My research project is a humanities, literary and cultural analysis of author Don DeLillo’s fiction and how it intersects with the growing academic discourse of risk. My essay examines the development of risk consciousness in Don DeLillo’s literature in the face of major technological advancements that have fundamentally changed our conception of risk and risk […]
A72: Study of Factors Associated With E. coli Antibiotic Resistance in Mining Impacted Regions of Southeastern Kentucky and Implications on Stream Health and Risk Assessment
In rural Regions of Appalachia many homes and towns rely on septic systems to dispose of waste. However, for homes that are unable to replace or afford septic systems, many rely instead on Straight pipes which dump raw sewage right into streams and rivers. Well water & spring water sources quickly become contaminated by Escherichia […]
A73: The Inhibition of Apoptosis by Chlamydia
The focus of the experiment that was conducted during the summer of 2021 was to determine the effects of chlamydia on human host cells, specifically in regards to apoptosis. Apoptosis, commonly referred to as “programmed cell death”, is triggered in high stress environments in order to stop pathogens from spreading without causing inflammation in the […]
A74: UV-LED Photocatalytic Device for Fuel Vapor Emission Control
A large percentage of the population in developed countries use automobiles. This directly contributes to the emission of volatile organic vapors into the atmosphere, which in turn affects both humans and the environment. With the creation of a system that is able to reduce fuel vapor emissions, a cleaner and safer environment is generated. Therefore, […]
A76: Removal of DNA Methylation Has a Larger Effect on Meiotic Recombination in Female Meiosis
Meiotic recombination is an important process that creates genetic diversity when genetic materials are exchanged between homologous chromosomes. While past studies have focused on genetic factors regulating recombination, less research has been conducted on how epigenetic factors, like DNA methylation, affect meiotic recombination, and why sexes differ in recombination. My project is part of a […]
A75: Engineering Auto-catalytic CRISPR-Cas Sensors for Ultra-sensitive Lead Detection
Lead is a useful element, particularly in industrial settings, but too much exposure can cause lead poisoning and prove to be very dangerous. Symptoms include anemia, kidney and brain damage, and even death. Especially concerning to young children are the neurological and developmental defects caused by lead exposure. The water crisis in Flint, Michigan highlighted […]
B01: Effect of Polydimethylsiloxane Support on Nickel-Based Catalysis in Dry Reformation of Methane
The release of methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is rapidly increasing with the growth of dependence on fossil fuels. In an effort to combat the levels of CO2 and CH4 accumulating, chemical engineers have turned to the dry reformation of methane to produce syngas (H2 and CO), an inexpensive product with higher energy […]
B02: “There’s No Place Like Home”: Substandard housing, economic instability, and mental health in Central Appalachia
I traveled to Central Appalachia with the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) to participate in immersive health experiences related to my global health minor. ASP is a large nonprofit organization run entirely by volunteers, and its mission is to provide home repairs and renovations for people living in substandard housing conditions. I volunteered with the organization […]
B03: Dissolving Ethnic Studies: An Archive of Activism and Institutional Responses at Miami University
The creation of ethnic studies departments and curriculum at colleges and universities (e.g., Black Studies, Asian American Studies, Latinx/Chicano/Chicana Studies, Indigenous Studies), arose from the longstanding need for critical analysis and representation. Yet, despite the documented benefits of such programs, higher education institutions have merged and dissolved these programs and limited curricular offerings. To examine […]
B04: Mental Health in First-Generation Students
We are members of Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) scholars that are participating in a first-year research course focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our research project is focused on “Mental Health in First-Generation Students”. Moving to college is the first step towards adulthood and one of the biggest transitions in a person’s life. This […]