The Differential Impact of Chitin and Chitosan on Heavy Metal Pollution in Water SamplesSTUDENT: Jessica Caldwell FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. J. D. Mendez DIVISION: Science ABSTRACT: This project focused on utilizing differing ratios of chitin and chitosan to attempt to lower the amount of heavy metals, such as nickel and lead, in water samples collected locally. The end goal of this project is to create a water filter that purifies water in a more environmentally friendly manner. Jessica presented this research at the Indiana Academy of Science in Indianapolis in March and at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco, California in April. She is also the recipient of the Robert Baird and Albert Kagel Science Education Travel Fund. Jessica co-authored a paper with Dr. Mendez that will be published in the Proceeding of Indiana Academy of Science in 2017. |  |
Attachment and ResilienceSTUDENT: Emily Edwards FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Kimdy Le DIVISION: Science ABSTRACT: The goal of this study is to further investigate the importance of attachment throughout the lifespan in the area of resilience, specifically stress in college. The student invited IUPUC psychology students to complete a mood questionnaire several times throughout the semester. Students were also invited to complete questionnaires that measure attachment styles. Emily presented this research at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference in Chicago, Illinois in April 2017. |  |
If It Bleeds We Can Kill It: Conservative Responses to Gender through PredatorSTUDENT: Michael Foist FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Kristen Cole DIVISION: Liberal Arts ABSTRACT: This project discusses the expansion of feminism in the 1980s and uses the 1987 film Predator as a lens through which one can analyze politically conservative attitudes toward feminism. In addition, the conservative response illustrated in Predator is applied to the modern “alt-right” movement in American politics, specifically the anger directed towards feminists and Donald Trump’s sexist statements. Michael presented this project at the Western States Communication Association conference in Salt Lake City, Utah in February 2017. |  |
Gender Wage Discrimination among Marriage and Family Therapy AcademicsSTUDENT: Madison Giles FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Anibal Torres DIVISION: Mental Health Counseling (graduate program) ABSTRACT: This research project analyzes the wages of men and women academics in the Marriage and Family Therapy field. Though the data shows that gender is not a discriminatory factor when it comes to wage, years of experience in the academic field and number of publications is. We speculate that there may not be gender wage discrimination, but a pathway problem for women in the Marriage and Family Therapy field. |  |
Self-Identification of Ethnic Heritage vs. Genetic Ethnic Heritage: Does Knowing One’s Genetic Ethnic Heritage Impact Perception of Self, Others, and Community?STUDENTS: Teresea Higham and Samantha Kohlman FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Cheryl Warner DIVISION: Mental Health Counseling (graduate program) ABSTRACT: This research project investigated the identification of ethnic heritage vs. genetic ethnic heritage: Does knowing one’s genetic Ethnic heritage impact perception of self, others, and community? This research used DNA testing to attempt to answer these questions. |  |
University Marketing: How to Increase Enrollment at IUPUCSTUDENT: Jordan Jones FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. J. K. Lee DIVISION: Business ABSTRACT: Enrollment is a key indicator of how a university is performing. The purpose of this study was to develop a marketing strategy that will allow IUPUC to increase enrollment. |  |
An Examination of Pre-Service Teachers’ Beliefs about Classroom ManagementSTUDENT: Brittany Layman FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Allisha Beerwart DIVISION: Education ABSTRACT: Classroom management is an important skill for any pre-service teacher to have; therefore, it is equally important to examine the common misconceptions of classroom management and understand what pre-service teachers think is most important with regard to classroom management. The information from this research can best assist higher education instructors who present content regarding classroom management, so training programs can best bridge the gap between these misconceptions and the foundations of the classroom management training in pre-service teachers’ undergraduate educational programs. Brittany and Dr. Beerwart presented this research at the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference at IU-South Bend in 2017. |  |
Social Rejection and Ostracism Within the Gay and Bisexual Male CommunitySTUDENT: Brandon Million FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Joan Poulsen DIVISION: Liberal Arts ABSTRACT: This project looked at social rejection and ostracism within an already marginalized community. The project examined the level of social rejection and ostracism and any possible ramifications from the social rejection and ostracism. Brandon presented at the Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference in Indianapolis in December 2016. He was a semi-finalist for the Best Presentation Award. In addition to his OSR grant, he was a recipient of an Undergraduate Research Opportunities grant from IUPUI. He presented at the North Central Sociological Association Annual Conference; the Butler University Undergraduate Research Conference on April 7; and the IU Women and Gender Studies Undergraduate Conference. |  |
Exploring the geographical range and morphological diversity of the brown small minnow mayfly, Baetis brunneicolorSTUDENT: Sabrina Schipper FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Luke Jacobus DIVISION: Science ABSTRACT: This research will add to our knowledge of this species, specifically confirming or refuting reports of its presence in more northern ecosystems, discovering a more robust suite of characters for identifying the species and creating a geographic map of the locations that the species is found throughout North America. The research will explore diversity in the coloration, body shapes and other features used to identify the species and use what we find to help us determine if the specimens from the Yukon belong to this species or a different species. Sabrina presented her research at the Indiana Academy of Science Meeting in 2017. |  |
Using 3D Printing and Magnets to Model Chemical ReactionsSTUDENT: Karen Smiar FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. J. D. Mendez DIVISION: Science ABSTRACT: We use 3D printing atoms, such as Hydrogen and Oxygen, with our printers in the chemistry lab to create models that represent the atoms linking together to create molecules, such as water. We plan to use these in the chemistry courses at IUPUC to retrieve feedback. Karen presented at the Indiana Academy of Science in Indianapolis and at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco in 2017. She is also the recipient of the Robert Baird and Albert Kagel Science Education Travel Fund. Karen co-authored a paper with Dr. Mendez that was published in the Journal of Chemical Education in 2016. |  |
Literature Review: Efficacy of Medicinal Marijuana in Children with Dravet SyndromeSTUDENT: Holly Stockhover FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Cheryl Crisp DIVISION: Science ABSTRACT: For this project, Holly conducted a literature review over the efficacy of medicinal marijuana in treating children under the age of 18 with Dravet syndrome. |  |
Behaviors Preceding Ostracism in Established Play Groups of ChildrenSTUDENT: Carissa Walls FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Kimdy Le DIVISION: Science ABSTRACT: Researchers will have gathered data on observable behaviors from children ages 5-11 years in their natural formed play groups. The goal of this research is to find an association between certain behaviors and ostracism within this age group. Carissa presented this research at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference in 2017. |  |
