Celebration of Learning 2018: Oral presentations and performances session III
SESSION III 1:15-2:15 p.m.
FEATURED FACULTY-STUDENT COLLABORATION
SESSION III-A [OLIN AUDITORIUM]
Dr. Jennifer Popple, Melina Herman, Alexis R. Downey
Theatre arts
Using Theatre to Develop Clinical Empathy: Working with Pre-professional Majors
Presenters will discuss cutting-edge research in the medical and theatre fields that the most successful doctors, businesspeople and leaders are those who have learned and show empathy to others. The group will talk about its work, funded through Augustana’s Faculty-Student Partnership grants, which culminated in a workshop for pre-professional majors this academic year. Melina Herman and Alexis R. Downey, double majors in theatre and biology, will present on research and the practice of teaching empathy to pre-professional students. Dr. Jennifer Popple will discuss how empathy can be used to ensure success in business, leadership and learning oneself. The workshop will include one interactive portion and showcase photographs and videos from previous workshops.
SESSION III-B [OLIN 305]
John Hallmark
Project advisor: Stephanie Fuhr, biology
Determining the Efficacy of Fifa 11+ in Reducing ACL Injury in Female Soccer Players
Session III-B-1: Olin 305 [1:15-1:30 p.m.]
My study aimed to identify the relationship between the Fifa 11+ program and the angle of valgus deformity at the knee. Nearly 200,000 ACL tears are reported each year. Previous studies have linked valgus motion of the knee to an increased rate of ACL injury, and females exhibit a 4-6x increased risk for ACL injury. Fifa 11+ has shown promise in studies done on professional soccer teams, yet remains untested in a younger population. This prospective cohort study of 300 consented female soccer players used Noraxon as a tool for the measurement of valgus angle at the knee. The 300 soccer players in the study belong to 20 teams in the St. Louis area and are 14-16 years old (freshmen in high school). Analysis of the motion was performed before implementation of the program in a control group and intervention group and at the six-month time point. Efficacy of the program was determined by the program’s ability to change the natural motion of the knee. The difference in the beginning valgus angle and the end valgus angle was measured to evaluate if the program is effective. The number of ACL injuries also were used to determine if there were fewer injuries in the intervention group than in the control group. Three physical therapy tests were used to take measurements of factors that may introduce confounders.
Baillie Brooks, Lauren Clapp
Project advisor: Keri Bass, community service
Augustana College Campus Kitchen: Food Friends
Session III-B-2: Olin 305 [1:30-1:45 p.m.]
Faculty, staff and students are highly encouraged to attend this session. We will explore what food insecurity is, what it looks like on campus and how faculty and staff can be resources to students. Faculty and staff who attend will receive a sticker to put outside their office, demonstrating they have participated in the discussion to combat food insecurity on campus.
Christian Elliott, Thea Gonzales, Kathryn Evans, Hunter Colleen Ridley, Erin Cygan
Project advisors: Dr. Olivia Williams and Dr. Michael Reisner, environmental studies
Introducing Environmental Policy at Augustana: A Comparative Study of Sustainability Practices at Small Liberal Arts Colleges
Session III-B-3: Olin 305 [1:45-2 p.m.]
This session analyzes environmental practices and policy at higher education institutions and examines the process it takes to implement them from student advocacy to administrative recognition that results in the implementation of sustainable plans, programs, and structures for the college in order to produce a feasible proposal for sustainable development at Augustana. The study’s authors conducted interviews with five colleges that have achieved sustainability in various ways and are largely similar to Augustana in religious affiliation, cultural background and location: Kenyon, Knox, Luther, Moraine Valley Community College and Oberlin. The goal from these interviews was to generate ideas from colleges like Augustana to show that Augustana is also capable of sustainable change. At the end of the study, the authors developed a sustainable policy proposal tailored for Augustana that was based on common trends identified from the five colleges, including college sustainability programs, informal and formal organization, ratings and certifications, and sustainable structures.
Dr. Tim Muir, Dat Tran, Lawrence Catalan, Maggie Bednarek, Dr. Andrew Sward
Project advisor: Dr. Tim Muir, biology
Modeling Energy Use of Overwintering Hatchling Turtles Over a Decade of Nest Monitoring
Session III-B-4: Olin 305 [2-2:15 p.m.]
Many animals across diverse taxa endure extended bouts of dormancy during which they are aphagic and thus, must rely on endogenous energy stores to survive long-term dormancy and, when food is not immediately available, fuel post-arousal activities. Because temperature directly influences metabolic rate in ectothermic animals, the thermal environment during dormancy has profound effects on energy use and conservation by dormant ectotherms. Moreover, the thermal environment among microhabitats varies spatially and temporally such that dormant animals inhabiting different microhabitats may incur very different energy costs. We investigated the potential variation in energy costs among hatchling painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) that overwinter in their natal nests. First, we measured rates of oxygen consumption (VO2) for individual turtles at varying temperatures (-1.5 – 25°C) at different times during a multi-month acclimation to winter. We then used those data to generate a predictive model of VO2 as a function of temperature and fit that model to the thermal profiles of 152 natural nests collected from 2001 to 2013. Hatchling turtle VO2 was extremely sensitive to temperature, and was also characteristic of reverse metabolic compensation as the turtles were acclimated to lower temperature. Predicted rates of energy consumption varied widely among nests both within and among years suggesting the thermal environment of the natal nest has implications for post-arousal fitness. Further investigation of those implications is needed to better understand their magnitude.
SESSION III-C [OLIN 209]
William Stowe
Project advisor: Dr. Tom Bengtson, mathematics and computer science
On the Subsets of Spreads
Session III-C-1: Olin 209 [1:15-1:35 p.m.]
A spread is a discrete set of points such that no three are in a straight line. We will define a function that generates the centers of subsets of spreads. We will see a pattern involving Pascal’s Triangle that emerges when counting necessarily similar subsets in the domain and range of this function.
Kyle Workman, Jacob Knox, Ben Groselak
Project advisor: Dr. Tom Bengtson, mathematics and computer science
Optimizing Edge Additions to a Graph
Session III-C-2: Olin 209 [1:35-1:55 p.m.]
We consider a simple graph G. For each pair of distinct vertices v and u, we take d(v, u) to be the minimum path length from v to u. We take W(v) to be the maximum of all d(v, u) where u is a vertex of G. Let S(G) be the sum of W(v) for all v in G. We consider ways to add an edge to G forming a new graph H, in order to minimize S(H).
Gabrielle Gambino Lyon
Project advisor: Dr. Lee Carkner, physics
My Catalyst
Session III-C-3: Olin 209 [1:55-2:15 p.m.]
During my internship and shadow program with Pepper Lawson Construction and Ziegler Cooper Architects, I explored the various career paths involved in the design, construction and civil engineering fields. My work on the construction site of a high-rise apartment building located in the heart of Houston, Texas, gave me firsthand experience working and learning alongside project engineers, contractors, building developers and the construction team. This project was the perfect confluence of my main areas of interest: structural, mechanical, civil and environmental engineering, as well as architecture. My daily work consisted of on-site walkthroughs, studying project-specific drawings, and meetings with project executives and project management. Join me as I discuss my time spent on-site of The Catalyst and showcase the transformation between in-progress project and finished product.
SESSION III-D [HANSON 102]
Dr. Jamie Nordling
Psychology
Success in College: Relations Among Parent-Child Trust, Emotional Autonomy, Emotion Regulation, and Social and Academic Competence
Session III-D-1: Hanson 102 [1:15-1:35 p.m.]
This research extends our current understanding of parent-child relationships by examining how the quality of those relationships can affect success in college. “Success in college” is operationally defined as competence in academic and social domains, both of which are inherently part of college life. Previous research has found that parental relationships play a large role in the development of academic and social competence early in life (e.g., Leung, Lau, & Lam, 1998); thus, it was hypothesized that an established sense of trust between parent and child would also predict social and academic competence in late adolescence. Emotion regulation and emotional autonomy were also hypothesized to influence success in college. In general, people with greater emotion regulation are well-liked by others and more likely to achieve academic success (e.g., Tyson, Linnenbrink-Garcia, Hill, 2009), and greater autonomy in adolescents has been linked to scholastic competence and less relationship insecurity (e.g., Hafen et al., 2012; Levesque, 2012). It was hypothesized that greater emotional autonomy and emotion regulation would predict academic and social competence. Interactions were also explored given the possibility of additive effects (e.g., low trust coupled with less emotion regulation might lead to less competence than just low trust alone). College-aged participants completed questionnaires on their parent trust, emotional autonomy, emotion regulation skills, and academic and social competence. Father-child trust and emotion regulation predicted social competence; father-child trust, emotional autonomy and emotion regulation predicted academic competence. The father-child relationship plays a key role in developing competencies, affecting one even into late adolescence.
Dr. J. Austin Williamson
Psychology
Giving and Getting the Right Kind of Social Support
Session III-D-2: Hanson 102 [1:35-1:55 p.m.]
In romantic couples, receiving too little or too much social support is associated with negative personal and relationship outcomes. Understanding how much support an individual desires is essential to ensuring that the preferred amount of support is provided. In samples of community members (n = 430) and students (n = 755), we observed several sources of variability in desires for support. Some recipients wanted more support than other recipients. Recipients wanted more support from some providers than other providers. Recipients wanted more of some types of support than other types. The types of support that recipients desired most varied from recipient to recipient. Recipients also desired different types of support from different providers. These differences were partly explained by characteristics of recipients and providers. When recipients got the amount and type of support they desired, they experienced greater relationship satisfaction, less relationship dissatisfaction, fewer depressive symptoms, and greater psychological well-being. Strategies for eliciting and providing preferred support are discussed.
SESSION III-E [HANSON 115]
Dr. Michael Wolf
Geology
Augustana's New Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
Session I and III-E-1: Hanson 115 [10:45-11:45 a.m. and 1:15-2:15 p.m.]
Augustana now has a new benchtop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) capable of seeing objects a few micrometers small (a thousandth of a millimeter!) and analyzing their elemental compositions. Learn about this technology, see the instrument in action, and bring a tiny sample for viewing and analyzing.
SESSION III-F [HANSON 304]
Ninna Therese P. Mendoza
Project advisor: Dr. Heidi Storl, philosophy
Research, Review, Reach: Increasing Youth Physical Activity, Understanding Latino Parent Influences on Childhood Obesity, and Creating a Health Intervention Program
Session III-F-1: Hanson 304 [1:15-1:30 p.m.]
Obese children are more likely to become obese adults, and this health burden will only increase unless we find effective ways to promote healthful behaviors among youth. At the Children’s Nutrition Research Center, I sought to answer health and nutrition-related research questions by conducting qualitative research, writing a literature review and creating a health intervention program. I worked in Dr. Deborah Thompson’s lab, which incorporates behavioral theory with technology as an intervention to prevent childhood obesity. Youth physical activity (PA) levels have decreased, but video games are a popular activity that could be harnessed to promote PA. “Exergames” are video games that engage players in PA. Players often closely identify with their avatars in video games, so by combining these ideas, we hypothesized that if an avatar was highly self-representational of the player, then this would more greatly motivate the player to participate in the PA of the game. The childhood obesity epidemic is a major public health issue to address, but it disproportionately affects certain populations such as Latinos. Through a literature review, I aimed to understand how Latino parents’ culture and beliefs influence behaviors associated with childhood obesity during early childhood. Developing a greater understanding about Latino parent influences can have direct applications in creating more culturally sensitive obesity programs. Designing effective programs is essential to reaching health goals, so I also developed a text message intervention to promote healthy and sustainable behaviors among college students such as making healthy food choices and preventing food waste.
Allan Daly
Project advisor: Dr. Heidi Storl, philosophy
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Cell Phone Interventions for Smoking Cessation in a Low-Income Population
Session III-F-2: Hanson 304 [1:30-1:45 p.m.]
A cost-effectiveness analysis on smoking cessation programs to see if including cell phones provides extra support to smokers trying to quit smoking and is worth the cost.
Elizabeth Wieland, Eileen Shinn
Project advisor: Stephanie Fuhr, biology
Adherence to Oral Endocrine Treatment in Breast Cancer Survivors
Session III-F-3: Hanson 304 [1:45-2 p.m.]
My project was a pilot study to the Breast-061: Adherence to ET in Breast Cancer Survivors that was being conducted by Eileen Shinn's Lab at MD Anderson Cancer Research Center. This study was a behavioral science study centered around an electronic monitor device to see if survivors of breast cancer were consistently taking their anti-hormone pills. These pills greatly reduce the chance of recurrence and mortality and are essential to breast cancer survivors; however, they can often have debilitating side effects.
Adam Lydigsen-Grimes
Project advisors: Dr. Heidi Storl, philosophy; Dr. Juan Botas and Tarik Onur, Baylor College of Medicine
Screening Genes for Modifiers of Huntington’s Disease
Session III-F-4: Hanson 304 [2-2:15 p.m.]
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is inherited genetically. It is often called a poly-glutamine disorder since it is caused by a repeat of the amino acid, glutamine (Q), in the first exon coding for the Huntingtin (Htt) protein. The number of codons, coding for glutamine (CAG) within the Htt mRNA, has been correlated with age of onset of HD within adulthood. A genetic screen was performed to identify which genes are involved in the progression of this disorder. With the use of a Drosophila model female virgin fruit flies were collected that had a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) incorporated into their genome. These shRNAs silenced certain genes activated within the striatum of the brain. Genes were selected with the use of WGCNA or Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis to map out how these genes interacted when fully expressing the Huntingtin (Htt) protein after transcription and translation. These female fruit flies were then mated or crossed with male Drosophila with HD, and tests were performed on their progeny to see how the concentration of protein was altered within their brains through the use of a western blot. The flies’ motor skills were tested by measuring how much they stumbled as they climbed up a vial as a way to see if the silenced gene had any effect on the disease progression. From the results of the climbing data and western blot, gene products chosen from the WGCNA analysis were identified that either enhanced or suppressed the pathogenesis of HD.
SESSION III-G [HANSON 305]
Josephine Anderson
Project advisors: Dr. Dell Jensen and Dr. Gregory Domski, chemistry
Exploring the Relationship Between Sickle Cell Trait and Malaria
Session III-G-1: Hanson 305 [1:15-1:45 p.m.]
Malaria, caused by the parasite plasmodium falciparum, has long been causing severe illness and even death in people in sub-Saharan Africa and other tropical climates. However, the evolutionary mutation in the β-hemoglobin at the 6th position from a glutamic acid to a valine that is responsible for sickle cell trait and disease has been found to protect individuals with the mutation from the most severe forms of malaria. To understand the interaction between sickle cell disease and malaria, it is first necessary to look into each disease on its own before looking at the interactions between the two. Then, by looking at how sickle cell trait changes the body on both a biochemical and physiological level, the method of protection those with the trait receive can be best understood.
Joseph Kellen
Project advisors: Dr. Gregory Domski and Dr. Jose Boquin, chemistry
Review of Rotavirus Nonstructural Proteins and their Disruption of Cell Homeostasis
Session III-G-2: Hanson 305 [1:45-2:15 p.m.]
Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and children. Rotavirus is known to contain a NSP4 viroporin domain that disrupts host cell calcium homeostasis that is critical for virus replication and pathogenesis. Recently, unpublished data has shown that the nucleoside ADP is secreted by rotavirus and is received by surrounding cells through the P2Y1 purinergic receptor in an ADP-mediated signaling pathway. Further data is needed to confirm this proposed mechanism in order to further understand the pathogenesis of Rotavirus.
SESSION III-H [WALLENBERG HALL]
Rachel Buenaobra
Project advisor: Dr. Taddy Kalas, WLLC-French
La Présence de la Mort dans les Pièces de Jean Racine
Session III-H-1: Denkmann, Wallenberg Hall [1:15-1:35 p.m.]
This work extensively studies the presentation of death across the 11 tragedies written by the 17th-century French playwright, Jean Racine.
John DeLorenzo
Project advisor: Dr. Douglas Parvin, philosophy
Dealing with the Wisdom of Silenus
Session III-H-2: Denkmann, Wallenberg Hall [1:35-1:55 p.m.]
An examination of various historic and contemporary reasons for continuing to live stemming from Friedrich Nietzsche’s use of the "Wisdom of Silenus" in his book The Birth of Tragedy. The essential point of this Wisdom being that the best thing for a human would be to have never been born or, failing that, to die as soon as possible.
Biniam Anberber
Project advisor: Dr. Douglas Parvin, philosophy
Friedrich Nietzsche: Appropriate Distance and Society
Session III-H-3: Denkmann, Wallenberg Hall [1:55-2:15 p.m.]
Throughout his works, Friedrich Nietzsche gave his accounts on society in general, but I will focus more on his ideas regarding the differences between men and women. While many of Nietzsche’s readers are quick to disapprove of his explanations, we should take a more meaningful and deeper approach. Taken out of context, his ideas may appear derogatory and sexist, but when viewed objectively and in the context of his complete philosophy, they offer an interesting perspective on the world. I will argue that Nietzsche is teaching us readers a powerful lesson regarding the harmony that we can achieve in society through the use of his concept of appropriate distance.
SESSION III-I [OLD MAIN 132]
Sara Hovren
Project advisor: Dr. Eric Stewart, religion
‘Coming Down the Mountain’: An Expansion of Victor Turner’s Theories on Liminoid
Session III-I-1: Old Main 132 [1:15-1:35 p.m.]
In the work titled "Coming Down the Mountain: an expansion of Victor Turner’s theories on liminoid," I explore the issue of liminality/liminoid within rituals and, most importantly, what occurs after these "threshold" experiences to enable participants to process them. This session expands on Victor Turner and Van Gennep’s concepts of liminality, liminoid and communitas. Through my own personal experiences as a summer camp counselor and a pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago, I recognize threshold experiences or “liminality” occurs in summer camps as well as study abroad trips. These experiences often share the various phases within initiatory rituals, such as separating from their society home communities, earn new and temporary statuses, end by returning to their home community with a new identity that is gained through their experience. Pre-modern theories state that the main purpose of reintegration is to offer the participant acceptance in the home community as a changed individual. Lack of recognizable markers of status change after modern examples of reintegration make it harder for individuals to re-enter their communities as transformed, and modern theories do not offer clarity on how re-entry looks after modern threshold experiences. I say that "reintegration" after modern examples must be expanded in that not all the time do these experiences create a status change for the participant within the subculture, but rather a personally transformational experience that the phase of “reintegration” plays an integral role in accepting the transformational experience.
Ranay Janssen
Project advisor: Dr. Jason Mahn, religion
Understanding Messiahship Through Anakin Skywalker
Session III-I-2: Old Main 132 [1:35-1:55 p.m.]
This paper/presentation critically looks at the Star Wars movies and the way these movies can affect the way Christians understand the role of Messiah as interpreted by popular culture.
Riley Ferguson
Project advisor: Dr. Jason Mahn, religion
Where Are We Going? A Critical Analysis of Millennials and the Traditional Church
Session III-I-3: Old Main 132 [1:55-2:15 p.m.]
Walk into any given Protestant church on any given Sunday morning, outside of Christmas and Easter; what you will most likely see is the pastor at the front of the congregation running through the week’s prayers, a piano/organ playing, a cross somewhere at the front. What you will not see is a great multitude of young adults between the ages of 18-29 (Kinnaman). There is a problem with millennial church membership, and it is deeply impacting our congregations and how faith is being understood today. Pastors, church leaders and congregations have been trying to find ways to solve the issues of youth leaving the church by adapting to the most current context of culture within the United States. Churches over the past 40 years have begun to move away from older worship styles and start adapting “secular culture” (that which we understand to be outside of the confines of church teaching) into the church, changing how the church is now understood. Non-denominational churches and emerging churches have begun to take over the realm of church membership when it comes to young adults and young families. The formation of different types of church has been one attempt to fix the problem of millennial church membership. Many religious leaders and scholars alike (including myself) believe there are other means to bring young adults back into the traditional church. What I propose to bring back those that the church has lost is not to drastically change the church to meet the needs of each individual, but rather educate individuals on what it means to be a Christian.
SESSION III-M [LARSON HALL]
Paul Olsen
Project advisor: Dr. Paul Olsen, English
The Four Minute Mile—And the Entire Sport World Is Changed
Session III-M-1: Bergendoff, Larson Hall [1:15-1:45 p.m.]
Roger Bannister died recently, and he should be remembered as the man who changed sport—as well as an understanding of human possibility—forever. In 1954, this medical student at Oxford University navigated a world full of both hope and fear, of perceived physical limitation, historical "proof," physical exhaustion, and naysayers from all angles, including the press, coaches and fellow athletes. Throughout that journey, Bannister grasped at what he called "rhythms arising from nerve impulses and contracting muscles which interact…with a feeling of beauty…which might otherwise remain locked away inside ourselves."
Allan Daly, Student Government Association (SGA) president; Courtney Kampert, SGA vice-president; Adam Gronewold, SGA president-elect; Kaitlyn Watkins, SGA first-year senator
Student Government Association: A Year in Review
Session III-M-2: Bergendoff Larson Hall [1:45-2:15 p.m.]
Augustana's Student Government Association has worked diligently this past year to improve the campus and community for the students. As representatives of the student body, we believe it is important to inform the community of what we have accomplished. In this light, we will discuss the needs of the students and plan for future projects as we move toward a new academic year.
SESSION III-O [HONKAMP BLACK BOX THEATRE]
Paul Lewellan, Kordell Benson, Baillie Brooks, Marissa Catalano, Sean Cavanaugh, Kelsi Clark, Alyssa D'Angelo, Ally Daniels, Samantha Fisher, Zachary Fuller, Jenna Hartman, Xavier Holley, Emily Johnson, Trung Le, Thomas Lunney, Ntita Mabanza, Yasmin Moreles, Marissa Neradt, Gena Pulla, Madalynne Russel, Kate Schreader, Nicholas Steichmann, Jessica Van Roeyen
Project advisor: Paul Lewellan, communication studies
More Than Thoughts and Prayers: Gun Violence in Schools
Session III-O-1: Brunner Theatre Center, Honkamp Myhre Black Box [1:15-2:15 p.m.]
On Feb. 14, 2018, a single gunman, Nikolas Cruz, killed 17 students and teachers in Parkland, Fla. Following in the wake of other school shootings—Sandy Hook Elementary, Virginia Tech University and Columbine High School—the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School told the world, “Thoughts and prayers are not enough.” This collection of performances recognizes the suffering of the victims while providing information on the causes of school violence and the hopes for its prevention. It gives voice to the survivors and calls for action. The primary texts for interpretation will be memoirs, blogs, 911 calls, political rhetoric, interviews and news reports. The program connects the lessons learned from these violent acts to this campus community, the audience, the broader society and the performers.
SESSION III-P [BRUNNER THEATRE CENTER, WILSON CENTER]
Farah Marklevits, Astrid Tello-Rodriguez, Allyson Jesse, Uxmar Torres, Lydia Lara, Melissa Conway, Sam Wagner, Cassandra Guerrero, Ashanti Mobley
Project advisor: Farah Marklevits, English
Split This Augie Rock: Poetry & Social Justice
Session III-P-1: Brunner Theatre Center, Wilson Center [1:15-2:15 p.m.]
For 10 years, the Split This Rock Poetry Festival has explored and celebrated poetry's power to engage with pressing social issues. This year, seven Augie students attended this year's festival in Washington, D.C. In this session, they will share their experiences and lead attendees in a poetry activity and/or discussion of poetry as a vehicle for social change.