“Mutants, Clones and Earthworms.”
“Fractals, Cryptography and Clusters.”
“Humor and Human Life.”
Welcome to the rich and varied world of academic scholarship!
These are just some of the subjects that Mount Mercy students and faculty have delved into as they engage in research projects that cross multiple disciplines and academic majors.
Mount Mercy’s Pathways to Scholarship campaign showcased these projects, along with a variety of academic achievements, vibrant poster displays and interactive demonstrations, during the Scholarship Festival on May 2. Learn more about the presentations by clicking the link for each panel.
Panel 1: Faculty / Student Collaborations
| • Amanda Wodstrchill (Marketing), with Anne King, Janie Mills, and Teresa Wery: A Bookstore Marketing Plan |
| • Alex Holsinger (Biology), with Alesia Hruska-Hageman: Optimizing methods for transfecting and labeling mammalian cells to test the interation between PICK1 and LRF |
| • Stephanie Russel (English), with Jim Grove and Chris DeVault: The Ethics of Narrative Play: Atonement and Film Adaptation |
Panel 2: Collaborations in Computer Science
| • Mark Bordignon (Computer Science), with Steve Strong and Elizabeth Kleiman: Developing a Website for the Computer Science Department |
| • John Erickson and Travis Schaufenbuel (Computer Science), with Steve Strong and Mary Lou Saindon: Developing an EMR system for the Nursing Department |
| • Maria Terzopoulou (Graphic Design): Web Design for the Computer Science Department |
Panel 3: Mutants, Clones, and Earthworms
| • Erick Brouwer (Biology): Understanding the molecular mechanism of glaucoma: Testing the interaction between wild type and mutant of Lyst and Casien Kinase II proteins |
| • Ben Reinhart and Joe Zach (Biology): Cloing LumanRecruitmetnt Factor (LRF) into mammalian expression vectors to test its interaction with Protein Interacting with C Kinase (PICK1) |
| • Matt Purl (Biology): The Effects of Common Herbicide and Fertilizer on Earthworm Burrowing Behavior |
| • Molly First (Biology): Characterization of Essential Herpesvirus Protein Interactions |
Panel 4: Race and Identity
| • Christina VanderZee (Criminal Justice and English): Optimism, Identity, and Class in Mrs. Dalloway |
| • Kristin Doyle (Social Work): Trans-Racial Adoption and Social Work Practice |
| • Rachel Dee (English): Immigration and Identity in The Namesake |
| • Kyle Thompson (Political Science): China's Path: Democratic Reform, or More of the Same? |
Posters:
| • Robin Brehm, Courtney Marks, and Ian Ster (Chemistry): Deep Fryers to Tractors: Journey to finding the perfect recipe |
| • Susie Scwennen (Education): Using Video Modeling to Teach Effective Ways to Make Transitions for a Pre-school Student with Behavior Problems |
| • Annie Thomsen (Nursing): Reminiscence Therapy for Dementia |
| • Sara Wolf (Nursing): Early Assessment of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Myocardial Infarction |
| • Cara Boeding (Nursing): Thermoregulation Prior to Surgery |
| • Megan Mahoney (Nursing): Basal-bolus Insulin for Glycemic Control |
| • Chelsea Benters (Nursing): Hypnotherapy for Pain Management in Cancer Patients |
| • Aaron Lacy (Biology): Effect of Nitrogen Limitation upon the growth of the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa |
| • Kyla Lindley, Ali Roe, and Meagan Vogel (Psychology): Personality, Emotional Intelligence, Emotion Regulation, Metacognitive Self-Regulation, and Test Anxiety: A Correlational Analysis |
| • Taylor Feltes (Criminal Justice): Airport Security: Violating our Privacy? |
| • Nicole Hotz (Criminal Justice): Separate Accommodations for Prisoners with Mental Illness |
| • Samantha Frost (Biology): Home Range and Habitat Selection of Hatchling Ornate Box Turtle |
| • Chris Koch (Psychology): Post Hoc Approaches to Addressing Occurrences of Method Bias in Research |
| • Amanda Callender (Psychology): Predicting Facets of Career Indecision Using Saucier's Subcomponents of the NEO-FFI |
| • Karley Abel (Biology): Effects of Fertilizer Growth of Lemna minor |
| • Lynne Bradley: Natural Antibacterial Properties of Garlic and Thyme on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus |
| • Breanna Fecht: Resistance of Escherichia coli and Salmonella thyphimurium to antibacterial and regular soaps |
| • Megan Vogel: The Effectiveness of Active Ingredients of Mouthwash in Killing Streptococcus pyogenes |
| • Amanda DeWitte: The Effectiveness of Bleach-based and Organic Cleaners on Escherichia coli and Salmonella thyphimurium |
Roundtables:
| • Immigration: a Mercy Critical Concern Hosted by Bryan Willis and Samantha Miller Betty Cherry |
| • Scholarship and Collaboration: Rewards and Challenges Hosted by Dennis Dew Betty Cherry |
| • International Adventures Hosted by Catherine Cashner Betty Cherry |
| • Going After Greenwashing (a street scholarship event) Hosted by Enrique Cortina, Jennifer Koenighain, Ryan Pleggenkuhl, and Dave Klope UC110 |
Panel 5: Creative Writing
| • Ivory Davis: "Midnights" |
| • Ali Swanson: "Your Mentalis, My Mark Twain" and "The Way We Get By" |
| • Aaron Ostrenga: "Grandma's Mexican Song" |
| • Maddy Jones: "Mrs. Boyer" |
| • Rachel Dee: "Awash" |
| • Aunna Ruiz: "Encapsulated" |
| • Sara Jacobmeyer: "Breathe" |
| • Christopher Emery: "Poor Fortuna" |
| • Laina Pilkenton: "Storyteller" |
| • Kristine Kouba: "Home is Where the Food Is" |
| • Jessica Joens: "Why Do I Eat?" |
| • Rachel Dee: "Happy Campers" |
| • Tony Clark: "The Bionic Man" |
| • Robb Tigan: "Red, Black, Yellow, Green" |
| • Amy Stourac: "Shedony Holstein Farm" |
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HIGH SCHOOL WINNERS: • Brennan Bogert, Regina High School: "My Neighbor's Daughter" • Sarah Monk, Marion High School: "Loneliness" • Marissa Bouska, North Fayette High School: "Washed Away" |
Panel 6: Fractals, Cryptography, and Clusters
| • Laura Wilberg (Math): Fractals |
| • Jason Caffrey (Computer Science): Cryptography: Breaking an S-AES |
| • Paul Pfister (Computer Science): Building a Cluster |
| • Sabine Kassis and Brittany Shanklin (Math): Modeling Print and Electronic Textbook Sales |
Panel 7: Ways of Learning
| • Allison Roe (Biology): Comparison of Maze Learning in Hamsters and Mice |
| • Staci Clark (Education): Using Technology to Enhance Instruction in Middle School and Science |
| • Shelby Hollett (Education): Research and Instruction of English Language Learners: A Case Study of a Primary Grade English Learner |
| • Kara Danielsen (Education): Research and Instruction of English Language Learners: A Case Study of a Seventh Grade English Learner |
Panel 8: Humor and Human Life
| • Chris Reed, Allison Roe, and Michele Wegman (Philosophy): Theories of Humor and Laughter, with Joe Givvin |
Panel 9: Planet in Transition
| • Sara Koehn (Political Science): The Rise of Women in American Politics: Implications for Change |
| • Ian Ster (Biology): A Genetic Look at Robust Redhorse and the Possible Effects of Climate Change |
| • Ryan Dunbar (History): Red Star Rising; Superpower of the 21st Century? |
| • Kris Slutts (Biology): Monitoring of Sand Prairie Plant Succession Following Removal of Conifers: Preliminary Data |
Panel 10: Outside the Box
| • Jim Stewart, Miaree Ure-Harmon, Jamie Zaruba (Theatre): From Page to Stage: The Creative Process |
| • Michelle Janko (Sociology): Legalize Marijuana...Now! |
| • Christina Nielhaus (Education): Co-Teaching Using Art |
| • Jill Moorman (Education): Creating a Classroom Climate to Maximize Student Achievement |