The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has awarded stipends to 87 undergraduates to participate in research with a faculty mentor this summer.

The Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experience (UCARE) Program supports undergraduates to work with faculty mentors in research or creative activities. Undergraduate students receive stipends of $2,400 to engage in intensive research or creative activity for 20 hours per week. The students’ projects span across academic disciplines including engineering, chemistry, modern languages and literatures, psychology, art and art history, architecture, special education, and fisheries and wildlife.

The students also will have opportunities to participate in mentoring workshops and activities with undergraduates from other institutions who are participating in UNL’s Summer Research Program. In August, both groups of students will present posters on their research and creative activities at a campus research symposium. For more about undergraduate research at UNL, click here.

The following is a list of students by hometown who received summer UCARE awards, with their academic major and project title.

NEBRASKA:

• Ashland: Samantha Moran, microbiology, “Characterization of Seven Human Adenovirus Candidates for an Ebola Zaire Vaccine.”

• Bellevue: Alex Ciurej, biological sciences, “Effects of Novel Cytokine Concentrations and Combinations on CD4+ T Cell Differentation”; Joshua Mueller, chemical engineering, “UNL International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Team”; Matthew Sis, chemical engineering, “Delivery of Antioxidant Vitamin E to Neural Stem Cells to Increase Transplant Efficiency.”

• Crete: Garrett Wahl, biological sciences, “Assessing the Role of IRF3 in the T Cell Mediated Immune Response.”

• Doniphan: Kailee Groshans, psychology, “Critical Facets in A Couple’s Sexual Relationship and the Impact of Each on Global Relationship Satisfaction.”

• Elk Creek: Amzie Dunekacke, English, “The Manuscripts of David Livingstone: Shaping and Reshaping Victorian Britain’s Ideas about African, Araba and Indian Populations.”

• Elkhorn: Kaitlyn Stava, biological sciences, “Effect of Diet and Bacteria on the Microbiome and Infection Susceptibility in D. Magna.”

• Friend: Morgan Pfeiffer, biological sciences, “Development and Evaluation of an Electronic Application for use on Crash Carts for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Efforts.”

• Grand Island: Brianna McKay, nutritional science and dietetics, “The Effect of Youth Performance Training Camp on Football Specific Sport Performance Measurements”; Anna Siebe, mechanized systems management, “Height and Pressure Test for Improving Sprayer Application.”

• Gretna: Nathan Ray, physics, “Simulating and Analyzing the Propagation and Generation of Relativistic Electrons.”

• Hastings: Amy Hauver, plant biology, “Reducing the Potential for Acrylamide Formation in Wheat Products.”

• Hickman: Janelle Adams, biological systems engineering, “Hydrogel Platform for Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Sensors for In Vitro and In Vivo Nitric Oxide Detection.”

• Kearney: Joseph McTygue, pre-health, “Development and Evaluation of an Electronic Application for use on Crash Carts for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Efforts”; Amanda Sughroue, nutritional science and dietetics, “The Consequences of Welfare Bans on Drug Felony Convictions on Crime”; Rosamond Thalken, film studies, “Collaborative Digital Literary Archive Development: The George Eliot-George Henry Lewes Review Digitalization Project”; Sydney Tillotson, anthropology, “Salmon Pueblo Archaeological Research Collection and the Greater Chaco Landscape.”

• Lexington: Elvira Marciano, pre-Spanish, “Parent-Child Interactions during Preschool: What Factors Contribute to Parent Behavior?”

• Lincoln: Hamood Al Rahbi, mechanical engineering, “Fluid Mechanics of Soap Bubble Blowing”; Megan Asselin, speech-language pathology, “Effects of Taste Stimuli on Swallowing Function in Persons with Traumatic Injuries”; Madison Bierman, biochemistry, “UNL International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Team”; Chris Elofson, environmental studies, “Change in Cell Abundance During Nitrate-Mediated Oxidation of Reduced Uranium (IV)”; Lexis Funk, biological sciences, “Evaluating Mechanisms of RNA Editing in Plants”; Hana Jaber, nutritional science and dietetics, “The Impact of Nutrition and Physical Activity Education on the Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of Muslim’s Youth from Various Ethnic Backgrounds”; Josiah Johnson, biological systems engineering, “Mapping Groundwater and Surface Water Interaction in Western Nebraska”; Alexander Johnson, sociology, “An Analysis of Electrodermal Activity with Regards to Minority Health”; Carlie Kay, pre-speech-language pathology, “The Structures Module 3 Effectiveness Study: A Single-Subject Design”; Julia Keown, bachelor of science in nursing, “Development and Evaluation of an Electronic Application for use on Crash Carts for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Efforts”; Jordan Knapp, business administration, “Possible Dyslexia Markers May Exist in Adolescents and Their Biological Parents”; Jose Lemus, global studies, “The Effect of Discrimination on the Physiological Well Being of Adolescents in Lincoln, Nebraska”; Grecia Macias, biological sciences, “Developing Measures for the Evaluation of Colorism in the Latino Population on Campus”; Emily Marcuson, bachelor of science in nursing, “Development and Evaluation of an Electronic Application for use on Crash Carts for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Efforts”; Beau Marth, mechanical engineering, “Enhancements in Camera Design and Tools for Surgical Robots”; Amber Martinez, bachelor of science in nursing, “Enhancing Teamwork Between Nursing and Dental Students via a Blended Interprofessional Education Program”; Phuong Ninh, electrical engineering, “UNL International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Team”; Erica North, microbiology, “Modification of AD45 Genome for Vaccination and Oncolytic Activites”; Jeevan Rajagopal, computer science, “VITA-Math Day”; Amber Soden, bachelor of science in nursing, “Development and Evaluation of an Electronic Application for use on Crash Carts for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Efforts.”

• Malcolm: Mikayla Locke, nutritional science and dietetics, “Relationship Between Metabolic Suppression and Biological Markers of Energy Deficiency in Exercising Men.”

• Norfolk: Timothy Carlson, electrical engineering, “Effects of Acidic, Neutral and Basic Gases on Nanostructured Materials”; Mitchell Groninger, history, “Political Impacts on Athenian/Theban Material Culture.”

• Omaha: Matthew Bock, mechanical engineering, “Fluid Mechanics of Soap Bubble Blowing”; Taylor Bruett, veterinary science, “Role of Placental Cell Derived Exosomes in 3-Hydroxy-Fatty Acid-Induced Hepatocyte Lipoapoptosis”; John Chrostek, mathematics, “Simulating and Analyzing the Propagation and Generation of Relativistic Electrons”; Daniel Dooling, chemistry, “UNL International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Team”; KayLee Flower, psychology, “The Effects of Substance Use and PTSD Symptoms on Perceptions of Risk in Sexual Assault Victims”; Regan Gilmore, natural resource and environmental economics, “Implications of an Environmental Tax on Meat Consumption for the Livestock and Grain Sectors in the United States and Nebraska”; Tanner Hawkins, biological sciences, “Effects on Gopher Disturbance on Plant Succession”; Lauren Hays, pre-health, “Enhancing Teamwork Between Nursing and Dental Students via a Blended Interprofessional Education Program”; Hannah Hesson, psychology, “Evaluation of Douglas County Juvenile Court Initial Pre-hearing Conferences”; Alexandra Hruby, biological systems engineering, “Testing the Use of Electromagnetic Induction to Predict Hydraulic Conductivity in Streambed Sediments”; Madeline Lambert, architectural studies, “Design for Decline”; Erin Oeltjen, biochemistry, “Cren8 Protein Characterization”; Ankit Pant, physics, “Effect of Temperature and Pressure Exposure on the Resistance of NiC2O4 (NCO)”; Jennifer Wies, biochemistry, “Analysis of Histone Deacetylase Involvement in P. Syringae-Triggered Chromatin Changes.”

• Papillion: Brianna Kellar, biochemistry, “The Role of O-fucosylation in the Expression and Function of Stabilin-2.”

• Peru: Rachel Denniston, pre-elementary education and special education (K-6), “The Structures Module 3 Effectiveness Study: A Single-Subject Design.”

• Pleasant Dale: Shelby Wachal, psychology, “Evaluation of Douglas County Juvenile Court Initial Pre-Hearing Conferences.”

• Roca: Anastasiya Ivanchuk, pre-speech-language pathology, “The Structures Module 3 Effectiveness Study: A Single-Subject Design.”

• Syracuse: Aaron Halvorsen, psychology, “Infant Language Skill Assessment Predicting Later Mathematical Disabilities.”

• West Point: Blake Hass, Biological Systems Engineering, “The Role of O-fucosylation in the Expression and Function of Stabilin-2.”

ELSEWHERE:

• Aurora, Colorado: Ethiyal Raj Wilson, physics, “Effects of Cross Linked Nitrogenous Compounds on Boron Carbide Neutron Voltaics.”

• Pella, Iowa: Megan Campbell, German, “MayaCityBuilder: TL and OSL Dating of Ceramics at Ancient Maya City of Copan, Honduras.”

• Hampshire, Illinois: Hannah Seyller, speech-language pathology and audiology, “Effects of a MicroRNA-Deficient Diet on Cognitive Function and Muscular Efficiency in Mice.”

• Hutchinson, Kansas: Colton Harper, computer science, “UNL International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Team.”

• Lenexa, Kansas: Isaac Coleman, computer science, “Steelarm: An Independently Produced Video Game About Privilege and Player Choice.”

• Olathe, Kansas: Emily Freeman, music education, “Performance Practices of the World’s Most Famous Oratorio – Handel’s Messiah.”

• Prairie Village, Kansas: Matthew Hanson, journalism, “READiscover: Creating a Reading Platform for the Digital Age.”

• Colby, Kansas: Bridget Bickner, fisheries and wildlife, “Exploring the Effect of Octopamine on Male and Female Mating Behaviors in the Nursery Web Spider, Pisaurina mira.”

• Takoma Park, Maryland: James Lowe, geology, “Sedimentologic and Stratigraphic Investigation of the Heath Formation, Central Montana: Implications for Mid-Carboniferous Climate Change.”

• Winthrop, Maine: Anthony Skaleski, English, “Interpretations of Unconformities within the Phosphoria Rock Complex and their Implications Toward Climate Change: Bighorn Basin Wyoming.”

• Cologne, Minnesota: Nicolas Herrera, animal science, “The Mechanism by which Marbling Affects Beef Tenderness.”

• Woodbury, Minnesota: Victoria Bart, biological systems engineering, “Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Fluorescence Detection to Quantify In Vitro and In Vivo Nitric Oxide Concentrations.”

• Kansas City, Missouri: Grace Bullington, fisheries and wildlife, “Determining Population Occupancy of the Western Barred Tiger Salamander in Southeastern Nebraska Habitats.”

• East Brunswick, New Jersey: Haylie Mikulak, meteorology-climatology, “Variations in the Extents of Sea Ice and Snow Cover of the Arctic.”

• Grove City, Ohio: Braden Harm, chemical engineering, “Proposed Study of Methods Designed to Increase Yield of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell (hPSC) Cultures for Scientific and Clinical Use.”

• Ravenna, Ohio: Abhirup Shome, classics and religious studies, “The Effects of Political and Cultural Boundaries on the Spread of Religion in Archaic and Classical Greece.”

• Portland, Oregon: Brynne Schwabauer, chemical engineering, “UNL International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Team.”

• Madison, South Dakota: Brian Niedert, biological sciences, “Assessing the Impact of Digital Data Capture and Management Systems on the Processing and Publication of Archaeological Survey Data.”

• Rapid City, South Dakota: Andrew Schacht, biochemistry, “Characterization of Iron-Sulfur Clusters in WhiB-like Proteins Present in Mycobacterium Species.”

• Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Rachel Dickerson, anthropology, “MayaCityBuilder: Refining a Ceramic Chronology in Copan, Honduras”; Megan Rovang, speech-language pathology, “Neural Control of Tongue Movements Across Effort Levels”; Matthew Russell, water science, “Validation of the Cosmic-ray Neutron Method for Estimating Soil Moisture.”

• Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Angela Mercurio, biochemistry, “The Role of BAF in Antiviral Response to Poxviruses.”

• Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia: Ee Shin Hum, psychology, “Gender Differences in Mental Health Outcomes: The Role of Social Support and Self-Salience in Externalizing and Internalizing Symptoms.”

• Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia: Gean Xin Kok, economics, “Schedule Flexibility, Family Friendly Policies and Absence.”