Category: Poster Presentation
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Race to the Bottom: How Western Corporations Exploit Cheap Foreign Labor and Its Effects
By Jakob Robinette Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kimberly Kinsley Abstract This thesis is concerned with addressing the impacts of foreign direct investment in poor Southeast Asian and African countries to cut costs that major fashion labels and technology firms can then pass on to the consumer and increase shareholder returns. This “race to the bottom” concept…
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Studies in Projectile Motion
By Jason Walker Faculty Mentor: Emmanuel Skamangas Abstract Projectile motion is usually defined as the motion of an object fired or projected through the air without additional propulsive force. In the ideal case of projectile motion, gravity is the only force acting upon the propelled object and air resistance is considered to be negligible. More…
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Mary Washington’s Lost Grave: Utilizing Ground Penetrating Radar in an Archaeological Context
By Blake Bauer Faculty Mentor: Dr. Katherine Parker Abstract For over two centuries, the final resting place of Mary Ball Washington has remained a mystery due to the lack of historical documentation following her death in 1789. However, the circumstantial evidence and accounts of her grandchildren, among other reputable sources point to the conclusion that…
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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 Impact of Exposure to Blue Light on Anxiety and Cortisol Levels in Mice
By Madison DeWitt Faculty Mentor: Dr. Parrish Waters Abstract Extended exposure to artificial blue light, such as the light from computer screens, can disrupt the sleep cycle, perhaps by disrupting daily cycles of the hormone cortisol; both of these effects can diminish behavioral and somatic health. This experiment investigated how blue light affects cortisol levels,…
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The generational effect of temperature differences on sex differentiation in Danio rerio
By Willa Clore Faculty Mentor: Dianne Baker Abstract This research investigated whether temperature related sex differentiation causes generational differences in the sex ratios in the TU strain of a model organism, Danio rerio. To test this hypothesis, the F1 offspring were collected from adults reared at differing temperatures from 15 days post fertilization (dpf) until…
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An Analysis of The Eastern Oyster and its Impact on Community Biodiversity
By Aidan Shell Faculty Mentor: Bradley Lamphere Abstract An Analysis of The Eastern Oyster and its Impact on Community Biodiversity The Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) has played a crucial role in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem since the 19th century. The species offers a range of services for both humans and other aquatic organisms from habitat…
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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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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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Solar Farms and the Heat Island Effect: A study of Local Temperature Changes at Virginia’s Largest Solar Farms
By Rhane Elder Faculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Grothe Abstract With the growing urgency to move away from fossil fuels, renewable energy has started to rapidly expand. Large-scale solar farms are increasingly being proposed, and often they face backlash from community members on the potential impacts it could have. Spotsylvania County, Virginia is home to the…