CURC 2025 Presentations Gallery
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Ellie Shyu, Darby Easterday, Devin Wahl, Shelby Osburn, Thomas LaRocca
Presenter(s): Ellie Shyu
Mentors(s): Daniel Lark
Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) enable cellular communication and are secreted by all organs of the body, including skeletal muscle (SkM). Aging is associated with changes in EV characteristics, but its impacts on EV secretion and diameter are poorly defined. Methods: This study analyzed the effects of biological age, sex, and SkM type on EV secretion and diameter. SkM was collected after euthanasia, cut into 5 mg pieces, and incubated in cell culture media for 24 hours. We isolated EVs from conditioned media and quantified them. A 3-way ANOVA was performed with Tukey multiple comparisons testing. Results: No significant main effect or interactions was observed for age, sex, or tissue type, but there was a trend (p = 0.10) for a sex x age interaction. There was a main effect of tissue, sex and age on mean EV diameter but no significant interactions between variables. Multiple comparisons analysis did not clearly explain differences across variables. There was a main effect of sex and a significant tissue x sex x age interaction on modal EV diameter. No individual differences were observed in multiple comparisons testing for modal EV diameter. Conclusion: This data suggests that aging may not decrease SkM EV secretion, and that sex may be a relevant variable in age-dependent changes to secretion. EV cargo is another major factor for EV function, so our ongoing work examines differences in EV composition. Differences in EV cargo may be indicators of diseases.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Ashley DeBie
Presenter(s): Ashley DeBie
Mentors(s): Melea Barahona, Tara Gries
Inhaled toxicants are recognized as major contributors to lung inflammation and tissue damage. Repair mechanisms within the lung epithelial barrier help maintain tissue homeostasis and protect against injury. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) enables cells to gain proliferative abilities, and influences cancer formation and metastasis. Inhalation of dust further exacerbates this process. Additionally, in cellular immunity, macrophages release cytokines to regulate inflammation and recruit other immune cells in response to foreign insults. While Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is well known for its role in anti-inflammatory responses, other multifunctional IL-10 family cytokines, IL-24 and IL-22 are less well studied, despite their involvement in mediating lung inflammation and the EMT-MET repair process. Elevations of these cytokines have been observed in various lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis (PF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. To explore the roles of IL-22 and IL-24 further, we developed a two-hit murine model combing agricultural dust exposure (ADE) with bleomycin-induced PF.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Justin Hu
Presenter(s): Justin Hu
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
Human-snake conflicts in India has become an on-going issue, with various cobra species contributing to over 50,000 snakebite incidents annually. As urbanization and agricultural expansion encroach upon natural habitats, encounters between humans and cobras have increased. These encounters have led to numerous fatalities, economic disruptions, and management challenges. Aside from their medical and economic impact, cobras hold significant religious and cultural value in India, which complicates conservation and conflict mitigation efforts. This study aims to examine key stakeholder groups ranging from local communities, healthcare providers, government agencies, conservation organizations, and the media to identify their perspectives, conflicts, and potential areas of cooperation. Potential conflict management strategies include improving access to antivenom, implementing public education initiatives, promoting non-lethal snake management, and balancing conservation priorities with human-safety concerns. By integrating scientific research, cultural considerations, and policy-driven solutions, this project aims to identify sustainable approaches to mitigate human-cobra conflicts.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Madalyn Guertin
Presenter(s): Madalyn Guertin
Mentors(s): Fiona Hollinshead
There are millions of domesticated cats in the world and most of them are strays. The growing population of stray cats poses a public health risk and contributes to the endangerment and sometimes extinction of various small wildlife species that the cats hunt. Cat overpopulation also raises ethical concerns due to poor welfare and quality of life. Furthermore, many owners seek alternative, non-surgical methods of fertility control for many reasons such as to avoid some health effects, possibility of complications, and concerns related to cost. This review analyzes different methods of fertility control available in cats to help determine the best options for both owned and feral cat populations. Based on current research, surgical procedures such as ovariectomies, ovariohysterectomies, orchidectomies, and cryptorchidectomies may be better suited for stray cat populations until other options such as immunocontraceptives or anti-Müllerian hormone transgene prove to work for much longer periods of time. Fertility control options such as progestins, melatonin, and Deslorelin may be better options for cats meant for breeding purposes because these are easily reversible and maintain behaviors associated with the hormonal cycle. For cats that clients do not intend to breed, the anti-Müllerian hormone transgene and surgical procedures such as ovariectomies, ovariohysterectomies, orchidectomies, and cryptorchidectomies may be the best options.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Kennedy Jones
Presenter(s): Kennedy Jones
Mentors(s): Kimberly Jeckel
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) present a unique clinical challenge, sitting at a crossroads of neurology and psychiatry. This project explores the potential pathophysiological and psychological framework of PNES, compared to epileptic seizures to outline the differences and similarities between these two distinct conditions. This project examines the physical manifestations of PNES, the diagnostic criteria, and factors contributing to the misclassification of this condition. Additionally, this will investigate the root causes of PNES, particularly the role of psychological stress, trauma, and mental health disorders in their onset. Key research questions focus on understanding the mechanism of PNES both physiologically and psychologically, identifying the criteria for precise diagnostic practices, and exploring the complex relationship between mental health and seizure manifestations. By analyzing current literature on both PNES and epilepsy, this work aims to clarify the boundaries between neurological and psychiatric diagnoses, while also addressing the stigma associated with PNES. The findings are expected to inform future research directions, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies, ultimately expanding the literature exploring the understanding and management of PNES in medical and psychological contexts.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Sophie Kiehl, Paris Kiehl
Presenter(s): Sophie Kiehl
Mentors(s): Allison Vilander, Gregg Dean, McKenzie Fletcher
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) colonize the gastrointestinal tract and generally confer immune benefits to their host. Because of this, they are emerging as viable vaccine vectors, particularly against mucosal pathogens. LAB secrete high quantities of lactate as a byproduct of their metabolism, and lactate has been increasingly recognized as an immunomodulator, often in an anti-inflammatory capacity. We are studying how lactate metabolism of LAB affects vaccine efficacy using the bacterial platform Lactobacillus acidophilus. Using Mirasol® Pathogen Reduction Technology system, we inactivated a recombinant L. acidophilus expressing the model antigen ovalbumin. We first verified that inactivation inhibited bacterial growth and reduced lactate metabolism while preserving antigen expression. We then administered the live and inactivated vaccines orally to BALB/c mice and measured lactate concentrations in harvested immune inductive sites (Peyer’s patches and ileal lumen contents) using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. We plan to use lactate concentration data to inform optimization of LAB vaccines, especially for mucosal pathogens such as rotavirus for which current vaccines have limited efficacy.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Anna Hartwick
Presenter(s): Anna Hartwick
Mentors(s): Anna Fagre
Flaviviruses (genus Orthoflavivirus, family Flaviviridae), representing public health threats like West Nile virus, dengue virus, and Japanese Encephalitis virus, cluster phylogenetically based on the arthropod vector that transmits them. Meanwhile, there are two clades within the genus—both termed No-Known-Vector (NKV) flaviviruses—thought to have no hematophagous arthropod vectors capable of transmitting them and lack the same degree of ecological characterization as other flaviviruses. However, some findings suggest that the vector-borne status of NKV flaviviruses should be reclassified. Viruses in one NKV flavivirus clade, closely related to the mosquito-borne Yellow Fever virus, replicate to low titers in mosquito-derived cell lines, and one of them was isolated from ticks in Kyrgyzstan. This study aims to replicate and further characterize viral growth kinetics with cell line-virus pairings guided by a genomic-based machine-learning algorithm, scientific literature, and historical data from the CDC. In this study, we obtained bat-associated NKV flaviviruses, propagated them on African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells, and conducted multi-step growth curves on representative vertebrate (primate, bat) and invertebrate (mosquito, tick) cell lines. Supernatant was collected at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 hours post infection and titered using plaque assays on Vero cells for growth curve formation. These findings will inform missing pieces of vector potential and ecology for both clades of NKV flaviviruses.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Cice Kim, Linda Fischbacher
Presenter(s): Cice Kim
Mentors(s): John Belisle
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains a leading global health concern. Previous analyses demonstrate increased levels of circulating quinoa intake in patients with active TB and a drop in these levels with treatment. Innate immune cells, such as macrophages, infected with Mycobacterium spp. or stimulated with IFN-gamma increase the catabolism of tryptophan via the indoleamine 2,3-deoxygenate (IDO1) pathway, resulting in quinolinate production. Thus, elevates levels of circulating quinolinate are consistent with the underlying pathobiology of TB. However, the direct impact of host derived quinolinate on the Mtb pathogen remains unclear. Our overall hypothesis is that Mtb can use the host-produced quinolinate to achieve a growth advantage. This project aims to test wether Mtb can respond to or utilize exogenous quinolinate when added to the culture medium. A bioinformatics analysis of quinolinate metabolism in Mtb showed that Mtb has the genes for the enzymes to convert quinolinate to nicotinate and nicotinamide, but is also capable of forming quinolinate from aspartate. To assess the growth of Mtb in the presence of quinolinate, we are establishing a 96-well plate growth curve using Mtb mc26230 transformed with the PTiGc mycobacterial dual reporter plasmid (addgene: #78314). The assay measures bacterial growth by reading optical density at 600 nm and GFP fluorescence. Using this growth curve assay, Mtb-PTiGc growth in the presence of quinolinate is being assessed to help elucidate wether Mtb benefits from host quinolinate.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Meredith Brazeal, Brandon Schout, Kaitlin McClatchey, Logan Lowe, Logan Ridenbaugh, Megan Moran
Presenter(s): Meredith Brazeal
Mentors(s): Alan Schenkel
Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a global pandemic in 2020. The genome of coronaviruses shows that the split between the bat and human strains was recent. One highly conserved gene between the bat and human strains is the Open Reading Frame 8 (ORF8). ORF8 blocks interferon signaling (via IRF3) and MHC Class I expression by trapping IRF3 and MHC Class I in the endoplasmic reticulum. Our hypothesis is that the few differences between bat and human variants may alter this ability. We made human epithelial cells expressing ORF8 and/or a green fluorescent protein (GFP) when interferon signaling is activated by viruses. We found that interferon alpha and beta did not turn on the GFP reporter. The virus genome mimic polymeric Inositol-Cytosine (Poly IC) did turn on the GFP reporter but was toxic to the cells. Our preliminary data showed less death in the cells that express ORF8 when treated with Poly-IC. We will next see if ORF8 expressing cells can be infected with SARS-C0V-2, see if the virus could turn on the GFP reporter, and if ORF8 increases or decreases viral replication. Currently we are validating that our antibody for ORF8 works and that our cells are expressing the ORF8 protein, but we have not been able to detect it. We are trying a new monoclonal antibody against ORF8, along with using control cells infected with SARS-CoV-2, and may try a different cell line moving forward. We are also staining for MHC Class I and IRF3.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Kara Koniares
Presenter(s): Kara Koniares
Mentors(s): Ruoh-Nan Yan
While there have been many studies examining sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in varying contexts, little research is focused on how small businesses practice both of these initiatives, particularly in the apparel industry, which is one of the most impactful industries in terms of environmental and social issues. Small businesses were selected as the focus of this study due to their significant presence and economic impact in the United States. Recent data indicates that there are approximately 34 million small businesses nationwide, accounting for 99.9% of all firms. The purpose of this research was to explore how small apparel businesses implement sustainability and DEI practices and why or why not they chose to do so. The two primary research questions we developed for the study were: RQ1: How do small businesses in the apparel industry implement sustainability and DEI strategies? RQ2: What are factors that might influence their decisions when deciding whether and how to practice sustainability and DEI?
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Shea Kramer
Presenter(s): Shea Kramer
Mentors(s): Brian Tracy
An experiential teaching lab environment engages and motivates students with learning materials. Here we describe four very inexpensive and easily accessible smartphone-based motor control/variability labs. Sensors in common smartphones are used to measure acceleration fluctuations in limb and body movement. Physiological arousal – An ice bath is used to induce a sympathetic response. Heart rate (pulse oximeter) and fluctuations in forearm acceleration (smartphone) are measured in the test arm. More motor variability and increased heart rate are observed during the ice condition. Archery/contralateral overflow – A laser pointer mounted on a hunting bow is aimed at a 10cm target from a 30m distance. A smartphone is used to measure tri-axial accelerometry changes from the bow. Two conditions are compared: 1) pull the bowstring (23kg), 2) no pull. The change in motor variability during a more intense task is observed. Contralateral motor overflow – The position of a test arm is controlled under two conditions: contralateral arm held in position with/without a weight (50% max). Triaxial fluctuations of the test arm are measured with a smartphone. Conditions are compared to reveal contralateral overflow of motor excitation. Balance/proprioception – Postural stability (ant/post, med/lat) is measured with a smartphone in four conditions: hard surface eyes open/closed, soft surface eyes open/closed. Manipulation of sensory information reveals the importance of the different inputs.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Jade White, Alissa Threatt, Nathan Klepper, Tara Gries
Presenter(s): Jade White
Mentors(s): Julie Moreno
Routine exposure to organic agricultural dust (OD) has led to a higher chance in developing chronic lung inflammatory diseases. Previous research has confirmed that the same agricultural dust exposure that causes inflammation in the lungs is linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. In our previous study we found a rise in microglial inflammation. It is well known that gliosis can occur in parallel with a change in cognitive ability. Therefore, we hypothesized that mice exposed to OD would have a loss in cognition compared to the mice saline exposed mice. Here we investigated the cognitive modulation of mice after OD or saline exposure. Mice who have been exposed to the OD were exposed nasally and oranpharangial, then monitored over the course of eight weeks. Using novel object recognition. A finding that our current preliminary data may support that there is not a notable difference from our baseline to the week 8 of our experiment comparing the OD exposed mice and the mice who were not exposed. We will also take the study further by examining the brains and lungs from these mice to determine the OD impact on the lung brain axis and the inflammation ensued. This study will allow for a deeper understanding of cognitive loss following OD exposure and correlate this to the systemic inflammation from damaging the lungs.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Eden Vrondran, Catalina Mazariegos Mejia, Jaelynn van Melle
Presenter(s): Eden Vrondran
Mentors(s): Shane Kanatous
This presentation will introduce how we catalog information from videos of underwater dolphin behavior. Each videolog (GoPro video), is about 30 minutes long and follows up to 18 dolphins in a captive setting. In our analysis, we document the exact time a dolphin appears on screen, down to the very second. We record which body part enters the frame first (e.g. rostrum, fluke, left or right pectoral fins (according to the dolphin's view), dorsal fin) and the precise location on the screen (left, right, top, bottom, corner, or center). From there we track the dolphin(s) until they exit the frame and record that time. While a dolphin is in view, we try to identify individuals based on physical markers. We look at permanent features such as fin and fluke shapes, including notches or birthmarks, as well as temporary rake marks from social interactions. Since some marks fade over time, we take note of the most reliable identifiers. Knowing the dolphins’ family trees also helps confirm relationships and ages, which gives us additional insight and potential for interpretation of social relationships. These videos provide valuable insight into dolphin swimming patterns, both socially and positionally, two closely connected aspects of their behavior. They also serve as an important educational tool, introducing students to different methods of scientific research.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Madi Pinney
Presenter(s): Madi Pinney
Mentors(s): Trevor Carter
Forest disturbances impact ecosystem dynamics, with single events causing economic and ecological consequences, yet their interactions can lead to multiplicative effects. However, we know little about the mechanisms that link widespread disturbances in the subalpine environment. This study examines the connections between spruce beetle-induced tree mortality, soil moisture distribution, and woody debris accumulation in high-elevation spruce-fir forests of the Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming. Spruce beetles cause tree mortality in western North American forests, with outbreaks intensifying due to warming temperatures and drought conditions. While previous research has documented changes in forest structure and understory vegetation following beetle outbreaks, the hypothesized mechanisms linking these disturbances to increased fire susceptibility, specifically the relationship between post-outbreak microclimate conditions such as soil moisture and fuel accumulation patterns, remains poorly understood. Using data collected at the Glacier Lakes Ecosystem Experiments Site (GLEES), this research examines how soil moisture and fuels vary across a gradient of beetle-caused mortality. Presently, we build upon earlier work that established significant understory vegetation changes following spruce beetle outbreaks, focusing on how these structural alterations influence fine fuel characteristics that may increase fire ignition potential and spread. We observed no statistically significant relationships between soil moisture, fuels, and overstory mortality. Our findings suggest that the dynamics of fuel accumulation following beetle outbreaks may be more complex than previously assumed, potentially influenced by other environmental factors beyond tree mortality. This work challenges assumptions about post-disturbance fuel accumulation and may help refine fire risk models in western forests affected by spruce beetle outbreaks.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Harika Shankar
Presenter(s): Harika Shankar
Mentors(s): Samantha Conroy, Zachary Rogers
Pay practices play a crucial role in shaping organizational success and significantly impact worker well-being. The Understanding the Pay-off of Good Pay Practices study examines whether pay-related announcements for non-executive workers lead to abnormal stock returns, assessing the financial consequences for compensation decisions. Our research team analyzes data from publicly traded companies (2000-2023) to assess market reactions to announcements of changes in wage policies. Additionally, this study integrates a supply chain perspective, evaluating how pay announcements affect supplier stock performance. Using a consolidated dataset, our analysis aims to identify patterns in market reactions to pay changes, offering valuable insights for industry leaders. This research enhances discussions on compensation strategies, equipping organizations with data-driven perspectives on the financial implications of wage policies.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Genova Mumford
Presenter(s): Genova Mumford
Mentors(s): Julie Moreno
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) impact millions globally, with a greater prevalence seen in elderly populations1, with 15-30% of all infections in individuals over 60 years old resulting from an infection of the urinary tract2. In these elderly populations patients present atypically, causing confusion and delirium3. Our previous studies had shown that Hartley guinea pigs naturally presented with age-related neuroinflammation and are less likely to recall previously encountered objects and to explore exposed areas, supporting a worsening neurological state, however it was unknown if the UTI would exacerbate this phenotype. We hypothesize that a UTI will exacerbate neuroinflammation in aging Hartley guinea pigs, and treatment with antibiotics may mitigate long-term neurotoxic effects by alleviating inflammation. To address this, we used 3 groups, 1) uninfected, 2.) infected with E. coli, and 3.) infected with E. coli and with antibiotic treatment. Neurological tissues were stained to assess the neuroinflammation and misfolded proteins present, finding that UTIs result in increased neuroinflammation and misfolded proteins present. Antibiotic treatment decreased neuroinflammation, but it did not arrest the accumulation of misfolded proteins. Data collection is still ongoing, and current areas of focus include examining pathologies at different timepoints and examining the impacts of the antibiotic administered.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Yazeed Aljohani, Juliette Dashe, Nicole Kelp, Shelby Cagle, Trevor Hale
Presenter(s): Yazeed Aljohani
Mentors(s): Shelby Cagle, Stacy Lynn
Bats play a vital role in ecosystems, yet public perception of bat research is often shaped by concerns about zoonotic diseases. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado State University (CSU) initiated a bat research facility at its Foothills campus, facing mixed reactions from the local community. This study examines post-COVID social media narratives about CSU’s bat research, comparing them to discourse surrounding similar research facilities in Montana, Kansas, and Texas. Using qualitative content analysis, we analyzed social media posts from platforms such as Facebook and X to identify key themes and sentiments. Preliminary results indicate that while some posts emphasize the ecological importance of bats, others highlight concerns related to biosafety, zoonotic disease risks, and institutional transparency. Notably, discussions around disease transmission, research safety protocols, and the role of universities in pandemic-related studies remain prominent. These findings highlight the ongoing challenges in science communication and the need for targeted outreach strategies. By addressing public concerns and fostering dialogue, CSU can improve community engagement and support for bat conservation and research initiatives.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Allison Kyutoku
Presenter(s): Allison Kyutoku
Mentors(s): Glenn Telling
Chronic wasting disease (CWD), which affects deer and other cervids, is part of a group of inevitably fatal neurodegenerative disorders known as prion diseases. In these diseases, the cellular prion protein (PrPC) misfolds into a pathogenic isoform termed prions. Prions can exist as strains that can diIer in their biochemical and biological properties. CWD is endemic in North America; however, beginning 2016, CWD emerged in Nordic countries, prompting the need for new in vivo and in vitro models to study novel strains. Compared to traditional transgenic models, gene-targeted (Gt) cervidized-mice provide a more accurate model system to study natural CWD pathogenesis. Regarding the in vitro models, the de novo generation of synthetic prions from noninfectious sources oIers an easily manipulatable system to study strain properties. To investigate the potential emergence and evolution of cervid prion strains, we characterized synthetic prions before and after in vivo and in vitro transmission into a Gt cervidized-mouse brain environment. In vivo characterization was performed by intracerebrally and intraperitoneally inoculating cervid synthetic prions in Gt cervid mice. The in vitro counterpart involved spiking cervid synthetic prions into uninfected brain homogenate and amplifying them through cycles of sonication and incubation. To compare the end products of these processes to the original inocula and CWD field isolates, we will analyze their biochemical properties on Western blot using specific antibodies, their conformational stability, and cellular tropism. In this study, we strive to provide a comprehensive methodology to characterize de novo prions, gaining insight into strain emergence and evolution.
Category: Written Work
Author(s): Stella Van Buskirk
Presenter(s): Stella Van Buskirk
Everything I write is true. The truth: that’s where the pieces in "Running Quite Quickly Through This House of Gladness" began. To fully understand how I curated these pieces, one must first understand why I write. Phoebe Waller-Bridge posits, “[It is] better to feel the pain of writing than the pain of not writing.” I share her sentiment and will go even further by suggesting that writing is a necessity. Like most artists, I am absorbed by my art. The pieces in this portfolio were created out of need and passion. My works explore the teenage experience. Specifically, I wrote about my mental health struggle with acne, unrequited feelings for a boy, desire to understand my place in society, and the choice to love myself despite these frustrations. In many ways, my portfolio is a story of self-discovery and acceptance at seventeen years old. This is what it means to be a teenager. It’s hard and complicated and you overthink a lot, but this period of growth is also a metamorphosis. It is important to note that the teenage experience is synonymous with the human experience. Though I wrote these pieces for myself, to understand my thoughts and feelings when I was otherwise unable, the beauty of literature is often attributed to its universality. If my readers can connect with any of the ideas woven throughout my writing, then I am beyond satisfied.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Max Nikkari
Presenter(s): Max Nikkari
Mentors(s): Chad Miller, Daniel Burcham
The Colorado State University Annual Trial Gardens and Heritage Arboretum are just two examples of horticulture sites that work to meet the extension and education goals expressed by Colorado State University and the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. In an effort to increase the educational programming of both sites, identify potential programmatic unity, and gauge public interest in educational attendance and cost, two public surveys were written and released in the summer of 2024. A survey was designed for each site and signs with a QR access code were posted along paths and planting beds of the Annual Trial Garden and Arboretum from June through September, 2024. 51 responses were collected in the Arboretum. 128 responses were collected in the Annual Trial Garden. Survey results indicated a desire for increased active and passive programming in both sites. 70% of respondents in the Arboretum and 56% of respondents in the Annual Trial Garden indicated a willingness to attend events. 50% of respondents in both sites indicated a willingness to pay to attend educational programming. Popular programming choices included native plant education, plant identification, best planting practices, and birding. Survey responses will be used to select, schedule, and accordingly price future programming in both sites.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Max Nikkari
Presenter(s): Max Nikkari
Mentors(s): Daniel Burcham
Towns in the American West are often marked by high tree density compared to the surrounding landscape. This difference is attributed to people's long and storied affinity for trees and a recognition of their ability to improve people's lives. Nearly all of the trees planted and growing in Colorado towns are not native to our state or the wider Intermountain West, and many share concerns about the fitness of existing trees for future conditions in a continuously changing climate. As the need for drought and heat tolerant trees increases, it remains important to consider the frequent temperature fluctuations Colorado experiences and the cold snaps they induce. Warming temperatures may moderate severe freezes, but they will continue, and cold hardiness will be an important characteristic in the evaluation of novel and hardy trees. From November 2024 through May 2025, fourteen genotypes of five tree species (Quercus gambelii, Hesperocyparis arizonica, Taxodium distichum, Picea pungens, and Cercis canadensis) were evaluated for cold hardiness using electrolyte leakage. One and two year tissue was harvested from each genotype and underwent a multi-step freezing protocol. Following the freezing sequence, samples were submerged in liquid nitrogen to induce maximum damage. Electrical conductivity (EC) data was collected post freezing and post liquid nitrogen to quantify freeze-induced cell leakage. EC data was processed to establish LT50 values that represent the theoretical cold hardiness for each genotype and may be used in evaluation and recommendation of novel trees for Colorado's future growing environment.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Jessica Reyes, Ann Hess, Whitney Pennington
Presenter(s): Jessica Reyes
Mentors(s): Morgan Valley
As a research assistant for the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (HICAHS), I gained hands-on experience working with large datasets. My primary focus was on organizing and analyzing data in R Studio to examine the relationship between agricultural tasks and cardiovascular load among crop workers. This work not only allowed me to refine my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of how data can be harnessed to address significant health and safety issues. Additionally, I plan to participate in the Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creativity (CURC) to connect with fellow students, share my research findings, and gain valuable feedback from the academic community.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Kylee Pham, Hannah Laurence, Kaitlyn Dirks, Samantha Pinto
Presenter(s): Kylee Pham
Mentors(s): Rushika Perera
Dengue viruses (DENVs) belong to Flaviviridae and are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. They cause ~400 million infections per year. DENVs alter lipid metabolic processes in the host to remodel host cell membranes that encase viral replication complexes. Preliminary studies indicate that galactosylceramide (GalCer), a sphingolipid, modulates virus replication. Two enzymes critical in the synthesis and degradation of GalCer are UDP-galactosyltransferase 8 (UGT8) and galactosylceramidase (GALC). We hypothesize that knockout (KO) of UGT8 will result in a decrease in GalCer and an increase in membrane fluidity. We anticipate the resulting increase in fluidity will facilitate virus release. Conversely, GALC KO will result in an accumulation of GalCer, reducing membrane fluidity, therefore decreasing extracellular DENV titer. We aimed to study the effects of CRISPR-Cas mediated KO of UGT8 and GALC on DENV infection in-vitro. To create KO cell lines, pLV2 puro plasmids were digested with BsmBI, a restriction enzyme. We then ligated each gene with pLV2 puro. Transformed bacterial colonies were isolated and cultured for DNA extraction. Ligation accuracy was confirmed by sequencing. Lentivirus produced by transfecting human embryonic kidney cells with plasmid DNA were used to infect Huh-7 cells, creating unique KO cell lines. We infected these cell lines with DENVs and analyzed the impact of the KO on virus titer. Results of these analyses will be presented.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Emily Staton
Presenter(s): Emily Staton
Mentors(s): Thomas Santangelo
All life stores genetic information as DNA. DNA is highly susceptible to damage from endogenous and exogenous sources, which, if left unresolved, can contribute to genetic diseases or cell death. The maintenance of genome fidelity is thus vital for the survival of living organisms. One of the more common forms of DNA damage is the deamination of the canonical nucleotide base deoxycytidine (dC) to deoxyuridine (dU). Studying how cells handle environmental stress that promotes dU damage can be a promising avenue for disease research. Extremophiles are a group of single-celled organisms that can thrive in extreme conditions and surprisingly maintain their genomes despite exacerbated deamination rates. One ideal candidate for further study is Thermococcus kodakarensis (Tko), a heat-loving ancient microorganism that thrives at 85°C (185°F). Previous studies with Tko characterized three DNA repair enzymes that resolve dU damage. Strains lacking multiple repair enzymes displayed significant growth defects. However, quantitative sequencing methods showed minimal dU damage in mutant strain genomes compared to the parental strain. An additional enzyme in Tko, dUTPase, has been identified to resolve dU in the nucleotide pool but has not yet been studied for its potential role in maintaining genome fidelity. To characterize dUTPase, we will use the same methods: growth curves and genome sequencing of strains lacking repair proteins and dUTPase. Our results will demonstrate potential differences in the abundance of dU damage for mutant strains compared to the parent strain and reveal the contributions of dUTPase in maintaining genome integrity.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Reagan Kuhn
Presenter(s): Reagan Kuhn
Mentors(s): Kimberly Nichols
Haplomylus is an extinct relative of the elephant shrews (Macroscelidea) that existed during the early Eocene (56-52 Ma) in what is now central North America. This time period is characterized by the occurrence of a significant thermal event known as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), during which global temperatures rose rapidly then dropped, affecting climates around the world. The effects of this event are ubiquitous within the vertebrate fossil record, with many Eocene mammal species disappearing from the record (via migration or extinction) and others exhibiting morphological adaptations that helped them survive the changing climate. One of these adaptations is a temperature-inverse shift of Total Body Mass (TBM) - animals became smaller as temperatures increased and larger as temperatures decreased. This research examines Haplomylus fossil tooth specimens from the Willwood Formation in Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, as tooth size can be used to estimate TBM, and their associated geologic context. Using this data, I aim to identify if Haplomylus exhibited this type of shift in TBM as a result of the PETM. The results will have significant implications for the evolutionary trajectory of modern elephant shrews and will inspire future plans for conservation, as Haplomylus’ response to climate change in the Eocene can provide an analogue for understanding the potential effects anthropogenic climate change may have on their living relatives.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Haley Deison
Presenter(s): Haley Deison
Mentors(s): Lucas Guerrero
Each year, Canine Companions places approximately 350 trained service dogs with individuals in need, supporting its mission to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities. However, these placements represent just 1% of the 61 million Americans living with a disability, leaving many without access to a service dog. Volunteer college student puppy raisers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of these service dogs by providing foundational training from 8 weeks to 16 months of age. However, it is unclear how well these volunteers understand the scientific principles behind canine behavior and training. This study includes a survey which explores college puppy raisers’ knowledge of concepts like operant conditioning, socialization, and reinforcement-based techniques, as well as their access to educational resources on canine behavior. The anticipated results suggest that while volunteers are dedicated to training, there may be gaps in their scientific understanding of why specific methods are used. Addressing these gaps is crucial, as scientifically informed training is fundamental to preparing service dogs for life-changing tasks, such as operating lights, retrieving items, and offering emotional support. By identifying knowledge gaps, this research aims to inform the development of accessible educational materials for puppy raisers. These materials will bridge the divide between scientific advancements and practical training methods, increasing accessibility to prospective puppy raisers and fostering better outcomes for both trainers and recipients. Ultimately, enhancing the scientific understanding of puppy raisers strengthens the effectiveness of service dog programs and expands the reach of Canine Companions' mission.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Alex McDulin, Rebecca Windell
Presenter(s): Alex McDulin
Mentors(s): Rebecca Windell
Black Bear (Urus americanus) use of human populated areas is affected by many factors, including natural food availability, behavioral differences, climate, and proximity to human development. Our goal for this study is to understand how changes in black bear diet composition relate to variation in natural food availability, proximity to human development, climate, and bear behavior during the summer and fall months. We used black bear scat samples collected along 1 mile transects by community volunteers to assess their diet using morphological diet analysis. To do this, we measured the volume and mass of each scat as well as the individual diet components such as non-food items, plant material, mammal remains, and berries. Of these individual diet components, we focused on black bear diet in relation to berry availability, the primary source of natural food during the summer (and fall) months. The relative abundance and phenology of five fruiting shrubs important to black bears - Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp), Elderberry (Sambucus spp), Dogwood (Cornus spp), Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), and Currants (Ribes spp) – were measured along these same transects by community science volunteers. The results of this study will help us understand the relationship between berry abundance, bear diets, and how this relationship might be further impacted by human-driven changes to the landscape. It is more important now than ever to understand why bears are willing to enter human-populated areas because summers in the Methow Valley are getting more intense and the landscape is changing.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Emmanuelle Knecht
Presenter(s): Emmanuelle Knecht
Mentors(s): Gabriel Spalink, Thomas Santangelo
DNA replication is fundamental for cellular division and genome integrity, where errors result in disease states, including cancer. Given the importance of DNA replication, a variety of proteins assemble in a necessary replication apparatus we call the replisome. The replisome orchestrates DNA replication efficiently and resolves associated errors. The replisome proteins are encoded in replication, repair, and recombination (RRR) genes. Many of these genes also encode special intervening proteins known as inteins, which function by removing themselves from their host protein, and likely originated from unknown external sources rather than the host genome. Our organism of study, Thermococcus kodakarensis (Tko), is an archaeon, in a different domain than eukarya and bacteria, and is adapted to extreme environments. In the genome of Tko, an abundance of inteins are encoded within RRR genes. The function of these inteins remains largely unknown. To better understand how Tko may use inteins, we are constructing genetically modified variants with individual intein deletions to see the effects on replication strategy and cellular fitness. We have already made progress on mapping the Thermococcus kodakarensis replisome, particularly in protein-protein interactions that form the DNA replication apparatus in the preferred replication method of Tko. We are now expanding on our work to elucidate the replisome, with the discovery that Tko can be induced into an alternative replication technique, closer to that of how humans replicate DNA. Our current endeavors in replisome mapping focus on examining protein-protein interactions in both replication behaviors to gain a comprehensive understanding of replisome dynamics.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Audra Richister
Presenter(s): Audra Richister
Mentors(s): Brittney Sly
Eating disorders are increasingly prevalent illnesses, discriminating against no one. A demographic affected by them in particular is the LGBTQIA+ community. There are a variety of factors impacting these disproportionate occurrences, as demonstrated by the biopsychosocial model of eating disorder etiology. This model may also translate to eating disorder advocacy and care, which is especially pertinent given not only the current oppressions faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in healthcare and modern society, but also given the severity and prevalence of eating disorder patienthood in relation to such. The aim of this thesis is to investigate different factors (biological, social, psychological, and cultural) as they relate to eating disorder development, care systems, and advocacy for either through a queer perspective, as well as to discuss future directions of healthcare and research and construct a basis for more holistic, inclusive, and just systems.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Jessica Franson, Emma Gomes
Presenter(s): Jessica Franson
Mentors(s): Heather Leach
Purpose: Exercise can improve physical and psychosocial outcomes for cancer survivors, and positive affect or “exercise enjoyment” can increase exercise adherence. This study examined the effect of fatigue and exercise intensity on exercise enjoyment. Methods: Observational study of participants enrolled in a 12-week outpatient cancer rehabilitation program, with exercise sessions (ES) twice per week. Exercise enjoyment was measured after each ES (1= not at all – 7= very much). Fatigue was measured before each ES (0=no fatigue – 10=worst fatigue). Exercise intensity was self-selected, and ES were categorized as low (30-39% HRR & RPE range 9-11) or moderate to high (40-89% HRR & RPE range 12-20). A spearman’s correlation examined the association between fatigue and enjoyment, and an independent t-test compared enjoyment between low vs. moderate-high intensity ES. Results: Participants (N=24) were M=64±11 years old, 83% female, represented 14 different cancer types, and completed N=181 ES. Average exercise enjoyment was 6.2±1.1 (range 2-7). Average fatigue was 3.1±2.4 (range 0-10). Over half (N=102, 57%) of ES were low intensity. Fatigue was inversely associated with enjoyment (rs= -0.26, p<.001). There was no difference in enjoyment between light (M=6.3±1.1) and moderate-high (M=6.3±=1.0) intensity ES [t(175)= -0.08, p = .94]. Conclusion: Overall, exercise enjoyment was high, but worse fatigue before an ES was associated with lower enjoyment. There was no difference in enjoyment between low vs. moderate-high ES. These findings highlight the impact of fatigue on exercise experiences and suggest the need for strategies to support engagement on high-fatigue days to maintain adherence even when enjoyment is lower.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Samantha Skurnick, Samuel Hyken
Presenter(s): Samantha Skurnick
Mentors(s): Ana Clara Bobadilla
Substance use disorders (SUD) affect over 48.5 million Americans, costing the U.S. over $740 billion annually. Relapse is the return to substance use after a period of abstinence. Relapse is common among individuals with SUD, with only 20-30% being able to maintain drug abstinence for one year. Given these high relapse rates, understanding the underlying causes of drug-seeking behavior is crucial. Using mice, we are able to observe this drug-seeking behavior post-abstinence, mimicking relapse behavior in humans. Our lab utilizes multiple preclinical behavior paradigms that model SUD and relapse in mice to answer two critical questions: what causes drug seeking, and how can we reduce it? We aim to understand how interconnected neuronal networks, or neural ensembles, encode and alter drug-seeking behavior via neuronal plasticity changes. We have shown that ensemble neurons increase in synaptic strength during drug-seeking. Synaptic strength is how effective two neurons are at passing a signal between each other, which is proportional to how well learned/reinforced a behavior is. Additionally, our lab has investigated potential therapeutics for reducing drug-seeking and has found that the psychedelic compound psilocin may reduce drug-seeking in female mice. These findings may culminate in the development of therapies targeting drug-seeking behavior at the neurobiological and pharmacological levels. Future directions include examining hormone-related differences to explain the reduced seeking in female mice and identifying gene targets for manipulation to curb drug-seeking. We believe this research is vital to treating addiction and understanding the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie relapse.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): EJ King, Liangqun Huang, Ryan Jeep
Presenter(s): EJ King
Mentors(s): Chaoping Chen
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a highly invasive pathogen primarily transmitted through reproductive routes via blood/blood-derived products. It preferentially infects CD4+ T-cells, integrating its genome into the chromosomes of these cells. Over time, HIV progressively weakens the immune system through CD4+ T-cell hindrance, ultimately leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The long terminal repeat (LTR) of HIV has functions of RNA maturation, as well as the transcription promoter, playing a crucial role in the expression of viral genes. Notably, LTR sequences vary across viral strains, and these variations can influence transcriptional activity and viral proliferation in host cells. This project employs an H2B-RFP biomarker in a highly sensitive infectivity assay to investigate the functional properties of different LTR sequences. We examined the NL4-3 WT (subtype B), MJ4 (subtype C), and three clinically isolated strains (GLa, b, and c) using our newly established infectivity assay. Our results revealed that NL4-3 WT and MJ4 exhibited similar infectivity, while GLa, b, and c showed slightly reduced infectivity. To investigate whether and how infectivity correlates with H2B-mRFP signals, we analyzed H2B-mRFP signal intensity of individual infected due to their expression being LTR driven. Notably, the mean fluorescence intensity closely correlated with viral infectivity despite the wide variation in H2B-mRFP signal intensity among infected cells. This correlation appears to be influenced not only by the numbers of NF-κB binding sites, but also other elements within the LTR region. Our assays provide new insights into the relationship between LTR promoter strength and viral infectivity.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Pareese Jalal
Presenter(s): Pareese Jalal
Exosome isolation from human serum is a critical step in identifying biomarkers for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), particularly for early detection of asymptomatic infections. This study compares the PreOmics EV enrichment method to the lab’s standard protocol to evaluate their efficiency in isolating exosomes and identifying Mtb-related peptides. It was hypothesized that the PreOmics method would show inferior performance relative to the lab's established method, resulting in fewer identified peptides associated with Mtb. PreOmics claims that their magnetic bead-based approach enriches for less abundant proteins in the sample, which could influence the types and quantities of exosomal proteins recovered. To assess enrichment efficiency, bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assays were performed for protein quantification, and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) was conducted to determine particle concentration and size distribution in both sample sets. Although mass spectrometry results are being analyzed, preliminary data from the BCA and NTA assays suggest differences in protein content and particle characteristics between the two methods. This research is part of an ongoing study aimed at identifying novel biomarkers for Mtb infection in individuals without noticeable symptoms, with the potential to enhance early diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes for latent tuberculosis infections.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Jayden Mather
Presenter(s): Jayden Mather
When recruiting subjects for clinical trials, using brief and effective screening tools is important in order to reduce both subject and study team burden. Clinical trials for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) often use various forms of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) as a brief screening measure of depressive severity. In an ongoing clinical trial for depression at the Vail Health Behavioral Health Innovation Center, we conducted an exploratory analysis comparing the PHQ-2 and PHQ-8 as screening tools for MDD severity. Potential participants (n = 57) were prescreened with the PHQ-2 (n = 57) and PHQ-8 (n = 23) for depression symptoms. At screening, depressive severity was measured with the clinician-rated Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), where a score of 28 or greater was used as a cutoff score. PHQ-2 sensitivity and specificity were 0.70(95% CI [0.53, 0.84]) and 0.55(95% CI [0.32, 0.77]), respectively. PHQ-2 scores had a medium positive correlation with MADRS scores (r = .22, p = 0.12, 95% CI [-.05, .45]). The PHQ-8 sensitivity and specificity were 0.77(95% CI [0.50, 0.93]) and 0.50(95% CI [0.12, 0.88]), respectively. PHQ-8 scores had a very small negative correlation with MADRS scores (r = -.01, p = .97, CI [-.42, .41]). The PHQ-8 had higher sensitivity for detecting the depressive severity, while the PHQ-2 had higher specificity for detecting depression severity.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Josie Weese, Vamsi Nalam
Presenter(s): Josie Weese
Mentors(s): Jinlong Han
Disease caused by Potato virus Y (PVY) is the major yield-limiting factor in potato production. PVY is naturally transmitted between plants by aphid vectors. Control of in-season PVY spread relies heavily on insecticides to suppress the vector populations. However, due to the competence of aphids to transmit PVY within seconds before being killed by chemicals, insecticides are generally inefficient in controlling PVY spread. To block the virus transmission by aphids, we developed small synthetic peptides as antiviral molecules to compete against the virus-binding site in the aphid stylet. The outcome of this work will help reduce the spread of PVY by aphids, while restoring the health of the ecosystem by lowering the use or need of environmentally harmful insecticides. As PVY also causes damage to other agronomically important crops, the end product of our study will help protect not only the potato industries, but also other susceptible crops across the states. Currently in this project we are testing different delivery methods of the peptide to see how it can be most effectively applied in the field.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Rayia Adams
Presenter(s): Rayia Adams
Mentors(s): Thomas Santangelo
DNA is an essential part of every living organism and encodes information essential for cell survival. DNA can be damaged, and if left unresolved, can lead to genetic mutations resulting in altered protein structure and function. Cells encode enzymes that resolve many types of DNA damage. A common type of damage is spontaneous deamination of DNA bases, which changes the canonical base deoxyadenosine (dA), to a toxic analog deoxyinosine (dI). If dI is incorporated into the DNA of a cell, it can cause mutations resulting in cell death. Thermococcus kodakarensis (Tko) is an archaeal organism that thrives at high temperatures, which result in increased rates of deamination, making it a great model organism for us to study. Tko encodes for four enzymes that are involved in deaminated base repair. We have generated strains lacking all four of these enzymes in every possible combination and have determined fitness impacts. We aim to understand more about these enzymes by analyzing the amount of dI incorporation by the use of qualitative and quantitative biological tools, and classical enzyme kinetics to analyze specific enzyme characteristics. Archaeal organisms, like Tko, are precursors to eukaryotic organisms, and can reveal links between domains of life. By understanding our enzymes of interest in Tko, we can understand more about homologous enzymes in humans. This work will lead to further understanding of the relationship between DNA repair components and the role these components play in differing domains of life.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Charlotte Wagner
Presenter(s): Charlotte Wagner
Mentors(s): Thomas Santangelo
Archaea are single celled prokaryotic organisms characterized by complex cellular pathways that allow them to live and thrive in extreme environments. These extreme environments are likely to cause excess DNA damage, yet it seems that Archaea have evolved necessary and likely very efficient pathways to repair damage. One possible repair pathway is Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) which is found across the Eukarya and Bacteria domains but has not been proven to be conserved across the archaeal domain. We hypothesize there is a NER like repair pathway consisting of seven proteins implicated in repairing bulky DNA damage present in Thermoccocus kodakarensis (Tko), a hyper thermophilic marine archaeon. To investigate the contribution of these proteins in maintaining genomic integrity we are assessing the retention of bulky DNA damage as a function of mutation frequency in the putative NER deletion strains through phenotypic and genetic screens. If these putative NER proteins are important in the repair of bulky DNA damage, then their absence should result in increased mutation frequency.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Casey Martin, Dawson Roberts, Maxwell Pliskin
Presenter(s): Casey Martin
Mentors(s): Nathan Pettid, Noreen Reist
Congenital myasthenic syndrome is a hereditary neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness and disability. One cause is mutations in synaptotagmin, a protein essential for neurotransmitter release at neuromuscular junctions. This study utilized a Drosophila model of two synaptotagmin mutations found in humans, syt-D1E and syt-P-L. Unpublished research from the Reist lab demonstrated that introducing an additional wildtype copy of synaptotagmin rescued neuromuscular function; electrophysiological measurements of neurotransmitter release in larvae expressing additional synaptotagmin were not significantly different from wildtype controls. Additionally, unpublished communications suggest that electrophysiology is a highly sensitive predictor of motor behavior. To investigate whether the electrophysiological rescue results in a behavioral rescue, we assessed locomotor activity in flies with or without the additional copy of wildtype synaptotagmin using a Drosophila Activity Monitor assay. For flies with additional wildtype synaptotagmin, results revealed significant improvement in motor activity in both males and females of both mutant lines. These results clearly show some promise of this technique as a potential treatment, although the effect sizes are relatively small. Future work will explore whether introducing two additional copies of wildtype synaptotagmin enhances behavioral rescue.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Jada Joseph, Daniel Sloan, Kathryn Wilsterman, Kendall Foreman, Shady Kuster
Presenter(s): Jada Joseph
Mentors(s): Shady Kuster
Deer mice (P. maniculatus) have the widest elevational range of any North American mammal. At high elevations, mice experience cold and low oxygen (hypoxic) environments. Small body mass and cooler environmental temperatures have been shown to contribute to a high metabolic rate in mammals. To sustain a higher metabolic rate, more food is consumed to meet that demand. However, hypoxic conditions downregulate metabolism in small mammals, resulting in hypometabolism. High altitude natives have evolved mechanisms to combat cold hypoxic conditions. Therefore, we aimed to investigate if acclimation to cold hypoxia results in hypometabolism in deer mice derived from highland (4,348m) or lowland (656m) populations. Deer mice were acclimated to either a cold hypoxic or cold normoxic environment for 6 weeks. Weight and food consumed were measured at the end of each week for each mouse. We then divided weekly food consumption by body mass, using this as a proxy for understanding changes in metabolic rate. We found that lowland deer mice appear to decrease food consumption from cold normoxia to cold hypoxia acclimation, while this pattern was not observed in the highlanders. This pattern may suggest that highlanders are attenuating hypometabolism. These findings support the idea that mice with high elevation ancestry have evolved a mechanism that maintains metabolism, ultimately reducing the negative impacts of challenging environments.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Sammy Tetrault
Presenter(s): Sammy Tetrault
Mentors(s): Cynthia Brown, Lauren Myers
Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass), is an annual grass and invasive species that increases risk and severity of wildfires. Indaziflam is a pre-emergence herbicide that is soil applied and inhibits cellulose production, preventing radicle formation. Indaziflam is effective against B. tectorum, but it is not clear how it affects other species. The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of indaziflam on emergence for 11 native and 3 invasive species, including B. tectorum, used as a positive control. To further our understanding of impacts, we investigated the interactions between functional group & rate and seed size & rate. Functional groups included invasive and native grasses and forbs. For our study, we sprayed indaziflam at varying rates (0 fluid oz/acre - 7 fluid oz/acre (2× normally applied rate)) on two types of trays, topsoil and sand mix. For each of 3 repetitions, we had 10 trays of each soil type. We took daily measurements of emergence, height, injury symptoms, and true leaf emergence. Using this data, we created generalized linear models in R. Our results indicate that there are significant interactions between rate & functional group and rate & seed size. Our model suggests that forbs may be more resilient than grasses and that small seeds may be more resilient than large seeds. These results can be used by land managers to better understand vulnerable species, and to inform application and restoration seeding timing, so as to mitigate harm to native species.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Kenna Waldrop, Sanjiti Sharma
Presenter(s): Kenna Waldrop
Mentors(s): Carol Seger
Memory binding forms the basis of short-term and long-term learned associations of objects and context, forming unified representations of objects in our perceptions. Memory binding can be divided into two categories: relational and conjunctive. Relational binding is the association between multiple stimuli while maintaining their independence. Conjunctive binding is the unification of stimuli into one entity. Relational memory can be thought of as remembering that one has placed their key onto a desk, while conjunctive memory can be thought of as combining all of the features of a key (head, ridges, shaft) into one object (key). The differences between relational and conjunctive memory binding performance have been implicated as early cognitive markers for preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), a disease known for its severe memory and attentional deficits, and have proved consistent against other dementias. This study aims to examine the impact of attentional deficits on conjunctive and relational short-term memory binding in healthy young adults and explores the implications they have for Alzheimer’s Disease cognitive marking and diagnosis.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Innagen Roberts, Emma Post
Presenter(s): Innagen Roberts
Mentors(s): Xingfeng Huang
Algae has significant potential for use as biofuel, food supplements, and various other materials. However, large-scale cultivation can be costly and resource-intensive. Generally, the productivity of algae tends to decline after one to two weeks of initiating a culture due to increased competition for light and nutrients. To achieve high algal biomass productivity, light must penetrate the entire body of water in which the algae reside; in this experiment, we used 75-liter mini Raceway ponds. To test this hypothesis, we sought to reduce intraspecific competition of Nannochloropsis oceanica by increasing the frequency of pond dilutions to maintain a baseline optical density (OD) of 0.8 at 750nm, conducted once, twice, and three times daily. The liters of algal biomass extracted from the ponds were processed through a dewatering module, and the Nannochloropsis cultivation medium was recycled back into the Raceway pond. In addition to the OD measurements, we collected data on total organic carbon (TOC) and accounted for the liters removed during each harvest. Utilizing a single-factor ANOVA test, our results indicated no significant effect on algal productivity among the three treatments (p=0.0699); however, further research involving different algae strains, larger sample sizes, and an automated harvesting system could be valuable next steps.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Megan Weiler
Presenter(s): Megan Weiler
Mentors(s): Jenniffer Riley
Honey is a glucose-rich substance, promoting adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production through cellular respiration. ATP is required for muscle contractions, with diminished ATP levels contributing to fatigue. Honey supplementation before exercise may delay ATP depletion through elevating glucose levels, thus lengthening ATP availability. This delay may also enhance muscular endurance by allowing more physical exertion before the onset of fatigue. This study was conducted to determine the effect of honey supplementation on muscular endurance. Eight participants were analyzed, utilizing their ideal bicep curl weight between ten, twelve, and twenty pound dumbbells. Over two weeks, two sets of dominant arm bicep curls until failure were observed. Only one week required honey supplementation. After honey supplementation, participants waited five minutes before their bicep curl set. Bicep curl form was kept consistent throughout each set. Results indicate no statistically significant improvement in performance (p = 0.21). Participants who used a twelve pound dumbbell had the lowest p value, though it was still not statistically significant (p = 0.16). Seven participants improved after honey supplementation with an average increase of 6.75 repetitions. These findings suggest honey may help improve muscular endurance, but further research must be done to solidify this claim.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): CeLee Terasa
Presenter(s): CeLee Terasa
Mentors(s): John Mola, Laura Lukens
Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus), an iconic insect pollinator, are declining due to climate change and habitat loss. Their larvae exclusively feed on milkweed (Asclepias) host plants, sequestering toxic cardiac glycosides for defense against predators and parasites. With monarchs recorded on 73 milkweed species in our dataset, we ask: Are immature monarchs more likely to be present on certain species, and does this differ between native and non-native milkweeds? Furthermore, how do spatial or temporal patterns influence monarch presence? While lab studies have tested monarch preference for a few milkweed species, large-scale field investigations remain scarce. To address this knowledge gap, we analyzed 15 years of citizen science data from the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP) and the Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program (IMMP), spanning the contiguous U.S. We hypothesize that immature monarch presence varies by milkweed species, region, and season. Preliminary results of our study suggest that A. curassavica, a non-native species, harbors far more monarch eggs and larvae than native species. Meanwhile, we are continuing to analyze spatial and seasonal patterns using GIS applications to better understand regional variation in milkweed species related to monarch presence. As non-native milkweeds become more widespread, further research is needed to determine factors driving monarch presence for these species and their potential effects on survival, fitness, and population dynamics. These findings can inform conservation efforts by identifying milkweed species that best support monarchs across different regions and assessing the ecological implications of non-native milkweed in both natural and urban landscapes.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Emma Bovaird, Annika Weber
Presenter(s): Emma Bovaird
Mentors(s): Elizabeth Ryan
Rice bran (RB) contains unique amino acids (AA) and is an affordable, local food ingredient under-utilized for human nutrition. This study aims to determine the impact of including 5% RB in a malnutrition treatment, ready-to-use-therapeutic foods (RUTFs), on AA metabolism using dried blood spot (DBS) metabolomics. In a double-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial 200 Indonesian children with uncomplicated acute malnutrition were stratified by age, 6-23 mo (n=78) and 24-59 mo (n=122), for DBS metabolic profiling. Participants consumed control RUTFs(n=95) or RUTFs containing 5% RB (n=105). 82 control and 75 RB participants successfully completed 8 treatment weeks and data collection to week 16. In the 6-23 mo group, metabolite profiling revealed the control arm had 21 more statistically significant AA metabolite increases over the treatment period than in the RB arm, while in the older group the RB arm saw 45 more increases than the control arm over the same period. RB had a clear modulating effect only on the 24-59 mo participants’ amino acid metabolite abundances, with tryptophan and kynurenine metabolites seen to increase with RB consumption. Overall, the 5% RB RUTF’s modulation of specific AA metabolite pathways suggests the local ingredient’s potential to support the abundance of cognitive development-associated metabolites in children aged 24-59 mo. The study was supported by the Thrasher Research Fund and The National Institute of Health (R21HD113211, Ryan).
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Lilly Jones
Presenter(s): Lilly Jones
Mentors(s): Leah McTigue
Increasing wildfire frequency and severity in the western United States, combined with widespread bark beetle outbreaks, have significantly altered forest ecosystems in the Rocky Mountains. These interacting disturbances are reshaping post-fire habitats, particularly for cavity-nesting birds such as the Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus). This study aimed to assess how proximity to beetle-killed forest stands influenced Hairy Woodpecker relative abundance following the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire in northern Colorado. We deployed automated recording units (ARUs) at 19 sites within the burn perimeter during summer 2023. Bird calls were analyzed using acoustic identification software to quantify woodpecker detection. Distances to beetle-killed areas were calculated using U.S. Forest Service data and geospatial analysis. A linear regression model revealed a significant negative relationship between woodpecker abundance and distance to beetle-killed forest (p < 0.01), with closer proximity associated with higher abundance. Our findings highlight that beetle-killed forests provide important postfire foraging and nesting habitat. These results emphasize the ecological value of beetle-affected areas and suggest that preserving such habitat features can enhance post-fire biodiversity. As climate change drives more frequent and intense disturbances, it is important that forest management strategies account for the lasting impacts of compound events like beetle outbreaks and wildfire to promote wildlife resilience.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Megan Fenner
Presenter(s): Megan Fenner
Mentors(s): John Mola, Laura Lukens
Bumble bees have an annual life cycle with discrete stages that impact the development of colonies. In vitro rearing settings must capitalize on each stage to ensure the success of bumble bee colony growth and maturation, requiring conditions similar to those found in wild colonies. However, unforeseen factors can significantly impact colony rearing success, with past studies reporting success rates below 50 percent. In May 2024, colonies of two species (Bombus huntii and Bombus griseocollis) were established from wild caught queens. Each queen received pollen and nectar, with colonies maintained under optimal heat and humidity conditions. Throughout the season the colonies were meticulously monitored and maintained, and a variety of data were logged. Not all colonies successfully reared brood, and those that did exhibited variation in success metrics. Here I use data collected throughout the season and after the season to explore correlations between colony conditions and their success to better understand what factors led to successful in vitro rearing. Success was measured by the production of offspring (workers) and time to first worker production. Factors explored are initial queen body size, pollen status of incoming queens, timing of collection, and species-specific differences. Through analyzing a qualitative measure of success through a lens of quantitative measurements will we better understand factors that can improve in vitro rearing for future rearing endeavors.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Mussa Hassen
Presenter(s): Mussa Hassen
Mentors(s): Tianying Wang
Ignoring missing data is a critical issue across multiple disciplines in research such as epidemiology, bioinformatics, and climate science, and has garnered increasing attention in recent years. Ignoring this form of missingness or interpreting it as random can result in biased estimations and inaccurate statistical inferences, jeopardizing research goals. This project aims to analyze missing data from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE). Using the R programming language, a database was curated by compiling data from multiple sources. Cancer cell line variables were combined based on genetic characteristics and other omics data, followed by a data-cleansing process to ensure reliability. In this project, visual tools were developed to dimensionalize the exploration of data patterns, including the distribution of diseases across different groups and the relationships between age, gender, and cancer types. Missing values in the dataset were imputed using the k-nearest neighbors classification algorithm. Key outcomes of this work include the establishment of a unified system for organizing and analyzing data, the identification of patterns and causes of missing data (decoding NA values from zeros), and the creation of visual representations to enhance data interpretation. This research contributes to a foundation for future studies that use cell line datasets for predicting cancer cell responses to treatments in personalized medicine for cancer patients.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Charissa Ehresman
Presenter(s): Charissa Ehresman
Mentors(s): Fiona Hollinshead, Melinda Meyers
Organoids are a three-dimensional cell culture model that represent the in vivo environment and can be affected by hormones. This project utilizes organoids as an in vitro model of diseased canine endometrial tissue in order to examine the diseased tissue and test a potential treatment for the disease. The objective was to show the benefit of extracellular vesicles (EVs) at reducing inflammation, the leading symptom of cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH), which affects the uterine lining and pregnancy. EVs are nanoparticles secreted by cells that can be used both in cell culture and dosed in vivo. In this project, EVs are assessed for reducing inflammation in organoids developed from canine endometrial samples with CEH. Our results showed a statistically significant decrease in inflammatory markers when using PCR after EVs were added to CEH organoids. This finding can be further used in research regarding fertility of diseased subjects.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Abby Bibb
Presenter(s): Abby Bibb
Mentors(s): Adam Schuller, Ronald Tjalkens, Savannah Rocha
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the fastest growing neurodegenerative disorder world-wide, with no known cause or cure. Rotenone, a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor and pesticide, has been harnessed in laboratory rodents to recapitulate the selective loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons characteristic of human PD, which is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, including mtDNA damage and release. This motivates the interrogation of cytosolic nucleic acid sensing pathways, like the cGAS-STING signaling cascade, in this context. To this end, we sought to explore the effects of genetic STING ablation on behavior and nigrostriatal pathology in the murine rotenone model of PD. Male and female WT or STING KO mice were I.P. injected with 2.5 mg/kg/day rotenone or vehicle for 14 days followed by a 14 day post-lesioning period. Baseline behavioral data was collected prior to initial rotenone insult and subsequently compared against weekly timepoint data via open field and NoldusXT Catwalk gait analysis. This revealed significant treatment-dependent changes in male WT animals indicative of motor dysfunction which were not present in KO or female animals. These findings suggest a role of cGAS-STING signaling in PD pathogenesis in the murine rotenone model. The male-specific effects observed here reflect marked sex differences in the clinical presentation of PD. Future work will aim to parse out cell-type specificity of STING signaling relevant to these neurodegenerative sequelae.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Katie Fray, Brian Tracy
Presenter(s): Katie Fray
Mentors(s): Brian Tracy
Undergraduate neuromuscular physiology lab course project: Sympathetic arousal and muscle force output Katherine M. Fray, Brian L. Tracy Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Voluntary cortical drive and brainstem excitatory drive are important influences on motor neuron output. Here we report on an in-class small group laboratory exercise that was part of a university course. Five students generated an experimental design to determine if sympathetic arousal would excite motor neurons, increase neural drive to the muscle, and reduce rate of fatigue. Each student performed seven maximal handgrip contractions over 90s, with (ICE) and without (CON) immersing the other hand in an ice bath (0.5 deg C). The purpose was to induce sympathetic arousal and compare the fatigue rate between CON and ICE. Maximal voluntary force was measured every 15 seconds with the teaching lab data collection system. The order of ICE and CON was counterbalanced between students. The data across time was compared between ICE and CON. For CON, the maximal force declined to 92.4% of baseline for the last three timepoints. For ICE, the maximal force was sustained at 100.7% of baseline at those same timepoints (P values 0.07, 0.08, 0.05 for the ICE vs. CON comparison). Individual responses: 7/9 of the students showed greater strength for ICE during the final 30s. This small group do-it-yourself laboratory exercise supports the idea that sympathetic arousal produces motor excitation sufficient to prevent fatigue. This experiment could be done very inexpensively, with mechanical handgrip dynamometers and pulse oximeters to document sympathetic effects on heart rate.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Riley Budzien
Presenter(s): Riley Budzien
Mentors(s): Jaclyn Stephens
Background: Young adults with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) have an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., dementia) and may experience accelerated brain aging. Our lab has found evidence of accelerated brain aging in young adults with mTBI; specifically, we observed compensatory neural recruitment in right prefrontal cortex (PFC) which resembles recruitment patterns of older adults. Methods: To test for additional signs of accelerated brain aging, we tested 15 young adults, 9 with mTBI (3 males, mean age=20.75) and 6 controls (2 males, mean age=20.71). We hypothesized that young adults with mTBI would show greater bilateral PFC recruitment compared to controls during a walking task. We used the functional near-infrared spectroscopy to measure neural recruitment (using a proxy measure of oxygenated hemoglobin, HbO) during walking. We used within subject t-tests to quantify neural recruitment (i.e., HbO) in right and left PFC during walking compared to neural recruitment during rest. Results: In the control group, within-subject t-tests revealed that during the single motor condition, there was significant neural recruitment in right PFC, p <.001 but not in left PFC, p =.72. However, in mTBI, within-subject t-tests revealed that during the single motor condition, there was significant neural recruitment in both right PFC, p<.001 and left PFC, p<.001. Conclusions: Our hypotheses were supported, as we saw that young adults with mTBI had bilateral PFC recruitment while controls had unilateral recruitment. These findings may suggest that young adults with mTBI experience accelerated brain aging which could have implications for their long-term health.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Fiona Miller
Presenter(s): Fiona Miller
Mentors(s): Jennifer DeLuca
The essential kinetochore (KT)-associated NDC80 complex mediates proper chromosome segregation during mitosis. Improper segregation of genetic material can contribute, if not corrected, to chromosome instability. A subunit of the NDC80 complex, the HEC1 protein, directly interacts with the cytoskeletal protein, tubulin, in the form of growing and shrinking dynamic microtubules. A key MT binding structure of the HEC1 protein is the HEC1 ‘tail’, which is a highly basic 80 amino acid unstructured region on the N-terminus of HEC1 and is proposed to interact with the highly acidic microtubule lattice. It is through this HEC1-MT interaction that chromosomes congress at the spindle equator in preparation for segregation to each daughter cell. This work specifically seeks to evaluate how predicted HEC1 tail contacts with the MT lattice, which contribute to chromosome alignment later in mitosis, affect KT-MT attachment stability early in mitosis. Previous work has shown KT-MT attachments are highly labile early in mitosis due to the activity of kinase regulators. However, it is unknown how these predicted HEC1 tail contacts affect attachment stability regulation early in mitosis when kinases/phosphatases are otherwise unaffected. I hypothesize that predicted contacts between the HEC1 tail and MT lattice do not contribute to attachment stability regulation in early mitosis. To test this hypothesis, I have generated plasmids to express modified Hec1 tail constructs in human cells which increase the predicted contacts between the HEC1 tail and MT lattice. Thus far, I have successfully expressed, stained, and imaged the modified HEC1 tail constructs in mammalian cells. Preliminary quantification has shown successful expression of both control and experimental HEC1 constructs in cells early in mitosis and confirmation of my ability to evaluate KT-MT attachments. My next step will be to achieve high enough N-values to confidently describe the role of HEC1 tail contacts with the MT lattice early in mitosis.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Aidan Flanagan
Presenter(s): Aidan Flanagan
Mentors(s): Abdullatif Alsulami, Julie Moreno
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are an ever-present issue, especially in an aging population. Neurodegeneration in general follows a common pathology in most organisms. Aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and hyperphosphorylated-Tau (P-tau) tangles lead to glia cell activation, neuronal inflammation and eventually breakdown of synapses. While common model organisms such as rodents can be induced with neurodegenerative pathologies, they are missing environmental variation and genetic diversity. When looking for an AD model organism, differences in environmental factors, genetics and disease pathology are all considered. This can be the advantage of having a companion animal model. They live with us, are exposed to the same environmental factors and have considerable genetic diversity. Since mild to severe age-related cognitive dysfunction is found in both felines and canines (FCD and CCD respectively), companion animals are natural and most accurate models for AD research. We hypothesize there is an increase with age in both gliosis and P-tau in the frontal cortices of brains from FCD and CCD animals. To determine this correlation, we utilized immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of glial marker Iba1, and astrocyte markers S100β and GFAP. Ten of each companion animal were sampled and P-tau pathology was investigated by positive cell counting and glial morphology analysis. Unlike what was expected, glial activation and P-tau accumulation does not always correlate with age. It was concluded that larger sample sizes and different antibodies could determine other sites of gliosis and P-tau pathology to find a stronger correlation.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Olivia Linscomb
Presenter(s): Olivia Linscomb
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
Schistocerca gregaria, a periodically swarming grasshopper found in the deserts and dry areas of Northern and Eastern Africa, has been an animal of concern for over a century. This species is known as the desert locust due to their frequent long-lasting swarms which devastate farmers’ crops and cause mass malnutrition in East Africa. In my poster, I aim to address the economic, psychological, and ecological impacts that come with these swarms, what steps can be taken to mitigate the effects, and how to prevent harm from these desert locust storms. This research is significant due to the lack of past research done regarding preventative measures; research has primarily focused on reactive rather than proactive procedures. My research will focus on highlighting the needs of important stakeholders in the community and finding the common ground upon which solutions can be founded.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Elena Crooks
Presenter(s): Elena Crooks
Mentors(s): Jessica Harney
Prison overcrowding has been a weighty and controversial issue in the United States for many years. The increase of violence and health issues has raised a lot of concern about the way that the incarcerated individuals are treated while in the prisons. The more overcrowded a prison is, the less access to resources the inmates have. Additionally, the inmates are not the only people affected by these conditions. The prison staff and workers have felt a great amount of stress and burnout from working in the overcrowded prisons. I became interested in studying this issue when I began my position as a research assistant with CSU Professor Jessie Harney. Professor Harney is studying a multitude of factors related to prison overcrowding across thirty-three different prisons in California. In collaboration with Professor Harney, I will present an exploratory correlational analysis of the mental health conditions of these prisons in California. I will explore how the percentage of the prison capacity that is filled correlates with three specific outcomes in the prisons: sexual misconduct, attempted suicides, and suicides.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Kace Vazquez del Mercado, Evan Bolstad, Moira Benish-Kingsbury, Ralph Eberhard, Ryan Edgar
Presenter(s): Kace Vazquez del Mercado
Mentors(s): Yoichiro Kanno
Understanding the fine-scale movement of a particular fish species in riverine systems provides insights into its habitat preferences, migratory routes, and critical life stages. This is crucial for maintaining habitat connectivity, ecosystem health, and supporting biodiversity. We investigated whether the presence of Catostomus commersonii influences the fine-scale movement of Semotilus artomaculatus. We collected fish of both species between 70mm to 110mm in length from Spring Creek in Fort Collins, CO, and PIT tagged them with 12mm HDX tags. The fish were then split into two groups of n = 40; a control group consisting of all creek chub and a trial group consisting of half creek chub and half white sucker. They were introduced into two experimental mesocosm tanks, each consisting of two pools connected by an inhospitable riffle. The connecting riffles were equipped with PIT tag antennas to track fish movement between pools. We found that creek chub in sympatry with white sucker moved more between pools than creek chub in allopatry. Creek chub size was not statistically significant in movement occurrences or duration.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Steven Payne, Thomas LaRocca
Presenter(s): Steven Payne
Mentors(s): Daniel Lark
Background info: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurological illness that affects almost 7 million Americans. Tau protein accumulates in cells of the brain during AD and contributes to impaired cognitive function. Clearing pathogenic tau has been a priority of recent therapies for AD, but these treatments have failed clinical trials. We have identified a novel target that may help eliminate tau and explain why these drugs have failed. Preliminary Data: Cells can eliminate tau by creating endosomes using the protein CHMP2A but this gene/protein is decreased in neurons as they age and during AD. Restoring CHMP2A levels in directly induced patient-derived neurons (iNeurons) decreases intracellular tau by ~50% due to increased tau secretion. These findings suggest that restoring CHMP2A levels in neurons could decrease tau in the brain and preserve cognitive function during AD. My Project: I will test if restoring CHMP2A in iNeurons from humans with AD increases the secretion of tau in extracellular vesicles (EVs). I will do this by isolating the EVs using size exclusion chromatography then quantifying them using nanoparticle tracking analysis. I will also “capture” EVs using antibodies to measure tau in EVs versus tau protein aggregates. The long-term goal of this project is to establish CHMP2A as a possible target for AD treatment and determine if restoring CHMP2A enhances the benefits of tau immunotherapy.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Skylar Stephan
Presenter(s): Skylar Stephan
Mentors(s): Ashok Prasad, Rosaline Danzman
The cytoskeleton exerts forces on the nuclei and can affect its shape. This effect was shown to also affect the condensed chromatin depending on how the forces were changed. Using MATLAB's Sobel edge detection the amount of edges and the area can be quantified. These two measures can then be used to find the condensed chromatin density for the nuclei. Having this code run through all the images in the four different treatment groups reveals the significant differences between each group.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): London Weiss-Darne
Presenter(s): London Weiss-Darne
Mentors(s): Stephanie Moreira
Approximately 1,600 CSU students study abroad each year (CSU Education Abroad), but the opportunity to reflect on the significance of the relationships created during these experiences may be limited. The aim of this study is to better understand why relationships and connections students make while abroad seem richer, deeper, and more vulnerable, often in an accelerated fashion. Using a constructivist mixed methods approach, three participants shared how they made meaning out of their study abroad experience. Participants expressed their answer to the research question in a creative format of their choosing. Findings suggest a strong relationship between cultivating deep relationships while abroad, as well developing a profound understanding of self. These findings suggest that being abroad provides a unique environment for deeper relationships and connections. Universities, students, and special programs can leverage this knowledge to create more opportunities for meaningful relationships.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Lucy Scott
Presenter(s): Lucy Scott
Mentors(s): Anita Pena
This study examines the economic impact of 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the Estes Valley using survey data from 56 organizations supplemented by Form 990 filings from an additional 7. The analysis shows that in the 2023 fiscal year, these nonprofits generated roughly $103 million in revenue while incurring about $97.1 million in expenses, indicating significant local financial activity. Nonprofits contribute nearly 10.3% to Estes Park’s GDP and mobilize over 225,000 volunteer hours annually—valued at more than $8.2 million—highlighting the vital role of community engagement. Advanced econometric analysis in R was employed to assess key revenue drivers, revealing notable multiplier effects from individual donations, government funding, and investment income. Sector-specific insights span areas such as Arts & Culture, Community & Education, Environment & Recreation, Emergency & Human Services, Health & Wellness, and Youth & Families, each presenting unique operational challenges and revenue dependencies. Despite limitations such as potential sampling bias and data variability, the study provides a robust baseline for strategic planning, donor engagement, and advocacy. This analysis lays the groundwork for future iterations aimed at tracking trends and informing policy decisions to bolster the dynamic role of nonprofits in sustaining local economic resilience.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Megan Greenly
Presenter(s): Megan Greenly
Mentors(s): Paula Alaszkiewicz
Over the past fifteen years, Western fashion brands have repeatedly faced accusations of cultural appropriation for profiting from the exploitation of marginalized cultures. While cultural exchange in fashion predates the 21st century and has been studied by historians, there is little scholarship connecting these past interactions to contemporary cultural appropriation. My research investigates how American dress from the 1860s reflects the colonial dynamics of its time and connects to recent issues of appropriation. The dress is made from a patterned silk combining two culturally distinct motifs: tartan and ikat. Tartan originated in Scotland and moved through colonial networks from the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean, and West Africa. Ikat, or warp-resist dyeing, is found in the textiles of Indonesia, India, Japan, and Uzbekistan. Additionally, this dress features recognizable pagoda sleeves, referencing Asian architecture. These design details align with the expansion of European and American colonial powers, fueled by the harmful ideology of the “civilizing mission.” Yet, paradoxically, Euro-American fashion and textiles incorporated culturally significant styles from colonized peoples. To analyze the garment, an inductive material culture method, specific to historical dress artifacts, will be employed. Using this method and drawing from my fashion design studies, I will identify the garment’s construction details and utilize contemporaneous fashion illustrations to determine its origins, timeline, potential alterations, and similarities to popular fashions of the time. I argue that this dress, made by a colonial power with styles from colonized regions, reflects the power dynamics of recent cultural appropriation.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Mary Hall
Presenter(s): Mary Hall
Mentors(s): Joseph DeFranco
Deer, elk, moose, and reindeer (cervids) are fundamental aspects of many cultures and lifestyles – such as the consumption of game meat and reindeer husbandry. The prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a neurodegenerative disease in cervids, has raised concerns among those who consume tissues from these animals. CWD is endemic in North America (NA) and has recently emerged in several European countries, including Norway (NO). NA CWD is highly contagious, in part due to the accumulation of infectivity in peripheral tissues and subsequent shedding, which contaminates the environment. Several research groups have demonstrated CWD infectivity in the muscles of NA cervids. However, there is less known about CWD infectivity in the muscles of diseased Norwegian moose (M-NO) and reindeer (R-NO). Our lab recently developed genetically modified mice that mimic natural CWD infection in cervid hosts, and we developed a highly sensitive protocol to monitor the accumulation of CWD prions in muscle tissues following infection of NA and NO CWD. Consistent with previous findings, further validating our experimental model, we found that mice inoculated with NA CWD harbored high levels of muscle infectivity. Similarly, muscles from R-NO CWD-inoculated mice contained significant levels of accumulation. In contrast, muscles from mice inoculated with M-NO CWD lacked detectable infectivity. Because the zoonotic potential of NA and NO CWD is uncertain, these results are significant for humans consuming venison from CWD-infected Norwegian reindeer and further underscore the differences in CWD presentation between cervid species.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Izabella Rhomberg, Madelyn Amick, Melinda Smith
Presenter(s): Izabella Rhomberg
Mentors(s): Madelyn Amick
The severity and duration of drought is predicted to increase, and with this plant communities are predicted to change in terms of their functional traits. The recovery of the plant community post-drought will be impacted by the variety of functional traits available during the recovery period. The soil seed bank, the cache of dormant seeds in the soil, will likely play a role in this recovery. However the seed bank itself may be affected by drought, limiting the traits available during recovery. The goal of our study is to compare the effects of extreme drought on the functional traits of the seedbank and determine its ability to recover within a year. To do this, we collected soil seed bank samples two times after a four year drought experiment conducted in a semi-arid grassland in Northeastern, Colorado: at the beginning of the growing season after the drought (May 2023), and at the end of the growing season (Oct 2023). Samples were collected and grown in the greenhouse for species identification. We assessed each species’ origin, life history, photosynthetic pathway and functional type. We found that the previously droughted seedbank was depleted across functional traits, but that there was recovery across all functional traits except for perennials within a single growing season. The impact of this recovery on the plant community is yet to be seen; however, this recovery does suggest a beneficial role of the seed bank in coming years.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Madeline Judson
Presenter(s): Madeline Judson
Mentors(s): Diana Lowe
Prion diseases are a group of neurodegenerative disorders that effect both humans and animals, caused by accumulation of misfolded prion proteins. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) a highly infectious prion disease of cervids was first identified in Colorado in the 1960s but has since spread to over half the states in the US and has been identified in Nordic countries. For North American strains of CWD, the rapid spread of disease is a result of the proliferation of prions to the environment and other tissues. The primary concern regarding the accumulation of prions, is the zoonotic potential of this disease when tissue is consumed. Within the CWD cases identified in Nordic countries, four were isolated from moose found in a similar region in Sweden. To characterize Swedish moose CWD isolates, we infected our gene-targeted mice with these isolates, which express cervid prion protein at typical physiological levels and recapitulate native CWD strains. Muscle tissue collected from infections of these moose CWD into these mice were then homogenized and assayed via Real-time Quaking-induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) which identifies prion proteins. We found that for the first Sweden case, accumulation in the muscle tissue was relatively consistent, whereas Sweden-2 and 3 showed no positivity for proliferation to the muscle. Sweden-4 was found to be much more sporadic in its muscle positivity. These findings are vital as they show that there is some adaptation of proliferation occurring in these Sweden Moose increasing the risk of potential exposure for humans who may consume said muscle tissue.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Ava Tolbert
Presenter(s): Ava Tolbert
Mentors(s): Sandra Duran Mancipe
Dirca occidentalis populations are decreasing, and are only found in a select number of areas in the San Francisco Bay Area. This deciduous shrub is an endemic species that has been classified as rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere. Population declines are due to habitat loss and fragmentation, slow growth rate, and poor seed dispersal and germination. Humans also pose threats to the species populations through trail use and off-trail trampling. Most community observations show very small, isolated populations. It is important to identify potential habitat areas for D. occidentalis to increase its population size. In order to determine these areas, suitability criteria for the growth of D. occidentalis must be established. This criteria will be used to create a habitat suitability framework, through the assistance of spatial analysis. The identified habitat areas will determine where D. occidentalis can be planted in the future, and monitored over time. The preservation of D. occidentalis is the first step in preserving the many diverse and unique ecosystem types within the Bay Area.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Caroline Driskell, Avery Kruger, Leah Hasstedt, Magnolia Baroli
Presenter(s): Caroline Driskell
Mentors(s): Diane Wright
Coral reefs are ecologically and economically important ecosystems that have declined as a result of many anthropogenic stressors. Coral habitats are a hotspot of biodiversity and home to many organisms, to which bleaching and destruction are an imminent threat. Our study investigates whether differences in water quality, using dissolved oxygen levels as a measurement contributing to coral health. We compared dissolved oxygen content in healthy and unhealthy regions of a coral reef by collecting water samples from shallow, medium, and deep depths in each region. Using a Dissolved Oxygen Analyzer and CTD instrument, we measured dissolved oxygen, depth, temperature, and salinity. Sampling was repeated twice over two days. The health of the sampled reef regions was determined by using the University of Queensland Coral Health Chart. No significant statistical difference was found between the test areas. We suggest future research should be done in a controlled lab environment and not in the open ocean where differences could be hidden by the constant movement of water.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Erik Hiserodt
Presenter(s): Erik Hiserodt
Mentors(s): Amy Prieto, Jessica Gallawa
Tin is commonly used and deposited on various materials in fields like batteries, microelectronics, jewelry, and the automotive industry. A common deposition strategy is known as electrodeposition. Electrodeposition utilizes a liquid rich with ions (electrolyte) and an electrical current in order to bind ions onto a conductive surface. The purpose of this study is to understand the properties that can vary when the electrolyte solution is changed for the electrodeposition of tin. Both aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes were examined under various electrochemical techniques. These were then characterized primarily by scanning electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction to determine features such as size, morphology, oxidation state, and molecular geometry. Preliminary results show that the choice of electrolyte drastically alters these features. These differences can primarily be seen in the preferred orientation of tin and the size distribution for the crystals that form. This work aims to contribute an objective evaluation for tin electrodeposition effects based on electrolyte composition.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Jessica Gray
Presenter(s): Jessica Gray
Service dogs serve an extremely crucial role in many ways including tasks that help mitigate their handlers' disabilities. They give their handlers their freedom and independence back. Service dog handlers in STEM are like any other scientist; however, science itself has historically been underrepresenting of individuals with marginalized backgrounds, including disabilities. Science laboratories have offered their own wave of challenges for students with a variety of disabilities, but the question is - How can we shift our perspectives to make laboratories more accessible for students with service dogs? One method we can use is inclusive science communication, which can help bridge the gaps and address past marginalization. Following inclusive science communication practices, I used ethnographic approaches, including interviewing other service dog handlers and collecting research articles to effectively understand how labs can be more accessible for students with service dogs. As a result of the information I collected, I concluded that developing a protocol and more education on the topic will be crucial to making sure that disabled scientists have a seat at the bench. This protocol will outline the personal protective equipment that is necessary to keep service dogs safe. Overall, science is for everyone; and through inclusive science communication, we can make scientific spaces accessible to all.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Kiley McCarthy
Presenter(s): Kiley McCarthy
Mentors(s): Kimberly Jeckel
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) annually publishes the “Standards of Care in Diabetes” to provide clinical guidelines on diabetes classifications, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options. In their 2024 edition, the American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee recognized four categories of diabetes: (1) type 1 diabetes, (2) type 2 diabetes, (3) specific forms of diabetes due to other causes, diseases of the exocrine pancreas, and diabetes induced by drugs or chemicals, and (4) gestational diabetes. Notably absent from this classification is latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), despite the evidential differences in pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Instead, the ADA lists LADA as a subset of type 1 diabetes while acknowledging the physiological differences between the two diseases. The exponentially increasing rates of misdiagnosis of LADA as type 1 or type 2 diabetes underscores the critical need for greater awareness and recognition, as inaccurate diagnosis can significantly worsen the autoimmune aspects and rate of progression of the disease. This paper explores the pathophysiological, endocrinological, and immunological features of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and LADA, emphasizing the need for LADA to be recognized as a distinct classification with established guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Ryan Thompson, Kaitlyn Dirks, Rushika Perera, Samantha Pinto, Suad Elmegerhi
Presenter(s): Ryan Thompson
Mentors(s): Rushika Perera
Mosquito borne illnesses present a global threat to all communities, and one of the most prolific and dangerous of these is dengue fever. With no effective vaccine or drug treatments currently available it is critical to develop countermeasures against dengue viruses. Flaviviruses have the insidious ability to harness normal metabolic functions at the great detriment of host cells, for the purpose of viral replication. Our research seeks to establish a link between dengue viral titer and the function of beta-glucocerebrosidases, GBA1 and GBA2. Preliminary results from siRNA screening showed that there is a significant link between enzyme function and viral titer. Drug testing has revealed that the agent Ambroxol Hydrochloride results in a seven-fold decrease in viral titer and continues to decrease viral titer even at high concentrations (12mM), without a deleterious effect on cell viability. This is critical because it strongly indicates that FDA approved drugs acting as GBA1 chaperones may be vital in suppressing viral load in infected patients, establishing the first antiviral drug treatment for dengue Fever. Using a CRISPR/Cas9 knockout technique with a lentiviral transfection vector we generated a transgenic cell-line of Human Adenocarcinoma Lung cells (A549), to study the role that the GBA1 and GBA2 genes play in the dengue viral life cycle. We believe that this knockout will result in an increased viral titer, proving that these genes are antiviral. These results will be presented.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Liz Carlsen
Presenter(s): Liz Carlsen
Mentors(s): Arjun Khakhar, Tawni Bull
I am working under a project named The Molecular Bonsai, which seeks to create inducible systems in plants to artificially increase their root size while decreasing stem size. This should lead to them being more drought resistant, and in turn more resistant to climate change. Previously my lab directly activated a ‘growth suppression protein’ called DELLA in order to get a dwarfed plant, but a new modelling system predicted a larger effect with GID1 repression then with DELLA activation. We have already seen some root dwarfing in GID1 repression concurrent with the expression of our added genetic material, so this appears to be a fruitful line of experimentation. I am currently building three different plasmids containing different guide RNAs, a GA biosensor, some Cas9, and a repressor using modular cloning. This will target an enzyme called GA20ox which is vital for the biosynthesis of GA. Specifically, the GA20ox gene will be repressed by having Cas9 and a repressor bound to it, preventing the binding of DNA polymerase and therefore preventing transcription of the gene. Less GA means there are fewer GID1-GA complexes, and because GID1-GA complexes degrade DELLA, should lead to an increased concentration of DELLA, which would theoretically then dwarf plant growth. If this project works, it could be used in the Molecular Bonsai project for a more effective dwarfing of part of a plant, and hopefully go on to create crops that have resilience to climate change.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Campbell Schildt, Zining Zhu
Presenter(s): Campbell Schildt
Mentors(s): Jain Kwon
This research-informed design project explores Southern Chinese natives’ place attachment, aimed to invoke an emotional and cultural connection among visitors of a Southern Chinese background. We gained insight into place attachment through theoretical study and then conducted user interviews, observation, and site analysis. Place attachment refers to the emotional and psychological bond individuals establish with their surroundings over time. People, even from the same region, develop various attachments based on daily routines, spatial settings, and social statuses. Research shows that 1) collective experiences can form a socio-cultural bond among people; 2) individuals of a Southern Chinese background tend to build a bond with the earth as humanity’s foundation; 3) geographical features—hills, wetlands, farms—can impact a sense of belonging; 4) attributes like texture, sound, or color contribute to culturally inspired design. Informed by precedent research studies, this project applied place-attachment principles through geographical reflection, space planning, and interior detailing. Through this project, we created a place for respite and excursion, where people can relax and find emotional comfort stemming from cultural familiarity.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Josh Conlin
Presenter(s): Josh Conlin
Mentors(s): Arjun Khakhar
Early detection of plant viral infections is crucial for effective disease management and crop protection. This study presents a plant-based visual reporter system that produces red pigmentation upon detecting Potato Virus X (PVX) infection. The system uses Ribozyme-ENabled Detection of RNA (RENDR) to sense PVX-specific RNA and, in response, splices together a functional Cre recombinase transcript. Cre then mediates recombination at loxP sites to flip the promoter controlling the RUBY reporter gene into an active orientation. The RUBY gene encodes three enzymes—CYP76AD1, DODA, and glucosyltransferase—linked by self-cleaving 2A peptides, allowing coordinated production of red betalain pigment from endogenous tyrosine. This visible signal enables non-invasive detection without external substrates or equipment. The PVX-responsive construct is being tested in transient expression assays, with plans to develop stable transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana lines. Upon PVX infection, RENDR detects viral RNA, activates Cre, and triggers red pigment production in infected tissues. This RENDR-Cre-Lox-RUBY system offers a rapid, low-cost, and field-deployable method for early virus detection, supporting improved disease management and reduced crop losses.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Lila Domenico
Presenter(s): Lila Domenico
Mentors(s): Gregory Ebel, Kaitlynn Williams
Insect-specific viruses (ISVs) infect arthropod cells, like mosquitoes, but not vertebrate cells. Previous research shows that ISVs decrease the growth of other arboviruses like West Nile virus when mosquitoes are coinfected. Because of this ability to decrease arboviral growth and their inability to replicate in vertebrate cells, future research is expanding on biocontrol applications of ISVs. With research into arboviruses being completed at facilities like the Center for Vector-Borne and Infectious Diseases (CVID), ISV presence in the mosquitoes used to study these diseases could impact the results dependent on infecting mosquitoes with arboviruses. We determined which ISVs are commonly found in mosquito populations and used RT-PCR to screen multiple colonies of mosquitoes in the insectary at CVID. We screened for Culex flavivirus, Aedes flavivirus, Anopheles flavivirus, Cell fusing agent virus, Phasi Charoen-like virus, Kamiti River Virus, Eilat Virus, and Calbertado virus. We collected mosquitoes from different colonies of Aedes triseriatus, Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Culex tarsalis from the insectary for screening. RNA was extracted from homogenates for each species and we will run RT-PCR on each sample using previously published primers for common ISVs. Knowing the presence and prevalence of ISVs in mosquitoes in the insectary at CVID could help establish our ability to obtain accurate results from future experiments on arboviruses.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Elizabeth Host, Xutong Shi
Presenter(s): Elizabeth Host
Mentors(s): Xutong Shi
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease affecting cervid species in North America since 1967. Our previous studies showed that the primary structural differences at residue 226 of deer and elk prion protein (PrP) dictates selection of distinct CWD prion strains in gene-targeted mice expressing cervid PrP. Here, by using the same platform, we characterized the CWD strain properties of farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Quebec, Canada. We assessed how genetic variation in Canadian red deer and the route of inoculation impacts CWD disease phenotype, infection kinetics and prion distribution in the brain. Our results suggest that transmission of Canadian red deer CWD prions into mice expressing homozygous glutamate (EE) at 226 residue of PrP is more efficient compared to mice expressing homozygous glutamine (QQ) at the same position, and the transmission efficiency into mice expressing heterozygous EQ at the 226 residue of PrP depends on the amino acid expressed in the field isolate. Data also shows that the differences between the intracerebral and intraperitoneal inoculation routes impact prion strain biochemical and neuropathological properties. These findings suggest that both the amino acid variation at residue 226 of PrP and the different inoculation routes impact prion strain properties. Our results provide insight into the mechanisms governing prion strain selection and adaptation.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Meadow Zacher
Presenter(s): Meadow Zacher
Mentors(s): Leslie Stone-Roy
Caenorhabtidis elegans is a model organism for researchers due to its transparency, rapid life cycle, small size, and ease of genetic manipulation. This species shares 38% similarity in protein-encoding genes and 40% disease associated genes with humans. This genetic similarity allows researchers to study the effects of different mutations on C. elegans to draw conclusions and connections to human health and disease. Myosin V proteins are a class of unconventional myosins that are highly conserved among organisms. They are primarily expressed in the brain and PNS in humans and are involved in key processes necessary for proper neuronal signaling. Deficiencies in these proteins are linked to Griscelli Syndrome Type 1 (GS1), a disease with a current lack of treatment options. The hum-2 gene in C. elegans is an orthologue of the human MYO5A gene. The objective of this research was to study the effect of hum-2 mutations in C. elegans to elucidate possible similarities in humans with MYO5A mutations. Knockout hum-2 mutants were studied through a series of behavioral assays in comparison with N2 wild type animals to assess differences in neuronal health and behavior between the two. Sensory and motor differences between genotypes were minimal, however, the mutants exhibited defects in chemosensation and associative learning. The suspected reason for these impairments relates to myosin Vs role in mRNA localization and neuronal polarity. This research has potential to clarify effects of MYO5A mutations in humans and aid in creating better treatment options for those impacted by GS1.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Ellie Misra-Matson
Presenter(s): Ellie Misra-Matson
Mentors(s): Federico Martin
Rising global temperatures and erratic weather patterns drive ecosystem changes allowing plant pathogens to spread and thrive in new niches further stressing agricultural systems. Efforts to contain the spread of plant diseases often rely on the use of agrichemicals. A more sustainable alternative is to enhance natural plant resistance to pathogens and pests. Though, this is a complex and lengthy process that can take up to 10 years. Tolerance in crop plants to stresses involves changes in expression patterns of numerous genes. These changes are controlled by short sequences in promoter areas, specifically cis-regulatory elements (CRE) or assemblies of CRE organized as modules (cis-regulatory modules or CRM). Increasing evidence shows that conserved CRE and CRM are found in promoters of many genes that are co-activated by a single stress, and that they are common to genes co-activated in plants with enhanced tolerance to different stresses. We hypothesize that conserved CRE/CRM enable coordinated gene activation, contributing to enhanced defense responses. Previous work in our group identified multiple genes involved in defense responses including phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), oxalate oxidase (OXO) and germin-like proteins (GLP) which share similar CRMs in the proximal promoter regions. Using CRISPR-cas genome editing technology, we have targeted and modified some of these CRMs in a multiplex approach. Currently, we are genotyping targeted regions to identified beneficial modifications and selecting specific lines for future studies. Edited lines will be tested with different pathogens to analyze their susceptibility response. Our goal is to better understand the role that specific CRMs have in gene activation during defense responses and use them to guide genetic selection of the most actives allele for efficient development of climate-ready varieties.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Ellery Myers, Kathryn Wilsterman
Presenter(s): Ellery Myers
Mentors(s): Megan Hemmerlein
Evolutionary adaptations can play an important role in supporting successful reproduction and survival in novel and challenging environments. Lowland-ancestry populations experience fetal growth restriction at high elevations, while adapted populations exhibit normal fetal growth. However, the developmental origins of these differences remain unclear. The Wilsterman Lab at CSU uses a comparative model system (Peromyscus maniculatus), to understand the physiological and developmental adaptations that contribute to fetal growth protection. To understand how early developmental adaptations impact fetal growth, we subjected deer mice derived from Mt. Blue Sky, CO (4300 m ASL; highlanders) and Lincoln, NE (616 m ASL; lowlanders) to either normobaric normoxia or hypobaric hypoxia (equivalent to 4300 m) throughout pregnancy. We collected early pregnancy (day 13.5-14.5) implantation sites (intact fetus + placenta) from 4-8 unique dams within each experimental group. We collected 10 um cryosections from each implantation site at the approximate midline for immunohistochemistry. We labeled the placentas with antibodies against cytokeratin to mark trophoblast cell structures, laminin to outline the basal membrane, and DAPI to highlight nuclei. Together, these labels provide a comprehensive view of placental structure. We captured 17-21 images per experimental group and quantified the labyrinth zone and the fetal blood spaces within it using a custom protocol created for FIJI. We predict highlanders will have more developmentally mature placenta that can withstand adverse environments, thus protecting fetal size in highland adapted deer mice. Our findings will deepen our understanding of reproductive adaptations to hypoxia and advance our knowledge of placental physiology across mammals.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Susannah Huston
Presenter(s): Susannah Huston
Mentors(s): Jacob MacWilliams
Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is a growing industry in the United States with a wide variety of uses from fiber to its numerous secondary metabolites produced including cannabidiol (CBD). While lesser known than cannabinoids, one group of secondary metabolites that are highly produced in hemp that are underutilized is flavonoids. Flavonoids have diverse structures and functions, including detrimental impacts on insect pests. Here we investigated the role of flavonoids in plant defense against one of the most damaging pests of hemp, the cannabis aphid (Phorodon cannabis). Aphid population screening on hemp cultivars that varied in flavonoid concentrations identified significantly more aphids when flavonoids were not present. One flavonoid in particular was identified, orientin, through these screens and supplemented in artificial feeding assays. The supplementation of orientin did not lead to significant decreases in fecundity at either 1 mM or 5 mM concentrations, suggesting other flavonoids may be responsible for the majority of the effect observed on hemp. The negative impacts of flavonoids that we observed indicate flavonoids have a role in plant defense to cannabis aphids. Future research focusing on the defense potential of flavonoids to hemp pests should be investigated for crop improvement and breeding.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Olivia Martinez
Presenter(s): Olivia Martinez
Mentors(s): Emma Harris, Rebekah Kading, Shelby Cagle
Temperature change is known to affect transmission efficiency of mosquito-borne viruses, particularly those spread by Aedes aegypti and Culex tarsalis mosquitoes. Previous work showed patterns of decreased oviposition when virally infected adult Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were exposed to temperatures varying from typical environmental conditions. It is unclear if this was caused by abnormal temperatures or viral presence. We hypothesized that temperature change negatively impacts oviposition in uninfected blood-fed Ae. aegypti and Cx. tarsalis mosquitoes due to transcriptional or translational errors in oogenesis. Key reproductive proteins such as vitellogenin may have been altered by temperature, with detrimental downstream effects in egg formation or deposition. We performed experimental trials using ~60 individually housed mosquitoes held at low (18°C), standard (28°C), or high (32°C) temperatures over a 5-day period. 18°C and 32°C data was compared to 28°C. Retained eggs were counted using ovarian dissection, deposited eggs were counted, and any hatching was recorded. Using tissues taken from experimental mosquitoes, we will characterize Vg production and function using qPCR and Western blots. After 5 days, no significant drops in survivorship were observed in either species at all temperatures. When held at 18°C, egg retention increased significantly in both Ae. aegypti and Cx. tarsalis, determined using a one-way ANOVA (p<0.0001). 32°C did not cause significantly increased egg retention in either species. Hatching rates were significantly lower at 18°C and 32°C (p<0.0001). qPCR and Western blot experiments are ongoing. Understanding how mosquitoes are affected by temperature will inform future vector control and disease mitigation strategies.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Ella Lang
Presenter(s): Ella Lang
Mentors(s): Jason La Belle
Bull Draw Shelter (5MF607) is located in a small canyon in southern Moffat County, Colorado. The Bureau of Land Management first recorded the site in 1976, noting a large vandal’s pit in the interior of the shelter. Colorado State University’s Laboratory of Public Archaeology followed this initial recording and undertook excavations in the shelter in both 1976 and 1977. LOPA first exposed and profiled the looted pit and then expanded horizontally to expose other areas of the shelter. They produced a draft report of the excavation in 1981, though no final report was ever completed. Recently, CSU’s Center for Mountain and Plains Archaeology has revisited and remapped the site and begun systematic work with the collections in preparation for a final report. Based on LOPA’s work, this large rock shelter exhibits three distinct occupation phases, including Late Archaic, Fremont, and later Ute and/or Eastern Shoshone use, and is argued to have functioned primarily as a granary and storage facility, with secondary use as a seasonal habitation. 5MF607 contains 45 features, including hearths, storage pits, and living floors. As part of the final reporting, my poster provides a thorough examination of the 5MF607 features, focusing on the contents of the storage pits and granary, in terms of floral, faunal, and cultural artifacts. My work aims to refine our understanding of the site’s function and the relationship between these features and what was stored within them thousands of years ago.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Emerald Cordova, Emma Harris, Kalani Williams, Natalie Wickenkamp
Presenter(s): Emerald Cordova
Mentors(s): Kalani Williams, Rebekah Kading
Many species of insectivorous bats are known to carry viruses, such as coronaviruses. A link has been suggested between gut health and immune response regulation in both bats and humans, but specific mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Thus, understanding the relationship between gut microbiome composition and viral infection status is critical. This study aims to determine the major drivers of gut microbiome composition and diversity of insectivorous bats. Specifically, we focus on insectivorous bat species from the Mount Elgon Region of Eastern Uganda, taken from six different cave systems across the dry and wet seasons from 2022 to 2023. Sample processing for gut microbiome metagenomics was conducted using 178 fecal samples. DNA extractions were performed using the QIAmp PowerFecal Pro DNA Kit, and the concentrations were measured using Qubit fluorometry. The V4 region of 16S rRNA was PCR amplified in triplicate from the DNA. These triplicates were pooled for gel electrophoresis and next-generation sequencing preparation. Gel electrophoresis confirmed successful amplification of the 16s rRNA target gene. Samples were then purified using Agencourt Ampure XP magnetic beads. Purified PCR samples were sent to Azenta for Illumina amplicon sequencing. All samples will be analyzed using Qiime2. In addition to understanding how the gut microbiome is formed, our results may provide insights into how the gut microbiome impacts the immune system. Learning more about the relationship between diet and viral infection in bats may give us deeper insights about spillover and lead to further research of the bat immune response.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Persephone Jordano
Presenter(s): Persephone Jordano
Mentors(s): Autumn Peters, James Neilson
Semiconductors are used in a variety of technologies, including solar panels. Currently, the semiconductors within solar panels utilize rare earth minerals and are defect intolerant. Rare earth minerals can be toxic to the environment and human welfare depending on mining conditions. A specific crystal structure called a perovskite with formula of ABX3 has become relevant as a viable type of semiconductor, however they sometimes still utilize similar metals. As a result, there has been an investigation towards hybrid hollow organic-inorganic perovskite (HOIP) semiconductors, with a focus on methylammonium tin iodide (MASnI3) HOIPs doped with ethylene diammonium (en) at varying percent incorporations. This MAenSnI3 has proved to be defect tolerant and viable as a semiconductor, however the solution based synthesis is time and energy intensive, with varying results. Therefore, we investigated an alternative mechanochemical method of production, using a high energy ball mill. We synthesized various percent incorporations of MAenSnI3 and analyzed the product to check for purity and that we made what was intended. Our new mechanochemical synthesis method resulted in viable MAenSnI3 that could be utilized as semiconductors in solar cells.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Jacob Hall
Presenter(s): Jacob Hall
Mentors(s): Claudia Gentry-Weeks, James Henriksen
As instances of antibiotic resistance increase, the search for novel antibiotics and a better understanding of antibiotic production pathways in bacteria is more important than ever. A novel strain of Paenibacillus apiarius (designated JH21) was isolated from Horse Tooth Reservoir and tested for its ability to produce antimicrobial substances. An antibiotic extraction was completed, and a disk diffusion assay against multiple bacterial strains was performed to find the spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Whole genome sequencing was completed to identify the bacteria and pathways involved in antibiotic production. After assembly, the genome was run through a program called antiSMASH to identify biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that could be responsible for the antimicrobial production. However, this program did not find any concrete matches for antimicrobial pathways. After this, attention was turned to an antibiotic called paenibacterin which had a very similar spectrum of targets to the one produced by P. apiarius JH21. A nucleotide BLAST was used to compare the paenibacterin gene cluster to the P. apiarius JH21 genome which revealed high similarity between the two. In an effort to conclude whether this strain is producing paenibacterin, chemical analysis of the antibiotic extract will be performed. An electroporation protocol for P. apiarius JH21 is also being developed so that foreign DNA can be used to disrupt the antibiotic synthesis pathway, to see if there is more than one antimicrobial substance being produced.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Katie Calhoon
Presenter(s): Katie Calhoon
Mentors(s): Jason La Belle
Texas Creek Overlook (5RB2435) is an archaeological site located in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. It features a wet-laid masonry structure situated atop a small sandstone pinnacle overlooking the Colorado Plateau. The site is culturally affiliated with the Fremont, a pre-contact Native American culture that inhabited the region until approximately A.D. 1300. In 1983, Western Wyoming College conducted excavations at Texas Creek Overlook and identified three rooms within the masonry structure. Of the artifacts recovered, 98% consisted of flaked lithic debris. Based on these findings, Creasman and Scott (1987) argued the site functioned as a habitation and faunal procurement camp. However, the nature of habitation, in terms of the duration of site occupation (short-term versus long-term), remains unknown. Additionally, the spatial distribution of flaked lithic debris via density per square meter, per excavated room, remains unknown. Such facets of Texas Creek Overlook can be explored primarily through mass analysis, supplemented by image analysis software and lithic tool analysis. This research deepens our collective understanding of the Fremont culture while demonstrating the importance of curated collections—preserved not only to examine the past, but to support ongoing inquiry as new technologies and questions emerge. By integrating archaeological investigation with museum curation, this project emphasizes the power of hands-on, interdisciplinary learning, which offers students a rare opportunity to engage directly with the past and develop skills, along with a sense of purpose, that extends far beyond the classroom.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Kelly Kramer
Presenter(s): Kelly Kramer
Mentors(s): Saeideh Esmaeili
This research investigates the diet composition of feral horses and mule deer in the Spruce-Pequop Herd Management Area (HMA). Our goal is to inform management groups on how to best manage lands inhabited by both species to prevent the decline of mule deer. We examined the diet overlap between feral horses and mule deer to determine if they compete for the same resources and whether this competition negatively impacts mule deer populations. Horses and mule deer have different digestive systems that influence their foraging behavior. Horses use hindgut fermentation, which extracts fewer nutrients from forage, requiring them to consume large amounts of vegetation to meet their nutritional needs. Mule deer are ruminants and can extract more nutrients from high-quality forage, allowing them to consume less overall. Horses may outcompete mule deer by consuming large quantities of forage, depleting resources that mule deer rely on. We analyzed 40 fecal samples using DNA metabarcoding to examine the diet composition of both species. Our results indicate that their diets overlap, especially during periods of low forage availability, which negatively affects mule deer survival and persistence. The results of our study convey the need for increased management of areas inhabited by both species.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Macey Dvorak, Julie Heinrichs, Sergio Nicasio
Presenter(s): Macey Dvorak
Mentors(s): Sergio Nicasio
The transboundary corridor between northern Montana and southern Saskatchewan provides a significant and important ecosystem for migration of the Greater Sage-Grouse. Ecological habitat connectivity of the species is of great importance as well, and different parcels of protected areas are expected to change in importance of this connectivity under different warming scenarios. This project answers the question of if greater protection of conserved parcels of land, as denoted by IUCN categorization, are associated with greater connectivity of sage grouse as warming increases in the Saskatchewan-Montana corridor. Spatial data of protected areas, species habitat suitability requirements, and habitat suitability data was used in order to process and analyze data. The software Graphab was used to calculate key metrics for connectivity, which was then analyzed using QGIS to assess importance of nodes, links, as well as allowing the data to be visualized through mapping processes. Conclusions could lead to various implications for conservation, as well as recommendations for increasing areas of certain protection status in order to preserve connectivity as much as possible throughout this transboundary ecosystem.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Hailey Tharp
Presenter(s): Hailey Tharp
Mentors(s): Trevor Carter
High winds across the alpine are a persistent disturbance to plant communities in the area. Wind can cause chronic damage to plant tissues and therefore affect how plants best allocate resources and their subsequent strategies of nutrient acquisition. In the face of disturbance plants tend to favor rapid-growth strategies that extend root length and lower root tissue density. To examine how Krummholz tree islands block the wind from understory plant communities, we evaluated variations in the functional traits associated with resource acquisition: specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD), root diameter (RD), root dry matter content (RDMC), root nitrogen concentration (RN), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), specific leaf area (SLA), plant height at maturity (height), and leaf nitrogen concentration (LN). Differences in average trait values were correlated to the position of the understory relative to tree islands. This demonstrates that tree islands that block the wind can alter how wind affects understory community assembly.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Carson Bainbridge, Steven Fassnacht
Presenter(s): Carson Bainbridge
Snowpack properties vary over both space and time and can be important to understand when dealing with water resource management, understanding and modeling climate, estimating ecological health, and managing winter recreation. The data was downloaded from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) to understand the properties of snowpack in Rabbit Ears/ Buffalo Pass Colorado. Data collection took place during NASA’s Cold Land Processes Experiment in 2002 and 2003 in late February and late March. Ground-based sampling measured density, depth, temperature, and stratigraphy. The Rabbit Ears Pass dataset was analyzed spatially and temporally to determine trends within and amongst different terrains and elevations. Density and depth were analyzed to determine variability amongst 16 randomized sites within the area. Results found little variation within the RBSP data for observation periods one and two. Bulk density and snow water equivalent analysis for each IOP showed results, but they are explained by the increase in snowfall from late February to late March. This information will inform future research on sampling snowpack in high-alpine areas such as Colorado.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Gloria Tait, Miranda Chin
Presenter(s): Gloria Tait
Mentors(s): Jody Vogeler, Steven Filippelli
Stakeholders at Kruger National Park, located in the upper eastern corner of South Africa, noticed an increasing amount of damaged trees, even after the implementation of protections. As elephants and droughts impact the environment, detecting potential changes in ET due to this tree damage can be ever useful for informing stakeholders. This project questions the possibility of quantifying changes in Landsat-derived estimates of evapotranspiration (ET) in trees following tree damage from elephants and drought-related stress. On-ground data on the tree location and damage severity was collected by stakeholders in 2023 and 2024. In conjunction with the METRIC model, the mean ET was extracted from 40 patches, where all trees were digitized and had a recorded damage status. Then, all data was analyzed in models that showed changes in ET over time concerning the trees' damage status. Results indicate a low correlation (r = -0.06) between the percent of patch area with severe damage and change in ET between 2017 and 2024. Implications of this study suggest that further research is needed to determine if measuring ET changes corresponding to tree damage is possible and/or if tree damage does not significantly affect ET. It is recommended to explore any additional environmental variables and refine models for stronger predictions of tree damage and ET changes.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Natalie Calahan, Ashok Prasad, Scott Burlingham, Soham Ghosh
Presenter(s): Natalie Calahan
Mentors(s): Soham Ghosh
In cancer treatment, a major challenge lies in fractional killing, where a fraction of cells survive therapeutic intervention. This phenomenon is often linked to heterogeneous cellular mechanisms that enhance cancer cell resilience and evasion of apoptosis. Tumors exhibit stiffness gradients, with spots of extremely stiff regions and relatively soft regions, creating treatment challenges as cell behavior and response to therapy can be attributed to microenvironment mechanics. The objective of this study is to find if substrate stiffness defines doxorubicin (DOX) inducible cell death and what mechanism governs this change. We found that stiffer substrates result in faster and greater activation of Caspase-3 in HeLa cells treated with DOX. Cells on stiff substrates showed a more robust F-actin structure, prompting us to explore if the actomyosin complex affects DOX uptake by altering nuclear pore size. DOX accumulation was greater in cells on stiff substrates, suggesting increased entry. However, inhibiting actin structure formation and actomyosin contraction on stiff substrates did not reduce DOX uptake. Interestingly, synchronizing cells to the G1/S phase boundary before DOX application showed similar Caspase-3 activation on both soft and stiff substrates. These findings suggest that substrate stiffness influences apoptosis activation, and while the actomyosin complex is not the governing factor, the stiffness-driven cell cycle plays a key role in modulating this variability.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Josie Small, Ana Carolina Takatsu Fonseca
Presenter(s): Josie Small
Mentors(s): Gregory Robertson
Josie L. Small1*†, Ana C. Takatsu Fonseca1,2†, Nicholas Egersdorf1, Claudia Griselda Cárdenas León3, Karlis Pleiko3, Tambet Teesalu3, and Gregory T. Robertson1 1Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA 2Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Scholar; 3Laboratory of Precision and Nanomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia. *Presenting author. †Co-first authors. Phage display is widely used for identification of organ- or disease-specific homing peptides. Prior work from our group identified five candidate peptides with binding affinity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) following biopanning of a CX7C phage-displayed peptide library on Mtb grown in vitro. Four of five peptides show a near consensus RGK motif, while the fifth candidate (CIG) lacks this motif suggesting it might interact differently with Mtb. In the present work, we sought to further interrogate this possibility by performing phage display auditioning studies in which T7 phage expressing CIG - or control peptides - are “auditioned” for their ability to home to BSL2 auxotrophic Mtb MC2 6206 in culture. Our hypothesis being that CIG-expressing phage will exhibit higher binding affinity for Mtb compared to controls. After the auditioning step, the number of bound phage are quantified using a simple Escherichia coli plaque-formation assay followed by sequence analysis to verify phage identity. Together, this project offers a streamlined approach to efficiently identify candidate peptides with homing potential for Mtb, which could be repurposed as diagnostic tools or for targeted drug delivery approaches, if successful.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Audre Young-huggins
Presenter(s): Audre Young-huggins
Mentors(s): Yoichiro Kanno
This study explores Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) genetic flow in Little Beaver Creek, a tributary of the South Fork of the Pouder River that sections of were burnt in the Cameron Peak Wildfire in 2020. We were interested in understanding how the wildfire disturbance would impact the gene flow of Brook Trout especially with the increase of wildfire severity in the American West. Anal fin clips from Brook Trout were collected at 3 sampling sites along a 7-kilometer section of Little Beaver Creek. To investigate genetic structure across our sampling sites, Brook Trout were genotyped at 12 neutral microsatellite loci using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and capillary electrophoresis. Using STRUCTURE and R Studio we analyzed how the population was structured between the three sites to investigate whether the sites experienced enough gene-flow to allow for recolonization after the wildfire. At the 7-kilometer spatial scale that there was enough connectivity for the population to recolonize even after wildfire may have eradicated a local population in the areas it burned. A slight genetic signature at the uppermost sight was detected through the STRUCTURE and DAPC analyses. The slight increased amount in genetic diversity at the lower sites indicates that more migrants are received because they are closer to tributaries, allowing for more genetic diversity. Lower diversity in upstream areas may indicate that they are harder to recolonize making them more vulnerable to disturbances, whereas locations downstream may be more easily recolonized by tributaries making them more resilient.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Mark Kappus
Presenter(s): Mark Kappus
Mentors(s): Andrew Schlink, Debbie Crans, Skyler Markham
Menaquinone (MK), also known as vitamin K2, is commonly found in bacterial membranes. In this study, we focus on improving the synthesis of MK derivatives by changing the leaving group during the isoprenyl reaction. MK serves as the quinone that shuttles electrons between membrane-bound proteins during the production of energy in the electron transport chain (ETC) of certain procaryotes. The quinone head group on MK facilitates single electron reduction chemistry that occurs during the shuttling of electrons essential for this process, while its isoprenyl side chain varies in length and degree of saturation across different organisms. The current synthesis results in low yield (~20%), and we hypothesize that the choice of leaving group significantly impacts the amount of side product formation and thus, appropriate choice of leaving group will increase the yield. The differences in reactions with chlorine, bromine, mesylate, and tosylate as leaving groups were all considered due to their differing electronic properties and ability to enhance the desired reaction efficiency. To assess the impact of different leaving groups, the percent yields of products were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and will be discussed at the poster.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Ana de Zoeten, Ashley Raffa, Punya Nachappa
Presenter(s): Ana de Zoeten
Mentors(s): Max Schmidtbauer
The Intermountain West is home to a thriving sugar beet industry. Idaho, with its temperate climate and access to the Snake River Basin, is consistently one of the top sugar beet producing states in the country. Sugar beet profits are based primarily on three criteria: yield, sucrose content, and sucrose recovery efficiency, but these criteria are certainly affected by insect pests. Insecticides are therefore a powerful tool used in pest mitigation strategies; however, overuse can lead to resistance within pests and the unintentional loss of beneficial insects. As a result of this, there is an apparent need to assess key pest susceptibility to commonly used insecticides. The goal of this research is to determine black bean aphid (Aphis fabae) and green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) resistance to a neonicotinoid, and lygus bug (Lygus hespersus) resistance to a pyrethroid. We hypothesize that our field collected insects will express some level of resistance to both insecticides. Preliminary data suggests that black bean aphids have some resistance to the neonicotinoid, but green peach aphids do not. It also shows that lygus bugs have a moderate resistance to the pyrethroid Asana. The future direction of this project is to evaluate insecticide efficacy on spider mites, another devastating pest of sugar beets. The long-term goal for this research is to help direct future pest management efforts to reduce the overuse of insecticides, in turn, mitigating rates of resistance in pest populations.
Category: Performing Art
Author(s): Antonella Torres Peralta
Presenter(s): Antonella Torres Peralta
The Belly Dance Club, founded in Fall 2023, presents a 5-minute choreography celebrating the beautiful art of belly dance. This club aims to empower individuals to get to know their bodies, connect with their bodies, and celebrate what they can do. Belly Dance is an ancient art form from the Middle East that started as a way to celebrate femininity and childbirth. Nowadays, everyone is welcome to belly dance and connect with this culture that empowers us to love our bodies and connect with the world through gentle and spiritual dance moves. Performers: Antonella Torres Peralta (President and Founder), Kayla Dailey (Vice-President), Audra Richister (Treasurer and Secretary), and members Elise Kelley, Manaya Golatt, Patricia Garcia, Heidi Wagner, Alejandra Amador, Marc Smoorenburg, and Hank Dundon.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Sam Altaffer, Chad Miller
Presenter(s): Sam Altaffer
Mentors(s): Chad Miller
The Perennial Demonstration Garden, relocated to its current site in 2016, is a small-scale botanical garden showcasing a diverse collection of native and non-native perennial plant species. As the garden finishes its 8th year at this location, there is an increasing focus on enhancing the visitor experience. This research aimed to gather visitor feedback through the design and implementation of a survey, addressing key aspects such as how visitors discover and engage with the garden, space improvement suggestions, preferences for native species, and accessibility concerns. The survey results indicate that the majority of visitors are aged 50 or older, predominantly female, and primarily local to the Fort Collins area. While many visitors use the garden for learning (45.6%), others engage in relaxation (28.2%) or brief visits (26.2%). Key areas for improvement include expanded plant identification resources, increased signage on native species and pollinator benefits, and accessibility enhancements such as improved pathways and clearer labeling. Statistical analyses revealed significant relationships between visit frequency and garden utilization (p = 0.029), age and learning engagement (p = 0.056), and race and garden utilization (p = 0.032). These insights will help guide the development of the garden and its integration into the broader vision of the Garden and Art District.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Isabella Hamner
Presenter(s): Isabella Hamner
Mentors(s): Jennifer Bennett, Kellie Enns
This internship with CAM’s Ag Academy On the Road, a CSU Agriculture Education initiative, focused on expanding agricultural literacy through interactive programming and engagement with Colorado communities. The project aimed to develop, execute, and assess educational activities aligned with CSU Agriculture Education and CSU Spur research while making agricultural topics accessible to diverse audiences. Key contributions included adapting engagement materials into more portable and interactive formats, developing new educational lessons such as “A-Maize-ing Corn Anatomy” and “Beef By-Product Bingo,” and designing promotional materials to enhance outreach. These resources were utilized at community fairs, festivals, and CSU-sponsored events, strengthening the program’s educational reach. Additionally, I played a role in curriculum development, transforming CAM’s lessons into structured formats for future implementation in The Road program. Execution of these activities involved direct engagement with families and students at various events, including the Larimer County Fair, where I facilitated youth competitions and interactive sessions. Conducting agricultural literacy outreach, I assisted in training Junior Ag Ambassadors and leading educational demonstrations. Throughout the internship, I gained valuable experience in structured teaching, communication, and program facilitation. The impact of this internship extended to over 2,880 individuals across eleven Colorado counties, broadening agricultural literacy and fostering community involvement. My experiences deepened my understanding of agricultural education and strengthened my ability to design and implement effective learning strategies. This work has prepared me to be a more effective educator and advocate for agriculture in both formal and informal educational settings.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Lucas Guerrero
Presenter(s): Lucas Guerrero
Testosterone (T) plays a crucial role in regulating physical health during aging and disease states across all physiological systems. Evidence suggests that low serum testosterone increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementias (ADRD). However, the mechanisms by which low T contributes to the development and/or progression of CVD and ADRD are not fully understood. Thus, in this present study, we plan to evaluate the effects of varying circulating T levels on neuroinflammation (a key characteristic of ADRD). We hypothesize that serum from middle-age and older (MA/O) males with low endogenous T levels, compared to MA/O with normal T levels, will cause neuro-inflammatory activation of microglia. To test this hypothesis, we will use human microglia and brain microvascular endothelial cell lines cultured in a 12-well plate + a transwell insert format, which will mimic the blood-brain-barrier (BBB). By treating cells in this model with serum from human research participants (with low or normal T), we will be able to evaluate T-related effects on neuroinflammatory activation of microglia. Cells will be exposed to patient serum for a 48-hour incubation period, after which they will be lysed and collected for analysis. The proposed experiments will increase our understanding of the underlying effects of circulating T and/or circulating proteins associated with T levels on microglia, which are key cell types involved in neuroinflammation and ADRD. These proof-of-concept experiments will provide critical insights into how low T and influence microglia, advancing our understanding of neuroinflammation and guiding potential therapeutic strategies.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Maria Ignatieff
Presenter(s): Maria Ignatieff
Mentors(s): Carolina Dos Santos Passos, Tingting Yao
Upon DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs), cells initiate signaling cascades that recruit repair machinery, collectively known as the DNA damage response (DDR). Typically, these pathways are initiated by the ATM and ATR kinases, which recruit downstream DDR factors through phosphorylation of histone H2Ax and histone ubiquitin conjugation pathways. These factors include the Breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1) and its binding partner, BRCA1-associated ring domain 1 (BARD1). Unexpectedly, we found that inhibiting ATM and ATR leads to BRCA1 and BARD1 relocalization in the nucleolus, specifically during the G2 phase of the cell cycle. Further inhibition of the E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme prevents this nucleolar localization, suggesting a dependence on ubiquitin conjugation. These findings point to a non-ATM/ATR dependent mechanism for the recruitment of BRCA1 and BARD1 to the nucleolus, a site of ribosome biogenesis. This may reveal novel functions of BRCA1 and BARD1 beyond ATM/ATR-induced DDR pathways and provide new insights into breast cancer etiology.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Kaylee Sandefur
Presenter(s): Kaylee Sandefur
Mentors(s): Brett Fling
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a nervous system disease in which the immune system abnormally attacks the myelin sheath, a fatty layer that insulates and protects neurons. Damage to the myelin sheath leads to impaired neural communication and subsequent adverse health. Our understanding of these neural impairments, including their identification, monitoring, and treatment, remains limited. Brain imaging offers a tool for connecting brain health and symptomology in MS, by identifying areas of atrophy, injury, or structural changes, and linking these to clinical symptoms. The thalamus is a vital brain region that receives all sensory information entering the nervous system, except for smell, and relays it to cortical regions for processing. The thalamus is also highly interconnected with motor circuits, highlighting its role in modulating movement. While recent research has linked thalamic volume to impaired cognitive function and aerobic fitness, its relationship with clinical mobility and balance tests remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between thalamic volume and balance performance in individuals with MS compared to healthy controls. Brain scans were collected using magnetic resonance imaging and brain and thalamic volumes were measured for each participant using Free Surfer. Participants completed the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test to evaluate four main balance systems: anticipatory postural adjustments, postural control, sensory orientation, and dynamic gait. This study builds on efforts to characterize the impact of brain health on mobility and balance, by examining the relationship between thalamic volume and clinical assessments of mobility and balance.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Kate Green, Aaron Falk
Presenter(s): Kate Green
Mentors(s): Christopher Bell
The endocannabinoid system is an important regulator of multiple physiological functions, including the runner’s high, an energized sensation experienced during exercise. Habitual users of products derived from Cannabis sativa L. are exposed to exogenous cannabinoids that utilize the endocannabinoid system. Chronic cannabis use may downregulate endocannabinoid release during aerobic exercise. We hypothesized that the endocannabinoid response to standardized exercise would be attenuated in habitual users of cannabis products compared with non-users. 18 adults, comprising 12 non-users (7M/5F, age: 27±6 years, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max): 59.4±8.9 ml/kg/min, no cannabis use in the past 6 months) and 6 users (4M/2F, age: 26 ± 5 years, VO2max: 51.7±11.3 ml/kg/min, cannabis use minimum 3 times per week for the past 6 months) completed treadmill exercise at 65% VO2max for 60 minutes; arterialized blood was drawn from a dorsal hand vein prior to, during, and following exercise and analyzed for the endocannabinoid, anandamide (AEA), concentration. Participants were asked questions to determine their perceived energetic levels from a 0 (“do not feel”) to 4 (“feel very strongly”) scale. Preliminary data indicate that the area under the AEA response curve may be smaller (P=0.16) in users (22.6±5.8 (ng/ml) x min ) compared with non-users (27.8±7.9 (ng/ml) x min). Average perceived energetic levels were reported to be lower in cannabis users compared to non-users (NU: 2.3±0.4 arbitrary units, U: 1.8±0.2 AU). These initial observations imply that the contribution of the endocannabinoid system to physiological regulation may be attenuated in habitual users of cannabis products and requires further investigation.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Quinn Mitchell
Presenter(s): Quinn Mitchell
Mentors(s): Julia Klein, Rowena Davis
Mountain social-ecological systems (MtSES) provide critical ecosystem services, including water regulation, biodiversity conservation, and climate mitigation, yet they are increasingly threatened by climate change and governance challenges. Nature-based solutions (NBS) and Ecosystem-Based Adaptations (EBA) offer a promising approach to enhancing resilience, yet research on their effectiveness in MtSES remains limited. This study conducts a systematized review to assess the potential benefits of NBS and EBA in MtSES worldwide to enhance climate resilience and disaster reduction. Studies were screened using a keyword-driven search strategy across multiple academic databases based on predefined exclusion criteria. Data were analyzed using Excel to identify each study's population, intervention, and outcome. Suggested results indicate that NBS and EBA contribute to improved water retention, biodiversity conservation, reduced soil erosion, and strengthened community-based adaptation. The findings highlight the need for participatory governance and long-term investment in NBS and EBA initiatives. This research informs policy recommendations and supports the development of scalable, sustainable climate adaptation strategies tailored to the unique challenges of mountain regions.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Raiyaa Huntress, Jacob MacWilliams, Jinlong Han, Max Schmidtbauer, Punya Nachappa
Presenter(s): Raiyaa Huntress
Mentors(s): Punya Nachappa
After a nearly fifty-year hiatus, the 2018 United States farm bill reintroduced industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) back into the agricultural landscape. Colorado’s dry climate and high altitude create optimal growing conditions, in part due to a reduced prevalence of diseases common in more precipitous regions. Instead, the West faces challenges from various viral diseases, including beet curly top virus (BCTV). BCTV is thought to be exclusively transmitted by the beet leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus) and has recently been identified as infectious to hemp. While infection in hemp leads to overall plant decline and a potential decrease in biomass yield, further research is required to fully understand the epidemiology and impact on plant health. Therefore, the goal of this research is to characterize BCTV strains and vector dynamics, as well as to determine if BCTV can be transmitted in seed. We hypothesize that in field grown hemp, there will be a variety of BCTV strains present and BCTV transmission rates will positively correlate with increased beet leafhopper populations. We also hypothesize that despite previous literature, BCTV is seed transmissible in hemp. Our results reveal that four strains of BCTV were detected in field grown hemp, and that BCTV transmission increases after mass beet leafhopper influx. Our results also illustrate that beet curly top virus is seed transmissible in hemp, but the exact mechanism is still to be determined. Understanding strain diversity, vector dynamics, and modes of transmission is crucial for guiding future research decisions and these findings highlight the need for continued investigation of BCTV in hemp.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Brady Zipter, Chandler Hand, Cianna Piercey, Hollis Karoly, Isabella Gravante, Isabella Packwood, John McArthur, Joseph Cameron
Presenter(s): Brady Zipter
Mentors(s): Cianna Piercey, Hollis Karoly
In 2022, Colorado voters passed the Natural Medicine Health Act, decriminalizing the personal use of several psychedelic substances, including psilocybin, DMT, and mescaline. However, research on how this policy shift has influenced individual and community behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions remains limited. This study used a survey to examine these impacts from 183 participants (mean age=29.73, AFAB=41.5%). Data was collected online and at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Most participants lived in Colorado for at least five years (65.7%) and were residents at the time of decriminalization (74.6%). Participants shared qualitative insights from open-ended questions into how decriminalization affected psychedelic use, risk perception, and substance availability. Among people who reported changes in personal use, some noted an increase in consumption, particularly microdosing psilocybin, as well as home cultivation of psilocybin and a greater perceived availability of psychedelics. Participants also observed a rise in psychedelic use within their social circles, reduced concerns about legal consequences, and increased awareness of the effects of psychedelics. However, some voiced concerns about inexperienced consumers lacking proper knowledge on how to consume psychedelics and potential harms associated with frequent use. These qualitative findings offer insights into the effects of psychedelic decriminalization in Colorado, informing policy and practice.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Jonah Rupe
Presenter(s): Jonah Rupe
Abstract Though Colorado is renowned for the quality of its skiing, its many resorts have created innumerous problems for the state’s residents, wildlife, and ecosystems. Commercial ski resorts degrade their physical surroundings, exploit women and people of color, and worsen wealth inequality in their host communities. Ski hills represent the ultimate anthropocentric transformation, whereby thriving montane ecosystems and their aesthetic and ecological value are corrupted to provide entertainment and rake in profit for large corporations. Using data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, I found a strong spatial relationship between ski resorts and communities classified as Disproportionately Impacted (DI) by the Environmental Protection Agency, with over three-quarters of resorts being located within five miles of a DI community. I have chosen the Resort as my object of concern because it represents uneven development, hyperconsumerism, and environmental degradation, and because it has long loomed over Coloradans’ (particularly mountain-dwellers’) heads. I will be using political-ecological and ecofeminist approaches to investigate the ways in which people and the environment are exploited to maintain and reproduce ski resorts. It is my hope that the students, staff, and faculty of Colorado State University will begin to think more critically about the environmental and human cost of this mountain pastime.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Yvette Cruz
Presenter(s): Yvette Cruz
Molecular imaging using mass spectrometry (MSI) enables identification of the changes in diseased versus neighboring cells within a tissue sample, including demonstrating delays in drug delivery to sites of need for effective treatment. Despite this, MSI for infectious disease research is hampered by the need to inactivate pathogens within tissue samples before analysis. Current inactivation techniques utilize a stepwise process of freezing excised tissues, inactivation via UV, X-ray, or gamma irradiation, then processing samples for MSI. This is a laborious and time-consuming process and is not efficient for studying dynamic cellular interactions during time of tissue harvest. We hypothesize that alternate inactivation strategies can be conducted “on-slide” reducing the delay from tissue sample collection to MSI and improving the capture of dynamic interactions. In this study, we used Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), an attenuated Mycobacterium that can be manipulated in standard laboratory conditions to test our hypothesis. We tested chemical and UV on-slide inactivated methods and found promising preliminary results using UV exposure on-slide. Our aim is to develop a protocol using BCG as our model organism, expand our protocols for use with virulent M. tuberculosis-infected tissue samples and eventually other high containment pathogens.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Bo Wallace, Chelsie Miller
Presenter(s): Bo Wallace
Mentors(s): Charlene Van Buiten
Bread is a global dietary staple, yet its production contributes to significant food waste and fails to meet evolving consumer demands for clean label, nutritionally optimized products. Sourdough fermentation, an ancient bread making process, offers a natural means to enhance bread’s nutritional profile. This study investigates how the microbial composition of sourdough starters influences resistant starch content and glycemic index in bread. By characterizing starch chemistry changes throughout fermentation, we aim to determine whether specific microbial communities promote higher resistant starch levels, thereby improving glycemic response. The findings will contribute to broader efforts in food science to develop functional, nutritionally enhanced bread while supporting sustainable food production practices.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Graham Kelly, Aidan Briggs, Omar Yanouri, Ronald Tjalkens, Savannah Rocha
Presenter(s): Graham Kelly
Mentors(s): Ronald Tjalkens
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the fastest growing and second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease in the world. Many factors result in an increased risk of developing PD, including exposure to environmental toxins. One such exposure associated with an increased risk of developing PD is the pesticide dieldrin. The mechanism by which dieldrin induces the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons is unknown. In-vitro studies in DA cultures treated with dieldrin results in an increase in DOPAL, a reactive DA metabolite. DOPAL is metabolized by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), leading us to hypothesize that the neurotoxicity of dieldrin is mediated by inhibition of ALDH. To examine this hypothesis, 8-week-old ALDH 1 & 2 (ALDH1/2) knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were dosed with dieldrin (0, 1, or 3 mg/kg) daily for six weeks via oral gavage. Stereological quantification of nigrostriatal neurons was performed on immunofluorescent- and H&E-stained sections using AI-based cell identification. Our results do not support our hypothesis; male WT mice show a greater loss of DA neurons compared to with KO mice. Moreover, western blotting of striatal tissue reveals an increase in pro-inflammatory markers in male WT mice. It may be that abolition of ALDH1/2 activity in male KO mice results in the induction of alternative DOPAL-clearing pathways unaffected by dieldrin. These findings add to our understanding of how pesticides contribute to PD and the role of DA metabolism in neurodegeneration.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Roy Davis, Phillip Kondracki
Presenter(s): Roy Davis
Mentors(s): Lauren Harrison
In the 1960's, 13 research wells were drilled in Yellowstone National Park. Stratigraphy was published decades before geologic maps were published and geochronological constraints established. New data has called into question the original stratigraphy and raised the possibility that there are subsurface rhyolite flows with no surficial outcrops. This project aimed to further refine the known dates of rhyolite flows in the Y-2 and Y-3 drill cores using U-Th dating techniques on zircon to interpret eruption ages of the flows present in the drill cores. To this end, three samples were selected from the Y-2 and Y-3 drill cores and selected minerals, zircon and sanidine, were extracted. The zircon was taken to the Sensitive High-Resolution Ion Microprobe-Reverge Geometry (SHRIMP-RG) in Stanford University and analyzed for its U sontent. The ages received indicate a need for further investigation, with the selected samples having similar eruption ages, but more scatter in the deeper flows, suggesting sourcing from a longer-lived magmatic system than shallower flows. Furthermore, zircon samples were U-poor, posing a challenge for high-precision ages. Future work includes more zircon analyses and analysis of Ar-Ar dating in the sanidine samples to corroborate the zircon eruption ages.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Makayla Linfoot, Abdullatif Alsulami, Ava Holzer, Julie Moreno, Stephanie McGrath
Presenter(s): Makayla Linfoot
Mentors(s): Julie Moreno
Combinational Treatment of Cannabidiol and Trazadone mitigate proteotoxicity In C.elegans beta-amyloid Model Makayla Linfoot1, Abdullatif Alsulami1,3, Ava Holzer, Stephanie McGrath2,3 and Julie Moreno1,3 Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA1. Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA2 Brain Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA3 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory and cognition. AD is characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins that induce proteotoxicity, extracellular amyloid-beta (A) plaques and intracellular hyperphosphorylated-tau aggregates, the building block of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Higher loads of A and tau lead to neuronal death and loss of cognition in affected patients. There is no proven cure for AD, but studies have shown that reducing the misfolding protein burden could reduce proteotoxicity and progression in AD brains. Cannabidiol (CBD) and Trazadone were both shown to modulate proteotoxicity in AD rodent models. C. elegans are a useful model to study aging and AD related diseases due to having a genome homologous with humans, and a short, measurable lifespan. We will test the effectiveness of Trazodone and CBD, separately and synergistically, on AB induced paralysis on animals that model AB in their muscles. We will perform behavioral and biochemical, western blotting, analyses to investigate a possible reduction in AB production in these animals after treatment. Using this data, we can better understand the effectiveness of combined Trazodone and CBD treatments to reduce proteotoxic effects of AB and tau in C. elegans to apply to larger models. Works Cited Alvarez, J., Alvarez-Illera, P., Santo-Domingo, J., Fonteriz, R. I., & Montero, M. (2022). Modeling Alzheimer's Disease in Caenorhabditis elegans. Biomedicines, 10(2), 288. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10020288 Bloom GS. Amyloid-β and Tau: The Trigger and Bullet in Alzheimer Disease Pathogenesis. JAMA Neurol. 2014;71(4):505–508. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2013.5847
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Bell Lopez, Ana Valeria Castro Romero, Brent Myers, Christopher Vaaga, Jordan Carroll
Presenter(s): Bell Lopez
Mentors(s): Christopher Vaaga
The dedicated neural circuitry underlying innate fear mechanisms allows animals to assess and respond to environmental and/or predatory threats, ultimately aiding in their overall survival. Differential threat responses, such as freezing and flight, are thought to be engaged by distinct rostro-caudal columns within the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG). Although the cerebellum is traditionally viewed as a motor structure, recent work has suggested it also plays an important role in fear processing, including via direct projections to the PAG. Our lab’s preliminary work has demonstrated that exposure to acute stressors alters innate fear responses, raising questions about the underlying mechanism by which stress alters physiology. Stress results in the release of steroid hormones, including corticosterone, which bind glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) throughout the brain. Glucocorticoid receptor activation contributes to plasticity mechanisms and can regulate behavioral and physiological responses to stressful events. The goal of the present study was to quantify glucocorticoid receptor expression within distinct columns of the PAG and cerebellum of wild-type mice and examine whether corticosterone itself is sufficient to drive the behavioral effects observed following acute stress. GR expression was visualized using immunohistochemistry and demonstrated differential expression across PAG columns and layers of the cerebellar cortex. Understanding the role of GRs in the PAG and cerebellum will provide a deeper understanding of how GR activation modulates innate fear circuitry. This work was supported by the CRC Shared Research Program, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke R00 (CEV) NS119783, and CVMBS Undergraduate Experiential Learning.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Ashlyn Schall
Presenter(s): Ashlyn Schall
Mentors(s): Chad Miller
I assisted in an irrigation trial over the summer of 2024 at the CSU trial gardens to better determine the water needs of ornamental plants in containers. My trial consisted of 15 replications of petunias, each given one of three irrigation treatments: 2gal/hr. (control), 1gal/hr., or 0.5 gal/hr. Data in the form of photographs were taken weekly as well as fresh and oven-dried biomass measurements after harvest. This study may contribute to future changes in water use at the CSU Trial Gardens.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Gabrielle Smith, Ashleigh Zaker, Brittany Peters, Joshua Marsden, Lorann Stallones
Presenter(s): Gabrielle Smith
Mentors(s): Ashleigh Zaker
Not only is there a growing interest in the potential for human-horse interactions to be utilized in various therapeutic contexts, but there has been an increase in experimental intervention research regarding these techniques. However, theoretical frameworks to guide practice, as well as clarification about whether attachment bonds between humans and horses can form, remain unexplored. To address this gap, the current study aimed to develop a reliable and valid self-report scale to measure attachment between humans and horses. Hypotheses were based on a three-factor structure (secure, insecure-anxious, and insecure-avoidant) and the construct validity of the scale. An all-encompassing Human-Equine Attachment Questionnaire (HEAQ) was created and administered to 533 horse owners and lessees with diverse demographics. Results indicated the existence of a distinct bond between humans and horses, separate from attachments humans may form with other animals. These findings highlight the relevance of measuring and understanding the unique human-horse bond, and the HEAQ provides a novel tool that advances attachment research and informs outcomes for program development and application.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): James Wiske, Emma Burdick
Presenter(s): James Wiske
Mentors(s): Cassandre Venumiere-Lefebvre
In ecosystems where carnivore species coexist, interspecies interactions are influenced by a variety of ecological factors (e.g., time of day and habitat type). This study focuses on the interactions between grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) and black bears (Ursus americanus) and the factors that impact interactions. The findings from our research are important to inform livestock producers in the area of bear behavior and distribution, as well as to fill gaps in knowledge regarding the two species. We expect to see grizzly bears displace black bears where the two species traditionally overlap in habitat types. Our study occurred in the Ruby River and Madison River sub-basins in Southwestern Montana, roughly 60 miles west of Yellowstone National Park. We placed sixty-five camera traps in a study grid with each grid encompassing 2.5km squared. Our study area is grazed by cows and sheep from mid-June through mid-October. Based on the results of single-species occupancy models on both individual bear species to determine covariates influencing their presence, we seek to identify predictors of interactions between the two bear species. Possible covariates affecting the presence of these two species include tree canopy cover, distance to human development, distance to water, and time of day.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Alexa Luna-Turner
Presenter(s): Alexa Luna-Turner
Mentors(s): Stacy Lynn
Can you imagine if every grocery store suddenly had no food? What would you do if you also lost your job and could not pay for anything? In the Simanjiro District of Tanzania, livestock are extremely important, especially for Maasai pastoralists, who rely on livestock as a major source of both food and income. One of the great risks to Maasai livestock is disease. These herds are composed mainly of cattle, goats, and sheep in order to act as a buffer against disease risks and forage shortages that may impact each species disproportionately. We examine how ecology, disease, environment, and people overlap. Specifically, we aim to investigate how impacts on livestock vary by disease and if the impacts vary by village location or livestock species. The interviews were converted into an Excel database, cleaned, and analyzed through RStudio. Most animals afflicted with “African Animal Trypanosomiasis,” generally transmitted by the tsetse fly, recovered. In contrast, “Bovine pleuropneumonia,” a highly contagious bacteria, resulted in the highest percentage of deaths, with cattle being the most impacted animal across all 3 villages.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Aidan Hallsworth, Emma Burdick, Hannah Bailey, James Wiske
Presenter(s): Aidan Hallsworth
Mentors(s): Cassandre Venumiere-Lefebvre, Matthew Hyde, Stewart Breck
Interactions between large carnivores, native ungulates, and livestock are critical to understanding wildlife-livestock coexistence in multi-use landscapes. For carnivores, previous studies suggest they may be drawn to cattle, possibly increasing predation risk. For native ungulates the spatial and temporal dynamics of interactions are unclear, but some work suggests native ungulates are displaced by cattle due to competition for forage. This study examined how carnivores overlapped in space and time with cattle, and whether cattle indirectly compete with ungulates by reducing access to shared forage resources. We analyzed two years (2023–2024) of camera trap data collected from June to November across three grazing allotments in southwest Montana’s greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Kernel density estimates and mean detection times were utilized to evaluate the spatial and temporal interactions between species, providing insights into predator-prey dynamics and habitat usage. Preliminary findings suggest limited overlap between carnivores and cattle. Ungulates, however, demonstrated reduced temporal overlap in cattle-occupied areas, suggesting they are being displaced. These findings highlight the complex dynamics of shared landscapes and provide insights to improve coexistence strategies. By addressing stakeholder concerns and collaboration with livestock owners, this research contributes to balancing agricultural productivity and wildlife conservation in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Gabe Macklem
Presenter(s): Gabe Macklem
Mentors(s): Aaron Nielsen
In preparation for a competitive season, a team or individual may employ tactical periodization. This is the practice of manipulating training loads throughout a season, with the goal of being most prepared for games of most importance. While coaches often use athletes' physical conditions to inform training regimens, external factors remain less researched. In football, it may be common knowledge that traveling farther distances or facing a more talented team will reduces winning probability. In this study, a Game Difficulty Index (GDI) was created for use in College Football. Factors regarding travel distance, coaching experience, team talent, returning production, and past success were collected for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Logistic regression was considered on the binary response of game outcome (Win/Loss). Four models were trained on the 2022 season and tested on the 2023 season. The final model selected achieved an accuracy of 72%, selected not only for its predictive performance but also use of interpretable factors. The factors of previous season success and team talent were determined to be the most influential. Additionally, odds ratios were analyzed throughout the course of the season to determine how each factor's influence changed over time. The final GDI model was subsequently retrained on all available data and implemented by the Nebraska Football team to inform tactical periodization strategy prior to the 2024 season.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Mary Callaghan, Jonathan Salerno, Rekha Warrier
Presenter(s): Mary Callaghan
Mentors(s): Jonathan Salerno
Many agropastoralist communities in Tanzania, East Africa, confront the daily realities of living alongside large carnivores such as African lions, leopards, and spotted hyena. These realities include risk of predation on livestock and also attacks on humans. As a result, human tolerance for living with carnivores is often low, and carnivores are persecuted in many ways, which poses critical challenges for biodiversity conservation. Though tolerance is critical if people are to coexist with wildlife, significant gaps remain regarding the scientific understanding of human tolerance for wildlife, as well as how tolerance is shaped and changes over time. The purpose of this research is to use a novel dataset describing social networks among agropastoralists gathered via mobile phone data, and to represent those data alongside survey data describing people’s experience with and tolerance for interactions with carnivores. Exploratory results show visualizations of social networks and descriptive summaries of tolerance and predation data. Future research will assess causal relationships whereby predation experiences, including those of kin households connected through social networks, influence tolerance for carnivores. Current and future results can inform conservation partners and their strategies to target coexistence interventions within connected communities.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Erika Avila
Presenter(s): Erika Avila
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological impairment which displays an increased fear response after a person experiences a traumatic event. PTSD manifests at different intensity levels and has various symptoms. Symptoms could include reoccurring thoughts or dreams about the traumatic event, hypervigilance, extreme emotion, environmental triggers, or high blood pressure. Abnormal activity in different brain areas is associated with PTSD. This includes hyperactivity of the amygdala, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and the anterior cingulate cortex. Contrary, hypoactivity is seen in the prefrontal cortex. These areas are implicated in mediating stress response, emotional regulation, and the flight or fight autonomic response. The prefrontal cortex is important in inhibition and regulation of these responses. Cognitive processing therapy is a primary and impactful treatment for PTSD. Cognitive processing therapy is often paired with medication, often used are pharmaceuticals utilized in depression or anxiety. Many patients do not respond well to pharmaceuticals which can also have many negative side effects. Pioneering research in the fields of psilocybin, music therapy, nutritional influence on PTSD, and bibliotherapy show promising results. These treatments offer alternative and holistic therapeutics. My research has compounded literature displaying effective natural treatments to formulate a theoretical treatment plan for PTSD with the goal of treating patients holistically to help the body and mind heal to support neurological recircuiting of the brain.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Madeline Gregory, Vivian Lyday
Presenter(s): Madeline Gregory
Mentors(s): Sophia D'Agostino
Domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus) remain largely understudied in cognitive research, particularly regarding their ability to discern differences between samples. This preliminary study aimed to investigate whether rabbits can recognize differences in quantities of food. The experiment involved a rabbit choosing between two equidistant trays containing differing amounts of food (1/16 cup vs. 1/4 cup), with the larger portion being randomly placed on either side to avoid bias. A standardized procedure was followed using 16 different rabbits, each making one choice. Results showed that the rabbits selected the tray with the larger quantity of food 95% of the time, yielding a p-value of less than 0.05. These findings suggest that rabbits may be capable of quantitative discrimination, offering valuable insights into their cognitive abilities and how they perceive their environment. This research also provides a foundation for future studies on rabbit cognition and societal behavior. A larger-scale study with additional subjects is underway to confirm the significance of these results, potentially leading to a broader understanding of cognitive abilities in domestic rabbits and other animals historically underrepresented in cognition research.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Zachary Araujo-Lovato
Presenter(s): Zachary Araujo-Lovato
Mentors(s): Huey Yi Loh, Terry Engle
Sixteen individually fed steers fitted with ruminal cannulae were used in a randomized block design to examine the impact of monensin supplementation on in vivo rumen fermentation characteristics while being fed a low-quality cornstalk based diet (4.2% CP). Prior to beginning the experiment, all steers received the basal diet for 21 d. Steers were then blocked by body weight and randomly assigned to one of two treatments. Treatments consisted of: 1) Control (no added monensin; carrier only) or 2) Monensin (250 mg·steer-1·day-1). Treatments were administered daily, directly into the rumen via the cannula as a single bolus dose at the time of feeding over a 21d period. The carrier for treatments delivered consisted of 250 g of dried distillers grains for both treatments. Rumen contents were sampled two h post-feeding daily and analyzed for short chain fatty acids (SCFA). Animal was considered the experimental unit, and data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using Proc Mixed procedures in SAS. There were no treatment by time interactions for any of the response variables measured. Therefore, only treatment main effects are reported. In vivo molar proportions of propionic acid and total SCFA (mM) were greater (P < 0.05) in rumen fluid from steers receiving monensin compared to controls. Molar proportions of acetic acid were lesser (P < 0.05) in treated steers than steers not receiving monensin. Molar proportions of isobutyrate and butyrate and pH were similar across treatments. These data indicate that the monensin alters in vivo rumen fermentation characteristics.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Marion Moore
Presenter(s): Marion Moore
Mentors(s): Christie Peebles
Trans-Cinnamic Acid (tCA) is an important chemical in the pharmaceutical, food, and energy industries, with applications ranging from biofuel to anti-cancer drugs. Cyanobacteria, a photosynthetic species with similarities to algae, have shown promise as biofactories for tCA and other products of the Shikimate pathway, and can produce tCA in limited quantities after addition of the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene into their plasmids. It is hypothesized that the overexpression of aroH, a gene at the branch point towards tCA, could be used to enhance tCA production in cyanobacteria with the help of a rhamnose-inducible promoter. Assembly of the target plasmid has proven difficult after multiple attempts at Hi-Fi assembly and restriction enzyme cloning, introducing the potential for toxicity of aroH to the cell. Troubleshooting methods currently include optimization of ligation and transformation processes, and supplementation of growth media with tryptophan. Once the plasmid has been assembled, genetically engineered colonies will be assessed for tCA production using high-performance liquid chromatography.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): McKenzie Burridge
Presenter(s): McKenzie Burridge
Mentors(s): Jennifer Harman
Parental alienation (PA) is an outcome of a coercively controlling family dynamic when one abusive parent engages in behaviors (parental alienating behaviors, PABs) intended to damage the relationship between the other parent and their child. These PABs include emotional abuse, coercion, and manipulation. While PA has been examined in various contexts, this project is the first longitudinal study to use archival data from Canadian court cases to explore the evolution of PA behaviors and mental health/legal interventions and their impact on child-parent relationships. Therefore, the primary purpose of the current study is to examine PABs used by parents and other family members over time to examine their impact on children, and whether particular legal and mental health interventions are efficacious in remedying the problem. Coders who are blind to the study’s hypotheses are extracting variables of interest from trial level court decisions involving families who have had at least three or more decisions made. This data will be analyzed to identify patterns of coercion and control, intervention efficacy, and overall impact on family relationships. This research fills a gap by providing the first longitudinal evidence of PA behaviors in legal settings. The findings are expected to inform legal, psychological, and therapeutic interventions, offering insights into the progression of alienating behaviors and their impact on family well-being.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Ryder Hunt, Benjamin Thompson
Presenter(s): Ryder Hunt
Mentors(s): Steven Fassnacht
Air temperature decreases with increased elevation, and physics dictates that the change in temperature of free air is a function of the moisture in the air, called the lapse rate. For wet air, this is about 5.5 degrees Celsius per kilometer, and for dry air, it is about 9.8 C/km. However, for air temperature near the ground, this change in temperature with elevation can vary very locally, and even regionally. We used the hourly temperature data from 20 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) SNOTEL stations for six years (2019 to 2025) to assess the temperature-elevation gradient (Γ) over Northern Colorado. We also examined the fit of the Γ correlation from the Pearson correlation coefficient (ρ) as a function of time of day and time of year. It was found variability in the gradient (Γ) and in the fit (ρ) for day versus night (diel) and seasonally. Spring exhibited the strongest correlation (R²) in a regression model of mean seasonal temperatures and elevation. Further, certain stations were persistent outliers from the Γ correlation. We examined the specific location and magnitude of those outlier stations.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Allie Arritola
Presenter(s): Allie Arritola
Mentors(s): Brett Fling, Kristin Johnson
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that disproportionately affects women, many of whom use hormonal contraception (HC). Current evidence suggests that HC may improve MS symptoms, but research findings are mixed and limited to a few studies. This survey study aimed to fill this gap in research by characterizing the impact of HC on MS symptoms and functional abilities in women with MS. A total of 249 women with MS, age 397 years, who used various forms of HC completed the survey. Participants were asked whether their MS symptoms (e.g., fatigue, muscle weakness, cognitive abilities) or physical functions (walking, balance, coordination) were changed by HC. Healthcare provider (HCP) communication was also accessed. Among participants using HC pills, 52- 95% indicated no symptom fluctuations across different phases of the pill cycle. Similarly, among those using other forms of HC, 80-89% reported no change in symptoms after starting HC. Among those who experienced adverse effects of HC, most (77.5%) had not discussed these effects with their HCP . These findings suggest that HC does not influence symptoms or physical functions in most women with MS. However, there is a need for improved patient-provider communication with women with MS who experience adverse effects from HC.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Mason Whitney, Louisa Beckett
Presenter(s): Mason Whitney
Mentors(s): Sarah Hart
Quaking Aspen is a keystone species of forests in North America and serves as a strong indicator for climate change impacts but autumn phenological events such as leaf color change and drop are still understudied across different climates. This project looked at how climatic factors of precipitation and temperature impact these timings in Colorado and how the understanding of aspen in relation to climate can be expanded. The data collected was weekly phenological data (leaf color change, drop) across twenty aspen trees using Budburts’s citizen science platform. Tree measurements (DBH, canopy) were gathered as historical data from the PRISM climate group. These climate variables were linked to each of the tree locations through Rstudio and will asses the relationships between the phenological events and climate factors. These findings show earlier leaf senescence in colder regions and a lower variation in leaf drop when higher precipitation exists. The results will show the climate drivers of aspen autumn phenology and can provide insights into the resilience of aspens as well as future management strategies for climate change. This study shows the value of citizen science looking at ecological changes and urges expanded research on these systems.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Alex Kowal, Ariel Michaelis
Presenter(s): Alex Kowal
Mentors(s): Frederic Hoerndli
C. Elegans is a great model organism for studying trafficking of proteins in the neuron due to the ease of visualizing one pair of neurons called the AVA. Since the worm is transparent, we can see specific transport dynamics by attaching a fluorescent marker to the proteins being transported. In our study we will test how mutating the JNK binding domain of JIP3 (UNC-16 in C. Elegans), which is an adapter protein responsible for binding vesicles to a kinesin motor, affects transport dynamics in the AVA neurons. Previous work has shown that mutations in JNK signaling lead to delocalization of vesicular cargo, and we hope to demonstrate how deleting the JNK binding domain affects transport dynamics of glutamate receptors. To accomplish this, we will first create an unmutated UNC-16 and a UNC-16 with a deleted JNK binding domain strain, both tagged with a red fluorescent marker called mCherry. We will then cross those strains with a GFP tagged GLR1 receptor to visualize how the transport of GLR1 is affected when compared to a baseline GFP/GLR1 worm. We will use confocal microscopy to visualize how these transport events are affected. While no data has been collected to date, we expect glutamate receptor transport events to decrease in the mutated UNC-16 strain while the unmutated strain is expected to remain relatively consistent with our akis-141 wild type controls.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Salma Douah
Presenter(s): Salma Douah
Mentors(s): Samrawit Desta
Refugees are strong and brave individuals who are forced to flee their home countries due to persecution, war, or violence. Upon arriving in a new country, refugee students face numerous challenges when transitioning into higher education systems, including academic gaps, language barriers, and a lack of support networks (UNHCR US). These difficulties often lead to lower retention rates and emotional struggles, which hinder their academic success and social integration. This project aims to address these challenges by providing a robust support system that fosters both academic achievement and emotional well-being. The initiative is important because it has the potential to create a more inclusive campus environment at CSU, benefiting marginalized populations and enhancing the overall diversity of the university community. To achieve this, the project will implement several key strategies, including a peer mentoring program where upperclassmen or community members assist refugee students with academic and social integration. Cultural sensitivity workshops will also be provided to increase awareness and understanding, alongside a centralized resource hub connecting students to essential services such as housing, mental health support, and academic resources. Although still in its early stages, the expected outcomes include the establishment of a supportive network that bridges academic gaps and addresses mental health challenges while considering the unique circumstances of refugee students. This project’s goal is to improve the academic, social, and emotional integration of refugee students at CSU. If successful, it will serve as a model for other universities seeking to support marginalized student populations and create a more inclusive academic environment.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Leah Hasstedt
Presenter(s): Leah Hasstedt
Mentors(s): Donald Mykles, Talia Head
Molting in crustaceans is the process through which a crustacean sheds its exoskeleton to grow. This process is hormonally regulated by two endocrine glands, the X-organ (XO) and the Y-organ (YO). The YO synthesizes and secretes molting hormones called ecdysteroids that cause an animal to progress towards molting. Molting is a cyclical process through which the YO transitions through four physiological states, basal, activated, committed, and repressed. Myostatin, also called growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF8), is characterized as an inhibitor of protein synthesis in muscles, however we believe that it may also play a role in the transition from the activated to the committed state in the YO. The purpose of this research is to characterize myostatin in crustaceans. Phylogenetic analysis of crustacean myostatin was inferred using a transcriptomic database from 189 crustaceans. Preliminary data suggests that crustaceans express two isoforms of myostatin, which differ by eight amino acids in the propeptide domain. Expression of myostatin in the YO of the blackback land crab, Gecarcinus lateralis, in response to the molt induction techniques multiple leg autonomy (MLA) and eye stalk ablation (ESA) was assessed from transcriptomic data. Future work will characterize the myostatin receptor, an activin type 2 receptor, to predict the role of myostatin signaling in the crustacean YO across the molt cycle.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Polina Zaytseva
Presenter(s): Polina Zaytseva
Mentors(s): Danielle Bartholet, Kenneth Reardon
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a process where organic materials are broken down into carbon dioxide and methane. However, these gases are economically unviable as fuels. In contrast, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), intermediates in AD, show much more promise as they are precursors to sustainable aviation fuels. Since longer-chain VFAs are more desirable, shifting acid profiles towards these longer-chain VFAs is also of interest. In pure cultures, electro-fermentation has been explored as a strategy to shift product profiles toward more reduced products by overcoming intracellular redox limitations. Applying this concept to mixed culture processes similarly influences processes on cellular and community levels by affecting microbial community structure. Electro-enhanced AD has shown that applied potentials can induce changes in microbial community composition, redox behavior, and product profiles. Methodological challenges exist in differentiating the effects of direct electron transfer (DET) from background electrochemistry. Recognizing these challenges led us to investigate common pitfalls that lead to misinterpretations. For instance, the use of certain electrode materials can lead to anaerobic corrosion, which potentially influences metabolic processes through the release of iron and hydrogen evolution. Overall, electro-AD affects microbial community structure and product profiles. Electro-enhanced experiments were performed at applied potentials between –300 and –750 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. Metabolic, electrochemical, and taxonomic analyses studied the effects of DET and redox control on AD. Results indicated maximal total VFA productions at an applied potential of –600 mV vs. Ag/AgCl and a significant difference in microbial community structures between the control and biased reactors.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Neva Morgan
Presenter(s): Neva Morgan
Mentors(s): Jordan Siggers
Semi-arid grasslands are projected to be impacted by more frequent and severe climatic extremes, such as drought. These ecosystems are major contributors to global carbon storage and are highly responsive to variable precipitation regimes given their persistent water limitation. Extreme drought has proven to drastically alter ecosystem properties, such as nutrient availability and soil moisture, with potential consequences for ecosystem functionality. Further, native plant species facing intense water stress are likely to shift in abundance, creating opportunities for advantageous invasive species to establish and facilitating changes in plant community composition. Our study was initiated in a Northern Colorado semi-arid grassland, where experimental extreme drought conditions were imposed during the 2024 growing season. Preliminary results from a single year of experimental drought show substantial decreases in soil moisture and plant productivity, along with altered nutrient availability. Shifts in droughted plant communities are subtle relative to controls, however, differences are expected to be magnified by a second year of drought given increasing invasive propagule pressure in the surrounding pasture. Hence, this study will continue across two more growing seasons, with an extreme rainfall event added during the second growing season to assess interactions with drought. Understanding semi-arid grassland responses to altered precipitation regimes can inform farmers, ranchers, and land managers of how to prepare for and mitigate the detrimental effects of an increasingly unpredictable climate.
Category: Visual Art
Author(s): Will Engle
Presenter(s): Will Engle
"all they want is my blood, my body, my reticence" is designed to feel like a moment paused within time — a temporary frame in between the rising and falling, in between the melting and solidifying. Constructed from cardboard, paper and wax, this work calls upon materials that hold their volumes within space before being reshaped and modified into something new. As a queer person whose safety depended on reshaping myself for years on end, this transitory form is something I sought to harness and explore for myself. The queer body is a vessel that constantly shapes and reshapes itself. To be queer is to change, to grow, to mold a space for yourself in every space you exist within. Every word, every mannerism and every action is predicated upon accepting the danger of being; for many — including me — that willingness to accept is fading. Each day brings worse news for the future of queer people. The wax forms we constructed for ourselves are being melted for us. Our blood is being spilled, our bodies are up for debate and our reticence is returning.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Melissa May
Presenter(s): Melissa May
Mentors(s): Gregory Newman
Citizen science (CS) has emerged as a valuable tool for addressing knowledge gaps in ecological research by engaging non-experts in data collection and analysis. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives varies significantly depending on project design. This study examines engagement behaviors on CitSci.org, exploring how project characteristics–such as field of study, recommended age group, and difficulty level–affect user participation. Data from 1,414 CitSci.org projects spanning various scientific disciplines were standardized to ensure consistency across categorical variables, including field of study, difficulty level, and target age demographic. Statistical and comparative methods were then employed to assess participation trends across different project characteristics. Results indicate that plant (22.3%) and water (20.1%) projects dominate the platform, while most projects are categorized as medium (50%) or easy (46%) in difficulty and predominantly target adults (52.4%). These findings suggest that CitSci.org projects tend to prioritize accessibility while emphasizing biodiversity and hydrological observations. By identifying key patterns in participation, this research can help inform the design of more inclusive and effective citizen science initiatives. Enhancing project accessibility and aligning research topics with participant interests may ultimately strengthen public engagement in ecological monitoring, improve data collection efforts, and support broader environmental stewardship worldwide.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Sam Voetberg, Alessandro Hernandez
Presenter(s): Sam Voetberg
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
Kea (Nestor notabilis) have been a problematic species in New Zealand for centuries. Historically, large numbers of sheep deaths were attributed to kea attacks, leading to persecution of these gorgeous birds. Today, their curious nature results in many considering them a destructive pest species. They’re known to damage property (especially vehicles), rummage through trash, and steal items of interest. Using collaborative decision-making to integrate the perspectives and interests of diverse stakeholders, we propose a methodology that emphasizes economic and social satisfaction while also supporting the ecological and environmental needs of kea. We provide examples of solutions to the conflict, including economic, practical, and psychological tools that ensure the satisfaction of all stakeholders involved. We hope that community-led decisions will support kea populations and improve public opinion regarding the conflict.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Bradley Beck
Presenter(s): Bradley Beck
Mentors(s): Carolina Barbosa, Jill Baron
The Loch Vale Watershed (LVWS) is a high elevation watershed located in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Past studies on high elevation watersheds, such as the LVWS, have shown that these ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The goal of this project is to analyze and discuss historical seasonal trends in hydro-climate data and their impact on nutrient concentrations in the LVWS. The historical data being analyzed was collected by the LVWS Long-term Ecological Research & Monitoring Program, starting in 1982. The historical data analyzed in this project ranges from 1991 to 2020. We will compare historical with future trends modeled using the Hydrologic and Water Quality System (HAWQS ) version 2.0. Significant historical trends of increasing daily mean temperatures and decreasing nitrate deposition were only found in winter seasons. Three global climate scenarios (GCM’s) were used to model the LVWS under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. Future trends were modeled from 2020 to 2050. Future outputs modeled by HAWQS show increasing annual trends in precipitation and nitrate deposition. Further analysis shows that precipitation and nitrate deposition trends are correlated.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Andie Hall
Presenter(s): Andie Hall
Mentors(s): Anping Chen, Stacy Lynn
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) is a migratory songbird breeding in the western plains and coniferous forests of Colorado. This vibrant species’ migratory timings are sensitive to climate variation and thus can serve as an excellent model for examining the effects of climate change on avian migration. In particular, studies have documented shifts in multiple phenological phases of this species over recent decades, raising concerns about disruptions in breeding cycles and population dynamics. This research leverage thousands of observations in the eBird citizen science database, complemented with literature review, to investigates how variations in average temperatures may determine the first observation of key annual phenological events, including spring arrival, fall departure, and breeding periods. By conducting statistical data analysis through linear modeling in RStudio to identify variance in patterns and visualization of eBird records from 1990 to 2015 alongside daily average temperature data from Colorado State University’s Colorado Climate Center, we aim to identify trends in migration timing relative to temperature fluctuations. Understanding these patterns is crucial for predicting how climate change may impact species distribution, reproductive success, and long-term population stability. The finding of a somewhat cohesive correlation between daily average temperatures and arrival dates contributes to broader discussions on avian ecology and conservation efforts, providing insight into potential adaptive responses and informing future climate-related policy and management strategies.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Mia Papantonio, Aryan Advaita, Chloe Alivio, Edward Lue Chee Lip, Elena Tran, Kaitlyn Manzanares, Mia Krause, Van Mai
Presenter(s): Mia Papantonio
Mentors(s): Jacob Leavitt, Stephanie Moreira, Victor Kasper
Alzheimer’s is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease that causes cognitive decline, memory loss, and behavioral changes in individuals typically aged 65 or older. The Nod-Like Receptor Protein 3 (NLRP3) plays a vital role in Alzheimer’s development by inducing an inflammatory response in the brain; human Pyrin-Only Protein 2 (POP2) inhibits the NLRP3 pathway, making it a potentially therapeutic protein. This study aims to assess the expression of human POP2 in model organisms Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker’s yeast) to maximize protein yield. While E. coli is widely used for recombinant protein expression, eukaryotic S. cerevisiae offers beneficial post-translational modifications, potentially essential for protein folding; human POP2 expression has been successful in E. coli, but has yet to occur in S. cerevisiae. By optimizing expression conditions, this study aims to establish S. cerevisiae as a viable production system. A pre-ordered plasmid containing the human POP2 gene fragment will be used in E. coli expression. Using restriction enzyme digests, the codon-optimized human POP2 gene will be cut from the plasmid and cloned into a yeast expression vector for transformation into strain BY4741 of S. cerevisiae. Ideal growth conditions will be optimized via temperature, incubation time, and media composition. Western blot analysis using a x2 FLAG-tag will allow for protein expression level evaluation in both model organisms. This study lays the groundwork for future neurodegenerative disease research and potential applications in Alzheimer’s treatment by demonstrating the feasibility of expressing human POP2 in S. cerevisiae and providing valuable insight into scalable protein expression strategies.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Kendall Goldmann
Presenter(s): Kendall Goldmann
Mentors(s): Karen Dobos
Originally reported as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) in 1999, Mycobacterium mungi is a novel MTb Complex pathogen which infects banded mongoose in Botswana and Zimbabwe. It causes lesions in multiple areas, including the upper respiratory tract, anal glands, spleen, liver, and lymph nodes. M. mungi is also unable to be cultured in vitro. Little research has been previously done on M. mungi since its official discovery in 2010. However, further research on this organism is incredibly important due to the pathogenic nature of M. mungi and possibility of spillover due to how close the banded mongoose resides to humans. This exploratory study looks at methods that M. mungi proteins can be characterized and identified. After analysis of the samples with mass spectrometry, the next steps in this study include optimizing identification of these proteins and improving the processes in which the results are derived from. Furthermore, identification of M. mungi proteins and peptides can help future studies create methods of isolation for this bacterium.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Cole Campbell, Patricia Davies, William Gavin
Presenter(s): Cole Campbell
Mentors(s): Patricia Davies, William Gavin
Cannabis is rapidly becoming one of the most widely used and available drugs across the U.S. second only to alcohol. But conversely to alcohol, very little is understood about the cognitive impacts of cannabis and its active component THC. Using electroencephalography (EEG) we can observe differences in brain activity related to the impact of intoxication on cognitive processing over time. This study examined the acute effects of cannabis and alcohol intoxication on inhibition during an attention demanding task across four time points. Both performance and brain activity measures were obtained during a speeded flanker task for alcohol only, cannabis only and co-use groups. We focused on brain activity associated with performance monitoring, error detection (error related negativity, ERN) and adaptation (error positivity, PE). These components of the event related potential (ERP) are elicited when a mistake is made and are seen as the brain’s response to a mismatch between an intended action and an executed action. While all groups showed suppressed brain activity for ERN and PE at peak intoxication, the co-use group was significantly greater. The PE showed a significant cubic trend (p = 0.032) reflecting the suppression of the PE following intoxication, then a recovery of the PE in later time points. The reduced amplitudes of ERN and PE across intoxication conditions highlights deficits caused by alcohol and cannabis on inhibitory control. These effects were significantly greater in the combined intoxication group providing evidence of a strong additive effect.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Sydney McKibbon
Presenter(s): Sydney McKibbon
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that disproportionately affects women, many whom experience menopause during their disease course. The hormonal changes of menopause—especially the drop in estrogen—can make MS symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and bladder issues worse, possibly speeding up disease progression. Despite these challenges, the link between MS and menopause is often overlooked in healthcare, leaving many women without the support they need. This study looks at survey data from postmenopausal women with MS to better understand how menopause affects symptoms like fatigue, cognition, pain, bladder dysfunction, and exercise habits. The findings reveal significant struggles: 51% of participants reported worsening fatigue, 66% noticed cognitive decline, and 46% struggled to meet physical activity guidelines due to exhaustion and longer recovery times. Despite research showing potential benefits, hormone therapy (HT) use remains low. Even more concerning some respondents experienced at least one adverse symptom after menopause. Yet, 66% of those women never discussed these changes with their healthcare providers—further highlighting the lack of awareness and education about women’s health. These findings make it clear that postmenopausal women with MS need better, more individualized care. Tailored exercise programs, cognitive support, and further research into hormone therapy could help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Moving forward, healthcare providers must recognize and address the unique challenges these women face.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Leah Tasker, Christopher Patrick
Presenter(s): Leah Tasker
Mentors(s): Brett Fling
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by the destruction of myelin, a fatty protective substance that is essential for neuron signaling and structural health. Myelin damage disrupts the transmission of signals and compromises structural integrity, impairing communication between the brain, spinal cord, and muscles of the body. Impairment to neural communication in MS leads to a variety of symptoms that negatively impact daily life. Specifically, balance and mobility impairments are often the most reported symptoms of MS. The corticospinal tract (CST) is the primary pathway in the brain that transmits motor signals to the spinal cord facilitating voluntary motor control. In individuals with MS, demyelination within the CST disrupts motor signals, contributing to difficulties in balance and mobility. Previous studies have shown that physical activity may influence myelin preservation and support remyelination in the brain. In this study, individuals with MS were recruited to assess the association between CST structural integrity and exercise. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) techniques were used to examine CST white matter integrity and exercise history was used to group MS participants into anaerobic and aerobic groups. Mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, a common clinical assessment which measures the time taken to stand up from a chair, walk seven meters, turn, and return to the chair. Our research expands on efforts to characterize brain health and mobility in individuals with MS, by examining the relationship between aerobic and anaerobic exercise and CST structural integrity.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Sydney Steel, Lucas Kazmierski
Presenter(s): Sydney Steel
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
In 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a lethal management strategy to address the threat posed from invasive barred owls to the survival of endangered northern and California spotted owls. As part of this management plan, the Service is authorizing the lethal removal of up to 500,000 barred owls across their non-native range. Despite evidence supporting that the removal of barred owls may decrease spotted owl extinction rates, the USFWS plan has faced criticism from animal rights groups, ethicists, and law makers. This project will provide an overview of the conflict between barred and spotted owls as well as arguments for and against the USFWS management plan.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Taryn Loose
Presenter(s): Taryn Loose
Mentors(s): Taryn Loose
Australia has a conflict with Kangaroos. These large fast animals have erratic unpredictable behavior and are often hit by cars and cause accidents. Kangaroo-related accidents account for 4.5% of fatal crashes in Australia and 90% of animal-related fatal accidents (Douglas-Henry). This study tests different deterrents that will keep kangaroos away from vehicles in the most affected areas and time of day. This project discusses important stakeholders in this conflict and their involvement in this proposed study. The objective of this study is to decrease the number of kangaroo-related vehicle accidents.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Katie Mills, Kenneth Speirs
Presenter(s): Katie Mills
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
The expanding range of Black Vultures has led to increasing instances of human-wildlife conflict, particularly in relation to livestock production. Although Black Vultures are primarily scavengers, their aggressive behavior of mobbing and targeting vulnerable animals, such as newborn or weakened calves, has raised concerns. These vultures, which typically serve an important ecological role in carcass disposal and disease prevention, have become a source of animosity due to perceived threats to livestock health and economic losses. This project uses a thorough examination of current literature to understand the growing tensions between Black Vultures and ranching communities. By exploring the underlying causes of these conflicts and the impacts, we aim to provide a balanced perspective on the ecological importance of vultures while addressing the needs of livestock producers through an analysis of conflict mitigation tactics and preventative management.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Ellie Lutz
Presenter(s): Ellie Lutz
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
Human-tiger conflict is a pressing and wicked issue that has received extensive scholarly investigation. A great deal of analysis and research has been dedicated to understanding the diverse stakeholders involved and identifying pathways that incorporate their varied values, perceptions, and beliefs. Through a targeted literature review, this project synthesizes key differences and similarities in stakeholder perspectives to develop a hypothetical yet pragmatic wildlife management plan that balances these values while still forging a path forward for human-tiger coexistence in India. Grounded in the principles of collaborative conservation and various human-wildlife, particularly human-carnivore, coexistence practices, this project seeks to demonstrate that while conflict may never be fully resolved, it can be mitigated to a level that ensures most stakeholders feel heard and allows coexistence to remain a viable, though arduous, endeavor.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Kay Wayman
Presenter(s): Kay Wayman
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
Yellowstone National Park is the world’s first National Park, established in 1872 and contains 2.2 million acres of natural area that serves as home to many incredible wildlife species, including deer, elk, wolves, and bison. In the 2024 season, the park saw more than 4 million visitors from around the world. Despite park regulations requiring guests to maintain a distance of at least 23 meters from all wildlife, each year averages four incidences of bison-related injuries each year due to guests approaching wildlife. This project assessed data collected across the span of the park’s life, analyzing the activities surrounding the injuries, type of injury sustained, as well as age, and whether they were American or foreign visitors to the park, and provides suggestions on how to manage the conflict between human visitors and bison residents.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Jordan Rivera
Presenter(s): Jordan Rivera
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
For decades, sharks have been presented in the media to be monsters from a deep blue world. Pictured with sharp teeth and daunting fins, sharks have been portrayed as villains to be feared. This viewpoint, however, is the true danger as sharks are poorly represented in conservation due to deeply felt beliefs, values, and fears around this critical marine animal. Sharks such as the white shark (Carcharodon carcharia), also known as the Great White Shark, are important species in Australia; their presence is critical to ecosystem health, but there are many perspectives on how sharks should be managed when it comes to human-shark interaction. This poster will explore the levels and key stakeholders involved in human-shark conflict in Australia. It will also evaluate three potential approaches to mitigating human-shark conflict including economic, practical, and social aspects of the issue.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Matalyn Garcia
Presenter(s): Matalyn Garcia
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) roam the lands of Central and South Asia and have been the subject of conflict with the ranchers that inhabit the area. As humans encroach on their habitat through human expansion and livestock grazing conflict has increased. This has led to retaliatory killings, loss of wild prey, and habitat fragmentation. As climate change forces these cats to lower elevations, conflict with Tibetan pastoralists is on the rise. This has had devastating impacts on the goats, yaks, sheep, and cattle of the Changpa people along with a decline in a precarious snow leopard population. This project aims to illustrate effective ways for people in Chang Tang, China to coexist with their wild counterparts through non-lethal deterrent methods, environmental outreach, and financial tools.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Alaina Wray
Presenter(s): Alaina Wray
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
As elephant habitat is fragmented and human populations grow in India, human-elephant conflicts over elephants' crop raiding have risen. This has led to a complex challenge for land managers, farming communities, and elephant conservation. This poster will aim to explore this conflict, focusing on different stakeholders, causes, and solutions. These stakeholders include farmers, village members, India's government, India’s Forest Department, conservation groups, and poachers. Causes include the growing human population, fragmented habitat, loss of habitat, poor infrastructure to protect farms, and the low-cost vs benefit for elephants to eat crops. This poster will ultimately aims to discuss management solutions that keep the elephants out of farms with a techniques that raises the safety of the farming community, does not harm the elephants, protects crops, is cost-effective, and is long-term.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Louisa Beckett, Mason Whitney
Presenter(s): Louisa Beckett
Mentors(s): Sarah Hart
Climate change is altering the timing of key biological events like tree senescence, which disrupts ecosystems. While much is known about phenology, few studies examine how these patterns vary across different locations, particularly in quaking aspen trees (Populus tremuloides). This research compares aspen phenology in Longmont and Fort Collins, Colorado, to understand how localized climate factors influence tree behavior. Data were collected through weekly phenological observations at 20 sites using the BudBurst app to track leaf color change and drop, along with historical weather data including temperature, precipitation, and frost dates. Data analysis revealed that Fort Collins experienced earlier leaf senescence than Longmont, with significant differences in the timing of 50% leaf drop, but no differences in leaf color change or complete leaf drop. While precipitation remained quite similar, temperature and frost dates differed slightly more between the cities, with Fort Collins having cooler temperatures and earlier frost dates. This study highlights the influence of regional climate differences on tree phenology and emphasizes the importance of considering local climate factors in conservation strategies, particularly with climate change becoming a more prominent threat. Further research is needed to explore how these patterns may evolve in other areas.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Jordi Gomez, Claudia Wiese, Mollie Uhrig, Neelam Sharma
Presenter(s): Jordi Gomez
Mentors(s): Claudia Wiese
Precise DNA replication is critical for all living organisms. Every day, our cells divide and undergo semi-conservative DNA replication to generate identical daughter cells. However, many external and internal factors induce replication stress and pose a threat to the accuracy of the genetic material passed down to daughter cells. To overcome DNA replication stress, our cells have adapted mechanisms to maintain precise DNA replication and avoid disease-promoting mutations. To understand how cells respond to DNA replication stress, we must utilize specialized methods. We use the DNA fiber assay to analyze the dynamics of DNA replication at a single-molecule level. In the DNA fiber assay, exponentially growing human cells are labeled with two thymidine analogs, harvested, dropped on a microscope slide, and lysed. The slide is tilted at a slight angle, and, with the help of gravity, the DNA is then stretched along the slide. Following immunostaining, we can visualize the labeled DNA with fluorescence microscopy. Analysis of the imaged DNA results in a quantification of DNA replication speed and stability. Through this experimental approach, we can compare replication dynamics in various cell types, as well as how different proteins affect replication. Additionally, the DNA fiber assay allows us to analyze the condition of human cells that have been treated with chemotherapeutic drugs, which typically induce replication stress. Our overarching goal is to employ the DNA fiber assay to understand the mechanisms and control of DNA replication, how cells overcome DNA replication stress, and how this translates to human health.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Alexander Wood
Presenter(s): Alexander Wood
Mentors(s): Lida Aflatoony, Yan Li
This research project aims to create a procedure for developing mycelium-based composite molds through the means of 3d printed molds. These composites are composed of two main components: the substrate and the mycelium itself. Mycelium is the root organism of fungal mushrooms. Substrates for mycelium-based composites can vary from almost all natural substances. However, throughout this research cellulosic substrates have proven the most effective substrates for mycelium-based composite due to the high concentration of scratch. As well, mycelium has proven to develop a stronger structure for the composite when the substrate consists of cellulosic materials. Finally, cellulosic substrates can be found in an abundance of waste from various industries. Nevertheless, the purpose of this research project is to improve the sustainability of the fashion industry. More specifically this research is centered around innovating sustainable footwear components. The footwear industry is growing at a more rapid rate than other sectors of the apparel industry. However, the true importance of implementing mycelium composites into the footwear industry is the current state of the footwear industry. The footwear industry often features materials very harmful to the environment due to their composition featuring synthetic compounds. On the other hand, mycelium composites are completely biodegradable in different ecosystems making them a perfect candidate for sustainable footwear materials. Also, mycelium composites reduce waste from other industries promoting a circular economy.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Oliver Myers
Presenter(s): Oliver Myers
Mentors(s): Leah Holz
My Honors Thesis explores ballet history with a focus on queer themes, culture, and figures. I am conducting intensive research, through a combination of literature review and creative research on the queer history of ballet. This research is important because ballet history, as taught in the 21st century, relies upon cisheteronormativity to uphold a status quo within modern day ballet culture and industry. There is a growing body of queer ballet work and an increasing number of professional ballet dancers who openly discuss and perform their queer identities. However, these instances are often presented as novel to ballet. My research indicates that queer culture has long impacted and intertwined with ballet history. Herein lies the question central to this research: "how does the history of ballet demonstrate that cisheteronormativity is not foundational to the artform?" I will synthesize this research by creating an easily accessible virtual archive or reference of queer ballet history. It is important that this resource is easily accessible to an audience outside of academia because much of ballet education is conducted at private studios. To fulfill the Honors Thesis requirements, my final written component will be a literature review which presents the information collected for the virtual reference in a more academic format. I also plan for this research to be the foundational dramaturgy to support my Dance Capstone Concert work, which I will complete in the fall semester of 2025.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Kaylee Redlin
Presenter(s): Kaylee Redlin
Mentors(s): Jain Kwon, Laura Cole
The Orlando International Airport Retrofit Project rethinks the conventional construction and operation of transportation facilities. Currently, many large transit hubs around the country lack progress in sustainability initiatives and fall short in user-centric design strategies. By assessing the site’s current conditions, analyzing user needs, and identifying existing challenges, the project develops key solutions related to sustainability and user-centric design. These solutions improve building efficiencies, reduce accessibility barriers, and enhance user satisfaction for the diverse occupants that an international airport services. Given the prevalence of already built public transportation facilities, retrofits that prioritize sustainability are important to consider. This project explores renewable energy and resource recycling to initiate a shift from building systems and materials that currently have high carbon emissions. By integrating more eco-conscious solutions into our built environment, we will begin to see a reduction of carbon emission as well as an improvement in the physical and mental well-being of all users. The project also implements extensive evidence-based design solutions surrounding wayfinding and accessibility. The integration of legible signage and personal technological applications will help create a structured wayfinding network that is personalized to the unique needs of every user. Comprehensive wayfinding plays a crucial role in an airport setting and helps to reduce user stress by providing a setting that encourages efficient and effortless travel. By creating an environmentally conscious and user-centric space, this project can create precedent for more equitable and inclusive experiences in public transportation hubs.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Aubrey Kahler
Presenter(s): Aubrey Kahler
Mentors(s): Claudia Gentry-Weeks
Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that only infect and kill bacteria. They have been used to treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Our laboratory has been studying phage P68 of Staphylococcus aureus as a possible phage for phage therapy. We are making knockouts in each phage gene to determine which genes are needed and which are not for the phage to replicate and make phage particles. Once nonessential genes are identified, they can be replaced with genes that make lethal products, increasing the likelihood of success for phage therapy. If we knock out essential phage genes and introduce these mutant phages into S. aureus, replication of these phages will not occur, and no phage will be recovered. If phages aren’t recovered, it is impossible to know whether the experiment didn’t work or if an essential phage gene was knocked out. To solve this problem, my research project is to make S. aureus strains that contain a copy of each intact working phage gene on a plasmid to use as a positive control. Phage mutants that have an essential gene knocked out will not be able to replicate in S. aureus. However, if the essential gene is supplied in S. aureus on a plasmid, this will allow the mutated phage to replicate. Phage mutants containing a nonessential gene knocked out will grow in S. aureus, either with or without the gene supplied on a plasmid. Using this method, we can identify nonessential phage genes that can be replaced in S. aureus phage P68.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Alessandra Donev
Presenter(s): Alessandra Donev
Mentors(s): Eric Ross
In response to cellular stress such as pH or temperature changes cells can rapidly form cytoplasmic assemblies called stress granules. Stress granules are complex, reversible ribonucleoprotein assemblies that form by liquid-liquid-phase separation – a process whereby a solution separates into two distinct liquids. Interestingly, many of the proteins found in stress granules contain prion-like domains (PrLD), which are protein segments that resemble yeast prion domains. Various PrLDs are sufficient for stress granule localization. Our lab is, therefore, examining the sequence features of PrLDs that promote localization to stress granules. In this project, we performed truncations on the N and C terminus on two synthetic PrLDs to define the minimum amino acid sequence length required for stress granule localization. One synthetic domain could be truncated down to as small as 40 amino acids, while in another domain, recruitment to SGs was evident with domains as small as 20 and 30 amino acids. A variation was seen in the truncations based on where the protein was truncated, demonstrating a preference for specific compositional features. These findings suggest that both sequence length and compositional properties influence the capacity of PrLDs to localize to stress granules.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Jocelyn Howard
Presenter(s): Jocelyn Howard
Mentors(s): Carleigh Fedorka
Endometrial inflammatory profile of the Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) mare Howard, J.1; Hamner, I.1; Crook, R.1; Unger, G.1; Coleman, S.J.1; McCue, P.M.2; Fedorka, C.E.1 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA 2. Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is an endocrine disorder associated with elevated adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH). PPID animals have elevated systemic inflammation, and specifically an upregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8). It is unknown if this inflammation is noted with the reproductive tract. We hypothesize that elevated ACTH will lead to an increase in IL-8 expression in the endometrium, therefore predisposing mares to endometritis. Mares were screened for PPID using a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test. Of these, seven mares were determined to be PPID positive (n=7; ACTH>110pg/mL), and four were determined to be PPID negative (n=4; ACTH<30 pg/mL). When in diestrus, an endometrial biopsy was obtained from all mares for qPCR analysis of select inflammatory cytokines. The impact of PPID on cytokine expression was evaluated using an unequal variances t-test. Correlation between ACTH and cytokine expression was assessed using a Pearson’s correlation. Significance was set to P<0.05. Of the cytokines evaluated, only IL-8 was found to increase in expression in the PPID population (P=0.02). There was a positive correlation between ACTH post-TRH stimulation and the endometrial expression of IL-8 (P<0.001; R2=0.80). A weak but positive correlation was also noted between ACTH and endometrial expression of IL-6 (P=0.04; R2=0.41) and IFNγ (P<0.01; R2=0.63). In conclusion, the systemic inflammation noted in the PPID animal is also observed within the endometrium. This increase in IL-8 may be associated with increased neutrophilia, which would be detrimental to the fertility of mares.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Sonya Aldworth-Yang
Presenter(s): Sonya Aldworth-Yang
Mentors(s): Devan Catalano
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly popular as a resource for equine-related information. However, AI models pull from various sources and do not always distinguish between fact and opinion. This study evaluated the accuracy of AI-generated answers on equine topics from three AI platforms. We hypothesized that AI could answer basic questions well but would struggle with more complex topics. The AI platforms (P) evaluated were ChatGPT (CGPT), Microsoft Co-Pilot (MicCP), and Extension Bot (ExtBot). Researchers asked 40 questions covering horse care, facilities management, nutrition, genetics, and reproduction (topics; T) at four levels (L): beginner (beg.), intermediate (int.), advanced (adv.), and “hot topics” (HT). Answers were scored on accuracy, relevance, thoroughness, and source quality (10 pts each, total 40 pts). Data were analyzed using PROC GLM in SAS (v. 9.4). Both CGPT and MicCP answered 40/40 questions, while ExtBot answered 33/40. Total score was not affected by P (p=0.197) or T (p=0.536) but was affected by L (p=0.002), with beg. and int. scoring higher than adv. or HT. Accuracy varied by P (p<0.001), L (p<0.001), and T (p=0.015), with ExtBot scoring lower than CGPT and MicCP. Relevance was affected by P (p=0.042) and L (p<0.001), with CGPT providing more irrelevant details. Thoroughness differed by P (p<0.001) and L (p=0.002), with CGPT ranking highest. Source quality was affected by P (p=0.037), with ExtBot using the best sources. Overall, AI struggled with complex topics, highlighting the value of Equine Extension specialists.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Ava Holzer
Presenter(s): Ava Holzer
Mentors(s): Abdullatif Alsulami, Julie Moreno
Skn-1, Nrf homolog, Role in Cannabidiol Neuroprotective Properties in Caenorhabditis elegans Ava Holzer1, Abdullatif Alsulami1,3, Makayla Linfoot1,3, Stephanie McGrath2,3 and Julie Moreno1,3 Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA1. Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA2 Brain Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA3 Cellular stress plays a critical role in neurodegeneration, yet the mechanisms by which cannabidiol (CBD) influences stress response pathways remain unclear. Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body’s antioxidant defense system, which is regulated by transcription factors like Nrf-2. While CBD has been linked to oxidative stress regulation, its interaction with skn-1, the C. elegans homolog of Nrf-2, remains underexplored. This study investigates CBD’s role in modulating oxidative stress responses in C. elegans. Skn-1 has three isoforms: skn-1b and skn-1c regulate antioxidant defense, while skn-1a plays a role in proteostasis by regulating proteasome activity. Using a worm model, we will assess neuromuscular function through head thrash assays to determine whether CBD enhances skn-1 activation under oxidative stress conditions. The WormLab system enables precise, automated tracking of locomotion, improving our ability to quantify stress responses. We hypothesize that CBD activates skn-1 pathways to enhance oxidative stress defense mechanisms. Understanding this interaction will address gaps in knowledge regarding CBD’s role in cellular stress and provide insight into its potential as a neuroprotective agent. By elucidating how CBD influences oxidative stress resilience, this study contributes to broader research on therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Mitchell Pederson
Presenter(s): Mitchell Pederson
The sport of fishing has a long tradition and history in many human cultures. The state of Colorado is no exception. Colorado Parks and Wildlife lists approximately 6,000 miles of stream water and 1300 lakes and reservoirs where people can catch more than 35 different species of fish. However, with the advent of new technology, water pollution has become one of many concerns in the long-term health of natural habitats. This can be especially dangerous for people who fish for food. This study aims to analyze the significance of water contamination and its possible effects on the fish that inhabit the water systems.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Tillie Pinkowitz
Presenter(s): Tillie Pinkowitz
Mentors(s): Amit Munshi
Cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells are a leading technology in renewable energy due to their low cost and high efficiency. This project focuses on improving their performance by incorporating cadmium selenide (CdSe) to create a graded CdSeTe (CST) layer. This enhances how the solar cell absorbs sunlight and converts it into electricity. A critical step in the fabrication process is treating the material with cadmium chloride (CdCl₂), which improves efficiency by passivating the electronic and structural defects at a microscopic level. At CSU, this treatment is done using a vacuum-based technique called close space sublimation (CSS). However, fine-tuning the CdCl₂ process is necessary to prevent unwanted side effects and ensure consistency. The goal of this project is to optimize both the material composition and processing steps to develop more efficient and reliable CdTe solar cell, contributing to advancements in sustainable energy technology.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Lydia Jenkins, Emily Perkins, Julie Moreno, Mark Zabel, Paige Gruber, Quinn Pogge
Presenter(s): Lydia Jenkins
Mentors(s): Katriana Popichak
Chronic pain (CP) affects 20% of people worldwide. While current understanding of pathological pain revolves mostly around neuronal mechanisms, supporting peripheral cells are often overlooked in CP studies. Macrophages regulate inflammatory response in the peripheral immune system, while microglia, the macrophage of the central nervous system (CNS), protects neurons. Non-neuronal cells, astrocytes and microglia, and peripheral macrophages play an important role in the neuroinflammatory process, as shown in recent CP studies. Microglia and astrocytes mediate neuroinflammation regulated by the transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), capitulated in CP and other pathological pain conditions. Current in vivo studies demonstrate Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) to be an effective model for CP, however, there are currently no established in vitro models. Thus, we hypothesize that an in vitro CP model utilizing CFA will demonstrate increased inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress, promoting neuronal cell death regulated by both macrophages and glial cells. To test this hypothesis, we measured cell viability of N2A cells, an immortalized neuronal cell line, treated with CFA and saw a dose-dependent decrease in viability upon exposure. Contrary to the above hypothesis, N2A cells exposed to glial and RAW-conditioned media failed to demonstrate cell death, suggesting a unique mechanism of neuroinflammation. Moving forward, we will measure NF-kB-regulated inflammatory gene expression of N2A cells exposed to conditioned media and direct treatment to further reveal how peripheral immune response to CP promotes neuroinflammation. Taken together, these data elucidate cellular mechanisms behind CP-associated inflammatory signaling pathways, potential targets for more effective therapeutic treatments.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Alexandra Englert, Brendan Podell, David Ackart Jr, Faye Lanni, Lauren Hunstad, Lea Anne Maristela
Presenter(s): Alexandra Englert
Mentors(s): Brendan Podell
Guinea pigs, while having been used as a model animal for tuberculosis infections for over a century, modern literature about their response to the commonly used BCG vaccination is limited. In this study, we investigated whether immune responses to the BCG vaccine are variable and if these differences could predict protection after exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Using the guinea pig model, the only rodent species that reliably develops delayed-type hypersensitivity responses similar to humans, we evaluated inflammation in response to BCG vaccination, tuberculin skin test (TST) response, and capacity for antigen-specific secretion of IFNγ by ELISpot in response to M. bovis purified protein derivative (PPD). We hypothesized that the degree of inflammation incited by BCG vaccination would correlate with TST size and frequency of antigen-specific IFNγ production. Most of the animals developed an inflammatory response to TST within 24-72 hours, indicating a Th1 response was developed post-vaccination. However, 4 out of 18 individuals lacked an inflammatory response that lasted over 24 hours. To confirm this, IFNγ production will be assessed in PBMCs isolated from BCG vaccinated and unvaccinated guinea pigs. We hypothesize that IFNγ secretion will be highest in guinea pigs with the largest TST response. The results of this study demonstrate that BCG vaccination lacks reliability in developing a delayed-type hypersensitivity response. Collectively, our results will determine if this highly variable response to BCG vaccination will confer variable protection against M. tuberculosis infection, thereby identifying individuals from which correlates of protection or vaccine failure may be derived.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Giovanna Paterno
Presenter(s): Giovanna Paterno
Mentors(s): Richard Mason
As soils around the country are growing in acidity, the threat of aluminum toxicity inhibiting wheat production rises. At a pH of four, aluminum exists as Al3+, a much more soluble form that inhibits the growth of roots. Because of this, it is essential to offer local farmers varieties of wheat with aluminum toxicity resistance. The ALTM1 has been found to be associated with the aluminum toxicity trait. As such, the CSU Wheat Breeding Program is interesting in understanding the genotypic and phenotypic relationship with the ALTM1 gene, with hopes to breed varieties specifically for aluminum resistance as to meet the needs of growers.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Lander Wilkinson, Katelynn Burgess, Kesea Nutter
Presenter(s): Lander Wilkinson
Mentors(s): Joshua Prasad
Burnout is a growing concern in the workplace, often attributed to excessive job demands and inadequate resources. The Job Demands-Resources model (JDR) suggests that burnout leads to diminished job performance, yet the potential for performance to drive burnout has received less attention. Using archival data from the Work, Family, and Health Study (N = 1,040), we examined whether fluctuations in individual job performance predict subsequent burnout at the within-person level. We used multilevel modeling analyses with a lagged-performance predictor to assess whether deviations from an individual’s average performance impact later experiences of burnout. This revealed that increases in job performance relative to an individual’s average predicted higher future burnout (b = .004, se = .002, t = 2.03, p = .042). This suggests a performance over-exertion effect–sustaining effort beyond one's baseline. While prior research supports the idea that burnout leads to diminished performance, our findings indicate that pushing oneself beyond typical performance levels may also deplete resources and contribute to later burnout. These results challenge the JDR model’s assumption of a unidirectional relationship between burnout and performance, highlighting the need to consider performance-driven burnout as a potential mechanism. Implications of these findings include the importance of sustainable work practices and resource allocation to prevent overexertion and long-term exhaustion. Future research should validate these findings using additional datasets and explore potential moderating factors, such as job autonomy and support systems.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Sami Conca
Presenter(s): Sami Conca
Mentors(s): Kimberly Nichols
Fossil glyptosaurine (Glyptosaurinae) lizards, particularly in the genus Xestops, are fairly rare in North America. They have recently been found in the early Eocene (~56 Ma), providing evidence of environmental change and predation. Here I report on fossil lizards obtained from the Willwood Formation (~56-53 Ma) in the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. The early Eocene was a time of rapid environmental warming that attracted novel fauna, including glyptosaurines, whose presence is evidenced by fossils and marked by a unique set of adaptations, coinciding with the appearance of certain mammalian predators. Among the early Eocene lizards is a fossil glyptosaurine maxilla (EPV.68694) recovered in 2015 by the CSU Department of Anthropology & Geology Field School (ANTH 470). This unusual specimen is the subject of taxonomic debate. Its preserved dermal scutes exhibit pustulation -- a characteristic associated with the Glyptosaurinae genus Xestops. Based on anatomical features, I provide my hypotheses regarding the phylogeny of this fossil lizard, as well as its relation to the changing climate and primate predators.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Maya McCain, Ally Lewis, Daniela Cusack, Grace McLaughlin, Hailey Tharp, Olivia Aaron
Presenter(s): Maya McCain
Mentors(s): Daniela Cusack
Ecosystems worldwide are being affected by disturbances brought on by global change, such as drought and chronic drying. The effects of drying on tropical rainforests remain poorly understood, despite the importance of these ecosystems in the global carbon (C) budget, in particular because of their large root biomass and transfers of C into soil long-term C pools. Drought and chronic drying are predicted to increase in tropical regions due to global change, motivating the Panama Rainforest Changes with Experimental Drying (PARCHED) project across four distinct lowland, seasonal forests across the Isthmus of Panama. The project simulates chronic drying by excluding ~70% of throughfall from forest plots, paired with control plots (32 plots total). We addressed the uncertainty in rainforest root responses to chronic drying by processing root samples from the four PARCHED forest sites. We assessed how root dynamics differ between drying treatment versus control plots during the wet season. Results to date indicate that the four forests have different baseline root biomass stocks, related to local moisture and soil fertility. Root biomass has also generally declined in the drying treatment. Our results have implications for the future of C storage in tropical forests under a changing climate.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Kamalani Larson, Brent Myers, Courtney Bouchet
Presenter(s): Kamalani Larson
Mentors(s): Brent Myers, Courtney Bouchet
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally and are intensified by stress; however, the neurobiology linking stress and cardiovascular diseases is not well understood. Previous work in our lab indicates that neurons within a brain region called the posterior hypothalamus (PH) are sensitive to stress and can regulate cardiovascular function, such as blood pressure and heart rate. However, the characteristics of the neurons within the PH are not well understood and could be important in the differential susceptibility to stress-induced cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the goal of this project is to investigate action potential firing properties of neurons within the PH. Male and female GAD-Cre transgenic Long-Evans rats received injections of a virus leading to red fluorescence in inhibitory, GABAergic neurons and green fluorescence in excitatory, glutamatergic neurons. Cellular properties were investigated using patch clamp electrophysiology, a method that measures electrical properties of neurons. Electrical current from -100 to +100 pA was injected into neurons to measure excitability and the presence of hyperpolarization-activated channels. These data indicate that neuronal excitability is not dependent on sex or cell-type. However, sag, a measure of hyperpolarization-activated channels, is dependent on both cell-type and sex, with female inhibitory cells exhibiting larger sag than all other groups. This project provides a deeper understanding of the properties of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the PH and how they could play a role in stress-related diseases. This work was supported by NIH R01-173525 awarded to Dr. Brent Myers and NIH F32-HL172693 to Dr. Courtney Bouchet.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Sorina Scohy
Presenter(s): Sorina Scohy
Mentors(s): Jenniffer Riley
Various strains of Staphylococcus bacteria are among the most common pathogens on college campuses, which causes high amounts of antibiotics to be prescribed to and taken by students. However, the misuse of these medications by both students and medical professionals has contributed to rising global rates of antibiotic resistance, resulting in stronger, more deadly infections. This preliminary study aims to identify potential efficient and affordable methodologies for interrupting biofilm formation among these pathogenic bacteria, thereby combating mild infections without exacerbating the antibiotic crisis. In this study, Staphylococcus Cohnii was cultured in the presence of several common remedies with antibiotic properties to determine if they effectively reduced biofilm formation in each culture. A qualitative tube staining method was then used to visually assess whether or not each Staphylococcus sample developed biofilms. Previous studies have suggested that hand soap and ginger may be the most effective non-antibiotic methods due to their natural antibiotic properties. However, this study used five substances: water, soap, ginger, honey, and streptomycin.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Paisley Sayers
Presenter(s): Paisley Sayers
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
Invasive feral hogs (Sus scrofa) are rampant across much of the Southern United States. They cause substantial levels of economic and ecological damage and are a prime example of human-wildlife conflict. Feral hogs damage crops, land, property, public areas, carry dangerous diseases that threaten livestock and humans, and compete with native species. While lethal control has been the primary method of dealing with feral hogs by both state wildlife agencies and the USDA, it is proving largely ineffective. The goal of this project is to find a new strategy that builds off the successes of previous methods while taking into consideration about a dozen stakeholders. The final plan will include multiple types of tools, viewpoints from various groups, useful practices that are already in place, and considerations for the future. Though feral hogs will never fully disappear in the United States, it is critical to continue searching for novel ideas that will improve conditions and ideally benefit the livelihoods of stakeholders involved.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Zachary Styrna
Presenter(s): Zachary Styrna
Mentors(s): Andrew Bates, Debbie Crans
Vanadium-catechol coordination complexes have attracted significant interest due to their potential applications in catalysis, medicinal chemistry, and bioinorganic systems. In this study, we present the infrared absorption spectroscopic characterization of a series of vanadium catechol complexes, aiming to elucidate their coordination environment and bonding interactions. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to investigate key vibrational modes of the complexes used to differentiate the structures, particularly the V=O stretching frequency. The changes in V=O stretching frequency of vanadium complexes bound to different catechol ligands will be discussed. The structures of vanadium complexes and comparisons of the solution and the solid-state structures will be presented. We will also determine if structural changes take place upon dissolution of the complexes in solution.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Andrea Bernardy
Presenter(s): Andrea Bernardy
Mentors(s): Sandra Dileep Nair
Modular forms have been at the forefront of some of the most interesting projects in mathematics in the last century. These forms are holomorphic functions that map from the upper half of the complex plane to the full complex plane by satisfying the modularity condition for SL2(Z) where SL2(Z) is the set of all 2x2 matrices with integer entries and determinant of one. S and T (and their inverses) in SL2(Z) are the generating matrices of the modular group SL2(Z) that allow for a function to be mapped from the Fundamental Domain of SL2(Z) in the upper half of the complex plane to the full upper half of the complex plane. This provides an inordinate amount of information about the function and objects surrounding it that has led to the famous proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem by Andrew Wiles as well as the Taniyama-Shimura Conjecture. These special functions have found a comfortable home in group theory with Moonshine Theory proposing a connection between these and the mythical Monster group and at the helm of the “grand unified theory of mathematics”, Langlands Program, which seeks to bridge algebraic number theory, representation theory, and geometry.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Caroline Bauer, Brian Tracy
Presenter(s): Caroline Bauer
Mentors(s): Brian Tracy
The 5x sit-to-stand (STS) is a common measure of physical function. The typical outcome is simply total time. However, common smartphone sensors may provide more detailed information on movement speed and power of the rising phase of STS. In a large study (N = 240, 21-70 yrs) of chronic pain patients, smartphone-instrumented STS tests were performed in a remote van lab. The smartphone was attached to the lateral thigh and for each STS the peak rotation rate and rise time was measured during the rising phase with the onboard gyroscope sensors. The total 5xSTS time was also measured from movement data. Measures were performed both in the lab building (baseline, BL) and ~1wk later in the van. At BL: the sum of the rise times was 40% of the total 5xSTS time. Across the age range, STS power declined by 0.31 rads/s*kg per year. STS power was weakly negatively correlated with total 5xSTS time (R^2=0.28). Avg peak power of 5 reps was tightly correlated with Avg peak power of the single max rep (R^2=0.99). From BL to Pre: Total 5xSTS time and rise time measures decreased very slightly (P< 0.05) but rotation rate values did not change. Quantitative smartphone-based measures of STS power are feasible in a remote vehicular lab, and are comparable to outcomes measured in a typical lab. These actual power measures are weakly correlated with the traditional timed outcome, therefore this instrumented test is a better measure of chair rising, which is functionally limiting.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Lauren Brunell
Presenter(s): Lauren Brunell
The differences in neural control of shortening (CON) versus lengthening (ECC) muscle contractions is a fundamental concept in neuromuscular physiology. For equivalent loads, reduced neural drive to the muscle (electromyogram, EMG) during ECC is classically observed, due to the inherently greater force production capability in ECC. Here we describe EMG of CON and ECC contractions measured with an expensive lab system (ADInstruments, ADI) and an inexpensive education-grade EMG system (Backyard Brains, BYB), to provide a teaching method that is accessible to more institutions. During an in-class teaching development exercise, two students lifted and lowered a weight 5-7 times (40-50% max) using 3s lifting and lowering phases, while the EMG of the biceps brachii was concurrently measured with the lab-grade and education-grade device. Electrodes serving each system were placed immediately adjacent to each other. The root mean square (RMS) of the EMG signal was measured from both systems in the middle of the CON and ECC phase. EMG during ECC was 81% of CON for ADI and 77% for BYB. For CON and ECC pooled, EMG values from the two devices were positively correlated (R squared = 0.58). The findings show that an education-grade EMG device is suitably sensitive to quantify neural activation during CON and ECC in a teaching lab setting. This equipment could increase access to instructors and students at institutions with varying instructional resources.
Category: Written Work
Author(s): Chloe Olson
Presenter(s): Chloe Olson
Mentors(s): Katherine Gerst
Primitive reflexes are involuntary responses that come from the brainstem as a reaction to specific stimuli that develop even before birth. As a child grows up, these reflexes should disappear or mature and integrate into different reflexes. If they do not, the unintegrated reflexes can cause a range of motor, emotional, social, and/or learning related issues. One of the first primitive reflexes to develop is the Moro reflex, and this reflex then typically integrates by 4-6 months old. However, for many children this does not always happen. To treat this, there are many occupational therapy exercises that can target the reflex and promote integration. This is what inspired the creation of the children’s book, Zoey Goes to the Park: Integrating the Moro Reflex. This book encourages children to imitate movements of different animals. These animal movements are also exercises that help integrate the Moro reflex. The book allows for children to get involved and have fun while also benefiting their development. It also gives parents the opportunity to get involved in the process as well, as this book can be used as a tool to continue work outside of occupational therapy sessions.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Miranda Chin, Gloria Tait
Presenter(s): Miranda Chin
Mentors(s): Jody Vogeler, Steven Filippelli
Elephants act as ecosystem engineers that can cause large impacts on their surroundings through browsing and toppling woody vegetation. In Thornybush Reserve, South Africa, elephant populations recently increased, causing a subsequent rise in these behaviors. However, methods to track and identify elephant-caused tree damage are still under-developed. This leads into the question of if it is possible to use remote sensing imagery and spectral indices to detect tree damage status. Methods consisted of tree digitizing from high resolution satellite imagery, in addition to ground data collected in 2023-2024 detailing tree location and damage. For analysis, 4-meter PlanetScope and 10-meter Sentinel imagery were compared to determine if there were trends in surface reflectance corresponding to tree damage. Results show that there is a small correlation of spectral bands and indices, specifically near-infrared, with tree damage status, but an ANOVA did not indicate significant differences in spectral values between tree damage classes. Implications include that more research is needed to determine how and when remote sensing imagery can identify tree damage. Some recommendations include more detailed classification for damage status, improved geospatial registration, and research into how remote sensing timing affects damage detectability.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): MacKenzie Demmel, Allison Vilander, Gregg Dean, McKenzie Fletcher
Presenter(s): MacKenzie Demmel
Mentors(s): Gregg Dean
Rotavirus is a pathogen that disproportionately affects lower- and middle-income countries, killing over 200,000 children every year. Existing rotavirus vaccines used in people are attenuated-live, meaning they are a replicating version of the pathogen that does not cause disease. We are developing a subunit vaccine that exploits a probiotic bacteria platform. In order to compare our novel vaccines to the current gold-standard live-attenuated approach, we sought to test two candidate live-attenuated rotaviruses in an adult mouse model. This study analyzed virus shedding kinetics in the intestine and immune responses of adult mice after inoculation with a cell-culture adapted murine virus strain (ETD) versus a rhesus rotavirus strain (RRV). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to detect viral antigen and anti-rotavirus antibodies in feces. The duration of shedding, day of peak shedding, and level of shedding was recorded to characterize the virus strains. RRV had more shedding in the first three days post inoculation, whereas ETD continued to shed through day six. Additionally, the level of viral antigen in the fecal sample increased as RRV dose increased while ETD did not show a strong correlation between dose and antigen level. Positive days were calculated as days where the antigen level was two standard deviations higher than the mean of the inoculation day, and RRV also had more positive days than ETD at every dose other than the lowest. Since RRV displayed more consistent shedding kinetics and had more positive days, it can be used as the gold-standard live-attenuated comparison.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Allison George, Amy Nalls, Candace Mathiason, Erin McNulty, Nathaniel Denkers
Presenter(s): Allison George
Mentors(s): Erin McNulty
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is the fatal neurodegenerative disease of deer, elk and moose caused by the accumulation of misfolded prion protein. We are assessing the efficacy of two vaccine candidates in the native white-tailed deer (WTD) host. One vaccine targets structure-specific surface epitopes of the misfolded prion protein to induce a protective immune response against prions, and the other vaccine aims to activate immune responses against the normal cellular prion protein blocking infection. Deer cohorts receiving either or both vaccines in combination remain healthy demonstrating vaccine safety. Additional deer cohorts, after receiving a vaccine prime/boost series, were orally challenged with CWD and are being monitored for CWD status and shedding profiles including the presence of prions in their blood. Infectious prions have been demonstrated in the blood of infected sheep, cattle, deer, and humans. Yet in vitro detection of blood-borne prions has been hampered by low concentration and assay inhibitors. Our established modified prion amplification assay (LIQ), detects hematogenous CWD prions. We will assess longitudinally-collected blood samples from vaccinated and challenged WTD at 3-month intervals to determine the presence of prions in blood. Findings from this study will determine the efficacy of two vaccine candidates to mitigate CWD infection and shedding, and fill knowledge gaps about the role of the immune response in CWD infection and mitigation.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Wyatt Hummel
Presenter(s): Wyatt Hummel
ABSTRACT: Infectious diseases such as COVID-19 continue to pose significant global health challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings where access to laboratory diagnostics is constrained. In addition to diagnostic testing, rapid and accurate quantification of immune system biomarkers is essential for monitoring disease progression, evaluating vaccine efficacy, and guiding public health interventions. To address this need, we present a novel magnetic bead-based electrochemical immunoassay compatible with a portable, near-field communication (NFC)-enabled potentiostat, enabling wireless detection of antibody neutralizing efficiency. Our platform translates biochemical recognition events into quantitative electrochemical signals using enzyme-mediated redox reactions, achieving high sensitivity and specificity comparable to standard ELISA techniques. The device demonstrates strong potential for decentralized, point-of-care testing by leveraging smartphone compatibility and low-cost assay design, this system offers a scalable solution for infectious disease monitoring.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Elena Canton
Presenter(s): Elena Canton
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
The exotic animal trade has run rampant across the globe, with the United States being one of the leading perpetrators of illegal wildlife importation. Thousands of different species are imported to the U.S. every year as pets, and the lucrative industry that wildlife traffickers have built brings in billions of dollars every year. This issue not only introduces potentially dangerous species to novel environments, but increases risks of human-wildlife conflicts such as invasive species release and zoonotic disease transfer. Animals are not the only affected party however, as the need for policies to regulate the pet trade around the world as well as the lack of concern for animal welfare also cause conflict between human groups such as exotic pet owners and suppliers, and animal welfare groups. With this project I will create a management plan that mitigates the harm that the illegal wildlife trade brings to both humans and animals by finding a common ground between stakeholder groups. I will also suggest methods to regulate the number of animals seized from their native habitats, as well as improve the unethical treatment towards exotic animals in the pet trade.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Sarah Goerold
Presenter(s): Sarah Goerold
Mentors(s): Joseph DeFranco
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease which affects cervids worldwide. To investigate this disease in a laboratory setting, our group has developed gene-targeted (Gt) mice that encode the cervid prion protein (PrP) and recapitulate the native strain properties of CWD. However, our current Gt model maintained on the inbred FVB background, has pathology not related to prion disease experimentation. To address this issue of atypical illnesses, we generated F1 hybrid mice, a cross between the inbred FVB and Black 10 (B10) lines. We monitored the relative health, life cycle, and pathology during natural aging of these mice. We observed hybrid mice live longer lives without non-prion related pathology. We were interested to see if changing the mouse line would modify prion disease outcome, so we inoculated the mice intracerebrally (ic) and intraperitoneally (ip) to compare them to their progenitors. Results showed almost identical CWD disease progression and onset of neurological signs in all three murine lines. The hybrid mice had similar accumulation of splenic tissue, levels of CWD prion in the CNS, and type of deposition as their FVB progenitors. Importantly, these findings are in agreement with our group’s recent report that disease outcomes following ic and ip transmissions are distinct, thus the peripheral inoculation into the F1 hybrids recapitulate native CWD strain properties. While further investigation is required to determine if these F1 hybrids are efficient prion disease models for other mammalian species, we’ve established that they are a robust experimental system from studying CWD.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Andrew Johnson
Presenter(s): Andrew Johnson
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
Asian Carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) have become one of the most pressing ecological threats in the Mississippi River and Great Lakes region. Introduced in the 1970s to control algae in aquaculture facilities, these invasive fish have since proliferated, outcompeting native species for food and habitat. Their rapid expansion has led to significant declines in native fish populations, disrupting commercial and recreational fishing industries. This competition not only threatens biodiversity but also creates economic hardships for fisheries reliant on native species like walleye and perch. Beyond ecological and economic concerns, the Asian Carp invasion has sparked social conflicts among stakeholders, including commercial fishers, conservationists, policymakers, and recreational users of the waterways. Habitat degradation caused by the carp—through increased turbidity and disruption of aquatic food webs—has fueled debates on management strategies, ranging from physical barriers to commercial harvesting initiatives. While some advocate for large-scale population control methods, others worry about unintended consequences on native species and waterway accessibility. This poster will explore the ecological consequences of Asian Carp proliferation, its economic toll on commercial fishing, and the stakeholder conflicts surrounding mitigation efforts. Using case studies from the Mississippi River Basin and Great Lakes region, it will highlight current management approaches and potential solutions. Understanding this human-wildlife conflict is essential for developing sustainable policies that balance ecological integrity with economic viability.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Claira Haagenstad, Ashleigh Zaker, Lorann Stallones
Presenter(s): Claira Haagenstad
Mentors(s): Ashleigh Zaker
This research project investigates marital satisfaction among Spirit-filled Christian couples, exploring the intersection of religious beliefs and relationship quality using the strength and strain model. Marital satisfaction is crucial for overall well-being. Low levels of marital satisfaction are associated with negative psychological and physical health effects. Within faith communities, marriage is often perceived as a spiritually significant covenant. Despite the importance of this perspective, there is a notable gap in research and literature regarding how specific religious beliefs, particularly those of Spirit-filled Christians, influence marital satisfaction. While some marital guidance and counseling is provided in church settings, some couples may not feel fully supported by their faith community. Additionally, church counseling may lack psychological knowledge demonstrated in licensed therapeutic settings that could benefit marital strength and strain. Conversely, traditional counseling settings may lack an understanding of the intersections of the Christian faith and marital satisfaction. This qualitative study utilizes semi-structured interviews with adults married for at least five years in the Christian-faith community to gather in-depth narratives about their experiences. Participants share insights into the strengths and challenges within their marriages, how faith shapes their perceptions and coping mechanisms, and the role of their faith community in navigating marital dynamics. Some of these strengths include a shared belief in the marriage being a holy covenant, mutual respect, and teamwork. Some examples of strain include differences in faith participation, parenting challenges, and trust issues. The anticipated findings aim to deepen understanding of the dual role faith plays in enhancing and challenging marital satisfaction, ultimately informing the development of culturally competent support systems that integrate spiritual and psychological resources tailored for marital strength and strain in faith-based communities. This research seeks to provide valuable insights for practitioners and community leaders, fostering healthier marriages and improved mental health outcomes within Spirit-filled Christian couples.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Hannah Reitman, Alisa Shaw, Colton Karns, Grant Schauer
Presenter(s): Hannah Reitman
Mentors(s): Grant Schauer
The ability to temporarily induce replication stress within cells is valuable in the research of replication machinery and stress response pathways. To induce replication stress, researchers often target ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), an enzyme which is responsible for the conversion of ribonucleotides into deoxyribonucleotides, and which is essential to the progression of DNA replication. Currently, Hydroxyurea is widely used to inhibit RNR, but cells are burdened by oxidative stress caused by the drug, which causes not only specific inhibition of the replication machinery, but also nonspecific stress in cells that is difficult to reverse and which can be cytotoxic. This confounds our ongoing studies of the pathways responsible for replication stress tolerance. Our system being implemented utilizes auxin—a plant hormone which binds to and activates an E3 ubiquitin ligase which then targets the protein of interest for proteasomal degradation. This system allows conditional degradation of ribonucleotide reductase, ultimately preventing the cells from proceeding through DNA replication.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Jessica Gamble, Candace Mathiason, Erin McNulty
Presenter(s): Jessica Gamble
Mentors(s): Erin McNulty
Chronic wasting disease (CWD), the prion disease of cervids (deer, elk, moose), was first documented in North America (NA) in the 1970’s. The disease was recently identified in Scandinavian cervids (reindeer, red deer, moose). Many studies have been conducted in the native host to better understand the pathogenesis and transmission dynamics of NA CWD, with fewer studies conducted to fill these gaps in our understanding about Nordic (NO) CWD. Of particular interest is determining how and when prions are shed from NO CWD-infected cervids throughout disease course. Our previous studies of NA CWD have determined that the infectious agent is shed in saliva, urine, feces and blood, all of which contribute to efficient horizontal transmission of the disease from one cervid to the next. We are currently conducting longitudinal studies in the native host to determine when NO CWD prions are shed in these bodily sections. Here, using the established prion amplification assay Iron Oxide Bead Real-Time-Quaking-Induced conversion we will assess longitudinally collected nasal secretions at 3-month intervals after oral inoculation to determine the shedding profile of prions in nasal secretions. Findings from this study will: (i) enhance our understanding of how NO prions are shed, especially in comparison to NA CWD, and (ii) provide insights about the origin of CWD as we consider whether NO CWD represents an earlier evolution of this disease.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Leanna MacBello
Presenter(s): Leanna MacBello
As the effects of climate change echo across the country, each region of the United States has endured different complications related to the changing Earth. Pennsylvania, a state that is usually covered with a cloud of humidity and rain due to its lush forests and proximity to major bodies of water, has been subjected to extended periods of droughts. These droughts have been practically unheard of in the region, with ecosystems taking severe hits due to lack of rainfall. As extended periods of dryness increase in frequency and intensity, effects have been seen everywhere, most notably, within the soil. As the soil consistency changes from its mineral-rich consistency to less nutritious, loose textures, one of the biggest concerns has been attempting to understand how the plants present in Pennsylvania, both native and non-native, will react to these changes. Within this preliminary observational experiment, Agastache (Hyssop morello) and Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) were placed in a range of soil types, including soils of their optimal consistency, clay soils with high water retention, and sandy soils that release water quickly. This experiment monitored the growth, measured by physical success and attributes, of each of the individual species to determine which genre of plants, native or non-native, would perform the best under a range of soils. As the effects of climate change echo across the country, each region of the United States has endured different complications related to the changing Earth. Pennsylvania, a state that is usually covered with a cloud of humidity and rain due to its lush forests and proximity to major bodies of water, has been subjected to extended periods of droughts. These droughts have been practically unheard of in the region, with ecosystems taking severe hits due to lack of rainfall. As extended periods of dryness increase in frequency and intensity, effects have been seen everywhere, most notably, within the soil. As the soil consistency changes from its mineral-rich consistency to less nutritious, loose textures, one of the biggest concerns has been attempting to understand how the plants present in Pennsylvania, both native and non-native, will react to these changes. Within this preliminary observational experiment, Agastache (Hyssop morello) and Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) were placed in a range of soil types, including soils of their optimal consistency, clay soils with high water retention, and sandy soils that release water quickly. This experiment monitored the growth, measured by physical success and attributes, of each of the individual species to determine which genre of plants, native or non-native, would perform the best under a range of soils.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Sarah Abercrombie
Presenter(s): Sarah Abercrombie
Mentors(s): Pui Ho
DNA is a polymorphic molecule capable of adopting various forms depending on its sequence. Mapping sequence and form in a systematic manner would be beneficial for understanding how sequence impacts structure and being able to predict specific locations of DNA forms within the genome. The ability to make these predictions would offer insights into how DNA structure regulates processes like replication and transcription. Previous studies have shown the inverted repeat sequence motif d(CCnnnN6N7N8GG), where N6, N7, and N8 can represent any of the four nucleotides, serves as a scaffold for determining the form and structure of all 64 unique possible trinucleotides. One unsolved N6N7N8 trinucleotide is AGG. AGG crystallized under conditions consistent with B-form DNA, resulting in a crystal with a unit cell of 44.64Å x 44.64Å x 76.38Å and a space group of P41212. The structure of the asymmetric unit, solved using molecular replacement, consists of a duplex and a single strand of DNA. Both the duplex and single strand, along with the symmetry mate, are A-form DNA. Comparison of N6GG sequences to AGG showed similar helical parameter values, indicating that A-DNA is overall conformationally consistent. An AGN8 comparison showed AGG had a significant deviation of the amount base steps are slid out, inclined, and positioned away from the center of the helix. This suggests that the G positioned at N8 had global effects on the structure of the helix. This sequence exemplifies how trinucleotide sequence influences structure and the potential structural variation depending on the nucleotide combination.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Ria Janapati, Bettina Broeckling, Brendan Dosenbach, Mary Jackson
Presenter(s): Ria Janapati
Mentors(s): Charlotte Avanzi
Diagnosing leprosy is based on three cardinal signs: skin lesions, nerve thickness, and identifying the causative agent, Mycobacterium leprae. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting the 36x repeated region RLEP is currently the most sensitive method for pathogen detection. This qPCR requires a molecular laboratory setting and temperature-sensitive reagents. Moreover, leprosy is endemic in communities lacking immediate access to laboratories, leaving a need for rapid testing in the field. Biomeme has developed a portable, rechargeable battery-operated thermal cycler that is controlled by a smartphone and uses unrefrigerated, lyophilized reagents. This project aims to validate the qPCR assay using Biomeme materials with the same quality as the laboratory’s gold standard. We optimized the qPCR assay with Biomeme reagents using positive control DNA, human clinical samples, and armadillo samples. Standard curves using a linearized RLEP plasmid showed 100% similarity between the Biomeme and the gold standard. We extracted DNA from skin biopsies using the Qiagen QIAmp prep kit, and used the CFX Biorad thermal cycler to perform the gold standard qPCR to compare with the Biomeme Franklin instrument. The standard curves using the two assays showed 100% similarity to each other. qPCR was performed on 50 human skin samples, and 10 armadillo ear/spleen samples. For the humans, both assays showed 5 negative samples, 39 positive samples, and 6 samples with discordant results. For the armadillos, both assays showed 1 negative sample, 8 positive samples, and one result was discordant. The linear regression showed a strong correlation between the two assays, suggesting that the Biomeme assay is as effective as the CFX Biorad.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Brenna Wolf
Presenter(s): Brenna Wolf
Mentors(s): Shrideep Pallickara
Air quality presents one of the biggest environmental risks to human health, having the potential to impact every organ and ranking second only to communicable diseases in public health risk. Air pollution contributes to reduced lung function, oxidative stress, and immunosuppression among other adverse health risks. Poor air quality contributes to more than 100,000 premature deaths in the United States each year, and 8.34 million excess deaths internationally each year. Continuous access to air quality data is key to educating citizens and driving legislative changes. The EPA has a large number of outdoor air quality monitoring sensors that harvest data regarding various airborne pollutants including particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. We have designed a browser-based tool, Zephyr, that allows users to interactively analyze longitudinal (starting in 1980) air quality data tracking over 1400 different pollutants. An added feature of Zephyr is integration with the 2020 US census data to explore how socioeconomic factors correlate with exposure to poor air quality. Zephyr also overlays infrastructure data relating to coal and gas fueled power plants allowing users to assess how proximity to such power plants impacts air quality. We have also incorporated support for animating pollutant-specific variations so that users may assess air quality changes over time during transient, but often prolonged, events such as wildfires. Finally, the tool provides 7-day air quality forecasts using SARIMA models that provide insights into time-series trends. These models are fine-tuned for each metropolitan region to boost accuracy.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Sarah Culhane, Julie Heinrichs, Sergio Nicasio
Presenter(s): Sarah Culhane
Mentors(s): Sergio Nicasio
The Sagebrush Steppe provides essential habitat and other ecosystem services for the Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and other species, but landscape fragmentation in recent years and loss of intact sagebrush cover has caused a significant decline in the Greater Sage-Grouse population. This study assesses the capability of Qgis and graphab analysis to accurately demonstrate the current and future state of landscape connectivity within an identified transboundary ecological corridor between Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan, Canada, and the Glaciated Sage-Steppe region of Montana, a crucial migration pathway for the Greater Sage-Grouse and other sagebrush obligate species in the Sagebrush Steppe. When put through climate warming scenarios of 4.5 degrees Celsius and 8.5 degrees Celsius, shifts in landscape connectivity are expected, with some areas losing connectivity and other areas gaining connectivity, fragmenting the landscape and impacting the ability of the Greater Sage-Grouse to move unimpeded in between habitat patches. The results of this study can potentially be used to aid in current conservation planning supporting the current and future population of the Greater Sage-Grouse in the Sagebrush Steppe.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Emilee Peterson, Emma Hathaway
Presenter(s): Emilee Peterson
Mentors(s): Diane Wright
This study investigates the differences in phytoplankton and zooplankton distribution in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The main focus was how plankton distribution varies between coral and sandy environments. Phytoplankton and zooplankton are prey items, key producers, and are vital components to ocean communities. Phytoplankton produce oxygen and add nutrients contributing to the microbial loop, while zooplankton aid in transferring those nutrients to higher trophic levels. Over a span of 2 days, samples were obtained by dragging a plankton net for 25 seconds over coral and sandy areas of the ocean at 2pm and again at 6pm. Results showed that phytoplankton and zooplankton are more abundant at night over the coral reef as opposed to nearby sandy areas. This suggests that plankton may be more active over coral reef habitats at night, compared to sandy environments during the day. The role phytoplankton and zooplankton have in marine environments is crucial to understanding how marine environments operate and function.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Lance Goodman
Presenter(s): Lance Goodman
Mentors(s): Jason Sibold
Abstract: Forest management techniques such as various forms of thinning, specifically in the Southern Rockies (Southern Wyoming to northern New Mexico), are widely implemented to influence forest structure to reduce wildfire and manage regeneration rates. These management techniques are not well understood in their long term effects on forest structure and ecosystems especially when considering climate change. Forest regeneration is important for the long term health and ecosystem services a forest provides. A lack of forest regeneration can lead to diminishing groundwater quality, soil erosion, and drought. Understanding the impacts of forest management techniques can help guide better and more sustainable practices for the future. Grounded in disturbance ecology theory, our study investigates whether forest treatments influence regeneration by altering resource availability, and how these effects are mediated by microclimatic variability and topographic features. Using a paired-plot design, we compare regeneration in treated (thinned) and untreated forest plots with similar characteristics across the Southern Rockies. We combined these factors along with site characteristics and moisture indices using boosted regression trees to analyze patterns of regeneration. Based on these variables and disturbance ecology, we hypothesize that treated plots will have more regeneration than their untreated counterparts.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Maddie Mcneil, Madeline McNeil
Presenter(s): Maddie Mcneil
Mentors(s): Cole Purdy
With the reintroduction of wolves in many places in the US it is important to find methods that can mitigate conflict between humans and wildlife and capitalize on the ones that are effective. Working with the CHCC, the center for human carnivore coexistence, I was able to review the two range rider programs in northeastern Washington to see what works well and where improvements can be made to the program. In this assessment, interviews were conducted with range riders, program directors, and officials at various levels of government. The interviews were analyzed, and common themes were identified from the interviewee responses regarding the program’s effectiveness. One of the most prevalent perspectives shared was that to have an efficient and effective program it is important to provide the ranchers and range riders with clear funding allocations and enough funding so they can do high-quality work to mitigate conflict. By allowing these changes, range riders can feel supported and confident that they will get paid on time, have increased safety measures such as the ability to ride in pairs, and allow old and new riders to get the assistance they need to learn and improve their skills to better improve their performance on the job. Reviewing these programs is crucial as other states implement similar programs and it is important for other organizations to take these considerations into account as they not only help move past initial barriers, but they can hopefully lead to more effective and efficient range rider programs.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Paige Vetter, Joshua Flowers
Presenter(s): Paige Vetter
Mentors(s): Seonil Kim
Chronic stress affects brain functions leading to the development of mental disorders like anxiety and depression, as well as cognitive decline and social dysfunction. Among many biological changes in chronically stressed brains, disruptions in AMPA Receptor (AMPAR)-mediated synaptic transmission in the hippocampus are associated with stress responses. We have revealed that low-dose ketamine rapidly induces the expression of GluA1-containing, GluA2-lacking Ca2+-Permeable AMPARs (CP-AMPARs), which enhances glutamatergic synaptic strength in hippocampal neurons. Additionally, subanesthetic low-dose ketamine decreases anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in naïve animals. In addition to reducing depression, some research indicates that ketamine may have protective effects against chronic stress in both humans and animals. However, the role of CP-AMPARs in the actions of ketamine’s antistress effects is largely unknown. Here, we use whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from CA1 pyramidal neurons in female and male hippocampal slices to affirm that subanesthetic low-dose ketamine treatment induces CP-AMPAR expression in these cells. Using multiple behavioral assays including reciprocal social interaction, contextual fear conditioning, and tail suspension test, we demonstrate that low-dose ketamine treatment reverses chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced social dysfunction, hippocampus-dependent fear memory loss, and depression-like behavior in both female and male mice. Furthermore, we show that the ketamine-induced antistress effects on these behaviors is dependent on CP-AMPAR expression. From this, our findings suggest that subanesthetic low-dose ketamine rapidly triggers the expression of CP-AMPARs in the hippocampus, which in turn enhancing synaptic strength to induce antidepressant and antistress effects.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Leona Myers
Presenter(s): Leona Myers
Mentors(s): Anping Chen
Artificial light at night (ALAN) has been shown to disrupt biological rhythms in migratory birds, yet its effects on migration timing across large geographical ranges remain unclear. Understanding these effects is critical for assessing human-induced impacts on avian migration and informing conservation strategies. This study examines how ALAN influences stopover rates of Yellow-rumped Warblers (Setophaga coronata) and Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) along an urban to rural gradient using eBird observational data (2012–2022) and ALAN exposure levels derived from NASA satellite imagery. Data processing included filtering for migration seasons, categorizing urban and rural counties, standardizing observation counts, and analyzing bird migration stopover rates relative to light pollution intensity. Welch two-sample t-tests were conducted to compare stopover rates between species and between urban and rural counties. Preliminary results show no significant differences in stopover rates between urban and rural counties, nor between Yellow-rumped Warblers and Barn Swallows in urban areas. These findings suggest that ALAN may not significantly affect migration timing or stopover behavior in the species studied, at least under the conditions observed. Future research should focus on expanding sample sizes, refining methods for measuring stopover behavior, and exploring other environmental factors that may influence migratory patterns.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Catalina Puska, Claire Stewart
Presenter(s): Catalina Puska
Mentors(s): Brian Foy, Michelle Savran
Since its introduction to Northern Colorado roughly 25 years ago, West Nile virus (WNV) has remained a concerning infectious disease. Summer 2023 had the most human WNV infections since the early 2000s, with many hospitalizations and 51 deaths. Mosquitoes are the primary vector of WNV, which they contract from avian reservoir species. We are studying oral vaccine and endectocide-based methods to reduce WNV prevalence in birds to prevent transmission to mosquitoes, and consequently to humans and livestock. Mosquito bloodmeal identification is important to these efforts as it can give us a more complete understanding of which vertebrate species mosquitoes are feeding on to gauge where WNV prevention methods should be targeted. In summer 2023, we collected Culex pipiens and Culex tarsalis mosquitoes from traps throughout Larimer and neighboring counties. We identified and speciated blood fed females, then separated abdomens for bloodmeal host DNA extraction. Heads and thoraces were retained for WNV testing. To determine the host from which the bloodmeal came, mosquito abdomens are homogenized, DNA is extracted, and the cytochrome oxidase I gene is amplified via PCR and sequenced. The heads and thoraces undergo homogenization, RNA extraction, and quantitative real-time PCR to detect WNV. We will compare the mosquito species to the host bloodmeal species and to WNV positivity rates to determine any possible patterns. While these data are still being explored, they could possibly reveal patterns in WNV transmission between vertebrates and mosquitoes that could direct our control efforts and help reduce WNV in humans and livestock.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Kaelie Sellers
Presenter(s): Kaelie Sellers
Mentors(s): Steven Graham
Biomolecular condensates are subcellular structures that are widespread in various species, such as humans, mice, and bacteria. Various condensate types exist throughout biology, and form through phase separation of RNAs and RNA binding proteins. Many RNAs localize to condensates, and current research aims to reveal mechanisms of how specific RNA molecules achieve this localization. Understanding these pathways will improve our comprehension of biomolecular condensates and may provide insight to their alteration in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we investigate a model mechanism of nos-2 mRNA recruitment to P granule condensates in Caenorhabditis elegans. PIE-1 protein has a role in localizing nos-2 mRNA to P granules in C. elegans PGCs.. Whether PIE-1’s contribution to nos-2 localization is attributed to its activity of transcriptional repression or its cytoplasmic RNA binding activity is unclear. We conducted RNA interference (RNAi) and Single-Molecule Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (smFISH) to pinpoint the mechanism of PIE-1 mediated nos-2 mRNA localization during C. elegans embryogenesis. Under the PIE-1 depletion condition, nos-2 remains dispersed throughout the embryo and is seemingly degraded as embryogenesis progresses. Interestingly, RNA polymerase II depletion (via ama-1 RNAi) rescued nos-2 localization in a PIE-1 null mutant. This suggests that PIE-1's role in nos-2's localization to P granules is likely due to its activity as a transcriptional repressor, as PIE-1 protein is not physically required for nos-2 to localize to P granules. Our improved comprehension of the PIE-1/nos-2 mechanism in C. elegans germ line development may present a transferable model applicable to hundreds of P-granule localized mRNAs in C. elegans and other mRNA containing condensates in various biological systems.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Rebekah Zobell
Presenter(s): Rebekah Zobell
Mentors(s): Chad Miller
This study evaluated the efficacy of Expresseed’s algae-derived biostimulant, named “Control”, in promoting increased, favorable branching in ornamental horticultural crops in a greenhouse setting. Four treatments were observed—weekly and bi-weekly applications of “Control”, a competitor’s product (B9+ Florel), and a untreated group—were applied to three crop species. Results showed no significant effect on branching structure across the treatments, suggesting the biostimulant did not outperform the competitor or the untreated in this context.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Alex Holmes
Presenter(s): Alex Holmes
Mentors(s): Maggie Clark
Evidence demonstrates the need for and benefits of engaged initiatives within public health to enhance community wellness and resilience to climate change related threats. However, there is an educational gap regarding engaged learning for students planning to enter the environmental public health workforce. Community engagement as a pedagogical strategy leads to students reporting higher scholastic satisfaction, demonstrating higher academic performance and critical thinking skills, presenting a greater ability to apply course learnings to real-world situations, and possessing enhanced professional skills such as leadership, teamwork, and cultural competence. As a student in an experimental course that was informed by environmental and public health professionals, I will present learning objectives and effectiveness from an undergraduate perspective. The learning objectives I will describe include: (1) appreciate how knowledge of global climate change and health translates to needs and actions in local contexts; (2) recognize a continuum of civic engagement and action and identify models of community engagement; (3) develop an understanding and practice of resilience, cultural humility and critical reflection; (4) understand and practice varying approaches to team science, science communication, civil discourse, and public deliberation. I will discuss strengths, limitations, and personal insights of a new course designed to introduce students to the inherent complexity and challenges of community engagement work and to equip them to participate and learn effectively in this context.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Nicholas Hall, Nathan Pettid
Presenter(s): Nicholas Hall
Mentors(s): Susan Tsunoda
miR-137 is a microRNA (miRNA) that has been found to have regulatory effects in many species, including humans, mice, and Drosophila melanogaster. miR-137 has predominantly been studied for its pathways related to neuronal proliferation and differentiation, and abnormalities in its function have been shown to lead to psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. One newer regulatory pathway that has been identified for miR-137 is in metabolic homeostasis, wherein a depletion of miR-137 leads to starvation resistance and a lack of insulin signaling in D. melanogaster. This pathway of miR-137 activity is relatively understudied, and it is still unknown whether or not environmental factors can regulate miR-137 levels in the brain. This study aims to discover the effect of diet on levels of miR-137 in the heads of D. melanogaster. Diets containing high sugar, protein, and fat, were fed to D. melanogaster, and levels of miR-137 in the heads of these specimens were subsequently analyzed by RT-qPCR.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Khanh Tran, Andrew Bates
Presenter(s): Khanh Tran
Mentors(s): Debbie Crans
Addressing aggressive cancers remains a significant challenge, particularly when tumors are in difficult-to-access locations. Glioblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor, currently has no cure, partly due to its deep-seated location within the brain. Localized treatment strategies, such as intratumoral injections, are gaining traction for their ability to concentrate therapeutic effects while utilizing highly cytotoxic agents. Our group recently proposed key properties for the potential intratumoral therapeutics optimized for this approach, emphasizing the use of reactive metal complexes that rapidly degrade in aqueous environments into non-toxic components. Among these, sterically hindered vanadium(V) Schiff base catecholates stand out as a promising class of compounds characterized by high cytotoxicity but limited stability. The limited stability of this class of compounds requires that all decomposition products are identified and properly characterized. In this work, we investigate the synthesis and characterization by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopies of the suspected intermediary species and make comparisons to the literature.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Caroline Vear
Presenter(s): Caroline Vear
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
Colorado’s moose (Alces alces shirasi) population has grown rapidly since their introduction in 1978, when 24 individuals were transplanted from Utah and Wyoming. With current estimates exceeding 3,000, these large, territorial animals are increasingly coming into contact with people as human development expands into their habitat. This growth has led to a rise in moose-human conflicts, including vehicle collisions, accidental hunting, and unsafe encounters during recreation. These incidents pose serious risks to public safety, wildlife welfare, and public perception, highlighting the need for a proactive management strategy. This proposed Moose Conflict Management Plan seeks to reduce dangerous encounters through a comprehensive approach involving education, regulation, and community collaboration. Key solutions include installing wildlife crossings and road signage, launching educational campaigns on safe moose behavior, updating hunting regulations for species identification, and increasing monitoring through GPS tracking and public reporting. Involvement from Colorado Parks & Wildlife, emergency services, conservation organizations, outdoor users, hunters, and residents is essential to ensure a balanced strategy that promotes both human safety and wildlife conservation. Public engagement through school programs, town halls, and digital outreach will help foster a culture of respect and caution around moose. By addressing current conflict areas and preparing for future challenges, this plan aims to build a sustainable relationship between people and moose across Colorado’s landscapes.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Elizabeth Williams
Presenter(s): Elizabeth Williams
Mentors(s): Juan Belardinelli, Mary Jackson, William Wheat
Due to the rapidly growing amount of drug-resistant non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) which cause an increasing number of pulmonary infections particularly in immunocompromised patients, new methods of treatment must be developed for NTMs. Therefore, the objective of this experiment is to investigate the role of the ozonide OZ439 in stimulating autophagy in human macrophages. The hope is that OZ439 is inducing the autophagy process in macrophages, to help the immune system clear the infection without relying solely on unreliable antibiotics. To visualize autophagy in OZ439 treated macrophages, western immunoblotting is utilized to detect the production of LC3-II as a function of dosage with OZ439 and time after treatment. The expected result is that the treatment of macrophages with OZ439 will be at least partially responsible for the killing of intracellular Mycobacterium abscessus. If this is the case, it is the hope that this approach will minimize the selection of antibiotic-resistant strains which inevitably develop with treatment using suboptimal drugs.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Rose Reiter, Jacob Smoot, Luke Montrose
Presenter(s): Rose Reiter
Mentors(s): Luke Montrose
Hot and dry periods are becoming more commonplace for longer periods of time, increasing the prevalence of wildfires. Higher exposure to wildfire smoke (WFS) is important to consider alongside other air pollutants, particularly in occupational settings such as the agricultural industry. Current literature suggests that there is an important link between air pollution and the reproductive system needing deeper investigation. The C. elegans model is a high throughput, low-cost model that is used to assess air pollution toxicity. We used C. elegans to better understand potential health impacts of agricultural dust (ADE) and WFS mixtures. Lethality and behavioral assays using C. elegans will be used to demonstrate the toxicity of ADE, WFS, and a mixture. WFS from Douglas Fir needles was generated in a combustion chamber at smoldering temperatures and collected onto PTFE filters, then into a solution. ADE was prepared with HBSS and dust from Coloradan feed lots then filtered and measured for experiments. C. elegans were then age synchronized to L4, then transferred to NGM plates containing 100uM FuDR to halt egg hatching. C. elegans were treated with 10, 50, and 100 ug/mL of WFS, ADE, 1:1 mixture, or M9 buffer as a control. Lethality and behavioral assays were conducted after 24hrs then assessed every 24 hours. Behavioral data was collected and analyzed using videos imported to WormLab (MBF Biosciences) and was assessed for activity including speed and body bends. Research is ongoing but aims to provide insight to the brain & reproductive toxicity of WFS and ADE.
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Elizabeth Hazard
Presenter(s): Elizabeth Hazard
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
The American bison (Bison bison) are an iconic wildlife species on the American landscape. They are symbols of the West and of conservation movements and agencies like the National Park Service. The area of Yellowstone National Park has been home to the bison since prehistoric times and became their last refuge when they were hunted to near extinction. However, the reality of the Yellowstone bison is much more conflicted than their romanticized legacy. For park visitors bison are an exciting and iconic aspect of the park, for park management they are an important part of an ecosystem and a wild animal with the potential to harm visitors, and for local ranchers they are the carriers of a disease that is detrimental to their cattle. The conflict between humans and bison is not just a conflict between wildlife and people, but also a dispute between different groups of people with different ideas for management approaches. This project aims to create a conflict management plan, exploring three distinct strategies for reducing conflict: financial/economic tools, physical/practice tools, and social/educational tools.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Wendy Camacho
Presenter(s): Wendy Camacho
Mentors(s): Richard McCosh
Puberty typically begins between 8 and 13 years of age, but Precocious Puberty (PP) occurs when this process starts prematurely, leading to physical and hormonal development. Central Precocious Puberty (CPP), results from the early increased stimulation in the hypothalamus of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), increasing secretion of sex hormones. CPP is more prevalent in females than males, with a 1:4 ratio. The rising global incidence of CPP has driven research into its underlying causes. Key contributors include genetic predisposition, sedentary behavior, gestational weight gain, dietary nutrition, environmental exposures, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as bisphenols, phthalates, and pesticides, has also been linked to earlier pubertal onset. Additionally, ethnic and socioeconomic disparities suggest complex interactions between biological, environmental, and behavioral factors. Long-term consequences of CPP extend into adulthood, impacting breast and ovarian cancer risks, bone health, fertility, and psychological well-being. Despite growing evidence, debates persist regarding the relative influence of each factor and their interactions. This review synthesizes current global research on CPP, highlighting established and emerging risk factors and identifying key gaps for future study in public health, pediatrics, and endocrinology. To complete this review, precocious puberty and CPP were used as key words for source identification. Additionally, a minimum of 12 sources were gathered each source aligned with the above-mentioned underlying factors. Proposed solutions vary due to the varying causes. Collectively more research into early identification and proper resource disbursement to underserved communities will help decrease population prevalence of CPP and respective long-term consequences.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Emmalee Diederichs, Victoria Santana
Presenter(s): Emmalee Diederichs
Mentors(s): Rosalyn Stoa
When new employees (i.e., newcomers) enter an organization, they are likely to experience poor well-being, including stressors, anxiety, confusion, and awkwardness (Slaughter & Zickar, 2006) in addition to being at an increased risk of injury and illness (Bena et al., 2013). Newcomers assimilate into their roles and the organization's culture through socialization (Bauer & Erdogan, 2011). Socialization can be structured (institutionalized) or autonomous (individualized) (Jones, 1986), with structured tactics linked to reduced uncertainty, greater efficacy, and job satisfaction. Historically, research has stressed the importance of socializing newcomers into safety practices. For instance, 40% of all workplace injuries involve employees with less than a year on the job (BLS, 2021). However, the specific impact of socialization on workplace safety outcomes remains underexplored. This research utilizes self-determination theory to explain the relationship between newcomer socialization and adjustment. Furthermore, this study examines organizational support as a moderator between socialization and need satisfaction. Our findings demonstrate that perceived organizational support positively predicted safety voice, perceived safety knowledge, and perceived knowledge of safety policies. POS was only a significant moderator for the relationship between institutionalized socialization and perceived knowledge of safety policies. Additionally, need satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between institutionalized socialization and safety voice and perceived safety knowledge but not perceived knowledge of safety policies. Thus, organizational support benefits newcomers’ perceived knowledge and attitudes toward safety. Managers should prioritize creating structured onboarding procedures that build newcomer autonomy, competence, and relatedness to increase safety knowledge and attitudes.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Jaden Diaz
Presenter(s): Jaden Diaz
Mentors(s): Brian Tracy
Lower limb motor function such as muscle strength, contraction speed, and ambulation is impaired in those with peripheral neuropathy. The purpose was to examine the effect of surgical nerve decompression surgery on ankle muscle function in peripheral neuropathy. Ankle muscle function tests (dorsiflexors, plantarflexors, DF, PF) were conducted on 14 patients (65.6 +/- 9.61 yrs) before and six weeks after surgery to release nerve pressure at entrapment points. Strength (max voluntary force, MVC), contraction speed (rate of force development, RFD), and ambulation speed (timed up and go, TUG) were measured. Overall, MVC force and RFD showed no significant changes in DF or PF. However, significant negative correlations (p<0.05) between pre-surgery MVC and the change in MVC after surgery for the DF (R2=0.46), but not for PF (R2=0.11). Similar negative correlations between the pre-surgery 100 ms RFD and change in RFD after surgery for DF (R2=0.41) and PF (R2=0.58), and between the pre-surgery 200ms RFD and the change in RFD after surgery for DF (R2=0.55) and PF (R2=0.50). TUG performance increased by 8.8% (p=0.016), with slightly greater improvement in those most impaired (R2=0.20, P=0.057). Lower limb nerve decompression surgery did not produce consistent increases in strength, speed, but slightly improved ambulation. However, the results suggest that those with lower function experienced greater improvement.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Hannah Sims
Presenter(s): Hannah Sims
Mentors(s): Brian Tracy
Hands-on exposure to sophisticated quantification of the commonly studied stretch reflex is valuable for learning. However, lab-grade electromyogram (EMG) systems are expensive. Undergraduate students in a lab class compared the stretch reflex (patellar tendon tap) EMG responses from an expensive lab-grade and inexpensive consumer-grade EMG device. Stretch reflex responses were acquired from seven students using two separate EMG systems (lab-grade: ADInstruments, ADI, consumer-grade: Backyard Brains Spikerbox, BYB). Electrode pairs from each system adjacently placed over the rectus femoris muscle. Sixty tendon taps (10 soft, 10 medium, and 10 hard taps during control and Jendrassik maneuver) were performed on each student and the EMG responses were recorded. The root mean square (RMS) values of the EMG responses were correlated (420 pairs of values) between devices for each student. For each student, the 60 pairs of values (control, Jendrassik) were positively linearly correlated between the devices. For the seven students, the R-squared values for the regression between devices were 0.46, 0.85, 0.86, 0.87, 0.90, 0.91, 0.95 (all P< 0.05). The results indicate that the portable, inexpensive consumer-grade EMG system (Backyard Brains, Inc.) is an acceptable alternative to lab-grade equipment for assessing the electrophysiology of the stretch reflex in the teaching lab. Such equipment would increase accessibility for both university and secondary physiology education.
Category: Oral Presentation
Author(s): Magnus Miller
Presenter(s): Magnus Miller
Naturally occurring psychedelics, which are classified in 3 subclasses of 5HT2a agonists of non synthetic origin are produced within over a dozen genera and hundreds of species including Homo sapiens. Indigenous people including but not limited to those of the continents of Africa, America, and Europe have utilized these species for millennia in a pan global tradition of psychedelic influenced spirituality and medicine. These psychedelic producing species have a profound conscious altering effect that shapes our thinking, behavior and religious views. The species containing them are often found in association and close proximity to Homo sapiens and their activities in a mutualistic symbiotic relationship. In agriculture alone one can find many different species of psychedelic plants and fungi. This symbiosis is not only aiding the psychedelic species but also humans in a mutualism that transcends ecology as they are exalted in spiritual and medical practice.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Ashlee Czyz, Halee Wahl, Kaya Tanios
Presenter(s): Ashlee Czyz
Mentors(s): Meagan Todd
Food insecurity, which could be defined as “the lack of regular access to nutritious food due to financial or developmental barriers," is a rapidly growing concern in the United States, with an increasing number of people unable to afford enough food, which results in reducing their meal intake. While it impacts various demographics, college students are particularly vulnerable to this issue. Numerous elements can result in food insecurity among students, from financial struggles that make it difficult to afford adequate meals to limited access to affordable or nutritious food options. At Colorado State University, it is essential to focus on the students facing food insecurity, as this problem is growing worse on campus, to find effective solutions. A factor that could majorly impact food access is the COVID-19 pandemic. This global pandemic negatively influenced the economy and individuals' financial situations and reduced food availability in stores. However, a research gap remains concerning the specific impacts this study aims to address. In addition, human rights are part of the educational system. Nevertheless, it is essential to focus on how experiences impact students' stance on human rights. Hence, it is crucial to explore whether having limited access to food will lead students to consider regular access to food as a fundamental human right more strongly than those with the privilege of never experiencing food insecurity.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Moira Benish-Kingsbury, Evan Bolstad, Kacie Vazquez del Mercado, Matthew Straw, Ralph Eberhard, Ryan Edgar
Presenter(s): Moira Benish-Kingsbury
Mentors(s): Yoichiro Kanno
PIT tags are commonly used in the field of fisheries science to track movement patterns in fish and identify individuals in a study. Identifying the most effective tagging methods and placements will enhance study efficiency and optimize resource allocation. Additionally, the ability to use a slightly larger PIT tag (12mm vs 8mm) allows for a greater detection range by antennae in field studies. The conservation efforts of small-bodied plains fish are increasing; therefore, the value of effective research methodology is relevant to these choices. We compared the retention rate of PIT tags in Semotilus atromaculatus between three trial groups using differing placement locations and methods: abdominally located with scalpel incision, abdominally located with syringe injection, and dorsally located with syringe injection. All entry wounds were treated with a cyanoacrylate adhesive to improve retention and healing rates. 180 fish between the sizes of 90-150 mm (mean length of 120mm) were collected via electrofishing from Spring Creek in Fort Collins, Colorado, and injected with 12mm HDX PIT tags. The fish were then held in trial groups of n = 60 and monitored in a laboratory mesocosm for monitoring over five weeks. We found that the abdominal incision trial group had the highest retention rate, while the dorsally injected trial group had the lowest. The abdominal injection trial group had lower retention than the abdominal incision group, but it did not differ significantly. Small creek chub had higher expulsion rates in the dorsal injection trial group than large creek chub, indicating that size will influence retention using this method.
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Alvina Yeboah
Presenter(s): Alvina Yeboah
Mentors(s): Jenniffer Riley
Traditional medicine is a cornerstone of healthcare in Ghana, plant-based medicine is often the first option that many people choose when considering health care. This study investigates the antimicrobial effects of five traditional Ghanaian medicinal plants prekese (Tetrapleura tetraptera), hwentia (Xylopia aethiopica), neem (Azadirachta indica), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), and alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta) against E.coli. Ethanolic extracts were prepared and infused into agar to assess their ability to inhibit bacterial growth. Bacterial growth was quantified by analyzing colony density and opacity. Preliminary results indicate that certain plant extracts exhibit varying levels of antimicrobial activity, with other treatments leading to visibly reduced bacterial activity. Statistical analysis including descriptive statistics were completed to analyze the trends in the data. These findings highlight the importance and potential of plant-based antimicrobials. Future studies should consider testing additional bacterial strains , refining extraction methods and varying the concentrations of extracts. This research underscores the importance of bridging traditional knowledge with analysis to explore sustainable healthcare solutions for different communities.