University of Mary Washington Research and Creativity Day 2024

Poster Presentations

Friday April 26, 2024

12:00-1:00pm, Digital Auditorium

  • 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,…

  • The Impact of Habitat on Terrestrial Niche Partitioning Between Amphibians

    By Ellie Shanahan Faculty Mentor: Bradley Lamphere Abstract Studying how different organisms niche partition within an ecosystem remains an important aspect for the field of ecology. Studying how different species of amphibian ecologically interact remains important due to their importance as bioindicators.. We wanted to determine the presence of significant niche partitioning between different species…

  • 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…

  • The Role Of GSK-3 In Alzheimer’s Disease

    By Natalie Baca Faculty Mentor: Deborah O'Dell Abstract Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the buildup of Beta Amyloid Plaques in the brain and the hyperphosphorylation of the Tau Protein. GSK-3 is a protein kinase found normally in cells in both active and inactive states. Overactive GSK-3 has been linked to the hyperphosphorylation…

  • The Role of the Pvr Signaling Pathway in Drosophila melanogaster Muscle Phenotypes

    By Delaney Baratka Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ginny Morriss Abstract Myotonic Dystrophy Type One, DM1, is a progressive, multisystemic, and autosomal dominant disorder caused by expansion of CTG-repeats in the 3′-UTR of the DMPK gene. While we understand the causal mutation that leads to DM1, the underlying mechanisms of disease progression remain unclear. Prior research in…

  • 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…

  • Tridacna spp. clams as Potential Paleoclimate Indicators on Kiritimati (Christmas) Island

    By Kate Green Faculty Mentor: Pamela Grothe Abstract Tridacna spp. clams, also known as giant clams, are the largest living marine bivalves and have been theorized to be reliable indicators of paleoclimate (Yan et. al., 2020). The Tridacna gigas is commonly found throughout the tropical Pacific, and has potential to supplement high-resolution paleoclimate archives from…

  • Using Computational Chemistry to Determine the Binding Energy within an Atom

    By Rebecca Bowers, Adrian Coello Faculty Mentor: Leanna Giancarlo Abstract The binding energy of an atom felt by an electron from the protons within the nucleus can be accurately calculated using computational software. Improvements to computing capabilities allow for the precise approximation of values, such as binding energy, without having to do any wet lab…

  • Vitamin D Exhibits Partial Anti-Inflammatory Responses on RAW 264.7 Macrophages

    By Alexis Miller, Yasminaa Shehata, Chelsea Barrera-Guzman Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laura Sipe Abstract Inflammatory diseases are one of the most common causes of death. Significant harm is introduced to the innate immune system; responsible for pathogen recognition, immune cell recruitment, and defending the host against the foreign pathogen via induction of inflammation. The Toll-like receptor…

  • 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.

css.php