influenced Next, I investigate potential ways to reevaluate how businesses measure the return
heavily by superheroes. These powerful on investment in their social media marketing campaigns. Through my research, I
beings have permeated not only the pop determined that there is no universally correct way to carry out a social media mar-
public culture, but the silver screen as well. keting campaign. It is impossible for companies to arbitrarily decide which direction
One of the main heroes of the Marvel Cin- their campaign should take and what factors to focus on, whether it be psycholog-
ematic Universe is Thor Odinson, a thun- ical factors, monetary factors, or functional factors. To determine the best steps to
der-wielding, Asgardian god. The young proceed, businesses should engage in every step of the strategic planning process to
prince, portrayed in the series by Chris determine and then carry out their social media campaigns through a predetermined
Hemsworth, helps to provide a buffer to focus, always keeping in mind the media’s difficulty in determining success rates.
the tension created between Iron Man and
David Suidgeest ’20
Captain America, as they size each other St. Johns, Mich.
up as the true leader of the team. Thor, as Majors: Marketing, New Media Studies
an alien and unaware of common Earth Faculty Sponsor: Mr. Gregory Baleja
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