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 […]
B05: Retina Regeneration in the Spanish Newt
Contrary to humans, some vertebrates have an exceptional ability to regenerate damaged tissues including the Spanish newt (Pleurodeles waltl) which can regenerate a range of complex structures. Retinal regeneration in some newt species has been reported after the removal of the whole retina. Our focus is to characterize the reprogramming of the retinal pigment epithelium […]
B06: Rewriting Marginality: Depictions of Greek Myth in Contemporary Literature
In recent years, a notable number of novels that reimagine Ancient Greek mythology have been published and received considerable attention among popular audiences. These novels deserve equal attention by scholars in the field of classical reception, which focuses on the treatment and appropriation of ancient myth. Classical reception asks, what features of ancient myth have […]
B08: What Do First-Year Miami Students Know About Human Trafficking?
Our research question is “What level of knowledge does the average Miami University first-year student have on the subject of human trafficking and how can the University better provide resources to increase awareness?”. The general research area of our project is social sciences with a focus on social justice. We began to research this topic […]
B09: The Influence of Media Bias
Our general research area is media bias. This project questions how influential the media’s bias is on its viewers when portraying racial minorities, women, and protesters. This study is relevant for all fields because everyone is a media consumer. We surveyed the current first-year class at Miami University to understand how influential the bias is […]
B10: Longterm Effects of Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and Deer on Forest Floor Plant Composition
The negative impacts of overabundant white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and invasive species in deciduous forests have been well documented. However, their combined impacts are less understood. We tested the impacts of 11 years of exclusion of deer and removal of the invasive shrub Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) on forest floor plant composition in deciduous forests […]
B11: Synthesis and Conformational Analysis of Oligo-Pyrazine Foldamers
As a part of the Hartley research lab, this organic chemistry project is focused on the synthesis and structural study of pyrazine foldamers. Foldamers, which are a class of compounds that fold into an ordered state in solution, can mimic the geometries of nucleic acids and proteins. The goal of the project was to determine […]