Discovery Day 2026 Program of Events

1. 3D Printed Rocket Design and Manufacture

Quinn Bailey, Mason Charvat, Charles Sprouse, School of Engineering

Additive manufacturing is a rapidly developing technology with a wide range of applications in many industries. It allows for rapid prototyping and complex geometries, expanding the manufacturing capabilities of large-scale industry as well as those of the basic hobbyist. The goal of this project was to design and manufacture a model rocket using 3D printing to explore the advantages and disadvantages of additive manufacturing in aerospace-related components. The group used specialized software to design the rocket based on desirable characteristics, and the design was manufactured using 3D printing. The group launched the rocket multiple times to assess the flight characteristics. This project identified key benefits to using additive manufacturing, as well as potential drawbacks that can limit its applicability in certain situations.

2. Poison Prevention: Optimizing Selective Binding of Arsenate With a HOPO-Based Probe Through Luminescence

Emma Baucom, Sarah Harris, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Everyday drinking water may not be as safe as you think. With phosphate recy-cling methods being expensive, and rarely selective, you could unknowingly be poisoning yourself each time you take a sip. This project is working to put an end to this questionable risk by creating a probe that will work selectively to filter arsenate out of waterways and create a solution to the high levels of arsenate that are currently observed in water around the world. This probe will work specifi-cally to bind to only arsenate so that it can dually work both to filter the arse-nate out of the water and enable the cheap and effective recycling of phosphate without concentrating poisonous arsenate that is removed using these methods of filtration. The solution that will be achieved through this project is to create a lanthanide-based probe that will tightly bind arsenate but will not bind to ions similar, such as phosphate. Verification of the performance of this probe will be obtained through observation of phosphorescence of the lanthanide, which results from successful binding of the lanthanide to the probe. It is through this project that strides toward a safer world can be achieved.

3. Memo Mold

Meredith Baumann, Janet Paper, Biology

College dormitories are infamous for the mold that often grows in them. Though what this mold is and how it affects the residents is unknown. In this project, the mold growing in the AC in a basement room in St. Martin’s Memorial Hall was swabbed, grown, and each species was separated. Next, each species’ DNA was extracted and sequenced using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This allowed the identification of the mold and provided further knowledge into its effects on dormitory residents. Addressing the “Memo mold,” this project indicates whether it’s really ‘that bad.’

4. Mind vs. Motion: Teaching AI to Tell the Difference

Maria Blase, Tony Bujana, School of Engineering

We propose a system that classifies EEG data from real and imagined motor activ-ity using machine learning. By translating brain waves from imagined move-ments into physical actions, this technology could allow people with paralysis to interact with prosthetics in more sophisticated ways. This project explores the preliminary steps for such a device by utilizing open-source EEG data from indi-viduals performing and visualizing identical actions. This data is used to train an AI model to classify the trials. Finally, the model is tested against a simpler EEG device to determine if it can accurately classify the new data.

5. Ditching DCM: Determining of a Greener Solvent Alternative in Caffeine Extraction Characterization

Miriam Bourke, Catherine Moraghan, Emma Baucom, Gabriel Sydzyik, James Hansen, Sarah Harris, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dichloromethane was one of the top five solvents used in laboratory classrooms across America. It was also found to cause cancer and neurological damage, as well as environmental damage to the ozone layer. Though it was very popular due to its effectiveness as a solvent in Thin Layer Chromatography and Column Separation, the EPA placed a ban on the use of DCM due to its hazardous nature. Thus, a greener, safer, and effective solvent is needed to replace DCM.

Thin Layer Chromatography of Caffeine is a popular experiment to introduce students to TLC due to its relative simpleness and speed of results. Thus, the TLC of Caffeine can be used to test different solvents for similar results to DCM. Solvents that have been found near DCM in polarity are methanol, dimethyl car-bonate, ethyl acetate, hexane, acetone, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol. Each sol-vent as well as 2:1 and 3:1 ratios of each solvent will be tested with Ethyl Acetate to determine which solvent or mixture of solvents is most effective at replacing DCM. Thus, a greener, as well as safer, substitute for DCM will be found.

6. Using Computer Vision to Allow Computers to See and Interact With the Physical World

Dante Bullara, Charles Sprouse, Don Bagert, School of Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Many people have watched silicon valley robotics demos showing robots manipulating physical objects in real time, but how do they do it? In this project, I sought to understand how robots use visual input to interact with the world. The core of this project is the code itself and the computer behind it. At the end of the project, I was able to have the computer identify objects, such as a pen and an iPhone. It would then ask the user if it should pick the object up. If the user submitted a yes, the program would communicate with a micro controller, which would move a motor. This single servo is a stand-in for the complicated architecture that is a robotic arm, which itself would have cost thousands of dollars to build and requires multiple servos. This project was a fascinating insight into the world of robotics.

7. Antenna + Structure Design for Satellite Tracking Azimuth/Elevation (Pan/Tilt) Project

Mason Charvat, Johann Grothues, Charles Sprouse, School of Engineering

Amateur radio enthusiasts can communicate with each other via certain Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that are specially equipped with radio repeaters for that purpose. Communication involves hand-aiming a 2+-ft. antenna at the satellite and manually tracking it along the sky as it passes. This can be difficult as it involves the operator simultaneously checking the current satellite direction, ensuring that the antenna is properly aimed, as well as performing all communication tasks.

We seek to automate the aiming process by designing and constructing an azimuth-elevation system that will drive the antenna directly, automatically, and offline. This will allow the radio operator to focus on only communications-related tasks as the satellite passes.

The finished device will be donated to support the Benedictine College Amateur Radio Club.

8. Autonomous Delivery Drone

James Fisher, Mark Schroder, Tony Bujana, School of Engineering

Commercial drone delivery systems often cost more than $20,000, creating a huge barrier for small-scale operations. The aim of this project was to create a viable alternative costing under $500. This was achieved with a low-cost flight controller for navigation and a companion computer that handles image process-ing used for precision landing and delivery. The drone is split into two main sys-tems. The first is the mission-critical system, which maintains stable flight, basic navigation, and communication with the ground control station in accordance with the FAA regulations. The main components of this system are the propel-lers, flight controller, Wi-Fi module, and a suite of sensors. This system alone is able to keep the drone in the air and follow predetermined GPS waypoints for autonomous navigation. The second system is the precision delivery system. This system consists of a companion computer with a camera and delivery system actuators. The companion computer is used to process the camera feed and locate specific markers on the ground. It communicates these positions to the main flight controller through the Micro Air Vehicle Link (MAVLink) protocol. The flight controller uses this information to make precise adjustments to its position for accurate landing and delivery.

9. Optimizing Lightweight Cementitious Materials and Aggregates to Minimize Concrete Density

Samuel Gagnon, Mary Jo Guarino, Scott Newbolds, School of Engineering

The purpose of this project was to design a concrete mix that was structurally sound with reduced weight. Previous research shows the use of fly ash as a sup-plementary cementitious material and poraver and haydite for aggregates results in a highly durable, lightweight concrete mix. In this study, ground pumice, a lightweight pozzolan, supplemented fly ash, and different proportions of poraver and haydite were tested to optimize the concrete’s strength and density. Six dif-ferent concrete mixes were designed and poured using varying amounts of sup-plementary cementitious materials (pumice and fly ash) and aggregates (poraver and haydite). A water-reducing admixture was also incorporated into every mix design to help increase the strength and workability of the concrete mix, in addi-tion to hydrated lime, which was also included in certain mixes. Several cylinders for each batch were poured and then cured in a water bath for 28 days. For each week of curing, compression tests were performed. After 28 days, tensile strength tests on two additional cylinders from each mix were also completed. The third mix design was picked for the structural mix of the canoe. It had a compressive strength and tensile strength of 3380 psi and 377 psi, respectively. It was one of the heavier mixes at roughly 87 pounds/cubic foot for its density, but, ultimately, strength became the deciding factor. The hypothesis that the overall density of the structural mix using new material proportions would be lower than the original mix (92 pounds/cubic foot) was correct, although the mix was slightly weaker. Mixes using only poraver for the aggregates were not successful, with compressive strengths lower than the minimum compressive strength threshold of 3000 psi. In short, the team successfully created one of the lightest structural concrete mixes yet while still maintaining adequate strength.

10. Picking up Good Vibrations: How Vibration Impacts Concrete Strength

Sean Galloway, Rebecca Madden, John Rogers, Scott Newbolds, Patrick O’Malley, School of Engineering

How strong must the road become before it can safely carry traffic? At what inter-val should the traffic be allowed back onto the roads to allow for the development of this strength? These questions are important as there are many environmen-tal and construction-related factors that can introduce unwanted vibrations into the concrete structure before it is fully cured. As the concrete is first poured, it must cure for up to 28 days before it reaches its final strength. During this time, the concrete is especially vulnerable to vibration, which can drastically alter the strength of the material. This time period is especially important as the overall strength of the structure is greatly impacted if the concrete is not allowed the time it needs to cure.

This project will help determine the effects of different vibration frequencies on the overall strength of the concrete by applying six different levels of vibration to the concrete beams for a constant time interval. The beams will then be put under a 3-point tension test to measure the overall loss of strength. The overall benefit of this experiment is that the effects of vibration cannot be accurately predicted using current analytical tools. In the future, this experiment will help not only the members of the Benedictine College Concrete Canoe team sand their own canoe but also help civil engineers accurately predict the effects of vibration during construction.

11. The Effect of Red 40 Dye on Lactobacillus Bacteria’s Growth Rate

Libby Gendreau, Kevin Sanchez, Katharine Strandquist, Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Engineering

Synthetic dyes have become pervasive throughout the United States and the world. As they have become so widespread, there is accumulating evidence of their impacts on health, in particular on the impacts they have on the human gut microbiome. Previous research has shown that a decrease in Lactobacillus bacteria in the gut microbiomes of children is correlated with them having behavioral issues. In addition, other research has shown that the presence of Red 40 dye in mice’s diets decreased the population of Lactobacillus bacteria in their gut micro-biome. We are interested in investigating the gut microbiome as a link to how Red 40 in the diet causes behavioral issues in children, specifically by further investigating the effects of Red 40 on Lactobacillus’s growth. Our hypothesis is that Red 40 leads to alterations in the growth of L. acidophilus, a common key-stone bacterial species. To test this hypothesis, we incubated one culture of Lacto-bacillus with a concentration of Red 40 found in commonly consumed beverages, and another culture without Red 40. To determine whether the Red 40 had an effect on the culture’s growth rate, we periodically measured the bacterial con-centration of each culture using optical density (OD) and colony-forming unit assays (CFUs). We hope to use this research as a jumping off point to understand further interactions between keystone bacterial species and synthetic dyes.

12. Electronics and Control System for Azimuth-Elevation Satellite Tracking Antenna System

Johann Grothues, Mason Charvat, John Rogers, School of Engineering

Amateur radio enthusiasts can communicate with each other via certain Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that are specially equipped with radio repeaters for that purpose. Communication involves hand aiming a 3+-ft. antenna at the sat-ellite and manually tracking it across the sky as it passes. This can be difficult as it involves the operator simultaneously checking the current satellite direction, ensuring that the antenna is properly aimed, as well as performing all communi-cation tasks.

We seek to automate the aiming process by designing and constructing an azimuth-elevation (Az-El) rotator that will drive the antenna directly, automati-cally, and offline. This will allow the radio operator to focus on only communica-tions-related tasks as the satellite passes.

The electronics system is centered around a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, a lightweight microcomputer equipped with integrated Wi-Fi and 512 MB of memory. This capacity is required to both download and store positional Two-Line Element (TLE) data for hundreds of satellites, as well as compute real-time position using SGP4 propagation models. This data can be used to drive high-torque servo motors, which direct an antenna towards passing satellites.

Once the system is constructed and verified, we will seek to explore how the elec-tronics system will impact radio frequency (RF) performance. Because magnets and electric currents can cause electromagnetic interference (EMI), testing must be done to evaluate the effect of electrical components, such as servos and bat-teries on communications.

13. 3D-Printed Concrete Thickness Measurement Device

Mary Jo Guarino, Sophia Kuyawa, Charles Sprouse, School of Engineering

A concrete canoe requires uniform thickness to ensure consistent density and minimize drag during racing. Existing measurement methods, such as marked toothpicks, are inefficient, fragile, and limited to single-point measurements. This project proposes a 3D-printed device designed to measure concrete thick-ness over a small, curved surface area more effectively.

The device consists of a flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) base that conforms to the canoe’s curvature, with embedded prongs set to a specified depth to indicate proper thickness, accounting for multiple layers of concrete and reinforcement. For usability, the device is designed to attach to the user’s hand using an adjustable Velcro strap, allowing for efficient application during construction.

This study investigates the optimal prong material, base shape, and thickness. Prototypes will be tested using a curved surface filled with a moldable material. The device will be pressed into the surface, and the resulting indentations will be measured using a calibrated probe and calipers to evaluate accuracy.

The optimal design will demonstrate consistent depth measurement on curved surfaces, structural reliability, and ease of fabrication. The ideal bristles will provide the best balance of stiffness and flexibility, resulting in accurate measurements without breakage.

14. Yellow DPSS Laser Production

Paul Hanson, A. Max Sayler, Physics and Astronomy

In this project we explore the possibility of generating a yellow laser using a laser cavity or frequency doubling. Our calculations determined that this was not fea-sible within our budget and time constraints. We will discuss the complicating factors and possible solutions to yellow laser generation. Moreover, to explore the underlying physics and engineering challenges of optical frequency doubling, e.g., turning a red laser into a blue laser, we determine and present the efficiency at which frequency doubling occurs for the available 800 nm light source.

15. Evaluating Explosive Education: Determining Interest and Understanding From a Comprehensive Visual and Mathematical Gas Activity

Elijah Hoagland, Seville Tarrant, Sarah Harris, Hans Stadthagen, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Psychological Sciences

After a whole semester of teaching general chemistry to a class full of students, many of them still bomb the same questions. In order to combat this, past ACS exams were examined to find the most problematic topics, and an activity was created that combined many of these. The students tended to struggle the most when combining concepts like stoichiometry and molarity. The activity was designed to be fun and engaging for the students, using balloons and fire to cap-ture their attention while including chemistry concepts, such as the natural gas law, density, stoichiometry, dilution, molarity, exothermic and endothermic reactions, and neutralization. With the main goal of increasing understanding in these concepts, the students’ performance in class before and after the activ-ity along with their final ACS scores were all examined. Then the hypothesis of an engaging activity better encouraging learning was tested through pre- and post-surveys and comparative analysis. The control group for measuring interest consisted of two different grades of middle school students. This activity not only gives a great perspective for the interest portion of the study but also helps foster curiosity in chemistry for the younger students.

16. Kitchen Nightmare: Testing Antinematodal Properties in Active Ingredients

Leo Hull, Mark Schramp, Biology

Nematodes are unsegmented, microscopic roundworms that are often parasitic and can be a health problem, especially in conditions of poverty. Some substances have proved as effective controlling agents against nematodes, such as 70% ethanol. This project tested various active ingredients from common spices to see if they were effective in weakening or neutralizing C. elegans, a common free-living nematode, which is well documented in the scientific community. It was the first multicellular organism to have its entire genome sequenced, is extremely fertile, has a 2-3 week lifespan, and can generally reproduce asexually. The methodology of the experiment includes testing parasite samples in petri dishes, adding different substances in various concentrations, and observing the results. This study seeks to find antiparasitic effects in cinnamaldehyde, menthol, and other substances. Finding a natural substance that weakens or even kills nematodes would be an inexpensive and holistic addition to pharmaceutical parasite treatments. Liquid cultures of the different spices were used in various concentrations to find the lowest concentration that would kill the subjects. This study shows that even extremely low concentrations of cinnamaldehyde proved effective against C. elegens.

17. Telescope Cooling System

Kevin Karger, Brendon Toenniessen, Nicholas Katze, Paul Strycker, Physics and Astronomy

With the growing number of moon-based assets and the impending return of humans to the lunar environment, the need to monitor meteoroid impacts on the moon is increasing in kind. We are engaged in a research program that began in summer 2025 to detect these lunar impact flashes (LIFs) with the Daglen Observatory telescopes and our video analysis code. With implementation of this flash detection software, meaningful daytime LIF monitoring will take place at the Daglen Observatory. To perform these observations, a cooling system for the electronic focuser and camera on the back end of the telescope is necessary. We designed and implemented a system to protect the hardware from direct sunlight while increasing airflow and monitoring humidity. Our automatic cooling system involved designing, modeling, and constructing a thermally insulated housing that fits around the back of the 12-inch Ritchey-Chretien telescope. Inside the housing, a control circuit manages the cooling fans and sends temperature and humidity data to the telescope control computer. The system will be tested under typical daytime observing conditions to improve the reliability of the LIF monitoring data.

18. Recreating Traditional Animation III

Peter Pustejovsky, Liam Philbin, Sue Leo, Art and Design

9:45-10:05 | Room 109

This project seeks to replicate animation and special effect techniques used in traditionally animated films. A special focus is given on how to animate light using multiple film exposures, creating motion and parallax using sliding back-grounds, and cel layering for character animation.

19. Impact of a Synthetic Dye on the Growth of a Keystone Bacterial Species

Regan Kearney, Kevin Sanchez, Katharine Strandquist, Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Engineering

9:45-10:05 | Room 125

The use of synthetic dyes in food is abundant, especially in America, and they have driven health concerns for many. A number of food dyes have been found to and suspected to contribute to health disorders, such as cancer, genetic damage, allergies, and possibly even attention disorders. While this is a multifaceted issue, one way that this could be occurring could be through the alteration of the gut microbiome. Our overarching hypothesis is that food dyes are thought to alter the growth of ‘healthy’ keystone bacterial species and, in doing so, lead to harmful effects on the body. One such keystone species is Bifidobacterium longum, the most abundant ‘healthy’ bacterium in the gut at birth. Any alterations to the growth of this species would presumably impact the normal positive benefits of the gut microbiome. For this project, thus far, we have observed that the introduction of Blue #2 food dye into a liquid culture of Bifidobacterium longum has hindered the initial growth rate of the bacteria. However, the bacteria has displayed an ability to recover its growth rate some time after the blue dye has been added. We hypothesize that the rate of growth of Bifidobacterium longum will not be able to recover from the injuries to its growth due to the presence of Blue #2 food dye if a daily dose is added to a standard sample of Bifidobacterium longum each day. To test this hypothesis, we added the daily dose of Blue #2 food dye each day to anaerobic bioreactors containing Bifidobacterium longum and tracked the growth of the bacteria with CFU assays.

20. 8-bit CPU

William Anderson, Jeffrey Ocken, Mathematics and Computer Science

9:45-10:05 | Room 208

How does a computer actually work? How do 1s and 0s result in complex high definition video games and large language chatbot AI models? Through this proj-ect I will endeavor to show how the basic components of computer science and electrical engineering (binary digits and electricity) are implemented in com-puter hardware to create complex systems capable of the awesome feats that we see today. To demonstrate this I have chosen to build a central processing unit (CPU) out of logic gates and registers. The central processing unit is the part of the computer that performs the computer’s instructions. The CPU reads these instructions and manipulates the available information, receiving, retrieving, processing (performs a binary mathematical operation), storing, and outputting information accordingly. All of this is done in binary (1s and 0s). This project will break down the CPU into several subsystems and demonstrate how the 1s and 0s are stored and manipulated. The goal of this project and presentation is to give the audience (and the presenter) a better understanding of the internal workings of computers, and help everyone to feel less distant from these tools that we use every day.

21. The Engine Behind the Industry: Who Really Funds Hollywood?

Brook Hatzmann, Mike Parrott, School of Business

9:45-10:05 | Room 219

This study investigates the relationship between film rating categories and profitability within the modern studio film industry, uncovering a striking paradox at the core of Hollywood economics. Using a dataset of the 500 highest-budget films, movies were categorized by MPAA rating (G through R), and key financial metrics—including total budgets, median gross revenue, and revenue-to-budget ratios—were calculated. The analysis was further refined through research on franchise affiliation (e.g., Star Wars, Marvel, and other recurring intellectual properties) and parent company ownership structures to trace how profits flow across large media conglomerates. The results challenge conventional assumptions about blockbuster success. Family-oriented films (G and PG), despite representing a smaller share of total production spending, emerge as the most consistently efficient and financially stable category, delivering stronger return ratios despite representing a surprisingly small share of total production spending. In contrast, R-rated films generate the lowest median worldwide gross and weakest return efficiency across the dataset. This imbalance suggests a compelling dynamic: the financial engine of Hollywood may not be its largest or most provocative productions, but its most accessible ones. The findings indicate that studios rely on the steady profitability of family-friendly films to offset the volatility of more mature content, revealing a hidden cross-subsidy system in which the safest films bankroll the riskiest.

22. Luminescent Solar Concentrator

Mary Van Auken, Liam Philbin, Georgiy Shcherbatyuk, Physics and Astronomy

9:45-10:05 | Room 307

The main goal of the Luminescent Solar Concentrator (LSC) project is to create a working prototype of the device by integrating Quantum Dots into a piece of clear, laboratory-synthesized plastic and to characterize its ability to generate electricity. In the past, the project has focused on refining the methodology of creating a clear sheet of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). This year we have finalized the procedure for the creation of clear sheets of PMMA and successfully integrated lead sulfide quantum dots (QDs) into the PMMA matrix. The project is currently focused on optical characterization of the created samples with the goal of moving to the creation of a working prototype next year.

23. The Heroic Life & Political Example of St. Louis IX

Louis Fligge, Harper Herzog, David Murphy, Kevin Vance, Center for Constitutional Liberty

9:45-10:05 | Room 324

This project explores the legacy of the Catholic monarchy of St. Louis IX throughout Christian history and how the principles that guided him can be applied by Catholics today.

Using both primary and secondary sources, we will aim to convey: 1) who St. Louis IX of France was and what historical context he lived in; 2) how his piety inspired his people and fellow Christians; 3) how he was an example for other Christian rulers throughout history; and 4) what we can learn about modern Catholic politics from St. Louis IX.

24. Honors Project — Primary Sources of the Inquisition: Translating Excerpts From the Bologna Register

Catherine Harper, Edward Mulholland, Andrew Salzmann, Anthony Crifasi, Mariele Courtois, Jamie Spiering, Meraiah Martinez, Classics, Honors Program

9:45-10:15 | Gangel Seminar Room

For this Honors project, I have translated from Medieval Latin into English excerpts from the Acta S. Officii Bononie ab anno 1291 usque ad annum 1310 (Acts of the Holy Office in Bologna from the year 1291 to the year 1310). This hitherto untranslated work, commonly known as the Bologna Register, is the court record of Inquisition proceedings against suspected Cathar heretics in the city of Bologna between A.D. 1291 and 1310. From the 922 entries in the Register, I have selected nine that contain the deposition and sentencing of one Bonigrinus of Verona. His statements and the records of the trial provide a valuable source for Cathar beliefs and Inquisitorial procedure at the turn of the 14th Century.

The aim of my project was to produce a translation suitable for inclusion in a primary source reader for the high school or college level. I have added footnotes explaining things like Cathar rituals mentioned, judicial terms, and place names. I will present on the content of my translation and elements of translation procedure, such as how I handled names, confusing vocabulary, and illegible text. I will also present my secondary research into the history of the Medieval Inquisition, Catharism, and Medieval judicial procedure.

25. Timing Determines Fate: Temporal Effects of Cycloheximide on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Apoptosis in HeLa Cells

William Cullen, Bernard Rempe, Martha Carletti, Biology

10:15-10:35 | Room 109

This study investigates an unexpected finding from a previous experiment in HeLa cells in which cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, appeared to reduce the cytotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. While translation inhibition is typically expected to sensitize cells by depleting survival proteins, these results suggest that apoptosis triggered by oxidative stress may instead require the synthesis of new pro-apoptotic proteins. The central hypothesis is that the cellular outcome depends on treatment timing. If hydrogen peroxide requires translation of pro-apoptotic signals, such as p53 or Bax, then simultaneous or post-treatment with cycloheximide may block the execution of apoptosis whereas cycloheximide pre-treatment may sensitize cells by depleting short-lived anti-apoptotic proteins like Mcl-1 and c-FLIP.

To test this, HeLa cells will be assigned to six treatment conditions: control, hydrogen peroxide alone, cycloheximide alone, simultaneous co-treatment, cycloheximide pre-treatment, and cycloheximide post-treatment. Apoptosis was measured using the TUNEL assay to detect DNA fragmentation.

By determining whether oxidative-stress-induced apoptosis is translation-dependent, this research aims to identify a potential translational checkpoint governing cell fate under oxidative stress. These findings may have clinical relevance by highlighting how translation-inhibiting drugs could unintentionally interfere with chemotherapeutic agents that rely on protein synthesis to induce cancer cell death.

26. Unraveling the Secret System: How Esp Proteins Drive ESX-1 Mediated Mycobacterial Mediated Virulence

Erica Willard, Kevin Sanchez, Chemistry and Biochemistry

10:15-10:35 | Room 125

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), remains the leading infectious killer worldwide, with rising antibiotic resistance making current treatments increasingly ineffec-tive. Understanding the underlying pathway by which TB infects is crucial for the innovation of new therapeutic remedies. The ESX-1 secretion system is the driving force through which proteins are translocated across the bacterial cell wall, and thus is a complex that is vital for successful pathogenesis. Translocated proteins, also known as ESX-substrate proteins (Esp), have a wide diverse set of functions, many of which are still not well understood. The goal of this project was broadly to characterize different functional abilities of a suite of ESX-1 sub-strates: EspB, EspJ, EspK, EspE, and EspF. This included utilizing a bacterial two-hybrid system to investigate the EspB, EspJ, and EspK multimerization and hemo-lysis assays to measure ability for EspJ and co-expressed EspE and EspF to lyse eukaryotic cell membranes. In addition to this, we performed a structural analysis of these proteins to predict how these proteins either multimerized, interfaced with cell membranes, or both. Taken together, we expect this research to con-tribute to a broader data set that is characterizing the behavior and function of ESX-1 substrates, giving researchers a better path forward for developing drugs to combat mycobacterial infection.

27. Mussel Impossible: Nitrate Protocol — Impacts on Zebra Mussel Mortality and Filtrationing

Jonah Honerman, Henry Greger, Noah Schultz, Benjamin Morales, Brent Mortensen, Biology

10:15-10:35 | Room 208

Zebra mussels are incredibly prolific and resistant to environmental stressors, allowing them to out-compete native mussels. They are filter feeders, which clean waterways by consuming algae, zooplankton, and bacteria. Major outbreaks of these algae are common in the US and most developed parts of the world because of the overapplication of fertilizers. Nitrates are often released into waterways as a result of fertilizer runoff. While increased nitrates can cause algal blooms, zebra mussels may limit the effects of eutrophication by reducing algal growth. How-ever, nitrates may also affect the ability of these mussels to filter feed. We sought to determine if nitrates independently impair zebra mussel health. We measured impacts on their health via their rate of mortality and filtration efficiency. We assessed mortality by observing whether the mussel would close when handled, and filtration efficiency using spectrophotometry. We used six treatments: 0, 20, 40, 80, and 160 ppm of nitrate with 20 replicates each. (By comparison, the EPA recommends a maximum concentration of only 0.6 ppm in aquatic systems.) We collected our zebra mussel samples from Perry Lake, which had a nitrate concen-tration of 1.5 ppm. We observed that high nitrate levels have no impact on zebra mussel mortality and filtration efficiency in the short term. In the long term, nitrate levels have little effect on mortality but may impact filtration efficiency. Future research is needed to determine whether zebra mussels can filter feed more efficiently than other native species in the presence of increased nitrate levels.

28. In-vitro Viability of Synthetic Scaffolds for Use in Bone Tissue Grafts

Elijah Heger, Cade Bond, Patrisha Bugayong, Kevin Sanchez, Chemistry and Biochemistry

10:15-10:35 | Room 219

Bone grafts are essential for many orthopedic procedures. Historically, autografts and allografts have been used; however, they face limits, such as quantity constraints, high cost, and immunorejection. Thus, the development of synthetic scaffold polymers that encourage osteocyte proliferation and possess mechanical properties applicable for weight bearing is gaining traction. Citric acid (CA) and trans-aconitic acid (TA), both by-products of sugar cane processing, are economically efficient, renewable, and predicted to be biocompatible because they occur in regular cell metabolism. These acids can be polymerized with glycerol (GLY)—a byproduct of biodiesel production—and hydroxyapatite (HA) to produce a porous, bone-like material that encourages cell differentiation. The polymerized scaffolds demonstrated autoclave stability and were evaluated for viability in a model replicating the human bone environment to identify the most suitable CA and TA-based grafts for implementation. By verifying the viability of synthetic polymer bone scaffolds, medical intervention can be developed with greater accessibility for communities worldwide.

29. Evaluation of the Hines-Scholes Method for Consistent PbS Quantum Dot Synthesis in LSC Application

Mark Amery, John Kline, Dante Bullara, Jadyn Searing, Georgiy Shcherbatyuk, Physics and Astronomy

10:15-10:35 | Room 307

The goal of this project is to verify the reliable synthesis of lead sulfide quan-tum dots with the Hines-Scholes method for eventual use in plastic lumines-cent solar concentrators (LSCs). Quantum dots (QDs) are nanostructures with optical properties that span between individual atoms and bulk materials. They have many, varied uses in quantum computing, biomarking, and — what we are primarily interested in — the collection of solar energy with LSCs. QD proper-ties are highly dependent on size and distribution while in solution, and the goal of our research this year was to produce consistent quantum dots through the utilization of a new, more accurate heating mantle control. By the end of this project, we were able successfully to synthesize new QDs, but due to issues with the heating mantle and analysis, the reliability of syntheses must be improved in the future.

30. Anglican + Catholic = ? : A Study on the Anglican Ordinariates

Joseph Green, James Merrick, Theology

10:15-10:35 | Room 324

In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus, which established the framework for three personal Ordinariates in England, Australia, and North America for former Anglicans to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church while maintaining their distinct patrimony within a fully Catholic context. But what exactly is the Anglican Ordinariate/Patrimony? What is the impact that it can have on our understanding of the entire Roman Rite? How did we get here? Where will this development lead? Drawing on insights from Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Steven Lopes, and others, I will attempt to answer these questions and more. In this presentation, I will give a brief overview of Anglican history, highlighting moments where a “catholic seed” can be detected and how this seed flowered into what we have today. I will explain what an ordinariate is and convey what qualifies as Anglican patrimony and what that looks like. I will give an overview of the liturgy of the ordinariates, highlighting how it is both Anglican and Roman. I will explain what went into the eventual promulgation of Divine Worship: The Missal, the official text for the ordinariates, the inner workings of the Anglicanorum Traditiones commission, and its methodology and sources. The goal in all of this is to make people aware of the beautiful Anglican-Catholic patrimony within the church and to prompt more questions, especially regarding Liturgy and Tradition.

31. Honors Project — Mortality and Genetics of D. melanogaster in Different Daily Light/Dark Cycles

Peter Clements, Jeremy Stubblefield, Andrew Salzmann, Anthony Crifasi, Mariele Courtois, Jamie Spiering, Meraiah Martinez, Biology, Honors Program

10:25-10:55 | Gangel Seminar Room

This project examines the correlation between seasonality, time of day, and neural protection in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies). The question it seeks to answer is the following: What is the effect of seasonality and time of day on fruit fly mortality?

Circadian rhythms affect various physiological processes, including neural function. Flies were raised in different chambers providing either a 12:12 or a 2:22 daily light/dark cycle, mimicking seasonal variations in daily amounts of light. The flies experienced a neurotraumatic event at various times throughout the light cycle; their mortality index and gene expression were analyzed post-event. The specific genes that were examined include period, timeless, clock, cycle, and cryptochrome; these five genes are the core components of the Circadian clock in D. melanogaster. This research aims to provide insight into the genetic basis for neurotraumatic injuries and potential treatments for such injuries. It also aims to shed light on the time(s) of day and season(s) during which neurotrauma is most severe.

32. Injuries Suck. Period.: A Deep Dive Into the Female Menstrual Cycle and Athletic Injury

Michaela Palmer, Maria King, Eva Mikita, Micah Muñoz, Martha Carletti, Biology

10:45-11:05 | Room 109

The participation of female athletes in competitive sports has grown significantly over the past century, leading to groundbreaking achievements and record-setting performances. However, this increased involvement has also been accompanied by a higher incidence of sports-related injuries. Female athletes demonstrate greater susceptibility to specific injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, bone stress injuries, and concussions, at rates exceeding those of their male counterparts. Extensive research has explored the risk factors, incidence rates, and preventive strategies associated with these injuries, identifying biomechanical differences, training methodologies, and physiological characteristics as key contributors. Despite these advancements, the role of hormonal fluctuations in injury susceptibility remains an underexplored area. Variations in estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) may influence injury risk, yet further research is needed to elucidate their precise impact. Previously, we conducted a 5-week study with a null hypothesis stating that the cycle phase is not related to the number of athletic injuries incurred. Our survey data produced significant results that there was a difference between expected injuries per cycle phase and observed values. We found a significant correlation between injury occurrence and menstrual cycle phase, with a chi-squared value of 14.257 (df = 3, p = 0.0026), rejecting the null hypothesis. We expected 16% of injuries to occur during menstruation based on cycle length, yet 42% were reported whereas the follicular phase showed significantly fewer injuries than anticipated. These findings led us to pursue a larger sample size and a lengthened data collection period. Our study this year includes using Garmin watches and phone applications to record cycle, daily activity, and notes the athletes observed over the course of three months in season and three months out of season. We hope to examine the interplay between hormonal fluctuations and sports injuries in female athletes, highlighting potential mechanisms and implications for injury prevention strategies and keep our athletes safe. From a sample of athletes who reported injuries and robustly tracked their menstrual cycles, we were able to gather that there was no significant difference between cycle phase and occurrence of injury. Of the 16 injuries included in this sample, three occurred in Menstruation (2.97 expected), four in the Follicular phase (3.19 expected), four during Ovulation (3.23 expected), and five in the Luteal phase (6.61 expected). Other directions of the research include comparison of athletes taking hormonal contraception, type of injury in relation to cycle phase, and instance of injury in or out of an athlete’s sport season.

33. Death’s Touch: The Artistic Development of American Graveyards

John Bruemmer, John Romano, History

10:45-11:05 | Room 125

Throughout American history, it has often been the case that graves were cre-ated in a similar artistic style to the rest of American art and architecture. This remained the case from the beginning of the twentieth century, with large art-deco graves being common and the 1950s, which had houses and cemeteries built in a very uniform and almost copy and paste manner. However, a divergence occurred in the 1970s, when art and architecture began radically to shift in a way that graves did not follow. While the rest of American art and architecture forged its own path during the 1970s, graves have remained rather stable in their design. Remaining as simple monuments to those who have gone before, the ‘mold,’ so to speak, for graves remained similar. This project required that I explore cemeteries around Northern Kansas, such as Mount Vernon, Oak Hill, and Mount Calvary and other sites through the country, including a family plot near Boulder, Colo-rado, and the Evergreen Cemetery in Bloomington, Illinois. All in the attempt to answer the question of why and how such a divergence between these media occurred and what that shift says about our connection to cemeteries.

34. Safer in the Dark? Effects of Cover on Small Mammal Seed Removal

Thomas Lopez, Mary Buff, Brent Mortensen, Biology

10:45-11:05 | Room 208

After a cornfield is harvested, many kernels remain on the ground through the winter. If a different crop is planted in the next year, seedlings from these kernels, known as volunteer corn, can drastically reduce crop yield from that field. We examined factors that induce small mammals to remove volunteer corn during the winter, thus reducing its negative impact. This year, we examined how amount of cover over the seeds affects removal. We hypothesized that small mammals would prefer a more covered environment because they would feel safer when hidden from aerial predators. To test this, we set out four groups of trays in an agricultural field with four levels of cover: plastic wrap, plastic wrap with metal mesh, wrap/mesh with a partial dark cloth cover, and wrap/mesh with a full dark cloth cover. After the five nights elapsed, we retrieved the trays and counted how many seeds had been removed. The results from our first trial, in November, supported our hypothesis: there was a clear positive correlation between amount of cover and number of seeds removed. However, rate of seed removal decreased throughout the following months. We concluded that although cover facilitates volunteer corn removal, this ecosystem service is most pronounced before winter.

35. Transgenderism as Divinized Atheism

Sabrina Vizurraga, Jeremy Sienkiewicz, Theology

10:45-11:05 | Room 219

Transgenderism is the process by which atheism seeks to share in divine life. Atheism sees the mystery of the human person but seeks to grasp rather than receive the mystery. Because the atheist does not believe in God, he must create his own meaning at an attempt to understand reality. As Abigail Favale notes in her gender paradigm, without God as the foundation, a person’s identity becomes a question of existentially creating oneself. Therefore, man’s freedom to create himself must be absolute and reality becomes existential. Because there is no creator, or no essence to reality, the use of language imposes what is real. That is, language constructs reality rather than simply describing it.

This gender paradigm, however, is a subversion of the Christian framework and understanding of reality. In the Christian worldview, humanity is invited to receive the process of divinization. Conversely, transgenderism is a grasping at reality and not a reception of it. This grasping at reality is seen in the use of language to create one’s own reality and not describe it. Within transgenderism, there is an experience of a loss of wonder at one’s own identity. Therefore, there is a rejection as the human person as a mystery within both transgenderism and atheism.

This presentation will cover the parallels between the atheist’s understanding of divine life and the Christian understanding to show how, ironically, an atheist’s framework ends up parodying the Creator’s framework.

36. The Bright and Hopeful Futures for Orphans in Southeast Asia

Karina Hernandez, Christina Roberts, Nicholas Niewald, Edward Mulholland, Classics

10:45-11:05 | Room 307

Last year we set out to answer the following question: Are orphanages truly the safe havens we believe them to be, or is there more lurking behind their closed doors? This year we aimed to discover an alternative to widespread institutionalized care in Southeast Asia using the same secondary-style research methods. We discovered that the best solution to the orphan problem is the Family-Based Care Model. This model can be divided into four programs based on the orphans’ specific needs and the resources available: Emergency Care, Kinship Care, Foster Care, and Domestic Adoption. Through this presentation we aim to prove that orphans deserve a future filled with the care, love, and safety of a family, something institutions could never offer them.

37. Cut and Paste Culture to Create: A Historical and Practical Study of Sampling in Music

Tim Kasprzak, Thomas Davoren, Music

10:45-11:05 | Room 324

This presentation explores the history and significance of sampling as a core musical practice, rather than a purely modern aesthetic that is often written as one step away from plagiarism. By analyzing the published works of musical artists like J.S. Bach, Miles Davis, Daft Punk, and MF DOOM through a historical lens, the project tracks musical borrowing and compositional recontextualisation from the 18th century to the modern day. The goal of this presentation is to analyze how the techniques of quotation, variation, improvisation, and recombination have shaped musical creativity and allowed for an heightened integration of cultural signifiers within music. By situating sampling within broader traditions of musical borrowing and transformation, the presentation argues that contemporary sampling is a continuation of established compositional thought and will continue to help musicians create and push past musical boundaries by encouraging dialogue between what has been made and what can be created.

38. Honors Project — Design and Synthesis of Potassium Ion Battery With Corn Husk Derived Anode

Matthew Wilson, Patrisha Bugayong, Andrew Salzmann, Anthony Crifasi, Mariele Courtois, Jamie Spiering, Meraiah Martinez, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Honors Program

11:05-11:35 | Gangel Seminar Room

Potassium ion batteries have long been researched as a possible alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to the rarity of lithium battery materials and their associated expenses and ethical difficulties. However, the large size of potassium in comparison to lithium poses severe challenges for designing batteries capable of storing sufficient energy (charge storage) and surviving repeated charge-discharge cycles (reversibility). This project outlines an approach that integrates several anodic materials previously used in battery systems into a single design, with the goal of developing a potassium ion battery anode that offers high reversibility and storage capacity as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. This project involved synthesizing the anode material and the evaluation of its electrical properties relevant to battery applications. The anodic material composed of a graphite-like material derived from corn husk (CH-C), was further processed into reduced graphene oxide (CH-C-rGO) using modified Hummer’s method and then enriched by intercalating potassium metal into the structural voids. Reduction potential and material degradation were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, and the results were compared with lithium-ion batteries to assess whether this design meets industrial performance requirements.

39. Mobile Integration of Geospatial and Temporal Network Analysis

Isabel Kliethermes, Brian Henry, School of Business

This project explores the mobile integration of geospatial and temporal network analysis through the development of a system that collects, transmits, and stores Wi-Fi speed test data in a centralized database. The primary focus was implementing a functional pipeline capable of capturing device-level network metrics, associating them with spatial context, and reliably transferring this information from a mobile-friendly web interface to a structured backend. Although large-scale data collection is still ongoing, significant progress was achieved in building the core infrastructure: a working website, which is the framework for an app. However, the app that performs the speed tests, packages the results, and successfully inserts them into the database, is still in the building stages. Existing historical data was migrated into the new schema, establishing a foundation for future analysis of network performance patterns across locations and time. This work demonstrates the feasibility of integrating mobile data acquisition with geospatial-temporal analytics and sets the stage for expanded data gathering and deeper statistical evaluation in subsequent phases.

40. Ergonomic Racing Canoe Pedestals

Anna Leuer, Charlene Smith, School of Engineering

To improve the competitive performance of the Concrete Canoe Club, this proj-ect focuses on developing an ergonomic racing pedestal. Other seating options often lead to discomfort and inefficient power transfer. This design prioritizes anatomical alignment and includes adjustable ankle supports. By creating a more comfortable and stable paddling position, this project aims to reduce fatigue and allow the team to perform at their highest potential during competition.

41. The Future of Pacing

Sebastian Michael, Micah Muñoz, Joseph Accurso, Nicolaas tenBroek,

Mathematics and Computer Science

Modern pacing technologies provide athletes with real-time feedback that can be used to simplify workouts and remove the inherent distraction that comes with individualized pacing techniques. These technologies remove the need for constant individual performance calculations and allow the athlete to shift their focus toward improving mechanical and aerobic techniques during intense workouts and competitions. This project aimed to develop a fully generalizable and customizable pacing assistant that provides visual guidance for training and competition on track surfaces in typical and atypical conditions. Deploying a lane-detection machine-learning model on the edge with the ESP32-CAM microcontroller allows the drone to receive flight instructions in real-time. This model helps the pacing drone respond effectively to variations in external conditions, such as wind gusts or occluded lane visibility. The laser line projected on the track surface underneath the drone provides continuous visual guidance for users and properly represents the target pace throughout the training path. The portability of the ESP32-CAM microcontroller future-proofs the development of additional high-level features, such as data logging, session recordings, mobile app integration, and more. These future implementations will increase accessibility and ease of use for athletes and coaches, providing them with the modern innovation they need to help them reach the next level of training and performance.

42. Cu2+ Binding Efficiency of a Lanthanide-Based Luminescent Probe for Monitoring Alzheimer’s Progression

Catherine Moraghan, Miriam Bourke, Thomas Peuster, Sarah Harris, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Although Cu2+ plays an important role in neural signaling, excessive concentra-tion can lead to binding with Ab-plaques and the exacerbation of Alzheimer’s disease progression. As a result, an effective method is needed for monitoring Cu2+ concentration in the brain. Two lanthanide-based luminescent probes uti-lizing 1,2-HOPO ligands have been designed and will be synthesized. The lumi-nescence of these probe should be quenched by the binding of Cu2+. The product, consisting of a mix of one, two, and three HOPO arms, will be separated using column chromatography and the one- and two-arm probes will be bound with Cu2+. Testing of both probe designs under UV light and analysis of the lantha-nide phosphorescence will provide insight into the ability of each probe to bind Cu2+ and quench luminescence. The successful quenching of the probe following titration with Cu2+ will indicate a strong binding affinity to Cu2+. The binding affinities of both Cu2+ probes will be compared to determine the most efficient “turn off” response.

43. Designing and Manufacturing a Basic Robust Rocket Flight Computer

Louis Muggli, Mason Charvat, Charles Sprouse, School of Engineering

This project investigates how to design and manufacture a basic and robust rocket flight computer that is capable of efficiently logging altitude, velocity, GPS coor-dinates, and orientation data. The flight computer also transmits GPS coordi-nates using Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) modulation at 915 MHz to aid in recovering the rocket. The system must be lightweight in order significantly not to affect the rocket altitude and center of mass as well as maximizing compactness so as not to interfere with the parachute system. An esp32 microcontroller is the center or “brains” of the computer that can support clock speeds up to 240 MHz, which is ideal for fast sensor reading and data processing. The system also utilizes a barometer to measure the altitude using pressure and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to find the orientation and velocity/acceleration of the rocket. An SD card stores all the flight data locally on the rocket and a LoRa radio transmits the GPS coordinates to a receiver on the ground.

44. Performance Effects of Variating Blade Pitch in Vertical Wind Turbines

Elliott Peters, Paul Steinbach, Chemistry and Biochemistry

This project investigates the performance effects of variating blade pitch in a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) compared to a constant pitch configuration. The objective is to determine how dynamic adjustment of blade pitch throughout rotational motion influences power output and overall efficiency. A prototype turbine system was designed and constructed using a steel shaft supported by ball bearings, with blade arms mounted via threaded rods. A mechanical linkage system was implemented to enable continuous variation of blade pitch during rotation. Experimental testing measured and compared electrical power generation between the variating pitch and fixed pitch designs under consistent wind conditions. The methodology focuses on designing, building, and testing the system in a controlled way to ensure accurate comparisons. The goal is to see if changing the blade pitch as the turbine spins actually leads to better performance. If it does, this could be a simple way to improve how much energy small wind turbines can produce, making them more useful for everyday applications.

45. Optimization of Biodegradable Polymeric Microcapsules for Controlled Drug Delivery

Kaiden Pool, Patrisha Bugayong, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Encapsulation using biodegradable polymers has become an important approach for developing safer and more controlled drug delivery systems. Alginate, a natu-rally occurring polysaccharide from brown algae, forms gels in the presence of cal-cium ions and can trap small molecules within its matrix. In this project, I encap-sulated caffeine into calcium alginate microcapsules to study how the beads form, how efficiently they hold the drug, and how the release profile can be optimized.

To prepare the microcapsules, I made a 5% (w/v) sodium alginate solution containing 1% (w/v) caffeine and dispensed it dropwise into a 5% (w/v) CaCl₂ bath to cross-link the polymer. I characterized the beads using FTIR to confirm the presence of both alginate and caffeine functional groups, and I used ¹H-NMR to further evaluate encapsulation. Drug release was measured by placing the beads in PBS at 37 °C and collecting samples over time. Each sample was analyzed using UV-Vis spectroscopy to quantify caffeine concentration.

From these experiments, I gained insight into how alginate microcapsules behave and how different factors influence release rates. Future work will focus on extending and controlling release by incorporating additional biopolymers, such as starch, xanthan gum, or chitosan into the alginate-calcium matrix.

46. Traffic Study on the Intersection of 2nd and Mound

Marcus Rackers, Wesley Moore, School of Engineering

This project consists of a small-scale traffic study conducted on the local intersec-tion of 2nd Street and Mound Street. This was done in order to evaluate different aspects of the intersection and determine which areas would benefit from atten-tion and change. On Friday, February 28th, data was gathered for two hours, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The major data gathered were 1) counts of each turning maneuver, and 2) speeds of cars going straight on 2nd Street as well as other minor quantitative and qualitative data. From the turning data and comparing to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), it was found that the general layout of the intersection does not need to be changed. An area that could use improvement, however, is the turn from East Mound Street onto 2nd Street as multiple cars were found to hit their bumper when turning and sight distance is a significant concern. Other noteworthy findings include the average speed of cars through the intersection. Overall, this project is an insightful glance into the world of road design and traffic control, particularly in an intersection frequented by all visitors to Benedictine College.

47. Analysis of the Effects of Caffeine on Recovery From Traumatic Brain Injuries in the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster

Owen Sattler, Jeremy Stubblefield, Biology

Caffeine is consumed by billions of people around the globe each day due to its effectiveness in offsetting the effects of sleep loss, improving mental cogni-tion, and increasing energy and alertness. Its effects on the brain’s recovery from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) has been researched, but the full picture is still unclear. Traumatic brain injury describes a variety of injuries to the brain that result in inflammation, disruptions in communication between neuronal cell types, and disruptions in metabolism. This project seeks to answer the follow-ing question: Does caffeine have an effect on the recovery from traumatic brain injury in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster? To answer this question flies were raised on a 12:12 light:dark cycle to synchronize their circadian clocks in large breeder vials. The flies were then transferred into smaller vials with either no caffeine in their food or with food supplemented with caffeine. Flies were further divided into groups based on the number of High Impact Trauma events (HITS). Half of each group were given 0 HITS and the other half were given two HITS on the High Impact Trauma (HIT) device. Twenty-four hours later survivors were counted from each group to calculate the MI24 (mortality index after 24 hours). We predict that the caffeine will result in a higher mortality among flies that receive hits due to caffeine disrupting the circadian rhythm of the flies and causing them to get less sleep resulting in less recovery from their TBIs.

48. EGCG as an Anti-Cancer Agent

Maggie Seraphin, Ellie Geist, Alena Velilla, Abby Reynolds, Emily Soileau, Martha Carletti, Biology

Epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG, is a compound found in fruits and especially in teas, such as white, black, and green tea. EGCG is a type of catechin, which is a group of compounds that can act as antioxidants. Previous research has shown that EGCG can protect against damage due to free radicals and can pro-mote cancer cell apoptosis. In this study, we plan to determine how EGCG will affect breast cancer cells (HeLa) in vitro. The cells will be treated with varying concentrations of EGCG (0, 10, and 20 µM) and the viability of the treated cells will be assessed using an XTT cell viability assay every two hours for a total of 12 hours post-treatment. We expect to find the increased concentrations of EGCG will result in increased cancer cell apoptosis over time. These findings could then be applied to future research in cancer treatment.

49. Bacterial Batteries

Valentina Serdan Solana, Julianne Peichel, Janet Paper, Biology

All organisms perform redox reactions in order to generate and store energy. Using electron donors, the electrons are passed through electron transport chains found in the cell membrane. Electron acceptors, such as oxygen or nitrates, then accept the electrons. For our project, we observed an anaerobic bacteria that uses electron acceptors, such as iron and sulfates, and powered bacterial batteries with the electrons collected. The batteries were set up in mud collected from Independence Creek, and set to run for 10 weeks. We also observed how different pH levels affect the redox reaction, by keeping the batteries in mud with pH levels of 4, 7, and 10. We analyzed the microwatts released by each battery from week to week, and also the amount of electric bacteria present in the samples.

50. “The Return to Tyre” — A Presentation on a Wind Band Composition

Kathleen Smith, Peter Swanson, Music

This project explored composing program music for a large instrumental ensemble while maintaining a difficulty level that is accessible for high school/college bands. The initial conception of this project first began as underscoring for a production of “Pericles,” by William Shakespeare. The material composed for that show became the basis for the material used in “The Return to Tyre.” This project developed skills in composing music for large ensembles, orchestrating music for wind, brass, and percussion instruments, and composing program music (music that tells a story). This project adapted what initially began as a music loop for four instruments to be used in a theater production setting and turned that into a full piece, “The Return to Tyre,” for full concert band meant to be performed in a concert setting.

51. Soft Plastic Adhesive for Fishing Lures

Andrew Steeves, JohnPaul Petris, Caroline Reisner, Daniel Rodrigue, Darrin Muggli, School of Engineering

The leading adhesive for repairing soft-plastic fishing lures, Mend-It, sells for $18 an ounce. This is a very expensive product considering its resemblance to the much less expensive PVC cement. By testing combinations of chemicals com-monly found in PVC cement using a statistical design of experiment methods, this experiment created a solution that rivals Mend-It in performance and is a fraction of the cost to make. Additional fine tuning of the new mixture using ANOVA, its ability to perform in water, and a comparison to the performance of PVC cement further demonstrates its capability in comparison to competing options.

52. Determination of the Most Effective Structure for Nitric Oxide Selectivity Using a Luminescent Probe With a HOPO Antenna

Gabriel Sydzyik, Ricardo Serdan Solana, Caleb Webb, Sarah Harris, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Strokes kill about 140,000 Americans every year and leave many of those who survived disabled and more susceptible to strokes in the future. A nitric oxide radical is shown to be present in varying concentrations throughout several stages of a stroke. It is theorized that in some stages the NO acts as a vasodilator and has positive effects. However, it is also known to form reactive nitro-gen species (RNS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) as it is a radical and acts indiscriminately. A probe is needed to learn more about the concentration and timeline of NO in the brain during strokes. A lanthanide-based probe initially including Europium, a modified DOTA structure, a TREN spacer, and one or two 1,2 HOPO antennas was designed. Cu (II) was added in order to initiate PET (Photoinduced Electron Transfer) and turn the luminescence “off.” The probe was designed to be implemented such that luminescence is emitted in the presence of NO, a turn “on” response. This reaction restores luminescence as Cu (II) is reduced to Cu (I). The creation and testing of this probe could provide information that proves integral to the medical community in assisting advancements in stroke treatment.

53. Development of a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Sensor for Selective Proline Detection

Luke Wilborn, Larry Parker, Ryan Lavery, Patrisha Bugayong, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Proline plays a crucial role within the body due to its unique cyclic structure. Because proline serves as an important indicator across multiple biological systems, developing an effective and inexpensive method of detection is essential for tracking proline levels in both clinical and field settings. Current detection methods, such as HPLC and mass spectrometry, require expensive equipment and trained personnel, limiting their accessibility and practicality outside of a laboratory environment.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have gained considerable attention as a promising alternative due to their high selectivity and reproducible results across various recognition applications. MIPs are synthesized by polymerizing methacrylic acid (MAA) monomers around a proline template, which is then removed to leave behind a cavity precisely shaped to recognize and bind proline, even at low concentrations. This approach offers a cost-effective, portable, and user-friendly platform for proline detection that does not require specialized personnel.

This research seeks to address existing gaps in MIP development, particularly regarding selectivity and integration with a reliable detection method. The objective is to synthesize a proline-specific MIP and successfully pair it with colorimetric detection using the ninhydrin reagent, producing consistent and selective results for proline within a prepared solution as measured by spectrophotometry. Practical applications of this work extend to agriculture where proline serves as a biomarker for crops and could enable more efficient irrigation without costly lab analysis, and to healthcare where it could support point-of-care monitoring of metabolic disorders and wound healing, particularly in resource-limited settings.

To date, MIP nanoparticles have been synthesized via precipitation polymerization using L-proline as the template, MAA as the functional monomer, and 2-methyl-9,10-dimethoxyanthracene (EDMA) as the crosslinker. Following mixing, the solution was purged of oxygen using nitrogen gas and heated in a water bath at 60°C for 12 hours, then allowed to rest for an additional 24 hours to ensure complete polymerization. Soxhlet extraction was subsequently performed to remove residual proline from the polymer matrix, leaving behind selective binding cavities that reflect the size and shape of the proline molecule. The purified polymer has since been characterized using IR spectroscopy and NMR to confirm successful imprinting and assess purity. Future work will focus on sensor fabrication, calibration, and validation against established reference methods.

Beyond the immediate scope of this research, MIP technology holds significant broader potential. MIPs have already demonstrated the ability to detect cancer biomarkers and quantify key molecules in blood serum, suggesting that the frame-work established here could one day contribute to a wide range of diagnostic and monitoring applications.

54. Variable Voltage Low Ripple DC Power Supply

Joseph Zoch, Damien Langfels, Paul Hanson, A. Max Sayler, Physics and Astronomy

In this project, we investigate the optimal power supply operating conditions for driving a laser diode. Specifically, we design and construct a custom power supply capable of delivering controlled voltage and current with minimal ripple. Using this power supply, we determine the dependence of the laser’s output power, sta-bility, and longevity depending on voltage, current, and ripple. By characterizing the laser’s response to variations in supply power, we aim to identify operating parameters that maximize laser power and stability.

55. Honors Project — Archiving Medieval Manuscripts

Alexandra Joyce, Jay Wallace, Andrew Salzmann, Anthony Crifasi, Mariele Courtois, Jamie Spiering, Meraiah Martinez, Art and Design, Honors Program

11:45-12:15 | Gangel Seminar Room

This project posed questions and examined what the modern archival and preservation approach is when working with 16-18th century manuscripts when they are taken apart from their original codex. I examined the modern day process of authenticating, archiving, curating, and digitizing these fragile pieces of art. This presentation will cover what precautions were taken in reassembling these manuscripts and documents and why it is so necessary that we do so.

56. Expediting Diapause in Mason Bees Through Temperature Manipulation

Evelyn Parsons, Tommy Richardson, Sarah Kasprzak, Maggie Schnerre, Declan Schulz, Virginia Huddleston, Biology

2:35-2:55 | Room 109

Temperature has long been thought to play a key role in diapausal emergence for insects and has been tested in several species; however, its relative importance compared to other factors is still widely disputed. Blue orchard mason bees (Osmia lignaria) and hornfaced mason bees (Osmia cornifrons) are popular species of solitary bees sold commercially across the country due to their tendency to cross-pollinate crops. Cross-pollination increases the quality of crops by reducing inbreeding between plants. Mason bees achieve this by flying in a zigzag pat-tern and increasing the physical distance between sequentially pollinated plants. Mason bees have a natural diapause length of 10 months and emerge in the spring for one to two months as adults. Their natural life cycle limits their use as a commercial pollinator to crops that are flowering during the ~60 days they spend foraging as adults. In a previous study we found that we could expedite diapause to seven months with minimal effects on their life cycle or emergence synchronization. In the current study, we expanded to encompass bees from different states in different temperature regimes to determine the geographic applicability of the process in our previous study. To accomplish this, we separated 450 cocoons into eight groups: bees from Washington and bees from New Jersey both under-went differing expedited temperatures that resembled the average temperatures in Texas, Washington, New Jersey, and the standard overwintering conditions from the previous study. We also used a control group of around 100 cocoons that underwent full diapause in a refrigerator according to industry over-wintering recommendations. The control group was used to compare the relative emergence synchronization between individuals within each treatment group and the average lifespan of each population. We also tested for the presence and absence of cichlid wasp parasites, a common pest of mason bees that eat the young bees alive. Our data address questions about the feasibility of using mason bees as specialty commercial crop pollinators across geographic regions while manipulating diapause to fit bee emergence to specific crop flowering windows.

57. Una pena muy doblada – The Fall of Granada (Religion and Identity)

Elianna Watson, Alicia Alvarez, Lillian Taylor, Chavonne Meyers, Joseph Pinewski, John Romano, History

2:35-2:55 | Room 125

The conquest of Granada in 1492 marked Spain’s transition from a multicultural society to a unified Catholic nation-state where religious purity replaced coex-istence. Previously, Spain had functioned around “Convivencia,” religious and cultural interaction and toleration. Catholics, Jews, and Muslims were able to practice their faiths and live and work in the same spaces. After Granada, there was a symbolic “reset” of Spain’s identity. It redefined who belonged and who did not.

This is one of two projects inspired by the anonymously written “Romance de la pérdida de Alhama,” in which the Moorish king laments the two-fold loss of his city and his throne. This project explores the loss of power as Islam and Judaism were removed from the Spanish nation as well as broader religious implications.

58. You’re Grounded: Does Tactile Grounding Reduce Stress Faster Than Other Relaxation Techniques

Je’Zhon Baker, Sean Madore, Donald Gerle III, Hans Stadthagen, Psychological Sciences

2:35-2:55 | Room 208

The purpose of our study was to explore whether the tactile grounding technique of rubbing a rough stone in their hand reduces physiological arousal faster than passive relaxation or five-by-five breathing. Five-by-five breathing consists of participants following a 5-second pattern of breathing in, holding their breath, exhaling, and holding again. We used the Galvanic Skin Response as our measure of stress. Additionally we analyzed participants’ arousal by comparing the mean absolute integrals of their baseline GSR to the GSR levels at one, two, and three minutes. This data was collected before and after participants were exposed to a tailored version of the Mannheim Multicomponent-Stress Test (MMST). Our MMST consisted of listening to an audio of a baby’s cry, seeing mildly distressing images, and completing arithmetic operations. Participants were then asked to relax using one of three techniques and we measured their stress levels at one, two, and three minutes after the relaxation started. We hypothesized that tactile grounding would help participants relax faster than passive relaxation but slower than directed breathing. Our study revealed that our revised MMST significantly increased physiological arousal in participants (t(36) = 5.01, p = .001.). However, no technique proved more effective at reducing GSR levels over each of the three minutes than the others (F(2, 19.3) = .04, p. = .67). These results do not lend support to the use of 5×5 breathing and tactile grounding over passive relaxation in the first three minutes of relaxation.

59. How Much of Your Prayer Life is Shaped by Who You Are? A Study Examining Attention, Personality, and Connection to Catholic Saints

Connor Lehman, Celine Del Castillo, Paulina Sroka, Eva Chen, Psychological Sciences

2:35-2:55 | Room 219

This study examined the relationships between attention, personality traits, devotion, and Catholic saints in relation to prayer practices in Benedictine College students. Existing research suggested that prayer types have been linked to attention span and religiosity aspects as well as personality characteristics. The present study aims to extend existing research by investigating (a) how sustained attention relates to the frequency and types of prayer, (b) how the Big Five personality traits are associated with prayer frequency and types, and (c) how devotion to Catholic saints corresponds with different forms of prayer. Specifically, we hypothesized that (a) longer sustained attention spans are positively correlated with higher frequencies of prayer and longer prayer rituals, (b) individuals with extraversion traits are more likely to prefer use of communal prayer while those with introversion traits are more likely to prefer use of private prayer, and (c) individuals who pray more frequently are more likely to have a modern saint than a pre-modern saint as their favorite saint.

This study will be conducted in two phases. In phase one, participants will complete the AX-Cognitive Performance Test as a behavioral measure of their attention span, followed by completing a self-report survey that incorporates existing measures (i.e., the Big Five Inventory and the Multidimensional Prayer Inventory) to access participants’ personality traits, prayer frequency, types of prayer, and saint devotions. In phase two, additional participants will be recruited to fill out only the online survey portion. If a sufficient sample size is collected, preliminary data will be presented and discussed on Discovery Day. The findings from this study may have practical implications for spiritual directors, priests, and individuals who are interested in assisting their peers to identify prayer practices that align with one’s attention span, personality traits, and personal devotions.

60. Numerically Simulating the Single Ionization of Helium by Attosecond Laser Pulses With Third-Order Dispersion

Kalli Hart, Nicholas Katze, Joseph Strandquist, Physics and Astronomy

2:35-2:55 | Room 307

Previous research has shown that when two attosecond scale laser pulses with specific properties are used to ionize an atom, the ionized electron makes interesting spiral patterns with its momentum distribution. When the laser pulses have variable properties, they produce different spiral patterns, sometimes with more tails, with a tighter spiral, or changing direction altogether. We are seeking to simulate different kinds of laser pulses to observe what types of patterns they make in order to predict the real physical interactions. The specific case that was studied is the single ionization of helium by attosecond laser pulses with third-order dispersion, in which the frequency and pulse shape change with time. These simulations were performed using existing code on the Stampede3 supercomputer at the Texas Advanced Computing Center. This was important due to the need to parallelize the immense amount of calculations required accurately to simulate this process. Exploring these processes can help us finely control electrons on the atomic scale and better understand their behavior. Overall, we were able to find some interesting results with differently dispersed lasers, with very few spirals and more bullseye patterns, mimicking previous results with different laser pulses.

61. Flying Hockey Pucks

Ashley Wallau, Michael VanKirk, A. Max Sayler, Physics and Astronomy

2:35-2:55 | Room 324

Type II superconductors are materials that, when cooled to extremely low temperatures, can conduct electricity with no resistance and display unique magnetic properties. In this demonstration, we showcase one of the most fascinating effects of superconductivity: magnetic levitation. By cooling a superconductor and placing it above a specially designed magnetic track, the material becomes “locked” into place, allowing it to float, glide, and move along the track without even touching it. This behavior is explained by a phenomenon known as flux pinning, where the superconductor interacts with magnetic fields in a way that stabilizes its position. As a result, the superconductor can hover above, below, or even at an angle relative to the track, or even just a stationary magnet, while remaining suspended in the same position. This demonstration aims to provide a visually engaging and accessible introduction to the physics of superconductors for a broad undergraduate audience.

62. Thesis Defense — What is a Woman?: Comparing Edith Stein and Simone de Beauvoir on Women’s Nature and Professions

Elizabeth Peterson, Anthony Crifasi, James Madden, Sarah Houser, Andrew Salzmann, Mariele Courtois, Jamie Spiering, Meraiah Martinez, Philosophy, Honors Program, Sheridan Center for Classical Studies

2:35-3:35 | Gangel Seminar Room

This thesis will answer the following question: Is there any overlap between Simone de Beauvoir’s and Edith Stein’s views on woman’s nature and her place in the world? De Beauvoir believed that non-biological feminine characteristics were artificially imposed upon women to keep them in subjection. Women, in her opinion, should be free to live their lives unburdened by traditional feminine roles, like raising children. Indeed, they should actively try to break free of those roles. Stein believed that femininity was a real thing, rooted in women’s nature as a body-soul composite. She believed that women’s feminine characteristics would cause them to relate to the world differently than men. However, Stein also believed that women did not necessarily need to live out traditional gender roles, such as those of mother or wife, to flourish as persons. Indeed, Stein believed that women could fulfill a range of roles, even those traditionally relegated to men, without compromising their femininity. De Beauvoir and Stein agree that some traditional feminine traits are culturally constructed and unnecessary for women’s flourishing. They disagree on whether femininity — or traditional “womanhood” — is itself a social construct. I want to use my sources, which explain how Stein grounds femininity in women’s nature and how de Beauvoir views feminine characteristics as artificial, to show how two radically opposed worldviews can hold common beliefs. Beauvoir rejects artificially imposed gender norms on the basis of her existentialist philosophy because she believes there is nothing gendered in a person’s nature and nature itself is a construct. Stein questions artificial gender norms because her essentialist philosophy leads her to believe there is something gendered in persons’ natures and nature is real. Their respective philosophical standpoints help clarify each philosopher’s view on woman as an embodied subject and her place in society.

63. Exploration of Neurotrauma in a Humanized, Transgenic Fruit Fly

Joseph Eisenmann, Jeremy Stubblefield, Biology

3:05-3:25 | Room 109

The Tau gene is a microtubial-associated protein that resides in the cytoplasm of human cells. The gene is expressed and implicated in several different neuro-degenerative disorders within the human body, specifically Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Model organisms can be humanized by inserting human gene sequences into their genome, creating transgenic “humanized” model organisms. We chose to overex-press Tau, specifically the human Tau gene (hTau), in the Drosophila melanogaster model to further explore how Tau impacts neurodegeneration. We used three separate fly colonies including the Oregon-R wild type, W1118MAPT flies with the overexpression of hTau, and W1118, which was the corresponding wild type flies on the same genetic background of the flies with hTau. Each colony of flies were given a traumatic brain injury (TBI) with consecutive hits of either 0, 2, and 5, by use of a High Impact Trauma (HIT) device. By then examining and comparing the mortality index at 24 hours (MI24; percentage of flies that died) between each colony of flies, we sought to determine how the overexpression of Tau protein affects neurodegeneration following an episode of neurotrauma. By studying a humanized fly, we seek to further explore and understand how neu-rodegeneration affects more than just memory but, in addition, how the brain is affected by trauma.

64. Ay de mi Alhama – The Fall of Granada (Military Tactics and Strategy)

Elianna Watson, Karina Hernandez, Bailey Carney, Lydia Kopacz, John Romano, History

3:05-3:25 | Room 125

The Spanish Reconquista, after beginning in the eighth century, came to an end in 1492 with the war in Granada. The Catholic victory in the war marked the end of Islamic and Jewish rule in Spain and the turnover of the city of Granada from the Muslims to the Catholics.

This is one of two projects inspired by the anonymously written “Romance de la pérdida de Alhama,” a poem from the fifteenth century that laments the loss of the city from the perspective of the Moorish king. This project is an investigation into siege warfare and other military tactics employed by the Catholics that led to the eventual surrender of the city.

The presentation will encompass an overview of the topography, timeline of events, attributes of armor, and the gunpowder technology that was available at the time. The Renaissance style warfare, paired with the support from the Vatican and several other countries, aided the Catholic victory.

65. The Relationship Between Personality Traits and Emotional Response to Inconsistent Feedback

Ariel Hartshorn, John Paul Bugos, Christian Lewis, Hans Stadthagen, Psychological Sciences

3:05-3:25 | Room 208

In this study we asked if the Big 5 personality traits (openness, conscientious-ness, agreeableness, extraversion, and neuroticism) are correlated with emotional responses to inconsistent feedback. Participants (N = 36, 30 women, 6 men) from Benedictine College, ages 18 to 23 (M =19.5, SD = 1.26), completed the 44-item Big-Five Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1992) and engaged in a comput-erized card-sorting task. They were asked to sort a series of cards according to color, number, or shape but the correct sorting rule was not initially disclosed. Emotional response was measured during the task using galvanic skin response (GSR) while they received feedback after each trial that allowed them to dis-cover the correct rule. On the 11th trial and again on the 19th trial, the rule changed without the participant’s knowledge leading to feedback that was incon-sistent with the previously learned rule. We hypothesized that only neuroticism, conscientiousness, and agreeableness would correlate with emotional response. We examined emotional response, as measured by reactivity based on change in mean GSR from inconsistent to consistent feedback. Neuroticism had a moder-ate, positive correlation with reactivity, r(34) = .38, p = .022. Openness to expe-rience, conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness were not correlated with emotional response. These findings could suggest that neuroticism is linked with an increased emotional response to inconsistent feedback. Future research could implement a study using in-person feedback and a more naturalistic task.

66. Yada Ministries: Integrating Child Development and Evangelization for Preteen Faith Formation

Alicia Alvarez, Mary Nacanaynay, Gabriel Maday, London Gutekunst, Dcn. Dana Nearmyer, Eva Chen, Theology, Psychological Sciences

3:05-3:25 | Room 219

Current youth ministry programs frequently overlook the preteen population, often serving mostly children and teens, resulting in both disengagement from participation in ministry groups and unmet developmental needs in existing groups in which preteens may participate. This project synthesizes child development research and integrates evangelization and education methods to develop a developmentally informed youth ministry for preteens. The proposed model emphasizes skill-building in emotional, social, and spiritual areas within a relational faith community framework. Overall, this model seeks to provide parishes and Catholic schools with a program to support preteens, addressing both their psychological and faith needs during this critical developmental stage.

67. Double Ionization of Helium Atoms by Linearly Chirped Attosecond Laser Pulses

Nicholas Katze, Kalli Hart, Joseph Strandquist, Physics and Astronomy

3:05-3:25 | Room 307

A fundamental problem in quantum physics is handling the interaction between electrons. The behavior of simple systems, such as isolated hydrogen atoms, which have only a single electron, can be predicted exactly. For helium atoms, which have two electrons in their neutral state, an analytical solution is impossible, and numerical techniques must be used.

When a helium atom is excited, as by a laser pulse, there is a chance that it is ionized, ejecting one or both electrons from the nucleus. When this happens, the momentum of the ionized electrons is variable. Here, we investigate the angular distribution of ionized electrons after interaction with an attosecond laser pulse. More specifically, we are interested in how “chirping” the pulse, that is, varying its frequency with time, affects the angular distribution. To do so involves numerically solving the Time-Dependent Schrödinger Equation and projecting the resulting wavefunction to give the probability distribution.

68. From Rock to Race: The Science Behind Our Concrete Canoe

Rebecca Madden, Paul Hanson, Scott Newbolds, School of Engineering

3:05-3:25 | Room 324

Concrete is known for its structural uses and high strength. But have you ever wondered if concrete could float? The concrete canoe is an engineering project created by the American Society of Civil Engineers to push students to create something out of the ordinary: to take a strong but very dense material and use their knowledge and experience to completely change its function. Students work through the entire process of creating their own mixes, hull shape, aesthetic design, and ending with a physical race to test their skills against other schools.

To achieve such a feat requires a careful balance of strength, speed, durability, and weight. Starting from the concrete mix and hull design and ending with actual flotation tests and races, the entire process is carefully completed to create a fast, lightweight, durable canoe. The program was reinstated at Benedictine College two years ago and has been improving ever since with canoes getting lighter, stronger, and faster with each year we compete. The 2026 canoe, Lacha, continues to impress with a record strength to weight ratio and improved hull design to secure the team’s continued success.

69. Concussions and Circadian Rhythms: Analyzing Gene Expression in Drosophila melanogaster

Caroline Cunningham, Lillian Taylor, Jeremy Stubblefield, Biology

3:35-3:55 | Room 109

The circadian system exerts control over a variety of behavioral and physiological processes and plays an important role in brain metabolism, neuroinflammation, and nervous system communication. Despite its critical role in maintaining homeostasis within the central nervous system (CNS), its role in the perturbation of the CNS has not been well characterized. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) describes a variety of insults to the brain that results in disruptions to metabolism, inflammation, and communication between neuronal cell types. We sought to answer the following question: Does the expression of genes associated with immunity, neurotransmitter metabolism, and/or synapse regulation change following neurotrauma administered at different phases of the circadian cycle in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster? Fruit flies can be given a TBI using a High Impact Trauma (HIT) device and are proven to be accurate model systems of human circadian cycles. We used the HIT device on flies that are group housed in a 12:12 light:dark environmental chamber and administer a range of “HITs” either early or late in the light phase. We extracted brain tissue from individual flies from each HIT group 24 hours post-HIT (utilizing a new centrifugal filter and flash freezing technique), pooled the samples and then isolated RNA. Quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR) and DNA primers were used specifically to amplify target cDNA associated with the metabolism of the major excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate (glutamine synthetase), the immune response (NF-kB), and synapse degradation (Draper), as well as a few known circadian genes. Our goal with this research was to identify genes associated with CNS homeostasis that are under regulated by the circadian system and which may provide insight into their response to TBI. This could lead to new therapies targeted around the circadian system to help treat patients suffering from neurotrauma.

70. Symphonia: The Reconstruction of a Medieval Instrument

John Newbolds, Anthony Zuzolo, John Romano, History

3:35-3:55 | Room 125

The prevalence of wheel-activated instruments are prolifically referenced in manuscripts and illuminations throughout the middle ages, with clear examples first appearing in the twelfth century. However, the instruments have largely fallen out of the public consciousness as there are no surviving examples until the early modern period. Once long-forgotten in popular culture, the instrument has seen a recent spark of interest in niche musical circles, with reconstructions seeing a modern renaissance. This renewed interest has made personal reconstruction more feasible in recent years, with this project setting out to build a working example. This study will examine the history of these wheeled instruments, namely the evolution from the organistrum, to symphonia, to the later hurdy gurdy. Examination of the sacred and secular music played on these instruments during the medieval period will also be considered. The personal reconstruction of a medieval symphonia will be presented, as well as the craftsman-ship and mechanics that underpin the instrument. Finally, the instrument will be used to perform a section from the contemporary Cantigas de Santa Maria poems. Through the hand-crafted process of reconstructing a symphonia, this study hopes to shed light on the nature of medieval music and the craftsmanship that went into the construction of medieval instruments.

71. Drew to Dolly: The Dream of the Public Library

Gwendolyn Baugh, Allison Higgins, Madeline Stivison, Michelle Zaleski, English

3:35-3:55 | Room 208

The American public library, for many years, has been a steady source of quick research and entertainment, a consistently flexible space for different community uses across the nation. However, as students at Benedictine College who have had to pursue our degrees in the absence of a library, we have learned that there are some resources that can only be offered by a library. The original dream of Andrew Carnegie—the father of the American public library—was to provide the working class with accessibility to knowledge. This led us to our research question: Has Andrew Carnegie’s dream of the public library been realized today? To find our answer, we looked at the vision of early library pioneers in America with a focus on Carnegie. We interviewed four different librarians from regional public libraries on their process for selecting and circulating books. Comparing the two, we identified a shift in the identity of the public library of today away from its original purpose as a wealth of knowledge. Instead, libraries today are valued for their use as a recreational space. Our project addresses the implications of our findings and offers examples of alternative courses for promoting the preservation, accessibility, and tradition of good books.

72. An Invitation to Mystery: The Making of Picture Frames

Margaret Tobin, Kyle Goddard, Art and Design

3:35-3:55 | Room 219

Last year, I researched why artists have felt the need to place picture frames around their stretched canvas, making them appear almost as a portal into another world. But the question remained of why they felt the need to make their frames so ornate and decorative. To better look at this question, I have learned traditional frame-making techniques and have constructed frames, both simple and ornate, to understand how they help us to enter into mystery.

73. Sound Fields and Sacred Forms: Contrasting the Acoustic Character of Eastern and Western Churches

Caleb Smith, Mark Amery, John Kline, Tim Kasprzak, Ryan Maderak, Physics and Astronomy

3:35-3:55 | Room 307

This project investigates the relationship between architectural style, acoustics, and the development of liturgical music, comparing the Eastern and Western Catholic Traditions. Particular attention was given to the Hagia Sophia, which served as an archetypal model that many eastern churches followed to varying degrees. Western examples were drawn from live recordings of some Italian Basilicas as well as other suitable locations.

Through a combination of the auralization of Hagia Sophia’s acoustic environment and further analysis of recordings, the project explored how differing architectural styles produce distinct acoustic profiles that can be characterized by church style. Many churches shared similar values regarding frequency-dependent reverb and clarity. Overall, there was a great effect on music sung in each unique environment. Ultimately, this work attempted to describe the effect of the differing acoustic environments on the development of hymnography and choral practices as well as providing valuable insight into how properly to introduce Eastern Catholic music to a Western Audience.

74. Chemistry Going Into Music: A Scientist’s Attempt at Music

Chris Pierce, Jaiden Miller, Miriam Bourke, Sarah Harris, Peter Swanson, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Music

3:35-3:55 | Room 324

The natural resonance of different objects and materials is based on multiple factors, including the object’s structural orientation, size, and density. Variations in these aspects can change how and when an object is in resonance, affecting the sound it can produce. In the case of a metallic solid, the density of the metal has an inverse effect on the resonance produced. However, because metals form alloys, the alloys have different crystalline structures, which will affect the sound produced. From this, the hypothesis was formulated: Is it possible to build glockenspiel keys with three different pitches, at the same volume for each key, using varying mixtures of the metals zinc, aluminum, tin, and bismuth? During the series of experiments, seven keys were produced that spanned a range similar to a single octave, using the metals and binary alloys (only two metal alloys) between them. This Discovery project is one part of turning chemistry into music. Later today, Jaiden Miller will present his composition, “Unstable Structure,” which will use some of the keys produced in the experiment, to create a musical piece inspired by and formatted like a chemistry experiment.

75. Thesis Defense — The Intimacy of Being: An Intersubjective Approach to the Postmodern Identity Crisis

Henry Burns, Francis Petruccelli, Andrew Jaeger, Jeremy Sienkiewicz, Philosophy, Theology

3:45-4:45 | Gangel Seminar Room

My thesis investigates our postmodern identity crisis, which has arisen from failed attempts to ground human value in scientific approaches to truth. Catholic existentialist Gabriel Marcel claims that man has now become for himself a question without an answer. I bring Marcel in dialogue with Jean-François Lyotard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and Jean Paul Sartre to articulate competing interpretations of the postmodern condition, man’s need for value, the death of God, and the mystery of being. I argue that an acknowledgement of the mysterious nature of personal relationship is necessary for man to be brought in touch with his own being. Accordingly, our crisis of identity is not a crisis of knowledge but one of metaphysical relationship: a comprehensive response to postmodern nihilism can only be realized inside a creative life of fidelity to God the Absolute Thou, which continually transforms man’s being.

76. Benedictine College Motorsports

Matthew Cleary, Charlie Stiles, Thomas McDonough, Rosie Ibarra, Rose Wolfgang, Dante Bullara, Dave Geenens, School of Business

4:05-4:25 | Front (west entrance) of Ferrell Academic Center

Can a team of interdisciplinary students design and build a functional Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (Formula SAE or FSAE) car within two semesters that adheres to all SAE International rules and regulations so as to compete in the FSAE Nationals Competition in May 2026?

Most, if not all FSAE teams, both in the United States and abroad are made up solely by engineering students. Our idea has been to achieve the same objective that other teams have, in building a competitive Formula-1 style car, while applying a different approach. This is a team with a nearly 50/50 ratio of engineering and business students working to accomplish the mission. We believe that by combining various types of academic backgrounds, we can operate more as a start-up company rather than a simple design project or class. Business students handle sponsorships, marketing, finance, insurance, logistics, and safety practices while the engineers focus all of their energy on the effective and efficient design, construction, and maintenance of the vehicle.

There are three steps that comprise our methodology for accomplishing this mis-sion: design, refine, and assemble:

First, we focus on design. Through effective collaboration, the engineering teams develop CAD models for each subsystem of the car (chassis, suspension, drive-train, electrical, and aerodynamics) in accordance with Formula SAE standards. These are then combined accurately to project a complete digital representation of our model.

Second, we commence numerous simulations using our model in order to justify our designs. When completed, refinements are applied and re-analyzed to push each system towards specific performance targets. This allows us to determine an optimal design for the car as an integrated system prior to construction.

Finally, we construct and then assemble the chassis, suspension, and drivetrain systems so that preliminary tests may be conducted in order to compare physical results to model results. Following this, we add the electrical and aero systems until everything is completed as an integrated product and the car is ready to hit the track.

77. Women, True Crime, and the Problem of Evil

Maria Draves, Mariele Courtois, Stephen Mirarchi, Theology, Sheridan Center for Classical Studies

4:05-4:25 | Room 125

This project seeks to answer the question of why women are disproportionately drawn to true crime and what that reveals about vulnerability, evil, and the search for meaning in a fallen world. Using psychological and theological standards and methods, it examines the phenomenon that women consume true crime media at significantly higher rates than men and considers what this fascination reveals about contemporary attempts to confront the reality of evil. The project considers the anthropological differences between men and women, drawing on statistical research, cultural analysis, and theological reflection. In a culture increasingly hesitant to name evil in moral terms, true crime occupies an ambiguous space between moral reflection and entertainment. This project argues that the fascination with true crime reflects more than morbid curiosity. Rather, it reveals a deeper cultural hunger to resist moral apathy, understand suffering, seek justice for victims, and name the reality of evil in society.

78. Brimstone the Trebuchet!

Kyle Gagermeier, David Chodorowski, Edward Stephenson, George Nicholas, English

4:05-4:25 | Room 208

The purpose of the project is to learn more about trebuchets and their history and function while using free AI software to aid in the design and research process. The project involves a trebuchet that is 22 feet tall, has a 500 pound counterweight and has the potential to launch 2-pound projectiles over 200 yards. The audience will learn about the history of trebuchets and the physics involved in them. They will also learn how AI can be used in a project to aid in human design without removing the human touch.

79. OBLIGATED

Cole Beutelschies, Lindsay Kennedy, Theatre Arts and Dance

4:00-5:30 | Westerman Hall Auditorium

OBLIGATED is a one-act musical that examines themes of perfectionism through amped-up, highly stylized characters. Be prepared for tension sparked through a mix of light-hearted comedy and deeply emotional moments cultivated by over a year of writing and revising. This musical is like if a Disney Channel original movie met Taylor Swift’s album Reputation. This project included the composition of 11 original songs that will be performed alongside the rest of the musical as a concert staged reading. The book, lyrics, and music were started as a project for the Scriptwriting course and then have been expanded through this last year. This project delved into two main research foci: the process of both developing a musical as well as the question of what extremes perfectionism can be taken to and their consequences. This work will be directed by Dr. Lindsay Kennedy, and the music will be played by Cole Beutelschies.

80. Original String Quartet

André Bauer, Thomas Davoren, Music

4:45-5:45 | O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium

This is the premiere of a string quartet composed by André Bauer titled “String Quartet no. 2.” It is a continuation of a series I started my sophomore year in which I premiered my first string quartet. It also takes inspiration from nature as the sacramentality of creation has become increasingly important to me. The areas of research and focus utilized in this piece include development of a theme into a cohesive piece of moderate length. I used my knowledge of Vivaldi gained by my arrangements of his work to compose within instrumental idioms as well as capture what I experience in nature aurally.

81. Absolute Music: How Does It Speak?

Ryan Bergman, Thomas Davoren, Music

4:45-5:45 | O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium

“Absolute Music: How Does It Speak?” is a look into how absolute music can affect the emotions of the audience receiving it. Absolute music is composed through a process that involves zero influence, symbolism, narrative, etc. This project combines the compositional process with the influence that composition has on an audience in order better to understand the connections between composer, performer, and audience. The process to determine these connections includes an anonymous survey of audience members and performers alongside self-reflection from the composer.

82. “Unstable Structure”: A High-voltage Fusion of Sound and Science — Where Musical Ideas Collide, Mutate, and Combust in Real Time

Jaiden Miller, Chris Pierce, Peter Swanson, Sarah Harris, Music, Chemistry and Biochemistry

4:45-5:45 | O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium

“Unstable Structure” turns chemistry into something you can hear. This inter-active piece is written for a small chamber ensemble that combines the use of traditional instruments with chemicals and scientific equipment. This piece is composed in an unconventional way by using the chemical formulas as the build-ing blocks, bringing a fresh approach to how we organize music. There were many different chemical formulas used to make the piece, including catalytic synthesis and oxide reactions. These complex formulas are interwoven into all the instru-ments not just through the chemistry. The piece also uses a blend of musical styles with chemistry to create an interactive experience for not only the performer but for the audience as well. These two disciplinary forces are brought together in an artistic puzzle that transforms chaos into something beautiful. All chemistry will be performed in a controlled manner with proper safety measures and have been approved/tested to ensure the safety of the performers/audience. This presenta-tion corresponds to Chris Pierce’s presentation from earlier in the day.

83. Entrepreneurship in Music — From Performer to Producer

André Bauer, Paula Buchanan, Thomas Davoren, Music

7:00-8:30 | O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium

As performers, we are prepared and trained to participate in the performances produced and scheduled by others. Our musical education prepares us to perform and be creative but not how to employ that creativity as an entrepreneur or producer, which are critically important roles in the modern creative landscape. The question we are seeking to answer is how exactly performers can become producers and thereby facilitate more creative endeavors that align with their vision, mission, and ethos. This is an essential undertaking for Christian performers who believe that culture is shaped by art and that much more is needed in terms of those equipped to facilitate and spearhead these artistic movements.

This goal would be ascertained through the successful production of a two-person musical and documentation of the process. This includes the creation and filing of an organization capable of performing a musical, the acquisition of rights to perform the musical, an in-depth exploration of the process of self-direction for both music and the stage, the application of our vocal training in a rigorous and simulated professional environment. The final product would be a guide that could be published online that outlines the exact process, legal requirements, fees, and more that are required to do an undertaking, such as this. This is something that is lacking on the internet, at least in an updated format. This guide along with the performance organization and possible website are things that have benefitted beyond the scope of Discovery Day and can provide a through line to a profession in this area.