Category: Poster Presentation
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The application of DNAzymes on the CTG repeat expansion in Myotonic Dystrophy type 1
By Arshpreet Brar and Delaney Humphrey Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ginny Morriss Abstract Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) has variable symptoms like myotonia, skeletal muscle weakness and wasting, irregular cardiac induction, and cognitive defects. DM1 is caused due to CTG repeat expansion in the 3′ untranslated region of the Dystrophia Myotonica Protein Kinase (DMPK) gene. The…
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Endolysins as Selective Antibacterial Agents: Insights from Genomic and Proteomic Analysis of Bacillus Endolysins
By Andrew Cooper Faculty Mentor: Dr. Swati Agrawal Abstract Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, have the potential to serve as alternatives to antibiotics due to their unique lytic enzymes, known as endolysins. These enzymes can specifically target and rapidly break down bacterial cell walls, making them effective against pathogenic bacteria while reducing harm to beneficial…
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Investigating the Effect of Exercise on BDNF Levels in the Prefrontal Cortex and CRH Levels in the Hypothalamus in Mice
By Nathan Terrell Faculty Mentor: Dr. Waters Abstract Exercise is known to increase memory and elevate mood in both mice and humans. Two important molecules are Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). The prefrontal cortex plays a role in controlling stress. The hypothalamus is the main mediator of CRH in the brain.…
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Time Course for Adult Onset Myotonic Dystrophy in Drosophila melanogaster
By Ashlyn Rauch Faculty Mentor: Ginny Morriss Abstract Myotonic Dystrophy Type One (DM1) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a series of CTG repeats in the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) gene (Lanni and Pearson 2019). Individuals diagnosed with DM1 may display CTG expansions ranging from 50-4000 repeats, whereas unaffected individuals have between 5-37…
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Character Essentialism in High Fantasy: A Case Study of Dungeons and Dragons
By Garrett Welch Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeff McClurken Abstract The topic I studied for the capstone experience is the issue of racial essentialism implicit in many modern high fantasy worlds and systems, with a particular focus on Dungeons and Dragons as a case study. In Dungeons and Dragons, players create a unique character and act…
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The Effect of Social Isolation on Orexin Production and Hedonic Drive in Female Mice
By Hudson McNerney Faculty Mentor: Dr. Parrish Waters Abstract THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL ISOLATION ON OREXIN PRODUCTION AND HEDONIC DRIVE IN FEMALE MICE. Hudson McNerney, Dr. R. Parrish Waters, Dept. of Biol., University of Mary Washington. Social stress is a primary instigator of psychological disorders in humans. While social stress results from social dominance relationship…
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A Computational Analysis of the Thermodynamic Synthesis of Ammonia Utilizing Transition State Theory
By Vallarie Burge, Rowan Neall Faculty Mentor: Leanna Giancarlo Abstract The synthesis of ammonia (NH3) is an important step in the production of fertilizers that increase the level of nitrogen in soil, bettering plant structure and metabolism. The kinetics of NH3 synthesis was examined and analyzed utilizing transition state theory (TST) in order to understand…
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Determining the Relationship Between Bond Energy and Bond Length Using Computational Chemistry
By Ksenia Mangino, Catherine Nguyen Faculty Mentor: Leanna Giancarlo Abstract Computational chemistry is used to simulate experiments that cannot be performed in a lab setting. In the case of bond energy, one could simply assume an average/optimal bond length; however, the length of the bond realistically oscillates and affects bond energy as shown theoretically by…
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Multi-wavelenght Astronomy
By Ryan Lawrence Faculty Mentor: Matthew Fleenor Abstract Imaging the sky in radio, IR, and visible light.
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Determination of the Dihydrogen Potential Energy Curve using Computational Chemistry
By Willow Candage, Charlea Kimbleton, Owen White Faculty Mentor: Leanna Giancarlo Abstract The bond length and bond dissociation energy for a molecule play an important role in the thermodynamic properties of that molecule. Both the equilibrium bond length and the bond dissociation energy of a molecule can be determined from its potential energy curve. One…