Category: College of Arts & Sciences
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Why is Shark Tooth Island Disappearing?
By Kate Stoneman Faculty Mentor: John Tippett Abstract A poster presentation on the disappearance of Shark Tooth Island. How climate change has impacted the island.
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Beyond Porites corals – evaluating the geochemistry from large skeletal architectural corals from the central tropical Pacific as reliable archives for climate change
By Jessica Oberlies Faculty Mentor: Pamela Grothe Abstract The central tropical Pacific is a key region for studying climate change because it modulates global climate variability, such as through the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). However, there is a lack of climate records prior to the mid-1950’s from this region, making it difficult to quantify…
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Psychological Flexibility as a Mediator and Moderator in the Relationship Between Emotional Maltreatment and Flourishing
By Cate Kelly, Sarah Ballif, Rob Oehler, Skyler Revutin, Ann Marie Camp Faculty Mentor: Dr. Miriam Liss Abstract Childhood emotional maltreatment is related to negative psychological outcomes in adulthood, including psychopathology and decreased levels of flourishing. This study aims to investigate psychological flexibility, which involves the ability to overcome negative emotions to accomplish valued goals,…
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The presence, concentration, and potential ecological impacts of trace metal contaminants in the James River near a coal ash repository (New Canton, VA)
By Summer Orledge Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tyler Frankel Abstract Industrial coal combustion residuals (CCRs) are rich in trace metals that infiltrate surface waters via accidental spills, authorized discharges, and leaching from lined or unlined impoundments. Several of these have been shown to act as neurotoxins, hepatotoxins, and/or carcinogens in a variety of vertebrate species. Existing…
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The Effect of Oxaliplatin and Methionine Restriction on Immunogenic Cell Death in Cell Lines EO771 and 4T1.
By Mallory Thompson Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laura Sipe Abstract The Effect of Oxaliplatin and Methionine Restriction on Immunogenic Cell Death in Cell Lines EO771 and 4T1. Mallory Thompson Advisor: Laura Sipe, PhD The immune system’s ability to detect cancer is integral to the body’s ability to fight the disease. Some anti-cancer therapies trigger targeted cells…
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Reconstructing ENSO and Climate Variability at the 4,200 yr B.P. abrupt climate event from central Tropical Pacific Corals
By Avery Duncan Faculty Mentor: Pamela Grothe Abstract The shift from the mid-to-late Holocene 4 thousand years ago (4 kyBP) is marked by major hydroclimate anomalies and megadroughts leading to ancient civilization collapses. Currently, the cause of this major climate disruption is unclear, although more evidence supports an underlying role of the tropical Pacific, some…
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Assessing the potential interactions between climate change and trace metal toxicity in the embryonic Seminole ramshorn snail (Planorbella duryi)
By Joseph Gasink Faculty Mentor: Tyler Frankel Abstract Based on projected modeling, increases in surface water temperatures due to climate change will pose a host of new challenges for poikilothermic aquatic organisms. Additionally, little is known about how this added stressor will interact with the impacts of known environmental contaminants. As such, this study was…
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Influences on adolescent substance use and attitudes towards the D.A.R.E. prevention program
By Erin Caine Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth Johnson-Young Abstract Numerous studies indicate high adolescent alcohol, legal drug, and illegal drug use, which can be detrimental to their health and well-being. D.A.R.E., a school-based prevention education program in many K-12 schools throughout the country, hopes to educate students on the harms of drug and alcohol use and…
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In silico Characterization of the Bacillus Bacteriophage Jabberwock Proteome
By Max, Rachel, Adis Faculty Mentor: Dr. Agrawal Abstract Bacillus Bacteriophage Jabberwock, isolated from a soil sample, presents a promising candidate for phage therapy applications against pathogenic members of the species like Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis. We performed a bioinformatic analysis of genes 1-10, 51-60 and 61-70 of the Jabberwock genome to predict encoded…
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Coral reconstruction of the last 200 years climate in the central Pacific
By Ainsley Lord Faculty Mentor: Dr. Grothe Abstract The central tropical Pacific is a major driving force for global climate variability due to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). However, it is unclear how this region is responding to human-induced climate change, which is critical to understand considering how this region may drive future impacts…
