ABSTRACTS
2019 National McNair Scholars Conference at UCLA
Researcher: Simfora Bangasimbo
Presentation Title: How has Resolution 1325 lead to the Success and Impact that Women have on Peacekeeping Missions?
Research Focus: This research focuses on how the implementation and adoption of Resolution 1325 has impacted the participation of female peacekeepers and the roles that they play in peacekeeping missions.
School: University of New Hampshire
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
In 2000, the United Nations passed Resolution 1325. The groundbreaking resolution addresses the impact of conflict on women and the role that women play in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and peacekeeping. Although it passed 19 years ago, its implementation has been slow and met with problems, but in areas where the resolution has been implemented, we have seen the increase of involvement of women who have had a positive impact in those fields.
Peacekeeping is an area where we have seen the impact that the implementation of Resolution 1325 has. Since the resolution’s passage, the number of women peacekeepers has increased, and they have played a much more significant role in post-conflict peacekeeping and conflict de- escalation. In this project, I will be looking at how the adoption of Resolution 1325 has led to the significant roles that female peacekeepers play in peacekeeping missions as well as how successful they have been in playing those roles. I will be looking to see how notable female participation really is.
Researcher: Adrian Cea Cruz
Presentation Title: Is Personal Intelligence Related to Maladaptive Behavior?
Research Focus: Personality and Behavior
School: University of New Hampshire
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Being able to identify problematic personality expressions has been rising in importance— especially given personality profiles of individuals engaging in violent events—hate crimes, shootings, etc. If we become better capable of assessing groups of people who experience symptoms that may predispose them to such acts—and to helping them, we can improve the quality of life for those individuals and the ones around them. Some individuals exhibit what has become known as “dark triad” traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy.
Machiavellianism is defined as a focus on self-interest and personal gain with an inherent disregard of morality. Narcissism is defined as a pursuit of self-glorification and vanity with disregard of others. Psychopathy is defined as a general form of behavior deviancy accompanied by an emotional-interpersonal detachment. The present research examines whether low levels of the ability to recognize and use information about personality to understand oneself and others may contribute to those traits. The ability to understand such personality characteristics is labeled personal intelligence. Other personality traits related to such interpersonal behaviors also have been identified. We hypothesize that those low in personal intelligence, low in honesty/humility, and in other traits, are more likely to exhibit dark triad traits and have a general lack of understanding of themselves and others. The Test of Personal Intelligence (TOPI 5G), the Short Dark Triad, the Dirty Dozen, the HEXACO-PI-R, and the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding Short Form will be administered to participants to find potential correlations between the scores on the scales.
Researcher: Jonathan Cooper
Presentation Title: Selective Detection of Dopamine Utilizing a Graphene-Based Field Effect Transistor with a Microfluidic Channel
Research Focus: Biosensors
School: University of New Hampshire
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Currently, commercial detection methods for molecular biomarkers of various diseases need trained personnel and require expensive equipment usually found only at medical facilities. Thus, the creation of a marketable, portable device that can detect such biomarkers would have significant impact on the healthcare sector. This research proposes to create such a device by utilizing aptamers attached to a graphene field effect transistor (GFET) for the selective detection of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is an important biomarker in maladies such as Parkinson’s or schizophrenia. GFET biosensors for other proteins and neurotransmitters have proven to be effective. However, they could benefit from enhanced selectivity, ability to detect at lower concentration levels, and producing more consistent results. By introducing a microfluidic channel, which lowers the amount of fluid needed for each test and increases device sensitivity,
it is hypothesized these characteristics will be enhanced.
The device will consist of a GFET attached to a microfluidic channel molded into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). A solution holding the target molecule flowing through this channel will be in contact with a graphene sheet, to which dopamine aptamers will be attached via the cross-linking molecule 1-pyrenebutyric acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (PBASE). The dopamine molecules will bind to the aptamers as the solution flows through the channel, inducing a shift in Dirac voltage that can be recorded. The device will be tested for sensitivity, selectivity as well as consistent results. Dozens of these devices will be created and tested so outliers from faulty devices can be ignored in data analysis.
Researcher: Tan Dao
Presentation Title: The Effects of Strain and Suspension on the Electronic Properties of Molybdenum Disulfide
Research Focus: Studying the relationship between physical and electronic properties in 2- dimensional materials
School: University of New Hampshire
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Two-dimensional materials are as thin as physically possible and have tunable electronic properties that can be useful for the development of faster and smaller electronic devices. One way to tune the electronic properties of 2-D materials is to induce strain by deforming the lattice. In addition to strain impact on the electronic properties, a suspended sheet of 2-D material exhibits higher electrical conductivity. In this project, I induce strain by deforming a semiconductor, MoS2, lattice with a nanopatterned substrate, and characterize the strain by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. I use conductive atomic force microscopy to investigate the impact strain and suspension on the local conductivity in MoS2.
Here I present the results of patterning strain and suspension into MoS2, and their impact on the local conductivity of MoS2. Single layer MoS2 is isolated via mechanical exfoliation and transferred onto anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) – a substrate with nanoscale valleys and hills. The average strain in the MoS2 sheet is 0.23% and 0.29%, which obtained from the Raman spectroscopy and AFM data, respectively. The C-AFM is used to characterize the conductivity in the strain-textured MoS2. The results of this study will help connect the fundamental understanding between physical properties and electronic properties, which can be used to develop smaller, faster, and lower energy consumption electronics.
Researcher: Alexis Efraimson
Presentation Title: The Prevalence of Cryptosporidium in Pre weaned Calves at Commercial Dairy Farms In New Hampshire and Farmer Perceptions of Related Illness
Research Focus: Presence of Cryptosporidium in pre weaned commercial dairy calves in New Hampshire and to survey farmers about their perceptions of the illness
School: University of New Hampshire
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
This research addresses the prevalence of Cryptosporidium (crypto) amongst calves and farmers perceptions of related signs of illness at commercial dairy farms in New Hampshire. Crypto is a zoonotic disease, and data shows that the most common route of infection is fecal-oral transmission with dairy cattle fecal material. The objectives of this research include collecting pooled fecal samples as well as water runoff samples on these farms to test for crypto. A secondary part of the research is conducting a farm survey to examine if farmers or employees exhibit illness related to being infected with crypto. In part our hope is to understand how relevant this disease is to farmers and the relationship between prevalence and farmer perceptions of possible related illness. Finally, as a UNH student project, the research may help improve crypto biosecurity protocol at UNH. UNH must reduce the overall infection and related illness rates at the Fairchild Dairy for students and guests. The importance of this research is that it raises awareness to the public health and dairy farmers of the disease in order to help understand prevention.
Researcher: Kimberly Gravlin
Presentation Title: From White Majority to a Minority Majority: Analyzing the Changing Population Demographics in California and Arizona
Research Focus: The electoral impact of Hispanic migration into California and Arizona
School: University of New Hampshire
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
The present-day conversation surrounding immigration in the United States largely focuses on Hispanic immigrants’ influx into southwestern states. Over several decades, Hispanics have grown to become a considerable portion of these states’ communities, through the processes of natural increase and naturalization (Ramírez 2015; Rex 2011). Consequently, politicization follows and the impact of this combined with increased numbers of Hispanics in a given population will likely affect a state’s electorate, as has been the case historically with other immigrant groups. For example, politicized Hispanic immigrants in California have caused a significant shift in the political tendencies of several formerly solid Republican counties and areas. Today, the former Republican stronghold, has become a reliable state for Democrats.
Arizona, like California, is another state with a considerable number of Hispanic immigrants, and it appears to be following the same trend as California. Arizona has been a reliable red state up until the recent 2018 U.S. Senate election, in which a Democrat won the long-held Republican seat. Using California as the basis for political realignment, this study projects that Arizona is following a similar pattern undergone by California during the past several decades (Gimpel & Schuknecht 2004). Ultimately, while Hispanic immigrants appear to be a formidable voting group there is a “slow translation of demographic representation into electoral representation” (Frey 2008). Furthermore, political changes will happen first at the state level, (as the case with California) long before they will have a considerable impact on the national electorate.
Researcher: Peter Haber
Presentation Title: Using Magnetostratigraphy to find the Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundary in La Colonia Formation, Patagonia, Argentina
Research Focus: Paleomagnetism in Patagonia, Argentina
School: University of New Hampshire
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary marks the occurrence of one of the most important events in Earth’s history. At this time (approximately 66 million years ago), a mass extinction occurred, caused primarily by a meteorite impact. This also caused a change in global climate and widespread deposition of material ejected from the impact crater. Currently, there are few continental records of the K-Pg boundary in South America, resulting in poor understanding of its effects there. Boundary markers include ejecta deposits, high iridium concentration, and tsunami deposits. Another method for finding the boundary uses paleomagnetism (measuring the magnetic polarity of a rock, preserved from when it formed). Earth’s magnetic field has reversed through time, and these reversals can be recorded in rock formations. Chron C29r is an interval of reversed magnetic polarity that encompasses the K-Pg boundary. This project will seek to find Chron C29r in samples taken from La Colonia Formation in Patagonia, Argentina. Samples taken from strata in La Colonia will be analyzed to find their magnetic polarity. This will be done by measuring them with a magnetometer as they are slowly demagnetized. An analysis to find their magnetic mineralogy will also be conducted. Studying the K-Pg boundary in La Colonia Formation will help contribute to understanding of how Earth reacts to cataclysmic events.
Researcher: Curtis Linton
Presentation Title: A Countermeasure Device for the Negative Effects of Microgravity on the Body.
Research Focus: Control Engineering
School: University of New Hampshire
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
The human body has adapted to the oppositional gravitational pull on Earth.
Environment’s where the effects of gravity are insignificant are referred to as microgravity environments. When in extensive exposure to a microgravity environment, muscles in the human body atrophy and bone mineral density decreases because of the lack of gravitational forces these muscles are required to overcome on Earth. A computerized, gravity independent, exercise platform is proposed to be developed as a countermeasure to the negative effects of a microgravity environment. Resistive, plyometric training is an effective tool in maintaining the muscles of the human body in a microgravity environment. For this research project a countermeasure platform that generates this type of resistive training will be developed. The platform will be designed to focus on muscle groups most affected by the lack of gravity and will be tested with 10 male subjects in their early 20’s. Acquiring appropriate muscular fatigue will be the measure of device performance and effectiveness, as fatigue is an early stage sign of muscular hypertrophy. The device will be programmed to optimize a necessary load and fatigue, enabling muscles to rebuild stronger and stabilize the bone that each muscle supports, respectively. Correspondingly, because muscular atrophy and loss of bone mineral density can be the result of any generic disability and/or disease (and not just as a result of a microgravity environment) the broader impacts of such a space efficient product are wide, as this device could be retrofitted to also be employed on Earth.
Researcher: Julian Maduro
Title: The Relationship between the Lack of Multicultural Children’s Literature and the Reading Practices of Young Adults
Research Focus: Children’s Literature/Reading Practices
School: University of New Hampshire
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Students of color – anyone of non-European descent, including non-white Hispanics – are found to read noticeably less than their white counterparts in the United States, and this literacy gap continues to affect American students as they mature into adulthood. This research project will explore the possible relationship between this reading disparity and the minute number of children’s books featuring protagonists of color. Similar studies have shown that a child’s ability to connect with the characters in the books they read influences how interested they are in the books they’re reading, and possibly affects their reading practices. This study will further delve into this idea by interviewing both students of color and white students on the University of New Hampshire’s campus about their current reading practices and their childhood reading experiences. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the connections a young adult made with any children’s books and how much they currently read. Through analyzing transcriptions of the interviews, this relationship will be further examined with the hopes of better understanding the effect that multicultural representation in children’s books has on reading practices. The results of this study could influence the way that reading lists are chosen in schools as well as the importance that teachers, parents, and publishers place on diversifying the genre of children’s literature.
Researcher: Anupreet Saini
Presentation Title: Investigating the Relationship between Background and Risk: Immigrant vs. Native-born CEOs
Research Focus: Risk-taking
School: University of New Hampshire
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
The population in the United States is rapidly changing due to immigration patterns and globalization. This study aims to look at the background of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and compare immigrant CEOs to their native-born counterparts in hopes to uncover a difference in risk-taking tendencies in large publicly traded companies. This study expects to find a difference in risk-taking between native-born and immigrant CEOs, in which immigrant CEOs have participated in more volatile activities, thus are deemed more willing to take risks in environments with high stakes. The results found in this research will aid in better understanding the influence behavioral traits have on the decisions made by CEOs.
Researcher: David Temeng
Presentation Title: Sheet metal forming simulations of b-pillar beams to optimize springback and tradeoffs between strength and ductility
Research Focus: Materials Science
School: University of New Hampshire
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
The materials used for automotive bodies have an immense impact on the performance of automobiles. As a result of this, researchers and engineers are always attempting to find the material with the best compromise of mechanical and physical properties as well as cost and time involved for development of materials, especially for body parts as they contribute significantly to vehicle weight and fuel consumption. This research focuses on the optimization of a b-pillar part for automotive vehicles. B-pillars are usually made of steel with relatively uniform mechanical properties throughout. The b-pillars are made using sheet metal forming. A common phenomenon that occurs in sheet metal forming is springback. In this research, the geometry of die to accommodate for springback with varying gradient of steel microstructure in the b-pillar will be evaluated. An investigation will be made into whether a b-pillar made of a gradient of steel ranging from austenite to ferrite will produce less springback in sheet metal forming and a desired tradeoff between strength and ductility from top to bottom of the part. The bottom must be ductile to accommodate energy during an impact, while the top must be strong. This objectives will be accomplished using modeling and simulations with the Abaqus software. The result of this effort will be in the creation of a system that accommodates for the die geometry of a springback. It will be a computational framework that can be utilized in the industry when accounting for springback and materials design in sheet metal forming.
Researcher: Biyu Wang
Presentation Title: A Case Study on Citizen Schools
Research Focus: Education: Citizen Schools
School: University of New Hampshire
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
The National Center on Education and the Economy states in 2017, only 83% of first- time, first-year high school students graduated. Since the 1900s, researchers have studied risk factors such as student demographics that contribute to students dropping out of high school. Studies show educators intervene in early education hoping to influence student’s academic experiences to successfully prepare them for high school. This literature will explore learning styles, experiential learning, and mentorship opportunities, and whether the presence of these aspects in middle school enhances the probability of success for economically disadvantaged students as measured by high school and college completion rates. Citizen Schools, a collection of afterschool programs throughout the United States, cultivates an environment for academic success by offering students in middle school an opportunity to gain real-world experiences through hands-on-learning and mentorship. The goal of this research is to examine a Citizen School in Boston to understand student and teacher perceptions of the program and whether Citizen Schools effectively provide middle school students in urban communities with an experience “that supports skill building in self-management, goal setting and future planning, and specific academic and career skills and knowledge” (Buckley, 2019). Data will be collected by hosting a focus-group of 6-8 Citizen School alumni that are current high school students and 6-10 current Citizen School teaching fellows. Results from this research will provide an understanding of participants’ perceptions of Citizen Schools. The results will be shared with Citizen Schools so they may better develop existing programs or create new ones.
Researcher: Kaylan Williams
Presentation Title: The effect of aerobic exercise on recognition memory
Research Focus: How moderate intensity of aerobic exercise may desynchronize alpha and beta oscillations; therefore, allowing people to encode more information and will later be able to retrieve more information.
School: University of New Hampshire
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
As people age memories begin to fade, and hippocampal volume gradually degrades …but what if that can be slowed down? Whether someone is going on a walk, riding a bike, or even running a marathon, aerobic exercise has a positive effect on both physical and mental health. Aerobic exercise has been linked to enhancing recognition memory, particularly in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) of the brain which includes the hippocampus, perirhinal, entorhinal, and parahippocampal cortices. An electroencephalogram (EEG) will be used to determine whether alpha and beta frequencies are desynchronized after exercising. The test will involve twenty-five non-athlete participants that will learn half the stimuli before exercising and the other half after exercising. The participants will be asked to learn and remember objects presented at fixation and whether the stimuli was previously presented on the left or right side of the screen. The exercise will involve riding on a bike ergometer for 15 minutes to achieve 40-60% maximum heart rate. Three days after encoding the stimuli, the participants will come back to the lab and be shown the old stimuli mixed in with new stimuli. They will be asked to indicate if the stimulus was old and presented on the left, old and presented on the right, or new. Performance for the items remembered between the exercise and non-exercise conditions will be compared as will alpha and beta oscillatory power. The expectation is that aerobic exercise will desynchronize alpha and beta oscillations to enhance recognition memory.