Schedule for the 2021 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium

If you are interested in the zoom link for a presentation, please contact Dr. Christopher Swanson at cswanson@ashland.edu.

Ashland University College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium April 15, 2021
Oral Session I: 9:00 a.m.-10:15 A.M.
Dr. Dawn Weber Dean, College of Arts and Sciences	Welcome and Opening Remarks
Tyayia Zarelle' June Young	Equiano's Battle in Stockholm: Effects of Internalized Racism Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Sharleen Mondal, English
Erika Gallion	Writing and Publishing Personal Creative Nonfiction: How to Breathe Through It
Evan Thomae	Synthesis of Phosphazene Drug Delivery Systems and the Investigation of Imidazole-Based Compounds as Anti-Cancer Agents Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Nicholas Johnson, Chemistry
Dr. David Werner	The (Not So) Good, Bad, and Ugly: Adolescent Alcohol Exposure
Oral Session II: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 A.M.
Adil Hussen	Investigating the Role of γN-Crystallins in Zebrafish Eye Lens Development Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Mason Posner, Biology
Nathan Sims	Triumphus et Ruina autem Leviathan: A Critique of Christianity’s Embrace of the State as Savior Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Craig Hovey, Religion
Taylor Kroll	The Chemical Synthesis of Six-Armed Calixarene Polylactide/Polyethylene Glycol Star Block Copolymers Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Perry Corbin, Chemistry
Tyayia Zarelle' June Young	Headphones: A Familiar Story Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Deborah Fleming, English

 

 

Poster/Exhibition Session I: 11:45 a.m.-12:45 P.M.
Poster #1	Kayla Lightcap		Developing a New Method for the Analysis of Volatile Chemicals Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Jeffrey Weidenhamer, Chemistry
Poster #2	Julia Valeiro Paterlini		Visual and Auditory Memory Difference Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Christopher Chartier, Psychology
Poster #3	Gabriella Hartz		The Impact of E-Cigarette Exposure on the Metabolism of Male and Female C57/BL6 Mice Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Dolly Crawford, Biology/Toxicology
Poster #4	Patricia Alley Zoey Lockwood		Synthesis of Phosphazene Based Drug Delivery System and the Investigation of Incorporating Targeting Groups Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Nicholas Johnson, Chemistry
Poster #5	Kassandra Blackburn		An Investigation of Fish Biodiversity in the Ashland University Canfield and Dayspring Preserves with Respect to Species Tolerance and Upstream Habitats as Indicators of Water Quality Faculty Sponsor:  Mr. Merill Tawse, Biology
Poster #6	Molly Madill		Microplastics Testing in Lang Creek Basin, Ashland County Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Patricia Saunders, Biology
Poster #7	Zoe Shellenbarger Maykahla Gain		Soil Degradation Dynamics of Thiophenes Released by Marigolds Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Jeffrey Weidenhamer, Chemistry
Poster/Exhibition Session II: 12:45 p.m.-1:45 P.M.
Poster #8		Zoe Shellenbarger Maykahla Gain		Capturing and Quantifying Volatile Organic Compounds from Garlic Mustard Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Jeffrey Weidenhamer, Chemistry
Poster #9		Megan Lollo Joshua Davis		Getting Them on Their Own: Methods of Bacteriophage Isolation for Broadening Host Range Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Paul Hyman, Biology
Poster #10		Benjamin Jones		Phosphazenes and Metal-Organic Frameworks Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Nicholas Johnson, Chemistry
Poster #11		Destiny Whitmer		Using Solid-Phase Sediment Extraction (SPSE) with Hydrophobic Pesticide Contaminants in Sand Faculty Sponsors:  Dr. Jeffrey Weidenhamer, Chemistry and Dr. Andrew Trimble, Biology/Toxicology
Poster #12		Allison Whitt		Water Quality Testing of Lang Creek Basin in Ashland, Ohio Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Patricia Saunders, Biology
Poster #13		Brenda Boes		Inventory of Ambystomid Salamanders at Minnich Pond Faculty Sponsor:  Mr. Merrill Tawse, Biology
Poster #14		Agatha Loucks		Overall Health and the Contributing Variables of Stress, Companionship, and Life Satisfaction Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Allyson Drinkard, Sociology

Oral Session III: 2:00 P.M.-3:00 P.M.
Joshua Jasmin	Superior Origins: How Empires Craft Their Identities to Assert Dominance Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Gregory McBrayer, Political Science
Josiah Moore	Optimizing Initial Settlement Placements in The Settlers of Catan Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Christopher Swanson, Mathematics
Alec Dunlap	Intellectual Disabilities and Reformation Theology: What Do Luther and Calvin Have to Say? Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. David Aune, Religion
Rachel Price	Leaching Potential of High-Cadmium Jewelry Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Jeffrey Weidenhamer, Chemistry
Oral Session IV: 3:15 P.M.-4:15 P.M.
Andrew Bailey Miranda Bielawski Natalie Clinger Tyler Mothersbaugh Lacey Rasmus	Visual Attention Differences among Video-Game Players Faculty Sponsors: Dr. Peter Mallik and Dr. Mitchell Metzger, Psychology
Taylor Kaye	The Impact of α-Crystallin Loss during Lens Aging Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Mason Posner, Biology
Erin Sievers	Memories for the Moment Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Kelly Sundberg, English
Brittany Close	Bracketology:  A Mathematical Approach to Elimination Brackets Faculty Sponsor:  Dr. Gordon Swain, Mathematics

 

Call for 2021 URCA Abstracts: Deadline extended to Feb. 12 | Symposium: Apr. 15

Dear Colleagues,

The deadline for submitting abstracts for the 2021 College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium has been extended to 5pm on Friday, February 12th.  Please see original portal posting below and the attached document for additional details.

Chris Swanson

 

The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium Committee is pleased to announce the Call for Abstracts for the Twelfth Annual College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium. This event will highlight the research, scholarly, and creative activities of students throughout the College of Arts and Sciences, and will be held with a virtual format on Thursday, April 15, 2021.  (Please note: All CAS classes beginning before 4:30 p.m. on April 15, 2021 will be cancelled that day for the Symposium.)

All students who are declared majors in a program within the College of Arts and Sciences are invited to participate in this year's Symposium.  Group projects in which some members are majoring outside of the College of Arts and Sciences will be considered by the URCA Symposium Committee.   Current students, as well as December 2020 graduates, are welcome to present their work.  Presenters may choose a preference to give an oral presentation, poster presentation, exhibition, or performance.  All presentations should have a significant research or creative component; examples of such include, but are not limited to, summer research conducted at Ashland University or elsewhere, results of independent study projects, thesis work, literary readings or analysis, musical or theatrical performances, and exhibitions of artwork.

I am contacting you today not only to inform you of this event, but also to ask you to encourage students in your classes and departments to consider submitting an abstract to present at the Symposium.  All abstracts submitted require approval of a faculty sponsor who is familiar with the student's work and can attest to the quality of the work.  At the time of submission, students will indicate who their faculty sponsor is.  The URCA Symposium committee will contact the sponsor via e-mail to confirm that the sponsor has viewed and approved the abstract.  In approving a submission, a faculty sponsor is indicating that the abstract meets the faculty sponsor's standard for professional work, and that the abstract is print-ready.  Submissions that have not been approved by a faculty sponsor will not be accepted.

Students wishing to present at the Symposium should prepare an abstract in Microsoft Word and email that Word document to the URCA Symposium Committee at au.urca@gmail.com. Faculty sponsors must be copied on the email that contains the submission. The deadline for submitting abstracts is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2021. This deadline is firm.

 

A complete submission must include ALL of the following:

 

A. Name of Student Presenter(s)

B. Campus Box Number of Student Presenter(s)
 
C. Home Address of Student Presenter(s)
 
D. Class Year (e.g. junior, senior) and Major(s) of Student Presenter(s)
 
E. Name of Faculty Sponsor
 
F. College of Arts and Sciences program in which the work is focused (e.g. Biology, Psychology, Music)
 
G. Title of the Presentation
 
H. Preferred Format of Presentation (Poster Presentation, 12 Minute Performance, 12 Minute Oral Presentation, or Art Exhibition)
 
I. Special Equipment Required (if no other equipment is needed, please indicate "No special equipment needed")
 
J. Body of the Abstract (250 words or fewer)
 
K. Anticipated Scheduling Conflicts for Symposium on 4/15/2021 (e.g. COBE/COE/CON class meetings, athletic events, or other commitments that cannot be moved on this date; if none, please indicate "No scheduling conflicts anticipated")
 
Students who would like to see examples of acceptable abstracts may view abstracts from the prior years' events on URCA blog (http://ashlandurca.blogspot.com).  Additionally, these submission instructions and helpful hints for preparing submissions will be archived on the blog.  The URCA committee will hold an abstract writing workshop in January in order to assist students in polishing their abstracts.  In the meantime, should you or your students have any questions about presenting at the Symposium or the abstract submission process, please don't hesitate to contact me.
 
Thanks, and we look forward to reading students' submissions again this year!
 
Chris Swanson
 
cswanson@ashland.edu
 
Questions may also be directed to members of the URCA Symposium Committee:
 
URCA Symposium Committee
 
Megan Connor, University Writing Center
 
Dr. Allyson Drinkard, Sociology
 
Dr. Scott Garlock, Music
 
Dr. Nicholas Johnson, Chemistry
 
Dr. Peter Mallik, Psychology
 
Dr. Wendy Schaller, Art
 
Dr. Kelly Sundberg, English

2021 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Symposium Deadline for Submission - February 5, 2021

    This is a reminder of the Friday, February 5, 2021 (5:00 p.m.) deadline for submission of abstracts for the Twelfth Annual College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium. This event will highlight the research, scholarly, and creative activities of students throughout the College of Arts and Sciences, and will be held with a virtual format on Thursday, April 15, 2021. (Please note: All CAS classes beginning before 4:30 p.m. on April 15, 2021 will be cancelled that day for the Symposium.)

    All students who are declared majors in a program within the College of Arts and Sciences are invited to participate in this year’s Symposium. Group projects in which some members are majoring outside of the College of Arts and Sciences will be considered by the URCA Symposium Committee. Current students, as well as December 2020 graduates, are welcome to present their work. Presenters may choose a preference to give an oral presentation, poster presentation, exhibition, or performance. All presentations should have a significant research or creative component; examples of such include, but are not limited to, summer research conducted at Ashland University or elsewhere, results of independent study projects, thesis work, literary readings or analysis, musical or theatrical performances, and exhibitions of artwork.

    All abstracts submitted require approval of a faculty sponsor who is familiar with the student’s work and can attest to the quality of the work.

At the time of submission, students will indicate who their faculty sponsor is. The URCA Symposium committee will contact the sponsor via e-mail to confirm that the sponsor has viewed and approved the abstract. In approving a submission, a faculty sponsor is indicating that the abstract meets the faculty sponsor’s standard for professional work, and that the abstract is print-ready. Submissions that have not been approved by a faculty sponsor will not be accepted. 

    Students wishing to present at the Symposium should prepare an abstract in Microsoft Word and email that Word document to the URCA Symposium Committee at au.urca@gmail.com. Faculty sponsors must be copied on the email that contains the submission. The deadline for submitting abstracts is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2021. This deadline is firm.

A complete submission must include ALL of the following:

A. Name of Student Presenter(s)
B. Campus Box Number of Student Presenter(s)
C. Home Address of Student Presenter(s)
D. Class Year (e.g. junior, senior) and Major(s) of Student Presenter(s)
E. Name of Faculty Sponsor
F. College of Arts and Sciences program in which the work is focused (e.g. Biology, Psychology,
Music)
G. Title of the Presentation
H. Preferred Format of Presentation (Poster Presentation, 12 Minute Performance, 12 Minute Oral
Presentation, or Art Exhibition)
I. Special Equipment Required (if no other equipment is needed, please indicate “No special
equipment needed”)
J. Body of the Abstract (250 words or fewer)
K. Anticipated Scheduling Conflicts for Symposium on 4/15/2021 (e.g. COBE/COE/CON class
meetings, athletic events, or other commitments that cannot be moved on this date; if none,
please indicate “No scheduling conflicts anticipated”)

Students who would like to see examples of acceptable abstracts may view abstracts from the prior years’ events on the URCA site in the Printable 2020 Abstract Booklet  (https://www.ashland.edu/cas/sites/ashland.edu.cas/files/20_urca_booklet.pdf?t=1603395346).

    Additional information can be fund here at www.ashland.edu/cas/about-college/undergraduate-research. Also, the URCA committee will hold an abstract writing workshop in January in order to assist students in polishing their abstracts. This abstract writing workshop will be held on Tuesday, January 26th from 7:00pm to 8:00 p.m. Contact Chris Swanson at cswanson@ashland.edu for more details or with any questions about presenting at the Symposium or the abstract submission process. 

    Questions may also be directed to members of the URCA Symposium Committee:

Megan Connor, University Writing Center

Dr. Allyson Drinkard, Sociology

Dr. Scott Garlock, Music

Dr. Nicholas Johnson, Chemistry

Dr. Peter Mallik, Psychology

Dr. Wendy Schaller, Art

Dr. Kelly Sundberg, English