Spring 2023 Exhibition: Book of Abstracts
The Undergraduate Research Exhibition, presented by the Office of Undergraduate Research, is a biannual, in-person event in which students showcase original research, scholarly projects, and creative works. Following the event, the EFSC community and the general public can view projects via this online archive. You can also view and download photos from the event in our Flickr album.
Scroll to view all projects or use the alphabetical list of links by student researcher last name to view their project topic, abstract, poster and/or creative work.
The washout phase of construction painting: A harmless act? Effects of latex paint on local ecosystems
Student Researcher: Elizabeth and Dallas Eskildsen
Mentor: Dr. Ashley Spring
Abstract: The amount of paint released into the environment from the washout phase of commercial painting, has caused concern 1930’s. Paint additives and ingredients have been shown to detrimentally affect terrestrial organisms, and this experiment observes that trend. The hypothesis of this study is latex paint present at low, medium, and high levels will decrease activity and decrease survival of terrestrial residents garden snails, Cornu aspersum, and earthworms, Lumbrincina terrestris, compared with the terrestrial residents unexposed to latex paint. Ten C. aspersum and 10 L. terrestris were placed into containers with (control) 0 mL, (low) 25 mL, (medium) 100 mL, or (high) 250 mL of latex paint added to the soil substrate. The C. aspersum and L. terrestris were observed daily for activity level and survival. There were significantly lower activity and survival rates in the terrestrial residents at higher paint exposure, further supporting the need for improved containment methods for the washout phase of construction painting.
Antibacterial Property Evaluation of Five Essential Oils Inoculated with Two Common Staphylococci
Student Researcher: Aaron Jackson
Mentor: Ramona Smith
Abstract: The objective of this study is to compare the anti-bacterial activity of garlic, eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree, and oregano essential oils against S. aureus and S. epidermis. This study was conducted using a disk diffusion test on tryptic soy agar. On which the bacteria were inoculated and allowed to incubate for 24 hours at 37°C. Dilution was performed on the essential oils using dimethyl sulfoxide in a 10/1 ratio. 5mm disks were then impregnated with each essential oil and allowed to dry. Four disks were placed on each plate, three essential oils and one DMSO. The plates were then allowed to incubate for 24 hours at 37°C. Measurement of the zone of inhibition was taken to the closest 0.1 mm millimeter, subtracting the diameter of the disk (5mm). Oregano essential oil was found to have significantly higher anti-bacterial properties than the other oils, having an average zone of inhibition of 19.3mm for S. epidermis and 24.3mm for S. aureus. In conclusion, oregano essential oil should be further investigated as an anti-bacterial agent to inhibit growth of common bacteria.
The Science of Self Driving Cars: How Machine Learning Will Keep You Safe on the Road
Student Researcher: Steven Kirksey
Mentor: Gary Hrezo
Abstract: Several automotive companies are in a race to develop practical, safe, and economical self-driving vehicles. Such an achievement would be one of the most significant innovations in automotive technology since the introduction of the automobile itself. The main contenders are using machine learning.
Soft Robotic Prosthesis: Sensory Development
Student Researcher: Barbara Zent
Mentor:Bruce Hesher
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to widen the understanding between soft robotics in prosthetics and the information feedback of regulated sensory systems. The design of this research will look at the data transmission that can be regulated through several designed systems for integrating electrical, chemical, biological, and computational data from these systems. These systems demonstrate a current barrier in information interpretation that can be closed through a further understanding of how these processes configure communication. By shortening these communication networks between the input from the stimulatory surroundings and output to nerves, sensation may be increased for certain sensory thresholds. The primary scope of this project will look towards connection between programmed biosensors and tactile senses in soft robotic prosthetics. This will be demonstrated through increasing sensory information input to the nerve pathways through the computerization of these biosensors and pathways. Increasing the regulation of tactile sensitivity development in robotics will allow for greater interpretation of the physical world through prosthetics, as well as being the trigger for warning receptors in dangerous situations, such as temperature regulation and other situations that may cause potential damage to the prosthetic.