Centre College presents the 14th annual - Symposium
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Centre College
presents the 14th annual
Symposium
April 8-9 2021
The 2021 Symposium is sponsored by the Dean’s Office,
and all academic programs. Special thanks to the support
of Dr. John Barton.
April 8, 2021
Dear RICE participants:
Welcome to the fourteenth annual Centre College RICE Symposium! This event is the culmination of
Undergraduate Research Celebration Week, which features a different research-focused event each
day.
The RICE (Research, Internships, and Creative Endeavors) Symposium is a forum for showcasing the
outstanding research achievements, creative endeavors, and independent projects completed by
Centre students. An integral part of experiential learning is moving beyond the consumption of
existing knowledge to becoming an active contributor to new knowledge. RICE represents a unique
opportunity for students to share their contributions in a professional, scholarly setting that is made
rich by the active participation of many members of our community. This event is part of a week-
long celebration of research that includes opportunities for students to learn more from faculty
about their own research journeys, a convocation by Dr. Jenny Shanahan, Assistant Provost,
Bridgewater State University of Massachusetts, and a picnic lunch for student researchers and their
faculty mentors to celebrate their achievements.
This year, 42 presentations from across the academic disciplines are featured, including 22 student
oral presentations, 8 faculty oral presentations and 12 student poster presentations. This will be the
first time that Centre College faculty will share their work alongside our students. In addition, on
Friday, April 9, students who participated in studio art classes this academic year will host an exhibit
of their work in the AEGON Gallery in the Jones Visual Arts Center. We invite attendees to virtually
attend the various oral and poster presentations. We also invite attendees to explore the art
exhibition, either in person (following Centre College health and safety guidelines) or virtually, and
see the diversity of what Centre students have to offer.
Panels typically take two forms. First, in order to emphasize the interdisciplinary nature and breath
of scholarly endeavors at Centre College, many presentations are grouped by topic rather than
discipline. For example, this year, we have a panel that examines global crises such as COVID-19 or
wildfires through biological, computational, and sociological perspectives. Second, when it is
important to emphasize the depth of a particular issue or collaborative research, such as the study
that occurred in an advanced seminar class, a panel may include presentations from only one
discipline.
Each oral presentation is scheduled for a total of 15 minutes, including 12 minutes for presenting
and three minutes for discussion. As a courtesy to presenters, please wait until the end of a
presentation to leave a session. Thank you for your consideration and enjoy the 2021 RICE
Symposium!
Sincerely,
Eva María Cadavid and Karin Gill
2021 RICE Symposium Co-chairs
1
SCHEDULE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS
APRIL 8, 2021
Oral Presentations
Session 1, Zoom link
https://centre.zoom.us/j/93598119273?pwd=WnZvR3VuZ1YzM2laaGdCdUlFSjMzQT09
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Oral Presentations
Session 2, Zoom link
https://centre.zoom.us/j/94050218680?pwd=aWhnYUw2TG51TFhxcjRUVU5Nazl0dz09
3:20 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.
Poster Presentations
Zoom link
https://centre.zoom.us/j/91566098070?pwd=QjArYzVRM3pWOUF4bWpQSXBtQWNGZz09
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
APRIL 9-29, 2021
Art Exhibition
AEGON Gallery, Jones Visual Arts Center
Hours 9 am-4 pm, Monday through Friday (please follow Centre College health and
safety guidelines)
Link to the virtual tour of exhibit forthcoming
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Oral Presentations, at a glance 3
Poster Presentations, at a glance 5
Art Exhibition 6
Oral Presentation Abstracts 7
Poster Presentation Abstracts 17
Committee 21
Name Index 22
Notes 24
2ORAL PRESENTATIONS AT A GLANCE
2:00 p.m. 1 Gothic Modes of Repression and Resistance in Franco-African
Cinema, Joshua Hay
SESSION 1-a
Non-Market Based Reform as a Tool for Agricultural
Moderator: 2:20 p.m. 2
Development, Hannah Ely
Marc Démont
2:40 p.m. 3 Senegal and French Post-Colonial Influence, Will Hardy
2:00 p.m. 4 La Veladora by Jesse Treviño: Experiencing the Sacred Divine,
SESSION 1-b Nathan Whitlock
Moderator:
2:20 p.m. 5 Our Lady of Controversy: New Representations of the Virgin of
Mary Blythe
Guadalupe, Natalie Cha Olguin and Saira Carreto Romero
Daniels
2:40 p.m. 6 What IS Art History?, Amy Frederick and Peter Haffner
2:00 p.m. 7 Contemporary String Quartet Compositions, Sam Biggerstaff
SESSION 1-c
No Justice, No Peace: Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead and the Black
Moderator: Robert 2:20 p.m. 8
Lives Matter Movement, Lindsey Wood
Bosco
2:40 p.m. 9 Religion and Soft Balancing: Russia in the Middle East, Robert
Bosco
2:00 p.m. 10 The Effects of School Closures on English Language Learners
(ELLs) in Las Vegas, Veronica Valente
SESSION 1-d
Religiosity and Awe: How does religious behavior influence a
Moderator: 2:20 p.m. 11
person’s intensity of emotion in response to experiencing an awe
Sarah Murray
inducing event, Jordan Sigal
2:40 p.m. 12 The Aggregate Cost of Crime in the United States, David Anderson
2:00 p.m. 13 The Effects of the Hofmeister Series Salts on Hydrogen Bonding,
SESSION 1-e Rami Edarehchi Gilani, Hemangi Patel, Sheridan Wagner
Moderator:
Kristen Fulfer Improved Anti-Cancer Therapies Through Combination Drug
2:20 p.m. 14
Design and Drug Delivery, Daniel Scott
3ORAL PRESENTATIONS AT A GLANCE
3:20 p.m. 15 Le Corps et Le Soi, en Tant Que Féminine, Sophia Casto
SESSION 2-a
Moderator: 3:40 p.m. 16 Lessons from France: Sexual Health Education Practices to Adopt
Christian Wood in the U.S., Meg Whelan
4:00 p.m. 17 Michel Foucault’s Utopias, Marc Démont
3:20 p.m. 18 Why Don’t They Like My Hair?, Melissa Perello and Alexandra
Boardman
SESSION 2-b
Moderator:
3:40 p.m. 19 Brazilian Dictatorship: Story of a Revolutionary, João Victor
Satty Flaherty-
Azevedo and Andrea Brito
Echeverría
4:00 p.m. 20 Marighella: A Look Into The History of Media Manipulation in
Brazil, Faraz Ghamgosar and Lauren Jung
3:20 p.m. 21 Burning Up: Modeling Wildfire Temperature Using AVIRIS
Imagery, Mackenzie Conkling
3:40 p.m. 22 Modeling the Spread of COVID-19: Examining the influence of
face mask policies in select U.S. states, Princess Allotey and
SESSION 2-c
Annika Avula
Moderator:
Michael Lamar
4:00 p.m. 23 Computational Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutics
Development, Sam Biggerstaff and Benjamin Hammond
4:20 p.m. 24 Vertebrates from the Middle Devonian of Kentucky: Prelude to a
Crisis, Amanda Falk
3:20 p.m. 25 Line Fork: A Winter at Lilley Cornett Woods, Idris Irihamye
SESSION 2-d 3:40 p.m. 26 The IAT as Intervention: Promoting concerns about implicit racial
Moderator: biases, Gabby Romines, Sierra Gaskin, and Kristen Sedlatscheck
Jennifer Goetz
4:00 p.m. 27 Moving to Louisville: Where College People Live in the City, Beau
Weston
3:20 p.m. 28 The Psychological Benefits of Caring for Potted Plants, Claire Kennedy
and Annemieke Buis
SESSION 2-e
3:40 p.m. 29 Woody Seedling Community Response to Invasive Species Removal,
Moderator:
Caitlyn Cathey
Aaron Godlaski Socially Distant but Physically Close: Class, Ethnicity, Occupation, and
4:00 p.m. 30
Neighborhoods at Ventanillas, Peru, between 1200-1400 C.E., Robyn
Cutright
4POSTER PRESENTATIONS AT A GLANCE
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Zoom link
31. Docking Study with SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease, Anna Bachmann
32. Light-Induced Reaction of FADT and their Crystal Packing, Micai Benford
33. Examining the Role of Risperidone in Dopaminergic and Serotonergic Mechanisms
Underlying Cocaine-Induced Sensitization in Japanese Quail, Kylie Cochran and Katy
Haering
34. Diversity at the Centre? Investigating disparate retention rates for minority students in
STEM, Cynthia De Leon
35. Bluegrass Allergy and Asthma Internship, Emily Doyle
36. Measured Energy Dissipation in Internal Waves, Yichen Guo
37. Mithramycin Analogs With Improved Cytotoxicity and Cancer Specificity, Madeline Jenkin
and Marielena Villaran
38. The Effects of Mating on Female Drosophila Bitter Taste Processing, Landy Lin
39. Examining the Role of Risperidone in Dopaminergic and Serotonergic Mechanisms
Underlying The Physics of Bacterial Swimming Near Boundaries, Tanner May
40. Hormonal Control of Alcohol-Induced Aggression in Male Japanese Quail, Izzy Neel and
Brianna Roberts
41. Does Height Really Matter?: Perception in Virtual Reality, Caleb Snyder
42. Determining the DNA Binding Behavior of Transition Metal Polypyridyl Complexes, Ella
Aponte
5ART EXHIBIT AEGON GALLERY
April 9-29 2019
AEGON Gallery, Jones Visual Arts Center
Hours 9 am-4 pm, Monday through Friday
(please follow Centre College health and safety guidelines)
Artist is senior Claire Thomas-Smith
Class is Introduction to Oil Painting
9x12-inch oil on canvas
6ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
1. Gothic Modes of Repression and However, in the context of climate change
Resistance in Franco-African Cinema, and growing inequality, this privatization
Joshua Hay of food systems exploits the environment
and many local communities associated.
Mentor: Christian Wood The American food system is not a model
to be exported through development to
In Ousmane Sembène’s LA NOIRE DE…, communities abroad, yet this often occurs.
actress Mbissine Thérèse Diop’s heroine Using case studies, I aim to demonstrate
Diouana finds a fulfilling nanny job in how agricultural development, when
Dakar, Senegal, but when it moves her to incorporating non-market based reform,
Antibes, France, she encounters a life of can become more equitable and
dull domesticity and household slavery sustainable. By highlighting the value of
that drives her to a tragic fate. In Jean- non-market based reform, agricultural
Pierre Bekolo’s genre mash-up LES development can become a specialized
SAIGNANTES, two witches who seduce the tool to meet the agricultural needs of
corrupt elite of a futuristic Cameroon must diverse communities. My research will be
hide the body of a powerful man who dies presented in French.
during a sex act. Made across decades, in
different countries, and in vastly different 3. Senegal and French Post-Colonial
styles, this presentation shows how both Influence, Will Hardy
works use Gothic tropes to reveal the Mentor: Christian Wood
contextual struggles of African women as
they enact the “return of the repressed My presentation examines the
other” when confronted with continued contemporary creative and artistic
marginalization in a supposedly post- practices of Senegal, paying close attention
colonial world. This will be presented to colonial French influence over said
entirely in French. cultural practices. This project serves as a
continuation of research analyzing street
2. Non-Market Based Reform as a Tool for art in Québec and Tahiti in a French
Agricultural Development, Hannah Ely postcolonial frame. Senegal is well known
for the practice of assemblage, where
Mentor: Christian Wood
artworks are crafted from chance objects
available to the artist. This practice is not
After working in agriculture, I seek to
unique to Senegal, but is in fact very
understand the role of agricultural
common among Afro-Atlantic
development, inquiring how its systemic
communities. I highlight the French
problems can be addressed in order to
influences within Senegal’s artistic
implement a more equitable, sustainable,
production to set it apart from other
and community-oriented approach.
similar practices seen in the Afro-Atlantic. I
situate catholic imagery as one such aspect
Agricultural development increasingly
of assemblage work in context.
pushes neoliberal reforms as a solution to
the growing population’s need for food.
7ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
4. La Veladora by Jesse Treviño: Mentor: Mary Daniels
Experiencing the Sacred Divine, Nathan
Whitlock La Virgen de Guadalupe, is an archetypical
Mentor: Mary Daniels figure that has helped create Mexican
national identity. Indeed, Guadalupe has
When La Virgen de Guadalupe first been re-written in literature, art, music,
appeared to Juan Diego on the hill of and film as a symbol of resistance and
Tepeyac, he understood, at that very transformation. In our presentation Saira
moment, that the ground below his feet Carreto Romero and Natalie Cha Olguin
was sacred. As depicted in La Veladora by will explore the ways in which Guadalupe
San Antonio based artist Jesse Treviño, has perceptually changed overtime. Our
streams of light radiated from the Blessed primary focus will be on a 1999 photo-
Mother who was wrapped with the night based digital print of La Virgen de
sky and carried by the moon. In his colorful Guadalupe called, “Our Lady.” This digital
mosaic, Treviño deploys the sacred image photo was created by Alma Lopez, a
of Mary as a prayerful peacekeeper in a Mexican-born Queer Chicana artist who
crime plagued neighborhood and as a not only transforms La Virgen physically,
cultural axis that emulates the hybrid but she also transforms the religious icon
identity of Mexican-Americans. In fact, into a symbol of her own identity, culture,
both Catholic and indigenous traditions and community. This presentation will be
contribute to the completely whole but prerecorded and in Spanish.
hybrid conception of La Virgen herself.
Treviño simultaneously incorporates the 6. What IS Art History?, Amy Frederick and
ancient iconography of the founding of Peter Haffner, Assistant Professors of Art
Tenochtitlan, the serpent and the eagle, History
which juxtaposes the unique power of a
fleeting apparition, a flickering flame and Art history is the historical study of the
the movability of a veladora with the visual arts—necessarily interdisciplinary
permanence of the founding of the Aztec and sometimes multidisciplinary, art
Empire. Not only has La Veladora served historians engage in research from a
the pragmatic purpose of reducing local variety of perspectives to make sense of
crime, a noble goal that Treviño has the past and present through visual
outlined explicitly in interviews, it has also evidence. In a world where we are
amplified the complex relationship that increasingly bombarded by visual material,
many immigrants have with their understanding how to interpret images is
homeland and their chosen home. This essential. In this session, we will
presentation will be prerecorded and in demonstrate the diverse methods involved
Spanish. in art historical scholarship and how our
research prompts us to “see” in the world
5. Our Lady of Controversy: New today.
Representations of the Virgin of
Guadalupe, Natalie Cha Olguin and Saira 7. Contemporary String Quartet
Carreto Romero Compositions, Sam Biggerstaff
8ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Mentor: Larry Bitensky demanding doctrine—a philosophy of
action—necessary for white America to
The string quartet is a renowned medium heal itself of its carelessness, which is a
and genre of music that has existed ever necessary step in healing America of its
since the Baroque era (1600s). In its more original sin of racial injustice.
than 400 years of existence, the string
quartet has developed a lot along with the 9. Religion and Soft Balancing: Russia in the
different styles of composers and eras. The Middle East, Robert Bosco, Associate
contemporary era of music, in specific, has Professor of International Studies
been incredibly interesting in the evolution
of the string quartet. In this performance- The decline of unipolarity in the
based project, I have composed a series of international system creates openings for
5 short (~2 minutes or less) pieces for the competitors to increase their spheres of
string quartet inspired by contemporary influence. In this presentation, I examine
composers and their techniques from the how Russia seeks to increase its influence
20th and 21st centuries such as Bartok, in the Middle East following the retreat of
Stravinsky, Reich, Glass, etc. the U.S. from the region through a crucial
but overlooked modality: religion. I focus
8. No Justice, No Peace: Marilynne in particular on the activities of the Russian
Robinson’s Gilead and the Black Lives Orthodox Church in Syria and Palestine,
Matter Movement, Lindsey Wood and Russian engagement with both Sunni
Mentor: Mark Lucas and Shi’ite interests in the region. I argue
that the concept of “soft balancing” should
Racism in America looms large in be expanded to include the role that
Marilynne Robinson’s novel Gilead. She religion plays in contemporary balancing
probes white Americans’ increasing behavior.
avoidance of and apathy toward issues of
racial injustice in the Reconstruction and 10. The Effects of School Closures on English
post-Reconstruction periods. However, as Language Learners (ELLs) in Las Vegas,
Robinson thoughtfully diagnoses white Veronica Valente
America’s ills, she prescribes a healing Mentor: Sarah Murray
balm for the next generation that comes
from an unlikely source: America’s past. A The purpose of this study was to
product of the fiery Christian Puritanism investigate how COVID-19 related school
brought over on the Mayflower, the eldest closures and online learning have affected
Rev. Ames preaches that slavery is itself a English language learners (ELLs) and their
war, and that peace is impossible without educators from five Las Vegas-area high
abolition. A prophetic stance. Boiled down, schools. The study specifically examined
his motto is identical to that of the ELLs’ desire to progress towards
contemporary Black Lives Matter graduation, ability to communicate using
movement: No Justice, No Peace. Through English, and preference to continue or
Rev. Ames, Robinson establishes that discontinue specific elements of remote
American Puritanism is the type of learning. These themes were also
9ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
examined through the lens of ELL educator then leads to a more intense response to
perspectives. Links to surveys (provided in awe.
four languages) were distributed to school
principals who disseminated them among 12. The Aggregate Cost of Crime in the United
students and staff. A review of the data is States, David A. Anderson, Paul G. Blazer
showing that fewer ELLs wish to drop out Professor of Economics
now than before school closures began in
March 2020 and that ELLs are evaluating Estimates of crime’s burden inform public
their ability to communicate in English as and private decisions about crime-
having improved or stayed the same since prevention measures. More than counts of
that time. criminal offenses, the aggregate cost of
crime conveys the scale of crime problems
11. Religiosity and Awe: How does religious and the value of deterrence. This article
behavior influence a person’s intensity of offers an estimate of the total annual cost
emotion in response to experiencing an of crime in the United States, including the
awe inducing event, Jordan Sigal direct costs of law enforcement, criminal
Mentor: Aaron Godlaski justice, and victim losses, as well as the
indirect costs of private deterrence, fear
The aim of this research is to determine and agony, and time lost to avoidance and
what specific factors influence recovery. The findings update crime-cost
emotional/cognitive/meaningmaking estimates of past decades while expanding
reactions to an awe inducing experience, the scope of coverage to include
looking more closely at religiosity and categories missing from past studies. The
humility, and how they can explain why estimated annual cost of crime is $4.87
someone may experience a stronger sense trillion including transfers from victims to
of emotional awe. While religiosity may criminals and $3.02 trillion net of transfers.
promote a more intense emotional
response to awe, it does so through the 13. The Effects of the Hofmeister Series Salts
process of reducing a person’s focus on on Hydrogen Bonding, Rami Edarehchi
self. Using data collected from a survey of Gilani, Hemangi Patel, and Sheridan
over 1000 participants in which subjects Wagner
reported emotional responses to the Mentor: Kristen Fulfer
experience of awe, religiosity and humility
were measured and looked at how well A protein’s characteristics can be varied
they accounted for and mediated the through different interactions with cations
emotional, cognitive, and meaningmaking and anions. The ability of salts to have such
responses to the awe experience. While influences also vary across certain series of
religiosity was a significant predictor of a salts, which are called the Hofmeister
more intense emotional experience, series of cations and anions. A protein’s
relation was better accounted for by self- characteristics and functions are
focus, insofar as religiosity may promote a dependent on the geometric shape of the
reduced sense of self, and that small self protein. Their shapes are reworked
through intermolecular interactions,
10ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
specifically hydrogen bonding, between with DNA to bind the cancer drugs and
water and functional groups of these irradiated with near-infrared light to trigger
biological systems. In this project the the release of drugs from the surface of the
carbonyl functional group is utilized as a nanoparticles at desired intervals. In
probe of the hydrogen bonding network of combination, the new drugs and delivery
water. This functional group is specifically systems will reduce interactions of the
present in methyl acetate. Methyl acetate drugs with normal cells to reduce side
is then combined in aqueous solutions effects and improve the therapeutic
containing different salts from the series. outcomes.
Using FTIR spectroscopy at varying
temperatures, changes to the hydrogen
bonding network due to the presence of 15. Le Corps et Le Soi, en Tant Que Féminine,
cations and anions are detected. A series Sophia Casto
of bromide and chloride salts is being Mentor: Christian Wood
investigated currently.
Existential explorations of identity and
14. Improved Anti-Cancer Therapies Through agency often come from the perspective of
Combination Drug Design and Drug those who occupy unmarked categories.
Delivery, Daniel Scott Living in a body that is marked as “other”
with agency that is severely limited by
Traditional chemotherapies target rapidly external forces impacts the ways in which
developing cells in the human body, the world and the self is understood. I am
resulting in harsh side effects from the interested in the ways which francophone
destruction of healthy cells alongside of the feminist philosophers specifically have
cancer cells. In order to minimize these side approached what feminine embodiment
effects drugs were designed to more means for women’s sense of self and
specifically interact with cancer cells identity. How does the tension between
compared to normal cells. The new drugs immanence and transcendence which
were developed by rationally modifying the Beauvoir identifies as part of the feminine
natural product mithramycin and their anti- experience relate to the experience of
cancer abilities were investigated with non- embodiment? In French, I will present an
small cell lung cancer cells. Additionally, overview of some of these ideas and a few
delivery systems to deliver the therapies contemporary considerations regarding
only to the tumor tissue can further 21st century developments, in particular
diminish the negative side effects of the the advent of social media, the
drugs while improving treatment implications of “branding” oneself, and the
outcomes. Gold nanoparticles were used as growing acceptance of more nuanced
the basis for the delivery vehicle as they are conceptualizations of gender.
biologically inert, relatively easy to modify
the surface to load the drugs, and heat 16. Lessons from France: Sexual Health
upon the absorption of near-infrared light Education Practices to Adopt in the U.S.,
which will trigger the release of the drugs. Meg Whelan
The gold nanoparticles were functionalized Mentor: Christian Wood
11ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Mentor: Satty Flaherty-Echeverría
Comprehensive and culturally competent
sexual health education should be This video essay examines the impact of
accessible to all young people through hair discrimination among an Afrodescent
public schooling. Yet, a basic internet male who simultaneously struggles to
search about sexual health education in embrace his hair texture while rejecting his
the United States yields only an endless natural hair pattern through the analysis of
scroll of Planned Parenthood resources. two films: Pelo Malo and Good Hair. Both
With no federal laws mandating the films provide an understanding of gender
content, quality or frequency of sex-ed, stereotypes, societal norms and familial
students in the US experience highly pressures while demonstrating how people
variable and widely insufficient learning. around the world assimilate to beauty
An equivalent internet search in French, standards. This research helps facilitate a
however, reveals the official website of greater understanding of societal beauty
France's Minister of Education, which standards in Venezuela—the setting in
outlines their comprehensive national which Pelo Malo highlights the complexity
curriculum. The French system requires of the word beauty. The standing literature
that students, beginning in middle school, indicates Venezuela’s long standing beauty
learn about human anatomy, sexually standards mimicking those of Europe. This
transmitted infections, contraception, and creates long term effects on the life
sexual violence prevention. This trajectories of both men and women.
presentation, delivered in French, will These internalized European beauty
analyze the state of sexual health standards have been center stage for
education in France and offer its women in Venezuela for many years, but
components as one model for reform with the help of this analysis, we shed light
within the US. on how these beauty standards negatively
affect men as well.
17. Michel Foucault’s Utopias, Marc Démont,
Visiting Assistant Professor of French and 19. Brazilian Dictatorship: Story of a
Humanities Revolutionary, João Victor Azevedo and
Andrea Brito
My presentation will focus on my Mentor: Satty Flaherty-Echeverría
translation of two radiophonic lectures
given by Foucault in 1966. I will not only By analyzing cinematographic strategies
discuss the complex history of these and engaging with Carlos Marighella’s
translations and their relevance to written text to conclude the ideological
Foucault’s work, but also the ways in which reasons for why “Marighella'' stirred
these two texts shed light on Foucault’s controversy in the Brazilian political arena
early engagement with phenomenology and serves as a powerful statement against
and literary criticism. the current government. “Marighella'' is a
Brazilian movie directed by well known
18. Why Don’t They Like My Hair?, Melissa Brazilian actor and debut filmmaker
Perello and Alexandra Boardman Wagner Moura. The film portrays Carlos
12ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Marighella (1911-1969) who represents The film Marighella focuses on the biopic
the fight for justice in Brazil against the 20- of Carlos Marighella, a revolutionary going
year military dictatorship. Because against the Brazilian government, and
Moura’s narrative commends the true highlights the government’s censorship of
nature of Marighella’s revolutionary the media.
movement, the film was immediately
banned both in Brazil and the United 21. Burning Up: Modeling Wildfire
States, which supported the dictatorship. Temperature Using AVIRIS Imagery,
This video essay showcases the ideological Mackenzie Conkling
perspective of Marighella through Moura’s Mentor: Bruce Rodenborn
camera shots. We highlight the camera
positions that made the audience develop Measuring active fire temperature of
a relationship with Marighella’s story. wildfires is important for understanding
Therefore, viewers unaware of the burn severity, the role of fuels and
dictatorship era in Brazil could have a predicting fire spread, but because of the
better understanding of Brazilian history dangers presented by wildfires, in-situ
throughout the film. temperature data are difficult to collect.
With the high-resolution data collected by
20. Marighella: A Look Into the History of the Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging
Media Manipulation in Brazil, Faraz Spectrometer, fire temperature can be
Ghamgosar and Lauren Jung modeled accurately from the radiance
Mentor: Satty Flaherty-Echeverría within pixels of a hyperspectral image
containing fire. Using Planck’s Law, the
The primary problem that we address in measured radiance can be fit to modeled
our video essay is how easily the media blackbody curves to determine maximum
was manipulated by the government and temperature within a pixel by limiting the
dictatorships of Latin American countries Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) between
such as Brazil during the 1960s in order to measured and modeled radiance. Results
promote their agendas and shut down any showed our method to provide a more
and all opposition. This completely unfair accurate model, because it retrieved fire
and unjust authoritarian ruling of Brazil temperature with minimal error for the
was a calculated and intentional series of 2017 Sherpa and Thomas Fires in
events that began with a coup. This is California. The model was also shown to be
when President João was overthrown by portable across fires with dissimilar
the Armed Forces, which had the support behavior providing the rate of temperature
of many high-ranking military officials, the decay within a pixel was modeled carefully.
Catholic church, and even the United
States through its embassy. Upon taking 22. Modeling the Spread of COVID-19:
power the authoritarian military Examining the influence of face mask
dictatorship completely censored and policies in select U.S. states, Princess
improperly used the media in order to Allotey and Annika Avula
maintain complete control and maintain Mentor: Michael Lamar
the support of the unbeknownst people.
13ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
We examine the spread of COVID-19 in targets were investigated using PyRx and
multiple states using a compartmental then docking using Chimera.
differential equations model. We compare
the transmission rates between states 24. Vertebrates from the Middle Devonian of
before and after face mask mandates are Kentucky: Prelude to a Crisis, Amanda
implemented. We use data from The Falk, Assistant Professor of Biology
COVID Tracking Project to verify our
model. Our findings indicated that the The Late Devonian Mass Extinction is one
infection rate of COVID-19 decreased after of the more poorly understood of the Big
face mask policies were introduced in the Five mass extinction events of the last 542
five states of interest. Now that vaccines million years. This event devastated
are readily available, we add a new several groups of fish and many different
compartment to our model that takes the types of marine invertebrates, and there
vaccination rates of different states into are half a dozen proposed causes, ranging
account and expand our study by looking from anoxic oceans to a slowdown in the
at infection, recovery, death, and birth of new species. However, the buildup
vaccination rates. to this event has not been particularly
well-studied. Furthermore, our
23. Computational Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 understanding of Middle Devonian
Therapeutics Development, Sam vertebrate diversity, especially on the
Biggerstaff and Benjamin Hammond western side of the Appalachian Basin, is
Mentor: Jennifer Muzyka severely lacking. Over the past few years,
working with several students, I have
SARS-CoV-2 has uniquely crippled the sampled a poorly known bonebed in Estill
world. To combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus County; now, as COVID hopefully ebbs, I
and prevent future epidemics, significant will be able to expand our search to
antiviral research needs to be conducted. additional new localities that are under
Nine non-structural proteins of SARS-CoV- sampled and understudied for Devonian
2 have been designated as promising drug vertebrates, which are already poorly
targets. These targets were because the recorded in Kentucky.
proteins were highly conserved from SARS-
CoV to SARS-CoV-2, and they were vital for 25. Line Fork: A Winter at Lilley Cornett
viral replication. Of the nine good targets, Woods, Idris Irihamye
NSP12 is a unique drug target. NSP12 is the Mentor: Megs Gendreau
viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
(RdRp). Remdesivir is currently being used My project, “Line Fork: A Winter at Lilley
to target NSP12. The RdRp of RNA positive- Cornett Woods” explored constructions of
strand viruses has seven conserved motifs nature and their influences on cultural
that allow the cross activity of Remdesivir. identity and interactions with nature. The
This cross-reactivity could be essential in models I used were Appalachian
the drug discovery process because drugs mountaineer culture, Black American
that target NSP12 of SARS-CoV-2 could be mainstream culture, Ojibwe Anishinaabe
effective against other viruses. NSP12 drug culture, and White American mainstream
14ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
culture. I found that constructions of participants will respond seriously to IAT
nature as separate from or opposite to feedback about implicit racial bias and
civilization tend to allow for the use of subsequently make efforts to control their
nature as well as those close to or bias. We expect that participants exposed
perceived to be close to nature, as to their IAT score will show a higher
resources with little to no consequence. I motivation to control their prejudices.
also explored the way that in communities
where civilization is modeled after nature, 27. Moving to Louisville: Where College
the people tend to act in positive People Live in the City, Beau Weston, John
relationships and form long-term M. and Louise Van Winkle Professor of
connections with nature. This is because Sociology
when nature is intrinsic to civilization,
societies encourage the formation of a Louisville is the most likely place for Centre
reciprocating relationship between people alumni to live. One sixth of all alumni live
and the rest of our environment as a there now. For each of the last three
necessary aspect of maintaining cultural years, one fifth of graduates moved there
balance. after graduation. There are different kinds
of neighborhoods in Louisville, which
26. The IAT as Intervention: Promoting appeal to people in different stages in life
concerns about implicit racial biases, cycle, and with different politics. The
Gabby Romines, Sierra Gaskin, and Kristen Highlands are a dense, walkable, mixed-
Sedlatscheck use neighborhood with strong appeal for
Mentor: Jennifer Goetz young single people and liberals. The
many suburban subdivisions appeal to
Implicit racial biases are widespread and older married people and conservatives.
contribute to discrimination and Prof. Weston will discuss the findings of his
inequality. Research has shown the effects recent book, Between Bohemia and
of implicit bias in police, employment, Suburbia: Boburbia in the USA, a
academic, and medical decisions. The sociological study of Louisville
implications of implicit racial biases are neighborhoods.
evident, but there is no clear way to
combat these biases. An individual’s bias 28. The Psychological Benefits of Caring for
can be assessed by administering an Potted Plants, Claire Kennedy and
Implicit Association Test (IAT), which Annemieke Buis
evaluates the strength of people's Mentor: Aaron Godlaski
unconscious beliefs and stereotypes about
a specific group. Oftentimes, the IAT is The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the
used in prejudice reduction training to need for personal projects and outlets to
make people aware of biases and reduce stress. In recognition of this, the
potentially work to control them. Centre Gardening Club planned “Blooms
However, it is unclear if exposure to one’s for Rooms,” a program which emphasizes
IAT score actually causes increased control the importance of mental health by forcing
over biases. Our study aims to test if tulip and daffodil bulbs to bloom in late
15ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
February through mid-March. Students, insight into how woody plant communities
faculty and staff at Centre College were respond to invasive species removal and
given pots of bulbs and information potential secondary plant invasions.
regarding plant care and self-care during 30. Socially Distant but Physically Close: Class,
these difficult times. In collaboration with Ethnicity, Occupation, and Neighborhoods
the Gardening Club, we administered a at Ventanillas, Peru, between 1200-1400
pre-survey when participants picked up C.E., Robyn Cutright, Interim Director,
plants and a post-survey two weeks later. Center for Teaching and Learning and
The surveys consisted of Brief Mood Associate Professor of Anthropology
Introspection Scale (BMIS), inclusion of
nature in self (INS) item, and an in-house In cities, “socially distant people find
gardening habit questionnaire. The goal of themselves physically close” (Hutson 2016:
this study is to measure the psychological 17). This presentation uses archaeological
benefits of caring for potted plants. The data to explore social differences within an
data collection phase will be completed by ancient city in the foothills of the Andes
March 24 and analyzed in the following during the Late Intermediate Period (1200-
weeks. 1400 C.E.). Differences in household
production of cloth and metal goods and in
29. Woody Seedling Community Response to household consumption of food and
Invasive Species Removal, Caitlyn Cathey decorated ceramics help to reveal a
Mentor: Brian Hoven socially diverse community on an ancient
frontier.
This study investigated the potential for
secondary invasion at five sites in central
Kentucky following the manual and
chemical removal of Amur honeysuckle
(Lonicera maackii) and autumn olive
(Elaeagnus umbellate). Tree and shrub
seedlings (20-100 cm) within four micro-
plots were sampled at two control plots
and two treatment plots at each of the five
sites. Sampling followed the protocol
outlined in Hoven et al. (2017), seedlings
were classified as either native or invasive
and identified to the level of genus and if
possible, species. A two-tailed unpaired t-
test will be used to compare each seedling
response variable—abundance of invasive
and native seedlings, Shannon Index, and
species richness—for the woody seedling
communities between control and invasive
shrub removal plots. This study coupled
with future re-samplings will provide
16POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
31. Docking Study with SARS-CoV-2 Main the stability of their respective oxidation
Protease, Anna Bachmann and dimerization products were executed,
Mentor: Jennifer Muzyka in order to determine the change in
enthalpy over the course of the reaction.
Computational docking studies are The calculated reaction enthalpies agree
extremely useful for quantitatively with experimental stability measurements.
studying the abilities of different chemical The synthesized FADT samples and their
compounds to bind to proteins. When decomposition products were
compounds bind effectively enough to a characterized through Nuclear Magnetic
protein, they can often cause a change in Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and
its function. This approach is the one we infrared spectroscopy. Differences in
have been using to study potential drug crystal packing of the derivatives was
targets against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. investigated through computational
Docking studies of the virus’s main analysis.
protease with a wide array of molecules
can illuminate potential methods by which 33. Examining the Role of Risperidone in
SARS-CoV-2’s method of infection can be Dopaminergic and Serotonergic
intercepted, thereby providing a viable Mechanisms Underlying Cocaine-Induced
treatment for infected patients. I will Sensitization in Japanese Quail, Kylie
present a poster explaining the advantages Cochran and Katy Haering
of the main protease as a target, the Mentor: Karin Gill
docking study methodology, and relevant
results that have been found thus far. The present study will investigate if the
Additionally, an explanation will be given administration of a 5-HT2A and D2
into this method’s usefulness against SARS- antagonist will cause greater cocaine-
CoV-2. induced behavioral sensitization in
Japanese quail than antagonism of either
32. Light-Induced Reaction of FADT and their receptor alone. This could provide further
Crystal Packing, Micai Benford support for the role of 5-HT2A and D2
Mentor: Vanessa Song receptors in treatments targeted toward
cocaine use disorder.
Triethylsilyl fluoroanthradithiophenes
(TES-FADT) have been of interest due to 34. Diversity at the Centre? Investigating
their application in organic electronics and disparate retention rates for minority
transistor devices. Three FADT derivatives students in STEM, Cynthia De Leon
were compared with two being alterations Mentor: Sarah Murray
to the triethyl side group of the TES-FADT
molecule (TEC-FADT and TEG-FADT). It was With each passing year, there is a rise in
identified that FADT molecules could career opportunities in STEM (science,
undergo oxidation or dimerization when technology, engineering, and
exposed to light. Gaussian geometry mathematics) related fields. The number
optimization and frequency calculations of of racial/ethnic minorities and women in
TES-, TEC-, and TEG-FADT molecules, and such fields, however, is not increasing at
17POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
equal rates. This ongoing research began knowledge about the medical field, and
its focus on trying to understand why there learn about the business aspect of running
is such a disproportionate number of a private practice.
racial/ethnic minorities and women in such
fields and how this may be traced back to
graduate and undergraduate level 36. Measured Energy Dissipation in Internal
academia, like Centre College. Through an Waves, Yichen Guo
anonymous survey developed particularly Mentor: Bruce Rodenborn
for current seniors, whether they are
pursuing a STEM degree or not, the survey Internal waves in the ocean are excited by
sought to understand the unique tidal motion of the fluid over topography
experiences of students within STEM and propagate below the surface. These
classrooms at Centre and how that has waves shape the ocean’s topography and
influenced their desire to continue STEM are important in determining global ocean
or seek alternative career paths. circulation patterns and therefore affect
Information provided through student global climate. Our research looks at the
responses offers ways for improving reflection of internal waves at different
recruitment and more importantly boundary angles, specifically modeling the
retention of minority students and women process in which internal tides are
in STEM at Centre College. dissipated in the ocean along continental
slopes. We create internal waves in a
35. Bluegrass Allergy and Asthma Internship, laboratory experiment with lasers and
Emily Doyle seed particles to measure the velocity field
Mentor: Karin Gill of the waves. We then determine the ratio
of the incoming and outgoing energy flux
During CentreTerm, I was fortunate of the internal waves, which shows high
enough to participate in an in-person rates of dissipation. The experimental data
internship at Bluegrass Allergy & Asthma, a is used to verify numerical codes under the
private clinic in East Louisville serving same conditions. The numerical codes can
allergy, asthma, and immunology patients. then be used to explore other regimes that
As an intern, I assisted with the process is not possible in the tank experiments.
leading up to the physician seeing the
patient, which included the check-in 37. Mithramycin Analogs With Improved
process, taking vitals, and conducting Cytotoxicity and Cancer Specificity,
Pulmonary Function tests. I also assisted Madeline Jenkin and Marielena Villaran
the doctor while seeing patients by Mentor: Daniel Scott
scribing his notes and observed in office
tests, like allergy testing. In addition to my Mithramycin (MTM) is an aureolic acid
daily duties, I also worked with other office antibiotic that is produced by many soil
staff on insurance claims and pharmacy bacteria of the genus Streptomyces. A
approvals. This opportunity allowed me to genetically engineered strain of
earn clinical experience hours for applying Streptomyces argillaceous, M7W1,
to Physician Assistant school, gain produces three MTM analogues: MTM SK,
18POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
MTM SDK, and MTM SA. MTM SK and virgin and mated flies, mated flies will
MTM SDK have increased cytotoxicity display the strongest aversion to quinine.
while MTM SA has significantly decreased This study will expand upon the
anticancer activity compared to MTM. relationship between sensory systems and
MTM SA differs from MTM SK and MTM reproductive circuits across insect species.
SDK with the presence of a carboxylic acid
on its 3-side chain. This carboxylic acid was 39. The Physics of Bacterial Swimming Near
used for easy and consistent modification Boundaries, Tanner May
of MTM SA with aromatic side chains to Mentor: Bruce Rodenborn
produce new anticancer agents.
Cytotoxicity assays were performed to I worked under Dr. Bruce Rodenborn
compare the cytotoxicity of these MTM SA (Centre) and professors at Trinity (TX) to
analogues to MTM SK/SDK and showed research the physical effects of bacterial
increased anticancer activity. Current work swimming near a boundary. Our research
is focused on scaling up these reactions to uses novel techniques to measure and
complete structural characterization with characterize the functional forms of the
NMR and mass spectrometry. forces and torques that are generated as a
rotating helical structure approaches a
38. The Effects of Mating on Female boundary. Our research sought not only to
Drosophila Bitter Taste Processing, Landy learn more about the biophysics of
Lin microscopic life, but also to understand
Mentor: Genevieve Bell the fluid dynamics of low-reynolds number
viscous fluids.
The Drosophila melanogaster’s
reproductive circuit plays a critical role in 40. Hormonal Control of Alcohol-Induced
their gustatory processing. Female Aggression in Male Japanese Quail, Izzy
Drosophila undergo mating-induced Neel and Brianna Roberts
appetite changes. Sweet and salty foods Mentor: Karin Gill
are naturally preferred, but mated female
flies seek yeast-rich foods for egg-laying. While testosterone typically has been
However, the relationship between bitter attributed to aggressive behaviors in male
tastants and this complex post-mating mammals, this hormone has not been
circuit has been overlooked. The proposed directly linked to aggression. Rather, this
study aims to elucidate this connection by association is likely due to the
observing how mating impacts bitter transformation of testosterone into
preference in females. Surprisingly, our estrogen in the brain – a process known as
preliminary studies demonstrated a strong aromatization (Schlinger & Callard, 1990).
preference for bitter (tonic water) in virgin Alcohol exposure has been shown to
flies however, this preference was lost increase estrogen levels while decreasing
once mated. Herein, we will compare testosterone levels (Von Der Pahlen,
control (DI water) with a pure bitter 2005). Therefore, alcohol-induced
tastant (quinine) using a taste preference aggression may be due to aromatization. In
assay. We hypothesize that between the Japanese quail, aggressive behaviors are
19POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
easily observed and quantified (Schilinger,
Palter, & Callard, 1987) and require The DNA binding behavior of ruthenium (II)
aromatization (Schlinger, 1989). and iron (II) polypyridyl complexes were
Additionally, circulating hormone levels studied for their potential to induce DNA
may be manipulated without surgical damage. A DNA binding constant assay
alterations via photoperiodism in quail using UV-Vis spectroscopy was developed
(Robinson & Follett, 1982). The present and modified to be high-throughput using
study investigated the role of a plate reader. Significant troubleshooting
aromatization on alcohol-induced took place to determine efficient ratios of
aggressive behavior in male quail. metal complex to DNA to give adequate
change in absorbance upon binding. The
41. Does Height Really Matter?: Perception in results for the metal complexes tested
Virtual Reality, Caleb Snyder and Brooks thus far are consistent with the DNA
Owen binding constants reported in the
Mentor: Drew Morris literature. Future studies include
determining the DNA binding constant for
Virtual reality research is a novel area in additional metal complexes using the high-
psychology. Previous research throughput assay as well as further
demonstrates that modifications can be development and testing of a DNA damage
made to increase the perceived weight of assays using gel electrophoresis.
virtual objects in a virtual reality (VR)
simulation (Rietzler et Al., 2018). However,
most research fails to address the
relationship between perceived weight in-
game and the characteristics of the user's
avatar - their in-game self. The purpose of
this research is to discover if manipulating
in-game avatar height impacts the
participant’s perceived strength. Using
PlayStation VR, participants are placed into
a virtual environment as a tall or short
first-person avatar. They are then asked to
compare the weight of in-game objects
with weighted bottles in the lab. We
predict that users with tall in-game avatars
will have higher perceived strength and
will rate virtual objects as being similar in
weight to lighter objects in the lab.
42. Determing the DNA Binding Behavior of
Transition Metal Polypyridyl Complexes,
Ella Aponte
Mentor: Erin Wachter
20COMMITTEE
2021 RICE SYMPOSIUM COMMITTEE
Eva Cadavid RICE Symposium Co-chair
Karin Gill RICE Symposium Co-chair
Ellen Goldey Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
Judith Pointer Keiser AEGON Gallery Coordinator
CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING
Robyn Cutright Interim Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
Kristi Burch Academic Technology Specialist
Lisa Curlis Office Manager
Andrew Patrick Assistant Director of CTL & Experiential Learning Coordinator
Todd Sheene Event and Video Production Coordinator
Candace Wentz Assistant Director of CTL & Instructional Technology and Design
Coordinator
MEMBERS OF THE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH COMMITTEE
Chris Faulkner Visiting Assistant Professor of International Studies
Satty Flaherty-Echeverría Assistant Professor of Spanish
Mary Girard Digital Scholarship Librarian
Fernando Gonzalez Librarian Evening Supervisor
Karoline Manny Reference, Instruction and Assessment Librarian
Nate Meissner Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Drew Morris Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
Andrew Patrick Assistant Professor of History (ex-officio)
Bruce Rodenborn Assistant Professor of Physics
21NAME INDEX
Numbers correspond to the presentation numbers, NOT page numbers
Allotey, Princess 22
Anderson, David 12
Aponte, Ella 42
Avula, Annika 22
Azevedo, João Victor 19
Bachmann, Anna 31
Bell, Genevieve 38
Benford, Micai 32
Biggerstaff, Sam 7, 23
Bitensky, Larry 7
Boardman, Alexandra 18
Bosco, Robert 9
Brito, Andrea 19
Buis, Annemieke 28
Casto, Sophia 15
Carreto Romero, Saira 5
Cathey, Caitlyn 29
Cha Olguin, Natalie 5
Cochran, Kylie 33
Conkling, Mackenzie 21
Cutright, Robyn 30
Daniels, Mary Blythe 4, 5
De Leon, Cynthia 34
Démont, Marc 17
Doyle, Emily 35
Edarehchi Gilani, Rami 13
Ely, Hannah 2
Falk, Amanda 24
Flaherty-Echeverría, Satty 18, 19, 20
Frederick, Amy 6
Fulfer, Kristen 13
Gaskin, Sierra 26
Ghamgosar, Faraz 20
Gendreau, Megs 25
Gill, Karin 33, 35, 40
Goetz, Jennifer 26
Godlaski, Aaron 11, 28
Guo, Yichen 36
Hammond, Benjamin 23
Haering, Katy 33
Haffner, Peter 6
22NAME INDEX
Numbers correspond to the presentation numbers, NOT page numbers
Hardy, Will 3
Hay, Joshua 1
Hoven, Brian 29
Irihamye, Idris 25
Jenkin, Madeline 37
Jung, Lauren 20
Kennedy, Claire 28
Lamar, Michael 22
Lin, Landy 38
Lucas, Mark 8
May, Tanner 39
Morris, Drew 41
Murray, Sarrah 10, 34
Muzyka, Jennifer 23, 31
Neel, Izzy 40
Owen, Brooks 41
Patel, Hemangi 13
Perello, Melissa 18
Roberts, Brianna 40
Rodenborn, Bruce 21, 36, 39
Romines, Gabby 26
Scott, Daniel 14, 37
Sedlatscheck, Kristen 26
Sigal, Jordan 11
Snyder, Caleb 41
Song, Vanessa 32
Valente, Veronica 10
Villaran, Marielena 37
Wachter, Erin 42
Wagner, Sheridan 13
Weston, Beau 27
Whelan, Meg 16
Whitlock, Nathan 4
Wood, Christian 1, 2, 3, 15, 16
Wood, Lindsey 8
23NOTES 24
Thank you for attending the
14th Annual
Symposium
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