Category: Poster Presentation

Biostratigraphy of Miocene Camelids in the Juntura Formation

Presenter: Brianna McHorse, Biology

Poster: C-1

Mentor: Samantha Hopkins, Geology

Paleoecological research relies largely on the accuracy with which fossil specimens can be identified. Species-level identifications provide the most precise data for measuring diversity and communities through changing environments, space, and time. While cranial (skull) fossils allow a researcher to quickly identify specimens to the species level because of the density of characters (teeth, foramina, sutures, etc.), postcranial elements tend to be less diagnostic. However, postcranial material is favorably preserved in the fossil record. Previous studies have shown that the dimensions of camelid metapodials (cannon bones) tend to cluster in a species- specific way, as well as provide some indication of the presence or absence of a pacing gait. This study carries out measurements on Miocene camel metapodials from the Black Butte site in the Juntura Formation to identify each specimen more precisely, suggest the presence or absence of pacing, and examine whether sexual dimorphism was likely. A more precise understanding of the Juntura camel paleoecology will help to place them in ecological context relative to the other animals with which they lived. Preliminary results suggest that the two different camels present in this fauna had similar but distinct patterns of locomotion.

Affirmative Action and White Males: A Study of the Impacts of Framing

Presenter: Angela Stelson, Political Science

Poster: C-6

Mentor: Daniel Ho Sang, Political Science

Ballot measure campaigns have served as a discursive battleground for various arguments (or “frames”) of affirmative action. Using this historical backdrop, this study tests three models designed to predict the success of frames using demographic attributes: liberal vs. conservative, group dominance, and parent morality. The study used a survey of 104 Caucasian males to analyze the relationship between demographic factors, political ideology and morality models for frames found in the campaigns for affirmative action ballot measures. The survey was based around a fictitious ballot measure which the respondent could vote on, and then change their vote based on exposure to frames. The findings ascertained that no one model could completely explain the effect of the frames. However, different model predictions correlated positively with different types of frames; the parent morality model best described frames which addressed the same socioeconomic group (“in-group”), and the liberal-conservative model best fit frames which were oriented toward other demographics (“out-group”). These results help to contribute to the body of framing knowledge by providing a comparative test of these models and indicating their flaws, while providing an alternative model which combines the strengths of each model.

Nolli, Lanciani, and the Spatial History of Rome

Presenter: Kelly Mabry, Architecture

Poster: C-3

Mentor: James Tice, Architecture

Giambattista Nolli’s 1748 Baroque Map of Rome remains one of the most engaging and accurate maps of the city ever created. Rodolfo Lanciani’s 1902 archeological map of Rome, based on Nolli, depicts the city as a series of layers extending from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century. By carefully comparing these two cartographic sources, one can create a clearer understanding of Rome’s spatial history and how, among other things, Rome’s famous seven hills have influenced the city’s growth over the centuries. By using the geo-database software, ArcGIS, both the Nolli and Lanciani maps can be further geo-rectified with recent satellite imagery and data to achieve an even richer, layered, spatial understanding of the city. This enhanced layered approach opens new possibilities toward the understanding of Rome’s spatial history and its evolution over two millennia.

Investigating Early Effects Following Glia Cell Ablation in Medulloblastoma

Presenter: Kelsey Wahl, Chemistry

PosterPoster: D-2

Mentor: Hui Zong, Institute of Molecular Biology

Medulloblastoma is the most common type of malignant brain tumor in children. During cerebellar development, granule neuron precursor cells (GNPs) proliferate along the external germinal layer in response to the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway. In our lab, medulloblastoma is modeled in mice by inducing heterozygous mutations in both the sonic hedgehog signaling receptor patched (Ptc) and the tumor suppressor gene p53. These mutations lead to a brain tumor in the cerebellum through over-proliferation of GNPs. From previous research, it is shown that unipotent GNPs in a tumor can somehow give rise to glia cells. In order to determine the role of glia cells within the tumor, they were selectively ablated through thymidine kinase (TK)-mediated cell ablation with administration of Ganciclovir (GCV). Amazingly, the proper dosing regime of GCV leads to complete tumor regression. To further understand the ablation process, we studied early time points during GCV injections to observe cellular processes within the tumor.

Acquisition of Second Language Vocabulary for Kindergartners with Speech Sound Disorders

Presenter: Tracy Zapf, Spanish

Poster: D-7

Mentor: Karen McLaughlin, Communicatgion Disorders and Sciences

Researchers and educators alike have raised concerns over the potential lack of inclusion of children with speech and language disorders in immersion programs. The purpose of this study was to determine if children with speech sound disorders acquired Spanish vocabulary at a similar rate as a typical peer when learning in an immersion program, and if there was a difference between rates of acquisition for expressive versus receptive vocabulary. Participants included five kindergartners attending a partial, early elementary immersion school, one control participant and four participants with speech sound disorders. Expressive and receptive vocabulary probes were used to test the number of Spanish vocabulary words children could produce and comprehend within an eight-week period. Results showed that children with speech sound disorders acquired expressive Spanish vocabulary at a similar rate as their typical peer, but had lower levels of acquisition overall; rates of receptive vocabulary acquisition varied across participants. The results of this pilot study suggest that children with speech sound disorders are able to acquire Spanish vocabulary and, as a result, should continue to be included in immersion programs in the future.

Using Forward Modeling to Optimize the Geometry of Geophysical Networks at the Summit of Kilauea Volcano: A Matter of Great Gravity

Presenter: Patricia Macqueen, Geological Sciences

Poster: B-8

Mentor: Katherine V. Cashman, Geological Sciences

Minute changes in the gravitational field of a volcano can give early warning of subsurface magma accumulation or withdrawal long before other more traditional precursors (e.g., seismic and deformation) and provide a valuable data set that is complementary to other data sets. Scientists have been monitoring gravity changes at the summit of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii for decades, and these data sets have yielded valuable insight into volcanic activity at Kilauea. However, we currently have a poor understanding of the bias imposed by network geometry. My work focuses on using forward models of three known magma storage areas beneath Kilauea’s summit to test the resolving power of the current network. This forward modeling indicates that the current network can distinguish changes from sources near Halema`uma`u Crater and Keanakakoi Crater very well, but that additional station coverage is needed to decrease bias from network geometry in the south caldera region — known to be the primary magma storage reservoir beneath the summit. To this end I have suggested 5 new station sites in the south caldera area and evaluated the improvement that these stations would bring to the network. Forward modeling has also clarified the ability of the network to resolve sources with different mass changes and depths, and given insight on which stations are most useful for monitoring known sources of subsurface magma storage.

Campus Scultures

Presenter: Alison Brown, Spanish

Poster: A-3

The lost wax method of casting a bronze sculpture is centuries old, yet pieces from ancient times still survive to tell the stories of our ancestors. This is the spirit of a bronze: an emotion and a message, immortalized. As a bronze artist, I believe it is my purpose to celebrate the tales we tell as humans through sculpture. To tell my own story, I have gathered my experiences of joy and intrigue from the University of Oregon and have commemorated them in a statue of the Oregon Duck Mascot. As an entrepreneurial sculptor, my goal is to share my creativity with other alumni who want their experiences remembered in bronze.

Chromatin Regulation During Fin Regeneration in Zebrafish

Presenter: Matthew Garish, Biology

Poster: B-1

Mentor: Kyrn Stankunas, Institute of Molecular Biology

Vertebrate organisms such as the Zebrafish have developed molecular processes to regenerate their fins after amputation by epigenetic cell reprogramming. An insight into the molecular processes could prove clinically useful in addressing such problems as tissue repair. The transcript of KDM6B.1, a histone demethylase (me3K27H3), has already been established in caudal fin regeneration in zebrafish via in situ hybridization. I hypothesize that KDM6B.1 plays a crucial role in zebrafish fin regeneration. I propose to spatially and temporally establish expression patterns of KDM6B.1 during fin regeneration. To address this question, I have purified a KDM6B.1 antigen and antibodies against the antigen. I performed techniques to surgically remove a portion of the Zebrafish’s fin. I have characterized the antibody using such in vitro methods as affinity purification and immunocytochemistry (ICC) analysis. After characterizing the antibody, I performed studies on the zebrafish such as immunohistological analysis during fin regeneration. The results concluded higher expression of KDM6B.1 specifically in regenerating tissue. I believe that understanding the results of a histone demethylase during fin regeneration has given insight to the ability of a cell to reprogram itself in response to injury which will give insight to tissue repair.

Effects of a Natural Environment on Caenorhabditis elegans

Presenter: Anna Crist, Biology

Poster: A-4

Mentor: Patrick Phillips, Biology

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an important model organism in the field of biology and yet little is known about how it lives in its natural environment. In order to study C. elegans in a more naturalistic setting, we created artificial soil microcosms. Populations of C. elegans were estimated over time by taking small periodic samples. We were able to maintain large, stable populations for over one month, or twelve generations. This methodology could be a useful tool in many areas of C. elegans biology. We are investigating the effects that this naturalistic environment has on a known aging mutant, daf-2. The effect of this mutation, although well characterized in a laboratory setting to have an extension in lifespan, is unknown in a natural environment. Artificial soil microcosms will aid future C. elegans studies in determining the effects of a natural setting on lab-characterized traits.

Lack of Ventilation – Intoxication: Studying Carbon Dioxide Levels in a Student’s Apartment

Presenter: Shannon Ladner, Gina Realmuto, Ayla-Mae Vedder, Architecture

Poster: B-6

Mentor: Alison Kwok, Architecture

As building technology increases, buildings are being sealed tighter to reduce heating and cooling costs. With this increase in energy efficiency comes a decrease in quality. Air quality, specifically, has become a major concern as people spend more time indoors. In a student’s small apartment near the University of Oregon, ventilation has become a pressing problem. Our team set out to test the build-up of the highly known chemical compound carbon dioxide in a four-hundred square foot apartment. The American Society
of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers has set the ventilation standard at a maximum of one-thousand parts per million of carbon dioxide. After testing the apartment with carbon dioxide meters, we found the average amount of carbon dioxide to be one thousand six-hundred and fifty parts per million. Determined to find a solution to this ventilation problem, we decided to test the effectiveness of a common remedy: opening a window. Our hypothesis was that an open window would bring in enough fresh air to reduce the apartment’s carbon dioxide level to one thousand parts per million within four hours. The results were a success and in fact only took an average of forty-five minutes. However, it being winter, this method of ventilation sacrificed the residents’ thermal comfort. This research jump-started our interest in finding more convenient and passive ways to ventilate spaces as an alternative to mechanical ventilation systems.