Signage for Custer State Park Inspired by the Early 1900s
Presenters: Jadyn Aldrich, Design Arts
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
How can signage for a state park be influenced by a period in time? In this project I wanted to create signage for Custer State Park that is inspired by the period of time that the park was established (1910s-20s). While doing research I found some common themes with signs and typography from that time period and used some of those themes in my own designs. I also wanted my sign design to create a visual history and culture that can be communicated to the audience through the use of type and design.
The Relationship Between Empathy and Charitable Giving
Presenters: Colton Anderson, Information Science & Psychology; Ethan Wondrash, Psychology
Sponsor: Alison Jane Martingano
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
In 2022, U.S. charitable giving reached $319.04 billion, with varying trends across sectors; donations increased to religious and health organizations but declined for other causes. The role of empathy in promoting charitable giving is well-established in literature, yet the specifics of how empathy is related to charitable giving to different types of organizations is less understood. Previous studies have shown that perspective taking and empathic concern can influence the propensity to give to charity. Nonetheless, the relationship between other empathy facets, such as emotion recognition and fantasy, on donation behavior has not been thoroughly explored. We measured participants’ empathy using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), which measures 4 dimensions of empathy: individuals’ tendency to put themselves into fictional situations (Fantasy); adopt other’s points of view (Perspective Taking); feel compassion and sympathy towards others (Empathic Concern); and feel discomfort in reaction to others’ discomfort (Personal Distress). Participants also completed the Reading the Mind’s Eye Task (RMET), an emotion recognition test where participants select the emotion that best describes a set of eyes. Participants were then asked questions relating to their hypothetical donation preferences. This section listed nine different types of charities, including those that combat disease, political parties, and environmental organizations, and asked them how likely they would be to donate to these assuming they have an average income later in life. Participants were undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. 289 participants took part (23.5% men, 75.1% women, 1.4% other genders), the average age of participants was 21.12. From this data we found that empathic concern predicted greater overall charitable giving as well as giving to most types of charitable organizations. However, Perspective Taking, Fantasy, and Personal Distress were not significantly related to overall giving. Notably, RMET performance was negatively correlated with overall giving and particularly giving towards religious and political organizations. It appears therefore that people who are more accurate at perceiving the emotions of others are less likely to give to religious and political organizations. This knowledge may help charitable organizations understand who their donors are likely to be.
The challenges and opportunities in Metropolitan Green Bay
Presenters: Karmen Anderson, Environmental Policy & Planning; Thane Brehmer, Urban Studies; Maren Van Kirk, Environmental Policy & Planning; Sierra Schultz, Environmental Policy & Planning; Sophia White, Environmental Policy & Planning; Jake Puestow, Writing & Applied Arts; Sulamita Koshavenko, Electrical Engineering; Jamil Hackett, Environmental Policy & Planning
Sponsor: Marcelo Cruz
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
A study of changing morphology concerning the following factors: population, housing, employment, policy, and mobility
Neurodivergent People in Work and School
Presenters: Alkimie Andrews, Philosophy and Writing and Applied Arts; Leo Roepcke, Psychology
Sponsor: Stacie Christian
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Neurodivergent people face many struggles in work and school. Currently, in workplaces and colleges, they are underrepresented. Neurodivergent people often have difficulties in both entering (Davies, Heasman, Livesey, Walker, Pellicano, & Remington, 2023) and staying in workplaces (Schuurmans, de Wit, & Bunders-Aelen, 2023). Presently, schools are here to prepare students for college and life in general, therefore, they should be equipped with the proper tools necessary to identify and help neurodivergent students navigate their academic careers. Neurodivergence is a lot more common than many people realize. The label covers many different diagnoses from more well-known labels such as ASD, ADHD, and PTSD, to more common labels that often get dismissed such as depression and anxiety. Analysis and implementation of the various methods derived from many of the studies we used have led to greater success of neurodivergent people in work and school. It is our hope that neurodivergent people of any label can be better understood and supported in these spaces.
Pop Culture Reflection: Examining Feminism in 'Miss Sloane' Through Podcast Discussion
Presenter: Rebbecca Barry, Organizational Leadership
Sponsor: Ann Mattis
Format: Presentation, 10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
This project focuses on the feminist analysis of the 2016 film Miss Sloane, which could be considered feminist media as it highlights the feminist stance within contemporary society. Utilizing the medium of a podcast, I dissect the film's portrayal of feminist ideals, debunk common misconceptions, and highlight gender roles. Through engaging dialogue and critical examination, I showcase the film's significance as a feminist representation in popular culture, using a pop culture medium, a podcast, to discuss gender dynamics and inclusivity.
Exploring Alterations in Intestine Permeability with Estrogen Deficiency
Presenter: Elizabeth Bird, Human Biology
Sponsor: Jennifer Downard
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
Background: More than 1 million women in the US experience menopause each year, marked by major shifts in hormones, including a decline in circulating estrogen. This decline in estrogen levels is associated with several inflammation-related health implications, including an increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, our lab and others have found that a reduction in estrogen signaling in the intestine epithelium results in an increase in intestinal permeability, which has been associated with increased systemic inflammation. The purpose of this study is to determine the mechanism of impaired intestine epithelial barrier when estrogen signaling is blocked. We hypothesize that inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP 9) will protect against the impaired intestine epithelial barrier integrity observed with a decline in estrogen signaling. Methods: Human colorectal adenocarcinoma (CaCo-2; ATCC) cells were grown in 12 mm Transwell® inserts and a 12-well plate for 21 days prior to treatment. All treatment groups received 10 nM estrogen (β-estradiol, or E2; Millipore-Sigma). Additionally, one group was further treated with 10 µM of estrogen receptor inhibitor (ICI 181 780, or ICI, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), and another group was treated with 10 µM ICI and 100 nM of MMP 9 inhibitor (MMP 9 Inhibitor I, or MMP9I, Millipore-Sigma). Protein was extracted from the 12-well plate following treatment, and a Western Blot was run to quantify the tight junction protein junctional adhesion molecule A, or JAM-A. An assay measuring permeability of the fluorescently labeled macromolecule FITC-dextran was utilized to assess epithelial barrier integrity. Results are presented relative to the control group. Results: Estrogen treatment decreases intestinal permeability, likely due, at least in part, to the tight junction protein junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A). When estrogen receptor signaling is inhibited, permeability of the intestine epithelial barrier is increased, and JAM-A levels decrease. These results are in agreement with previous work in our lab and others. MMP9I inhibition in our model has resulted in variable results from permeability assays, with 24 hours of treatment with the MMP9I inhibitor resulting in an increase in permeability, while 48 hours of treatment with the inhibitor has resulted in a decrease in permeability. Preliminary findings suggest that 24 hours of treatment with the MMP9I inhibitor also results in a decrease in JAM-A expression. Therefore, the impact of MMP9I inhibition in our model is currently inconclusive and requires further exploration. Conclusions: Our results confirm previous findings that estrogen signaling is protective of the intestine epithelial barrier integrity. The variability of our findings with MMP9I inhibition suggests a dose-response experiment is needed to determine the optimal dosing of the MMP9I inhibitor. This work is currently underway. Understanding the mechanism(s) by which a decline in estrogen results in an impaired intestine epithelial barrier is important in understanding how nutrients or food components might be protective for postmenopausal women.
Playful Pottery
Presenter: Holly Broder, Design Arts
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Art display, 1 - 3 p.m.
Introducing art to younger audiences has been proven to vastly improve their cognitive skills, problem-solving abilities, and academic performance. I aim to address the question of "how can I encourage a more hands-on and creative environment for a younger audience?" I'm designing a brand for a pottery studio that is geared towards helping kids express their creativity and explore a form of art that is not typically available for younger ages. Throughout this project, I plan on showcasing the information through a poster and website.
Under the Anxious Spotlight: Exploring Moral Self-Licensing in the Shadow of Anxiety
Presenters: Camden Caswell, Psychology; Rene Houston, Psychology
Sponsor: Jason Cowell
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
Moral behaviors and cognitions are critical for effective social interaction and are a key element of group-based living. When individuals make multiple, rapid moral decisions, an effect will be seen where the degree to which people partake in morally questionable behaviors in the future will be directly affected by how much they initially partake in virtuous acts (Mukherjee & Hayes, 2018). This effect, known as moral self-licensing (MSL) refers to the phenomenon where individuals who have engaged in a virtuous act subsequently allow themselves to engage in morally questionable behaviors (Monin & Jordan, 2009). However, moral cognition does not occur in a vacuum, absent the mental health of the individual. Anxiety and depression alter several aspects of self-concept, including self-esteem and self-compassion (Kertz & Nezlek, 2014). Differences in self-esteem and self-compassion have been directly linked to differences in the expression of self-serving bias, a key factor inhibited in other-oriented moral cognition (Campbell & Sedikide, 1999). The goal of the present study is to illustrate the impact of mental health on moral decision-making and self-licensing. The present study hypothesizes that individuals high in anxious traits will express a decreased MSL effect than the general population due to decreased self-esteem and self-compassion. In the present study, participants (n=100+) are in the process of being recruited from a midsized Midwestern university. They will begin by participating in a trivia game called Freerice that helps make a difference for people around the world by raising food to fight world hunger for every correctly answered question. Participants are asked to spend a minimum of five minutes playing this game before continuing in the survey. They will then be asked to report how much time they spent playing said game. Participants will then complete in variant of a spot-the-difference game (Speer, Smidts & Boksem, 2020). To measure lying and cheating, they will then be asked to report the number of differences they have spotted, being told that each trial contains three differences. Finally, participants will complete the Beck Anxiety and Depression inventories. The IRB has already been approved for this study and pilot data collection has been completed. 100 participants are expected to be collected before March 1. It is expected that, due to a decrease in overall self-concept, participants who score higher on the Beck Anxiety inventory will express a reduced MSL effect when making multiple moral decisions.
Romantic Period Culture and Its Significance to Modern Day Culture
Presenter: Corinne Charapata, History
Sponsor: Mark Karau
Format: Presentation, 11:10 - 11:25 a.m.
For my Independent Study, I have chosen to research the Romantic Period and its culture including music, art, and novels. Over the course of the nineteenth century there was a struggle amongst people who wanted to modernize and to keep traditions. This rise in a need for tradition as the world continued to modernize, sparked what is known as the Romantic Movement. The romantic movement and its culture were very significant and reflected the ideas and values of many people during the nineteenth century that we can still see referenced today. Through artistic minds like Richard Wagner, Caspar David Friedrich, and Ivan Turgenev, the idea of traditional values and natural beauty spread far across the world.
Project Self-Help and Awareness and Student's Understanding of Rural Discrimination 1983 -1986
Presenter: Corinne Charapata, History
Sponsor: Lisa Lamson
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Project Self Help and Awareness was a student exchange program in which students from the University of Oshkosh - Wisconsin would travel to impoverished black communities in Mississippi starting in the 1960s through the early 2000s. While on the Project Self Help and Awareness trip, students would encounter rural discrimination through the farming occupation and food availability. It is through this trip that many were able to understand the true hardships that the southern black community were facing.
Mitigating AI Obtrusivity and AI Concerns
Presenter: Krystin Clemo, Business Administration
Sponsor: Gaurav Bansal
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
The emergence of AI drives enterprises across various industries to fundamentally rethink their products and business models, and companies strategically position themselves to fully capitalize on the evolving opportunities presented by the developments in this area. However, integrating AI into organizational processes, encompassing tasks from simple, repetitive functions to complex, skilled operations, raises concerns about job loss, increased job complexity, surveillance and security, among others. Our study shows that open communication is important in addressing employees' concerns and reactance to an organization's AI system implementation. In this research, we employed an experimental survey design and collected data from MTurk respondents. The findings show that open communication negatively impacts the AI system's perceived obtrusiveness, associated with three AI-related concerns that positively impact reactance towards the AI system implementation in an organization. Theoretical, practical, and social implications are discussed.
Queer Optimism in Oscar Wilde's "The Fisherman and His Soul"
Presenter: Kana Coonce; Writing and Applied Arts
Sponsor: Rebecca Nesvet
Format: Prerecorded lightning talk
With my Digital Humanities classmates, I created a digital critical edition of Oscar Wilde's “The Fisherman and His Soul,” a fairy tale written by Oscar Wilde and published in 1890. Here I will share my contribution, a major part of the Editorial Introduction. A gay man who was later prosecuted for his identity, Wilde held unconventional beliefs (and alluded to them frequently) in his works. “Fisherman” was an attempt to pass his socially maligned wisdom, which he believed to reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ - that of being true to one's heart and accepting others who do the same - down to his children. “Fisherman” ends in tragedy for its main character, but its message is ultimately a hopeful one about the power of true love, no matter its form, and human nature." To find out more, read UWGB's edition when it goes live.
The Milwaukee School Board and MUSIC: Desegregating Milwaukee Schools
Presenter: Trinity Cottrell, English and Writing & Applied Arts
Sponsor: Lisa Lamson
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
A poster detailing how the Milwaukee United School Integration Committee (MUSIC) attempted to integrate public schools across Milwaukee, and the resistances they faced, backdropped against wider attempts at integrating schools across the nation.
Employment Challenges for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Presenters: Megan Dobner, Human Resource Management; Noah Oltmanns, Business Management; Mia Laufer, Human Resource Management; Hannah Baker, Human Resource Management
Sponsor: Allen Huffcutt
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Individuals who are neurodiverse continue to face employment challenges, with an unemployment rate that is eight times the national average (University of Connecticut Center for Neurodiversity and Employment Innovation, 2022). A significant part of the problem is a lack of understanding by companies of the unique skillsets these individuals can provide. One of the most common neurodiversity profiles is autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is characterized by a persistent deficit in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts (DSM-V, American Psychiatric Association). For the sake of parsimony, we focus on ASD and leave other profiles (e.g., ADHD) for another time. The purpose of this study is to gather employment-related information from those in the general public with ASD to better understand the challenges and barriers they face when seeking and starting new employment. Such information can then be utilized by both companies and ASD individuals to find matches that benefit both parties. We will post a Qualtrics survey on Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) to gather data from individuals who: 1) have a professional medical diagnosis of ASD, 2) are currently working or who have been so in the past, and 3) are 18 years of age or older. Our survey consists of two distinct parts. First, we gather information on challenges they face trying to find employment, such as finding face-to-face interviews to be problematic given their difficulties with social interaction. Second, we solicit feedback about their preferences regarding onboarding practices once they are hired to ensure that their employment begins on a positive note. We anticipate that participants will report considerable difficulty with face-to-face interviews, which are a universal component of virtually all modern selection systems (Ryan & Ployhart, 2014). Fortunately, there are alternatives companies can utilize such as asynchronous formats, in which candidates respond to questions posed via non-interactive mediums (e.g., written, recorded interviewer) and then enter their responses online. Similarly, we anticipate that participants will express preferences for onboarding systems that have reduced interpersonal contact (e.g., explanation of benefits via a PowerPoint). Much can be done to help individuals with ASD to find and keep meaningful employment. Changes to the current selection systems and onboarding practices provide an important step in that direction.
May The Feminism Be With You: A Feminist Analysis of Star Wars the Original Trilogy
Presenter: Camilla Doherty, English (Creative Writing) & Writing and Applied Arts
Sponsor: Ann Mattis
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
Social norms and expectations are learned through institutions such as popular culture and our exposure to the messages presented in its media. The Star Wars franchise is one of the most recognized names in pop culture. Since its release in the 1970s, this franchise has gone through multiple evolutions which have added to its initial message and story. This project aims to analyze the messages in the three original Star Wars films through the Bechdel test, the Russo test, and the Duvernay test. The analysis highlights the ways in which the films challenge, and often reinforce, gender, sexual, and racial ideologies that promote oppressive systems in our society.
Paws and Reflect: Pet Ownership's Correlation with Empathic Abilities
Presenters: Maddie Fischer, Psychology; Makenna Bisch, Psychology
Sponsor: Alison Jane Martingano
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
This study examines the correlation between pet ownership and empathy, using performance-based measures and questionnaires. Results suggest pet owners may have improved emotion recognition, necessitating further research to explore causation.
Benefits of Joining Student Organizations in College
Presenter: Annelise Frank, Design Arts
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Art display
An infographic to showcase the different benefits of joining student organizations in college. Information gathered from various UWGB students who are active in multiple different student organizations.
Macrofungi Diversity Study Associated with Oak Trees at Wequiock Creek Natural Area: A preliminary investigation and record of the fungal community
Presenters: Haillee Fritsch, Environmental Science
Sponsor: Lisa Grubisha
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Fungi are integral components of ecosystems and have critical roles in decomposition of plant and animal biomass, and biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Mycorrhizal fungi provide plants with essential nutrients through intimate root symbioses. Many fungi are a nutritious food source for insects and animals. Estimates suggest there are about 1.4 million species of fungi that are yet to be discovered and identified worldwide. Brown County has limited data concerning fungal communities. The purpose of this study is to investigate fungal communities associated with native oak trees (e.g., Quercus alba, Q. macrocarpa, and Q. rubra) in the Wequiock Creek Natural Area. A photographic and specimen inventory of observed fungus fruiting bodies (i.e., mushrooms) was conducted in June to October 2023. Fifteen oak trees were tagged as the center point for the 20 m diameter survey sites on the property which were surveyed twice throughout the growing season. In total, 308 fungal collections were made, though some species were collected more than once across the plots. Fruiting bodies were collected for microscopy identification and Sanger DNA sequencing for species verification. DNA sequences were compared to the public fungal database at the National Center of Biotechnology Information. Statistical analysis will determine the significance of phylogenetic divergence at each survey site, along with spatial analysis of family and order across the property. Once the study is completed, all collections will be added to the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay Fewless Herbarium. This research will contribute to our understanding of fungal biodiversity in native oak forests in northeast Wisconsin and provide important information for ecosystem management.
Increasing accessibility in social marketing for Spanish-speaking communities
Presenter: Samantha Glad; Design Arts, Spanish and Latin American Studies
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Art display, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
I am exploring how to localize and clearly convey social marketing messages rooted in English to Latinx communities. I focused on subjects that this community would benefit from if given more accessibility. For example the Sleep in Heavenly Peace organization that builds and delivers beds to children in need. I saw a problem that this resource has little to no Latinx public relations, even though a high demographic under the poverty line is solely Spanish Speaking. My research involved the exploration of the culture and visual communication trends currently happening in Latin American Countries. This informed my designs of using texture as text, using bright colors in simple designs, and localizing imagery to something that the target audience can relate to. I also explored the cultural nuances of the specific topics I was working with in social marketing, since my current module in my Spanish translation practicum is focused on graphic advertising translations.
The Positive Correlation Between Executive Functioning and Emotional Intelligence in Middle Childhood
Presenters: Isabelle Haase, Psychology; Morgan Kryzanek
Sponsor: Sawa Senzaki
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between executive function and emotional knowledge in middle childhood. Specifically, we examined the set-shifting component of EF and children's ability to take perspectives among 5- to 9-year-olds. A previous study examined the relationship between executive function and empathy in adolescents (Marion et al., 2023). They found that the working memory component of EF was related to two aspects of empathy, the ability to take another person's perspectives and demonstrating interpersonal concern for another person; however, inhibition and set-shifting components of EF were only related to the ability to take perspectives and not interpersonal concern. Furthermore, Spataro and colleagues found a positive correlation between children's EF performance on emotion understanding tests, language skills tests, and nonverbal intelligence (2023). In a meta-analysis study, Hong and colleagues (Hong et al., 2019) found that EF was significantly positively correlated to emotional empathy. In their follow-up analysis, they found further evidence that EF is more closely related to cognitive empathy rather than affective empathy. Cognitive empathy refers to the perception and understanding of another's emotions, whereas affective empathy refers to how the person feels in relation to the actions of others. In our study, we measured the degree to which higher executive functioning would predict higher emotional knowledge. Middle childhood was exclusively explored because this age group has not been fully explored in previous studies. We hypothesize that children ages 5 to 9 with higher executive functioning skills will have a more expansive emotional knowledge. We plan to collect data from 30 children ages 5 to 9. For the executive functioning task, we will use the Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) task (Reference), in which children are shown cards in different shapes and colors and asked to sort the cards based on the rule that changes through the trial. In the emotional knowledge task, children are shown a video with two characters engaging in prosocial or antisocial actions. Children are asked to identify how the characters would feel in the situations. We are currently collecting data, and are at 25 participants. We plan to be done by the beginning of December. We will use a regression analysis to test our hypothesis. References Mairon, N., Abramson, L., Knafo-Noam, A., Perry, A., & Nahum, M. (2023). The relationship between empathy and executive functions among young adolescents. Developmental Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0001639.supp (Supplemental) Spataro, P., Morelli, M., Pirchio, S., Costa, S., & Longobardi, E. (2023). Exploring the relations of executive functions with emotional, linguistic, and cognitive skills in preschool children: Parents vs. teachers reports. European Journal of Psychology of Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-023-00749-7 Yan, Z., Hong, S., Liu, F., & Su, Y. (2019). A meta-analysis of the relationship between empathy and executive function. PsyCh Journal, 9(1), 34-43. https://doi.org/10.1002/pchj.311
What Hinders Hispanic Student's Academic Success in Higher Education?
Presenters: Bailey May Himebaugh, Master of Social Work; Adan Cordova, Human Biology
Sponsor: Stacie Christian
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
After conducting focus groups to explore the challenges faced by Hispanic students in higher education, we have identified various barriers hindering their entry and retention in academic settings. These challenges include language barriers, as many Hispanic students may face difficulties navigating college life due to limited English proficiency; being first-generation students, they lack familial guidance and familiarity with the higher education system, exacerbating feelings of uncertainty and isolation; socioeconomic disparities further impede their access to resources and support, hindering academic success; a lack of cultural representation on campus contributes to feelings of alienation and a lack of belonging, particularly in predominantly white institutions (PWIs); additionally, insufficient support structures such as campus tours, academic advisors, and professors who speak their language compound these challenges. Building upon this understanding, our research aims to explore current proposals for institutional interventions to address these multifaceted obstacles. Drawing from existing research, we emphasize the psychological and emotional impact of microaggressions experienced by Hispanic students, particularly in PWIs, where feelings of imposter syndrome prevail. We propose that institutions can mitigate these hurdles by fostering an inclusive environment that promotes a sense of belonging. Proposed interventions include the establishment of institutional resources such as dedicated centers and mentorship programs, encouraging familial involvement, nurturing community-based support networks, and advocating for systemic changes to address barriers like access to quality education and socioeconomic disparities. By prioritizing morphing current colleges into Hispanic Serving Institutions equipped with a campus climate tailored to the needs of Hispanic students, institutions can empower them to succeed academically and personally, contributing to a future that has an equitable higher education landscape.
A Feminist Stance: Crush
Presenter: Madalyn Hocevar, Psychology
Sponsor: Ann Mattis
Format: Virtual poster
An analysis of the movie Crush, using the Bechdel, Russo, and Duvernay tests to analyze gender, sexual identity, and racial diversity in the film.
The Hidden Design History of UW-Green Bay
Presenter: Kayla Kelling, Design Arts
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Art display
In collaboration with The Archives department on the UW-Green Bay campus, this visual collage reveals the visual history, and hidden history, of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. From the logos and buildings, to the activities that are only heard about through word of mouth, current UW-Green Bay students are able to see the evolution their campus went through to become the history-making university it is today.
Lake Sturgeon Larval Production in the Upper Menominee River
Presenter: Lauren Klawiter, Biology & Aquatic Ecology
Sponsor: Patrick Forsythe
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Lake sturgeon larval drift has been studied extensively over the past 20 years, with several key areas of spawning activity not being evaluated. In this study, we evaluate larval lake sturgeon drift dynamics in the Grand Rapids portion of the Menominee River due to the translocation of adult lake sturgeon into this section. This study was to determine the chronology of larval drift over three years, estimate total larval production and determine where the bulk of larvae originate with respect to the dam powerhouse and spill gates. Previous reports and anecdotal evidence suggest adult lake sturgeon migrate upstream spawning below the Grand Rapids Dam Powerhouse and spillways. Limited amounts of larval production have been confirmed with inter-annual variations not being explored. Observation of adult spawning activity within this location is challenging and limited. Predictions of life history events must be made using a range of documented environmental queues/conditions. Water temperature, river discharge and lunar illumination were monitored and used to predict lake sturgeon spawning, successive larval development and outmigration. Sampling in 2020 and 2021 provided contrasting river conditions of water temperatures and discharge. Water temperature reached 10℃ on May 2, 2020, with confirmation of larval drift 24 days later. Water temperature reached 10℃ on April 7, 2021, with confirmation of larval drift 41 days later. A total of 985 and 9,563 larvae were collected in 2020 and 2021. Annual larval production ranged from 15,317 to 73,592. Most larvae were collected from the Wisconsin portion of the river downstream from the spillways. Calculation of observed larval development provided a range of potential spawn dates and provides further evidence of the predictability of spawning events. Despite highly variable environmental conditions the timing of larval drift was consistent and confined to a 12-day window (May 17- June 02) for both years.
Spider Survey using Pitfall Traps in Kingfisher Farm
Presenter: Chris Koch, Master's in Environmental Science and Policy
Sponsor: Michael Draney
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Kingfisher Farm is a natural area that is owned by UW Green Bay in Manitowoc County. It has a spot of forest that was never cleared cut for lumber or farmland, includes a part of Point Creek, and has a beach on Lake Michigan. A spider survey is being done to decide what species live on the property. The pitfall traps revealed 25 different species from 6 different families.
Differentiating between Highly Sociable Introverts and the General Introvert Population
Presenters: Mia Laufer, Human Resource Management; Hannah Baker, Human Resource Management; Megan Dobner, Human Resource Management; Noah Oltmanns, Management
Sponsor: Allen Huffcutt
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
Paul Costa and Robert McCrae's personality structure, The Big Five, identifies five primary personality traits: Openness to Experience (alternatively labeled Open-Mindedness Openness to Experience), Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN). Extraversion is perhaps the most well-known trait. Those who possess the extraversion trait are often characterized as being social, assertive, and high-energy. The term 'personality' is derived from the Latin word persona, which in ancient times, was a mask worn by an actor that conveyed a specific type of person or emotion (Cherry, 2023). Although introverts are generally shy, there may be situations where some of them can 'put on a mask' so-to-speak and appear highly extroverted for a limited time, and then recluse themselves to recharge. This distinguishes them from extraverts (who are energized by social situations). More specifically, these individuals are introverted as a trait, but have developed the capability to appear extraverted as a state. This concept of 'highly sociable introverts' (HSI's) is not captured in modern personality tests. The ability to identify HSI's, has important implications in many contexts, including the selection of new employees in business and industry. We developed a Qualtrics survey that begins by giving participants the 60-item Big Five Inventory by Soto and John. The BFI-2 provides a means to distinguish at a general level between introverts and extraverts. Subsequently, we created two scenarios involving public speaking, with follow-up questions to help differentiate HSI's from other introverts. We hope to develop a reliable means to distinguish 'highly sociable introverts' (HSI's) from other introverts, which as mentioned earlier, has important implications in many contexts. Consider the hiring of information technology (IT) workers, who generally run introverted. The HSI's among them could be considered for either supervisor positions or ones where presentations must occasionally be made to company management.
Two Traditional Clothes
Presenter: Kia Lo, Design Arts
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Art display, 1 - 3 p.m.
These images are sharing my traditional clothes as a Hmong woman. The project is a mixed media poster with four pictures of a mix of four garments. Many different styles represent which region a person is from, and these other regions define what kind of person they are. In my family, there are four. Three traditional clothes are from the women who married into the family, and one of the four is the men's family clothes that will be given to the women by the men's side.
Illustrated Guidebook of Common Wisconsin Invasive Species
Presenter: Katina Mader, Design Arts
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Art display, 1 - 3 p.m.
Can illustrations help intrigue people to learn more about invasive plants in Wisconsin? Current educational materials based on invasive plant species are extremely plain and outdated. With more appealing illustrations and a unique design, individuals will be more drawn to learning about invasive plant species. Using research about the top eight most commonly found invasive plant species in Wisconsin, this guidebook describes through digital illustrations and descriptions what each plant looks like and the effects they have.
Physiological Synchrony in Parent-Child Dyads Across Cultures
Presenter: Veronica Mason, Psychology
Sponsor: Sawa Senzaki
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
Physiological synchrony is thought to play an important role in a child's transition from infancy through adolescence (Armstrong-Carter et al., 2021). While there are numerous studies investigating parent-child dyadic interaction, findings on physiological synchrony are mixed depending on different tasks used (Hu et al., 2021). Furthermore, most research has focused on examining this in one population. The purpose of this study is to examine cultural differences in cardiac variations in young children from the United States and Japan while interacting with their parents. We will measure respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) as the index of physiological synchrony. Within the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), RSA is the typical variation in heart rate intervals across respiration, and its regulation is a foundation for adequate social functioning (Suveg et al., 2017). Although the evidence from previous research is limited, it is believed that the quality of co-regulation impacts dyadic synchrony shown in changes in RSA (Armstrong-Carter et al., 2021). When considering types of cultures, one key facet includes self-concept. Western societies, such as the United States, are characterized as individualistic and self-interest is the primary concern. On the other hand, East Asian societies, such as Japan, are distinguished as interdependent and there is an emphasis on group. Based on these cultural differences, we hypothesize that Japanese parent-child dyads will demonstrate a higher rate of physiological synchrony than US-American dyads. In the present study, we developed a moral story task to examine parent-child physiological synchrony. In the moral story task, the child and parent are presented with four stories, and in each story one of the two characters is engaging in prosocial or antisocial actions. For example, a character is sharing food (i.e., prosocial) or a character is pushing another kid (i.e., antisocial). While they are presented with each story, the dyad is instructed to imagine the child is playing the role of the protagonist and talk about the situation. During this discussion, we utilized a BIOPAC (BIOPAC Systems, Inc.) system to collect the RSA data from parents and children. We completed our data collection in Japan (n=24 dyads), and we are currently collecting data in the U.S. (current n = 25) with children ages 5-8 and their parents. We plan to collect data from 25 parent-child dyads in the U.S. by the beginning of December. We plan to use the r studio to conduct concurrent and time-lagged synchrony analysis.
Exploring Bee Medicine: A Comprehensive Study for Veterinary Applications
Presenter: Adam Joseph McCabe, Animal Biology & Pre-Veterinary
Sponsor: Amy Wolf
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
The decline of bee populations globally poses significant threats to ecosystems and agriculture (Osterman et al. 2021). As pollinators, bees are vital to sustaining biodiversity and food production. Yet, they face numerous health challenges, including diseases, parasites, and environmental stressors. This proposed senior thesis aims to investigate bee medicine, focusing on its potential applications in veterinary science. By examining bee health, the project seeks to draw parallels and derive insights applicable to veterinary medicine. I am a pre-veterinarian student interested in expanding my knowledge and skill sets as I prepare for a career as a veterinarian.
Regulation of TXNIP by Cholecystokinin Signaling in Pancreatic Beta-Cells
Presenters: Nikki Messick, Human Biology, emphasis in Health Science; Kaleb Voight, Human Biology and Biology; Aashvi Pandey, Human Biology, emphasis Health Science
Sponsor: Carly Kibbe
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
A hallmark of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is hyperglycemia due to the combined effects of peripheral insulin resistance and a decline in pancreatic beta-cell function. An often-overlooked aspect of T2DM is the increase in beta-cell apoptosis which contributes to the loss of functional beta-cell mass. Previous studies have identified a positive correlation between thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) expression and beta-cell dysfunction. It is known that TXNIP amplifies apoptotic rates in the beta-cells under high glucose conditions by inhibiting the activity of the antioxidant protein thioredoxin. Exenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has been found to inhibit TXNIP expression in the INS-1 beta-cell line. Further, previous research has shown the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK), stimulated by GLP-1, has a protective effect on beta-cells under stress conditions. The mechanisms by which CCK protects beta-cells from apoptosis are not yet understood. We hypothesize that CCK is responsible for the inhibitory effects of GLP-1 signaling on TXNIP. To investigate this, we exposed INS-1 beta-cells to high (25 mM) glucose with or without CCK (100 nM) and analyzed TXNIP expression through rtPCR and western blot. The results revealed no change in TXNIP mRNA or protein levels in INS-1 cells exposed to CCK compared to vehicle-treated cells. These data suggest CCK does not alter TXNIP expression levels under high glucose conditions, however, it is unknown if TXNIP activity is changed. In future experiments, we plan to measure TXNIP activity in cells exposed to CCK under high glucose conditions through cellular localization and pull-down assays.
The Stigma of Mental Health: A Rhetorical Analysis
Presenters: Kari Neckuty, Psychology; Justin Schumacher, Public Administration; Jessica McEwen, RN to BSN; Rachel Weber, Environmental Policy & Planning
Sponsor: Roshelle Amundson
Format: Pre-recorded presentation
This multimedia research project and presentation focused on bringing awareness to the stigma of mental health issues. By examining different rhetorical artifacts, we were able to show the frailty of a historically steadfast, staunch, or resolute personae and contrast that with the realities of the disease. While the analyses of these artifacts falls under the persuasive framework, it was also our goal to illustrate that mental illness can affect anybody-- and that no one has to do it alone.
Wisconsin Pardon Trends from the Late 1980s to the Early 2000s
Presenter: Emily Nelson, History
Sponsor: Jillian Jacklin
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
In 1994, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, commonly known as the 1994 Crime Bill, was passed. The bill influenced the carceral system not only on the federal level, but also on the state level. One way this can be seen in the Wisconsin legal system is through the change in pardon trends. Prior to 1994, Governor Tommy Thompson was granting pardons, but once the 1994 Crime Bill passed, it came to a halt. After 1995, Thompson resumed granting pardons. This research examines changes in what was and was not granted pardons using 1994 and 1995 pardon denials as indicators of change.
Camelot Coffee Co-company branding
Presenter: Abigail Neubauer, Design Arts
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Art display, 1 - 3 p.m.
A concept of a coffee brand that puts you in an idyllic state of happiness. The project includes developing the visual brand and identity to align with people who need a quiet place of happiness without being bothered. Along with the identity, creating and branding company products or inventory.
Conceptual Design of a Multi-Purpose Single Stair Lift System for Home
Presenters: Jayson Ortiz, Mechanical Engineering; Brandon Barth, Mechanical Engineering; Jordan Sailer, Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor: Md Rasedul Islam
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
Stair lifting has always been a challenge for individuals with mobility impairment. To facilitate their movement, in this research, we introduce a novel conceptual design of a multi-purpose single stair lift system tailored for home use, highlighting versatility, simplicity, and inclusivity. Beyond aiding individuals with mobility challenges, the proposed system integrates additional features to facilitate the transportation of objects, thereby reducing the risk of injury. Emphasizing both upward and downward movements on staircases at a moderate speed, the system addresses potential mobility barriers and enhances accessibility within residential environments. Through envisioned easy-to-install kits, this innovative solution aims to cater not only to individuals with mobility challenges but also to users seeking a safe and efficient means of object transport. The concept underscores simplicity in design, requiring minimal components for installation, maintenance, and removal, thereby making it an appealing option for potential users, including homeowners and renters.
Genetic mapping of the bang sensitive-1 fly mutant
Presenters: Esther Oswald, Human Biology; Jack Burgess, Human Biology
Sponsor: Douglas Brusich
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
The bang sensitive-1 mutant (bas1) is one of the earliest discovered seizure-prone fruit fly mutants originally identified in 1973. The bas1 mutant is noted for bang sensitive seizures elicited after mechanical agitation and heat-induced seizures. However, the specific gene responsible for this mutant behavior has never been identified, though it has been mapped to X:12F2 to X:13C3 region of the X-chromosome. We utilized a genetic complementation screen in which we combined bas1 with defined X-chromosome deficiencies. We then assayed control, bas1, and bas1/deficiency animals for seizure activity via larval electroshock and adult bang testing methods. We found only Df(1)ED7289 failed to complement bas1 by larval electroshock, indicating it is most likely to contain the bas1 gene. We were able to further focus to the right arm of this deficiency because the Df(1)BSC310 deficiency overlaps with the rest of Df(1)ED7289, but did not result in seizure behavior with bas1. Adult bang sensitive tests similarly confirmed the importance of the Df(1)ED7289 region for the bas1 seizure behavior. Future directions include complementation testing of bas1 with the five genes located within our refined region of interest.
Feminist Pop culture poetry project from Gender Studies 203
Presenter: Soleil Paul; Rising Phoenix
Sponsor: Ann Mattis
Format: Presentation, 10:50 - 11:05 a.m.
I will be reading 7 poems that deal with the topics of social construction of gender, privilege/oppression, and intersectionality from a feminist standpoint. These poems were born from an assignment in a Gender Studies course I took over seven weeks—more specifically, an assignment with the task of representing terms and concepts we were learning in our own creative way.
International Relations in East Asia
Presenter: Jake Piontek, Political Science
Sponsor: Alise Coen
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
In this project I examine the major powers, actors and issues shaping East Asian international relations since 2001. In addition to government actors from within and outside the region, I show how intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other aspects of civil society operating within and across borders impact economic and security policies as well as possibilities of continued social and cultural change.
Threads of the Past: How Research Informs a Work of Creative Nonfiction
Presenter: Kephren Pritchett, Writing and Applied Arts
Sponsors: Tara Da Pra and Debra Anderson
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
The project is a work of creative nonfiction combining the genres of biography and memoir, drawing on my memories and understanding of my life experiences to understand those of my subject, Daniel Howard Cohen. The primary source of my research is a collection of Daniel Cohen's papers accessed at the UWGB archives. The collection includes personal journals, FBI files, and the falsified identity documents Cohen used to evade the FBI. The journals recount Cohen's experiences as a gay man living in San Francisco and other cities on the West Coast in the 1970s. The result of my research is an essay titled "Self-Acceptance," which explores the themes of gender and sexual identity, trauma and resilience, and self-expression through the clothes that we wear.
Effects of Biodegradable Aerogel Insulation in High-Powered Rocketry
Presenter: Ellyssa Purdy, Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor: Jagadeep Thota
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Current flight configurations of high-powered rockets require lightweight materials to protect payloads and flight avionics. These rockets contain single-use parts comprised of nylon, polystyrene, and other non-biodegradable materials that harm soils and ecosystems upon disposal. This study determines the efficiency of flight avionics within high-powered rockets when enclosed by a biodegradable and compostable aerogel composite utilized for insulating applications. In pursuit of maximizing flight duration, the rocket undergoes optimization procedures. This involves utilizing computer-aided design (CAD) modeling techniques coupled with numerical flight simulation and graphical programs. These modeling and analysis methods allow the systematic exploration of flight configurations to ultimately enhance flight performance and the design of propulsion and recovery systems. During flight, the Internal Data Acquisition System (IDAS) will monitor the pressure, temperature, and humidity within the avionics bay, while the flight avionics will record the external counterparts. The findings of the experiment are dependent on the degrees of variation observed in comparisons between predicted and actual flight performance as well as internal and external parameter datasets. Proportional degrees of variation indicate that optimization of aerogel composite properties promotes enhancements in flight avionics performance. Alternatively, the degrees of variation possess an inversely proportional relationship. On the one hand, minimal environmental variation effectively maintains flight avionics but functions solely as a water barrier between the payload and environment. On the other hand, an excessive variation adversely impacts flight avionics but provides stable internal conditions for payloads. An optimal balance is achieved when the efficiency of flight avionics controls is maintained while protecting the payload from environmental variance. The impact of the aerogel composite on flight avionics efficiency highlights the benefits biodegradable and compostable aerogel materials have in the aerospace industry, mitigating the harmful effects of current single-use, non-biodegradable plastics.
Shakey Lakes stream biomonitoring: How to refine it?
Presenter: Chaima Rabhi, Environmental Science
Sponsor: Jessica Warwick
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
Aquatic invertebrates are frequently used for biological monitoring, or “biomonitoring" due to their differing sensitivities to chemical pollution and physical disturbances. To assess the health of streams in the Shakey Lakes region of the upper peninsula, the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) organized a citizen led macroinvertebrate sampling program beginning in 2007 and continuing to the present. The purpose of our research is to refine previously established sampling methods given declining community engagement in the monitoring program to save time, effort and cost. Historically, eight sites in the Shakey Lakes region were monitored annually. Samples were collected by local volunteers. Classifying, identifying and storing the collected samples were responsibilities of the students and staff of UW-Marinette, now UW-Green Bay. Analysis of invertebrate communities was conducted using Excel and PC-ORD software. Our preliminary results show that spring community samples had a higher richness than fall samples suggesting that the sampling program can be reduced to spring only collection events. Additionally, some streams exhibit similar species composition indicating that fewer streams can be sampled moving forward.
White Supremacy's Role in Spreading Fear and Hate: Vel Phillips and the Fair Housing Movement in Milwaukee
Presenter: Kiley Rusch, History
Sponsor: Lisa Lamson
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
White residents of Milwaukee opposed the Fair Housing Movement of 1967 by spreading fear and hate through the use of letters sent to Vel Phillips. In these letters violence impacted the Civil Rights Movement in Milwaukee through the use of slurs and references to violence. By highlighting the language employed by individuals in and outside of Wisconsin, the letters provide evidence of how the general population felt about the Civil Rights Movement and how their white privilege should be protected. These findings underscore the resistance from white residents in Milwaukee against the 1967 Fair Housing Movement. Through the dispersal of fear and hate-filled letters addressed to Vel Phillips, opponents aimed to hinder progress. Despite the vitriol, the Fair Housing Marches endured for more than 200 consecutive days in Milwaukee, bringing about significant positive change to the city following the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 which prohibited discrimination on the sale, rental or financing based on race, religion, national origin and sex.
Exploring My Dreams
Presenter: Beau Sandvig, Design Arts & Studio Arts
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Art display
What connects us between our dreams and the interactions we have while we are awake? The memorable moments we make during the day are interpreted differently through dreams which create an abstract environment for your resting mind to comprehend. Creating physical pieces of my own dreams are my way of sharing how I comprehend the interactions and social engagements I make throughout the day. Using Surrealist styling and Abstract memories, I have created an interactive website which further explores the situations in my dreams which dives deeper into how people understand and reflect the situations they experience in day to day life.
Brushing Aside Doubts: An evaluation of the beat-sheet brushing technique for detecting the Nearctic Tree Trunk Sheetweaver
Presenters: Justice Saxby, Environmental Science; Teona Ditzman, Environmental Science; Addison Clauer, Environmental Science
Sponsor: Patrick Forsythe
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
It is important to have reliable information on the presence/absence, population structure, and density of animals across their natural range. Detecting small organisms, however, such as the Nearctic tree trunk sheetweaver spider (Linyphiidae: Drapetisca alteranda Chamberlin 1909), presents challenges due to its diminutive size and cryptic nature. We used a capture/recapture study to determine detection and recapture probabilities of this spider using a standard beat sheet technique adopted for surveying tree trunks. Spiders were released on three different tree species that provided a range of microhabitats including variable bark surface area and furrow depth/width. Microhabitat features played a small role in the timing of spider recapture (i.e., slower rate of recapture as furrowing increased). However, our results demonstrated 100% detection across replicate experiments and individual recapture probabilities exceeding 90% in most situations, with no significant differences in recapture observed among tree species and with respect to tree circumference. Further, we show that most spiders could be recaptured within two sampling revolutions around the tree trunk and there was no difference in the probability of collecting male and female spiders (although they differ markedly in size). Finally, we found no difference among brushers, supporting the idea that this method is replicable across collectors and studies. Collectively, we establish confidence in the ecological knowledge obtained with this technique and encourage its application with similar species and systems.
The Effects of COVID-19 on College Student Stress and Resources
Presenters: Nevaeh Schmechel, Business Administration, Management Emphasis; Erika Kundinger, Business Administration, Management Emphasis
Sponsors: Dianne Murphy; David Radosevich
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
This research is the last in a three-part series that studies how students were impacted by Covid-19. Grounded in Hobfoll’s Conservation of Resources Theory (1989), this third study measures whether the relationships between stress and resource loss still hold true while exploring additional research questions about the differing impact between gender, and student level as the world shifts back to a "new" normal in 2023. In comparing the key hypotheses across the three years, support was found for a strengthening relationship across time between resource loss and stress. Likewise, the negative relationship between stress and the outcomes of physical health, psychological health, and well-being were found to be supported across time with one exception of insignificance in 2022 for the relationship between stress and physical health. Overall, there were no significant differences in average reported stress across the student yearly samples; however, there were decreases in the overall average net resource loss from 2021 to 2022, but no significant difference from 2022 to 2023. Women consistently reported significantly greater stress levels and net resources losses than men, demonstrating a differential negative impact of the pandemic for women. However, the stress gap between both genders decreased from 2021 through 2023. Additionally, upperclassmen reported significantly higher stress levels and increased net resource losses during the heart of the pandemic in 2021 and 2022, compared to underclassmen. However, those differences disappeared in the 2023 sample, suggesting a return to a parity of experience. The three-year study provides insight to universities and employers on how to better support college students. This knowledge can be used to generate support through mentoring, time management programs, and networking events to make up for the losses students encountered. The research can serve as a foundational piece for both future research and historical purpose.
Mapping the Migration Patterns of American White Pelicans Using GPS Backpack Transmitters: Insights from the Lower Green Bay Colony
Presenter: Diego Sepulveda-Martinez, Biology & Spanish and Latin American Studies
Sponsor: Amy Wolf
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Backpack cellular transmitters providing precise location data every 10-15 minutes were deployed on 25 American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) nesting in Lower Green Bay, Lake Michigan. Over the course of two years (2022 & 2023) these transmitters continuously tracked individual bird movements during nesting, migration, and overwintering. Results help identify critical foraging habitats and conservation needs of these large, fish-eating predators, while simultaneously providing general insights into the spatial dynamics of central-place foragers.
Adaptability and Support—How to Better University Environments for International Students
Presenters: Mariana Marques Silvestre, English and Writing & Applied Arts; Sylvia fa*ger, Computer Science
Sponsor: Stacie Christian
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
With one international student as a member of this duo, we noticed that there are a lot of discrepancies when it comes to our experiences here at UW-Green Bay as university students. From the lack of support to the sheer difficulty and struggles that come with the adaptation process of coming from abroad—these students need just as much support (if not more) than those that were born and raised here in the US. The problem is: this support is rarely provided, and many of these students feel extremely lost once arriving here, some even going back to their home country and giving up on this journey because they never get to feel at home. Our goal is to find ways in which we can support these students, and to show just how that can be done.
Race vs. Ethnicity in Hispanic/Latinx Identities
Presenters: Mariana Marques Silvestre, English and Writing & Applied Arts; Monica Garcia, Psychology and Democracy and Justice Studies
Sponsor: Stacie Christian
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
When it comes to being of the Latinx community, there is a lot that said term encompasses. Whether that be race or ethnicity related, it has become a lot more complicated than many are able to comfortably explain. The lack of understanding and ability to differentiate certain terminology does not help. We are able to differentiate ethnicity and race in several contexts, but what about when relating to Latinx identity? Why are the terms used interchangeably, and why can't people of said community give a direct answer when asked either/or? There is clearly a lack of understanding when it comes to how Latinx members should identify themselves, so much so that even members themselves can't figure it out. We touch on this, along with the differences between Hispanic and Latinx culture and identities. Why does it matter to know these differences, and who is impacted by the misrepresentation?
Situated Learning with Pedagogical Agents in a Virtual Learning Environment to Enhance Public Speaking Skills for Undergraduate Students
Presenter: Narisara Srichantraphan, Education
Sponsor: Andria Moon
Format: Presentation, 11:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Public speaking is one of the essential skills in many professions and personal lives. It is one of the soft skills that students in higher education need to develop competence along with other principles and hard skills. However, It can cause anxiety and fear of judgment, which often results in a stressful speaking experience. Although personalized face-to-face training seems practical, it would cause more stress for learners while receiving private feedback from trainers. Integrating a modern, demanding teaching environment in terms of cost control, time consumption, and standardization is also challenging. As a result, innovative virtual learning environment technologies are introduced to improve public speaking skills. This project presents an experimental result on implementing situated learning with pedagogical agents in virtual learning environments to enhance public speaking skills for undergraduate students. The study employed 114 participants from 6 universities in Thailand, outlining the results of competency for both pre-evaluation, formative and summative evaluation, observation notes during the implementation, and participant satisfaction after completing the virtual training program, which collated numerous refereed articles. These results will be generated to develop a model of teaching and learning with this method to improve students’ public speaking skills. This study presented diverse results concerning the efficacy of pedagogical agents that participants had to portray in any characters they desired in the virtual learning environment classroom. The situation learning theory is implemented in lesson planning. It highlights content like situations that can be found in real life, the context of situational scenarios, participation through the interface system, and the community of the avatars in the learning space. It can be an effective instruction tool for encouraging undergraduate students to practice, rehearse, and develop their public speaking skills. Consequently, this project highlights the significance of a participatory approach and underscores the necessity to disseminate findings to all stakeholders in enhancing public speaking skills through pedagogical agents.
Bookmark: Connecting Genres to Readers
Presenter: CoraLynne Staszak, Design Arts
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Art display
The project showcases the idea of books having a logo to represent which books are of what genre, using color theory to catch the reader's attention, and create the ease of finding what you are looking for.
Pause and Reflect Cafe Company Branding
Presenter: Amber Steitzer, Design Arts
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Art display, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
This project is a concept of a company called "Pause and Reflect Cafe" that people can come sit down and buy coffee, or even talk to friends or do homework while being around animals. Research has shown that animals (mainly cats and dogs) have a positive impact on one's mental health.
Maid Made Devotee: The Maid-Mistress trope in Gothic Literature
Presenter: Rebecca Stewart, English
Sponsor: Rebecca Nesvet
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
In Victorian literature, queer romance is often hidden behind coded language. The maid-mistress trope, in which a maid and mistress begin a relationship romantically or sexually, has been considered exploitative but in fact often encodes queer romance. To show this encoding, I apply queer theory to Victorian and neo-Victorian fiction. In Elizabeth Gaskell's short story "The Grey Woman" and the novels Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, the mistress-maid trope makes space for queer, specifically sapphic, romance within Victorian and Neo-Victorian gothic worlds.
Coffee Quest - Branding and Mobile App Mockup
Presenter: Abigail Stone, Design Arts
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Art display, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
This project is a mobile app concept that includes branding visuals and app mockups that allow consumers to find a cup of coffee nearest to them, based on research of frequent coffee drinkers and similar food apps. This app, The Coffee Quest shows consumers coffee shops in their current area where they can view images of the coffee shop, read reviews, and take a look at the menu. At the end of their stay The Coffee Quest will also allow them to rate their experience and share it with others.
How Administrators Maintained De Facto Segregation
Presenter: Miguel Suarez, History
Sponsor: Lisa Lamson
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
This project took a deeper look at how administrators in the Milwaukee public school district maintained De Facto Segregation, spanning from the 1950's-1970's. this project argues that administrators used intact bussing, intimidation, and a broken transfer system to keep the schools segregated Through extensive primary source archival research, focused on Civil Rights era oral interviews, I have highlighted how cities like Milwaukee responded to desegregation. This evidence complicates the prevailing notion the North was supposed to be a safe place for African Americans, and "free" of segregation as my research demonstrates that while different in appearance, segregation was still present.
Branding on Brand: T7 Cattle Company
Presenter: Alicia Thern, Design Arts
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Art display, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Cattle branding has been around for a long time creating its own language and meaning. It is supposed to be simple in design, yet the characters allowed, positioning, and readability are all specified with guidelines. Today, cattle brands appear on ear tags, as logos, or traditionally placed on the cattle's hide. Not only does a brand identify an animal but also a business. Farmers can use their cattle brand to market themselves and their products. Specifically, individuals who raise, show, or sell show cattle lack design elements beyond the brand. Therefore, a design brand package can provide small businesses with the tools needed to create and maintain a social identity. Expanding a personal cattle brand into a design brand package provides small businesses an opportunity to better position themselves when marketing their cattle brand. In creating a cattle brand, I researched and followed the brand guidelines for cattle that are traditionally branded (seared) into the hide. I continued the process by researching items included in a design brand package that would apply to show cattle businesses. The cattle brand and design brand package when finished will include: a logo, color palette, photography watermark, graphics, and typography.
Analysis of "Work It" through a Feminist Stance
Presenter: Tara Theunis, Elementary Education
Sponsor: Ann Mattis
Format: Pre-recorded lightning talk
Through the course Gender and Popular Culture (WOST 203) I was able to create an analysis project based on the movie "Work It." By using what I learned about Privilege and Oppression I was able to create my Power Point. I had to address three different tests: Bechdel, Russo, and Duvernay in order to analyze gender, sexual identity, and racial diversity in film "Work It."
Conveyor with Metal Dector and Rejection Arm System
Presenters: Andrew Tordeur, Mechanical Engineering; Mason Flicek, Mechanical Engineering Technology; Cody Salzman, Mechanical Engineering Technology
Sponsor: Md Rasedul Islam
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
Our group is designing and manufacturing a conveyor system that is capable of sorting metal parts from non-metal parts via a rejection arm that only passes parts without metalic presence.
Design of a High-Powered Rocket with Ground Target Acquisition System
Presenters: Unique Vang, Mechanical Engineering; Caitlyn Hendricks, Mathematics
Sponsor: Jagadeep Thota
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
NASA Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) hosts the Annual Collegiate Rocket Launch Competition, challenging student-led teams to design, construct, and fly high-powered rockets. These flight configurations must be single-stage rockets capable of collecting downward-facing footage during flight and remain in flyable condition upon recovery. Dual-deployment of parachutes must be supported and controlled via electronic recovery systems and motor-charge backups. The objective of the 2024 WSGC Collegiate Rocket Launch Competition is to capture a detailed image of a designated ground target at or after apogee while satisfying recurrent flight configuration parameters. In pursuit of optimizing the flight configuration to meet competition requirements, Computer Aided Design (CAD) modeling techniques and flight simulation programming are utilized to design the flight configuration, predict flight performance, and enhance propulsion and recovery systems. The Ground Target Acquisition System (GTAS) obtains panoramic images with respect to the flight configuration, ensuring the ground target is captured during flight. This internal camera system is optimized through option analysis and field evaluations of various systems. Following the competition launch, an assessment will be conducted to evaluate the structural integrity of the flight configuration, efficiency of GTAS, and proximity of predicted versus actual flight performances. The integration of the GTAS within the flight configuration demonstrates the team's capability to design, construct, and fly a high-powered rocket under given limitations. This competition provides students the opportunity to directly apply engineering skills towards aerospace applications, supporting WSGC's goal of assisting in training the next generation of aerospace professionals.
National Estuarine Research Reserve Brand Identity
Presenter: Abigail Vasquez Ortega, Design Arts
Sponsor: Abbey Kleinert
Format: Art display, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is taking the lead in establishing a Green Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). The aim is to coordinate the management, restoration, and protection of the Green Bay ecosystem. The program will focus on research, education, stewardship, and training. I created a logo inspired by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System in the Bay of Green Bay. The logo symbolizes the essence of the ecosystem with birds, cattails, and water streams. The hand mark represents community engagement and scientific exploration. Green and blue colors represent the estuarine landscape. I have created a style guide to incorporate the logo into different materials. My objective is to protect coasts and estuaries by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and creative expression through a visual design identity.
How Political Identity Relates to Empathy Levels
Presenters: Caden Vercimak, Psychology, Sociology & Anthropology; Alison Wagner, Psychology
Sponsor: Alison Jane Martingano
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
The United States functions on a heavily polarized two-party political system-Democrats that are liberal-leaning and Republicans that are conservative-leaning. Stereotypes abound about the compassion and empathy levels of both groups. But is there any truth to these stereotypes and do they present self-fulfilling prophecies? We hypothesize that participants will report stereotypic-consistent levels of empathy and perform in stereotype-consistent ways on performance measures of emotion recognition. Moreover, we hypothesize that this trend will be exacerbated when participants are reminded of their political affiliation beforehand. 290 student participants from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay completed a performance measure of emotion recognition (Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, RMET) and a questionnaire measure of empathy (Interpersonal Reactivity Index, IRI). Liberals scored significantly higher on the Empathic Concern subscale of the IRI than moderates (p = .004) and conservatives (p < .001) and the Fantasy subscale when compared to conservatives (p = .001). However, we did not find that this difference was moderated by reminding them of their political affiliation beforehand (all ps > .05). There was also no difference found between groups for other measures of empathy. These results indicate that liberals report higher levels of particular types of empathy, but these differences are not universal nor exacerbated by stereotype priming.
The Iranian Women's Revolution: A Rhetorical Analysis
Presenter: Rebecca Weiss, Psychology
Sponsor: Roshelle Amundson
Format: Pre-recorded presentation
The hijab was once worn by Iranian women voluntarily to symbolize pride in their Islamic religion and Iranian heritage. Unfortunately for many, and for the women of these artifacts, the meaning of the veil has morphed from a symbol of pride to a vessel of control; a question of fundamental human rights. For them, the hijab continues to be a visual representation of the battle. "Women, Life, Freedom" rises as a chorus chanted by people worldwide supporting this movement.
The Decline of Housing and the Middle Class in Madison
Presenter: Sophia White, Environmental Policy and Planning
Sponsor: Marcelo Cruz
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Madison, Wisconsin is home to one of the top STEM schools in the nation as well as one of the fastest growing tech sectors. However, it is also home to a seemingly ever-growing homeless population. While it's homelessness skyrockets, their middle class in decline. All of these factors interplay with each other to create the landscape of disparity that can be seen in Madison today.
4 Degrees of Freedom Robotic Arm on Mobile Platform
Presenters: Mason Wilke, Mechanical Engineering; Blaise Smits, Mechanical Engineering; Augustin Janowski
Sponsor: Md Rasedul Islam
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
This project is a 4 degrees of freedom robotic arm mounted to a four-wheeled mobile platform. The mobile platform has an ultrasonic sensor and a light sensor to detect the distance of an object and its color. Once detected the wheels will stop and the 4 degrees of freedom arm will reach out and grab the object based on its position near the mobile platform. Then it will be picked up and moved to any spot that would be required. This project is our semester term project from the mechatronics class.
Early life stress alterations in the temporal neurodynamics of social reward
Presenters: Liz Williams, Human Biology and Psychology; Rene Houston, Psychology; Karsten Cowan, alumini
Sponsor: Jason Cowell
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Early childhood trauma and stress have long-lasting impacts on social and cognitive functioning in adulthood (Azar, 1986). These behavioral and cognitive shifts may rely on altered neural development. Repeated exposure to stress alters neural synaptic plasticity through synaptic regrowth and remodeling in the brain (Smith & Pollak 2020). Those who have experienced ELS show marked shifts in motivation and reward processing in the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area (Hanson et al. 2021). Dopaminergic projections towards the nucleus accumbens, along with the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampal regions, form the reward circuit in the brain. The reward circuit, broadly, is responsible for gauging the salience and motivation of monetary and social stimuli. Differences in these judgments and behaviors are consistently associated with Event-related potential shifts between 200 and 350 ms after making a decision and the outcome was presented (Distefano et al., 2018). Despite the connection to later structural shifts in reward, little is known about temporal neurodynamic processes involved in processing social regard and neurobiological processes. It is expected that adults who experience ELS will show a significant difference between fair and unfair social reward trials. Participants will include approximately 20 college students ages 18-30 from a midsized Midwestern University of varying socioeconomic backgrounds. Each participant completes an ACE scale measuring the nature of 10 early life stressful events. Preliminary analyses suggest over ¼ of the sample has experienced a form of verbal, physical, or emotional abuse in childhood. Once in the lab, EEG data is collected while participants complete a Social gambling task (SGT, Kwak et al., 2014). Participants are shown a total of 160 trials, with each block comprising 40 trials of unfair vs fair stimuli. In each trial participants will choose a random card from one of the four decks presented, the probability they will either receive a reward, or penalty, penalize another, or penalize another and themselves is based on each card. EEG/ERP data will be processed offline, and epochs will be derived between 250-350 ms post-feedback onset. The hypothesis will be analyzed using two (maltreatment-no maltreatment) by two (Fair, unfair stimulation) and ANOVA with the mean amplitude as the dependent variable. Preliminary analysis shows altered MFN amplitudes response to fair versus unfair socio-environmental interactions modulate social reward processing, resulting in different neural dynamics in reward processing among adults who experienced ELS.
Leveraging Wearable Technology to Improve Women's Mental Health
Presenters: Indira Wolski, Computer Science
Sponsor: Sayeda Farzana Aktar
Format: Poster, 1 - 3 p.m.
In recent years, wearable technology has emerged as a promising tool for monitoring and enhancing various aspects of health and well-being. This research focuses on the potential applications of wearable technology specifically tailored to address the mental health needs of women. With women disproportionately affected by mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress, there is a pressing need for innovative interventions that can provide personalized support and empower individuals to manage their mental well-being proactively. Wearable devices offer a unique opportunity to continuously collect data on physiological and behavioral indicators, enabling real-time monitoring and personalized interventions. This research explores the integration of wearable sensors, data analytics, and digital interventions to create wearable systems that cater to the unique mental health needs of women. Through the utilization of wearable technology, individuals can gain insights into their mental health patterns, receive timely feedback and support, engage in self-care practices tailored to their specific needs. Additionally, this research discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of wearable technology in mental health care, including considerations related to privacy, security, usability, and equity. By leveraging wearable technology for women's mental health, this study underscores the potential to revolutionize mental health care delivery, promote early intervention, and empower women to prioritize their mental well-being in their daily live.
The Effects of Ethanol Extracts of Echinacea Purpurea on Superoxide Anion Production by HL-60 Cells
Presenters: Charlotte Wrobleski, Human Biology; Paige Pirocanac, Human Biology; Nora Buchholz, Chemistry; Cami Figlinski, Biology; Callie Hubatch, Human Biology; Erica Barlament, Human Biology; Maren Assef, Human Biology; Ramiro Cortez, Chemistry and Human Biology; Emily Balfe, Human Biology
Sponsors: Dr. Brian Merkel, Dr. Julie Wondergem
Format: Poster, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Echinacea purpurea (E. purpurea), is a commercially available herbal supplement, which may stimulate the immune system to fight upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold and influenza. Superoxide anion production by the promyelocytic cell line, HL-60, treated with ethanol extracts of Echinacea was investigated to explore the immunostimulatory properties of Echinacea. 55% ethanol extracts of Echinacea stimulate superoxide anion production by HL60 cells compared to vehicle controls. The composition and role of the immunostimulatory compounds in the 55% ethanol extracts of Echinacea are an area of interest for future study. Additionally, the relationship between the immunostimulatory effects of Echinacea on superoxide production as demonstrated in this study to any therapeutic benefit of Echinacea in mitigating respiratory infections remains unknown.
