2016 Poster Presentations Abstracts (Alphabetical)


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^Edith Park

Mentor: Sarah Gray, Chemistry and Physics

Forensic Toxicology: Quantitative Analysis of Blood Alcohol Content with Acidified Potassium Permanganate Solutions

Alcohol is one of the most frequently encountered drugs in forensic toxicology. Georgia’s driving under the influence (DUI) laws define blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher illegal when operating a passenger vehicle. The major goal of this work is to develop laboratory exercises in order to engage students with analytical experiments that are applicable to real-world scenarios. The current method for BAC analysis uses potassium dichromate, a known carcinogen, as the necessary reagent. Instead, this method uses potassium permanganate, a safer compound as a green chemistry procedure that reduces the toxicity to human health and the environment. Different ratios of acid, permanganate, and ethanol solutions were tested to yield a negative slope linear regression line that was comparable to the published dichromate method. The ability of the permanganate to oxidize the primary alcohol group in ethanol was measured within the linear range for Beer’s Law and was best when the BAC concentration was higher, thus yielding significant absorbance values between 0.4793-0.42289 au at a 525 nm λ-max. The results indicate that a 5.09-63.89% concentration range of BAC with permanganate produces a significant linear calibration curve. Kinetics and calibration data support prospects of developing promising methods for chemical education. Future work includes data collection on a more sensitive double beam UV-VIS spectrophotometer, testing different acid ratios, and reproducing the experiment with higher concentrations of permanganate to yield similar results to replicate realistic BAC.


Purvi Patel, Sierra Pekarski, Sara Webb

Mentor: Pamela Cartright, Radiologic Sciences



Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer that originates in the lymphatic system and affects approximately 72,000 people annually. The disease commonly embeds itself in the spleen and liver, but NHL has the ability to travel to other various organs as well. The following work of literature draws attention to the importance of staging and how the role of staging is used to determine methods of treatments for NHL patients. Once the stage of the lymphoma is determined, therapy techniques can be compared and differentiated to fabricate a successful outcome based on prognostic factors. A thorough diagnostic workup is an essential procedure that must be performed before any further evaluation takes place. Analysis of comprehensible and accurate lab results can aid physicians in creating a suitable NHL diagnosis. This research paper explores a wide spectrum of aspects on the underlying factors of NHL and recommendations on how to improve patient results.


Leah Perkins

Mentor: John Hobe, Childhood/Exceptional Student Education



The Miracle question the door to unlocking a level three families potential

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**^Robin Perry

Mentor: Barbara Serianni, Education

Social Goals for Elementary Students With ASD in the Classroom

Social dysfunction is one of the most difficult areas to understand for the student with autism and can be debilitating for some. Special educators spend hours studying strategies to help these students overcome academic deficits. Goals are written in the IEP to overcome academic deficits with accommodations added to ensure the best possible educational outcome. Yet, most of these students flounder in the social world of academia because they lack the ability to relate to others even though they really want to. Many studies have identified strategies aimed at helping students with processing disorders to overcome the deficits that keep them isolated socially. By providing alternative behaviors educators can change the social role of a child with ASD. My research study follows the application of social skill intervention for a 4th grade male student with Autism and obsessive compulsive tendencies. After researching many strategies designed to help the child with autism handle social situations, I began to observe and monitor the effects of social improvement instruction with this 4th grade student relating to his peers in an inclusion setting. I will provide the results of different social skills assessments including graphs, group sharing and reciprocity activities, emotion modeling with expression activities, and his self-evaluation with video self-monitoring (VSM). The results of this study will show progress in the student’s ability to form friendships, react appropriately in social situations, and relate to others in the classroom and beyond.


^Justin Rave

Mentor: Gary Guillet, Chemistry and Physics



Synthesis of Multi-metallic Clusters of Lithium and Iron with 2,6-Di-(trialkylsilylamino)-pyridine Ligands

This work entails synthesis of novel metal clusters utilizing 2,6-di-(trimethylsilylamino)-pyridine as a ligand. Metal clusters of this type can have unique structural and physical properties including very high-spin magnetic ground states. We have observed that 2,6-di-(trimethylsilylamino)-pyridine is able to stabilize a cluster of three iron atoms where the three irons are arranged almost linearly (bond angle of 179.3o), the first example of a cluster like this with iron. This iron cluster was observed to have an S = 6 ground state. Currently, the synthesis of this iron cluster only proceeds from combining iron(II) chloride and a pre-formed tetranuclear lithium cluster with aforementioned ligand. Currently we are working on synthesizing new congeners of 2,6-di-(trialkylsilylamino)-pyridine molecules, including 2,6-di-(isopropyldimethylsilylamino)-pyridine and 2,6-di-(tert¬-butyldimethylsilylamino)-pyridine, to see if they will stabilize similar or divergent clusters of iron as that formed from the trimethylsilyl version. We are also studying the formation of lithium clusters with these ligands to gain insight into any preference for formation of the iron cluster depending on the starting lithium cluster. We have found the lithium cluster formed is highly sensitive to synthetic conditions including solvent choice and base equivalents. Future investigations are focused on studying the iron-iron interactions via Mossbauer spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and Evan’s method.


Theresa Reilly, Lindsey Bailey, Joshua Sharpe, Tiffany Whetzel

Mentor: Joshua Williams, Psychology



Irrelevant word identification training: Does it help relevant word identification on PowerPoint slides?

Distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant information is a key aspect to reducing recorded information so students can more readily recall important information while reducing cognitive overload from the inclusion of irrelevant information. In previous studies, we examined methods to improve students’ abilities to identify relevant words on PowerPoint slides (abstracts submitted to SSS). In this series of studies, we provided different types of feedback on what constitutes relevant information in hopes that students would show improved identification of relevant information. This study is an extension of previous studies, using the same procedure, except that we provided feedback on what was irrelevant on a set of practice slides before ultimately asking participants to identify relevant information on a set of test slides. We manipulated the feedback in this way to assess whether feedback on irrelevant word identification worked equally well, better, or worse than feedback on relevant word identification. Preliminary analyses on the data gathered suggests that, overall, irrelevance training has minimal positive effects on a student’s ability to pick out more relevant information. Participants in the specific feedback group performed marginally better than those in the general feedback group, but neither group performed significantly better than their counterparts who received relevance training. In previous studies, we found that when less relevant information was present, participants tended to identify more irrelevant information as a substitute. These results hold true in this study, as well, suggesting a continued need to search for interventions to assist students in filtering out irrelevant information.


^Chad Reiter

Mentor: Sarah Zingales, Chemistry and Physics



Comparison of Synthetically Generated Humulone to Hops Based

With craft brewing becoming more popular and the availability of fresh hops limited, the ability to efficiently synthesize the common bittering agents in craft beer is very important to this wide spread market. The hops that are commercially available are commonly in dried form, and the key bittering agents are greatly diminished by the drying process. Along with sampling brews provided by the Southbound Brewing Company, we are working on a synthetic synthesis of iso-humulone. The synthesis is a multiple step process with a catalytic conversion of the product to the desired humulone. The comparison of the final product of the synthesis is one of the most important steps; being able to compare to the commercially available standards (Tetra, ICS-T3 (tetrahydroiso-alpha-acids standard) DCHA-Hexa, ICS-H1 (hexahydroiso-alpha-acids standard)) will be the defining point in the synthesis process. The hop derivative humulone found in hops and iso-humulone, which is generated via the brewing process, are the key to brewers being able to tune their brew to have the taste profile that is desired. With a cost effective and efficient way to produce iso-humulone, brewers will not have to rely on the availability of fresh hops to gain the desired flavor profile. This work was done as part of a CHEM 3900 course; future work will include development of an upper level lab course where students will complete the multiple step synthesis in which the product from the first reaction will be carried to the proceeding reaction.


^+Rebekah Robinson

Mentor: Mitch Weiland, Chemistry and Physics



Introducing Undergraduate Students to using an FPLC: Interpreting Chromatograms and Corresponding SDS-PAGE Gels

Protein purification is often taught in undergraduate biology and biochemistry lectures and is reinforced during laboratory exercises, but very few reported experiments allow undergraduate students to directly use modern protein purification instruments, like Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC). We have designed an undergraduate laboratory exercise that exposes students to using an FPLC through the application of two common chromatography methods: size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and ion exchange chromatography (IEX). In this laboratory exercise, students separate a mixture of four different proteins while using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), a common protein detection technique, to assess their results. The experiment begins with students using an SEC chromatogram and corresponding SDS-PAGE gel to understand how protein conformations can differ under varying conditions. Importantly, SEC separates only two of the four proteins and the remaining two proteins need to be further purified by IEX. Students then prepare the necessary buffers and operate the FPLC by loading the sample on an IEX column. Under the conditions used, one of the two proteins will bind to the column while the other will flow through. The bound protein is then eluted by increasing ionic strength or changing pH toward the isoelectric point of the bound protein. Subsequent SDS-PAGE gels show complete separation of the four proteins in the original sample. After completion of the exercise, the students have gained hands-on experience with an instrument that is commonly used in graduate school or industry while learning the concepts of protein purification and SDS-PAGE.


^Aaryn Rogers

Mentor: Gary Guillet, Chemistry and Physics



Investigation of Aza-Wittig and Staudinger Reactions as Synthetic Pathways to Diimine and Diiminophosphorane Pincer Ligands to be used for Low-Coordinate Metal Complexes

There are numerous metal containing compounds, and it is observed in this breadth of examples that metals preferentially bond to 6 other molecules in an octahedron. For example, if iron is dissolved in water, six water molecules will bond to the metal ion. My project is concerned with forming compounds with metal ions where the metal ion is restricted from bonding to the normal number of molecules and instead is restricted to only bonding to 3 or 4. This forms a compound that is inherently less stable and therefore more likely to perform interesting chemistry. My work has specifically centered on synthesizing bulky molecules with only a small pocket where a metal ion resides, restricting the number of bonds to the metal. I have synthesized 4 novel molecules like this and I am currently characterizing them. I would like to study their reactivity which requires specialized glassware due to the compounds air and water sensitivity.


Taylor Sims, Autumn Torres

Mentor: John Hobe, Childhood/Exceptional Student Education



The Importance of Family on the Literacy of Youth

We live in a country where all children are promised a Free and Appropriate Education at school. However, we as educators know that most of the learning done by our PK-12 students is done at home. This is why Family Literacy is such a major thing for all students, but especially PK-5. Getreadytoread.org defines family literacy as “home literacy activities that provide literacy skill-building opportunities for young children while enhancing literacy skill development in all members of the family.” This definition is so important, because it really speaks to the essence of what family literacy is all about. This type of literacy activity not only benefits the child, but it also improves the literacy of each and every family member. This can be very beneficial to low income families, inner city families, families with young parents, and even families that are learning English or have English as a second language. Our purpose is to show that there are several different techniques, either low cost or free, and programs that support family literacy. Supporting these types of literacy activities in the home will make a world of difference in how students across the country are performing in school. Not only that it benefits the literacy of all the family members, and helps the family to find and create that bonding time while making a good use of their time and using little to no money.


Miekela Smith

Mentor: Melanie Link-Perez, Biology



Morphological Characterization of a Putative New Species of Adiantopsis

Adiantopsis chlorophylla (Sw.) Fee is widespread in South America and Mexico. This fern species grows in a range of environments and at altitudes from 100-2000 msl. An herbarium specimen of a plant collected in Cajamarca, Peru, and initially identified as A. chlorophylla, appeared slightly different from other samples examined and was suspected to be a new species. Morphological data were collected in order to determine if the Cajamarca specimen were distinct from A. chlorophylla. The characteristics that separate the putative new species from A. chlorophylla include the texture of the carinae, the structure of the apical segment, the rhizome scales, and spore size. Although occupying similar habitats, the putative new species is found at a higher elevation (2800 msl). Additionally, the putative new species has an average spore size that suggests it may be a tetraploid species (having four sets of chromosomes), in contrast to the smaller spores of A. chlorophylla, which is a diploid (two sets of chromosomes).


Anitra Steele-Perry

Mentor: Karla Jennings, Art, Music and Theatre



Public Relations: What is the role and the process of special events planning?

Special events planning is a specialty under the ever-expanding umbrella of public relations, and has begun to play more of an essential role in shaping company images and perceptions. This paper will examine the process of planning an event. More than 170 years ago, P.T. Barnum built his name and fortune by staging grand openings, special museum exhibits, concert tours, and other spectacular happenings (Michael Turney, 2009). PT Barnum, known as a huckster with questionable methods, drew an audience to his circus by staging events (Seitel, 2014). Always armed with a methodical strategy, PT Barnum always drew a large audience. This master publicist’s plan was comprised of many factors to attract an audience to attend his events. Not only was he a circus owner, Barnum also generated sensational headlines with amended names that he gave the performers. Perhaps he was inspired by this excerpt from William Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It”: “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts,” As You Like It, Act II, Scene VII. Special events planning has many moving parts from planning to the event’s end. Those parts must move succinctly to make an event successful. This paper aims to also provide a basic overview of the strategy of planning a special event and its role in corporate social responsibility.


**Ashley Sullivan

Mentor: Anne Katz, Childhood/ Exceptional Student Education



A Preschool Case Study: An In-Depth Analysis of an Emergent Reader

The purpose of my case study research was to interview a preschool child to assess their knowledge of emergent literacy skills. As a teacher, I must be able to determine age-appropriate text and activities in emerging reading in order for my students to master foundational literacy skills. For young students to become successful readers, they must understand basic reading skills including identifying components of a text, directionality of print, retelling a story by taking a picture walk, generating inferences, and recalling information from the text. These emerging reading skills and concepts about print begin in infancy and extend to the beginning of first grade. Elements that were observed in the case study were the following: visual aspects of print, intuitive knowledge of language, integrating visual and language cues, generating meaning from print, and general observations obtained by posing questions or making comments about the text. The purpose of my poster presentation is to analyze a preschool student’s emerging reading skills in order to create lessons that will be effective for my students.


^Matthew Thomas, Katie Threatt

Mentor: Nicole Davis, Chemistry and Physics



Distinguishing Noxo1β from Noxo1γ: Using Site-Directed Mutagenesis to Create Noxo1γ and Hybrid Sequences

NOX1 oxidase is a multi-protein enzyme complex that is involved in many biochemical pathways and is responsible for many basic cellular functions through generation of reactive oxygen species. Interaction between membrane-bound and cytosolic proteins, such as Noxo1 and Noxa1, is necessary for activation of the enzyme complex. Improper function of the NOX1 enzyme complex leads to inflammatory gastric conditions including IBS, Crohn's disease, and cancer. Noxo1 is upregulated in gastric cancer and promotes the spread of abnormal cells.

Noxo1 interacts with both proteins and lipids. One particular protein region of Noxo1, the PX domain, is responsible for targeting it to membrane lipids. There are four isoforms of Noxo1, with Noxo1β and Noxo1γ being the primarily expressed isoforms. The difference between Noxo1β and Noxo1γ is in their sequences; the sequence of Noxo1β is 376 amino acids while Noxo1γ contains five additional amino acids in the PX domain. Although the difference is minor, the NOX1 complex produces more reactive oxygen species when Noxo1β is present and primarily targets the cellular membrane, whereas Noxo1γ targets the nuclear membrane. The goal of this project is to determine which residues lead to the differing functions of Noxo1β and Noxo1γ. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to create hybrid sequences between Noxo1β and Noxo1γ isoforms, in addition to point mutations that should interrupt lipid binding. These hybrid proteins will then be characterized using functional assays. By understanding these interactions, Noxo1 can be used as a target to treat inflammatory gastric conditions.
^Sydney Toney

Mentor: Gary Guillet, Chemistry and Physics



Heterocyclic N-Oxides as Lewis Bases for Investigating Halogen Bonding with Tetraiodoethylene

Halogen bonding is analogous to the better-known concept of hydrogen bonding, which is a type of interaction typically formed between a polarized hydrogen atom and a Lewis base to form an adduct. In this investigation halogen bonding is formed between Lewis Acidic iodine atoms in tetraiodoethylene which are polarized in this case by heterocyclic N-oxides or di-N-oxides. The extent and diversity of the interactions has been investigated with quinoxaline N-oxide, quinoxaline di-N-oxide, pyrazine N-oxide, pyrazine di-N-oxide, acridine N-oxide, tetramethylpyrazine N-oxide, and tetremethylpyrazine di-N-oxide. These molecules have been synthesized from the starting heterocycles by combination with meta-chloro peroxybenzoic acid (mCPBA) indicating in many cases improved yields as compared to literature procedures. Adducts have been crystallized and analyzed via X-ray crystallography.


Ariana Vargas

Mentor: Brent Feske, Chemistry and Physics



Synthesis of ethyl 2-chloro-2-methylacetoacetate a Putative Substrate for Amine Dehydrogenase Enzymes

A synthesis of ethyl 2-chloro-2-methylacetoacetate has been developed by reacting ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate with N-chlorosuccimide. The reagents were stirred for three days at a temperature of 25° C. A liquid-liquid extraction was performed to isolate the organic layer containing the product formed from the reaction. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was used to identify the presence of the product and the percent conversion for this reaction. Further purification of the substrate requires column flash chromatography and yield has yet to be determined. It was found that the reaction of N-chlorosuccimide with ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate to synthesize ethyl 2-chloro-2-methylacetoacetate was a success. The conversion of the reagents to the chlorinated product was confirmed by a gas chromatography and mass spectrometry test. However, further purification is required.


**Leslie Wall

Mentor: April Garrity, Communication Sciences and Disorders



A Comparison of Treatment Approaches in Individuals with Aphasia: Impairment-Based Therapy versus Communication-Based Therapy

Objectives: The main objective of this review is to answer the clinical question: In individuals with aphasia, do impairment-based therapy approaches compared to communication-based therapy approaches result in increased linguistic skills? This will be done by examining the literature on the effects of impairment-based therapy approaches opposed to communication-based therapy approaches on individuals with aphasia post-stroke. This information will be used to determine whether impairment-based or communication-based therapeutic services are more beneficial in the improvement of linguistic skills as a component of functional communication. Methods: Online databases GALILEO and MEDLINE were searched for literature containing information about impairment-based and communication-based therapy approaches. Three studies targeting these approaches in adults with aphasia were identified and reviewed. Hoover, Caplan, Waters, and Budson (2014) and Best, Greenwood, Grassly, and Hicken (2008) studied the impacts of impairment-based therapy, while Kempler and Goral (2011) studied the effects of communication-based therapy. Results are representative of data gathered from a total of 22 individuals with aphasia post-stroke from a variety of backgrounds. Outcomes: An increase in linguistic skills as an element of functional communication was detected in a majority of participants. Specific targets, such as word-finding and increases in verb-production, were noted to have increased significantly from both impairment-based and communication-based treatment approaches. Narrative productions, however, were noted to have increased specifically from communication-based treatment. Conclusion: Evidence signifying an increase in linguistic abilities was detected in individuals with aphasia following treatment. It is inconclusive as to whether impairment-based treatment or communication-based treatment is superior.


^Maya Wallace

Mentor: Sarah Zingales , Chemistry and Physics



Green Synthesis and Reduction of Chalcones as Anti-Cancer Therapeutics

Every year, 14 million people are diagnosed with cancer and 8 million die from the disease. In the US, over half a million people are estimated to die from cancer in 2015. As medicine has evolved, many different therapeutics have been synthesized to combat cancer. Unfortunately, many of these therapeutics are also toxic to the human body. Therefore, medicinal chemistry research has turned to creating drugs that specifically target the infectious cells, without harming the body’s healthy cells. Much of current research investigates targeted chemotherapeutics—anti-tumor drugs that take advantage of the differences between cancerous and healthy cells. Previous research has already demonstrated the efficacy of chalcones, a small class of organic compounds, as antitumor agents for specific cancer cell lines. Chalcones are naturally abundant in edible plants. Compounds in the chalcone family have been shown to interfere in each step of carcinogenesis, from initiation to progression, and have been historically used in ancient Chinese medicine. While synthesizing and reducing the chalcones, two environmentally friendly “green” procedures were also tested for effectiveness. The purpose of green chemistry is to prevent waste, minimize the potential for accidents, design safer chemical synthesis, and reduce or eliminate harmful environmental impacts. The purpose is for the final product to contain the greatest possible proportion of the starting materials. The ideal green organic reaction avoids the use of any solvents. Once the chalcones were synthesized and tested for purity using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), they were further evaluated for their anti-cancer properties.


^Chloe Webb

Mentor: Kathryn Craven, Biology



Investigating reproductive biology in the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias, using microsatellites

The spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias exists in distinct populations dispersed around the world. It is a popular food source for many countries, therefore its well being is a concern to both the scientific community and the fishing industry. Populations have declined significantly due to overfishing, however, few conservation efforts are in place. A greater understanding of how males and females contribute to offspring will help us better manage these populations. Our study investigates the reproductive biology using microsatellites. We focused on the spiny dogfish population along the coast of South Carolina and Georgia. DNA was extracted from local samples and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The 20 samples consisted of fin clips from: a mom and her 5 pups, a mom and her 5 pups, and a mom and her 7 pups. DNA was extracted using the QIAamp DNA micro kit.

Tiffany Whetzel

Mentor: Mirari Elcoro, Psychology



Resurgence of operant behavior with two qualitatively different reinforcers

Introduction: Quick, valid, and reliable measures are necessary to assess cardiovascular health. The stair climb test (SCT) is easily applicable and may be more useful in space-limited settings, but has not been standardized or validated against the gold standard of the six minute walk test (6MWT). Purpose: To establish normative speed values in the healthy population for height ascended during a SCT and to compare the SCT with the 6MWT. Design: Quasi-experimental, with the independent variable of exercise type, and dependent variables of distance, time, and blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and dyspnea. Subjects: Convenience sample of healthy adults, 20 - 60 years of age (N= 137, mean age 34.0 years old, males= 44, females = 93). Methods: All subjects performed a 6MWT in which distance completed was measured, followed by a SCT, in which ascending speed in meters per second was recorded. Other variables were recorded before and immediately after each test and at 4 minutes after completion of the SCT. Results: The average distance walked in the 6MWT was 582.85 +/- 85.89 meters. The average ascending speed in the SCT was .45 m/s +/- .12 m/s. Discussion/Conclusions: Full statistical analysis is pending, but initial review suggests that the SCT is comparable to the 6MWT and may be a viable alternative to the 6MWT.


**Ayla Wilson, George Xiang

Mentor: Sara Plaspohl, Health Sciences



Firearm Availability and Homicide Rates: An Evidence-Based Review

The purpose of this evidence-based review is to explore the existing academic literature regarding the relationship between firearm availability and firearm homicides in the United States. Reviewing individual-level studies suggests there is a positive correlation between firearm availability and risk of firearm homicide. Additionally, ecological studies comparing the United States with other developed nations revealed a positive association between firearm availability and firearm homicide rates. The review does not determine causation. However, the findings are strongly consistent with the hypothesis that if gun availability increases, then firearm homicide rates will increase in response. This paper examines 10 different studies in an attempt to understand how firearm homicides are linked to factors such as concealed handgun licenses rates, regulations for firearm dealers, and permit-to-purchase law reversals, as well as the relationship between firearm ownership rates and police officer deaths.





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