Sophie Baugher
Hometown: Independence, Missouri
Major: Earth and Environmental Science
Faculty Mentor: Fengpeng Sun
Mentor's Department: Earth and Environmental Science
Funding Source: UMKC SEARCH Grant
The Urban Heat Island Effect: Creating An Interactive Model
The Urban Heat Island Effect is a phenomenon that affects metropolitan centers across the entire world. The metropolitan centers, typically an urban area, show a trend of being much hotter than that of their surrounding suburban or rural areas. With the recent trend of rising temperature thanks to Climate Change, the Urban Heat Island Effect has only begun to rise. With this increase in heat comes an increased risk in heat borne illnesses, and even an increased risk of heat-related death. However, when it comes to this phenomenon, a lack of knowledge was noted when presenting this phenomenon. The idea was then formed of creating an Urban Heat Island model, interactive with the user as to understand the phenomenon as it presents itself in a city but on a smaller scale. With this, a model city was crafted from 3D printed materials, real roofing and asphalt samples, and plants and trees that also show the affects that can mitigate this phenomenon. The project also utilizes a FLIR C5 thermal camera that will be used to demonstrate the temperature effects in real-time, as directed by the user.
Emily Bledsoe
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Hillary McGraw
Mentor's Department: Division of Biological and Biomedical Systems
Funding Source: N/A
Foxg1a is required for hair cell development and regeneration in the zebrafish
In the human inner ear, hearing and balance are mediated by specialized sensory cells, called hair cells. When damaged, these hair cells cannot regrow, resulting in deafness and balance disorders. In the state of Missouri, one in ten Missourians experience hearing loss or deafness, meaning there is a large population who could benefit from research into hair cell biology. Aquatic animals, including zebrafish (Danio rerio), have specialized hair cells used in their lateral line systems to sense water current. These hair cells are very similar to the inner ear hair cells in humans, but unlike human hair cells, these lateral line hair cells can regrow throughout the lifespan of the fish. This ability to regenerate hair cells makes zebrafish an excellent model organism to determine how hair cells develop and regenerate. My project is to investigate the Foxg1 gene, which is important for mammalian inner ear development, and to determine if it also plays a role in hair cell development and regeneration in the zebrafish. We particularly look at the lateral line hair cells of young zebrafish carrying a mutation in foxg1a. My work in the McGraw lab, with my mentor, doctoral student Jon Bell, shows that foxg1a mutant zebrafish form fewer hair cells during development and have a reduced capacity for regeneration. This work suggests that Foxg1 is a good target for future study and may provide insights into how we could someday regrow damaged hair cells in human patients.
Chris Ekengren
Hometown: Raytown, Missouri
Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Ryan Mohan
Mentor's Department: Division of Biological and Biomedical Systems
Funding Source: N/A
Circadian Regulation of Spt Ada Gcn5 Acetyltransferase (SAGA) in Drosophila Melanogaster
The entrainment model of Drosophila Melanogaster has demonstrated that it is an ideal method for studying circadian rhythm and the impact mis-regulation can cause. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a disease which leads to the degeneration of the retina and cerebellum, causing neurodegeneration, blindness, and loss of motor skills. Following the ATXN7 gene, to the Ataxin7 protein, to the transcriptional cofactor called SAGA which is critical for gene expression, Atxn7 polyQ may disrupt the balance bound and free non-stop causing dysregulation. Our lab aims to investigate the dynamics of circadian regulation of SAGA and non-stop in the brain and how their dysfunction may lead to disease. The research being performed is critical to the citizens of Missouri due to the impact on their health. Missouri has roughly 38,000 new cancer diagnoses per year,34% of adults reporting they have a form of depression, and roughly 15% reported to be obese. This research is paramount because it has the potential to shed light on such a wide range of debilitating diseases and disorders that no one should have to suffer through.
Austin Evans
Hometown: Neosho, Missouri
Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Ryan Mohan
Mentor's Department: Division of Biological and Biomedical Systems
Funding Source: N/A
Circadian Regulation of Spt Ada Gcn5 Acetyltransferase (SAGA) in Drosophila Melanogasterw
The entrainment model of Drosophila Melanogaster has demonstrated that it is an ideal method for studying circadian rhythm and the impact mis-regulation can cause. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a disease which leads to the degeneration of the retina and cerebellum, causing neurodegeneration, blindness, and loss of motor skills. Following the ATXN7 gene, to the Ataxin7 protein, to the transcriptional cofactor called SAGA which is critical for gene expression, Atxn7 polyQ may disrupt the balance bound and free non-stop causing dysregulation. Our lab aims to investigate the dynamics of circadian regulation of SAGA and non-stop in the brain and how their dysfunction may lead to disease. The research being performed is critical to the citizens of Missouri due to the impact on their health. Missouri has roughly 38,000 new cancer diagnoses per year,34% of adults reporting they have a form of depression, and roughly 15% reported to be obese. This research is paramount because it has the potential to shed light on such a wide range of debilitating diseases and disorders that no one should have to suffer through.
Maryam Oyebamiji
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Major: Urban Planning and Design
Faculty Mentor: Jacob Wagner
Mentor's Department: Architecture Urban Planning & Design
Funding Source: N/A
Unveiling Urban Trauma: The Impact of Design on Community Well-being
Design is a powerful force that shapes the physical and social fabric of our communities. When wielded responsibly, it has the potential to uplift and enrich the lives of individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and well-being. However, as we explore the transformative capabilities of design, it becomes imperative to acknowledge the darker implications of its misuse. Design negligence, a term gaining prominence in contemporary discourse, encapsulates the unintended consequences of ill-informed, or negligent design decisions. In the context of community development, design negligence not only fails to address the unique needs and aspirations of diverse populations but can also actively enforce trauma, perpetuating cycles of inequality and marginalization.
Sydney Rogers
Hometown: Blue Springs, Missouri
Major: Health Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Ryan Mohan
Mentor's Department: Division of Biological and Biomedical Systems
Funding Source: N/A
Exploring the Molecular Links Between Circadian Rhythm and Neurodegeneration
Sleep quality is important for every dimension of mental and physical health, and numerous analyses show a correlation with sleep loss and disease. Our research focuses on the irregularities of an organism’s circadian rhythm and how they affect brain function. The circadian rhythm is a 24-hour internal biological clock that bodily proteins rely on to determine their level of activity throughout the day. It is responsible for your sleep-wake cycle, regulating alertness during the day and rest during the night. It also greatly influences other biological functions including hormone and immune control, eating habits, and body temperature. Disruption of this internal cycle causes circadian dysfunction which can be correlated with the onset of a wide spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Anna Shaw
Hometown: Independence, Missouri
Major: History; English
Faculty Mentor: Ryan Mohan
Mentor's Department: Biology and Chemistry
Funding Source: N/A
Exploring the Molecular Links Between Circadian Rhythm and Neurodegeneration
Sleep quality is important for every dimension of mental and physical health, and numerous analyses show a correlation with sleep loss and disease. Our research focuses on the irregularities of an organism’s circadian rhythm and how they affect brain function. The circadian rhythm is a 24-hour internal biological clock that bodily proteins rely on to determine their level of activity throughout the day. It is responsible for your sleep-wake cycle, regulating alertness during the day and rest during the night. It also greatly influences other biological functions including hormone and immune control, eating habits, and body temperature. Disruption of this internal cycle causes circadian dysfunction which can be correlated with the onset of a wide spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Olivia Sours
Hometown: Independence, Missouri
Major: Health Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Amanda Grimes
Mentor's Department: School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Funding Source: Health Forward Foundation and Public Health Americorps
Physical Activity, Sleep, and Demographic Patterns in Urban Missouri Youth: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Connections between sleep and physical activity (PA) are vital components of growth and development, especially in adolescence. Lack of adequate sleep and sleep quality has been known to affect mood, school performance, as well as health in general. Middle school students in urban areas also face complexities that may cause increased complications in sleep and PA, calling for a comprehensive intervention approach that allows students to engage in physical activity safely and learn about how to take care of themselves with productive strategies. As accelerometry grows in popularity for consumers, public health researchers can utilize its tracking abilities to record accurate physical health markers and refine public health interventions. In our research, we utilize Garmin VivoFit4 health tracking wrist-worn devices to monitor sleep time and daily step counts in our primary focus group of adolescents in Kansas City Public School systems. Along with these devices, regular after-school intervention sessions focused on increasing PA and physical literacy are provided to students. This study aims to expose the correlation between PA and sleep in middle school students in urban areas of Missouri.
Emma Stauffer
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Major: English
Faculty Mentor: Jane Greer
Mentor's Department: English
Funding Source: UMKC SUROP Grant
The Humorous Disability Rhetoric of Jess Thoms
Jess Thom is a theatrical performer, activist, comedian, and part-time “superhero.” She was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome in her early 20s, and now in her 40’s, is working through her website Touretteshero, theatrical performances such as her show “Backstage in Biscuit land,” interviews, TedxTalks and more to break down barriers for people with disabilities. Tourette’s Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes tics, which are sudden movements or sounds a person makes and cannot control. Tourette’s is extremely common, yet still a highly stigmatized condition.
My project focuses on her use of humor to educate her audiences on her disability and promote understanding. Although humor is often used to demean individuals with disabilities, Thom views it as a power, and uses it as such.
I began my research with looking into Thom’s past interviews and reviews of her performances, as well as exploring the website Touretteshero.com. I familiarized myself with her sense of humor, and the specific and intentional ways she uses humor as a part of her rhetoric. Thom’s work is vital to the disability community in the ways that she works towards a more inclusive world, making people laugh one tic at a time.
Mya Thomas
Hometown: Columbia, Missouri
Major: Earth and Environmental Science Geology
Faculty Mentor: Alison Graettinger
Mentor's Department: Earth and Environmental Science
Funding Source: UMKC SEARCH Grant; UMKC SUROP Grant; Newcomb Student Research Fund: Tyler Center for Global Studies Grant
Characterizing Lava Flow Behavior Using Digital Models of Small Tubes from Flows at Askja, Iceland
A 1961 eruption at Askja Volcano in Iceland produced a series of lava flows over seven weeks. Lava tube formation is common in viscous basaltic flows such as this eruption. Tube networks influence flow extent by insulating lava which enables it to travel farther and faster. During a field campaign to Askja, eight small (2 meter diameter) lava tubes and five lava ponds were located in the 1961 flow. Length of the tubes varied between approximately 2.5 to 10 meters. Three of these encountered tubes were digitized using a low-cost photogrammetry technique that relies on a local coordinate system to compensate for the challenge of collecting accurate GPS coordinates in underground environments. To validate the accuracy of this method, field measurements of the height, length, and crust thickness of each lava tube were taken to compare against measurements derived from the digital models. The crust thickness of lava tube MT009 was 27 centimeters with a width of >200 centimeters and a height of 100 centimeters in the field which were reflected in the digital model with an average percent error of <11%. Models like this are used to study the influence of various transport mechanisms, like tube systems, on flow dynamics. This technology can also be leveraged for exploration, and is transferable to cave environments in Missouri. Caves are a large part of Missouri’s natural heritage and the state’s tourism. Creating digital models of geologic features using this photogrammetry technique increases accessibility and enables detailed study of their characteristics.
Brady Wolff
Hometown: Lake Winnebago, Missouri
Major: Music Composition and Music Theory
Faculty Mentor: David Thurmaier
Mentor's Department: Music Theory
Funding Source: UMKC SEARCH Grant
A Perfect Tuning System?
Musical tuning systems have undergone constant evolution throughout recorded history, culminating in the modern-standard tuning of 12-tone equal temperament. This tuning method divides the octave into 12 equal parts. The composer Ben Johnston regarded this system as imperfect and inherently “gray,” inspiring him to explore an alternative tuning system which he called “extended just intonation.” This system favors pure interval ratios while making sacrifices to playability and simplicity. This pursuit of purity results in sonorities which resonate with natural acoustics, evoking clarity and consonance. Johnston implements these concepts in a set of variations on the renowned hymn tune "Amazing Grace," which intensifies in harmonic complexity as the piece progresses.
Research on just intonation explores the practical applications of pure harmonic ratios in composed music, fostering innovative harmonic possibilities. Current research delves into the tuning systems utilized by specific composers, but lacks a comprehensive overview for individual compositions.
To address this gap, I have developed a visual aid capable of displaying the tuning center, harmonic reach, and harmonic complexity of numerous compositions composed with just intonation. Inspired by the lattice structures employed by Ben Johnston, my visual aid provides insight to other notable composers, including the sacred realist music of Catherine Lamb, and the microtonal electronic dance music of Sean Archibald (Sevish).
Isaac Woodward
Hometown: Riverside, Missouri
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Antonis Stylianou
Mentor's Department: Mechanical Engineering
Funding Source: UMKC SUROP Grant
The Growth Plate and Its Role in Youth ACL Injuries
The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is a ligament in the knee joint that is commonly injured during athletic activities. ACL injuries often have long recovery times and can cause lifelong knee problems. Interestingly, recent research has shown that, from the ages of 14-18 in particular, female athletes are much more likely to suffer an ACL injury than male athletes. One possible cause of this trend is the adolescent growth plate: a soft, cartilage-like segment in an adolescent’s leg bones that allows the adolescent leg to grow until it reaches maturity, at which point the growth plate hardens into bone. Due to the softer, springier properties of the growth plate, some have hypothesized that the growth plate may act as a shock absorber for the knee. Since the female growth plate hardens into bone several years earlier than in males, such a shock absorbing effect of the growth plate may explain this strange spike in teenage female ACL injuries. To investigate the role of the growth plate in ACL injury, this study used computer modeling software to create two software models of the same knee joint: one with a growth plate and one without. Tests were then run on these two models to investigate the impact of the growth plate on ACL stress. Interestingly, the test results indicate that the growth plate does have a shock absorbing effect on the ACL in certain modes of knee loading, thus offering a potential explanation for this strange trend in adolescent ACL injuries.
