Category: Oral Presentation

Increasing Access to Clean Water: Four Elements of Integrated Water Resources Management as Observed in Two Angolan Water Projects

Presenter: Julia Stafford (Political Science, History)

Mentor: Ron Mitchell

Oral Presentation

Panel C: “Explorations in Chemistry and Water” Oak Room

Concurrent Session 3: 1:45-3:00pm

Facilitator: Sheri Donahoe

By what means can we effectively deliver a bigger quantity of safe, clean water to more people? Integrated water resources management (IWRM) is the dominant framework, calling for the integration of every scale of stakeholder power to achieve increased clean water access. Participatory decision making, capacity building, public‐private partnerships, and valuation are four elements of IWRM that contribute to an effective water management project. Participatory mechanisms increase clean water access by incorporating the principle of subsidiarity. Capacity building creates sustainability by strengthening local resources that would otherwise restrict the expansion of clean water access. Public‐private partnerships alleviate pressure on public institutions which may be incapable of water management independently. Valuation increases the economic viability of water projects. In an evaluation of two IWRM projects in Angola, participatory mechanisms and capacity building are most prominent. In addition, each project reflects the mission of their supporting organization: a social focus for the United Nations Development Programme and an economic one for the World Bank. The United Nations’ project in Angola is more effective in increasing clean water access, validating their human rights and community‐ based project structure.

Utilizing Shear Reactor Technology for Optimizing the Ozonolysis of Alkenes Reaction

Presenter: Ajay Ryerson (Chemistry)

Mentor: David Tyler

Oral Presentation

Panel C: “Explorations in Chemistry and Water” Oak Room

Concurrent Session 3: 1:45-3:00pm

Facilitator: Sheri Donahoe

Ozone is a great oxidizing agent because its byproducts are water and oxygen. Current ozonolysis processes are either slow or dangerous for large scale reactions though. The use of flow reactors is a new technology that solves these problems. We have developed a process for mixing ozone, water and an organic phase together to get our desired material out with little work-up or purification needed. We utilize the Sythetron shear reactor developed by Kinetichem to achieve this mixing. Current yields are comparable to those found in the scientific literature, but results from several experiments have shown that decreasing the volume of gas in the reaction will increase yields. We are very optimistic that once we have an ozone generator that can produce concentrated ozone we will be able a produce material at rates unprecedented in the literature, all while being easier to work‐up than any oxidative process to date.

Making a Catalyst in order to Study the Break Down of Plastics and Other Polymers

Presenter: Mollie Bello (Chemistry)

Mentor: David Tyler

Oral Presentation

Panel C: “Explorations in Chemistry and Water” Oak Room

Concurrent Session 3: 1:45-3:00pm

Facilitator: Sheri Donahoe

The break-down of plastics is an important area of research; however, the way in which these plastics break down is a very complicated reaction. In order to better understand the how different environmental factors play a role in this degradation, the Tyler Lab has synthesized very weak polymers (polymers are the building blocks of plastics). Simple polymers of this type have already been synthesized, which is why my project has been focused on making these weak polymers with a more complicated structure. In order to make this reaction work, a catalyst is needed. In order to use this catalyst, it needs to be synthesized. The production of this catalyst is where my focus has been centered. When the reaction conditions described in the literature are used, I have proven that a different molecule is formed. Going forward on this project, I want to discover why the catalyst is not being formed, and what I can change about my reaction conditions in order to make the desired product.

Thermodynamically Controlled, Dynamic Binding of Polyols to a 1,2-BN Cyclohexane Derivative

Presenter: Gregory Harlow (Chemistry)

Mentor: Shih-Yuan Liu

Oral Presentation

Panel C: “Explorations in Chemistry and Water” Oak Room

Concurrent Session 3: 1:45-3:00pm

Facilitator: Sheri Donahoe

The high affinity, selective binding of polyols to a benzylated 1,2-BN cyclohexane derivative is introduced. Solid- state structures of the covalent interactions with 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-glycols have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. 11B NMR is shown to be a convenient method for distinguishing 5-, 6-, and 7-membered chelate ring size. Site-specific binding to oligoalcohols proceeds under thermodynamic control, and association constants for these contacts have been quantified by NMR peak integration. Additional mechanistic insights and evidence for dynamic exchange has been gained through combined deuterium labeling experiments and variable temperature NMR studies with a model 1,2-diol. These binding events suggest broad implications for both the field of polyol sensing and the expanding science of boron-nitrogen analogues, including 1,2-azaborines.

Prey detection and feeding success of the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi on the copepod Acartia tonsa in still and turbulent waters

Presenter: Clare Chisholm (Environmental Science)

Mentor: Kelly Sutherland

Oral Presentation

Panel B: “Vertebrate Expression” Walnut Room

Concurrent Session 3: 1:45-3:00pm

Facilitator: Chris Moe

The comb jelly or ctenophore, Mnemiopsis leidyi, is a voracious predator in both its native and non-native habitats. Though M. leidyi inhabits coastal waters that are frequently turbulent, previous feeding studies have been conducted in still water tanks. This study aimed to research their feeding behaviors in turbulent waters, which is more representative of their natural environment. Interactions between the free-swimming ctenophores and copepod prey (Acartia tonsa) were observed and recorded (n = 73) in a laboratory turbulence tank. Turbulence was created using submersible speakers, and the interactions were recorded using a video camera. Capture efficiency denoted interactions containing direct contact between copepods and M. leidyi that led to eventual capture, frequently after multiple interspecies contacts. Overall copepod capture efficiency was similar in still (48%) and turbulent (43%) water, as were the overall prey retention rates for each (still = 26%; turbulent = 20%). However, M. leidyi exhibited anticipatory responses, defined as altering the position of feeding structures, nearly twice as often in still (41%) waters than in turbulent (20%) waters. The hydromechanical “noise” produced by background turbulence may inhibit the capacity of the ctenophore to detect and respond to fluid motions produced by its prey.

Opposing Roles of Wnt and BMP signaling in Zebrafish caudal fin regeneration

Presenter: Alan Gomez (Biology)

Mentor: Kryn Stankunas

Oral Presentation

Panel B: “Vertebrate Expression” Walnut Room

Concurrent Session 3: 1:45-3:00pm

Facilitator: Chris Moe

Zebrafish and many other vertebrates possess an incredible ability to regenerate damaged or amputated body parts including the retina, spinal chord, fins and limbs. The zebrafish caudal fin is a widely studied system because of its simple anatomy, accessibility, and robust ability to completely and consistently regenerate after amputation in under two weeks. Regeneration of the zebrafish caudal fin is dependent upon the formation of a proliferating mass of cells that grow at the amputation site called the blastema. The cells that line the bone rays in the mature zebrafish contribute to the blastema along with other cell types and are responsible for rebuilding the lost bone. These osteoblasts become activated after a fin injury through dramatic changes in their genetic program. Two signaling pathways called Wnt and BMP are particularly important for inducing these genetic changes and for organizing the spatial localization of osteoblasts in the blastema. BMP and Wnt are proteins that cause changes in gene expression programs of the cells that they physically interact with at the cell surface. Proper expression of Wnt and BMP in the blastema is essential for regeneration to occur. By examining the genes activated by Wnt and BMP during regeneration we have concluded that the gene expression programs activated by BMP work to counteract those of Wnt signaling. Investigating this feedback between BMP and Wnt has helped to characterize the specific roles that these signaling pathways play during the process of bone regeneration.

The Flexibility of Gestural Communication in Bornean Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) in Kalimantan Tengah

Presenter: Cudmore (Anthropology)

Mentor: Kirstin Sterner

Oral Presentation

Panel B: “Vertebrate Expression” Walnut Room

Concurrent Session 3: 1:45-3:00pm

Facilitator: Chris Moe

Great ape communication research attempts to reveal the cognitive abilities of our closest living relatives and to inform our understanding of the evolution of human language. Although great ape gestural communication has been well documented, relatively few studies are specific to the orangutan. The aim of this study was to determine if rehabilitant orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) at the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (Pasir Panjang, Indonesian Borneo) use distinct gestures toward other orangutans versus toward humans. Because orangutans are tree-living species whose arms are typically not free to gesture, we predicted that orangutan gestures are adapted to employ the whole body. Using 59 sub-adults in 18 different home enclosures, we examined gestural types and frequencies in comparisons of orangutan-orangutan and orangutan-human communication. Orangutan-human trials were run with both the experimenter facing and non-facing to further measure gestural flexibility. Our results show that 92% of orangutan-human gestures were made with the limbs, while the majority (46%) of orangutan- orangutan gestures were facial. When the human experimenter was facing, 76% of gestures were visual, while when non-facing, only 7% were visual. Our results suggest that limb gesturing toward the experimenter may be partly due to rehabilitant orangutans learning that caretakers respond more readily to anthropocentric gestures, like arm/hand pointing. Our findings demonstrate that these orangutans use gestures flexibly.

Hidden Information in the Fossil Record: Using Discriminant Analysis on Isolated Postcrania

Presenter: Brianna McHorse (Biology)

Mentor: Samantha Hopkins

Oral Presentation

Panel B: “Vertebrate Expression” Walnut Room

Concurrent Session 3: 1:45-3:00pm

Facilitator: Chris Moe

Postcrania (non-skull or teeth bones) are often preserved in the fossil record but, unless found with teeth or skulls, are rarely identified beyond the family level. As a result, they offer a potentially untapped resource for studies of extinct diversity. Discriminant statistical analyses of linear measurements on these postcranial bones show remarkably high identification success rates for many mammal types, including antilocaprids (pronghorn), camelids (camels and llamas), and equids (horses). The approach we use is ideal, as it captures more subtle bone-shape variation than examining scatterplots of measurements but is more straightforward than three-dimensional morphometric methods. Further, applying Bayesian methods to the established discriminant analysis can allow integration of multiple skeletal elements, e.g., phalanges (fingers), astragali (ankles), and metapodials (hand and foot bones). We test this new method on a known, artificially created assemblage of modern cervid (deer), camelid, and antilocaprid postcranial bones. In a mixed training set of four bone types, we achieved identification success rates ranging from 87.5% to 100%. Our method is simple but has the potential to quickly and significantly improve knowledge of the hoofed mammal ecology at several postcrania-rich fossil sites. We focus on hoofed mammals, but the method should transfer well to other mammalian groups, shedding light on hidden diversity and improving any studies that rely on identification.

Climate Change Response in the National Park Service: Analyzing Changes in Science, Education, and Management Policies

Presenter: Kelsey Ward (Environmental Science)

Mentor: Mark Carey

Oral Presentation

Panel A: “Habitats and Climate” Maple Room

Concurrent Session 3: 1:45-3:00pm

Facilitator: Drew Terhune

The language of the Organic Act of 1916 explicitly defines the national park mission: “to conserve…scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein…as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” As the world around national parks changes, unimpairment is increasingly difficult, bordering on impossible. Climate change is conceptualized as an “unprecedented challenge” for park managers because of technical/scientific uncertainty. It has the potential to reshape our understanding of the National Park System as well as the national park idea. In the face of large and diverse uncertainties, thus far the National Park Service has taken a “safe-to-fail” approach to management, which emphasizes neither ensuring success nor avoiding failure in adaptation and mitigation. Through analysis of management documents, observation, and interviews this paper illustrates how science, education, and management within parks has evolved as a result of climate change. I argue that though climate change presents a challenge, it also is creating positive new ideas about national parks, including the view of these protected areas as vital cores of much larger ecosystems, and the emerging idea of national parks assuming a more prominent role in public education. While climate change threatens the “natural state” of national parks as set in the Organic Act, it also provides a unique opportunity to re-emphasize the multiple values of protected areas.

Establishing Baseline Data for Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Evaluating Riparian Planting Success in the McKenzie Watershed

Presenter: Ashley Sosa (Environmental Science)

Co-Presenters: Breanna Senate and Matt Keeler

Mentor: Peg Boulay

Oral Presentation

Panel A: “Habitats and Climate” Maple Room

Concurrent Session 3: 1:45-3:00pm

Facilitator: Drew Terhune

Salmon are valued not only as food and symbol, but as bioindicators of broad ecological functions related to aquatic systems. Countless projects across the Pacific Northwest focus on creating quality habitat and connectivity for salmonids and other aquatic species. Thus, pre and post project monitoring of stream restoration techniques such as large woody debris placement and riparian plantings provides crucial information on the success and validity of current techniques. We are partnering with the McKenzie Watershed Council and the US Forest Service at two sites of active restoration in the McKenzie Watershed. At the Berggren Watershed Conservation Area we conducted riparian vegetation effectiveness monitoring as well as in-stream baseline monitoring. At Cougar Creek we conducted in-stream baseline monitoring as well as snorkel surveys for fish inventory. The results of our in- stream monitoring will allow for quantifiable measurements of change in stream channel morphology and substrate due to restoration activities. Snorkel survey data will inform future efforts with site specific data on fish presence and demographics. Results of vegetation monitoring will guide future riparian vegetation plantings. This research will give our community partners valuable information to improve future restoration of aquatic habitat.